MacBook Neo review: I'm a Windows user, but Apple nails the value

• Pros: It succeeds as an entry-level MacBook, has great battery life, and performs well within its intended use case.
• Cons: Modest hardware has real limitations, competitive PCs and Chromebooks still exist, and its longevity and durability are big question marks.

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When Apple announced the MacBook Neo -- the new, affordable, 13-inch laptop running on an iPhone chip -- it prefaced the announcement by saying it was redefining what a MacBook could be. Once known for its performance and exclusivity, the MacBook Pro now has a far more affordable alternative, starting at $599. 

But Macs weren't always thought of this way. The iconic iMacs of the 2000s and Macintosh computers before that -- although not cheap -- lacked the same "luxury tech" connotations. The Neo speaks to a design ambition largely absent from the MacBook over the last several years: accessibility. 

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