After using MacBook Neo, it's clear Windows needs to rethink its PC strategy (and fast)

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Apple's new MacBook Neo will disrupt the budget PC market.
• PC makers will need to adapt. 
• This market disruption is good for innovation.

Apple's new MacBook Neo inserts a wedge into the budget laptop market. It's a product category traditionally dominated by Windows PCs, and Microsoft has been quite comfortable in this space for a long time -- its only real competitor being Chromebooks.

The MacBook Neo is a $599 laptop ($499 with the educator discount) that disrupts the market, bringing a trimmed-down version of the premium build MacBooks are known for to this lower price point. Yes, there are trade-offs to get the price this low, but Apple has done a good job at managing them. 

Review: MacBook Neo

For starters, the Neo comes with the A18 processor, an iPhone ...