Apple's MacBook Neo nails the netbook by being nothing like it

The MacBook Neo is a sensation. Soon after Apple launched the $599 laptop and I posted quick first looks on various social media, I was stunned at the response. Thousands of likes, hundreds of reshares. People were jazzed, intrigued, confused, and some were put off.

Still, I was shocked at the level of interest. This could be Apple's first true everyperson portable PC, and I realized that the mania reminded me of another hyped product: the netbook.

OMG, it’s the MacBook Neo! pic.twitter.com/XaKXT480OnMarch 4, 2026

Remember netbooks? Back in 2008, they were a low-cost revelation, affordable computing saviors amidst a global financial meltdown. Made mostly by Asus, Acer, Lenovo, and MSI, the sub-$500 laptops flew off the shelves. While aimed at kids, teens, and education, they made their way into almost every market sector, including business.