Apple has officially entered the budget laptop segment by introducing the MacBook Neo priced at $599. This move triggered an immediate reaction from the largest personal computer (PC) manufacturers, who had dominated the affordable price category for years.

The Chief Financial Officer of ASUS, Nick Wu, openly admitted that the emergence of such an affordable product came as a “shock to the entire market.” According to him, giants like Microsoft, Intel, and AMD have already begun discussing strategies to compete with the new device. Previously, the budget segment was considered a safe zone for traditional PCs, but now Apple aims to capture a significant share of this market, targeting students and cost-conscious users.

Despite its attractive price, the MacBook Neo comes with several limitations. The model features 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage with no option for expansion, and it also lacks a backlit keyboard. Experts note that the device is better suited for everyday tasks—such as studying, watching videos, and working with documents—rather than demanding professional workloads. Nevertheless, for many buyers, the opportunity to enter the Apple ecosystem at such a low cost will be a decisive factor.

ORIENT