Apple Launches MacBook Neo, Its Cheapest Laptop Ever   

• On March 4, Apple unveiled the MacBook Neo, its most affordable laptop yet, shocking the entire PC industry with its abrupt push into the budget computer market. Apple’s newest MacBook model starts at $599 ? nearly half the price of the company’s previous entry-level MacBook. The move signals Apple’s longer-term strategy to attract cost-conscious buyers who often choose Windows laptops or Chromebooks. The MacBook Neo features a 13-inch display and a lightweight 2.7-pound metal body. It comes in indigo, blush, citrus, and silver and includes two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. The base model offers 256 gigabytes of storage, while a version priced $100 higher doubles the capacity and adds Touch ID. Apple says the laptop delivers up to 16 hours of battery life. According to reviews, the MacBook Neo may be most suitable for students and casual users who typically stream videos or work on documents. It may fall short for professionals who need stronger performance for coding or advanced photo and video editing. Despite the product’s limitations, industry analysts say the MacBook Neo is already being taken seriously by the broader PC market. They expect PC makers to respond with competing devices, though it remains unclear how the new competition will ultimately reshape the market. Yesel Kang Copy Editor junior/1775103970/1613367813