Does Apple’s computer have real competition?

He MacBook Neo It has burst in like an elephant in a china shop because many of us have been asking Apple to launch an affordable laptop for years. The question at this point is how it compares to Windows laptops that are around a similar price. We have selected three interesting models for this price and we are going to put them face to face to see how the new Apple equipment looks in front of them. You have the models in question right below.

Differences between the MacBook Neo and similarly priced Windows alternatives

Fewer inches, but a higher quality screen

The MacBook Neo has a 13 inch screensmaller than the rest of its rivals in this comparison, at 15.6 inches. It is a difference that is noticeable in practice, especially if you are a user who usually works with several windows open at the same time. Now, this smaller size will also be noticeable in the dimensions and weight of the equipment, something we will talk about a little later.

If we remove the issue of size from the equation, the MacBook Neo’s screen will win over that of these laptops with Windows operating systems. Not only in color representation (Apple’s True Tone technology does a lot there), but also in the brightness levelwhere he has one higher than that of his opponents. What does this mean? If we work in a room or in a place where there is a lot of light, we will be able to see what we are doing more easily.

The operating system is the most important difference

A difference that must be addressed and that is not exclusive to this new Neo is the issue of the operating system. Choosing the Apple laptop will introduce us to MacOS, a lightweight and visually very clean operating system. It is true that it is much less customizable than Windows, but in it you will find all the most typical office tools or similar that you need to work or study. Also, if you have an iPhone, you can receive your notifications on your laptop. Or even use an iPad as a second screen.

On the other hand, there is Windows. It is a more demanding operating system for the hardware, but in exchange it is also more customizable and usually works better with several windows at the same time. Besides, It is also easier to install applications and gamesalthough these teams are not designed to play. You can also connect your mobile phone to this operating system, although it does not reach Apple’s level of integration.

The hardware differences, beyond the numbers

Let’s move on to the hardware, which is where the meat of this comparison is. By numbers, if we look at the specifications of the three Windows laptops (you can find them below in a comparison table), they are superior. The MacBook Neo comes with a mobile processor (the A18 Pro that was mounted on the iPhone 16 Pro), but that doesn’t mean it should be underestimated: has more power than a MacBook Air M1.

Putting the processors of Windows computers on the table, we have a quite different bouquet. The Acer laptop comes with a 13th generation Intel Core i7, which can offer Better performance in heavy tasks like 4K video editing than the rest. The Lenovo, with its Intel Core i5 of the same generation, is the intermediate option and the HP, with an Intel Core 5 120 U, is the least powerful of all, but with enough for office automation and simple tasks.

Important point related to the processor: temperature management. A laptop, due to space issues, has very little room to cool its interior. With very intensive use, it is possible that Windows laptops tend to heat up more and emit noise from the fans. This is something that the MacBook Neo will not suffer at that level, since Apple laptops They are characterized by being very quiet.

Processors aside, there is also the issue of memory. The MacBook Neo only has an 8GB RAM configuration, just half of what the three similarly priced Windows options offer. Here we have two things to keep in mind: MacOS is a less demanding operating system, so we will have a more fluid experience than in Windows. However, the 16 GB of RAM is better if you are one of those who has dozens of tabs open in the browser.

And finally, there is the issue of storage. This is where the Apple team loses the most, since this configuration It only comes with 256 GB capacity (There is one with 512 GB, but it is more expensive). The HP and Acer laptops win by a landslide, both with 1 TB of storage. The Lenovo falls right in the middle with its 512 GB of storage.

If we are going to move a lot with it, the Apple laptop is better

The beauty of a laptop is, above all, that it is portable. They are devices designed to work there and there, no matter if it is in the office or on board a train. We may spend part of the day carrying them and, logically, the lighter it is, the better. And the MacBook Neo also wins there: weighs 1.23 kgsignificantly less than the three Windows laptops we have chosen.

Then there is also the issue of autonomy. The usual thing happens here: its duration will depend a lot on the use we give it, since working with office automation is not the same as editing video. On paper, the Apple laptop offers up to 16 hours of autonomya very high figure if we take into account its price. It also beats its Windows rivals, none of which exceeds 10 hours.

Connectivity, the weak point of the MacBook Neo

The amount of RAM memory of the MacBook Neo is one of its weak points, although not the only one. Perhaps the worst thing about the team is that It only has two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone port as connectivity options. This Apple laptop does not have a separate charging port like the MacBook Air does, which already takes away an option in case we have to charge the device. You have to purchase separately a USB Hub if you want to connect peripherals.

And, speaking of charging, another weak point: The MacBook Neo does not come with a chargerso we have to buy it separately (it does come with a cable). Here it loses out to its Windows rivals, which come with several ports, including a microSD slot or HDMI ports, ideal if you work with an additional monitor.

In short: MacBook Neo or Windows laptop of a similar price?

Why choose the MacBook Neo

• Its screen, although smaller, is on another level in terms of color and viewing angles.
• It is much more manageable and has more autonomy, ideal if you usually work outside the home.
• If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can receive notifications on your laptop and much more.
• Quality-price, it is one of the best options for office automation, for simple tasks or for students.

Why choose a Windows laptop

• The storage is much greater on devices in the same price range, ideal for storing many videos or large files.
• To handle many applications open at once or tabs in the browser, the 16 GB of RAM is noticeable.
• At the connectivity level, they are much more versatile laptops without having to purchase anything separately.

Technical sheet with the main differences between the MacBook Neo and rivals with Windows

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

Images | Sunrise King, Pedro AznarApple, HP, Lenovo, Acer

In Xataka | MacBook Air Vs MacBook Pro: we explain which one to choose

In Xataka | MacBook Air M4 vs MackBook Air M3: these are the main differences between the two models