The MacBook Neo now costs £699 – what other good laptops are cheaper?

The MacBook Neo was revolutionary when it launched – a MacBook for only £599. However, a £100 price rise now makes it less attractive to those who want more change from £700.

That’s especially so if you need more storage than the base 256GB or want TouchID logins. The 512GB model with TouchID costs £800 – that's not too far off 2025’s £999 MacBook Air, which includes the impressive M4 processor.

Below, we reveal that while the MacBook Neo is no doubt a nifty laptop, you have far more choice to get exactly what you’re after with a Windows model. And often for less, too.

For the top models recommended by our experts, see our guides to the best laptops and best student laptops.

Apple MacBook Neo vs Windows rivals

It’ll surprise no one that the MacBook Neo is the laptop all mid-priced Windows laptops are now judged against.

The Neo certainly isn’t perfect, but it finally gives you a MacBook without an astronomical price tag. We’ve compared it to some of the standout mid-price Windows laptops below.

References to ‘average price' and 'cheapest price' are based on Which? market knowledge and information supplied by our partners. Prices are checked for the six calendar months prior to publication. Not all retailers are included in our checks.

The benchmark: Apple MacBook Neo

Average price in the past six months (Apple's price rose in June): £606

Cheapest price in the past six months (Apple's price rose in June): £599

Directly from Apple: £699 (£599 at launch; now £699 after Apple hiked its prices)

• Apple A18 Pro processor
• 8GB Ram
• 256GB Storage

We like: Still lowers the price barrier to owning a Mac

We don’t like: Small screen won’t suit everyone

Many have long been pining for a cheaper MacBook and it’s finally here with the Neo. If you’re just looking for a MacBook for everyday tasks like emails, web browsing and even some light photo-editing, then the Neo looks just the ticket.

More advanced users will notice the limitations, though. The 12.9-inch screen is smaller than any other MacBook: it’ll be awkward manipulating large spreadsheets on it. There’s also no MagSafe charging, so you only have one USB-C socket spare when it's plugged in. Plus, you’ll fill up its 256GB storage pretty quickly if you save lots of holiday snaps.

So is the Neo really value for money or should you save up for the MacBook Air? Find out in our Apple MacBook Neo review.

Definitely want an Apple laptop? See our expert guide to the best MacBooks

Windows powerhouse: Asus Vivobook 14 and 16-inch

Average price in the past six months: £525 and £555, respectively

Cheapest price in the past six months: £400 and £399

• Snapdragon X-X126100 processor
• 16GB Ram
• 512GB storage

We like: Future-proofed specs for under £500

We don’t like: Laptop speakers could be better

This Asus is available with a 14-inch screen (model X1407QA) or a larger 16-inch screen (X1607QA). It uses an Arm-based Snapdragon X processor – this isn’t a problem for most, but if you have an older printer, or older devices and specialist software you use with your computer, be sure to check whether they offer support for Arm-based processors (if you’d prefer a traditional processor, see the Asus S14 below).

These laptops are very friendly to those who have lots of USB devices, as they offer two full-sized USB-A ports and two USB-C, as well as HDMI.

Look like the ideal laptop for you? Be sure to check out our full verdict in our Asus 14-inch Vivobook S14 review and Asus 16-inch Vivobook 16 review.

Plus-sized Neo rival: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (15.6")

Average price in the past six months: £612

Cheapest price in the past six months: £399

Available for £429 at Very. Compare with other retailers' prices, below.

• Snapdragon X-X126100 processor
• 16GB Ram
• 256GB storage

We like: Impressive deal currently at Very

We don’t like: Storage is a bit stingy if you save lots of photos

Samsung Galaxy laptops are some of the most sought-after on Windows, and this model is currently available at an astonishingly low price at Very.

It’s a larger model with a 15.5-inch screen, giving enough screen space for complex tasks like comparing two documents or manipulating a spreadsheet, while retaining more portability than a large 16-inch laptop.

It’s also generous on ports, with two USB-C, one full-sized USB3, HDMI output, and even a micro-SD card socket. Like all Snapdragon X processor laptops, this is Arm-based – not a problem for most, but if you have an older printer, or older devices and specialist software you use with your computer, be sure to check whether they offer support for Arm-based processors.

So is there a catch? Find out in our definitive Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (15.6") review.

Traditional processor: Asus 14-inch Vivobook S14 (M3407HA)

Average price in the past six months: £588

Cheapest price in the past six months: £420

• AMD Ryzen 5 processor
• 16GB Ram
• 512GB storage

We like: AMD processor avoids any compatibility worries

We don’t like: Muffled speakers, based on our lab tests

While many lower-priced future-proof Windows laptops offer Snapdragon X processors, which originally launched in 2024, this similarly priced model opts for a more familiar x86-based AMD processor. This means any old devices and software you have will work with it, provided they support Windows 11.

Asus claims an impressive 20-hour battery life (we test it to see if it delivers) and it has a Full HD 14-inch screen.

See if this is the ideal laptop for you, including how its battery performed, in our Asus 14-inch Vivobook S14 (M3407HA) review.

For more expert insight into buying a laptop, see all of our laptops advice.