The MacBook Neo has gone up by 10,000 rubles in Russia. When M.Video first started accepting pre-orders, the base version cost 69,990 rubles, and even considering marketplace prices, it was a very attractive deal. Now, Apple’s cheapest laptop — with more than 20 compromises and drawbacks — is being sold for a whopping 79,990, which no longer looks like such an appealing option. Let’s figure out why the price went up and find the best deal on the MacBook Neo.
MacBook Neo unexpectedly got more expensive
Why the MacBook Neo Got More Expensive in Russia
When Apple announced the MacBook Neo in March 2026, Russian retailers quickly posted their prices. At M.Video, the base 8/256 GB model was priced at 69,990 rubles. Not cheap, considering that the same laptop costs just $599 in the US — about 48,000 rubles at the current exchange rate. But for parallel imports — tolerable.
This was the price before
And this is what it became after
A little over a month passed — and the price jumped to 79,990 rubles. Same specs, same laptop. The difference — 10,000 rubles out of thin air. The situation is similar at re:Store: the MacBook Neo 8/256 GB also costs 79,990 rubles there. Though that price was set from the very beginning.
Most likely, the reason is simple — a shortage. The first batches sold out quickly, plus Apple is running out of defective processors for the MacBook Neo, meaning there aren’t enough computers to go around. So the price tag followed suit. Retailers have to pay more to keep the devices in stock, and that inevitably gets reflected in the final price. Even the strengthening of the ruble doesn’t help here.
Where to Buy the MacBook Neo for the Lowest Price
At the same time, major retail chains currently don’t offer the best price on the MacBook Neo. If you look at marketplaces, the picture is quite different. On Ozon, you can find the laptop for 52,800 rubles — this is an offer with international shipping.
Arguably the best deal on MacBook Neo right now
But there’s a catch that’s easy to overlook. A customs duty of 6,200 rubles is added to the price. That brings the total to 59,000 rubles. That’s still 21,000 cheaper than at M.Video. The difference is significant — you could buy a lot of useful things with that money. There’d even be enough left over for AirPods.
MacBook Neo Prices in Russia
To save you time comparing offers across different stores, we’ve compiled current prices for the MacBook Neo 8/256 GB into one table. Pay attention to the “Total” column — that’s what you’ll actually pay.
| Store | Price | Duty | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Video | 79,990 ₽ | — | 79,990 ₽ |
| re:Store | 79,990 ₽ | — | 79,990 ₽ |
| Ozon (international) | 52,800 ₽ | 6,200 ₽ | 59,000 ₽ |
Of course, buying on Ozon has its downsides. International shipping takes time, and warranty service can be more complicated. But saving 21,000 rubles is a serious argument. Especially when it comes to a budget laptop whose entire point is an affordable price.
Is the MacBook Neo Worth Buying?
The pricing situation for the MacBook Neo in Russia looks paradoxical. Apple created the cheapest MacBook in history, but in retail it costs as much as a full-fledged mid-range laptop. Let’s recall what you get for the money.
Inside is an Apple A18 Pro processor with 6 CPU cores, 5 GPU cores, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It’s the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro. RAM is 8 GB, which also serves as video memory. Storage is 256 or 512 GB depending on the version. The display is 13 inches, Liquid Retina with a resolution of 2408×1506 pixels, brightness up to 500 nits. There’s a 1080p camera, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, two USB-C ports (one USB 2.0, one USB 3.0), and a 3.5mm audio jack. The battery lasts up to 16 hours, and the laptop weighs just 1.23 kg.
Apple made a good computer, and many will certainly find a use for it
Who is this computer for? First and foremost — students and those who work with documents and messaging apps. Notes, presentations, Zoom calls, a dozen Chrome tabs — the MacBook Neo handles all of this without issues. Freelancers who need a compact laptop for working in cafés or coworking spaces will also appreciate it. And Neo is also a great option as a second computer if your main workhorse stays at home.
Let’s be honest: the MacBook Neo is not a gaming computer, although to be fair, it handled games reasonably well. Five GPU cores and 8 GB of shared memory — that’s the ceiling for undemanding titles. Don’t expect stable 60 FPS in heavy games. For serious tasks like 4K video editing or 3D modeling, you’re better off looking at the MacBook Air or Pro.
If you specifically need the MacBook Neo — look on marketplaces. At a total price of around 59,000 rubles including duty, the laptop becomes an interesting proposition. But paying nearly 80,000 in official retail — that’s a questionable pleasure. For that money, you might want to consider the MacBook Air with M2, which is a better choice in every scenario.
