When Apple unveiled the MacBook Neo, everyone in Russia held their breath: how much would this “miracle” cost here? Because $599 at the current exchange rate is one thing, but the actual price tag in a store is something else entirely. And sure enough, M.Video didn’t keep us waiting long and has already announced the official ruble prices.
MacBook prices in Russia have caught the inflation bug from cucumbers. Image: zdnet.com
Apple introduced the MacBook Neo as a MacBook that costs less than the MacBook Air. This is the first Mac that runs not on a proprietary M-series chip, but on a processor from the iPhone. That’s right: inside is a six-core Apple A18 Pro chip with a powerful graphics processor.
There’s only 8 GB of RAM, and it cannot be upgraded. The screen is a 13-inch Liquid Retina with a resolution of 2408×1506, 500 nits of brightness, and a basic anti-glare coating. The bezels around the screen are uniform, like on an iPad — in short, no notch. The laptop is available in four colors: silver, indigo, pink, and citrus yellow.
How Much Does the MacBook Neo Cost in Russia
M.Video stores are already accepting pre-orders. Current prices are as follows:
- MacBook Neo 8/256 GB — 69,999 rubles
- MacBook Neo 8/512 GB — 84,999 rubles
For comparison: in the US, these configurations cost $599 and $699 respectively. In an ideal world, the ruble prices should have been around 47,000 for the base version and 55,000 rubles for the top configuration. Official sales begin on March 11, while the computers will arrive in Russia later — no earlier than April 4.
What’s the Difference Between the 256 GB and 512 GB MacBook Neo
This is the main catch you need to know about before buying. The 256 GB version comes without Touch ID. The fingerprint scanner is only available in the 512 GB model. This means that with the base configuration at 69,999 rubles, you’ll have to enter your password manually every time you unlock the laptop or confirm a payment in the App Store.
Light, colorful, and affordable. Image: 9to5mac.com
The MacBook Neo also has only two USB-C ports: one operates at USB 3 speed with DisplayPort 1.4 support, while the second runs at USB 2 speed. There’s no MagSafe charging here, so you’ll have to charge via a regular USB-C cable. The keyboard in all versions has no backlight. In short, cost-cutting everywhere possible.
Who Is the MacBook Neo For
Despite all its limitations, the MacBook Neo has some compelling arguments in its favor. For example, Apple claims that in everyday tasks it outperforms the best PC with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor by 50%, and in AI workloads — by three times. Battery life is up to 16 hours of video playback. For a laptop at this price, that’s very impressive.
Plus it fully works with Apple Intelligence, syncs with iPhone via AirDrop and Continuity, supports all apps from the App Store — and costs half the price of the MacBook Air, which used to be the cheapest Apple computer.
If you already use an iPhone and want your first Mac, the MacBook Neo looks like a logical entry ticket into the Apple ecosystem. The only question is whether 8 GB of RAM and the lack of a fingerprint scanner in the base version will start to feel limiting over time.
