The newly-unveiled MacBook Neo gives buyers on a budget the opportunity to get an Apple computer — but it’s not the only affordable option that’s worth considering.
The entry-level iPad 11 (2025) might not seem a natural competitor to this new $599 / £599 / AU$899 device, being a tablet instead of a laptop. But if you bundle it with its Magic Keyboard Folio, it’s also a solid device for on-the-go working or creativity.
Moreover, the iPad (128GB, Wi-Fi) and Magic Keyboard Folio bundle costs almost exactly the same as the MacBook Neo at $598 / £578 / AU$998, so they’re closer competitors than you’d think.
The MacBook Neo is more powerful
If you need raw power, you’ll want to pick the MacBook Neo. The same goes if you want lots of storage space without relying on the iCloud.
This laptop has a mobile chipset, but it’s a modern one: the A18 Pro, which the iPhone 16 Pro family used. The iPad 11 tablet has the A16, which was used by the iPhone 15 devices.
There’s more RAM in the MacBook Neo, offering 8GB, which is a little bit more than the iPad’s 6GB. You’ll also get more storage for your money with the Neo than the slate, as while both cost the same, the base models have 128GB in the iPad and 256GB in the laptop.
So if you’re primarily looking for a productivity tool, the Neo wins here — and that’s boosted by the benefits of macOS compared to iPadOS (see ‘The iPad and MacBook are very different software experiences’ below).
The iPad is more portable
If your priority is buying a device which you can easily carry about, then you’ll want to opt for the iPad.
The two devices weigh a similar amount: the MacBook Neo tips the scales at 1.23kg, while the iPad 11 and Magic Keyboard folio is roughly 1.36kg (the iPad is actually only 477g, the folio is heavier). So there isn’t a huge amount of difference, weight-wise.
However, the MacBook Neo is bigger. It’s 1.3x30x20cm, while the iPad is 0.7x24x18cm, and this is reflected in the screen: the iPad’s is 11 inches diagonally, while the Neo has a 13-inch display.
The Magic Keyboard for the iPad counts as a protective folio too, so it’s a little more protected.
The MacBook Neo has more ports and edges it on battery
Buyers who need ports to plug in extra accessories (but don’t want to buy an adaptor) should pick up the MacBook. The only exception is stylus users, who’ll naturally prefer the tablet.
While the iPad only has a single USB-C port, the Neo has two (albeit only one with USB 3 speeds, the other being USB 2) as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. So you can charge the Neo, plug in a hard drive, and listen to music all at the same time.
You can keep those add-ons running for longer with the MacBook, too. It has, according to Apple, a battery life that facilitates 16 hours of video streaming, while the iPad can only achieve that same task for 10 hours.
The iPad and MacBook are very different software experiences
When it comes to software, but the Neo has versatility in its favor. It runs MacOS, Apple’s computer software, while the iPad is on iPadOS, a software that’s similar to iOS on iPhones.
The name of the game with iPadOS is simplicity. It’ll be easy to quickly bring up one or two apps, and have them take up the screen, or shift them around and swap them out if you need. Great if you need to lock in, and focus on a written article or hoard of emails to reply to — and obviously the touchscreen interface is a big differentiator.
However, the flipside of this iPadOS simplicity is that some apps may frustrate you with their limitations. iPad apps aren’t the same as their desktop equivalents, usually offering a stripped-down experience with limited features and simpler interfaces. Fine if that’s what you want — but if you want a desktop-type experience, maybe not for you.
MacOS may not be as simple, and finding the right apps or program might take a little more work, but it’ll be better for more complicated workflows. If you use external storage, or have files in folders you need to juggle in multiple apps, it’ll be the better choice for you. If you’re trying to edit media on the fly, or mix music, the Neo should have the edge over this iPad — although we’ve yet to officially benchmark the new laptop.
Bear in mind that the MacBook Neo is navigated via mouse, using the trackpad or a wired / wireless extra. The iPad is touch-first, although you can also use a mouse on it if you want. If you have a preference for mouse or touch navigation, that should help steer your purchase.
Verdict
There’s no clear and obvious winner when comparing the MacBook Neo and iPad 11 — deciding between them will come down to the type of mobile computer you want (touchscreen or not) and your main use cases (mostly productivity with a side of fun, or the reverse).
As a tablet, the iPad is designed to be compact, portable and simple, letting you do basic tasks on the go with minimal fuss. It’s perfect for people who like to travel light, such as students on a coffee shop coursework crawl, or frequent fliers who need a simple work or entertainment device. The Magic Keyboard Folio offers a comfortable typing experience with similar key travel to the Neo, but it’s less good for typing on your lap (being better suited to desks).
The MacBook Neo is a laptop, and this kind of device is naturally a little more advanced. It has more ports, a bigger screen, and a longer-lasting battery. It’ll be better for doing involved tasks like file management, photo or sound editing and compiling projects, especially ones where you might be tethered to a desk or work station for long stints. It’s also better if you’re looking to do lots of typing in different scenarios (on your lap, as well as on desks and tables).
That summarizes the key differences between these two devices, but it’s worth bearing in mind that both have more advanced iterations that cost more money. Announced alongside the MacBook Neo was the pricey MacBook Pro 5 Pro, with absolutely loads of power, and the mid-range, larger and more powerful iPad Air M4, with plenty of other members in each range at different price points and specs.
If you’ve decided on your preferred form factor but want more in the same shell, it’s worth exploring those higher-end options, too.
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tom.bedford@hotmail.co.uk (Tom Bedford)
