The MacBook Neo could have sparked a major transformation in the budget laptop market. Although it has several compromises compared with the MacBook Air, Apple’s $599 laptop might have pushed PC manufacturers to deliver consistently better keyboards, displays, and build quality at an affordable price.
PC makers are beginning to respond, partly because Intel has introduced genuinely new, entry-level Core Series 3 processors, codenamed Wildcat Lake. Rather than rely on outdated or relabeled hardware for the lower end of the market, Intel developed a lower-performance processor built from the same components and manufacturing process as its latest high-performance chips.
Dell, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo quickly began announcing potential MacBook Neo competitors based on Wildcat Lake processors. However, many of these laptops struggled to match the Neo’s basic specifications. Dell’s XPS 13 starts at $599 but is limited to students at that price; the standard price for other buyers is $699. Acer’s Swift Air 14 was also announced at $699.
Some competing laptops include features that the MacBook Neo lacks. Still, the Neo stands out because it focuses on getting the fundamentals right instead of adding unnecessary extras. Its appeal comes from its combination of price, design, performance, and everyday usability.
Unfortunately, even the MacBook Neo has proven too good to last. Apple increased its price by $100 just three months after launch.
In a year marked by ongoing memory shortages, finding an affordable laptop that looks good, feels well built, and performs reliably has become increasingly difficult. That is especially true for shoppers willing to settle for a midrange processor, the minimum amount of RAM needed for modern operating systems and web browsers, and either 256GB or a more practical 512GB of storage.
One notable Wildcat Lake laptop could offer a compelling alternative. Chinese PC manufacturer Chuwi has introduced the UniBook, a laptop powered by Intel’s Wildcat Lake platform with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It is currently listed at an introductory price of $449. Chuwi gives the laptop a regular price of $569, although it is unclear when—or whether—that price will return.
Source: arstechnica.com