I tested three Windows laptops in the MacBook Neo’s price range — there’s no contest

Technology journalist Antonio G. Di Benedetto published a comparative review on The Verge in January 2025, concluding that Apple's newly released MacBook Neo dominates the $599 laptop market, leaving current Windows competitors significantly behind in build quality, design, and overall value. The review, prompted by the Neo's surprising launch last month, systematically tested three Windows laptops in the same price bracket to assess the competitive landscape. Di Benedetto found that while PC manufacturers were seemingly caught off guard by Apple's aggressive entry into the budget segment, their current offerings fail to match the Neo's combination of premium materials, reliable performance, and portability. The MacBook Neo, priced at $599, establishes a new benchmark for affordable laptops. It delivers what the reviewer describes as 'fantastic build quality' and 'solid performance' wrapped in a sleek, ultra-portable chassis. This stands in stark contrast to the Windows laptops tested, which were characterized as often 'ugly, cheap-feeling, and a little slow' at this critical price point. The Neo's arrival disrupts a market segment where consumers have historically had to compromise on aesthetics and materials for the sake of affordability, forcing a major reevaluation of what is possible in budget computing. The article suggests that the Windows ecosystem was unprepared for this move, despite years of industry rumors about a more affordable MacBook. Di Benedetto notes that proper, competitive responses from PC makers are likely in development but are not yet available to consumers. The review serves as both a critique of the current state of budget Windows laptops and a call to action for manufacturers, who must now innovate rapidly to close the gap. The underlying implication is that Apple's strategy could significantly reshape market expectations and consumer choice in the entry-level laptop category for years to come.