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MacBook Neo Has Just 8GB RAM With No Upgrade Option

Apple made some compromises to sell a Mac notebook at $599, including cutting back on RAM. While all other Macs start at 16GB RAM, the MacBook Neo is equipped with 8GB RAM and no option to upgrade to more memory.

macbook neo pink display
With the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro models and 8GB RAM, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is able to run all Apple Intelligence features, but as AI gets more advanced and Apple adds new capabilities, there's a chance it could fall behind.

8GB RAM ensures the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is affordable, especially with the current memory shortages that are causing prices to soar. It's also the RAM in the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro.

Apple's MacBook Air used to have an 8GB option, but in October 2024, Apple updated it to add 16GB RAM to the entry level machine. Since then, no Mac has shipped with less than 16GB.

Though it only has 8GB RAM, the ‌MacBook Neo‌ is a powerful machine for everyday tasks like writing, web browsing, and schoolwork, and it's more than capable of light photo and video editing.

Pricing on the ‌MacBook Neo‌ starts at $599, and it is available for pre-order.

Related Roundup: MacBook Neo
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Neo

Top Rated Comments

4 weeks ago
With apples engineering prowess, 8GB feels more like 24GB.

Nothing to worry about.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4 weeks ago

8gb of apple
Unified Ram is much more powerful and efficient than people want to admit. More like a 16gb of ram
Absolutely not.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4 weeks ago
People joke, but this laptop will be just fine for high school (and even some college) students.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostface147 Avatar
4 weeks ago
ARM chips are more efficient and handle memory better, but 8 isn’t enough today. 16 should be the minimum.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4 weeks ago
8gb of apple
Unified Ram is much more powerful and efficient than people want to admit. More like a 16gb of ram
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikramerica Avatar
4 weeks ago
They didn’t “cut back” on RAM. They cut back on the SoC, using the A18Pro, which only comes in 1 version: 8GB.

Had they used the A19Pro they could have had 12GB.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)