With the launch of the all-new MacBook Neo today at $799 CAD, Apple has delivered a low-cost MacBook that brings back memories of the black and white plastic MacBook from 2009.
However, the release has created a unique comparison for value hunters: the brand-new budget Neo versus a certified refurbished 13-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip.
The refurbished M4 MacBook Air, originally released in March 2025, is currently available in the Apple.ca refurbished store for $1,039 CAD. While that is exactly $240 more than the Neo, the gap in hardware and features is significant.
The MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip, the same silicon found in the iPhone 16 Pro. While it is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and schoolwork, it is far slower than the M4 chip found in the MacBook Air. The M4 is a true desktop-class processor designed for more sustained workloads, offering better multi-core performance and significantly higher memory bandwidth.
Both laptops feature a 13-inch class Liquid Retina display, but the MacBook Air holds a slight edge with its 13.6-inch screen compared to the Neo’s 13-inch display. More importantly, the MacBook Air includes True Tone technology, which adjusts the display’s colour temperature to match your environment.
The MacBook Air also retains the modern notched display to house its 12MP Center Stage camera. The Neo avoids the notch by placing its 1080p FaceTime HD camera in a slightly thicker top bezel, but it lacks the Center Stage feature that keeps you framed during video calls.
The most important feature for many will be the memory. The MacBook Neo starts with 8GB of unified memory with no option to upgrade. In contrast, the refurbished M4 MacBook Air comes standard with 16GB of memory, which provides much more breathing room for multitasking (and when you have 100 tabs open in your browser).
Connectivity is another win for the MacBook Air. It features two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe charging port. The MacBook Neo uses slower USB-C ports (one USB 3 and one USB 2) and lacks MagSafe, meaning you will have to use one of those precious ports just to charge the device.
The choice comes down to your budget and your needs. If you are a student or a casual user who just needs a reliable, silent, and colourful machine for basic tasks, the $799 MacBook Neo ($679 education pricing is decent) is good value in 2026. It is the most affordable new Mac in years.
However, if you can stretch your budget to the $1,039 refurbished M4 MacBook Air (Amazon has a new one for $1179), you get double the RAM, faster Thunderbolt ports, MagSafe charging, a better camera, and a more powerful processor. For $240 more, you are essentially moving from a casual device to a pro-lite machine that will handle heavier workloads with ease.
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Even if one can snag a new or Apple Refurb’d M1 Air, the abilities of that older machine are still superior to the Neo. Capable of running apps beyond basic Safari or Office and allowing for processor-intensive tasks that the iPhone-based processor may not be able to handle.
Sure, the M1 won’t be in Indigo or Citron, but…
The A18 Pro chip in the NEO is more powerful than a M1. Don’t underestimate an iPhone chip.
Don’t forget that Neo doesn’t have a backlit keyboard!
It’s a baffling decision but it’s a total Apple move to leave that out…