Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) vs Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M)
The real choice here is the system: the Apple MacBook Neo runs macOS and the Acer Aspire 14 AI runs Windows. Beyond that, the Apple MacBook Neo is more compact, while the Acer Aspire 14 AI has more memory and lasts longer on a charge.
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Key differences
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Performance
Acer Aspire 14 AI wins
Same class of processor, but the Acer Aspire 14 AI has more memory (16 GB against 8 GB).
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Gaming
Apple MacBook Neo wins
The Apple MacBook Neo's built-in graphics manages light and older games, while the Acer Aspire 14 AI's built-in graphics isn't made for games.
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Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 13" 2K 500 nits against 14" Full HD OLED.
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Battery life
Acer Aspire 14 AI wins
The Acer Aspire 14 AI should last longer: up to 18.5 hours against up to 16 hours.
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Connectivity
Acer Aspire 14 AI wins
The Acer Aspire 14 AI is better connected. Only it has Thunderbolt/USB4, HDMI, USB-A and a card reader.
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Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.23 kg and 1.25 kg.
Other differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the Apple MacBook Neo runs macOS and the Acer Aspire 14 AI runs Windows. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Memory Acer Aspire 14 AI wins
The Acer Aspire 14 AI has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Acer Aspire 14 AI has the bigger screen (14" against 13"), while the Apple MacBook Neo is more compact.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Neo if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 13-inch screen.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2K screen makes text and images crisper.
Choose the Acer Aspire 14 AI if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 18.5 hours).
- You want more room to work: its 14-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You watch a lot of films and video, or edit photos: its OLED screen has true blacks and rich colour.
Full spec comparison
The Acer Aspire 14 AI leads on performance, battery and weight, ports and wireless and extras; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Acer Aspire 14 AI is ahead on performance.
It has more memory, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 |
| Graphics | Apple A18 Pro 5-core GPU | AMD Radeon 840M |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 50 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | — | LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Maximum memory | — | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | — | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Acer Aspire 14 AI has the bigger screen (14" against 13"), while the Apple MacBook Neo is more compact. The Apple MacBook Neo is more compact and has a sharper screen, while the Acer Aspire 14 AI has a bigger screen and has an OLED screen.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13" | 14" |
| Resolution | 2K (2408 x 1506) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | OLED |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Colour range | sRGB; 1 billion colours | — |
| HDR | None | — |
| Finish | — | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Apple MacBook Neo is slimmer, while the Acer Aspire 14 AI lasts longer on a charge.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 16 hours | Up to 18.5 hours |
| Battery capacity | 36.5 Wh | 65 Wh |
| Charger | — | 65 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.23 kg | 1.25 kg |
| Dimensions | 297.5 x 206.4 x 12.7 mm | 312 x 225.9 x 15.9 mm |
| Materials | aluminium | aluminium body |
| Colour | Indigo | Pure Silver |
| Colours available | Silver, Blush, Citrus, Indigo | Pure Silver |
Ports and wireless
The Acer Aspire 14 AI is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4, HDMI, USB-A and an SD card reader, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x USB-C USB 3 up to 10Gb/s (charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-C USB 2 up to 480Mb/s (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB4 40Gbps (DisplayPort, charging), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x microSD |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | USB4 40Gbps |
| External displays (max) | 1 | — |
| Card reader | None | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Acer Aspire 14 AI is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard and Copilot+ AI features and has a webcam shutter, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD | 1080p |
| Webcam privacy | None | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | Yes |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys | white backlight, AcerSense key |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Multi-Touch trackpad | touchpad |
| Speakers | Dual-speaker system, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | 2 speakers |
| Microphones | Dual-mic array with directional beamforming | built-in microphone |
| Security | — | Kensington lock, Microsoft Pluton, camera shutter |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
It is newer, and the Acer Aspire 14 AI doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Acer Aspire 14 AI (A14-61M) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | MHFG4B/A | NX.JNZEK.001 |
| Released | 2026 | 2025 |