Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, lasts longer on a charge and has a sharper screen. Pick the Apple MacBook Neo only if it matters to you that it has more storage and is sold new.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
- Speed Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is quicker. Its Apple M1 has the power for photo and video editing, while the Apple A18 Pro in the Apple MacBook Neo stays smooth with lots of apps and tabs open.
- Battery life Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch should last longer on a charge: it has a 49.9 Wh battery against 36.5 Wh.
- Storage Apple MacBook Neo wins
The Apple MacBook Neo has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
- Sharpness Apple MacBook Air 13-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's screen is sharper: 2.5K against 2K.
- Condition Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Neo is sold new.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Neo if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 500 nits.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M1 is the more powerful processor.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 18 hours).
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Air 13-inch leads on performance and battery and weight; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Apple MacBook Neo has more storage, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is faster.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple A18 Pro 5-core GPU | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | — | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | — | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | — | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Neo has a brighter screen, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has a sharper screen.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 2K (2408 x 1506) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | sRGB; 1 billion colours | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 16 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 36.5 Wh | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | — | 30 W |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.23 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 297.5 x 206.4 x 12.7 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | aluminium | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Indigo | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Silver, Blush, Citrus, Indigo | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Apple MacBook Neo has Wi-Fi 6E, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has Thunderbolt or USB4.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | None | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 1 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Each laptop has its strengths on extras.
The Apple MacBook Neo has a sharper webcam, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has a backlit keyboard.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p FaceTime HD | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Webcam privacy | None | — |
| Backlit keyboard | No | Yes |
| Keyboard | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Multi-Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | Dual-speaker system, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | Dual-mic array with directional beamforming | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | — | No |
| Security | — | Touch ID |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Neo is ahead on software and updates.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Neo is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MHFG4B/A | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2026 | 2020 |