MacBook Neo Is 8 Times Slower Than the Pro: What It Means for Buyers
The budget $599 MacBook Neo saves on the SSD — but at what cost to performance and time? We break down The Verge’s tests and explain who should take notice.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
March 11, 2026 · 2 min read
Budget price, noticeable compromise on speed
The new MacBook Neo starts at $599 — but benchmark measurements show its SSD runs significantly slower than the drives in the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. These aren't just benchmark numbers: storage speed directly affects app launch times, copying large files, and system responsiveness when RAM is limited.
"Test results show the storage speed in the budget laptop can be up to eight times lower."
— The Verge
What testers measured
According to tests, the MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro chip and a 256 GB drive showed roughly 1735 MB/s read and 1684 MB/s write. For comparison: the MacBook Air with M5 (1 TB SSD) — about 7049 MB/s read and 7480 MB/s write, while the MacBook Pro with M5 Max reaches 13.6 GB/s read and 17.8 GB/s write.
Practical consequence: copying a 100 GB file on the Neo can take around a minute, whereas on the Air — roughly 30 seconds, and on the Pro — only a few seconds.
Why this matters for the user
SSD affects more than just file transfer speed. macOS uses part of the SSD as virtual memory if RAM is insufficient (for example, when 8 GB are filled by active work). In such cases a fast drive compensates for lack of RAM; a slower SSD means noticeable delays during intensive tasks.
What’s behind Apple’s decision
Component cost savings and product segmentation are standard tools for a manufacturer covering different price niches. A slower controller or storage interface lets Apple reduce device cost and avoid cannibalizing sales of higher-end models.
Analysts note this also serves to more clearly differentiate the lineup — Neo for basic tasks, Air for general-purpose work, Pro for professional workloads.
Buyer advice (especially in Ukraine)
If you work with large files — video, project graphics, virtual machines — or frequently run into RAM shortages, investing in an Air or Pro is justified: they save you time. If you need an inexpensive device for office tasks, email and browsing — the Neo will provide basic functionality for a modest sum.
Also consider that Apple removes power adapters in certain regions (the EU and the UK), and other models in the line have different battery life and memory configurations: the MacBook Air with M5 is rated up to 18 hours, and the MacBook Pro 2026 with M5 Pro starts at $2199 with a 1 TB SSD.
Conclusion
The difference in SSD speed is not a technical triviality but a real impact on how quickly you work. Apple clearly prioritizes between models: savings for the mass segment and maximum performance for professionals. Now the choice is up to the buyer: are you willing to pay more for seconds of efficiency that, in professional tasks, turn into hours of work?
