The laptop market just got a lot more exciting. Apple launched its most affordable laptop ever — the MacBook Neo — and now Huawei is reportedly getting ready to fight back with its own budget laptop called the MateBook Neo. What makes this even more interesting? Huawei’s version could come at a lower price point than Apple’s offering. This is big news for anyone looking for a good laptop without spending too much money.
On March 4, Apple introduced the MacBook Neo as a budget-friendly laptop. It was a surprise move. The MacBook Neo is positioned below the MacBook Air line and is the most affordable laptop Apple has ever offered. It starts at $599 and uses an A18 Pro chip — an iPhone-based processor — instead of the usual M-series chip. This is the first time Apple has used a phone chip inside a Mac. The base model comes with just 8GB of RAM.
But Huawei is not sitting quietly. A well-known tech leaker called DigitalChatStation revealed that the Huawei MateBook Neo is on its way to launch as a direct rival to the MacBook Neo.
Here is a quick comparison of what both laptops are expected to offer:
| Feature | Apple MacBook Neo | Huawei MateBook Neo (Leaked) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $599 | Below $599 (expected) |
| Processor | A18 Pro (iPhone chip) | Kirin 9030 Pro (phone chip) |
| RAM | 8GB | 24GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 1TB |
| OS | macOS | HarmonyOS (expected) |
| Colors | Silver, Indigo Blush, Citrus | Deep Space Gray, Silver |
The numbers speak clearly. The MateBook Neo is expected to pack 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage — far more than the MacBook Neo’s base configuration. For everyday users who like keeping many apps open at once, this is a big advantage. More RAM means the laptop runs faster and handles more tasks at the same time.
Huawei may also use the Kirin 9030 Pro — the same powerful chip found in its Mate 80 Pro flagship phone. This follows a strategy similar to Apple’s, where a phone chip is placed inside a laptop. Both companies are now building laptops the same way they build phones. This trend is changing the whole industry.
The new MateBook Neo is also expected to run HarmonyOS — Huawei’s own software system — and will be available in Deep Space Gray and Silver color options.
Now, why does this matter for regular buyers? It is simple. When two big companies compete, prices go down and features go up. Buyers get better value for their money. The Huawei MateBook Neo gives users a chance to get more storage and more memory for possibly less money than the MacBook Neo.
That said, Huawei has not yet officially confirmed any details. It is still unclear exactly when the MateBook Neo will launch or what the final price will be. More details are expected to come out soon.
The battle between Huawei and Apple in the budget laptop space is just getting started. For buyers who want a powerful and affordable laptop, this competition is great news. Keep watching — the next few months could bring some very exciting choices to the market.
