Every so often, Apple trades its signature palette of cool silvers and muted grays for something brighter – and more affordable. This week, that something came in citrus, blush, and indigo.
The tech giant’s latest product blitz ended with the launch of two USD$599 devices: the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo. They’re Apple’s most accessible offerings in years, and they might just be its most interesting.
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MacBook Neo: A New Entry Point To Mac
The MacBook Neo is Apple’s answer to the Chromebook – a lightweight, candy-coloured laptop designed for students and everyday users who don’t need the horsepower of a MacBook Pro or even a MacBook Air. Powered by the A18 Pro chip (the same found in the iPhone 16 Pro), the 13-inch machine weighs just 2.7 pounds and runs up to 16 hours on a single charge. Early hands-on time saw it handling over 25 open browser tabs, apparel design software, and a live 3D Apple Arcade game without complaint. Its citrus colourway – somewhere between brat green and Yellow Chartreuse, apparently – immediately commanded attention at Apple’s New York showcase, with colour extending all the way down to the keyboard for a finish that feels more intentional than gimmicky.
iPhone 17e Keeps The Brief Simple
The iPhone 17e follows a similar brief: focus on the essentials, skip the extras, keep the price. It comes loaded with the A19 chip, 256GB of base storage (double the 16e), MagSafe wireless charging, a 48MP camera, and Apple’s latest C1X cellular modem – up to 2x faster and 30% more energy-efficient than its predecessor. It lands in black, white, and a new soft pink that feels squarely aimed at a younger, trend-conscious buyer.
A Clear Signal From Apple
Taken together, the Neo and the 17e represent Apple doing what it occasionally does well: making budget feel deliberate. The trade-offs are real – the Neo runs on a phone chip rather than the M5 powering the MacBook Air, and neither device is gunning for power users. But for a generation that grew up on iPads and iPhones, a USD$599 laptop that behaves like a grown-up iPhone might be exactly the on-ramp Apple has been missing. The colour helps too.
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether she’s belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
