Has Apple stolen the budget laptop market?

Has Apple stolen the budget laptop market?

From The ITPro Podcast by ITPro

March 20, 2026 · 16 min · Episode 343

About this episode

The episode discusses Apple's entry into the budget laptop market with the MacBook Neo and its implications for businesses.

Apple made waves at the start of March with the launch of the MacBook Neo, its first budget laptop. As RAM prices skyrocket, businesses are under pressure to make device purchases that count and that will future-proof their workers for years to come. Both Apple and manufactures in the Windows ecosystem are vying for enterprise money in the budget and pro segments – even as it becomes more expensive than ever to spec devices to 16GB of memory and beyond. Where does the latest Apple release fit into the wider business laptop ecosystem? This week, Rory speaks to Bobby Hellard, ITPro’s reviews editor, to unpack all things MacBook Neo, Windows laptops, and the future of business hardware. Read more: MacBook Neo: everything you need to know about Apple's £599 laptop The MacBook Neo is another Apple master stroke, and it couldn’t have come at a better time Low-budget devices are the biggest casualty of the RAM crisis Give businesses more practical AI services and some return on investment before you go selling 6G Lenovo wows at MWC with concepts for a modular ThinkBook and desktop AI-devices AMD thinks ‘AI on the PC has crossed an important line’ – the rise of ‘Agent Computers’ will be…

People in this episode

Host: Rory

Guest: Bobby Hellard

Topics covered

  • budget laptops
  • Apple
  • business hardware
  • RAM prices
  • Windows laptops
  • AI PCs

Keywords

  • MacBook Neo
  • budget laptop
  • Apple
  • Windows laptops
  • RAM prices
  • business hardware
  • AI PCs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Apple, Lenovo, Dell, AMD

Products: MacBook Neo

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