The new MacBook Neo might be Apple’s cheapest laptop yet, but you can spend less and get a better-specced Windows 11 machine without trying very hard. I’ve found three great Windows alternatives to the Apple MacBook Neo at Best Buy. And they’re perfect business laptops that beat Apple’s new laptop on specs, performance and price.
HP’s 15.6-inch laptop is also $549 (was $789), delivering 16GB of RAM with a 512GB SSD. It uses an Intel i3-N305 processor, which is more modest, although the extra memory and larger display make it a great, everyday option.
Dell’s Inspiron Copilot+ model sits at $599.99 9was $799.99) and lines up directly against the Neo on price. It includes 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with built-in AI features for modern Windows tasks.
Today’s top Windows laptop deals
While we called it “the best budget laptop you can buy” in our MacBook Neo review, at $599, Apple’s Neo gives you an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD, while $699 bumps storage to 512GB. That’s reasonable for the money, and Apple’s unified memory does stretch further than typical RAM, although 8GB still has limits once workloads stack up.
Memory is where things are more nuanced, as Apple’s unified approach means that 8GB can feel closer to higher capacities in lighter use. Even so, all three Windows laptops offer 16GB, which still gives them more breathing room for heavier multitasking and demanding apps.
Storage tells a similar story, with every Windows option starting at 512GB while Apple charges extra to reach that level. That alone makes the base Neo feel a bit limited for long-term use.
Display quality still leans toward Apple, as the Liquid Retina panel offers sharper resolution and higher brightness than these Full HD panels. It looks excellent, although it doesn’t completely offset the hardware gap elsewhere.
Battery life and efficiency could still favor the Neo, especially with Apple silicon, although newer Windows systems are getting closer.
Looking at these deals side by side, you’re getting more RAM, more storage, and comparable or better performance for less money with the Windows alternatives, even if Apple squeezes more out of its memory than most.
For more choices, look at our round up of the best business laptops you can buy.
- Shop all laptops at Best Buy
