# Apple’s launch of the MacBook Neo – and especially the incredible price/performance balance – sent shockwaves through the Windows world.

*semiconductor · news · 2026-04-29 · 9to5Mac*

## Key points

- Apple's $599 MacBook Neo disrupted the Windows laptop market with its price and performance balance.
- Intel launched the Wildcat Lake Core 300 chip targeting budget Windows laptops to rival the Neo.
- Early benchmarks show Wildcat Lake Core 300 is 21% faster than Apple's A18 Pro for multi-core tasks.
- Wildcat Lake Core 300 and A18 Pro have almost identical single-threaded performance scores.
- It remains unclear if Windows laptops can match the Neo's battery life and build quality at $599.

**Companies:** Apple, Intel
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on 9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/29/intel-responds-to-macbook-neo-with-21-faster-chip-intended-for-similar-devices/)

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Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/76acfb26-372e-4131-b567-4bf9b2f763a5/apples-launch-of-the-macbook-neo-and-especially-the-incredible-priceperformance
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