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With the introduction of the MacBook Neo this spring, Apple added a fresh entry-level option to its hardware lineup. Before, if you didn't want to commit to a new MacBook Air or Pro, you were relegated to the iPad, which offers a significantly different user experience. (Or you could buy a discounted MacBook that's a year or two old.)

Also: MacBook Neo review: My biggest concern with Apple's near-perfect budget laptop

But all that has changed. The new MacBook Neo starts at $599 -- the same price as the latest affordable iPad Air M4 with 128GB of storage, bringing the MacBook experience to an accessible price point. This puts these two devices on equal footing, but they're very different in terms of usability. Which one is a better fit for you? Let's break it down.