Apple increased the price of MacBook Neo, but Alza quickly returned the price to its original level. Is it worth buying now?

Apple’s price increases have reached the Czech Republic, with computers being the most affected. While the official price list for the MacBook Neo jumped to 19,990 CZK at the end of June, Alza has already returned the basic version to 16,990 CZK – precisely the amount the notebook cost before the price list increase.

It costs as much as before at Alza again

On June 25, Apple increased the prices of some of its products, and the cheapest MacBook became three thousand more expensive – from 16,990 CZK to 19,990 CZK for the 256GB storage variant. However, the official price list is one thing, and retail prices in stores are another. Although Alza initially matched the increase, it is now selling the basic model again for 16,990 CZK. The enhanced version with TouchID, a backlit keyboard, and 512 GB of space then costs 19,990 CZK. The notebook is in stock, and Alza offers a 60-day free trial period.

Although a label on the product at Alza indicates 3000 CZK saved, that is calculated against Apple’s new price list, not against the previous selling price.

For the buyer, the result is pleasant either way – for the basic Neo, you will now pay 3000 CZK less at this retailer than Apple itself charges for it. However, the difference may not last forever, and given the situation around memory prices, which won’t subside anytime soon, it generally might not be worth waiting to buy consumer electronics.

What the cheapest MacBook can do and who it’s worth it for

The MacBook Neo is historically Apple’s cheapest notebook and is hardware-wise based on what the brand knows from iPhones. It is powered by an A18 Pro chip with a six-core processor, along with 8 GB of unified memory, a 256GB SSD, and a 13″ glossy display with a resolution of 2408 × 1506 pixels, which Apple sells under the marketing name Liquid Retina. It weighs 1.23 kg and, thanks to passive cooling, operates completely without a fan, making it absolutely silent.

Apple promises up to sixteen hours of battery life and full support for Apple Intelligence and macOS Tahoe. There are four colors to choose from – silver, blush, citrus yellow, and indigo – and Alza adds a 60-day return guarantee and a standard two-year warranty to the notebook. In practice, you get a full-fledged Mac with an ecosystem that quickly pairs with an iPhone, for the price of a better mid-range Android.

Fairly, it must be added where the Neo saves. Eight gigabytes of memory is borderline by today’s standards, and with 256GB of storage, you’ll quickly run out for anything more than basic tasks – expect compromises for demanding video work or dozens of applications at once. Furthermore, the basic Czech version does not have Touch ID or Wi-Fi 6E, and the power adapter is not included in the package. However, for everyday writing, web browsing, streaming, school, and lighter creative tasks, the performance is still more than sufficient.

So, who does it make sense for? It’s ideal for students, for home use, or as a second lightweight notebook for travel – in short, for anyone who wants a quiet and light Mac with long battery life and doesn’t need the performance of Pro-series workstations. And if you grab it while Alza is selling it for 16,990 CZK, you’ll still be buying it at the old price.

Would you get the MacBook Neo now while it’s at the old price, or would you wait to see how prices stabilize here?