The first benchmark results of Apple’s new MacBook Neo have surfaced online, revealing a notable performance profile. This laptop leverages the Apple A18 Pro chip, the same six-core processor powering the flagship iPhone 16 Pro. Due to this shared architecture, early CPU performance metrics between the MacBook Neo and iPhone 16 Pro show remarkable similarity.
Despite the same chip, the MacBook Neo differs in GPU configuration. The iPhone 16 Pro features a six-core GPU, while the MacBook Neo uses a five-core GPU. This subtle variation explains why graphics benchmark scores between the two devices are close but not identical. Both share an identical six-core CPU layout, which reflects closely matched CPU benchmark results.
Benchmark Scores Reveal CPU Parity
Geekbench tests highlight the MacBook Neo’s considerable strength in processing power for a mobile-class chip. It achieved a single-core score of 3,461 points and a multi-core score of 8,668 points. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro scored 3,445 in single-core and 8,624 in multi-core tests, confirming near-equal CPU performance. The MacBook Neo scored 31,286 points in Metal graphics benchmarking, slightly lower than the iPhone 16 Pro’s 32,575 points, likely due to the GPU core difference.
Performance Gains Compared to Older MacBooks
When placed against Apple’s prior MacBook Air generation powered by the M1 chip, the MacBook Neo impresses with a significant performance jump. The MacBook Air (M1) scored approximately 2,346 in single-core and 8,342 in multi-core tests, meaning the Neo offers a roughly 47% improvement in single-core performance, while multi-core gains are more modest.
This positions the MacBook Neo as a step forward over earlier MacBooks in single-threaded tasks, which are essential for many everyday computing needs. However, multi-core performance, which influences highly parallel workloads, shows only a slight advantage over M1-based laptops.
Still Behind the Latest MacBook Air M4
The MacBook Neo’s performance remains below recent Apple Silicon MacBooks, such as the MacBook Air M4. The newest Air model reached 3,696 single-core points and an impressive 14,730 multi-core points, greatly outpacing the Neo, especially in multi-core benchmarks. This gap signals that the MacBook Neo, while innovative in chipset choice, does not target the high-end performance segment dominated by Apple’s M-series chips.
Placement Among Apple’s Other Devices
Interestingly, the MacBook Neo falls below some other Apple products in multi-core testing, such as the iPad Air with the M3 chip, which scored approximately 11,678 points. Yet, it outperforms more entry-level devices like the 11th generation iPad, which records around 6,036 points. This performance profile highlights the MacBook Neo’s positioning as a lightweight, efficient laptop rather than a contender for intensive computational workloads.
Key Performance Scores Summary
| Device | Single-Core Score | Multi-Core Score | GPU (Metal) Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo (Apple A18 Pro) | 3,461 | 8,668 | 31,286 |
| iPhone 16 Pro (Apple A18 Pro) | 3,445 | 8,624 | 32,575 |
| MacBook Air (M1) | 2,346 | 8,342 | N/A |
| MacBook Air (M4) | 3,696 | 14,730 | N/A |
| iPad Air (M3) | N/A | 11,678 | N/A |
| iPad 11th Gen | N/A | 6,036 | N/A |
The MacBook Neo’s CPU performance being nearly identical to the mobile-centric A18 Pro chip in iPhone 16 Pro is a notable achievement in integrating smartphone-grade processors into laptops. This suggests Apple’s goal to boost energy efficiency and maintain a compact, fanless design while delivering decent computing power for everyday tasks.
GPU performance differences indicate Apple tailored the MacBook Neo’s graphics capabilities more conservatively, possibly to optimize thermal constraints or battery life for the laptop form factor. The slightly lower Metal score is consistent with the one fewer GPU core compared to the iPhone 16 Pro.
This new design approach marks a different strategy from Apple’s typical Mac Silicon lineup, where specialized M-series chips traditionally dominate. The MacBook Neo could appeal to users seeking high efficiency and solid CPU performance without the higher power consumption associated with M-series processors.
Overall, the early benchmarks paint a picture of the MacBook Neo as an innovative device combining smartphone-class processing power with laptop functionality. It bridges these product categories by using the Apple A18 Pro chipset, delivering near-flagship iPhone-level CPU performance but with some expected compromises in graphics and multi-core workloads.
As the MacBook Neo reaches consumers, it will be important to observe real-world usage, battery endurance, and thermal performance to better understand how the A18 Pro performs in a laptop chassis. Apple enthusiasts and potential buyers should view the MacBook Neo as a capable, efficient machine designed for lightweight productivity tasks rather than a replacement for high-performance MacBooks with Apple’s M-series chips.
