Neo or M-Series?

<p>The Gang weighs Apple&#39;s $699 MacBook Neo against a new M5 Air, an Apple refurb, and the perennial used M1 bargain to help you buy a Mac that lasts five or six years without paying for power you&#39;ll never use.</p><p><strong>Section 1 — Meet the MacBook Neo: What $699 Buys</strong></p><ul><li>MacBook Neo (Apple)<br><a href="https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/">https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/</a></li><li>MacBook Neo: Should You Buy? Reviews and More (MacRumors)<br><a href="https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-neo/">https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-neo/</a></li><li>Apple MacBook Neo Review: Surprisingly good and capable for $599, with one big flaw (Notebookcheck)<br><a href="https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Neo-Review-Surprisingly-good-and-capable-laptop-for-599-with-one-big-flaw.1247679.0.html">https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Neo-Review-Surprisingly-good-and-capable-laptop-for-599-with-one-big-flaw.1247679.0.html</a></li><li>MacBook Neo Review — 6 Months Later<br><a href="https://6monthslater.net/2026/09/macbook-neo-review/">https://6monthslater.net/2026/09/macbook-neo-review/</a></li></ul><p><strong>Section 2 — The M-Series Case, Including That M1 in the Closet</strong></p><ul><li>First MacBook Neo Benchmarks Are In: How It Compares to the M1 MacBook Air (MacRumors)<br><a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/05/macbook-neo-first-benchmarks/">https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/05/macbook-neo-first-benchmarks/</a></li><li>Is the MacBook Air M1 Still Worth Buying in 2026? (BGR)<br><a href="https://www.bgr.com/2215378/is-macbook-air-m1-still-worth-buying-in-2026/">https://www.bgr.com/2215378/is-macbook-air-m1-still-worth-buying-in-2026/</a></li><li>Buying a Used M1 MacBook Air in 2026: Still a Steal or a Security Risk? (The Mac Observer)<br><a href="https://www.macobserver.com/tips/round-ups/buying-a-used-m1-macbook-air-in-2026-still-a-steal-or-a-security-risk/">https://www.macobserver.com/tips/round-ups/buying-a-used-m1-macbook-air-in-2026-still-a-steal-or-a-security-risk/</a></li><li>Are Older MacBooks Still Worth Buying in 2026? (Engadget)<br><a href="https://www.engadget.com/2255893/older-macbook-still-worth-buying-2026/">https://www.engadget.com/2255893/older-macbook-still-worth-buying-2026/</a></li></ul><p><strong>Section 3 — The Fine Print That Actually Decides It</strong></p><ul><li>Best MacBook for 2026: Air vs Pro vs Neo Compared (Macworld)<br><a href="https://www.macworld.com/article/667144/best-macbo