Forget the MacBook Neo: I found three Windows 11 laptops under $600 that beat Apple's new machine on specs, performance and price

Date:
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:31:11 +0000

Description:
Dell, HP and Lenovo models all offer double the memory and storage - and
offer far greater value for money.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for
breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter The new MacBook Neo might be Apples cheapest laptop yet, but you can spend less and get a better-specced Windows 11 machine without trying very hard. Ive found three great Windows alternatives to the Apple MacBook Neo at Best Buy. And they're perfect business laptops that beat Apple's new laptop on specs, performance and price.

The Lenovo V14 G4 for $549 offers doubles the memory and storage of the Neo, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It also packs an Intel Core i7-13620H,
which delivers stronger multitasking performance and better headroom for heavier workloads.

HPs 15.6-inch laptop is also $549.99 , delivering delivers 16GB of RAM with
a 512GB SSD. It uses an Intel i3-N305 processor, which is more modest, although the extra memory and larger display make it a great, everyday
option.

Dells Inspiron Copilot+ model sits at $599.99 and lines up directly against the Neo on price. It includes 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with built-in AI features for modern Windows tasks. Today's top Windows laptop deals Save $240 HP 15.6in FHD Laptop: was $789 now $549 at Best Buy HPs 15.6-inch laptop drops to $549 from $789 and focuses on practical everyday use. Youre getting 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, alongside an Intel i3-N305 processor. The larger Full HD display and fingerprint reader add convenience for work, study, and general daily tasks. View Deal Lenovo V14 G4 14in: $549.99 at Best Buy Lenovos V14 G4 comes in at $549.99 and focuses on raw performance for the money. Youre getting a Core i7-13620H alongside 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which is excellent at this price. It delivers strong multitasking performance for work and heavier everyday use. View Deal Save $200 Dell Inspiron Copilot+ PC: was $799.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy Dells Inspiron Copilot+ laptop drops to $599.99 from $800 and packs plenty for the price. You get 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus chip with built-in AI features. Battery life stretches up to 28 hours, while the thin, quiet design keeps everyday use smooth and efficient. View Deal While we called it "the best budget laptop
you can buy" in our MacBook Neo review , at $599, Apple's Neo gives you an
A18 Pro chip, 8GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD, while $699 bumps
storage to 512GB. Thats reasonable for the money, and Apples unified memory does stretch further than typical RAM, although 8GB still has limits once workloads stack up.

Memory is where things are more nuanced, as Apples unified approach means
that 8GB can feel closer to higher capacities in lighter use. Even so, all three Windows laptops offer 16GB, which still gives them more breathing room for heavier multitasking and demanding apps.

Storage tells a similar story, with every Windows option starting at 512GB while Apple charges extra to reach that level. That alone makes the base Neo feel a bit limited for long-term use.

Display quality still leans toward Apple, as the Liquid Retina panel offers sharper resolution and higher brightness than these Full HD panels. It looks excellent, although it doesnt completely offset the hardware gap elsewhere.

Battery life and efficiency could still favor the Neo, especially with Apple silicon, although newer Windows systems are getting closer.

Looking at these deals side by side, youre getting more RAM, more storage,
and comparable or better performance for less money with the Windows alternatives, even if Apple squeezes more out of its memory than most.

For more choices, look at our round up of the best business laptops you can buy. Shop all laptops at Best Buy



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/forget-the-macbook-neo-i-found-three-windows-11- laptops-under-usd600-that-beat-apples-new-machine-on-specs-performance-and-pri ce


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