MacBook Neo vs Acer Aspire 16: the best $599 laptop, Mac or Windows?
Same price, different strengths: the MacBook Neo's build and screen versus the Acer Aspire 16's 16GB memory, big screen and ports.
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Choose up to three products. Specifications are checked against each manufacturer's official page.
| Specification | Acer Aspire 16 (A16-71M) | MacBook Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599About $599 at US retailers in 2026 for the Core Ultra 5, 16GB, 512GB model (A16-71M-593C). Prices change often. | $599$599 with 256GB storage; $699 with 512GB and Touch ID. Education price from $499. Launch prices in the US; retailers may charge less. |
| Best for | Students who need Windows, spreadsheets with a number pad, or a bigger screen on a budget | Students and first-time Mac buyers who mostly browse, write and study |
| Released | 2025 | March 2026 |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 115U, 8 cores, 10 threads | Apple A18 Pro, 6-core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency) |
| Graphics | Intel integrated graphics | 5-core GPU with hardware ray tracing |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X | 8GB unified memory (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | 256GB or 512GB SSD |
| Display | 16-inch IPS, 1920 × 1200, matte, 60Hz | 13.0-inch IPS, 2408 × 1506, 500 nits, sRGB |
| Battery (claimed) | 53Wh; up to 14 hours video, 9.5 hours web | 36.5Wh; up to 16 hours video, 11 hours web |
| Weight | 3.62 lb (1.64 kg) | 2.7 lb (1.23 kg) |
| Ports | 2× USB4 (USB-C), 2× USB-A 3.2, HDMI | 1× USB-C (10Gb/s, display out), 1× USB-C (USB 2), headphone jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3+ | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6 |
| Keyboard | Backlit with number pad, fingerprint reader | Not backlit; Touch ID on 512GB model only |
| Charger | 65W | 20W USB-C |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 16-core Neural Engine |
| External displays | — | One, up to 4K 60Hz |
| Webcam | — | 1080p FaceTime HD |
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| Learn more | Official specs | Read our review Official specs |
Prices are US launch or typical retail prices and change often. Always check the retailer before buying.
Detailed comparisons
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