For two decades the default business laptop was a Windows machine. Most business software ran on Windows, IT departments were built around Windows, and Apple laptops cost a lot more.
Two things changed that in 2025 and 2026. Apple’s M-series chips made MacBooks the best laptops in their price class by most objective measures. Then Apple launched the MacBook Neo in March 2026 at $599 USD, the cheapest Mac laptop in over a decade, on the A18 Pro chip and running full macOS.
This article does not argue that everyone should switch. It argues that the default should be questioned, and that for many organisations of 10 to 200 people the Neo is the better financial and operational decision.
What the MacBook Neo is
The Neo launched on 4 March 2026 at $599 USD, about $950 AUD at launch exchange rates. It runs the A18 Pro chip, the same silicon family as the iPhone 16 Pro, delivers up to 16 hours of battery life and runs full macOS.
The A18 Pro outperforms the M1 chip on everyday tasks, and M1 MacBook Airs are still in daily use by developers and businesses with no complaints. The Neo is not a cut-down device. It is a real Mac at a price that competes directly with mid-range Windows laptops.
The Windows 10 factor
Windows 10 reached end of life in October 2025. Many businesses run it on laptops that cannot meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements, most often because they lack TPM 2.0. Those machines are now unpatched and unsupported. Every laptop replacement in 2026 is a forced upgrade decision. The only question is what to upgrade to.
The five-year cost
Purchase price is close. A Neo at $950 AUD sits in the same range as a decent mid-range Windows business laptop. The total cost of ownership diverges from there.
Windows laptops in a business typically need third-party antivirus at $40 to $80 per user per year, generate more support time for driver and update problems, and have shorter useful lives. Most businesses replace Windows laptops every three to four years. Macs typically last five to seven.
Resale is the other gap. A four-year-old MacBook Air sells for $400 to $600. A four-year-old mid-range Windows laptop is worth $50 to $200.
Macs in a Microsoft business
The usual concern is management and compatibility. Both are simpler than most businesses expect.
Microsoft Intune, included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22 AUD per user per month, manages Macs and Windows devices from the same console. Policies, compliance rules, app deployment and remote wipe all work across both.
Every Microsoft 365 application runs natively on macOS: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and OneDrive. If your business runs on Microsoft 365, changing devices does not change your platform.
Apple Business Manager is a free portal that integrates with Intune for automated setup. A new Mac configures itself the first time it is switched on, with nobody from IT in the room.
When Windows is still the right answer
- Line-of-business software with no Mac version. Audit every application before you buy anything.
- MYOB AccountRight desktop. As of 2026 it is Windows only. MYOB’s browser-based Business product runs anywhere, but AccountRight desktop does not.
- CAD and specialist engineering software. Some versions of AutoCAD and SolidWorks are Windows only or limited on Mac.
- Large existing Windows fleets. Fifty Windows machines already managed in Intune may not be worth the disruption of moving.
The decision process
- List every application your business uses. Check each one for a Mac version.
- If they all have one, the MacBook Neo is a serious candidate for your next purchase.
- Run the five-year cost comparison with your real numbers.
- Make the call with numbers, not habit.
We run this comparison for clients as part of every device refresh. Ask us for the worksheet.