MacWorld tested the budget MacBook Neo with A18 Pro processor under extreme conditions. See how it handled video editing, 59 browser tabs, and professional tasks.
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MacWorld journalists conducted an unusual experiment to test the limits of the budget MacBook Neo under extreme workloads. They deliberately pushed the device with its A18 Pro processor and just 8GB of RAM through scenarios typically not recommended for affordable laptops, aiming to discover where its capabilities end.
During testing, the MacBook Neo handled professional tasks including video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. Despite its limited memory, the laptop managed podcast and short clip editing without issues, and even coped with 4K video editing. The only noticeable slowdown occurred during the export of a lengthy video, which took more time compared to more powerful models equipped with M5 chips.
Special attention was paid to browser performance, as browsers are traditionally among the most resource-intensive applications. For the experiment, journalists opened dozens of tabs—up to 59 simultaneously—while continuing to work actively. Although the system heavily utilized the SSD as virtual memory, no significant lagging or freezing was observed.
Based on the tests, MacWorld concluded that the MacBook Neo can handle serious workloads and remains stable even in stressful scenarios. While the device isn't designed for complex professional tasks, its performance proves sufficient not only for everyday work but also for tackling advanced software.