Every September the same question arrives with the admission letter: which laptop will last until final year? It has to survive a hostel with no light, a 200-level course that suddenly needs coding, and a project chapter written at 2 AM before submission.
The MacBook Neo is Apple's answer for that budget. It runs on the A18 Pro, the same chip family as the iPhone 16 Pro, and it's ₦1,147,800 brand new and sealed at Ziggatech. Here's what it does for a student, and where it stops.
MacBook Neo Key Specs for Students
| Spec | MacBook Neo | Why it matters in school |
|---|---|---|
| Price at Ziggatech | ₦1,147,800 (8GB, 256GB, brand new) | The cheapest new MacBook Apple makes |
| Chip | A18 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | Smooth for documents, research, video calls and coursework |
| Memory | 8GB | Enough for study apps; the limit for heavy multitasking |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | Room for four years of notes, PDFs and assignments |
| Battery | Up to 11 hours web, 16 hours video | A full lecture day on one charge |
| Screen | 13-inch Liquid Retina, 2408×1506, 500 nits | Sharp for reading long PDFs and slides |
| Weight | 1.23 kg | Light enough to carry to every class |
| Ports | One USB 3 (USB-C), one USB 2 (USB-C), headphone jack | No USB-A: flash drives need an adapter |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD | Clear on Zoom, Google Meet and online defences |
| In the box | 20W USB-C adapter and cable | No extra charger to buy |
Questions about this, or want to book? We reply on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsAppSpecs from Apple's MacBook Neo technical specifications.
What the Neo Does Well for Students
A battery rated for the whole school day
Apple rates it at up to 11 hours of web browsing. Charge it at night, and a normal day of lectures, library time and evening reading fits inside one charge, even when the hostel has no light. It charges over USB-C, so a USB-C power bank can top it up between classes. See our best power banks for NEPA outages.
Everything a normal course asks for
Word, Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, research across a dozen tabs, Zoom and Teams, reference managers like Zotero, and beginner coding in Python or web development all run comfortably on the A18 Pro.
Apple Intelligence for reading and writing
The Neo supports Apple Intelligence (Apple). Writing Tools proofread and summarise inside most apps, which helps with long reading lists. Your lecturer's rules on AI still apply.
Years of updates ahead
The Neo is on Apple's list for macOS 27, and as the newest Mac design it has the longest run of updates ahead of it. A laptop bought in 100 level should still be current in final year.
The Honest Limits
- 8GB of memory. Fine for study. If your course lives in heavy video editing, 3D modelling or large datasets, you'll feel it.
- No Touch ID on this model. Apple only puts Touch ID on the Neo with the upgraded keyboard. You unlock with your password.
- One fast port. One port is USB 3, the other is USB 2. Copying a big project folder is faster on the USB 3 port. For flash drives, carry a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
- Windows-only software won't run. Apple silicon Macs can't install Windows through Boot Camp. If your department uses Windows-only tools such as SolidWorks or ArcGIS Pro, buy a Windows laptop or confirm the lab computers cover it.
Which Courses Suit the MacBook Neo?
| Course | Neo? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Law, Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Education | Yes | Writing, reading and research, with a battery that lasts |
| Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Sciences | Yes | Notes, PDFs, e-textbooks and online classes |
| Computer Science (early years) | Yes | Python, web development and the terminal run well |
| Mass Communication, Film, Design | For light work | Heavy editing wants more memory and a fan |
| Engineering, Architecture, Geography (GIS) | Check first | Some required software is Windows-only |
MacBook Neo vs the Other Macs a Student Can Buy
| Mac | Condition | Price | Right for you if |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air 13" (2020, Intel) | Zigga Certified | ₦610,000 | Your budget stops well below ₦1 million, and you accept it won't get macOS 27 |
| MacBook Neo 13" | Brand new, sealed | ₦1,147,800 | You want a new Mac that lasts to final year |
| MacBook Pro 13" M1 (2020) | Zigga Certified | ₦1,176,800 | You want a longer battery, Touch ID and a fan for long exports |
| MacBook Air 13" M5 16GB | Brand new | ₦2,322,800 | Your course needs 16GB of memory |
Still weighing Mac against Windows? Read MacBook vs Windows laptop in Nigeria, or see every option in our best laptops for students. For the full review, read our MacBook Neo review.
What the Numbers Mean
The Neo costs ₦29,000 less than a certified 2020 M1 MacBook Pro, and it's new, sealed and a generation of software ahead. The Intel MacBook Air saves ₦537,800 today, but it isn't on the macOS 27 list, so it starts school already behind. The MacBook Air M5 doubles the price for 16GB of memory that most courses never use.
A school laptop is tested in final year, not fresher's week. Buy for final year.
Buying from Ziggatech
- Brand new and factory sealed, in its original box, in Silver, Indigo or Blush.
- Zigga Certified: 12-month warranty honoured in person at our Ikeja store, 7 days to exchange, 48-hour damage cover.
- Delivered in Lagos the next business day, and 2–4 days nationwide.
- Trade in an old laptop or phone and pay only the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the MacBook Neo in Nigeria?
The MacBook Neo 13" with 8GB memory and 256GB storage is ₦1,147,800 brand new at Ziggatech, in Silver, Indigo or Blush.
Is the MacBook Neo good for university students?
Yes, for most courses. It handles writing, research, online classes and beginner coding, lasts up to 11 hours of web browsing and weighs 1.23 kg. Students whose course requires Windows-only software should check before buying.
What chip does the MacBook Neo use?
The A18 Pro, with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. It's the same chip family Apple used in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Is 8GB of memory enough for a student?
For documents, research, video calls and light coding, yes. Students in film, design or data-heavy courses who run large projects should look at a Mac with 16GB.
Does the MacBook Neo have Touch ID?
Not the base model sold at ₦1,147,800. Apple only includes Touch ID on the Neo with the upgraded Magic Keyboard.
