The iPad desperately needs its MacBook Neo moment

Apple just made its entry-level MacBook an easy recommendation. The base iPad, on the other hand, suddenly feels harder to justify.

Ever since its 2023 price cut, the entry-level iPad has been one of Apple’s easiest products to recommend. It was affordable, powerful enough for most tasks, and, more importantly, positioned as an alternative to budget laptops for students and casual users.

But now, with the recent introduction of the MacBook Neo, Apple has quietly created a problem for the base model iPad. It no longer seems like the best deal, and many consumers are beginning to wonder if it’s really still worth it. At this point, it seems the iPad really needs its own “MacBook Neo” moment.

When the numbers stop making sense

On paper, the A16 iPad still starts at an appealing price of $349. That’s quite affordable for an Apple tablet that lets you run pretty much any of the apps you can run on a more expensive iPad. For most people who just want a good tablet for casual web browsing, editing documents, or watching movies, this is the iPad to go for.

For $349, you get an 11-inch iPad with 128GB of storage, but no keyboard, trackpad, or Apple Pencil. For many people, this setup is fine. Again, this iPad is aimed at people who just want to use it as a regular tablet. But when you start adding things like more storage and accessories, the picture changes completely.

Let’s say you want your iPad to double as a laptop. The 256GB model costs $449. Then you buy a Magic Keyboard Folio, which costs $249. That brings the total price of the iPad to just under $700. At that point, you’re essentially paying the same price as a higher-tier MacBook Neo configuration ($699) but getting less storage.

And you’re getting even less for your money. The base-model iPad still runs on the A16 chip introduced in 2022, while the MacBook Neo is powered by the significantly more advanced A18 Pro chip. That difference shows up in performance, longevity, and support for the latest features, including Apple Intelligence.

And let’s not forget that a $599 MacBook Neo can run full-fledged desktop software. But if you spend that same amount on an iPad with a keyboard and trackpad, you’ll be limited to using iPad apps available in the App Store.

The Magic Keyboard Folio is excellent, arguably one of the best keyboard cases on the market for the iPad. But at $249, it dramatically changes the value proposition of the base iPad. This iPad is meant to be affordable, but at the same time, Apple is trying to sell you a keyboard that practically doubles the price of the device.

Many people who buy the entry-level iPad end up opting for third-party accessories because they’re cheaper. But again, this only underscores how Apple’s pricing strategy for the entry-level iPad no longer makes sense. And in that comparison, the MacBook simply makes more sense for most people.

Og course, there’s no denying that the iPad still has some advantages over the Mac. It’s the only Apple device that offers a touchscreen, Apple Pencil support, and a flexible form factor for taking notes and drawing. If that’s what you need, there’s no question about it. The iPad is still the best choice.

But Apple blurred these lines by setting the iPad up as a laptop alternative. That strategy worked when the iPad was clearly cheaper. Now, that advantage is gone.

If you want an iPad for browsing the web, writing, or using pro-level apps, the MacBook Neo outshines the entry-level iPad in almost every way. Yes, you can do those things on an iPad, but you’ll end up spending more and facing more limitations than if you bought a Mac.

An iPad Neo could be the answer

The MacBook Neo isn’t just the newest laptop in Apple’s lineup. It redefines what an entry-level product is. At $599, with a modern chip, 13-inch display, and 256GB of storage, Apple has finally aligned price and value in a way that’s easy to understand.

Now the iPad needs the same treatment. Yes, the entry-level iPad is already cheap, but it could use some meaningful upgrades.

First, this iPad needs more frequent updates with the latest chips. The A16 isn’t bad, but it’s already quite outdated by today’s standards. Luckily, as reported by Macworld, Apple is planning to launch a new base iPad with the A19 chip later this year.

A storage upgrade from 128GB to 256GB on the base model would also be very welcome. The company recently did this with the iPhone 17e, and that would be the right path to take with the iPad. After all, many people use their iPads to download photos, songs, videos, and games.

A significant price reduction on accessories, especially the Magic Keyboard Folio, is also long overdue. The iPad’s starting price of $349 isn’t the problem. But it has become hard to justify the cost of upgrades and accessories.

Perhaps the Neo brand, or at least its spirit, could give the iPad the boost it needs? Maybe it could even have a slightly larger display to better compete with the MacBook Neo. A bigger display would make the iPad feel more like a true laptop alternative.

If there’s one thing the MacBook Neo has shown us, it’s that Apple can deliver a decent entry-level product even in its base configuration with the right compromises. The Neo isn’t the most powerful or advanced Mac, but it’s extremely capable in its own right.

Right now, the base iPad doesn’t have that same clarity. It’s still a great tablet, but the moment you try to turn it into something more, the value starts to fall apart. Apple doesn’t need to reinvent the iPad, but it does need a realignment—and the MacBook Neo is a great place to start.