The MacBook Neo is one of those products that instantly makes the rest of the market look awkward. At $599, or $499 for students, Apple has managed to put out a laptop that feels far more polished than what you’d expect at this price. It has retained its durable and premium aluminum design, a high-res Liquid Retina display, solid battery life, and enough performance that can get you through most everyday workflows. It’s not winning in specs sheet, but it delivers on the aspects that people actually notice. This is why Windows laptop makers should be worried. What makes the MacBook Neo stand out isn’t raw power; it’s restraint. Apple didn’t try to turn this into a budget “Pro” machine. It focuses on the stuff that matters, which is a premium metal build, QHD+ display, and reliable battery life. For $599, this is the most affordable Mac that integrates with the Apple ecosystem. That price point matters because the Windows market has spent years forcing buyers into a compromise.…