At KES 130,000, the MacBook Neo was difficult to recommend. When Apple’s entry-level laptop arrived in Kenya in March, we argued that buyers should wait or spend their money elsewhere. A laptop designed to make owning a Mac more affordable had reached local shelves at a price we thought defeated its purpose.
At KES 99,000, it deserves a fresh look. If you’ve wanted a Mac for university or everyday office work, the Neo now fits a budget below KES 100,000, with the main question being whether its 8GB of memory suits the work you need it to do.
Abufulan Store has listed that price for the 256GB Neo in its Black November sale, alongside a 512GB version at KES 113,000. Both prices include VAT. The entry model is KES 31,000 below the Ricky Customs listing we covered in March, a comparison between two retailers at different times.
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| MacBook Neo, 8GB memory and 256GB SSD | KES 99,000 |
| MacBook Neo, 8GB memory and 512GB SSD | KES 113,000 |
A first Mac for everyday work
The Neo runs macOS, Apple’s desktop operating system, and Apple positions it for work such as email, spreadsheets and presentations. For someone moving from a Windows laptop, checking that their course or employer’s required software runs on macOS should come before choosing a colour or storage size.
The hardware includes an A18 Pro chip, a 13-inch Liquid Retina LCD screen and a 1080p camera for video calls. It also supports one external monitor at up to 4K resolution and 60Hz, so you can use a larger screen at a desk. Of its two USB-C ports, one supports faster USB 3 transfers and an external display; the other uses slower USB 2. Both can charge the laptop.
The limit to pay attention to is memory. Both versions have 8GB of unified memory, the working space shared by the processor and graphics while apps run. Paying KES 113,000 doesn’t increase that amount. If your required software needs more than 8GB, neither configuration resolves the problem. We haven’t tested the units in this offer; this assessment is based on price and specification.
Is the 512GB version worth KES 14,000 more?
The SSD holds your installed apps and files. If most of your work stays online and you keep relatively little on the laptop, the 256GB model is the one that keeps the purchase below KES 100,000. If you expect to keep a growing collection of photos or large project files locally, doubling that capacity to 512GB gives you more room.
Apple’s standard 512GB configuration also includes Touch ID, the fingerprint sensor for signing in. The standard 256GB version doesn’t have it. Confirm that the KES 113,000 unit has Touch ID when ordering, because Abufulan’s sale advert doesn’t specify it.
Abufulan is a shop we’ve bought from before. Last month, when we covered its iPhone Duo pre-orders, we noted that our purchases over the years had arrived genuine and sealed. The shop is at Jamia Mall, ground floor, G63, in Nairobi CBD. Call or WhatsApp 0792 029 968, or contact @abufulan_store.
The sale advert gives no closing date, previous price or warranty terms. Before paying, confirm your preferred colour is in stock, that the unit is new and sealed, who handles repairs and early failures, and any delivery charge.
For a first Mac used mainly for everyday work, the KES 99,000 model now has a much stronger case than the Neo did at its early Kenyan asking price. The KES 113,000 version is worth considering if you need the extra local storage and its standard Touch ID configuration is confirmed. Choose it for those benefits; anyone who needs more working memory should put that extra money towards a different laptop.
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