Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeaways
- PC brands are experimenting with competitors to the MacBook Neo.
- I went hands-on with three such laptops announced at IFA.
- Each aim for “affordable premium” builds and hardware around the $699 price point.
There’s an overarching theme among the big laptop brands at IFA 2026: PC alternatives to the MacBook Neo. The $699 MacBook shook up the budget laptop market this spring, proving that good design and smart trade-offs could produce a laptop that’s functional and (yes, actually) enjoyable to use.
PC manufacturers were quick to respond with their own versions of “budget premium” laptops chasing the same traits that made the Neo successful: unique colorways, sleek designs, good screens, and aluminum builds. Budget PCs — which notoriously checked none of those boxes — have stepped it up.
Also: Lenovo’s 4 most innovative laptops from IFA 2026 – including its most practical rollable yet
What we’ve got at IFA is a parade of brightly-colored laptops that, frankly, are a breath of fresh air from the plasticky beige devices that previously inhabited the depths of this price point. We’ve got Acer’s Swift Blade 14, the Dell 14S (2026), and Lenovo’s IdeaPad Vibe — all three with competitive pricing, making them actual Neo competitors even before you click “Add to cart”.
Note that I haven’t tested these laptops in any extensive way yet, but I have gone hands-on and used them in a limited way. Here are my first impressions of all three.
1. Acer Swift Blade 14
Ultra-lightweight OLED
Perhaps the most visually striking of the three, the Swift Blade 14 sticks with an all-white matte finish and magnesium-aluminum alloy body that doesn’t feel plasticky. Pair that with a brilliant 3K OLED display, and you get a sleek device for users who prioritize visuals, but don’t need high-end hardware.
It weighs just 1.7 pounds (799g) — one of the lightest laptops I’ve ever held — and measures half an inch thick, taking ultraportability to the next level, but not without trade-offs. It’s powered by “Wildcat Lake” processors, from the Intel Core 3 304 to the Intel Core 7 350, which are solid chips for everyday users, but potentially limiting for more demanding workflows — particularly the Intel Core 3.
It also caps out at 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, locking in its more mainstream use case of targeting students and creative professionals who aren’t running demanding apps. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this to users looking for a powerful main driver, but rather for mobile professionals who need a good display and the lightest laptop possible.
Also: I went hands-on with Acer’s new 1.7-pound OLED laptop at IFA 2026
And the display looks good; it’s quite bright at 400 nits with a 90Hz refresh. It’s a compelling visual impression for users who want a laptop that feels premium but are willing to trade processing power for a visual-forward product.
The Acer Swift Blade 14 will be available in North America in early 2027, and with prices “comparable” to the Neo, though Acer wouldn’t give an exact price.
2. Dell 14S (2026)
The campus crawler
Dell already came at the Neo with this year’s XPS 13 — dropping to the $699 price point only with the most low-end configuration of 8GB of RAM — a rather limited set of hardware. The 14S takes a more direct approach with a laptop featuring similar hardware and a strong physical resemblance, but a more narrow scope of hardware options.
Of the laptops on this list, the 14S is perhaps the most physically similar, especially at first glance. The all-aluminum build feels solid with very little flex or bend, and the large trackpad, rounded edges, and black chiclet keys that bear a striking resemblance to its competitor. The bold colors, including a high-saturation turquoise, pink, and pastel blue round out the comparison.
Also: Dell 14S first look: Taking on MacBook Neo… again
Weighing 2.5 pounds (what we’d normally consider lightweight) and half an inch thick, it’s a quintessential college laptop, made to be slipped into a bag and carried around all day on campus, with a processor that sips on power for up to 21 hours of runtime, Dell claims.
Unfortunately, Dell wouldn’t power on the display units, but it comes with two configurations, one with a 2.8K panel at 120Hz refresh, and a lower-end option at 2K resolution and 60Hz refresh — right at where you’d expect it to be at this price point. I/O is practical, with multiple USB-C ports, an HDMI, and USB-A.
The 14S will be available this fall, and at a price that is “accessible for students and young adults.” Dell wouldn’t commit to the $699 price point outright, but stressed that it would be “comparable” to the Neo. I’d say the 14S is the safest bet of these three laptops, with the most balanced hardware and airtight build (Dell’s strong suit) relative to price.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe
The most flexible option for $699
Lenovo took the perceived consumer desire for color and ran with it. This lineup has six colors and the option to mix and match keycaps with pre-configured keyboard sets to allow for some actually wild-looking laptops. The hardware is similarly broad-ranging, with up to 24GB of RAM, an OLED or LCD option, and both 14- and 15-inch configurations.
Users can also select either Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors or AMD’s Ryzen AI 400 series chips, up to 1TB of local storage, and up to a 65Whr battery — all for $699. Lenovo’s marketing for these laptops took an open-ended strategy, stressed that they’re “not for any user in particular”, letting the price speak for itself. As IdeaPads, they look like other laptops in their lineup.
Also: I went hands-on with Lenovo’s latest rollable laptop – is it finally practical?
I’d still recommend the Vibe to students, particularly for anyone looking for a 15-inch, which is larger than the other two on this list. Stripping away the wild colors, you’ve ultimately got a more well-rounded laptop here with less limited hardware, particularly with the 24GB configuration.
The bottom line
I’ve yet to test any of these laptops in any extensive capacity, but in my hands-on experience I can draw a few conclusions. The Acer Swift Blade 14 is the most committed to its niche design, which results in the steepest trade-offs. It’s extremely light — one of the lightest laptops I’ve ever used — and has the most low-end configurations, making it appeal to a very particular kind of user.
The IdeaPad Vibe is the only one of these laptops available in a 15-inch form factor, and the most customizable. As part of an existing lineup (the Acer is an all-new line, and the 14S is a significant refresh), the Vibe takes an existing product template and scales it to the $699 price point, something Lenovo does effectively.
The Dell 14S has the best build, and is the “closest” to the MacBook Neo in terms of target demographic. It’s a battery efficient, well-made laptop that’s ultimately ideal for students. How well it actually performs (and how it compares to the Neo) is yet to be seen. If you’re looking for a PC that’s a true Neo competitor, however, the Dell 14S is the best bet.
