An interview reveals Apple's approach with MacBook Neo was a complete rethink of a budget-friendly laptop, not simply rehashing old tech at a lower price.

The MacBook Neo is a brand new category in the lineup that has a new-to-Apple moniker to go with it. It's not just a new laptop, but a new market for the premium product seller.

According to an interview with Director of Mac Product Marketing, Colleen Novielli conducted by Techradar, the MacBook Neo is meant to be competitive in the $599 price range. It brings Apple's attention to detail and premium materials to a product nearly half the price of the MacBook Air.

"If you think about many of the comparable personal computers that you can get in this price range, what you will find is that it is very easy to make a computer that has features and experience that is just okay," Novielli said. She also commented that perfecting user experience is an obsession for Apple.

When it comes to the name, the comment was a little more abstract. "We wanted something that felt fun and friendly, and fresh, and felt like it really suited the spirit of this product," she said.

Apple doesn't seem concerned about releasing a budget computer in a world where storage and RAM are getting more expensive and scarce. When asked, Novielli shared that Apple expects to "put this amazing new product in the hands of many, many more customers worldwide."

The ability to do so likely lies in Apple's supply chain efficiency. Its supply chain inventory channels are built to ensure that as product demand can be met in the immediate release rush and the long term.

She was also asked about the MacBook Neo's relation to the 12-inch MacBook released in 2015. Many had expected Apple to revive the product with Apple Silicon, but forgot that the starting price was $1,299.

"I think some may draw parallels to the MacBook product that you're referencing," she replied. "But really, you know, MacBook Neo is an entirely new product that was, again, reimagined from the ground up."

It is available to preorder now and ships March 11 starting at $599 with 256GB of storage. Novielli recommends people consider their storage needs when making a purchase and if they'll actually use the 512GB.

She doesn't seem concerned that Touch ID is also a factor in that decision.