The nine best ways to protect, customize, and accessorize your MacBook Neo
You can use the Neo as it comes out of the box, or enhance your experience with some add-on accessories. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The MacBook Neo is poised to be a top-selling laptop in 2026, thanks in large part to its affordable $599 entry price. Despite launching at a more accessible price point than Apple’s $1,099 (though often discounted) 2026 MacBook Air, the Neo makes surprisingly few concessions in terms of build quality. Its design has the same level of precision as pricier Apple products, and we found in a hands-on comparison that it handily outclasses similarly priced Windows laptops in just about every way despite running on an iPhone chipset.
In short, you might want one, or perhaps you already have one. Whatever your situation is, it’s possible that you may also want a couple of accessories to get the most out of your Neo. We have nine recommendations — a MacBook Neo accessory starter kit, if you will — that can help you protect it, customize it, or just use it more comfortably in your day-to-day life.
A USB-C monitor to use as a second screen
Not every computer monitor supports USB-C video input, so the selection of ones that do is smaller (and often pricier) than if you just want a cheap model that only boasts HDMI or DisplayPort inputs. Whether you find a deal or not, the Asus ProArt PA278CV is an appealing (and relatively inexpensive) monitor that offers USB-C video-in as well as passthrough charging to keep your Neo charged.
It’s a 27-inch 1440p monitor with a 75Hz refresh rate that’s color accurate. It features built-in speakers and can deliver 65W of power via USB-C, which is more than enough to keep the Neo charging at its peak 30W speed (faster than the 20W charger that Apple includes). It’s typically priced at $299 at retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo, but you might find it for as low as $209 if you’re lucky. Asus 27-inch 1440p ProArt monitor
Where to Buy: $299.99 at Amazon $299.99 at B&H Photo If you want something cheaper and small enough to fit in a bag (but with even better contrast), portable OLED monitors might be a better fit. Brands like Innocn make them in various sizes with different screen capabilities, but the company’s 13.3-inch 1080p model — which connects via USB-C — is a steal at $99.99, its current price for Amazon Prime members. Otherwise, it’s $129.99 on Amazon for those without a premium membership. Innocn 13.3-inch OLED Full HD 1080p Portable Monitor
Where to Buy: $109.99 $99.99 at Amazon (with Prime) $109.99 at Innocn A USB-C hub for connecting accessories and a display
The great thing about laptops with USB-C ports is that the ecosystem of compatible accessories is vast. However, the Neo has only two USB-C ports, meaning you’ll likely need to prioritize which devices to plug in at any given moment. Thankfully, you can easily expand your Neo’s capabilities with an affordable USB-C hub like Anker’s 7-in-1 model, which can expand a single port into seven for around $26 at Amazon and through Anker directly.
Not only can you use it to charge your laptop (it supports up to 85W passthrough speeds), but it also provides an HDMI port and another USB-C port, plus two USB-A ports and both full-size and microSD card readers. It’s a must-have, if you don’t already have one. Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1)
Where to Buy: $25.99 at Amazon $25.99 at Anker A screen protector to shield the Neo’s most fragile component
The first accessory I put on all my pricey devices that have a display is a screen protector. Several brands make them, but I always gravitate toward amFilm, which makes a tempered glass protector for the Neo that’s currently going for just $19.99 on Amazon.
Not everyone will feel the urge to buy this upgrade. But it’s never a bad idea to protect your purchase, since it might just save you from a pricey repair down the road. The protector from amFilm is easy to install, and it’s anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint, too. AmFilm tempered glass screen protector for the MacBook Neo
Where to Buy: $19.99 at Amazon A snap-on shell to keep your Neo scratch-free
If you, like me, are someone who absolutely babies their tech, you may also feel inclined to get a snap-on shell that can fit perfectly around your MacBook Neo without hiding its sleek design or color. The multicolored, matte-textured options from Mosiso seem nicer than other options, and it’s about $24 at Amazon. The plastic shells typically cost around $20, and the company claims that they don’t hinder the Neo’s ability to close. They’re also built to resist scratches, fingerprint smudging, and unwanted cracks. Mosiso snap-on plastic case for the MacBook Neo
Where to Buy: $23.99 $21.49 at Amazon A collapsible laptop stand when you need it
Laptop stands serve different purposes for different folks. Some people want to use their laptop’s keyboard at an angle that’s more ergonomically friendly, while others may simply want to bring their laptop’s display closer to eye level. And some people may want all of those benefits. Whatever your need, Moft’s $25 Adhesive Stand is great because it’s only there when you need it. The handy laptop stand folds into itself (unlike pricier, bulkier options) and features a low-profile design that’s barely there when you need to slide your Neo into a bag. Moft Adhesive Laptop Stand
Where to Buy: $29.99 $24.99 at Amazon $29.99 at Moft A thin keyboard cover to keep out debris
Liquid ingress in a keyboard is one of the main reasons why a laptop dies before its time. Dust and crumbs certainly don’t help, either, as they can clog things up and prevent your keys from pressing. A lightweight keyboard cover that gently lies over the keys, thus preserving their look, feel, and backlighting, is a nice, cheap accessory that can keep dust out. Uppercase’s GhostCover is just under $13 at Amazon. It may not stop a flood of water, coffee, or your beverage of choice from getting into your Neo after a spill, but it’ll likely help limit the damage.
One important note is that this keyboard cover is only compatible with the $699 version that has a 512GB SSD and, crucially, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It won’t fit the $599 version correctly. GhostCover keyboard cover
Where to Buy: $12.98 $12.95 at Amazon $12.98 at Uppercase A spare trackpad or wireless mouse
The Neo’s built-in trackpad is large and responsive, but you may want to use an input off to the side for ergonomic reasons (you might also be more comfortable with a mouse). In the case of mice, there are numerous models that work with macOS — either dongle-free over Bluetooth or with a USB receiver — but the best, most feature-packed model you can currently buy is the $119.99 Logitech MX Master 4 from Amazon, Newegg, and Logitech directly. It’s a right-handed mouse that’s comfortable and high-end, with a haptics-based thumb button that can surface on-screen shortcuts to make navigating both a bit faster and easier. It also connects via Bluetooth or with its included USB-C dongle. Logitech MX Master 4 wireless mouse
Where to Buy: $119.99 at Newegg $119.99 at Amazon $119.99 at Logitech Another option for trackpad lovers is Apple’s official Magic Trackpad. It’s a bigger standalone trackpad than the one built into the Neo, but you can position it wherever you’d like. It starts at $119.99 from Amazon and is rechargeable via USB-C, just like the laptop, and connects wirelessly over Bluetooth. Apple Magic Trackpad (USB-C)
Where to Buy: $129 $119.99 at Amazon (white) $149 $139.99 at Amazon (black) $129 at Apple (white) A capable charger when you’re away from an outlet
As often as you may be at home or otherwise near a power outlet while using your MacBook Neo, sometimes you need to take it on the go. A power bank is great for rescuing depleted gadgets, or keeping them topped off until you settle down again with a power outlet. They range in price and capabilities, but given the Neo’s 30W peak charging speed, you don’t need anything extravagant on that front.
Baseus’ 20,000mAh power bank with two built-in USB-C cables, which can supply up to 45W of power, should more than suffice. It’s on sale at Amazon for $31.99 right now, and its size should allow it to charge your Neo at least once, or you can charge your laptop alongside up to three other devices at reduced charging speeds. Baseus EnerFill FC11 Power Bank with Dual Built-in Cables
Where to Buy: $39.99 $31.99 at Amazon (with Prime) $39.99 at Baseus For something with more capacity that offers similar versatility thanks to its two built-in USB-C cables (one of which can extend), Anker’s 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank is a popular choice among Verge readers. It’s significantly pricier at around $120 — though it’s currently on sale for $95.99 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart — and it can deliver a combined output of 165W when charging multiple devices at once. Anker Laptop Power Bank
Where to Buy: $119.99 $95.99 at Best Buy $119.99 $95.99 at Amazon $119.99 $95.99 at Walmart For tinkerers, mix and match official Apple components for a customized look
It was recently discovered that Apple sells spare parts for the MacBook Neo, which are intended for repair, not necessarily for the funsies I’m about to describe. That said, you can buy parts in the color of your choosing (silver, indigo, blush, citrus) to make a fun, unique Neo that will likely attract some eyeballs when you use it in public.
Granted, it’s not affordable to make these customizations; the bottom metal case is the cheapest upgrade at $34.32, and a complete set of key caps runs $39. You’re also on your own when it comes to installing them, so it’s not a project that I’d recommend for beginner tinkerers, since you’re at risk of damaging your laptop.
The Verge• Apr 16, 2026, 05:05 PM
TechCrunch
