Brands
Apple bites back: the $599 MacBook Neo is the cheapest Mac ever made
The tech giant unveils a budget laptop that packs a punch — and a lot of cheek
CALIFORNIA: Apple has never been shy about charging a premium. So when Cupertino rolls out a MacBook at $599 (approx. Rs 55,000) , it’s worth sitting up straight.
The MacBook Neo, unveiled Tuesday, is Apple’s most affordable laptop to date — undercutting its own MacBook Air and taking a sharp swipe at the budget PC market in one fell swoop. It starts at $499 for students, which, for a machine with Apple silicon inside, is frankly a steal.
At the heart of the Neo is the A18 Pro chip — the same muscle that powers the latest iPhones. Apple claims it is up to 50 per cent faster for everyday tasks than a rival PC running Intel’s Core Ultra 5, and three times quicker on on-device AI workloads. Fanless and featherweight at 2.7 pounds, it runs silently and promises up to 16 hours of battery life. Try doing that on a Chromebook.
The 13-inch liquid retina display clocks in at 2408-by-1506 resolution with 500 nits of brightness and support for billion colours — sharper and brighter, Apple says, than most rivals in this price band. It comes dressed in four colours: blush, indigo, silver, and a zesty new citrus, with matching keyboard shades to boot.
Connectivity is modest — two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 6 — but this is a budget machine, not a pro workstation. The 1080p FaceTime camera, dual mics with directional beamforming, and Spatial Audio speakers round out a package that punches well above its weight class.
Apple senior vice-president of hardware engineering John Ternus alled it “a laptop only Apple could create.” That’s the kind of line that makes rivals wince — because, annoyingly, he might be right.
The Neo runs macOS Tahoe, with Apple Intelligence baked in for AI writing tools, live translation, and the sort of on-device smarts that keep user data away from the cloud. It also boasts 60 per cent recycled content — the highest of any Apple product — for those who like their bargains with a side of conscience.
For $599, Apple isn’t just selling a laptop. It’s selling an argument — that good design and real performance needn’t cost the earth. The PC industry had better have a decent comeback ready.
Brands
BlaBliBlu hits Rs 100 crore run rate within six months of launch
Affordable luxury fragrance brand rides youth demand and rapid adoption
NEW DELHI: BlaBliBlu has clocked an annual run rate of Rs 100 crore within just six months of launch, underlining the rapid rise of new-age fragrance brands catering to India’s young consumers.
The startup, founded by Palash Arneja along with Rajat, Kushal and Durgesh, is currently operating at a monthly run rate of Rs 8 crore. The milestone places it among the fastest-growing entrants in India’s competitive fragrance market.
BlaBliBlu’s growth story hinges on a clear gap it spotted early on. Consumers typically had to choose between expensive international perfumes and lower-priced options that often compromised on quality or longevity. The brand positioned itself in between, offering fragrances priced under Rs 1,000 while maintaining premium-like performance.
A key differentiator has been its product formulation. With a fragrance oil concentration of around 25 per cent, the company claims its perfumes deliver longer-lasting wear comparable to higher-end global brands. Combined with sleek packaging and design, the products have resonated with younger buyers looking for both style and substance.
“Reaching a Rs 100 crore annual run rate within six months is an exciting milestone that shows strong customer demand across India,” said BlaBliBlu founder Palash Arneja. He added that the brand’s focus has been on delivering premium-quality scents while keeping them accessible, supported by continuous feedback and product innovation.
Instead of relying heavily on marketing spends, the company has leaned on a product-led growth strategy. Its trial packs, priced at Rs 399, allow customers to sample multiple fragrances before committing to a full-size purchase. The option to redeem the trial cost or opt for a refund has helped reduce hesitation and build trust among first-time buyers.
Customer insight has also played a central role in shaping the brand. Before launch, the team conducted on-ground research across malls and retail spaces to understand preferences. Since then, feedback from thousands of users has fed into product development and brand decisions.
Looking ahead, BlaBliBlu plans to expand its portfolio into adjacent categories such as body washes, roll-ons and car fragrances, while also exploring niche scent offerings.
With a strong start and a clear value proposition, the brand’s early momentum suggests it is well placed to carve out a lasting space in India’s evolving fragrance market.
