(Image credit: Apple)

For years, the decision was easy. If you were a creative professional, you bought a Mac. If you wanted something to sketch on, browse references and maybe draft a few emails while travelling, you bought an iPad . The hardware hierarchy was clear, the software divide was obvious and nobody lost sleep over it. That clarity is gone.

Apple 's new MacBook Neo launched earlier this year at $599 / £599, making it the cheapest MacBook to date. It uses the A18 Pro, a chip previous known for its use in the iPhone. The iPad Air (M4) , meanwhile, starts at the exact same price. It's powered by the M4 chip, which was until recently exclusive to Apple's most powerful laptops.

Get £30 off the MacBook Neo at Amazon

Apple MacBook Neo (Image credit: Future / Ian Evenden)

Apple has, in short, built a laptop that runs on a phone chip and a tablet that runs on a Mac chip.…