IDK. Until the Neo you basically didn’t have a choice unless you were in the $1k+ bracket, which is not where most machines are sold.
You could buy Windows, or a very cheap Chromebook that felt like it.
People in that $600-700 range have never had a choice like this.
People had plenty of options in the $600-700 range. If you really wanted a Mac and price was the only thing holding back, buy used.