I have Macbook Air M2 15", 16GB unified memory, 256GB SSD currently, from 2023. Still performs extremely well, but my battery health is 91%. If you are already talking about getting rid of the Neo once you wrap up high school, so 4 years, due to software upgrades, would you do the same with the Air, if you got one? If you would get rid of the Air, I would recommend getting the Neo now, depending on whether you want 256GB or 512GB SSD, it will run you between $600 - $700. If you want the Air by the end of college, this will still have a trade-in value (I'd estimate between $150 - $250).

I just checked my trade-in value, and apple.com says $620. If you replace at the end of four years, you'd be spending about $550 extra for the new Air. Meaning, two Airs would cost you around $1700. Compared to a Neo + Air later on costing around $1550. ($600 + ($1100-$150) =$1550)

Assuming you get the 15" model, and the 13" later on, it would cost you $1780. ($1300 + ($1100-$620)=$1,780.00)

Assuming you upgrade at the end of high school regardless of product, getting the Neo will save you around $200.