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2025 MBA w/M4 or Neo (I have a nice Amazon credit to reduce the prices)

Gator5000e

Gator5000e

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Hello all. I am looking for some quick advice. I have about $400.00 in Amazon credits and I am looking to get into a Mac for the first time ever. I have all Apple products except for computers as I've been a windows user forever (really needed to be for work and all).

No matter. On Amazon I can get a 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip. 16GB unified memory but only 256GB SSD for $999.00 or I can get the Neo upgraded with the 512GB drive and TouchID for the $699. Both would be less the $400 credit I have on Amazon. So before taxes, the MBA would be around $699 and the Neo would be around $299.

To me, it seems like the MBA is the way to go but the 256GB HD is a concern. I don't know if the MBA HD can be graded. As I said I am brand new to Apple computers.

I was hoping for any thoughts. Thanks.
 
Storage is a valid concern, and no it can't be upgraded (effectively; I'm sure someone will come up with a spit-and-bailing-wire method but for purposes of this discussion - it can't).

First thing, make sure you have the storage you're going to need. Price notwithstanding the computer isn't a good "Value" if it doesn't suit your needs. FOR ME, 256 storage would be plenty on a "Spare" computer just used for travel (Which is what I'm considering a Neo for). But my needs are not your needs.
 
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Storage could be an issue depending on how you plan to use it. If it’s mostly for browsing and streaming, 256gb is fine. If you plan to import large libraries or photos or videos then obviously the base storage wont be for you. 256gb will still hold plenty of apps to use, but its not meant for those trying to move over large files etc.
 
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Really, its subject to how you have used your Windows machine. And, as with Windows, more RAM is always better - but more importantly, how it is used by the device. And while both Macs, they are intended for two different users.

If you store absolutely everything on your computer, then yeah, maybe 512GB of storage is important. I have a 256GB M2 Mini with more stuff on it than I ever intend to use regularly (16,000 docs, 5700 pics, 5000 tunes and 50 movies on it) and still have 95GB free. Stuff i really don't use all that often (and a manual backup) I keep on a portable external drive, for when I absolutely need to access it. I use this same system when I access an old 2017 Air I still have kicking around.

Time was when the Air was considered the de facto Mac for students, road warriors and cafe crowd - a lightweight, capable, (comparatively) inexpensive option to the pricier MacBook. Today's Air (including the M4) essentially takes the place of the basic MacBook (which Apple no longer sells) - both in price and higher-end capabilities. But unless a user has plans of doing professional film, audio or picture editing - or playing games - it may honestly be overkill for most user's needs.
I think the Neo is intended to take the place of the original Air (at a cheaper price), while reviews out there suggest it is no slouch, either.

How many bells and whistles do you want to invest in? Totally get the interest in the M4, but with your $400 credit, $299 ($199 if you're already thinking you could get away with 256GB!) for the Neo feels like an awfully good deal - especially as your 'first Mac'.

 
Bazza1 said:
Really, its subject to how you have used your Windows machine. And, as with Windows, more RAM is always better - but more importantly, how it is used by the device. And while both Macs, they are intended for two different users.

If you store absolutely everything on your computer, then yeah, maybe 512GB of storage is important. I have a 256GB M2 Mini with more stuff on it than I ever intend to use regularly (16,000 docs, 5700 pics, 5000 tunes and 50 movies on it) and still have 95GB free. Stuff i really don't use all that often (and a manual backup) I keep on a portable external drive, for when I absolutely need to access it. I use this same system when I access an old 2017 Air I still have kicking around.

Time was when the Air was considered the de facto Mac for students, road warriors and cafe crowd - a lightweight, capable, (comparatively) inexpensive option to the pricier MacBook. Today's Air (including the M4) essentially takes the place of the basic MacBook (which Apple no longer sells) - both in price and higher-end capabilities. But unless a user has plans of doing professional film, audio or picture editing - or playing games - it may honestly be overkill for most user's needs.
I think the Neo is intended to take the place of the original Air (at a cheaper price), while reviews out there suggest it is no slouch, either.

How many bells and whistles do you want to invest in? Totally get the interest in the M4, but with your $400 credit, $299 ($199 if you're already thinking you could get away with 256GB!) for the Neo feels like an awfully good deal - especially as your 'first Mac'.

Click to expand...
Wow, thank you for the detailed write up!! Very helpful. I totally forgot that the Neo has the 512GB option with Touch ID so I might go for that one. I think the only thing I might miss on the Air vs. the Neo would be the 15" screen.

BTW, is AppleCare something you should buy with either the Neo or Air?

Thanks again for the nice write up.
 
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Gator5000e said:
....BTW, is AppleCare something you should buy with either the Neo or Air?

Thanks again for the nice write up.
Click to expand...
That's a question guaranteed to get all sorts of heated point-of-views. Much along the lines of 'Should I get an anti-virus app for a Mac?'

So hardly a consensus here, but IMHO, I'd get AppleCare for any 'mobile' device. Not in a static location, so any amount of bumps and tumbles and stressed-out ports possible to cause issues. It should also be noted that you can also get AppleCare on plans that mean you're not blowing the full amount all at once. Just one less massive shock to your bank account!

Incidentally, re: Anti-virus - the argument from the more...enthusiastic...Macoltyes is that Macs are perfect and don't need AV protection. Apple covers it all.
That might have been the case decades ago when Apple was, frankly, a fringe computer company for a certain crowd, but there are those now working daily to be problematic for MacOS, and - especially perhaps now with Neo - even more people will be coming onboard the OS. It really doesn't *hurt* to protect yourself.

IMHO
 
I would stalk Amazon to find an used/renewed M3 or M4 MBA for a few weeks with 16gb/512gb. Personally I won't go anywhere near a Neo. 8GB of memory that can't be upgraded is a setup for frustration and failure for a lot of users (in my opinion).
 
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I would buy an air if you can afford it. Get the latest version with the middle or base specs. So 512gb ssd on air might be wise but 256gb is enough and just use external ssd for large files. Or buy an external spinning hard drive. 16gb ram is enough.

If you time your purchase right Amazon has a big sale in July or summer time. Deals on MacBooks and Neo will be best at that time until holidays. You may be able to snag a new air m5 for $200 off MSRP making your credit go farther. You will get a bigger discount on the air.

The Neo is a fine laptop but again, 9f you can afford it, the extras on the air are worth the extra cost. The Neo is great for the budget segment but backlight might be an issue.

Alternatively you could get base iPad and a Neo for the price of an air?? Also wait a couple months for Amazon big sale and the Neo and base iPad will most likely be on sale.

Either way I think you will enjoy a Mac.

One thing I will say is the a18 pro uses memory a lot different than say a Windows laptop and probably even m series. So the 8gb ram may be a bottleneck but less than people may expect. MacOS is different than iOS but everyone knows the iPhone chip is way overkill for an iPhone. I do think m chips may eventually be migrated in future iterations.

I would try both laptops in the Apple store/Best Buy. That is the only way you will be able to tell what the specs look like in real life and how much a difference there is between the two laptops you are interested in.
 
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I wanted to update everyone who was so helpful in this thread. I ordered and received a 512GB Nano from Amazon. With my gift card, the ultimate price was great. I set up the Nano and started playing around with it. It took a while to figure out how to move around in MacOS. Still haven't gotten the hang of it completely (as I have been a Windows user my entire life). The notebook was very nice extremely well made. I think I could have gotten to like it a lot.

But at the end of the day, I returned it because of the screen size. The 13" screen was just too small for me. I currently an ancient (2013) HP Pavilion windows 10 laptop with a 17" screen that is my daily driver computer. I also have two iPad Pros with the ~13" screens along with an external ESR keyboard case for the Pros that I can use when needed.

Now I understand iPadOS is not the same as MacOS and I can't do everything I want with iPadOS. But ultimately, I felt the Nano was not much different (other than the OS) from my Pros with a keyboard case. As I said, this is mainly due to the screen size which felt too small for me. If Apple ever comes out with a 15" Nano, I would be first in line to consider it. But once I get my refund credited, I will look for a MB Air with a 15" screen. I think the additional cost would be worth it for me in the long run.

Again, thanks to everyone for the very helpful thoughts. They were really appreciated.
 
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Gator5000e said:
I wanted to update everyone who was so helpful in this thread. I ordered and received a 512GB Nano from Amazon. With my gift card, the ultimate price was great. I set up the Nano and started playing around with it. It took a while to figure out how to move around in MacOS. Still haven't gotten the hang of it completely (as I have been a Windows user my entire life). The notebook was very nice extremely well made. I think I could have gotten to like it a lot.

But at the end of the day, I returned it because of the screen size. The 13" screen was just too small for me. I currently an ancient (2013) HP Pavilion windows 10 laptop with a 17" screen that is my daily driver computer. I also have two iPad Pros with the ~13" screens along with an external ESR keyboard case for the Pros that I can use when needed.

Now I understand iPadOS is not the same as MacOS and I can't do everything I want with iPadOS. But ultimately, I felt the Nano was not much different (other than the OS) from my Pros with a keyboard case. As I said, this is mainly due to the screen size which felt too small for me. If Apple ever comes out with a 15" Nano, I would be first in line to consider it. But once I get my refund credited, I will look for a MB Air with a 15" screen. I think the additional cost would be worth it for me in the long run.

Again, thanks to everyone for the very helpful thoughts. They were really appreciated.
Click to expand...
15” air sounds like the perfect fit for you then. Btw its Neo lol
 
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