Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Accidentally Leaks 'MacBook Neo'

I should probably wait until the rumored device is announced but I don't really understand the point of this. It seems like it's ten years late to the party. I mean, I love the idea of it - I still have to tell myself I have no need to get an 11" Air off ebay.

Aside from classrooms, I can't think of a niche this fits into. People who want portable computing are doing well with iPads. Most people I know at this point don't have anything but an iPhone for their personal lives.

It just seems like, in 2026, we've moved away from light desktop computing.

I have to guess that there's going to be more to this thing than just a more-air-like Macbook Air. If they changed all the names, renamed the Air the Macbook and called this "Neo" the Macbook Air, that might make sense.
 
anthony131 said:
I have to guess that there's going to be more to this thing than just a more-air-like Macbook Air. If they changed all the names, renamed the Air the Macbook and called this "Neo" the Macbook Air, that might make sense.
Click to expand...
The Neo will almost certainly be heavier (and bulkier) than the Air, so that renaming wouldn't make sense.

The "Neo" name suggests, however, that Apple thinks there's something not just basic or low-end or entry-level, but actually NEW about this model. We'll find out tomorrow, but for the name "Neo" to make ANY sense the new model will need to have some distinguishing feature other than its cheapness. That might mean leaning in to cellular connectivity as with the iPhone, and/or reliance on App Store. Or it might mean some other feature or use case that will take us all by surprise. Or it could turn out to be the next G4 Cube, conceptually wonderful but unsatisfactory in the real world.
 
This thing might NOT be called "Neo" according to filings to ISED Canada.

Below is the reported marketing name for the A18 MacBook and the M5 MacBook Air.

"Neo" may be just an internal placeholder name to differentiate it from the 12-inch 2015 model.

1772570815956.png


1772570820385.png
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Stuipdboy1000, nachodorito, Funny Apple Man and 1 other person
Billy_Bob said:
The Neo will almost certainly be heavier (and bulkier) than the Air, so that renaming wouldn't make sense.

The "Neo" name suggests, however, that Apple thinks there's something not just basic or low-end or entry-level, but actually NEW about this model. We'll find out tomorrow, but for the name "Neo" to make ANY sense the new model will need to have some distinguishing feature other than its cheapness. That might mean leaning in to cellular connectivity as with the iPhone, and/or reliance on App Store. Or it might mean some other feature or use case that will take us all by surprise. Or it could turn out to be the next G4 Cube, conceptually wonderful but unsatisfactory in the real world.
Click to expand...
Why is it a certainty, that the new MB will be heavier and bulkier?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mk313 and AND411
Billy_Bob said:
The Neo will almost certainly be heavier (and bulkier) than the Air
Click to expand...
How do you know that? All the rumours say that it will be smaller and lighter than the Air. If it becomes bulkier than the Air with a 12.9-inch display, this device will look very old-fashioned.
 
anthony131 said:
Aside from classrooms, I can't think of a niche this fits into. People who want portable computing are doing well with iPads
Click to expand...
Always these tiresome false arguments. Why do you think so many users want an iPad with MacOS? Because iPad OS is crippled and simply cannot perform many tasks.

Since there will never be an iPad with MacOS, these people must hope that the new MacBook will be light and compact and offer MacOS users more than an iPad Air can when travelling and on the go.
 
Could it be a internal project code name for the upcoming models which accidentally got published on the site? 😅 remember a dev I worked with often placed all kind of funny and silly placeholder images on clients website, while he was waiting for the final ones and could code in peace.

p.s. just noticed the Macbook Neo listing is the only one without a display size included
 
Last edited:
KSB said:
Could it be a internal project code name for the upcoming models which accidentally got published on the site? 😅 remember a dev I worked with often placed all kind of funny and silly placeholder images on clients website, while he was waiting for the final ones and could code in peace.
Click to expand...

iPhone Math all over again...

www.macrumors.com

Apple Rumored to Debut 4.8-Inch 'iPhone Math' in June

According to new information from the China Times translated by BrightWire, Apple is planning to release the iPhone 5S alongside a larger phone, deemed the "iPhone Math" by the report. Because the iPhone Math name is highly unusual and does not fit in with Apple's traditional naming scheme, it...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: ProbablyDylan and KSB
hexcalibur said:
"doesn't matter what Apple calls it. It's going to be ridiculed"

And then, oddly enough, sell out almost immediately.
Click to expand...
No matter what is released, the biggest complainers will come from (as it always does) the MBP crowd, who had no intentions of buying the new MB to begin with. I think they take delight in trying to tear down the product and those who are excited, so that they can feel Apple superior. I have seen this cycle rinse and repeat for 14 years I have been here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: conmee, mlayer and turbineseaplane
hexcalibur said:
"doesn't matter what Apple calls it. It's going to be ridiculed"

And then, oddly enough, sell out almost immediately.
Click to expand...

I will take the under on "sell out almost immediately".

The releases this week have strengthened my feeling that this is going to be over hyped and under cooked.

The biggest competition it will face is preowned, refurbed or on sale M2/M3/M4 MBAs
 
Tim Jobs the 2nd said:
Saying the name could be better isn't "outrage". It is a subjective opinion. I think it is just as ridiculous to blindly support everything they do. It is OK to criticize Apple's decisions sometimes.
Click to expand...

All the suffixes of MacBooks have Greek or Latin origin.

Neo, air, mini, studio and pro all come originally from one of those two languages.
 
Maybe they borrowed the name from Airbus, who has an A321NEO (which stands for New Engine Option). The NEO has a more advanced engine that burns less fuel, reduces CO2 emissions and makes less noise.
 
Last edited:
IAmStumped said:
Maybe they borrowed the name from Airbus, who has an A321NEO (which stands for New Engine Option). The NEO has a more advanced engine that burns less fuel, reduces CO2 emissions and makes less noise.
Click to expand...
That's a possibility. Or you think they could've opted for "MacBook Mini," or even "MacBook Nano." But then again, the actual Mac Mini's performance is more of the equivalent to a MacBook Air or baseline 14" MacBook Pro, whereas the Pro chip Mac Mini would be like a 14" MacBook Pro with said Pro chip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back