Apple Accidentally Leaks 'MacBook Neo'

[dazey]

I wish Apple would get on with it already and put us out of our misery. I have just one requirement for buying a new Mac laptop, must be the same weight (or less) than the 2017 MacBook. . I think we all know I am going to be disappointed.
For everyone else, they are going to be better buying a 1 year old MacBook Air. Hope to be proven wrong

 

[lazyrighteye]

Macbook air to 1099
Neo to 899

Split the diff? 799?

 

[NachoNoir]

Given this news and the surprising inclusion of MagSafe, I think the new 512GB base storage of the $1,099 MBAir kind of paves the way for a Macbook with 256GB (-$100), 8-12GB RAM (-$50/$100) and a less powerful SoC (-$100/$150).

Unless Apple is less Apple than usual, I bet this thing will (sadly) be $799.

Although... if it were made of COLORFUL polycarbonate just like Macbooks from 20 years ago, maybe it could be quite a lot cheaper... ;-) I have to say that a yellow polycarbonate Macbook would be just cool! (My first Mac was a late 2006 white Macbook).

 

[Rose_Marie]

force touch keyboard:
Makes sense with neo branding (plus lays groundwork for further "blending" of mac/ipad such as anticipated touch screen mac pros this fall), gives a reason they can "skimp" a bit but still have price ~$699 [first mac with ZERO moving parts], and bit of a resiliency sell then to education

 

[staypuftforums]

Given this news and the surprising inclusion of MagSafe, I think the new 512GB base storage of the $1,099 MBAir kind of paves the way for a Macbook with 256GB (-$100), 8-12GB RAM (-$50/$100) and a less powerful SoC (-$100/$150).

Unless Apple is less Apple than usual, I bet this thing will (sadly) be $799.

Although... if it were made of COLORFUL polycarbonate just like Macbooks from 20 years ago, maybe it could be quite a lot cheaper... ;-) I have to say that a yellow polycarbonate Macbook would be just cool! (My first Mac was a late 2006 white Macbook).

$599 was always a total pipe dream.

 

[mlayer]

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

I suspect that, given Tim Cook's obsession with inventory management, the number of new M2/M3/M4 MBAs will be extremely limited. Sure there will be refurbs and used devices, can't do much about a device once it's out of the channel.

 

[jeffehobbs]

Sincere question: How does this keep happening? It seems like a huge percentage of leaks from Apple are "night before" leaks, where the web team puts something up on a public website for about 45 minutes before someone finds it and it gets yanked down. This seems easily avoidable?

 

[Raphius]

Apple appears to have prematurely revealed the name of its rumored lower-cost MacBook model, which is expected to be announced this Wednesday.

A regulatory document for a "MacBook Neo" (Model A3404) has appeared on Apple's website. Unfortunately, there are no further details or images available yet.

While the PDF file does not contain the "MacBook Neo" name, it briefly appeared in a link on Apple's regulatory website for EU compliance purposes.

The lower-cost MacBook is rumored to feature an iPhone chip like the A18 Pro or A19 Pro, rather than an M-series chip, as well as a 12.9-inch display. It has also been rumored that this MacBook will come in fun color options, like yellow, green, blue, and/or pink, and the "MacBook Neo" name certainly sounds fun.

"MacBook Neo" would slot in below the MacBook Air in the Mac lineup, but its starting price remains to be seen, with estimates ranging from $599 to $799.

The media will likely receive hands-on time with the "MacBook Neo" at the "Apple Experience" gatherings being held in New York, London, and Shanghai this Wednesday at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. There is no Apple Event live stream for this launch, so keep an eye out for a press release on the Apple Newsroom website.

Update: Just a few minutes after we published, Apple removed the "MacBook Neo" link.

Article Link: Apple Accidentally Leaks 'MacBook Neo'

Choose...

 

[Moukee]

Given this news and the surprising inclusion of MagSafe, I think the new 512GB base storage of the $1,099 MBAir kind of paves the way for a Macbook with 256GB (-$100), 8-12GB RAM (-$50/$100) and a less powerful SoC (-$100/$150).

Unless Apple is less Apple than usual, I bet this thing will (sadly) be $799.

I'd be very surprised if there isn't at least a $200 difference between the Air and this "Neo" when RAM and storage are matched. But we'll see in a couple hours.

 

[JPack]

Sincere question: How does this keep happening? It seems like a huge percentage of leaks from Apple are "night before" leaks, where the web team puts something up on a public website for about 45 minutes before someone finds it and it gets yanked down. This seems easily avoidable?

Apple has to update over 100 sub-sites every time a new product launches: https://www.apple.com/choose-country-region/

There's so much secrecy and siloed work, errors are bound to happen. We've seen a number of typos on annotated screenshots during WWDC and tech spec errors immediately after product launch. So it's no surprise some things get leaked by accident.

 

[diblasio]

Most of yall couldn’t even wipe ur own behinds when everyone was freaking out over how dumb the name iPad was (I wanted it to be called iSlate).

…I don’t know what my point was cause I’m old and I don’t remember stuff so good anymore… 👴

 

[Apple_Robert]

I predict a lot of people on here will end up changing their mind about the new MB once it is released.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I like this new MacBook, but the current lineup (including the various versions of the M chips) makes it look like a company that can't make decisions anymore. I keep thinking Steve Jobs wouldn't have offered so many options.

You mean the same Steve Jobs who couldn’t decide if the 13 inch aluminum computer was the MacBook or the MacBook Pro, and then even once he decided it was the MacBook Pro couldn’t be bothered to keep it up-to-date with the same chips as the 15 and 17 inch versions?

 

[conmee]

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.

Exactly... look at that puny A18-powered Neo... what kind of whimpy device is that?!?!? (Me: Future M5 Pro owner looking over my shoulder at Future M5 Ultra guy laughing at my handful of cores and puny 64GB... **** rolls downhill as they say lol... one day I'll get to the top of the Apple compute food chain, I just need to get in an auto accident and have AI get me a big settlement).

 

[cycomiko]

Although... if it were made of COLORFUL polycarbonate just like Macbooks from 20 years ago, maybe it could be quite a lot cheaper... ;-) I have to say that a yellow polycarbonate Macbook would be just cool! (My first Mac was a late 2006 white Macbook).

They could fit them with the old rubber base that bubbles out for the complete experience

 

[satchmo]

I predict a lot of people on here will end up changing their mind about the new MB once it is released.

Possibly. I think it will really boil down to price.

At $799, people will be torn between it the previous M4 MacBook Air.

At $699, it will be an instant buy for many.

 

[cycomiko]

You mean the same Steve Jobs who couldn’t decide if the 13 inch aluminum computer was the MacBook or the MacBook Pro, and then even once he decided it was the MacBook Pro couldn’t be bothered to keep it up-to-date with the same chips as the 15 and 17 inch versions?

I have an M1 air, and some of the keyboard had died, and the battery.

It performs perfectly well otherwise.

So this make sense for me, rather than paying 600$ more than the original M1 price for an M5

 

[Apple_Robert]

Possibly. I think it will really boil down to price.

At $799, people will be torn between it the previous M4 MacBook Air.

At $699, it will be an instant buy for many.

Price will make or break for many people. That is true. Personally, I am not going to let a $100 divide keep me from getting a device if I want it. What will give me a little pause if it the colors are Apple pastel. I want a bold color. I will also take 12GB if it is available.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Possibly. I think it will really boil down to price.

At $799, people will be torn between it the previous M4 MacBook Air.

At $699, it will be an instant buy for many.

I don’t think the previous generation models are really that much of a factor. The M4s have been on sale since November, and with the new M5 Air going up in price it’s likely that inventory will clear out pretty quickly.
The Walmart M1 Air is pretty much gone, you might be able to find one here and there, but from what I can tell, it’s basically sold out and not coming back.
Which only leaves open box, refurbished and the used market, which is a completely different beast from a brand new product being sold at all retailers.
In the end, even if the new MacBook Neo has an MSRP of $799, by the holiday season, it will likely be $649 on sale, while the M5 Air with its recent price increase likely will only get down to the $899-949 range.

 

[everybodylovesramen]

i guarantee these are just M1 macbook airs with “fun” new aluminum colored cases.

or better yet, maybe plastic again?

 

[Michael Scrip]

i guarantee these are just M1 macbook airs with “fun” new aluminum colored cases.

or better yet, maybe plastic again?

Unapologetically Plastic™

😎

 

[powerbook911]

I don't find these rumored prices compelling. $499 would be the sweet spot (and higher storage options obviously above that).

 

[macman312]

The heck is that name??

 

[carestudio]

Neo!!! would definitely get one for traveling.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

It's the Tim Cook's Apple signature move.

Introduce 'entry level' model made from components from older models at a cheaper price point followed by price hikes to the models higher up the line and/or introduction of a 'super premium model'

It's happened to almost all the product lines

iPhone SE introduced a year before Apple pushed it's highest end phone over the $1000 mark with the iPhone X, Apple Watch SE introduced before the Apple Watch Ultra, Same with the iPad cheaper 9th gen paved the way for super premium $1000 + iPad Pro's.

Now it's the Macs turn.

Sounds like solid management to me. Give customers good choices.