Apple on MacBook Neo Design: 'We're Certainly Not Making Any Compromises'

[jz0309]

I disagree and think that any student entering uni deserves computing competence with more than 8 GB of RAM on board. IMO the MBN is ideally suited for much younger students.

So those who study literature or social science need more than 8GB, gotcha ...
It is such nonsense to put everyone in a single category, the world isn't black and white...

 

[currentinterest]

This computer was designed to meet certain criteria for a particular audience/market. Those criteria were met or exceeded for a device that can be sold to many for $499. They get to have a device that will allow them to participate in a world of computing otherwise not available. They get the full Mac UI, they get a nice display, they get the ability to email, text, write papers, browse the Internet, edit photos, edit movies with iMovie, build compositions with GarageBand, draw with FreeForm, all, from the perspective of the user with no compromises. One would notice few differences doing all those things than someone using a MacBook Air. That is what I believe is meant by no compromises. Editing 4K video, 3D rendering, etc., are all niche activities. Not being able to do these things is not a compromise for this machine. The USB 2.0 can be viewed as a bonus. It is the charging port that can also be used for transferring data, though that is primarily the job of the USB 3 port. Again, not a compromise. Yes, the trackpad is mechanical, but it moves the cursor with precision and allows for selection by pressing anywhere on the pad, again, no compromise. It even supports, what early reports suggest, better than expected sound and Spatial Audio. Again, no compromises. And finally, it is made from sturdy, beautifully colored aluminum manufactured through a process that produces far less waste aluminum than previous possible. True innovation that allows for this machine to be produced, with no compromise. And, all of this is possible using an A18 Pro chip and 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB Storage, quite the accomplishment. This is why the designers are deservedly proud, and consumers who buy these machines will be deservedly happy.

 

[JPack]

Again, it’s not just power. I don’t need the power. It’s MagSafe, Touch ID, backlit kb, etc etc etc. which my MBA already has and so why I won’t be getting one.

And yes, planned scarcity. It’s already a hit. The media is gushing over it. Good for Apple. I read one say “think of it as a smaller, lighter, Mac”, and then go on to say it’s the same weight and slightly thicker, which means it’s not a “smaller, lighter, Mac” at all. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Maybe that’s the Neo reference.

Neo isn't for people who already have a MacBook Air. If you need to ask, "is 8GB RAM enough," it's not for you.

"Planned scarcity"? If there was such a thing, we'd have seen it with iPhone Air, Vision Pro, iPhone mini. Those shipping dates never slipped after launch and it was clear nobody wanted to buy them.

 

[Uncle Shadoe]

While the MacBook Neo starts at just $599, or an even lower $499 for college students, Apple has insisted that it did not make any design compromises.

"It's undeniably a MacBook, we're certainly not making any compromises on the design and that's really important," said Apple's vice president of industrial design Molly Anderson, in an interview with architecture and design publication Dezeen.

Anderson added that "it was important" for the MacBook Neo "to be quintessentially a MacBook."

Chiefly, the MacBook Neo is made from aluminum, not plastic.

"It wasn't just a redesign, it was starting from the beginning, and we're not using cheaper materials, it's incredible aluminium," she said.

Available in fun colors like Blush and Citrus, the MacBook Neo is meant to be distinguished from the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to Anderson.

"It was important to make it feel part of the family, but with its own personality," she said.

Even though the MacBook Neo is designed with premium materials, Apple did have to make compromises in other areas. For example, the MacBook Neo has only 8GB of RAM, and a Touch ID button is limited to the $699 model. Plus, there is no MagSafe, one of the USB-C ports is limited to USB 2 speeds of just 480 MB/s, and the keys are not backlit.

Despite its limitations, the MacBook Neo will likely be a hit with students and customers who need a Mac mainly for everyday tasks, like web browsing and document editing. Pre-orders began on March 4, ahead of a March 11 launch.

Article Link: Apple on MacBook Neo Design: 'We're Certainly Not Making Any Compromises'

I’m going to wait for next MacBook Neo to add 5G Cellular Connectivity and compatibility with Mobile Data Plans from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc. In the mean time, I’m okay with the Lenovo 100e Chromebook Gen 4. There’s really no point in buying something so small and portable without the option to use more than just WiFi or Hotspot. It’s 2026!

 

[timbol]

How are features not part of the design?

You're either being willfully obtuse or have a semantic disability.

 

[scrapesleon]

no backlight keyboard apple please tell us are we still in 2010

 

[840quadra]

Not understanding the vitriol over these to be honest.

I get there is still a bit of the Apple tax, but honestly impressed with the performance that has been shared with these so far at the relatively low cost.

Having paid more for the OG M1 MacBook pro with touchbar, these being slightly faster (the M1 is still feels snappy™ to this day) at the cost they are available is actually super cool to me.

That said, I may be in a bit of a minority as I collect and still use old mac computers and still do things on those that many may believe is a waste of time. 😉

no backlight keyboard apple please tell us are we still in 2010

2010? The 17" Powerbook that first had this tech was in 2003 😉 .

 

[Siliconguy]

no backlight keyboard apple please tell us are we still in 2010

$15 to fix, and fits in the USB 2 port with an adapter you probably already have.

USB LED Flex Light

The USB LED Flex Light is designed for use with MAKERX crafting tools. 3 settings for desired brightness. Works w/ any USB Type-A charging port. Shop now.

www.worx.com

 

[Peterrocks!]

I just discovered that if I trade in my M4 MBA I can get the 512, Touch ID, Neo for $14! 😂

 

[ikramerica]

I'm going to wait for the price to drop. The base model will be $579 at larger retailers within a few months, $499 deals by the holidays. And $529 will be the "standard price" by this time next year. (Not that the price is unreasonable, but it will go lower.)

Target gives 5% if you use their card. So it’s already $570 and $665 there. Best Buy is giving a $25 gift card, so you can buy a bluetooth mouse or a carrying sleeve.

 

[ikramerica]

My son is turning 10 this summer and I want to buy him a new computer to replace my crumbling PC he has been using. Considering we already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse, I don't see a reason to buy the Neo over a Mac-Mini.
Mac-Mini is the same price and would last him a very long time without a hiccup, and portability is not an issue at this age.
Now the question is whether to wait for the M5 mac-mini or try to find a deal for the M4.

It’s a bit difficult to bring that mini room to room or to bed.

My son is 12 and moving the Chromebook room to room is important.

 

[xDeadTechx]

Honestly the target buyer isn’t going to care about USB 2.0 speeds vs. 3.0 speeds, only the specs nerds is going to whine and complain that “omgz, it’s 2.0” but to the average consumer their not going to notice nor care.. so at this price point it’s a mute point.

Apple in their marketing has never said the word “Premium” their marketing it as entry-level and accessible. Apple isn’t comparing this to their MacBook airs or pros.. so of course their going to say they didn’t comprise on the core idea of entry level and accessible.

 

[dlopan]

I like it despite the fact that it's terrible. Usb-2? Common man. Just an excuse to clean out the left over trash. I would probably buy one if it was just a little better like including some off the shelf current parts. Better than a cheap ipad but not better? Should be. Reminds me of the time Apple made super computer but not so much. Like the one I bought for 300

 

[seek3r]

“we're certainly not making any compromises on the design”

Apart from the size, the weight,

It’s $500, it’s solid, it’s for students, it’s not a high end ultra light

the mechanical trackpad last seen over a decade ago,

It’s a new trackpad design…

the weird speakers

They apparently sound pretty decent…

and the fat bezels an iPad would be ashamed of.

Which half this forum is clamoring to bring back on the airs and pros rather than have the notch…

Sometimes, it’s better to say nothing and to be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I’ll leave to you to decide if that should have been advice to yourself

 

[ikramerica]

Every MacBook below the MacBook Pro is a compromise

Every MacBook below the Pro with Max chip is a compromise.

When I bought my M1 Pro, I could only justify 16/1GB and a Pro chip. I wish I could justify the cost of a Max with 32/2, but I had to compromise and by my crippled piece of garbage. Many years later, that compromise is still going strong.

 

[seek3r]

I like it despite the fact that it's terrible. Usb-2? Common man. Just an excuse to clean out the left over trash. I would probably buy one if it was just a little better like including some off the shelf current parts. Better than a cheap ipad but not better? Should be. Reminds me of the time Apple made super computer but not so much. Like the one I bought for 300

It does have usb3 as well you know, it has one of each

 

[jeroenvip]

Tim Cook: “I can only show you the door, Neo. You’re the one that has to walk through it.”

Neo: “What door?”

Tim Cook:
“You take the blue pill — you wake up tomorrow with your old laptop and believe whatever specs you want to believe.”

“You take the red pill — you stay in Cupertino… and I show you how deep the $599 MacBook Neo rabbit hole goes.

Neo: “Okay, what’s inside the rabbit hole?”

Tim Cook:
“8 GB RAM.
Two USB-C ports.
One of them slower than the other.
No MagSafe.
No keyboard backlight.”

Neo: “…”

Tim Cook:
“But the aluminum is premium.”

Neo:
“…I should have taken the blue pill.”

 

[klasma]

She did say “design”. If she said the product, you could rattle off a very long list instead.

“The design is not just what it looks like and feels like. The design is how it works” — Steve Jobs

 

[Veinticinco]

2010? The 17" Powerbook that first had this tech was in 2003 😉 .

My 15” PB G4 (2004) had backlit keys but only if you opted for the more expensive spec including the SuperDrive.

 

[Satch111]

Good to know the no backlit keyboard isn’t a compromise.

 

[Naraxus]

How can you honestly look at the rest of the lineup and explain why you think it's NOT a compromise?

I stand corrected and owe an apology to @turbineseaplane. As Gruber explains here https://daringfireball.net/2013/02/the_c_word design is all about compromises. It just boils down to what Apple was willing to compromise with the MacBook Neo.

 

[Peterrocks!]

Honestly the target buyer isn’t going to care about USB 2.0 speeds vs. 3.0 speeds, only the specs nerds is going to whine and complain that “omgz, it’s 2.0” but to the average consumer their not going to notice nor care.. so at this price point it’s a mute point.

Apple in their marketing has never said the word “Premium” their marketing it as entry-level and accessible. Apple isn’t comparing this to their MacBook airs or pros.. so of course their going to say they didn’t comprise on the core idea of entry level and accessible.

What about Touch ID, MagSafe charging and a backlit keyboard?

 

[Sputman99]

USB 2.0 is a bit of a compromise weird

 

[Peterrocks!]

Do you often compare new car prices to used car prices and complain when the new car costs more?

Yeah, if driving the car off the lot for a test drive renders it “used”. The $1039 M4 MBA isn’t used. Macs on the Apple Refurbished store are just returns (if even that). They’re effectively new.

 

[Abazigal]

no backlight keyboard apple please tell us are we still in 2010

You are a student using the MacBook Neo purchased by the school in class. A backlit keyboard is something which will never come into use. If there is a blackout or power outrage, finishing that activity on Kahoot or that google slide presentation is the least of your concerns. Same with Touch ID or even ports.

You don’t miss what you don’t need. This is the ideal laptop for schools looking to supply their classrooms with affordable macbooks and I feel that instead of complaining how the Macbook is gimped in this way or that, why not try to analyse and explain just why Apple has chosen to do what they did?