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

[con2apple]

The only people that should be mad that this exists are the people that got their kids an M4 MacBook Air for Christmas knowing they won’t use half of the power it provides 😂😂😂

If we're just talking about pure hardware performance, you're probably right.
Although... actually, no. Even Apple had to admit that 8GB isn't enough. But if customers can lure in with a low price and force them to upgrade every year, then I guess it's fine.

But what about the other ten “upgrades” that a MacBook Air has?
Starting with Thunderbolt, TouchID, the better display, the 12MP camera and with four speakers?

You fans consider “premium features” like the Force Trackpad so important to set yourselves apart from Windows. Suddenly, it doesn't matter with the MacBook Neo?

 

[Lukelyke765]

Maybe not cheaper materials, but cheaper components in some cases — like the non-haptic track pad, slower SSD, non Display P3 screen, non-backlit keyboard, non Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and no thunderbolt.

But yes — aluminium.

Im not in the market for this one just yet but honestly it is the compromises that could be made without affecting majority of users.

Non haptic Trackpad I agree. It should be the same as in rest of the MacBooks.
But Slower SSD will not do any harm in text editors, spreadsheets, browsers.

Backlight keyboard also it’s not needed, I have it in few devices and always disable (where possible) as in the day I don’t need it and in the night it bothers me.

Slower WiFi? Come on. Most of routers around do not deliver at WiFi 7 speeds.
Thunderbolt missing? For what? It’s not meant to do video edits where you would need some transfer to drop files on a drive. It’s not a gaming device either so no external gpu needed. One proper USB-C would be enough.

Not sure what you mean with P3 screen. It’s more than enough you can par it with 1080p. Probably some people will be more than happy with using iPad as side sccreen.

Jack is unexpected but makes sense in edu sector.

One thing I partly agree is RAM. I think it’s still enough for the needs of its users considering memory swap is doing some job even there is need but generally I feel like RAM could go up on all devices. Not saying its to little but 8 was bottom line for some decade or two.
On the other side I have 16 in work PCs for some decade or two and it was never to little. (8 was for work needs).

 

[JamesMay82]

Because 99% of purchasers will never notice?

I have a MacBook Air for work which involves, safari, email, excel and word. I use apple photos and just have to crop and brighten the odd photo.

This device will prob be enough for me and would have saved £500.

As for the ports, I charge my computer at home every night and it lasts a full day so my ports are always empty. It’s a non issue for me

 

[Lukelyke765]

8Gb Ram maybe is actually good. Natural way of limiting kids access to AI🤣

 

[Kiro]

There is an iphone put into a notebook shell… why is there no 5G?

 

[Artemis70]

Reading the initial specs, my wife was considering the neo as her next MacBook. Not that she needs one soon, as her M1 MacBook Air works perfectly. But once that needs to be replaced, the neo line could be it. Reading this message about there not being any compromises, and reading a bit more about the compromises that were made, the next one is not going to be a neo. Especially the non-haptic touchpad is not going to fly.

 

[subjonas]

How are features not part of the design?

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

Features can be part of the design if you're talking UX design--but they're not part of the design if you're talking about material and aesthetic design, which anyone who genuinely read the article knows that's clearly the way it was being used. Do you not know that words are context-dependent?

This is like when a comic is joking about a touchy subject, and the whole audience is laughing except one or two people who are offended because they are so rigidly fixated on one and only one view of that subject. They refuse to believe that context matters.

Your last statement is insanely ironic because it's actually you who is either being willfully obtuse or is truly unable to understand the concept of context. I guess I hope it's the former.

 

[subjonas]

Reading this message about there not being any compromises

Who said there are no compromises?

If you're referring to the article, then you are understanding that statement out of context. The statement without context doesn't make any sense in the first place. How could a low cost laptop have no compromises? It's nonsensical.

 

[Seanm87]

So why are the bezels thicker on this compared to the other models?

 

[tobyw7]

Anyway, the point is, surely, that it’s a definite step-up from a Chromebook, and so good for Apple, but it’s also definitely a step down for anyone who already uses a Mac (which is all of us here).

I'm pretty sure the target audience is net-new. This will be Apple's cash cow! Great for kids, students, and those new into the Apple world.

I would also guarantee that for those occasional users, this would be absolutely perfect, too.

 

[Alfonson]

Im gonna wait for the incredible aluminium pro max version.

If you’d just wait once before repeating old jokes over and over again..

 

[Alfonson]

Anyway, the point is, surely, that it’s a definite step-up from a Chromebook, and so good for Apple, but it’s also definitely a step down for anyone who already uses a Mac (which is all of us here).

How can this be a step down when I want to replace my intel MBP that I now only use for surfing the web while sitting on my couch? It gets hot af and I don’t even need its backlit keyboard.

 

[Mewix]

This incredible new macbook is created with incredible aluminium and incredible colors.

 

[10anta]

I think it’s a strong product at a good price.

I still think there would be a market for a plastic MacBook - people who want something more rugged or robust or to entrust to a kid.

Also a small ultralight.

Personally I think all Apple product lines should have the following:
- SE affordable version with slightly older tech and materials savings
- Standard version suitable for most users
- Air ultraportable version, with functional compromises as necessary to make it smaller and lighter, for road warriors and travel or people who prioritise this in their aesthetics
- Pro version that prioritises performance over portability or price

 

[iPhysicist]

Girl voice: “Hey is your camera on?”

A Camera indicator that cannot be turned off, as it is wired to the power of the camera, would have been a good addition for a laptop for the targeted audience.

 

[Veinticinco]

What exactly is incredible aluminum?

 

[adioz]

Utter rot for them to say no compromises. BUT if they had said no compromises at this price that would be honest but that is never something Apple would say.

However it looks like a fantastic product for the price. I was absolutely going to pull the trigger and order the higher storage with touchID one until I saw the lack of backlit keyboard. That is my line in the sand with anything since my first Logi Illuminated in 2008 that I won't have a product without that.

Here's hoping the Neo 2009 gets rid of that (not a) compromise.

 

[StoneJack]

Utter rot for them to say no compromises. BUT if they had said no compromises at this price that would be honest but that is never something Apple would say.

However it looks like a fantastic product for the price. I was absolutely going to pull the trigger and order the higher storage with touchID one until I saw the lack of backlit keyboard. That is my line in the sand with anything since my first Logi Illuminated in 2008 that I won't have a product without that.

Here's hoping the Neo 2009 gets rid of that (not a) compromise.

I have 15 inch Macbook Air m4, 16/512. However, I was thinking for an occasional trip or coffee shop hour, indigo Neo could be a good idea. I tried to go with iPad Pro 12.9, but with the keyboard cover, it is HEAVIER than Neo 😳 699 dollars could be a great price for me (no edu disc)

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Watched some hands on videos. The keyboards are basically white, they don't look like they do in the Apple marketing images.

 

[Sinfonist]

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.

The Mac mini M4 is a way better computer. Good choice.

Yes, the Mini M4 is extremely good. I am using one as a daily driver, and it is a great performer. I'm keeping it on Sequoia (no reason for me to do the upgrade and many people here dislike Tahoe). I have added an external dock which includes SSD support, front USB-A ports etc. Compared with the MBN, you need to budget for keyboard, mouse and display, of course, but you may already have those?

 

[mike.coulter]

I still think they should have used the wedge design.

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

I suspect that as the MacBook Neo establishes its niche and builds a customer base, Apple will add in some of the “missing features” in future releases, like a backlit keyboard and additional memory options.

Look at the MacBook Air. When it launched, it felt like a peripheral, something to supplement a desktop Mac for when you needed mobility. It had its compromises, but over time, the MBA has evolved into a first rate computer in its own right.

 

[bapegg]

There is an iphone put into a notebook shell… why is there no 5G?

Then they would charge more for the Neo. Adding cellular in the Apple Watch adds $100 and adding cellular to the iPads cost $150 more than the WIFI only versions.

Apple did a good job on the actual design and construction of the Neo. And they did well with the constraints of the A18 Pro chip as it only supports 8GB of RAM and technically only one USB port.

Most people that are for and against the Neo pretty much all agree that going with the A19 Pro would have been a better choice.

As far as adding features to a budget/entry level laptop, where does the manufacturer draw the line without effecting sales of other models?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

That would be the original macbooks!

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Still one of my favorite laptop designs lol.

Also, IMHO plastic SHOULD be unapologetic. When they cover it in "soft touch" coatings that get all nasty after 5-10 years. Ugh. Plastic should be plastic. Plastic shouldn't try to be leather or rubber.

They were referring to what Jony Ive called it.

 

[skywalkerr69]

Being this is less than the Apple Watch Ultra is crazy.