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

[Duncan-UK]

I bought my wife an M3 refurbished MBA last year to replace a 12 yr old MBP. If she needed a new machine today I wouldn’t hesitate to get the Neo. Perfect for her uses. There must be millions of people who would like a MacBook, have very moderate computing needs and will find the price incredibly attractive. I think the Neo will be a huge success.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

What is older technology? Define it. All tech products have “older technology” in them.

From Apple's friends over at Google Gemini

 

[subjonas]

They are doing that. But why?
If the laptop's security if compromised to activate the camera, that indicator light by software would also be bypassed, wouldn't it?

The why I guess would be to save cost and maybe space. In theory I suppose it could be hacked, but if it's secure enough for the billion iPhones and iPads out there, then it's probably secure enough for practical purposes. Although, iOS is more locked down than macOS, but I believe they share some core foundation, so if the indicator lights function at a deep enough level in the system, then maybe they're equally secure. I suppose we'll see if it ever gets hacked. I'm sure people will be looking for signs of it, and I'm sure it will be huge news.
The hardwired light I'm sure is more secure and maybe even completely unhackable remotely (although I always still cover my cameras because why not), but the hardwired light might be only an extra precaution needed for security at the highest level, like nation state espionage type stuff. That's probably the level at which there is sufficient motivation and resources to make hacking at that deep of a system level possible enough to be a non-ignorable threat. My guess is any of those people buying a Neo will put a camera cover on it.

 

[I7guy]

From Apple's friends over at Google Gemini


View attachment 2610978

So if a tech product doesn’t use tech released the last 20 minutes it’s “older tech”. Or do you want to come up with some arbitrary designations?

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Unless the rest of the lineup is $599 your argument makes zero sense.

Which is a compromise.

 

[seek3r]

Yes it does. The memory pressure turns yellow because it’s using more memory than it has.

I’d be interested in seeing a screenshot of your usage

Also get an ad blocker, dude

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

The real reason is most likely a punitive one along the lines of this ' this is all you can have at this price point, should have gone for the upgrade' Apple maintaining product differentiation.

Just like every other consumer electronics company.

 

[Spec360]

What laptop would that be? Will it match the build quality?

Dell looks good

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

From Apple's friends over at Google Gemini


View attachment 2610978

I think you're selectively fixating on the word "outdated" and ignoring the qualifier "for high-speed data transfers."

Note that it also says "USB 2.0 remains a standard for low-speed devices and legacy equipment." Chances are, the same demographic Apple is targeting with the MacBook Neo wouldn't have the latest "Pro" iPhones either. Since even the latest non-Pro iPhones only have USB-2 speeds (go ahead, call the iPhone 17 "older technology"), this port can be used for syncing them. Or connecting a keyboard or mouse, if you like. And if you have something that needs the faster connection, there's one USB-C 3 port.

 

[Reason077]

They’re sure making a compromise on the RAM though. 8GB. Yikes.

Even nudging it up to 12GB would have made it significantly more appealing.

 

[jlc1978]

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.)

You can already get it for $499 at the edu store, and it likely will be part of back to school sales.

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.

All of which lets Apple hit price/margin targets. While "no compromises" may be a bit of marketing hyperbole considering every design has compromises, as far as the target market is concerned they seem reasonable tradeoffs.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

So if a tech product doesn’t use tech released the last 20 minutes it’s “older tech”. Or do you want to come up with some arbitrary designations?

Is if it was released over 20 years ago.

I think you're selectively fixating on the word "outdated" and ignoring the qualifier "for high-speed data transfers."

Note that it also says "USB 2.0 remains a standard for low-speed devices and legacy equipment." Chances are, the same demographic Apple is targeting with the MacBook Neo wouldn't have the latest "Pro" iPhones either. Since even the latest non-Pro iPhones only have USB-2 speeds (go ahead, call the iPhone 17 "older technology"), this port can be used for syncing them. Or connecting a keyboard or mouse, if you like. And if you have something that needs the faster connection, there's one USB-C 3 port.

Please, USB 2.0 is basically unusable for actual computer, it matters less on an iPhone because people use them as phones but yeah shouldn't really exist on an $800 phone in 2026 either.

 

[seek3r]

Dell looks good

Which model?

 

[seek3r]

Is if it was released over 20 years ago.



Please, USB 2.0 is basically unusable for actual computer, it matters less on an iPhone because people use them as phones but yeah shouldn't really exist on an $800 phone in 2026 either.

There’s also a USB3 port…. Think of the USB2 port as a charging port that has bonus plenty of bandwidth for things like keyboards and mice

 

[jlc1978]

Because 99% of purchasers will never notice?

And the 1% will scream while the 99% simply us ether cop[uter and like it.

This is the problem - the mainstream media is gushing over it because it’s powerful enough. Sure, but what about the 20-odd other features that it also lacks?

Features the target market likely will never miss so long as it is powerful enough or basic computing, which it is.

It cost $0.01 ct more that hurts profit.

The problem with design s it's easy to add yet another feature becasue it is only a few pennies, as soon you've bloated the cost to margin killer levels.

I got my son a MBP in 2015 and it was a pile of crap by 2021. Couldn’t even run Microsoft Word it was so underpowered and slow.

Honest Question: What did the later versions of Word have that he needed that were absent from the earlier ones.

I've helped people with computer issues and sometimes the problem simply since they want the latest because it is the latest, not because they need its features. The old FOMO.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have to say, I am truly amazed.

The same forum where we have folks saying we have moved on to the point where we shouldn’t have USB A ports on any Mac’s, despite being super useful still…

Also has people suggesting USB 2 is OK, despite being a quarter century old.

This is truly incredible stuff

 

[seek3r]

I have to say, I am truly amazed.

The same forum where we have folks saying we have moved on to the point where we shouldn’t have USB A ports on any Mac’s, despite being super useful still…

Also has people suggesting USB 2 is OK, despite being a quarter century old.

This is truly incredible stuff

It’s a $500 laptop, people are going to be a lot more forgiving than on a $3500 MBP…

 

[B4U]

The why I guess would be to save cost and maybe space. In theory I suppose it could be hacked, but if it's secure enough for the billion iPhones and iPads out there, then it's probably secure enough for practical purposes. Although, iOS is more locked down than macOS, but I believe they share some core foundation, so if the indicator lights function at a deep enough level in the system, then maybe they're equally secure. I suppose we'll see if it ever gets hacked. I'm sure people will be looking for signs of it, and I'm sure it will be huge news.
The hardwired light I'm sure is more secure and maybe even completely unhackable remotely (although I always still cover my cameras because why not), but the hardwired light might be only an extra precaution needed for security at the highest level, like nation state espionage type stuff. That's probably the level at which there is sufficient motivation and resources to make hacking at that deep of a system level possible enough to be a non-ignorable threat. My guess is any of those people buying a Neo will put a camera cover on it.

In other words, the topic "Apple on MacBook Neo design were certainly not making any compromises" is certainly not true anymore. Isn't it? 😅

 

[I7guy]

Is if it was released over 20 years ago.

So oled was invented in 1989 and lcd is older so those are “old tech” according to your definition.

Please, USB 2.0 is basically unusable for actual computer,

That is incorrect.

it matters less on an iPhone because people use them as phones but yeah shouldn't really exist on an $800 phone in 2026 either.

Neither should lcd and yet here we are. USB 2 is an older standard not older tech.

 

[I7guy]

In other words, the topic "Apple on MacBook Neo design were certainly not making any compromises" is certainly not true anymore. Isn't it? 😅

It is true. Because this is a totally subjective definition. The Neo is purpose built for the price. If you want a computer with the most expensive tech, those exist but not at this price point.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

There’s also a USB3 port…. Think of the USB2 port as a charging port that has bonus plenty of bandwidth for things like keyboards and mice

Great, the point was the Apple VP implied that they had avoided using old tech.

So oled was invented in 1989 and lcd is older so those are “old tech” according to your definition.

That is incorrect.

Neither should lcd and yet here we are. USB 2 is an older standard not older tech.

No because they weren't superseded by something objectively better over a decade ago. It isn't about when it was released it's about it being naff by 2026 standards.

 

[I7guy]

Great, the point was the Apple VP implied that they had avoided using old tech.



No because they weren't superseded by something objectively better over a decade ago. It isn't about when it was released it's about it being naff by 2026 standards.

Oled is objectively better than lcd and yet here we are. Older tech inplies no longer being used. USB 2.0 is still being used and hence is current. It’s a current standard you may not like, but it’s no more old tech than lcd.

 

[liorzzz]

Portability is not an issue in this age? Wut? Your son doesn’t travel with you or hangs out at his friends? I would not spend money on a mini and rather buy the Neo, you can keep using all the things you have and ON TOP it is portable.

For Portability he has an iPad. For school work and real computer work he can sit at his desk, that is totally fine.
I prefer him having a computer that would last him for many years rather than 2-3 years max (as it seems with the Neo specs)

 

[farmboy]

It absolutely is.

This is completely outrageous to be claiming no compromises in public.

It's completely outrageous for you to be outraged at a $500-$600 laptop that you would never buy, although tens of millions of others will. As if any other manufacturer makes absolutely no compromises in similar class machines.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Oled is objectively better than lcd and yet here we are. Older tech inplies no longer being used. USB 2.0 is still being used and hence is current. It’s a current standard.

It doesn't, people still use VHS doesn't mean it isn't past it's sell by date.

Apple's friends at Google Gemini agree it's old tech. 🤝