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

[AlexESP]

Apple has done something similar with the Mac Studio. Some ports are USB-C and others are Thunderbolt.

True, although at least on the Studio (Max version) the division is clear, the slower ones are on the front side.

 

[profcutter]

I think from all the compromises, having only 8gb RAM is a huge one for me. Everything else is not ideal but understandable. I wonder how much more would cost for Apple to get the Neo with 16gb RAM. That would make it a real killer. Now, Apple is known to make huge margins on all its products so maybe they could have their entry level Mac with a tint bit of lower margins but deliver something robust with decent RAM for 2026. That would really attract a new crowd to Apple which would then spend more money on the more high end models as they felt in love with the brand.

Yeah, i think the USB issue is simply because of the chip they chose, it may not have enough lanes for more I/O. The RAM thing is a bummer, because there are simply things you can do with 16GB that you can’t with 8.

 

[KPOM]

None of this has anything to do with Apple claiming they made no compromises with the Neo.

No design compromises. They were speaking with the VP of Industrial Design. They didn’t use cheaper materials, etc. and it still “feels” like a more expensive notebook.

 

[bzgnyc2]

I think from all the compromises, having only 8gb RAM is a huge one for me. Everything else is not ideal but understandable. I wonder how much more would cost for Apple to get the Neo with 16gb RAM. That would make it a real killer. Now, Apple is known to make huge margins on all its products so maybe they could have their entry level Mac with a tint bit of lower margins but deliver something robust with decent RAM for 2026. That would really attract a new crowd to Apple which would then spend more money on the more high end models as they felt in love with the brand.

The 8GB of RAM is a limitation that I would have a hard time with now, too.

However, with the crazy prices of RAM these days, I believe adding another 8GB would have added at least $100 to the price.

I'll say it again, let's hope that this pushes Apple and 3rd parties to optimize the OS and applications to run better with less memory. I have a Mac Mini 2018 running Mojave and the amount of stuff I can run in 8GB is crazy compared to today's bloatware.

 

[MN7119]

Yeah, i think the USB issue is simply because of the chip they chose, it may not have enough lanes for more I/O. The RAM thing is a bummer, because there are simply things you can do with 16GB that you can’t with 8.

Many people mentioned opened tabs while browsing. 8gb RAM will really slow this machine down if many tabs are open. Then I read a lot that this is a laptop for kids and elderly people, the exact type of people that will never close a tab while vowing the internet. 😂 I can see my kids or my parents start bitching about the computer being super slow. It is a turtle Mac.

 

[delsoul]

Considering blush and citrus already sold out yesterday for release day and next batch can mailed to you near the end of the month, I’d say Apple is doing good so far. Can’t remember the last time a MacBook Pro sold out for release day

 

[Eric_WVGG]

first Macbook in over a decade with a mechanical trackpad button is a compromise, I’m sorry.

It was the right decision but that's still a compromise.

 

[blairh]

8 GB of RAM and no backlit keyboard are indeed compromises.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Read what I wrote again. I didn't say apple didn't compromise. I said compromise isn't a bad thing.

Apple is claiming they haven't made any.

 

[badgerbadgerx2]

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 😂😂😂

We got 2 -- $749 each. College freshmen and a junior. Will last them long into their adult lives. They came from M1 MBAs -- and the 8 GB of ram was an issue.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Considering blush and citrus already sold out yesterday for release day and next batch can mailed to you near the end of the month, I’d say Apple is doing good so far. Can’t remember the last time a MacBook Pro sold out for release day

Walmart has them all in stock for the 11th.

I'd go with Costco if I were looking for one of these.
Their policies are better than Apple's own policies in terms of long term customer support/return policy.

$589/$689 + $15 shop card, and the great Costco support

 

[hieranonymous]

The idea of the GPU in this thing technically having hardware ray tracing support is so weird.

Kinda like how the Nintendo Switch 2 also technically supports hardware-accelerated raytracing. It’s a latent feature of the GPU architecture no matter what.

 

[delsoul]

Walmart has them all in stock for the 11th.

I'd also check on Costco if I were looking for one of these.
Their policies are better than Apple's own policies in terms of long term customer support/return policy.

I had no idea Costco was getting them! I did see Best Buy was, they keep sending me ads for it, but definitely Costco is the way to go with that support/return policy. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[holmesf]

The idea of the GPU in this thing technically having hardware ray tracing support is so weird.

yes but honestly there are plenty of Intel iGPUs with hardware ray tracing (they’ve been doing it since 2023) which are not much better than Apple’s low end offering here. AMDs 740M iGPU with hardware ray tracing isn’t much better either. The crazy thing is Switch 2 iGPU is pretty similar and actually does use hardware raytracing in a couple games … though you’d definitely be right that it’s usually better to leave it turned off!

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

"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.

Where do they get this nonsense from ?!

 

[Astuces iOS]

HAHAHA let me laugh :

- Smaller screen

- Weird ass speakers

- More height (1.27 vs 1.13)

- No force touch trackpad

- No led next to the camera (it's now software, next to the time at the corner)

 

[Schrödinger’s]

"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.

The word ”incredible” tells me that even the management themselves know that they skimped (touch pad, 8 GB) too much. Statements like this only make the situation worse.

That said, I’ve ordered one, a citrus colored one. If it turns out to be a lemon, back it goes without hesitation. I’d really like to have a portable and affordable Macbook to accompany my 16” max. I hope I’ll be pleasantly surprised next Wednesday.

 

[Taq'aix]

“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.

Is it transparent, Molly?

Honestly, the guff this company comes out with. And to think, people mocked Jony Ive.

It’s largely overhyped marketing. Apple leans on it because the company that once defined innovation now seems to be running low on it. It’s a cult. I genuinely miss the golden era of Apple.

 

[User 6502]

Please explain why not include the camera light letting the user know the camera is on? 🥲

Is it not shown on screen like on iPhones?

 

[Markgnyc2]

For the price Apple nailed this product really well

Exactly right. I see everyone complaining about the RAM or the backlighting etc. Thats what the MacBook Air is for, and that is still a great value for $1,099 with an M5 and 512GB SSD. For the Neo, and a starting educational price of $499...this is just about perfect. For this price, what else do you expect to get? My 16 year old already bought one with money he saved from last Christmas.

 

[raythompsontn]

8 GB of RAM and no backlit keyboard are indeed compromises.

Compared to what? Last year's model of the NEO? The NEO is a new machine. Decisions were made to keep the cost down. That is not a compromise. You want a backlit keyboard and 16 GB of RAM? Get a MB Air.

 

[jayb3]

Would you rather it be made of Aluminum with 8GB Ram...

OR...Plastic with 16GB Ram? 🤔

 

[holmesf]

Kinda like how the Nintendo Switch 2 also technically supports hardware-accelerated raytracing. It’s a latent feature of the GPU architecture no matter what.

Supposedly the Switch 2 version of Star Wars Outlaws actually uses it. So it’s not entirely latent. But for sure the vast majority of developers have opted not to use it all for performance reasons.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Exactly right. I see everyone complaining about the RAM or the backlighting etc. Thats what the MacBook Air is for, and that is still a great value for $1,099 with an M5 and 512GB SSD. For the Neo, and a starting educational price of $499...this is just about perfect. For this price, what else do you expect to get? My 16 year old already bought one with money he saved from last Christmas.

I think everyone understands it's fine for the price.

This thread is about Apple claiming "no compromises were made", which is completely ridiculous hogwash.

 

[Remy149]

You just have to pinky swear you’re a student, parent, or even a home school teacher teaching kids about Apple products on your block.

Apple doesn’t care to check and I don’t know anyone who opts to buy at regular price.

They don’t even ask for student id for in store purchases