Do you think I would be happy with a Neo?

[snipr125]

check out slick wraps. they have a sale going on for Mother's Day weekend. about $50 for a full skin, they have a retro look with the rainbow apple logo. I almost got it for my air but decided on a very very light blue color to match my sky blue air.

Ok thanks, hopefully they ship to the UK.

 

[JamesMay82]

Use the money to buy a MKB for your iPP M4 which will prop up your ipad perfectly, and add functionality with the keyboard, track pad and charging port. Half the price of the Neo, and has dynamic backlighting.

Yeah that’s the cheapest option… and how I use my iPad Pro.

 

[Skwoodge]

Absolutely. My friend has your basic needs and she loves hers. The color options are also cool.

 

[PositanoBitesDeep]

FWIW, I use my M2 MBA on my lap, specifically feet propped on coffee table and MBA across my thighs, all the time and I never find it gets excessively hot or throttles. So I suspect the Neo would be similar. OTOH, I HAVE had my M4 iPad Pro cut out on me dt overheating when using it out on the deck in the sum (in Vermont not Texas or SoCal). I haven't really used the MBA in similar situations yet, so can't speak to how it fares on my lap out in the sun.

To answer OP's question, it sounds like the Neo would work well for you. I have recently supplanted my iPP with the MBA for content watching when on the couch or on the deck simply because it's easier to respong to texts and emails using the MBA keyboard than it is having to use the iPP/MKB combo--although that is admittedly a personal preference and YMMV.

I had the same thing happen to me outside in the sun with both of my M1 11" IPPs and my 2019 12.9" IPP when I had those. To be fair though, I do live in Texas.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Long story short. I have a windows PC for work that is locked down for the most part. I do not have a personal PC. I have an iPhone 17 pro max and a M4 IPP. I used my iPad daily for web browsing and YouTube and Netflix. That’s all. Banking and instagram I use on my iPhone.

One thing bothers me, I always have to hold the iPad or find a way to prop it up. With a neo I could place it in my lap or next to me in bed to watch content.
On a plane or train I usually watch content offline on my iPhone. I do take my IPad in a backpack when we travel.

I have tried cases that have a kick stand but they never work out well.

Am I a good candidate for a Neo? Not sure if I will see a difference in screen quality, that’s my only hiccup. Thanks!

Anyone with your computing experience (i.e. not a new user or granny with her email) should find an MBA or a MBP a far better choice. The MBA in particular for just a few dollars more provides much, much more competence - - including double the amount RAM, which has all kinds of good impacts both now and long-term.

 

[Bazza1]

....The MBA in particular for just a few dollars more provides much, much more competence - - including double the amount RAM, which has all kinds of good impacts both now and long-term.

While more RAM is always good, it is how its used that is equally important. Meanwhile, for many users, the MBA may be not so much more competent, but overkill for what they really need a laptop for. The once de facto (comparatively) inexpensive de facto choice for students, road warriors and cafe habitues, the MBA priced itself out of that market and has now added more capabilities as it has now replaced the base MacBook.

If it comes to that, I still pull out my 2017 Intel Air (8/256) for the occasional travel/work/cafe experience. It runs 95% of the apps I have on my M2 Mini - and still does the jobs I ask of it - including video, audio and photo editing.
It may not be lightning fast, but in a year's time, people will be complaining how inadequate the M5 / A18 computing experience is, too.

As for price - well it depends on the country you purchase it from. It may well be more than '...a few dollars more'.
For example, here in Canada, Apple prices the base Neo (if you can find it) at $CDN799, the base MBA at $CDN1499. Clearly more than a few bucks between the two.

 

[Nate455]

I think you will be happy with the Neo; it is a very portable device, and the price is good as well.

 

[kodabear]

Only you can determine if the Neo is right for you.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

UPDATE #2 - Plot twist, decided to go with the M5 base Air. In silver. For appox $240 over the refurb base M4. Apple price matched the 10% off MSRP from amazon over the phone and I pickup this afternoon from a local store.

I wanted to purchase directly from apple to use my Apple Card and to be able to use my IPP M4 for trade in, $620 apple towards purchase price when I bring in my IPP to the store. True difference is around $8 more buying through apple vs buying from amazon. Because if I bought from amazon I would sell my IPP to one of these Mac sites for $585 vs $620 trade in.

 

[4sallypat]

Anyone with your computing experience (i.e. not a new user or granny with her email) should find an MBA or a MBP a far better choice. The MBA in particular for just a few dollars more provides much, much more competence - - including double the amount RAM, which has all kinds of good impacts both now and long-term.

Not for me.

M2 MBA 8GB is running slower than my Neo - side by side.

Even with a complete data migration from my MBA to Neo.

Amazing!

 

[Andy_2341]

I will say that most laptops (especially those with no fans, like the Neo) ironically enough don't actually appreciate being on a lap - and most especially resting on soft covers or pillows. They will start to heat up - some uncomfortably so to user's lap - and that will cause they them to throttle down on speed. Or worse case - just shut down. Flat, solid surface (like a lap tray) and / or something that can give it a slight incline for air to get underneath will make for a happier device. Even just a couple of erasers under the back corners...

While this is somewhat true, I just want to say that my 13” M4 MBA has spent many nights plugged in running time machine backups and facetime while sitting on the corner of my bed. Temps between that and on top of my nightstand given the same operating tasks shows about 5 degrees celsius hotter on the bed. Not a major difference, but of course heavier tasks can change this and create more throttling and heat difference.

 

[brilliantthings]

I think we might've started with the wrong question. Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro should've been the first thing to try here.

 

[pjschmid]

I will say that most laptops (especially those with no fans, like the Neo) ironically enough don't actually appreciate being on a lap - and most especially resting on soft covers or pillows. They will start to heat up - some uncomfortably so to user's lap - and that will cause they them to throttle down on speed. Or worse case - just shut down. Flat, solid surface (like a lap tray) and / or something that can give it a slight incline for air to get underneath will make for a happier device. Even just a couple of erasers under the back corners...

I use my Neo for hours watching videos and it has never heated up at all. For what OP is saying they want to do I don't think there will be a problem. I am sitting with it in my lap right now and it's actually cool to the touch.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Not for me.

M2 MBA 8GB is running slower than my Neo - side by side.

Even with a complete data migration from my MBA to Neo.

Amazing!

Umm, the point was comparing new 8 GB Neo versus new 16 GB MBA. Not new Neo versus 3 generations back old MBA with half as much RAM as a new MBA.

Fact is that a new MBA is much, much more competent than a Neo.

 

[jz0309]

Umm, the point was comparing new 8 GB Neo versus new 16 GB MBA. Not new Neo versus 3 generations back old MBA with half as much RAM as a new MBA.

Fact is that a new MBA is much, much more competent than a Neo.

sure, at roughly not quite twice the price, and, believe it or not, some people, a lot actually, do not need that "competence".

 

[Apple_Robert]

I get that price is a concern for people. However, I don't think it should be the primary focus when it comes to this particular subject. If one buys an iPad Air because it is cheaper than the Neo but, when used, it causes frictional use the monetary savings becomes a consequential negative. It also doesn't make sense to purchase a product where the power and features won't be used just because the price was low.

 

[teh_hunterer]

iPad is now on swappa. Being able to type on a keyboard to reply to iMessages is a game changer. Great for surfing the web, YouTube, Netflix.

You could have just gotten the Magic Keyboard for your M4 iPad Pro.

I couldn't imagine going from the M4 iPad Pro screen to a Neo screen or an Air screen. What are you doing?

 

[Chevyguy2021]

You could have just gotten the Magic Keyboard for your M4 iPad Pro.

I couldn't imagine going from the M4 iPad Pro screen to a Neo screen or an Air screen. What are you doing?

Thanks for you feedback. I understand you point about OLED vs a not so bright IPS display. Bu I guess since this is my only device I was ready for a change. I could have gotten a Magic Keyboard for my IPP but I was never a fan of the design and some say it's not very stable for use on the couch for typing in my lap.

 

[ClassicSpinster]

I would have kept the iPad and gotten a sick case for it with a stand and keyboard. iPads are better for media consumption especially the OLED Pro (not sure if you had that model or not) because the keyboard can come on and off, and some media apps have more functionality on iPad (like Netflix letting you download shows for plane/train trips, which you said you do).

 

[throAU]

Long story short. I have a windows PC for work that is locked down for the most part. I do not have a personal PC. I have an iPhone 17 pro max and a M4 IPP. I used my iPad daily for web browsing and YouTube and Netflix. That’s all. Banking and instagram I use on my iPhone.

One thing bothers me, I always have to hold the iPad or find a way to prop it up. With a neo I could place it in my lap or next to me in bed to watch content.
On a plane or train I usually watch content offline on my iPhone. I do take my IPad in a backpack when we travel.

I have tried cases that have a kick stand but they never work out well.

Am I a good candidate for a Neo? Not sure if I will see a difference in screen quality, that’s my only hiccup. Thanks!

Probably, what apps are you planning to run? If it's just banking, browsing, social media, etc. then sure. Will be more than enough.

It may be worth holding off until the a19 based neo with 12 GB if you can make do with the iPad in the interim though, sounds like you're getting by with the phone for now?