Neil J. Squillante
macrumors 6502
Clearly, the Neo is sufficient for single core use. Apple will need to protect its multicore business and there's no better way than to Sherlock LM Studio at WWDC this year.
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First MacBook Neo Benchmarks Are In: Here's How It Compares to the M1 MacBook Air
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CalMin
Contributor
Folks are going to rag on this, but as I said in another post, this is an excellent general purpose lightweight computer for the kind of thing that most normal people use computers for. It will be an excellent machine for web, email, YouTube/Netflix, Word processing, photos management, iTunes, shopping online, banking etc..
If you're planning video editing, Photoshop, coding, get something other than a Neo!
And while it will be my go to recommendation for friends with high-schoolers, I'd be hesistant to recommend it for someone going to a college for a 3-4 year degree because they might need a little bit more over those years.
It's a real Mac for $600. Rejoice!!
If you're planning video editing, Photoshop, coding, get something other than a Neo!
And while it will be my go to recommendation for friends with high-schoolers, I'd be hesistant to recommend it for someone going to a college for a 3-4 year degree because they might need a little bit more over those years.
It's a real Mac for $600. Rejoice!!
Runespeaker
macrumors newbie
Unless you are running some variant of M4 or M5, your machine's single core speed is slower than than the Neo's. Even an M3 Ultra can't match the single core score of the Neo in Geekbench
Where’s all the people that were moaning big time yesterday and Tuesday about the Neo? They’re awfully quiet about it now
Different strokes for different folks 🤷♂️
If I needed to replace my MBA right now, I would strongly consider this.
If I needed to replace my MBA right now, I would strongly consider this.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Which moaners are you speaking of, the ones who claimed the OS would be gimped and locked down to the App Store only, or the ones who continue to claim that 8GB makes a Mac unusable?
In case you were wondering how Intel’s doing 😅
This machine has better single thread performance than the fastest Panther Lake 388H result in the database
MacBook Neo: 3461
Core Ultra X9 388H: 3089
browser.geekbench.com
This machine has better single thread performance than the fastest Panther Lake 388H result in the database
MacBook Neo: 3461
Core Ultra X9 388H: 3089
LENOVO 83SK vs Mac17,5 - Geekbench
browser.geekbench.com
maxoakland
macrumors 68000
maxoakland
macrumors 68000
8GB and 256GB do make a Mac unusable. I tried it out a few years ago. It’s even worse now
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
?
All the drawbacks of the device that have been discussed are still there.
What "moaning" are you talking about?
Blackstick
macrumors 68000
We have over 2500 users on 8/256 Mac’s at work with nary a complaint.
They’re not the video editors or the software engineers or designers. But if you’re a regular analyst or a producer or a writer or helpdesk or payroll specialist or you’re a grip or a hair stylist or some big shot’s executive assistant? It’s perfectly fine.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
That may be the case for you but, that doesn’t mean that is the same for everyone else.
canadianreader
macrumors 68000
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
How "usable" any device is, quite obviously is subjective depending upon who and how they are using it.
I'm surprised that even needs to be said.
I'm surprised that even needs to be said.
Luposian
macrumors 6502
My 2020 M1 Mac Mini (16/512 configuration) is still going strong, for the little I use it. The built-in 512Gb of SSD is only a few hours old... I use an external SSD exclusively. Hopefully that will make my M1 Mac Mini worth more when I sell it, whatever price it's worth whenever I do. I really hope they get rid of the front-facing ports... that's the ONLY reason I haven't upgraded. I'm really peculiar, like that. 🤣
CalMin
Contributor
Exactly right. my wife has written a book series on her 8GB M1 Air and now runs her business with it.
Everything is on the web these days for normal computer users. These Neos are almost 'thin client' devices which is how most people will use them. I really doubt anyone is realistically going to buy this machine and then complain that it sucks for Xcode and Photoshop.
Agreed, and I’d add one other essential accessory these days—a webcam.
MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, Mac mini, iPad (a16). All start at very reasonable prices, and are often discounted at various retailers. None of these are what I would choose, but no one can reasonably say anymore that Apple only caters to the wealthy.
jlc1978
macrumors 604
Why? That's like saying you need 600HP fro runs to the grocery store down the street. For teh target audience, this Mac hits the mark. It's not for everybody, but certainly has the opportunity to grow the Mac market.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Which one you coming from?
If I were getting a 13" MacBook right now, it'd be the refurb M4 13" for $749, no question or thought about it.
Personally shopping for a 16 or 24 / 2TB m4 15" ... they all went out of stock quickly in one day yesterday. Hoping for a restock so I can get a silver one.
jlc1978
macrumors 604
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it even for college, depending on the degree path. In my experience, many majors' computing need don't change over time.
Nah, they'll not "buy this machine and then complain that it sucks for Xcode and Photoshop."
Curious how hot this chip runs compared to the M1 in the Air. If sustained single core is better than the M1 before throttling that’s a big win.
I think the M1 Air for $600 was more of a marketing experiment than a viable long-term strategy for a lower-cost Mac. Margins were probably lower than on the MacBook Neo. The M1 Air was produced using CNC machined aluminum vs forged for the Neo, has Thunderbolt, a backlit keyboard, etc. Interestingly, the external display support is similar, though the M1 could drive a 5K display while the Neo taps out at 4K.
Also, while the M1 Air briefly hit $499 in December 2025, the Neo will routinely be sold for $499 or less in the education channel.
rosegoldoli
macrumors 6502a
This looks pretty impressive (and on par) with people's expectations.
I ordered this because of a simp for pink apple products but also needed a travel replacement for my 12inch RG Macbook. Currently have the i5 2017/ 512 GB /16GB of ram model, and even that was enough to let me do light photoshop (though not a smooth experience). The Neo will be FULLY capable with what I need it do. Very excited for it to come in next week
(for context though my main driver is a M4 iMac with 32GB of RAM so i am very very aware of the importance of Ram. But when I am traveling or on the go and need to answer an email, do a quick photo/graphic edit; the Neo will suffice)
I ordered this because of a simp for pink apple products but also needed a travel replacement for my 12inch RG Macbook. Currently have the i5 2017/ 512 GB /16GB of ram model, and even that was enough to let me do light photoshop (though not a smooth experience). The Neo will be FULLY capable with what I need it do. Very excited for it to come in next week
(for context though my main driver is a M4 iMac with 32GB of RAM so i am very very aware of the importance of Ram. But when I am traveling or on the go and need to answer an email, do a quick photo/graphic edit; the Neo will suffice)
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turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I do 4K video editing in FCP and DaVinci, after effects, photoshop, and graphics-heavy document creation in Pages on an i7 Intel MBP with only 16GB RAM running Ventura.
All Apple silicon is completely unnecessary for day-to-day work. Everyone here just likes to bitch and complain.
The Neo is going to be great for people doing documents, basic photo and video editing, and video streaming - which is most people. And when Neo users want to start doing more with their computer, then Apple has an Air/Pro upgrade path available to them.