How is the weight distributed compared to the Air?

[anthonymoody]

I haven't yet been able to get to an Apple Store to check the Neo out in person and hold it in my hands. But I'm wondering how the weight is distributed and how it feels in the hand compared to the Air? They weigh the exact same amount, I know, but have slightly different dimensions and probably somewhat different interior layout. And I gather that the trackpad in the Neo is heavier than the one in the Air.

I ask because the old wedge-shaped Air always felt so fricking light somehow, even though it actually weighed .1 pound *more* than the current Air and Neo do.

 

[KPOM]

It seems pretty similar to the current MacBook Air to me.

 

[Zazoh]

The Neo feels heaver than an M3 Air, unless you pick up one in each hand.

 

[anthonymoody]

The Neo feels heaver than an M3 Air, unless you pick up one in each hand.

Thanks. That's interesting. Was hoping to hear that it somehow would feel lighter regardless of the weight on the scale.

 

[kaister]

Thanks. That's interesting. Was hoping to hear that it somehow would feel lighter regardless of the weight on the scale.

Yea afraid not. But I always have a feeling neo gonna "feel" heavier than the air even though technically they're the same weight. Thing that's are more packed will be denser, thus "feel" heavier than thing that's more spread out. Think a flat piece of paper vs an crumbled piece of paper...one is gonna feel heavier than the other despite being the same exact weight.

Based on everything I've seen...neo seems to be the smaller more compact one. So doesn't suprise me if neo "feels" heavier.

 

[anthonymoody]

Yea afraid not. But I always have a feeling neo gonna "feel" heavier than the air even though technically they're the same weight. Thing that's are more packed will be denser, thus "feel" heavier than thing that's more spread out. Think a flat piece of paper vs an crumbled piece of paper...one is gonna feel heavier than the other despite being the same exact weight.

Based on everything I've seen...neo seems to be the smaller more compact one. So doesn't suprise me if neo "feels" heavier.

Thanks and makes sense. Maybe that slightly smaller form factor will win out for me. When I travel my tasks are pretty light, sort of by design, but a little too light/annoying for phone or iPad use. The Neo may be a good companion piece for me.

 

[DeepSix]

Neo is much smaller footprint, won't strain your back carrying it

 

[anthonymoody]

FWIW I finally got to the Apple Store today and played around with the Neo side by side with the Air. I agree with the take that the Neo feels more solid, that concentrating the same 2.7 pounds in a slightly smaller form factor is noticeable. Weirdly though, I liked it in the hand more than I did the Air. The more compact Neo felt more tossable, in a good way.

And I have nothing bad to say about the material, fit and finish, etc. The keyboard and trackpad were different than what I'm used to, but certainly not objectively 'bad' in any way. I'm sure I'd get used to it in no time.

As for performance, I opened up Activity Monitor to the memory tab, the opened a slew of apps, and opened about 50 tabs on Safari. As I was switching around apps and tabs, the memory swap kicked in and I...didn't really care. Nothing about it said "this is a problem" to me. Obviously these were all normal productivity type apps. Nothing overly heavy duty.

It's definitely in the running for me as a travel companion.

 

[snipr125]

Neo is much smaller footprint, won't strain your back carrying it

Im sure a MBA would strain someone’s back when its thinner and weighs exactly the same.