Gotta agree with maflynn. I didn’t get the joke…probably because I’m 66🙂. But I challenge anyone to explain how the comment could be construed as being negative!
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Initial NEO thoughts
- Thread starter mk313
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jz0309
macrumors P6
sure, your ISP speed is the max, but I have 1Gbps and the above is what I saw, in comparison, my Mac Studio also on wireless I top out at about 550, so the Neo is quite fast, wifi-wise
It's very good. Speakers are a slight bit quiet, get louder if you remove your hands from the keyboard since the vibration transfers. Well engineered all-around.
I'd pay triple the price for a real M5 chip, high end speakers, and a nano texture option. I bought this on a lark but may keep it. Astoundingly good for the price; they're going to sell a zillion of these.
Text is not blurry at all even at the scaled res which for this screen size I prefer. Color seems fine and there is very mild shift at extremes but it's fairly mild, 15 degrees each direction seems fine. More vertical than horizontal. Totally fine for a $600 laptop.
I haven't tried the 13" air but this makes me want to, I have a feeling the speakers might be worse because I had a 15" MBA for a week and did not think they were great. My 16" MBP that cost roughly ELEVEN times the price of this is not great to use on my lap.
I also do not mind the bezel at all and think the OLED MBP is probably going to ditch the notch.
Well done Apple. One of the best products this decade.
Blush looks great too, very happy with it. 🌸
edit: I was using native res apparently and forgot I changed it.
I'd pay triple the price for a real M5 chip, high end speakers, and a nano texture option. I bought this on a lark but may keep it. Astoundingly good for the price; they're going to sell a zillion of these.
Text is not blurry at all even at the scaled res which for this screen size I prefer. Color seems fine and there is very mild shift at extremes but it's fairly mild, 15 degrees each direction seems fine. More vertical than horizontal. Totally fine for a $600 laptop.
I haven't tried the 13" air but this makes me want to, I have a feeling the speakers might be worse because I had a 15" MBA for a week and did not think they were great. My 16" MBP that cost roughly ELEVEN times the price of this is not great to use on my lap.
I also do not mind the bezel at all and think the OLED MBP is probably going to ditch the notch.
Well done Apple. One of the best products this decade.
Blush looks great too, very happy with it. 🌸
edit: I was using native res apparently and forgot I changed it.
Last edited:
Macintosh101
macrumors 6502a
Fully agree with this. I'd happily pay a lot more for a M5 chip and a nano-texture display option. I just love the form factor of the Neo - it's perfect.
I have AppleCare One but my AW Ultra, iPhone Air and M4 iPad Pro are already on it. Don't really think it's worth it to add this $500 machine. **knock on wood** I'll probably shatter the screen tonight now.
4sallypat
macrumors 603
That's a good idea since before got our hands on the Neo colors yesterday, I have changed my mind about Citrus...
jaysabol
macrumors member
I'm a 74 year old disabled senior. I've been an Apple user since my Apple IIe. I pretty much live on my SS check each month. I've been saving for a long time to reach about $800 for a decent Windows laptop. Then comes the Neo! I have $600 saved up and I ordered a 256 Indigo. I'm so happy! I'm going to get a budget Mac and it isn't junk! I wasn't looking forward to using Windows and now I don't have to.
conmee
macrumors 6502a
Changed your mind? Didn't you just end up buying two and giving Citrus to your better half? 😉
Apple_Robert
Contributor
You sir, have hit the jackpot. Congrats on saving and being patient. It paid off for you big time. I believe you will really enjoy using a Mac.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Given the price point, I am not inclined to get AC+ with the Neo. I did purchase for my Nano iPad Pros and iPad Airs. I believe my monthly AC+ bill with AppleCare One is already $30 a month.
jz0309
macrumors P6
I added to to my AppleOne, it will replace my iPad Air, I have a 17PM, AW Ultra and the Neo, I will revisit in a few months as I'm not sure I need AC+ for my Ultra any longer and the Neo, well, it is not that expensive to replace and I certainly won't treat it like I do my Ultra 😉
conmee
macrumors 6502a
I might consider the $49.99 per year for the first two years. That's 20% of the base EDU purchase price (not counting add'l service fee depending on what needs servicing). Provides peace of mind during the most useful years of the product lifecycle. I'm sure some folks will get 4 or more useful years out of the Neo, but I think after two years some will already be looking to Neo 2 or Neo 3 at that point.
I got AC for neo, it's only 45/year via EDU at time of purchase or 50/year after. Cheaper than $500 lol
kmtrain83
macrumors newbie
I'm looking to get this for wife who has a Lenovo 13" 8GB 512GB, but does not know what the word "gigabyte" means. She would appreciate the iPhone, Watch, and AirPods integration. I showed her this computer on the phone Apple Store app, and her eyes immediately went to the yellow one. I'm trying to decide if the base 256GB is enough, and if she cares about touchID. She can't remember passwords at all, but I think with Keychain you can manually type the MacBook Neo password on anything to unlock. I'm going to see how much of the Lenovo 512GB managed to fill the past 3 years, and if not even half, may go with the cheaper Neo.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
If possible, take her to see the Citrus in person. As previously stated, it is more lime than yellow. And @4sallypat described it as resembling the color of a power drink, which I agree with.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
Normally I would agree with this, but I disagree given the current climate. Computer prices are going to rise substantially over the next two years. It might be fine if a Neo or low end Air can meet your needs. If someone needs more than that, it's never going to be cheaper to buy than right now.
Personally, I think a $2k computer now will be $3k in 12 to 18 months--and may be even higher.
4sallypat
macrumors 603
So what you are saying is that my $2000 Mac Studio Max I bought in 2022 will be worth more in a year or 2 as resale values go?
Right now, Apple said they will take it off my hands for $450 - not even enough to buy a Neo.
Anyone bet it will go UP in a year or two ?
Doubt that.
Right now, Apple said they will take it off my hands for $450 - not even enough to buy a Neo.
Anyone bet it will go UP in a year or two ?
Doubt that.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
I'll tell you what. I will give you $500 for it. And given the state of RAM and SSDs, don't be surprised if the trade in value for a Max actually does go up in the next year. They already have gone up slightly.
I am relieved to see this. Real world tests are vital. I was livid when my Titanium PowerBook G4 stopped working right after I dropped it into a volcano. Not one single YouTuber had addressed that scenario.
How is the zoom accesabity on the Neo? One thing I’ve always loved most about Apple is that that acceptability features are way better than Window’s.
I exchanged the Indigo for Silver. Can see the keys much better now and has that classic clean Apple look. 😘
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Given what you said here, I agree with the big caveat that the buyer realizes and accepts he or she will be substantially overbuying spec wise as well as financially. I will note that this is probably the sole exception to my personal rule / advice.
I like the size more than the Air. Just personal preference. It's very noticeable to me.
Reminds me a little of the 12". Time will tell. (I like smaller laptops). I went with silver. Took a look at them in the store. Colors didn't look fun to me. Again, just me.
Neo
Reminds me a little of the 12". Time will tell. (I like smaller laptops). I went with silver. Took a look at them in the store. Colors didn't look fun to me. Again, just me.
Neo