iPad iPad vs MacBook Neo

[PandaPunch]

No.

I don't like laptops, period. Mac Mini + iPad Air is the best combo for me. I actually enjoy reading comics and ebooks on an iPad and I like drawing on my iPad. I prefer my 27 inch monitors hooked up to my Mac Mini for most other work.

 

[xxFoxtail]

If I ever buy another laptop, it will be a Neo. But my iPad does basically everything I need, so 🤷‍♂️

I’m the same way. Most of the things I do on either my M2 MacBook Air or M4 iPad Pro are either web based, or basic spreadsheets. Both devices are overkill and the Neo can easily handle my workflows. In a pinch, my iPhone with a keyboard works perfectly fine too.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If budget allows, why not have both? There is nothing wrong with there being some overlap between devices and their daily use.

 

[rui no onna]

It's a much easier decision now.

Before, if you had $500 to spend on a casual computing device, it was either:

A) Low-cost iPad with a ridiculously expensively Magic Keyboard Folio, or
B) Mac mini and monitor, which seemed overkill and bulky.

The problem with iPad was you couldn't do any real productivity because of iPadOS and display too small.

Now, you have three choices to pick from, depending on how much productivity vs. content consumption you want.

You're forgetting Windows laptops and Chromebooks. I think the MacBook Neo is more targeted against those rather than iPads.

 

[rui no onna]

If budget allows, why not have both? There is nothing wrong with there being some overlap between devices and their daily use.

True. I prefer desktops over laptops so I don’t use the laptop much. However, I still keep a couple of laptops for the rare occasions I need them. I just don’t update often.

 

[subjonas]

For those looking for something basic to check emails, browse the web, etc. does the introduction of the MacBook Neo make the choice between an iPad and a Mac more difficult for you? With the Apple Magic Keyboard, the base iPad has a virtually identical price as the base MacBook Neo.
iPad Advantages
Touch screen
Can be used without the keyboard
More portable

MacBook Neo Advantages
More storage
Larger screen
Easier to use on a lap or airplane tray table
More powerful OS

I didn't vote because I'm not the target buyer for neither the Neo nor base iPad. For me it would be between the 13" iPad Air and the 13" MacBook Air. But it's the same decision, I chose the iPad because of the Apple Pencil. If MacBooks were convertible and supported Pencil, I would choose the MacBook because I'm more productive with macOS, and some drawing apps I need don't run on iPadOS. But though it's good there's a cheaper option MacBook in the lineup, it doesn't change anything for me.

 

[bapegg]

I have a M4 Mini and a M3 iPad Air. I ordered the Neo as I want something portable that runs MacOS. I have my amateur radio license (ham radio) and there are more apps available for MacOS than there are for iPadOS.

The Neo is to compliment my Mac Min and iPad Air. I have different use cases for each one.

Plus the Neo allows me to finally get rid of my Windows laptop.

 

[sparksd]

If I want a laptop, I'll buy a laptop. I wanted a tablet, so I went with the iPad.

 

[shah1]

Own a MacBook Air 13 m2, picked a damaged iPad Pro m4 11” that functions as normal for £285 so I’m covered with both. But for what I use these devices for, have to say the iPad is a great for my needs

 

[JPack]

You're forgetting Windows laptops and Chromebooks. I think the MacBook Neo is more targeted against those rather than iPads.

Sure, but this thread is clearly about Neo vs. iPad, not Neo vs. world.

The calculus for Neo vs. world is more complicated. At minimum, Neo will capture Chromebook Plus buyers and threaten low-end Windows notebook makers. The young customers new to full size computing but familiar with iPhone will very likely lean towards Neo. Apple emphasized the “seamless integration with iPhone” a lot this week.

 

[rui no onna]

Sure, but this thread is clearly about Neo vs. iPad, not Neo vs. world.

The calculus for Neo vs. world is more complicated. At minimum, Neo will capture Chromebook Plus buyers and threaten low-end Windows notebook makers. The young customers new to full size computing but familiar with iPhone will very likely lean towards Neo. Apple emphasized the “seamless integration with iPhone” a lot this week.

Honestly, everyone I know who has an iPad has another computer of some sort. I don't see the MacBook Neo replacing the iPad for any of them.

The only ones I see attempting to use the iPad to replace computers entirely are just on MacRumors or YouTube.

 

[sparksd]

Honestly, everyone I know who has an iPad has another computer of some sort. I don't see the MacBook Neo replacing the iPad for any of them.

The only ones I see attempting to use the iPad to replace computers entirely are just on MacRumors or YouTube.

Yeah, my M5 13" has replaced my laptop, but I still use a desktop.

 

[JPack]

Honestly, everyone I know who has an iPad has another computer of some sort. I don't see the MacBook Neo replacing the iPad for any of them.

The only ones I see attempting to use the iPad to replace computers entirely are just on MacRumors or YouTube.

This is about a longer term decision. When it comes time to upgrade their iPad, people will ask themselves:

Should I spend $100 extra for 256GB storage?
Should I buy $249 Magic Keyboard Folio?
Do I even need to consider iPad Air or will I be satisfied with the base iPad?

Neo will shift many people away from the iPad + keyboard combo. Neo makes the decision a lot easier. iPad no longer needs to do double duty as a content consumption and productivity machine.

 

[maflynn]

This is about a longer term decision. When it comes time to upgrade their iPad, people will ask themselves:

Should I spend $100 extra for 256GB storage?
Should I buy $249 Magic Keyboard Folio?
Do I even need to consider iPad Air or will I be satisfied with the base iPad?

Neo will shift many people away from the iPad + keyboard combo. Neo makes the decision a lot easier. iPad no longer needs to do double duty as a content consumption and productivity machine.

The segment of users you're referencing, will most definitely pause and consider how the Macbook Neo will be an upgrade both in form and function. I do think the people who have been pushing the iPad as a laptop replacement will have a harder to time justifying the expense. No matter how you slice it, the neo is cheaper and does more then the iPad does

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I voted yes because I carry a device into the field that I can afford to lose. So as I look to replace my old iPad Air, the MBN is attractive. It weighs 1.7 pounds more, but it runs the Mac OS that I far, far prefer over the touch screen OSs.

 

[4sallypat]

If I could only have one device it would always be a Mac.

Similar, a desktop Mac is my first choice.
Macbook is my second choice.
Neo is my 3rd choice.
iPad is my last choice and I avoid using it even though work provides me with 2 iPads.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I still don’t think the markets overlap as much as we believe they might.
Yes, when it comes to college students and people trying to somehow replace the laptop that they already have with an iPad, the MacBook Neo is definitely going to be more of an attractive option. But that’s the thing, for people trying to *replace* something. I truly don’t believe that this is the majority of iPad customers.
The majority of iPad customers are either…
A: people who currently, or I should say, before making a purchase, only have a smart phone. These are people who don’t necessarily need a computer, but want something more than just a phone for media consumption. These are people who will never care about the limits of iPadOS.
B: People who already have a laptop or desktop and are not looking for a duplication of the same thing. These people might want the iPad for its drawing capabilities, or for how easy it is to move around, or as a media machine, travel computer, and so on and so on. I am personally in this category, I have both an iPad (with Magic Keyboard) and a MacBook, and neither is replacing the other. The iPad gets used significantly more than the MacBook in fact, despite me being frustrated by several of iPadOS’s quirks. The iPad usually goes everywhere with me, on vacations, quick trips, it’s my TV, a big clunky MacBook with a permanently attached keyboard is never replacing that. A folding iPhone might, but that’s a completely different conversation.
3: Children and the elderly, or I should just say, those who don’t know and have no interest in learning how to use a computer operating system. Sometimes the simplest most restricted OS is the best OS.

Apple sells 3X as many iPads as they do Macs every year. The Neo might tip that balance, but not dramatically.
Steve’s original metaphor of the iPad as a car and the Mac as a truck remains true. Some people have just a car, others have a truck, and others have both.

 

[rui no onna]

Apple sells 3X as many iPads as they do Macs every year. The Neo might tip that balance, but not dramatically.
Steve’s original metaphor of the iPad as a car and the Mac as a truck remains true. Some people have just a car, others have a truck, and others have both.

I think the Neo has the potential to sell a lot more than the iPads.

I doubt they'd replace iPad sales but the potential is there to steal a lot of marketshare from Windows laptops.

 

[DeepSix]

Most people will buy the Neo for now on because it's 25% the cost of the Airs and Pros.

 

[4sallypat]

Most people will buy the Neo for now on because it's 25% the cost of the Airs and Pros.

Actually it's half price of the M5 MBA at EDU pricing.

Ordered 2 Neos at $499 each and it's the same paying for 1 base MBA at $999.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I'd consider a Neo to use when travelling. I find my iPad Pro and Apple Keyboard to be a little heavy so a lighter option may be the ting. Also, as someone mentioned earlier a Mac that I could "afford to lose" might also make sense. Don't need one but still thinking about it. One thing that does put me off is the lack of a keyboard backlight.

 

[dominiongamma]

I switched from using a macbook to an iPad Pro back in 2018 and I haven’t looked back. I have fully adapted to an iPad iOS only workflow. Being an artist made that transition easier because with the Apple pencil, the iPad is the best digital sketchbook ever created. However, I also enjoy doing everything else on an iPad more than a laptop. To me writing, editing photos & videos, surfing the web & consuming media are all infinitely more enjoyable & productive on an iPad than a laptop. I will never go back. When i try to use my friends laptop now i laugh. It’s ridiculous. I hate MacOS now. 😆 It’s clunky & annoying. I feel the exact opposite as those still used to laptops feel about iPads. To me it’s all what you’re used to.

iPad is dated now with iPadOS, it’s time for the training wheels to come off with all that horsepower it barley touches.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

I think I would enjoy a neo but can’t go backwards with screen technology and I only use my iPad for content consumption.

 

[Mainsail]

I've had laptops for 30+ years, also for personal use. My main computer has always been a desktop (currently M1Max Studio with ASD), about 1.5 yrs ago I traded my M1 MBA for a M2 iPad Air 13, wanted the screen size and it is much lighter. I use it as a couch computer, browsing news and stuff in the mornings. During the day I use my Studio.
For me this was the first iPad, it's a great consumption device but I hate typing on it, and spending $$$ for a keyboard, could have spend that money on a laptop.
The idea of the iPhone fold has me thinking to replace the iPad basically with the fold, but it's expensive and rumored to lack features that I want in an iPhone.
So now I am pondering to trade in my iPad for a base Neo (don't need 256 nor touchid as I have an AW for unlocking).
I probably will visit the Apple Store in a couple weeks and will being my iPad for side-to-side comparison of screen quality.

I would be surprised if a 13in iPad Air with Apple Magic Keyboard (AMK) is lighter than a MacBook NEO or MBA (both weigh 2.7lbs). As for $$, the NEO will be considerably cheaper than the 13in iPad Air with AMK.

 

[jz0309]

I would be surprised if a 13in iPad Air with Apple Magic Keyboard (AMK) is lighter than a MacBook NEO or MBA (both weigh 2.7lbs). As for $$, the NEO will be considerably cheaper than the 13in iPad Air with AMK.

Well, I did get a Neo, base model and I’m liking it a lot, does everything I want/need incl running Lightroom Classic for when I’m traveling, I posted some detail in the “first thoughts” thread.
So my iPad is being turned in …