iPad iPad vs MacBook Neo

[Isengardtom]

The MacBook Air is less expensive than the iPad Pro+MKB combo and it hasn't killed the iPad Pro yet. I don't think the MacBook Neo will change the calculus much.

At this point in time, I would guess most people have already done their experiments and realized the iPad Pro+MKB isn't a 1:1 MacBook replacement. Those still buying the iPad Pro likely do so for the form factor or Pencil support.

The MacBook Neo can't transform into a tablet so there's that.

For me the far superior screen tech along with the weight, touch , the pencil and more fun to use than a laptop will always keep me with an iPad pro

 

[Digitalguy]

For me the far superior screen tech along with the weight, touch , the pencil and more fun to use than a laptop will always keep me with an iPad pro

Yeh the iPad pro doesn't need to be a professional tool. For me it's mainly a luxury media consumption tool that is used every now and then professionnaly too to complement desktop devices running Windows and MacOS.

 

[Greenmeenie]

This is what gets me with the whole iPad vs MacBook discussion;

The iPad, especially now, is viable in many fields and use cases. Home Automation, creating art, organizing your day/life, communication, healthcare, selling, brainstorming, gaming, and so on. I personally also use my iPad as a tool to make my living and it's not underpowered by the OS. Part of that is due to the form factor over a laptop and with the right case, the iPad's screen can be propped up much like a laptop's screen is.

iPadOS has a decent enough file system that's easy enough to reach your documents plus modern iPads let you use external drives now, it's easy enough to hook up a keyboard with bluetooth, but even with that (and more) apparently the iPad simply isn't good enough for many people.

You can quite literally control the lights, thermostat, and music around your house, call your friend from out of state, emulate your favorite retro games, then work on pictures you've taken for your blog or for your eBay store with an iPad yet because the OS works in a different way from macOS, it's an underpowered OS.

I'm not even saying for laptop fans to get an iPad if they don't think it'll work for them either, both have their place. It's just that both can do largely similar things. What makes me want an iPad over a MacBook is that I prefer the form factor + the pencil functionality. Otherwise, it functions much like my other computers that have their own roles in my life.

Totally agree. I may be firmly in camp iPad… but I am not trying to convince MacBook users to switch. Whatever people prefer is up to them. I just respond to threads like this that say the iPad isn’t good enough and present how it has totally worked for me. In the end, these are just tools to get our work done. So whatever device works for anyone it’s all good. 👍🏼

 

[bapegg]

Yeh the iPad pro doesn't need to be a professional tool. For me it's mainly a luxury media consumption tool that is used every now and then professionnaly too to complement desktop devices running Windows and MacOS.

Totally agree. I may be firmly in camp iPad… but I am not trying to convince MacBook users to switch. Whatever people prefer is up to them. I just respond to threads like this that say the iPad isn’t good enough and present how it has totally worked for me. In the end, these are just tools to get our work done. So whatever device works for anyone it’s all good. 👍🏼

I've been using an iPad ever since the iPad mini 4 and have never owned a MacBook until I bought the Neo. The Neo is nice for portable use when I need MacOS apps and the iPad is nice for when I don't. Both work well with my Mac mini. I am definitely going to keep the iPad and the Neo.

As you all said, both have their place. Go with which one fits your needs better or go with both.

 

[Fravin]

I traded in my iPad Pro M2 for the MacBook NEO. I already have an M4 MacBook Air. Trying the NEO as a replacement for the iPad.

Why didn’t you tried to replace your iPad Pro with a MacBook Air?

It has been available for a long time and is a better machine than Neo in every aspects. If an iPad isn’t the best solution for your needs, why did you tried MBA before?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Why didn’t you tried to replace your iPad Pro with a MacBook Air?

It has been available for a long time and is a better machine than Neo in every aspects. If an iPad isn’t the best solution for your needs, why did you tried MBA before?

He already has an MBA.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Given the subject of the thread, I think the video by Christopher Lawley is apropos.

 

[Fravin]

He already has an MBA.

Does it make sense to you?

I mean, Neo is heavier a bigger than MBA. Its screen, speakers, trackpad and everything is worse than MBA. Neo does make sense when price is relevant.

But as iPad Pro costs twice the neo’s price… what’s the point, here?

 

[muzzy996]

Does it make sense to you?

I mean, Neo is heavier a bigger than MBA. Its screen, speakers, trackpad and everything is worse than MBA. Neo does make sense when price is relevant.

But as iPad Pro costs twice the neo’s price… what’s the point, here?

Agree, it doesn't make sense for a person who already had an iPad Pro and MacBook Air to state that they are "trying the Neo as a replacement for the iPad " since presumably they should already have everything they need from the Neo in their current MacBook Air. It would make more sense to simply say that they didn't find the iPad useful to them and they wanted a second MacBook.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Does it make sense to you?

I mean, Neo is heavier a bigger than MBA. Its screen, speakers, trackpad and everything is worse than MBA. Neo does make sense when price is relevant.

But as iPad Pro costs twice the neo’s price… what’s the point, here?

The Neo and MBA are the same weight. As to trackpad, the only difference is one is haptic. Both have the same precision and feel. Yes, the screen is not P3 but, I don't think that makes any real difference with general use. As to the speakers, that is pretty much a subjective toss-up, in my opinion. The Neo is smaller, has some colors people like, and it s a lot cheaper than the MBA.

On paper, getting a Neo may not make sense to many here but, for others, it makes perfect sense for their wants and actual needs. As long as the buyer is happy, that is all that matters.

I didn't need a Neo but, I decided I wanted a Neo and I have been happy using one, as well as using my iPad Pro.

 

[rui no onna]

On paper, getting a Neo may not make sense to many here but, for others, it makes perfect sense for their wants and actual needs. As long as the buyer is happy, that is all that matters.

The MacBook Neo makes plenty of sense to me as a much more affordable point of entry to macOS.

However, I just don't see how it renders the iPad obsolete considering they're different form factors.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The MacBook Neo makes plenty of sense to me as a much more affordable point of entry to macOS.

However, I just don't see how it renders the iPad obsolete considering they're different form factors.

I don't think it renders the iPad obsolete. The two will co-exist.

 

[rui no onna]

I don't think it renders the iPad obsolete. The two will co-exist.

Lol, tell that to the YouTubers. 😂

 

[DeepSix]

 

[Fravin]

The Neo is smaller, has some colors people like, and it s a lot cheaper than the MBA.

Neo is bulkier than Air, and it’s a big difference. I’m not against Neo, I’m just trying to understand how some would prefer it having an iPad Pro (industry leading screen) and an MacBook Air (faster memory, SSD, more cores in cpu and gpu, better trackpad, better screen)…

I’m not getting it.

 

[Fravin]

The MacBook Neo makes plenty of sense to me as a much more affordable point of entry to macOS.

That’s the truth about it. Neo is cheaper Mac in lineup. Welcome to Mac. 😍

 

[AVBeatMan]

Neo is bulkier than Air, and it’s a big difference. I’m not against Neo, I’m just trying to understand how some would prefer it having an iPad Pro (industry leading screen) and an MacBook Air (faster memory, SSD, more cores in cpu and gpu, better trackpad, better screen)…

I’m not getting it.

That said, would you look for a M1- M4 Air instead of the Neo?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Neo is bulkier than Air, and it’s a big difference. I’m not against Neo, I’m just trying to understand how some would prefer it having an iPad Pro (industry leading screen) and an MacBook Air (faster memory, SSD, more cores in cpu and gpu, better trackpad, better screen)…

I’m not getting it.

It is ok that you don't get it. It just lets you know that the Neo isn't meant for you.

 

[rui no onna]

Neo is bulkier than Air, and it’s a big difference. I’m not against Neo, I’m just trying to understand how some would prefer it having an iPad Pro (industry leading screen) and an MacBook Air (faster memory, SSD, more cores in cpu and gpu, better trackpad, better screen)…

I’m not getting it.

For basic usage, the Neo works fine.

Personally, I'm not comfortable buying used. If I were in the market for a MacBook, I'm happy to get the MacBook Neo and save the $300 or so over a MacBook Air.

 

[bapegg]

Neo is bulkier than Air, and it’s a big difference.

How is the Neo bulkier than the Air?

They both weigh exactly the same.

The Neo is only 1/16" inch thicker than the Air

The Neo is 1/4" narrower in width and 11/32" smaller in depth compared to the Air.

Other than the Neo being a 1/16" of an inch thicker, the overall size in width and depth is smaller than the Air.

 

[KPOM]

Going back and forth is not really a big deal, in my opinion. My M4 iMac is specced out completely with a Nano screen and my iPads are all specced out with Nano screens. I recently sold my M4 MBA and now have 2 Neos. The biggest thing I have to get used to when coming back to the Neo, is seeing some reflections on the screen which I dob't see with the Nano screens. Granted the Neo screen is just a shade under the MBA but, let's be honest here. Unless someone is doing color grading work and or editing videos or photos that require precision coloring and edits, browsing the web, watching videos and answering emails on a Neo is fine. I think the people on MR most of the time make a big deal out of everything and paint a bad picture of the real situation and reading get misguided and sent the wrong way.

I have an M5 iPad Pro and a MacBook Neo. The iPad Pro screen is exquisite but the Neo screen is perfectly fine.

 

[KPOM]

How is the Neo bulkier than the Air?

They both weigh exactly the same.

The Neo is only 1/16" inch thicker than the Air

The Neo is 1/4" narrower in width and 11/32" smaller in depth compared to the Air.

Other than the Neo being a 1/16" of an inch thicker, the overall size in width and depth is smaller than the Air.


View attachment 2615918

The Neo feels heavier in hand than the Air because it is physically smaller but the same weight. But overall I would say they are comparable when in a notebook bag or tote bag.

 

[snipr125]

My iPP M4 + MKB is my main laptop, i just love its cutting edge tech, and how engaging and interactive it is. Ipad OS 26 windowing is the cherry on top. For me the Neo just cannot compete with this level of tech, but it’s great for its price.

On the Mac side of things i plan to upgrade my 2015 MBP with a MBA 15” M5, which will effectively be my mobile desktop.

 

[Fravin]

How is the Neo bulkier than the Air?

They both weigh exactly the same.

The Neo is only 1/16" inch thicker than the Air

The Neo is 1/4" narrower in width and 11/32" smaller in depth compared to the Air.

Other than the Neo being a 1/16" of an inch thicker, the overall size in width and depth is smaller than the Air.


View attachment 2615918

Well, if 1/16" means nothing to you, just remember that Apple made a fuzz about iPadPro stating it as the thinnest Apple product of all time, do you remember how much thin it was? lol

Besides that, I don't know how it feels bulkier in hands.

 

[Fravin]

That said, would you look for a M1- M4 Air instead of the Neo?

That's a good question. Personnaly I would look for an refurbished M4 Air.

But if I couldn't afford it, I will be happy rosking a Citrus Neo. And I would push the Neo beyond its limits. 😈