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iPad iPad vs MacBook Neo

Does the MacBook Neo Make Deciding between an iPad and MacBook Harder for You?

  • Yes

    Votes: 35 28.7%

  • No

    Votes: 87 71.3%
  • Total voters
    122
KPOM said:
I have an M5 iPad Pro and a MacBook Neo. The iPad Pro screen is exquisite but the Neo screen is perfectly fine.
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Me as well. M5!IPP and Neo. Both have their place. And the Neo isn’t as underpowered as believed. As far as the screen, I’m quite okay with it.
 
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Fravin said:
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.
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A 1/16 of an inch is not enough to worry about in real life despite any advertising hype. Most people will never notice the difference.


Fravin said:
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. 😈
Click to expand...

If I already had a M1 or newer MBA then I most likely would not have bought a Neo. The Neo is my first MacBook and I don't need all of the higher specs of the Air or Pro for my uses. Plus the Neo fits my budget. If a person's use case requires a faster processor and/or more RAM than go with the Air or Pro.
 
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I'm still using 24" 1920x1080 monitors with my Mac min. I also have a 2018 iPad Pro and M3 iPad Air. I don't notice enough of a difference between any of those screens and the Neo's screen.

Everyone's eyes are different and some may notice a difference while others won't notice.
 
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KPOM said:
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
Click to expand...
Depends on whether you like touching your screen. I think it's...well, yucky! Typing on a screen is a real PITA, too.
 
I’m interested in hearing how anyone who has actually switched from the iPad (as a regular device) to the Neo has gone?
Pros and cons of the change after you’ve actually done it,
 
I was listening to Christina Warren's take on this on MacBreak Weekly. I agree with her. We will see some folks who were previously using an iPad Pro or more commonly an iPad Air as there daily computer - who regularly type on it with folio, Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard but also use the iPad mainly as a comsumption device, purchase the Neo for the typing use case, (Same price as the iPad Air) then later justify the plain iPad for getting back to the couch consumption use.

If they are price conscious the price of both devices is the same as the Air plus Magic Keyboard.
 
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Zazoh said:
I was listening to Christina Warren's take on this on MacBreak Weekly. I agree with her. We will see some folks who were previously using an iPad Pro or more commonly an iPad Air as there daily computer - who regularly type on it with folio, Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard but also use the iPad mainly as a comsumption device, purchase the Neo for the typing use case, (Same price as the iPad Air) then later justify the plain iPad for getting back to the couch consumption use.

If they are price conscious the price of both devices is the same as the Air plus Magic Keyboard.
Click to expand...

iPad Mini (or base model) and MBN can be a great duo for basic daily tasks and media consumption instead of iPad Air plus Magic Keybpard.
 
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Zazoh said:
I was listening to Christina Warren's take on this on MacBreak Weekly. I agree with her. We will see some folks who were previously using an iPad Pro or more commonly an iPad Air as there daily computer - who regularly type on it with folio, Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard but also use the iPad mainly as a comsumption device, purchase the Neo for the typing use case, (Same price as the iPad Air) then later justify the plain iPad for getting back to the couch consumption use.

If they are price conscious the price of both devices is the same as the Air plus Magic Keyboard.
Click to expand...
One advantage of the Neo (and truth be told all laptops) is the ability to use it while sitting down, i.e., on your lap. You cannot easily or comfortablly use an iPad with the keyboard on your lap.

When I'm using my iPad, its strickly content consumption. I'm holding it, or its propped up on something. If I need to work, use excel, or do some other activity a laptop is a better tool to use, hands down
 
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maflynn said:
One advantage of the Neo (and truth be told all laptops) is the ability to use it while sitting down, i.e., on your lap. You cannot easily or comfortablly use an iPad with the keyboard on your lap.
Click to expand...
This whole narrative about not being able to use the iPad on your lap needs to stop… your palms rest on the keyboard, since you planning on typing on it. There’s no reason to place the iPad+Magic Keyboard on your lap if you are not planning on using the keyboard then you have a point it doesn’t sit comfortably on your lap…

I have been using my iPad with a Magic Keyboard for years… no issues having it on my lap.
 
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Ludatyk said:
This whole narrative about not being able to use the iPad on your lap needs to stop
Click to expand...
No it doesn't.

Ludatyk said:
There’s no reason to place the iPad+Magic Keyboard on your lap if you are not planning on using the keyboard
Click to expand...
Agreed.

My point is when you do want to use the keyboard and have it on your lap. It's by far ergonomically inferior to that of a laptop
 
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maflynn said:
Maybe, but then I'm not alone with that assessment.
forums.macrumors.com

Anyone use their iPad Pro with a keyboard case on their lap?

Just wondering who uses an iPad Pro with a keyboard case on their lap and what their experience has been like.
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
medium.com

Keyboards With Kickstands Are Not It

When typing on my lap with an iPad, I need more.
medium.com medium.com
Click to expand...
Thanks! Now that I think of it, I did have issues with the previous gen 12.9" iPad Pros in my lap. Them being a bit more top heavy. But with my 11" M4, it seems to be fine for me.

Edit: Also re-reading my last post, it was a little bit unintentionally rude, I’m sorry if it came across as so.
 
Last edited:
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maflynn said:
One advantage of the Neo (and truth be told all laptops) is the ability to use it while sitting down, i.e., on your lap. You cannot easily or comfortablly use an iPad with the keyboard on your lap.

When I'm using my iPad, its strickly content consumption. I'm holding it, or its propped up on something. If I need to work, use excel, or do some other activity a laptop is a better tool to use, hands down
Click to expand...
I agree 100% about the iPad Magic keyboard combo on the lap. My experience has been it isn't very sturdy and that is where the laptop shines.
 
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maflynn said:
You cannot easily or comfortablly use an iPad with the keyboard on your lap.
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This depends at least partly on the keyboard. My Zagg keyboard case holds my iPad perfectly well when I need to do serious typing. The only reason I don’t leave it in that case is that I prefer portrait mode and the Zagg is pretty lousy for that.
 
No it wouldn’t change my choice if I was only going to buy one device. The form factors are different so I see them as very different devices. Even as someone who only uses my devices for consumption I see the Mac as distinctly different to an iPad due to the form factor.
 
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Shanghaichica said:
No it wouldn’t change my choice if I was only going to buy one device. The form factors are different so I see them as very different devices. Even as someone who only uses my devices for consumption I see the Mac as distinctly different to an iPad due to the form factor.
Click to expand...

I fell the same way. They are different devices for different uses.

I have the MKB for my 11" M3 Air and while it is useful, it is to heavy so one has to be more careful on where they place it. I fell more comfortable with a MB since it is more stable since the weight is in the bottom.

Then there is the fact that iPad OS can't run MacOS software. This is not an issue for some while others need MacOS apps while portable.

The Neo sure won't replace my iPad Air as they have different uses for me. I like using the iPad for general consumption and reading books. I grab the Neo when I need to run my amateur radio or model railroad apps that only run on MacOS.

Plus I like the fact of how the iPad and my Neo or Mac mini work well together when side by side.
 
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