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Let's talk consumerism: why is the MacBook Neo appealing as an extra device and do you give in?

dmr727 said:
If you look at his posting history, you'll see he's not serious.

Anyway, if this thing were the size of the old 12" Macbook, I might be tempted by the FOMO since I travel so much. But I have a 13" Air, so there's no point.
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Ah, jokester.

I will be doing a size comparison between the 12" rMB against the Neo since it's replacing it.

So sad to switch out a working device from 10 years of loyal service....
 
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Yeah I guess I really don't understand why people with a 14" or 15" Macbook are looking at a 13" Macbook as so much smaller and more portable companion device? It really doesn't make sense to me. Especially since it isn't that much lighter, and it is thicker?

I guess I could see it if one had the Mini or Studio and just wanted Mac on the go. That would maybe be better than an iPad Pro...definitely cheaper.
 
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eltoslightfoot said:
Yeah I guess I really don't understand why people with a 14" or 15" Macbook are looking at a 13" Macbook as so much smaller and more portable companion device? It really doesn't make sense to me. Especially since it isn't that much lighter, and it is thicker?

I guess I could see it if one had the Mini or Studio and just wanted Mac on the go. That would maybe be better than an iPad Pro...definitely cheaper.
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This is what bugs me also, and that it has less battery life than the MBA even though it’s using a lower wattage A chip. I guess the decade old tech just weighs more, so they had to put in a smaller battery to save weight.
 
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I got an M1 iPad Air a year or so ago as a secondary device for home use, and never really got in the groove with it. I miss macOS on a secondary device. I just sold the Air and keyboard for about $400, paying for most of the Neo that should deliver tomorrow 🙂
 
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I traded in my m4 Mac mini, and got the base neo in citrus for 499. I realize the mini was more powerful but because it sat on my desk, I never used it. I have an M4 IPP 11 inch, which I love but I saw the neo as a good backup if the iPad went down. Cut to the evening I preordered the Neo and I realized my iPad wasn’t charging. Took it to Apple Store, they had to send it off, would take about a week to get back. So I guess I proved my use case.
 
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eltoslightfoot said:
I guess I could see it if one had the Mini or Studio and just wanted Mac on the go. That would maybe be better than an iPad Pro...definitely cheaper.
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That is why I bought a Neo. I do like the M3 iPad Air but I do need apps that only run on MacOS when out and about.

My M4 Mini is my daily use device but it is nice to have options between the iPad and the Neo for portable use.
 
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I'm probably going to jump on one. Getting tired of using my Ipad pro on trips and dealing with the keyboard. Same reasons everyone else seems to be thinking. Also, nice to have next to my tv for sports and other programming.
 
Disher said:
I'm probably going to jump on one. Getting tired of using my Ipad pro on trips and dealing with the keyboard. Same reasons everyone else seems to be thinking. Also, nice to have next to my tv for sports and other programming.
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bapegg said:
That is why I bought a Neo. I do like the M3 iPad Air but I do need apps that only run on MacOS when out and about.

My M4 Mini is my daily use device but it is nice to have options between the iPad and the Neo for portable use.
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Man, this thing is really going to affect iPad sales isn't it.
 
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Honestly, if this machine would’ve come with an A19 Pro and the 12GB of RAM it has, I would probably have caved in for this terrible price, even being a “recycled” Frankenstein mac. Hell, the SE lineup is also a recycled FranquenPhone, and I’m extremely happy with it…

Maybe next year I’ll be more lucky, and if they put the aforementioned A19 with 12GB of RAM in, I’ll probably get one.

As Dave2D just said at the end of his review, “eight gigs of RAM are eighty gigs of RAM”
 
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Populus said:
My same thoughts.

Also Apple still hasn’t refreshed it’s base iPad which allegedly was going to come with an A18 chip…
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They probably delayed its release, because the iPad 12 with A18/19 and 8GB RAM at £329 is cheaper and just better for content consumption than a Macbook, and Apple know this very well.
 
bapegg said:
Only time will tell if it does. Those that want a tablet will keep buying the iPad while those that want a less expensive laptop will buy the Neo.
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I use my iPad nightly on the sofa and in bed, I can't see myself using a laptop in bed. Other than that? You're right time will tell, but also Apple never publishes sales volumes.
 
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snipr125 said:
This is what bugs me also, and that it has less battery life than the MBA even though it’s using a lower wattage A chip. I guess the decade old tech just weighs more, so they had to put in a smaller battery to save weight.
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Obviously for you, the MBA or MBP is for you.

For me, the Neo is a quaternary device that I will take on trips, travel, and bedside use.
Apple says the battery life is "all day" which is more than I need daily.
Same with my iPhone Air - "all day" and I still have 50% left at the end of the day.

Already have my work MBA, MBP, Studio Max so I don't need to take my important devices on a trip.
 
MBP 16" - at home daily workhorse computer
iPad - entertainment device
Neo - travel and remote work

I've had many instances now where I'm traveling or want to work remote and absolutely detest lugging my 16" MBP around, so I just don't. And while I love my iPad for entertainment, I can't fully complete my work on it easily. A low price, slim computer with a full OS and keyboard is exactly what I need. And I just don't feel the need to spend more for the Air since I probably won't be using this daily.
 
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I do want a MacBook. But I insist on enough GPU for gaming. I also really don't want to go between the touch of my magicpad 2 on my Studio and a lesser trackpad. I would appreciate a small travel, around the house iPad replacement with a keyboard. If it was A19 Pro with 12G RAM, a better trackpad and Cosmic Orange, I would be seriously tempted.

As it is, I'll keep an eye on the refurbs MacBook prices.
 
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Zazoh said:
I use my iPad nightly on the sofa and in bed, I can't see myself using a laptop in bed. Other than that? You're right time will tell, but also Apple never publishes sales volumes.
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I do the same with my iPad. I will be using my Neo for portable amateur radio operations and some of the programs I use aren't available for iPadOS.
 
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Good laptop for basic tasks. What 95% of the people do.

What I don't like is the weight. The 12" rMB was indeed lightweight but this one, close to a M1 Air.. not so much.

Let see what happens. A second generation with 12GB of RAM would be a good point but don't know if they will keep the same price. Also, these ones in about half year will be cheaper (or at least should be) on eBay.
 
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4sallypat said:
Obviously for you, the MBA or MBP is for you.

For me, the Neo is a quaternary device that I will take on trips, travel, and bedside use.
Apple says the battery life is "all day" which is more than I need daily.
Same with my iPhone Air - "all day" and I still have 50% left at the end of the day.

Already have my work MBA, MBP, Studio Max so I don't need to take my important devices on a trip.
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Sorry 4sallypat, ive been focussing on the negatives here, but have highlighted its positives in other threads like the fact its better than anything on the windows side at £600 which are mainly plastic and have much less performance than the Neo. Also it has no notch, really fun colours and the price especially at £499 edu for students. I plan to have only 1 mac device so the MBA is more suited for me personally.
 
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snipr125 said:
Sorry 4sallypat, ive been focussing on the negatives here, but have highlighted its positives in other threads like the fact its better than anything on the windows side at £600 which are mainly plastic and have much less performance than the Neo. Also it has no notch, really fun colours and the price especially at £499 edu for students.
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Thanks for that.

The positives I see at work are the expensive K-12 Chromebooks that hopefully will be replaced with Neos for students.

After adding up the cost of each Chromebook (HP G11 + Google licensing + HP repair extension) comes out to $585 each and they are lucky if it lasts 4 years - many don't make it that long.

Neo might be the better choice for schools as they will outlast Chromebook life as well as initial costs.
 
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aespana said:
Good laptop for basic tasks. What 95% of the people do.

What I don't like is the weight. The 12" rMB was indeed lightweight but this one, close to a M1 Air.. not so much.

Let see what happens. A second generation with 12GB of RAM would be a good point but don't know if they will keep the same price. Also, these ones in about half year will be cheaper (or at least should be) on eBay.
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I have the hunch they will release a second gen with an A19 and 12GB of RAM. Maybe in a year, maybe in one and a half years…
 
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