Mac book pro or air or neo?

[africano]

I would say I’m an average user - I do some design work on adobe and use 3D printing and laser cutting so some design programs.
I have to give my school MacBook Air M1 - old - back as leaving the school, I’m a teacher. So, I am looking for my own personal computer, my new school doesn’t give teachers a Mac.
My personal MacBook Pro is years bad years old and is broken.
I haven’t kept up with new Mac’s - so I would like the MacBook Pro but I am thinking that the air should be enough for me?
So which one do you think fits best for me?
If the air what config?
If the MacBook Pro which config?
Is the Neo worth checking out?

 

[marzer]

How much compromise in specs can you live with to go cheaper? Even if you only do "average" stuff?

The NEO is a notable trade off in modern tech for a sweet price point. Something I'd be ok with as a casual user but some might regret. In fact, now that there's no longer Boot Camp for windows gaming I plan to replace my 2019 Pro with a NEO next year. If they keep producing it. 🤞

Sounds like the Pro is overkill unless you just don't mind paying for more spec/performance regardless needs. Something I used to do as a working-stiff-geek but not of interest to me as a retiree.

The Air would be a faster design platform for casual adobe and 3D rendering. But if it's not something you do enough to justify the price increase, you may not realize the advantage. Clearly, the price diff gets you current tech like better screen, more ram, more battery? (just guessing), et al., over the NEO's basic tech if that's important to you. Many on the forum point out how used/refurb Air's are price comparative to the Neo. Of course, with Apple's programmed obsolescence these days you may compromise on longevity of OS updates.

Which config, again, is relevant to how much money do you want to throw at the solution. In the NEO you only get 8GB but great price. I believe 16GB is min config in both the Air and Pro these days, which sounds plenty (and good future proofing) for the "average" user.

As for storage capacity, only you know how much data you have/want to grow. My general rule is to have at least 50%-100% more storage in a new machine, over the replacement, for system efficiency and potential data growth. If you don't know, I see no reason to not go with the 256GB, with 512GB being more than plenty.

Since you have experience with the Air, think about what it would be like to go with a lesser machine for the cost savings. If that seems unappealing, pass on the NEO. Was there ever a point you wished you had more capability/performance than the Air? If not, you probably don't need to waste money on a Pro.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

Get the air. Just have gone through this myself. It’s my only device. I love the neo, still using it as I wait for my M5 15” air to arrive this week. It’s sooo portable but my eyes are going down hill and I value a bigger screen and I don't not travel with it often. At $750 after tax if you don’t qualify for the EDU discount the NEO is a hard sell in my opinion.

I have personally decided since my device does not leave my house but only a few times a year, the M5 Air 15 is the best option for me.

For reference the base 13 M5 air was recently on sale at amazon for $949. So maybe $1010 after taxes. If you want a bigger screen the 15' was also on sale for $1150, $1227 after taxes. (if you were in the US)

Sometimes you can find a base M4 air 13' on the apple refurb store for $759 but it sells out quickly.

I say all this to say, if this will be your only device and if you plan to keep it a long time, the m5 air might be the best value option. Or even an M4 air if you can find one refurb for $759.

 

[ignatius345]

I would say I’m an average user - I do some design work on adobe and use 3D printing and laser cutting so some design programs.

Just based on the fact that you are reporting (it seems) a tendency to experiment with tech-y stuff and making things, I would recommend an Air at a minimum to account for future needs. The Neo seems great but that 8 GB of RAM could turn into a bottleneck down the road IMO, especially if you’re trying out new design softare, which tends to get more demanding over time.

If you’ve been doing OK with an M1 Air, I would think a current M5 Air (16 GB RAM standard) will feel a ton faster right out of the gate.

 

[sevoneone]

I would get an Air. Even a refurbished M4 Air will be an amazing Mac for years and much more capable than the Neo.

 

[Mega ST]

I'd go for a small MBP. Best monitor and a "full flavoured" Apple. Typing this on a MBP. Between neo and Air I'd pick the Air. The neo is too big for my taste. I would love a neo the size of an iPad mini.

 

[africano]

So 1-1 it's a draw! Any other opinions?

 

[TechRunner]

As the owner of a base model 14" M4 MBP I could have done what I was doing on an Air, but I wanted to be sure I could keep the machine I bought 5-7 years and get good performance for the duration so I went with the Pro.

Buy the best device that fits your both needs and your budget with an eye towards potential future uses.

 

[Chevyguy2021]

So 1-1 it's a draw! Any other opinions?

M5 Air, some are on sale for Memorial Day weekend.
first, pick a size, 13 or 15. Once you pick a size you can then pick the specs.
Keep in mind the base 15' has more cores than the base 13. It also has 2 more speakers 🙂

16GB RAM its great for most users, if you want more future proof you can go 24 GB to be safe.
Then you need storage. 512 GB is once again great for most but you can upgrade if you need more.
Easy peasy.

 

[theluggage]

So 1-1 it's a draw! Any other opinions?

Performance isn't everything.

The Air has a larger/better display than the Neo, the Pro has a larger/better/brighter display than the Air
... A better display is nicer whatever you are doing.

The machines have progressively better connectivity: if you're plugging in 3D printers and laser cutters you'll need USB ports.

- The Neo only has two USB-C ports, no Thunderbolt and the second port is only USB-2 speed - and you'll need one of those to charge (or an external non-Thunderbolt USB-C dock).
- The Neo has fairly limited support for external displays (but it's probably OK unless you plan splurging on a 5k display).
- The Air only has 2 TB ports & one is needed for charging, [plus separate Magsafe for charging], The Pro has 3 TB ports, separate MagSafe for charging, plus HDMI (so you can connect a cheap external display without eating a TB port) and SD card.

...so you'll have to decide whether any of that is relevant to you.

Personally, I'd say that the Neo looks fantastic for "personal productivity" use (Web/Email/WP/holiday snaps) and occasionally doing something more advanced, but if you're regularly going beyond that, either an Air or Pro would be more appropriate. It's really down to you how much you want to spend - if your budget is tight then a Neo would probably meet your immediate needs.

[EDIT: MB Air does have Magsafe]

 

[boswald]

I chose the Air for a variety of reasons:

One, it has plenty of horsepower for the average workload.

Two, it is the perfect balance between portability, weight, and display size.

Third, the MacBook Pro is way too expensive.

Fourth, coming from the PC world and endless upgrades/tinkering, I'm sick to death of loud fans, bearings going out, fans dying, shorted cables, etc. Having a passively cooled system is like a whole new world to me! Also chose 24GB of RAM because I couldn't afford 32 and I wanted at least a little longevity before Apple decides I should throw it away and buy a new one.

 

[ayephoner]

How old is your current MBP? How is it broken?

I would look at making that one work for you before considering a new purchase, but that's just me.

 

[NoBoMac]

The Air only has 2 TB ports & one is needed for charging,

So the Magsafe on my M4 Air is a mirage? If so, my battery life is way better than advertised as that's how I charge. 😉

(no different with M5 as well)

 

[Alameda]

So 1-1 it's a draw! Any other opinions?

I love my Pro, but both of my kids are in college with 8 GB MacBook Airs and they are very happy with them.

The Air is a much lighter and more portable laptop than the Pro. The big difference with the Pro is the screen, but you pay more and it weighs more.

As far as “what can I do with it”, the answer is that both can do all of the same things.

 

[theluggage]

So the Magsafe on my M4 Air is a mirage?

Oops. My bad. Post corrected.

 

[glen-the-grey]

+1 for the M5 Air...although I speak from a point of research and not experience...I have recently been trying to make up my mind over the exact same question for my next laptop that I intend to get for my birthday this year and have come away almost convinced that the M5 Air is the one for me (it will either be that or a non-Apple laptop).

I have largely ruled out the Pro as being just a bit too much money for power that I realistically wouldn't need or use and the Neo just doesn't quite seem like enough power to give it the longevity I look for in a new computer.

Please do post back when you do decide and if you are happy with your decision!

 

[N3ur0n79]

I would say using adobe and using 3D printing and design programs is pretty far from average use cases in fairness. Given that there is a spectrum with variance with that information, it is way too difficult to answer the questions on which specs but I’d probably rule out the Neo. Probably at a minimum at MacBook Air M4 or M5 (possibly a pro but not necessarily), 24GB ram, 1TB SSD at a budget of around 1500ish-2000USD if I had to guess from the information given in the first post. Apologies if follow-ups added more detail.

 

[africano]

What about the cores? I am in Thailand and there are 2 options for the air the cheaper one with 8 core gpu and the more expensive one with 10 core GPU.
If I choose the 10 core GPU and leave everything default ram and storage then works out around 1200 USD if I increase the ram and storage works out around 1560 USD
Is it worth going for the 10 core GPU and leaving the ram and storage default or is it worth going everytihng next level up?
Im back in europe for the summer so might check prices there too.

 

[casperes1996]

What about the cores? I am in Thailand and there are 2 options for the air the cheaper one with 8 core gpu and the more expensive one with 10 core GPU.
If I choose the 10 core GPU and leave everything default ram and storage then works out around 1200 USD if I increase the ram and storage works out around 1560 USD
Is it worth going for the 10 core GPU and leaving the ram and storage default or is it worth going everytihng next level up?
Im back in europe for the summer so might check prices there too.

In my opinion no point upgrading the gpu. If you want to play big games or such it can be better but then a MacBook Pro seems more attractive.

For RAM; did you ever feel ram pressure on the M1?
Ram and storage are both things where you don’t really win much by having more than you need but it’s annoying to not have enough. Best way to know is to look at how much you’re using.

 

[splitpea]

If you’re seriously considering all three, chances are you need more than the Neo but not as much as the Pro. So get the Air.

If you want to use it for more than a few years (vs spending less but more frequently for newer machines), I’d recommend upgrading RAM. IMO 16GB is tight if you tend to have more than a few things open at once or work with videos more than 60 sec long or lots of image layers.

Similarly, 256GB storage is very tight IMO unless you’re keeping everything in the cloud. 512 is more comfortable for keeping frequently accessed files locally and still having adequate space for swap (what your computer does with what won’t fit in RAM). I wouldn’t bother with more unless you’re regularly working with multi-GB files. External storage is cheaper.

 

[Alameda]

What about the cores? I am in Thailand and there are 2 options for the air the cheaper one with 8 core gpu and the more expensive one with 10 core GPU.
If I choose the 10 core GPU and leave everything default ram and storage then works out around 1200 USD if I increase the ram and storage works out around 1560 USD
Is it worth going for the 10 core GPU and leaving the ram and storage default or is it worth going everytihng next level up?
Im back in europe for the summer so might check prices there too.

If you buy MacBook Air M5, the configurations show me that, if you choose 24GB you must also upgrade the processor anyway.

So it is a matter of your budget. The more expensive model will perform better under load but no better under routine use. And there is nothing which the less expensive model cannot do. Maybe in a few years Adobe will increase their recommended memory to 24 GB but I doubt it because there are many more 8 and 16 GB Macs.

 

[kschendel]

I doubt that two extra GPU cores will make much difference for what you do. I think you would be fine with a base spec Air, screen size up to you.

 

[mk313]

Assuming you are near an apple store, I'd recommend trying a NEO, using the 14-day return window to see if it meets your needs. There are definitely some limits to it, but man is it a nice laptop at a great price. If it can handle your current Adobe & other higher spec usage, I'd say go with that. If you end up needing to upgrade a few years down the road, you'll still be basically even on price.

If you're currently using an M1 & it meets your needs just fine, then I'm guessing the NEO would be plenty for your needs.

That being said, the Air's are great laptops as well, so you can't really go wrong either way. I do agree with the others that think the Pro is overkill.

 

[ayephoner]

How old is your current MBP? How is it broken?

I would look at making that one work for you before considering a new purchase, but that's just me.

I guess you didn't want to consider this...

 

[mlayer]

As someone who owned 4 MacBook Airs including the M1 which didn't have MagSafe, I appreciate Apple adding it back in from the M2 forward. Seems like a small thing, but it frees up a port.