MacBook Neo Features Two Different USB-C Ports

[CMMChris]

I wonder why they didn't just implement an internal hub so both USB-C ports can share the same specs. Sharing bandwidth wouldn't be much of an issue on a "budget" device. Could've even done 3 USB-C ports then, moving the USB 2.0 port on the other side of the machine.

 

[RadMac]

Not bad.

 

[macsimcon]

A USB2 port in 2026? Where’s the floppy disk? I mean, if we’re going to buy outdated technology, why not add some ADB or SCSI ports?

No MagSafe. 8 GB of memory. Only one high speed USB port. What a piece of junk.

 

[Blackstick]

Most of the replies here prove why you're not employed at Apple Marcom.

If you want more specs, Apple intentionally and by design anchors you to a MacBook Air at a higher price tier (even for those of us who know to get a refurb one).

You won't find the target audience for this Mac posting here or any other tech forum. My mom, my 9 year old, my wife... they care more that it comes in pink or yellow than 16gb of RAM. Computers aren't their interest, it's something they have to use to get by in the world. Nothing they spend much extra time thinking about. The chance they ever connect an external display to this thing is slim to none. They'll use those ports primarily to charge the Mac or their iPhone, or maybe copy a file to a pen drive. Simple as that.

 

[cjsuk]

I wouldn't have such a big issue with this if they were marked. The fact that you cannot physically tell them apart is terrible. Plenty of people will use the rear port to charge, and plug in their USB 3 flash drive to only get USB 2 speeds. Not the end of the world, but certainly not ideal.

Yeah sod that.

Have you used a modern desktop PC? It's the manifestation of how painful that is.

One USB-C port on the front. Possibly 10 gig USB3. Maybe 20 gig. Unlikely to be thunderbolt. Right next to the reset button so when you're fumbling around it ruins your day.

One USB-C port on the back. Possibly 20 gig, maybe thunderbolt if the CPU and chipset is the right type. Connector shell is hanging off the board because someone fell over a cable.

6 USB-A ports on the back. Some of them are blue, some of them are black. Nobody knows which is the fast ones and which is the slow ones. But they plug their 20 year old USB-A keyboard in which pulls the entire USB hub down to a USB 1.0 crawl.

4 USB-A ports on the front. Only 2 still work. No one knows what speed they are because one is yellow and that's not standard. The blue one doesn't work because of the keyboard plugged in the back. The black one has fluff in it. 5 gig, but only on a Thursday.

 

[ikramerica]

Lenovo killed their 12" X series due to low demand. It's a 13" now. That's been the sweet spot for quite some time. Most people don't want an exceedingly small display, these days.

Yes, at $599-$699 even 13” is pushing it when you see the pricing of inexpensive laptops at bestbuy. Most in that price range are 15.x” displays, many with more memory as well.

The A18Pro doesn’t seem like it can do more than 8GB so it won’t be until the 19Pro model released after memory prices stabilize (if that ever happens) where we would get 12GB or 16GB.

 

[jarman92]

There is no way to tell them apart externally.

But the real exciting part is—which one is which is random and it's your job to figure it out!

 

[SoyMaxV]

"We'll cripple it. Why? Because we can, and you'll still buy it."

 

[1984 Mac Guru]

Should’ve just went with MagSafe and then one USB-C 3 port, but I know this is more versatile and technically better than that. I just think it would’ve been simpler and this might confuse the target demographic.

From the rumors, I was assuming this is gonna be the case. Then I could just use a dock if I needed more ports. The MagSafe would’ve been cute. (I know technically I can still do this.)

 

[Ad47uk]

It's a budget machine. You were never going to get magnets, bells & whistles.

It's good for what it is.

A budget machine in Apples eyes maybe and for people who want a Mac type machine at a lower price then it may do the job.
But one USB3 in this day and age is a bit naff.

 

[Bones402]

Literally can buy an iPhone and MacBook now for prices of your latest iPhone pro. Be simplistic in 2026 and save what money you can. Nobody is safe from job cuts coming across the globe.

 

[Xiaojohn]

i actually this is product is perfect to me. no Magsafe wire, cheap price, it can be my best mobile laptop to go

 

[cicalinarrot]

The USB 2 port can charge, so I'm fine with this.

 

[klasma]

Is that part of the USB-c 3 spec, or does it specifically have to enabled by mfg? I can't find anything about it.

It’s a separate specification: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#Alternate_Mode_partner_specifications

Also, USB-C (connector) and USB 3.x (protocol) are separate specifications.

 

[geerlingguy]

I was sure that Apple mocked about other manufacturers color-coding USB ports:

Oof, the Neo is the worst of both worlds—two different types of port, both look identical, with no markings.

This is the kind of junk I have to deal with on inexpensive SBCs and no-name laptops. Hate that Apple couldn't just put a USB 3.0 hub in the chain somewhere, so both ports at least have that (I can kinda understand having only one port with DP out, due to USB-C's insanity).

 

[Macalway]

I'm buying one simply out of curiosity.

They are stripped down, while still being good. If the rumored 400 nits was true, not so, but these specs are ok. Can't tell the ports apart? Please. My Surface Pro 11 (Intel) has two ports that are different, and it's a high end machine. And the 8gb ram is pathetic, but people won't notice.

Then again, if there's lag...

For $500 it's attractive.

 

[nickf]

Imagine how many *MILLIONS* of Apple service center calls they will get regarding why their user’s external monitors do not work.

How many people will be plugging an external monitor into this?

 

[leifp]

Attention to detail is the thing that’s missing from Apple for the past little while. Two different USB ports and no way to identify them in the hand. Even just using the industry standard colouring of the interior would have been good enough. Although that may be the case; photos aren’t the thing itself…

 

[s2obed]

Too many haters in here. This is not geared for those wanting better specs or connecting to an external display. This is geared for folks who just want a simple laptop for browsing or other basic tasks. Hence the reason it has weaker specs and a price tag of $599. I am going to guess most of the folks on MacRumors are not the target audience, but I could be wrong.

 

[dobratzp]

What's the slot next to the headphone jack? Almost looks like an SD card slot, but it's actually nothing.

There will be a number of people that use both ports on these: 1 for charging, 1 for USB mouse.

In that case, it won't matter which port you use.

 

[derek1984]

Apple desperately needs new leadership.

 

[mrmod]

People are comical. "The ports aren't labeled!" "USB 2?!"

you have a 50/50 shot at getting the port you want, and guess what, once you know... you can remember it. Adding etching would be another process, increasing the cost. Looks like a good value at $500 (education discount) for doing everything most people do.

 

[dbc34]

Seems like a no brainer to pick an m4 MacBook air over this, but kind of neat to see where they take this product moving forward. Great for non-technical college students at a great price.

 

[holmesf]

Outside of students getting the $100 discount most people would do better by buying an older MacBook Air instead of this compromised machine.

A refurbished 13" M4 MacBook Air with 512GB of storage is just $150 more than MacBook Neo. It has twice the RAM, longer battery life, a better display, better camera, better speakers, backlit keyboard, two full thunderbolt ports, MagSafe charging, a more powerful CPU, more powerful graphics ...

 

[PPC_505]

USB 2.0 is inexcusable. That is really old technology. No Thunderbolt, ok, but USB 2???

I would argue that the port only "exists" for an adapter and people's legacy peripherals.