MacBook Neo Teardown: Modular Ports, Glue-Less Battery, Zero Tape

[Paul1964]

I don't see how. Parts such as the keyboard, trackpad and screen are swappable. That's all you're saving from the first Neo to upgrade it to the Neo 2 on the cheap (i.e. without selling it and buying the new one).

All they need to do to bork it is move a couple of screw holes, change a connector etc. They don't have to change much.

That way they hope to sell you a complete new laptop instead of you just being able to source a spare part A19 Pro system board.

 

[jarman92]

Clearly you’re not well versed in corporate speak, it’s clearly them saying they could do it if they wanted, but they won’t because devices breaking means more money for them.

Even assuming this is true, I fail to see how it supports your original claim that "Apple has been saying for years that it’s impossible to make these thin devices repairable." You're now changing your allegation to "devices breaking means more money from them," which is a) entirely unmoored from the original claim, and b) also refuted by the article you yourself posted.

Have you got any factual evidence to prove otherwise on the EU? Why have these changes come about in the past few years, other than say a decade ago?

That's not how anything works. You are making the claim so you bear the burden of providing evidence to support it.

 

[name99]

This is a big step forward for Apple. The way forward, I hope (or, I wish).

There's a reason that same Neo is the weight it is and the volume it is.

You're welcome to buy it (many people will). But many people are ALSO willing to pay more for lighter weight and smaller volume...

 

[mlayer]

Wait, I agree with you. The EU should be putting Apple in its place, why is this written like you don’t agree?

Because my first statement was sarcastic. The rest is supportive of the EU. The EU on its own has no manufacturing or R&D operation, so it should make the rules that industry should follow. The US could do the same if they had their druthers, alas.

 

[ifxf]

Tell me again why my M5 iPad Pro can't run MacOS now?

Odds are that macos lacks drivers for certain ipad hardware.

 

[MrGimper]

Tell me again why my M5 iPad Pro can't run MacOS now?

I'm sure it can..... that's not the question you want answered tho, is it.

 

[chars1ub0w]

All they need to do to bork it is move a couple of screw holes, change a connector etc. They don't have to change much.

That way they hope to sell you a complete new laptop instead of you just being able to source a spare part A19 Pro system board.

Changing connectors or moving screw holes in the chassis would cost them money. They're very likely to re-use those for multiple generations of Neo as Apple have kept the same chassis for their Macbook Pros for 5 years now. I think we will see YouTube videos of people upgrading their Neos to Neo 2s.

Neo 3 would be the A20 Pro. Imagine people going from Neo to Neo 3 in one step.

 

[chars1ub0w]

I'm sure it can..... that's not the question you want answered tho, is it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Odds are that macos lacks drivers for certain ipad hardware.

If only Apple made the hardware and the software for Macs & iPads.

 

[SpotOnT]

Love - I repeat - I absolutely love to see screws replacing tape!

Maybe Apple is thinking they will sell these to schools, with guaranteed buybacks programs that require quick refurbishment.

Whatever the reason, love to see it!

 

[andiwm2003]

If apple would offer a good trade in option to trade in an iPad and buy a Neo I would spring for it right away. I love my iPad but iOS is just too limited.

 

[ThailandToo]

iPads have had macOS-capable hardware for years now, but Apple does not want their reputation for usability tarnishing by allowing a non-touch optimised OS to be run on a primarily touch-focussed device.

The rumoured touch-enabled MacBook will be interesting, as it will provide a way of trying touch support with macOS, while still keeping keyboard and touchpad as the primary input devices.

No. It’s all greed focused. They sell a Magic Keyboard with a trackpad so there’s plenty of availability to run MacOS and not needing to touch it.

 

[Mousse]

That might be true, but Apple targeting schools is why I believe Apple chose repairability.

Not schools, IMO, but parents of school age children. I'm thinking of getting my son a Neo since he hates using the school issued Chromebook for school work. He gets frustrated by the constraints and having to do things the school's way instead of how it's more natural for him.

A computer is supposed to make things easier. If it fights you every other step, it's more of a hindrance than a help.

 

[MallardDuck]

I hope the M6 MBP follows this design.

 

[groove-agent]

Repairability adds value for sure.

 

[eRondeau]

Let’s hope this sets the pace for the next round of Air’s & Pro’s.

 

[Yr Blues]

The more it's easily fixable, the more they'll sell.

 

[Kottu]

Buy an expensive laptop and put innards in cheaper one? Hmm, why not?

Take cheaper innards and put back in empty Air, and sell it? Yes?

Take profit from doing this and buy a pound of vegetables for the lady? That could happen

Since you didn’t mention anything about the storage, I assume you are referring to the MacBook Air components. You can find hundreds of MacBook Air units for parts on eBay. For many tech enthusiasts, porting components from one device to another is a challenge they enjoy. People usually don’t do it to sell the device or make money—they do it because they want to and because they can.

 

[The_Gream]

Yeah, nah. That’s not my job, it’s for someone like the EU to argue that it should be a thing. Megacorps don’t give a crap about you no matter how much you think so

It’s not a government’s job ether. Guess what, those governments don’t care about your ether. It’s all lip service, so thy can have nice cushy jobs, with the perks.

If the end user wants features and there are enough of you who speak with your wallets (or information) you would get changes faster than anything the government can do.

 

[ChrisMac47]

There's a reason that same Neo is the weight it is and the volume it is.

You're welcome to buy it (many people will). But many people are ALSO willing to pay more for lighter weight and smaller volume...

My understanding is that the Neo weighs essentially the same as the Air, and both are lighter than the Pro. So Apple don't have a lighter MacBook at present. Are you saying you would like a lighter and smaller MacBook, and are happy to pay more for it? (If yes, I sympathise, I want a smaller and lighter phone, say one the size and weight of the iPod Touch, but Apple seems dead set against small phones!)

 

[Happy_John]

There's a reason that same Neo is the weight it is and the volume it is.

You're welcome to buy it (many people will). But many people are ALSO willing to pay more for lighter weight and smaller volume...

??? The neo is exactly the weight as the air, and is the same volume alverall, slightly shorter and narrower but slightly deeper.

 

[HiVolt]

They went all the way, then stopped at the keyboard. Thats a shame, that you have to replace the top case still.

But its better than expected, I suppose. No glue for the battery is amazing.

 

[NewOldStock]

Apple Parts Store Where? Trash bin?
Throw away world, go look around who repairs computers?
A few do but wishful thinking.
Recycling never took off yet and look at all the videos of trash in the Oceans around the world.
Progress some, but not ever going to be enough.
Humans produce stuff that are not needed to live on just crap with short life spans.
Why make a good product and just make it break down ever so often and we can sell more junk for trash bins.
If things were all made quality and last for years it sure would help to keep the trash levels down.
Plastics is and always will be the enemy of pollution even the inventors of plastic were worried about it way back then because they known it would not break down for years just like Nuclear.
Good on Apple and many companies for trying but until companies take returns on their trash and re-cycle.
This is forever a mess.
How much you want to pay and when?

 

[Happy_John]

Apple Parts Store Where? Trash bin?

Google in your friend. As are many many big name online shopping and auction sites. You already know the names.

Throw away world, go look around who repairs computers?

???? Again, there are a lot. And a lot of home repairs. You know all those businesses that repair phones? They'll do PCs.

And that's not to mention all the "build your own PC" options. They'll do repairs too.

 

[Jamie0003]

It’s not a government’s job ether. Guess what, those governments don’t care about your ether. It’s all lip service, so thy can have nice cushy jobs, with the perks.

If the end user wants features and there are enough of you who speak with your wallets (or information) you would get changes faster than anything the government can do.

Thing is, I don’t really care. What the EU has done so far is forced Apple to open up their platforms, something that benefits us as users. Not that they can’t do bad stuff but so far, it’s been all gravy.