I wanted to get one for work and leave my airs and pros at home. Anyway, I think it's a great machine, but the lack of backlit keyboard does bug me. I knew it would going in but wanted to give it a shot. The screen looks fine, lack of MagSafe is annoying but not a deal breaker. I am trying to figure out if I get used to it not having a backlit keyboard and if I can I will keep it. Honestly overall though I am really impressed. This thing works great and the footprint is fantastic! This thing absolutely flies everything I do on it! Good job Apple making an affordable MacBook for those who maybe couldn't afford one before! I got the indigo. Its beautiful.
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My thoughts on the MacBook Neo coming from a multiple Mac owner:
- Thread starter Jacoblee23
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Meh, while the backlit keyboard is nice as long as you have solid muscle memory of the keys then its not a deal breaker. I'm sitting in the dark currently at 40% display brightness and even with dark mode the brightness is enough to give me an idea of the layout if I happen to lose my place. A white background website is even easier.
Head lamp fixes it. Or get a clip on light that clips to your screen lid.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
It isn't that I am a bad typist, it just looks odd being pitch dark on the keyboard whenever I have had backlit keys for years.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Then the question is, do you really need the security blanket? If not, keep the Neo and continue being happy.
Off topic, but I see you have a 13" M4 Air. I do as well. Do you see yourself using your Neo more often than the air?
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Your post reminded me that I need to remove that from my signature. I recently sold it to a forum member as I wasn't really using That hasn't been the case with the Neo. I much prefer the smaller form factor and color.
The form factor is the closest I have gotten to the 12" MacBook. I loved it so much.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
I had the 12" as well and enjoyed the portability. I think the Neo is the smallest we will see.
Cyberguycpt
macrumors 65816
Jeweller
macrumors 6502
I'm toying with trying a Neo as well (for it's slightly smaller size). Messed around with one yesterday at the Apple Store and it seemed every bit as capable as my current M2 Air, which I'd hand off to my significant to replace her aging Intel Air.
But your post got me thinking about how much the backlit keyboard really matters to me. Turns out not much. I honestly had no idea how good a typer I am until I tried it in the dark without looking. It's a crazy muscle memory skill when you think about it, hand-eye coordinating 26+ buttons in space in the dark. And so yeah I realized I could live without the backlight, and even be blindfolded and someone could say "hit the q" and my left pinky would be there instantly.
Curious, did you not take a typing class in school?
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4sallypat
macrumors 603
Yes, I took typing classes on a manual typewriter in school - muscle memory is amazing - even as I type this at 60wpm on a non backlit Apple wireless full sized keyboard in the dark on my Studio Mac.
I'll never forget how everyone panics when we showed up for typing class in junior high and the teacher had covered all of the letters up with white out. We all did fine on the typing test that day.
I'm not that good at typing anymore but that is mostly due to arthritic hands.
Not having a backlit keyboard is a non issue for me.
I'm not that good at typing anymore but that is mostly due to arthritic hands.
Not having a backlit keyboard is a non issue for me.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
Do you seriously wear a head lamp for hours when you use your Neo? I am honestly asking.
I did and have no issues typing without it. It is just more about familiarity than everything. It looks odd. I am getting used to it though.
beach bum
macrumors demi-goddess
It's strange, on every MacBook that I've owned, the first thing that I turn off is the backlit keyboard even at the lowest setting. Not having that feature on my Neo doesn't bother me but I can see how it would be helpful to others. I just don't like bright lights and even my screen is set to dark mode with lighting around 35-40%.
I picked up my Neo Saturday morning and am really happy with it although I still miss my 2017 MacBook. I have to look at my experience with the MB as a fond memory as I don't think that Apple will bring that form back.
I picked up my Neo Saturday morning and am really happy with it although I still miss my 2017 MacBook. I have to look at my experience with the MB as a fond memory as I don't think that Apple will bring that form back.
I was just wearing my head lamp 30 mins ago. Great accessory because you never know when you may need extra light. Mine also can light up a red light and I can have it solid, or flash or pulsate and sometimes people will think Im a cyborg.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
I mean look I have like 3 of them for when I do projects and need a light pointed where I am working. Just can't imagine wearing one for hours to use a computer LOL.
I find the lack of a backlight in the trackpads more worrying. I can touch type with my eyes shut, with lights off up here in Alaska in winter, but I can never find the trackpad without the lights being switched on. Probably why I'm forced to use a mouse (not a moose).
Backlit is only needed if you do a lot of computing in the dark.
Aldo I wish the AIR and Pros came in other colors like the neo has like the green and the pink.
Aldo I wish the AIR and Pros came in other colors like the neo has like the green and the pink.