Neo - First Day on retail display

[Bazza1]

I wandered past both an Apple Store and a Best Buy at lunchtime today, expecting to see droves of people clamouring to get a chance to play with all the new products - and most especially, the much-anticipated and hyped (albeit with provisos as to who 'its meant for', even from Apple) Neo.

Some activity, but hardly above usual - and hardly anybody around the Neo at Apple - none at Best Buy. I understand from some Tech Media there was a rush of sales last week - even before the hardware came available to play with. Apple fan base blowing their wad before reality hit?

I mean, the Neo seems like a competent little machine (especially as Apple has priced the Air out of the de facto inexpensive student / road warrior / cafe habitues position it once held), but maybe Apple has underplayed its usefulness too far. And maybe they should have held off releasing it - for 'the students' their own publicity say it's meant to attract - until July or August? Mid-school year? Not so much.

Oh sure, there may be those who own a much older Intel Air now seeking something of an upgrade - with a not-unreasonable desire to do it affordably, when their old devices still work - but again, Apple may have overplayed how limited the product is, putting them off?

 

[joshwithachance]

It’s the middle of the day on a Wednesday…

 

[maflynn]

I wandered past both an Apple Store and a Best Buy at lunchtime today, expecting to see droves of people clamouring to get a chance to play

The days of people lining up the night before to get a new release are behind us.

Also consider the fact that while many people here are eagerly waiting for their Neos to be delivered and/or heading to the apple store, the world at large isn't stopping regarding the news of a new low cost laptop. This isn't to say its a bad laptop, just that what makes us enthusiasts excited does not generate the same level of excitement for most consumers.

 

[thadoggfather]

It’s the middle of the day on a Wednesday…

Where are all the influencers?!?!?

Let me in!!!!!

 

[KPOM]

If the Chicago area is any indication, the “flagship” stores have all the models in stock for in-store pickup, but at the suburban stores some of the color and SSD combinations are not available until next week or even later, which bodes well for initial sales. I don’t think Apple was expecting “lines” of people. Estimates are that they will sell 5 million of these (compared to total Mac sales last year of around 20 million and iPhone sales of >200 million).

 

[m1maverick]

Some activity, but hardly above usual - and hardly anybody around the Neo at Apple - none at Best Buy. I understand from some Tech Media there was a rush of sales last week - even before the hardware came available to play with. Apple fan base blowing their wad before reality hit?

I take this as a sign the Neo will be a huge success. The vast majority of people who will buy one probably don't even know they exist. But when they go to buy a Mac they learn it is a solid, low cost Mac...and buy it.

 

[Bazza1]

It’s the middle of the day on a Wednesday…

These particular stores are in a very busy mall next to both business district and retail heart of the city, and close to 2 universities - the Best Buy actually sharing a building with one of them. People have lined up for far fewer products from Apple on any given weekday. And again, this was at lunchtime, when the mall is routinely as busy as it can be during a weekday.

Enthusiasts aside, the 'average consumer' might at least be interested enough to come into the store to look at an Apple product they might be able to justify paying for. They weren't.

 

[Starfia]

I mean, the Neo seems like a competent little machine (especially as Apple has priced the Air out of the de facto inexpensive student / road warrior / cafe habitues position it once held)…

… Wasn't the Air introduced at $1700? (And no Air model has ever been introduced beneath $900?)

 

[Jpoon]

There was a little activity at my local Apple Retail Store when I picked up this morning. The pickup line didn't have anyone in it when I initially queued though, they were moving it along nearly fast as people came in it seemed. There were a few people queued after I was done however. Everyone was there for the Neo as far as I could tell, the guy in front of me, and the guys after me (I lingered a bit to look at accessories). The pickup process is easy at Apple Retail, all I had to show was my pickup code from Apple Wallet.

 

[KPOM]

These particular stores are in a very busy mall next to both business district and retail heart of the city, and close to 2 universities - the Best Buy actually sharing a building with one of them. People have lined up for far fewer products from Apple on any given weekday. And again, this was at lunchtime, when the mall is routinely as busy as it can be during a weekday.

Enthusiasts aside, the 'average consumer' might at least be interested enough to come into the store to look at an Apple product they might be able to justify paying for. They weren't.

Did you notice an unusual number of Apple employees? Probably not. Michigan Avenue had a normal looking staff count when I stopped by to take a look at the Neo. They also have every color and both configurations in stock. But the suburban Chicago stores won’t have the 512GB Citrus model in stock until March 24, for example. Maybe Apple will move some stock around over the weekend but that does suggest that pre-sales were pretty good around here.

 

[JPack]

Give it until Friday and the weekend. Apple rarely launches products on a weekday.

As affordable as $499/$599 might be, it's not free and people aren't going to skip work or school just to check it out.

People buying Neo will be new to Mac. Only enthusiasts would line up on day one to touch it. This thing isn't for enthusiasts and if you own MacBook Air or Pro, this isn't for you. The price and positioning of Neo is for practical consumers, those who can wait and see.

 

[Bazza1]

… Wasn't the Air introduced at $1700? (And no Air model has ever been introduced beneath $900?)

My first Air (11") I got new at $CDN999 - my second in 2017 (13") for $CDN1100.
Base Neo in Canada - $CDN799. Base new Air (M5) runs at $CDN1499.

 

[adrianlondon]

Fr.479 (Switzerland) with education discount.

I'm not in the market for one (I have the 14" M4 Pro from 2024 and an iPhone) as I don't take my laptop with me when In travel, but it's a great price for something I'd prefer to travel with than an iPad (I like keyboards and - shock - MacOS).

However ... the M1 Air is about the same price, refurbished. It'd be a tricky decision!

 

[Bazza1]

Did you notice an unusual number of Apple employees? Probably not...

Actually, the Apple Store (Toronto Eaton Centre) did seem to have fuller complement than usual - covering all the tables with new products. Just not of punters lingering at the Neo tables.

 

[Starfia]

My first Air (11") I got new at $CDN999 - my second in 2017 (13") for $CDN1100.
Base Neo in Canada - $CDN799. Base new Air (M5) runs at $CDN1499.

Mm, okay – thank you. (My original home from which I haven't been directly observing prices since before the first iMac.) ^ ^

Numerically only a 200-dollar (Canadian) gap between the cheapest Air and the entry-level Neo versus the 300-dollar (American) gap. But your first Air would have happened during a stronger Canadian dollar, and I suppose the current prices reflect the shift to current rates.

 

[PezRadar]

I wandered past both an Apple Store and a Best Buy at lunchtime today, expecting to see droves of people clamouring to get a chance to play with all the new products - and most especially, the much-anticipated and hyped (albeit with provisos as to who 'its meant for', even from Apple) Neo.

Some activity, but hardly above usual - and hardly anybody around the Neo at Apple - none at Best Buy. I understand from some Tech Media there was a rush of sales last week - even before the hardware came available to play with. Apple fan base blowing their wad before reality hit?

I mean, the Neo seems like a competent little machine (especially as Apple has priced the Air out of the de facto inexpensive student / road warrior / cafe habitues position it once held), but maybe Apple has underplayed its usefulness too far. And maybe they should have held off releasing it - for 'the students' their own publicity say it's meant to attract - until July or August? Mid-school year? Not so much.

Oh sure, there may be those who own a much older Intel Air now seeking something of an upgrade - with a not-unreasonable desire to do it affordably, when their old devices still work - but again, Apple may have overplayed how limited the product is, putting them off?

I have a job. I’m not gonna go to a Best Buy in the middle of the day on a Wednesday when I can look at it that evening or even better, during a weekend.

What a weird take.

 

[4sallypat]

I got pix of the demo units in the Apple Store.

I was debating between Indigo and Citrus.

Decided on Indigo for me and Citrus for my wife.

My actual Indigo under my office lights looks different:

 

[Bazza1]

I have a job. I’m not gonna go to a Best Buy in the middle of the day on a Wednesday when I can look at it that evening or even better, during a weekend.

What a weird take.

Maybe the several thousand people in the mall at the time don't have the job - or schedule - you have.

Many of the releases of major Apple products (the original Air - or iPhone - for example) occurred on a weekday, and resulted in long lineups pre-Opening and throughout the day. I guess they were all unemployed.

Maybe its just that the Apple PR machine wasn't keen on advertising a discount MacBook when they'd rather people bought something more profit-making. Or maybe (given the info that did come out) potential users felt underwhelmed by it - regardless of price. Pity.

 

[hoodlum90]

Store traffic may vary depending on region. I found this on a Japanese blog that mentioned their instore experience with the Neo.

「MacBook Neo」の実機を見てきました

昨日発売開始した「MacBook Neo」実機を触ってみた感想です。

kblognext.com

I was personally very interested in the MacBook Neo, which is Apple's flagship product for 2026 , so I went to Yodobashi Yokohama to try out the actual device.

There were so many people I couldn't take pictures.

My impression after actually using it is that it's great. It feels like using an older MacBook, and the specs, dimensions, and weight are just right. The track is also pressure-sensitive, which I personally prefer, so I'm happy about that.

The Apple sales floor was also filled with customers looking for the "MacBook Neo". The "Citrus (Yellow)" seemed particularly popular, but the only color that was out of stock was the "Citrus," and I witnessed many customers leaving after hearing that the "Citrus" was out of stock. Personally, I wanted the "Indigo."

The MacBook Neo is likely to be very popular. I don't think there's any other notebook PC in the 90,000 yen range that's as well-made as this one. It also has very strong compatibility with the iPhone, so I think it's a product that will suit many people, not just students.

 

[PezRadar]

Maybe the several thousand people in the mall at the time don't have the job - or schedule - you have.

Many of the releases of major Apple products (the original Air - or iPhone - for example) occurred on a weekday, and resulted in long lineups pre-Opening and throughout the day. I guess they were all unemployed.

Maybe its just that the Apple PR machine wasn't keen on advertising a discount MacBook when they'd rather people bought something more profit-making. Or maybe (given the info that did come out) potential users felt underwhelmed by it - regardless of price. Pity.

Why do you think the target demographic for this product is the person who is day one hounding a retail display to buy a tech product. It’s clearly for students and casual users first. I’m doubting any of them are lurking malls on a Weds to check out a retail display of a tech product on day one.

And their advertising has been squarely aimed at such. Look at TikTok etc.

 

[limesmoothie]

Apple will want to shift a bunch of these now to early adopters, then ramp up inventory levels for education purchases in August/September. If they do the usual education deal, where you can get a set of headphones or a gift card, they'll shift loads of them.

Then build up stock again ready for Christmas purchases, knowing that a load of people will be in stores September/October to collect new iPhones, and will be playing around with the Neos whilst they wait.

 

[Bazza1]

Maybe I'll wait for my local library to pick it up, and then use Libby app to read it?
Or not.

Sorry - wrong thread. This in reference to Pogue's 50th Anniversary book. Absurdly priced. Somehow apropos...