Neo wins PCMag Editor’s Choice

[ikramerica]

Just read an in depth real world use review at PCMag of the Neo including comparison to various competing products and it was very compelling.

I've Fully Tested Apple's MacBook Neo. It's About to Change Budget Laptops Forever

Apple's MacBook Neo all but resets expectations for what a budget laptop should be, with a higher-quality build, a sharper screen, longer battery life, and quicker performance than most laptops near its price.

www.pcmag.com

What really stood out is the quality of the superior display in this price class, the quality of the trackpad despite it being mechanical, and the overall build quality and stiffness compared to the plastic computers in this class.

Graphics performance itself was also a plus.

They gave it a 4.5 and Editor’s Choice pick, and feel this changes the game in the category. If anything, it may force better products in the category.

 

[JPack]

Will be extremely tough for PC notebook makers to match this. The Neo is the fruits of labor from Apple selling so many iPhones. Without iPhone, the A18 Pro chip would not be possible at the estimated $50 per unit.

To build a $499 notebook to match Apple's edu price, PC system integrators would have to spend at least $150 on something like Intel Ultra 5 225U. Add another $100 for DRAM and $50 NAND. That leaves $200 for display, chassis, motherboard, camera, speakers, mic, wireless, battery, assembly, retailer profits, warranty, and OEM profits. Pretty much impossible. That's why everything in the $500 range is plastic or at best stamped aluminum.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Will be extremely tough for PC notebook makers to match this. The Neo is the fruits of labor from Apple selling so many iPhones. Without iPhone, the A18 Pro chip would not be possible at the estimated $50 per unit.

To build a $499 notebook to match Apple's edu price, PC system integrators would have to spend at least $150 on something like Intel Ultra 5 225U. Add another $100 for DRAM and $50 NAND. That leaves $200 for display, chassis, motherboard, camera, speakers, mic, wireless, battery, assembly, retailer profits, warranty, and OEM profits. Pretty much impossible. That's why everything in the $500 range is plastic or at best stamped aluminum.

It will be interesting to see if Apple's market share in the PC market goes up over the next year and can be traced to the Neo.

 

[Basic75]

It will be interesting to see if Apple's market share in the PC market goes up over the next year and can be traced to the Neo.

How will we know how much Apple's market share is going up because of the Neo, how much because PCs are getting more expensive while Macs so far haven't, and how much because Microslop is happening?

 

[KPOM]

Apart from the lack of a backlit keyboard, the Neo feels like a premium laptop. Specs aside, the average user wouldn't notice much difference between this and a MacBook Air. The bezels are a bit thicker but not a dealbreaker considering this is $600 vs. $1100.

 

[Macbookey]

It will be interesting to see if Apple's market share in the PC market goes up over the next year and can be traced to the Neo.

I really hope it does. That way it moves up on the list of priorities, especially software @ . Tremendous product to bring more to the Mac. Love to see this, as well as macOS finally available for those on limited budgets without having to buy used.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I really hope it does. That way it moves up on the list of priorities, especially software @ . Tremendous product to bring more to the Mac. Love to see this, as well as macOS finally available for those on limited budgets without having to buy used.

I think this could be a big win for Apple especially in today's market. And if this comes to fruition, we might see other products of a similar nature. Even though I don't really consider myself the target for the Neo, I welcome the chance to become the target with other products as well. I am all for saving a few extra dollars if it doesn't impede my joy from use.

 

[Apple_Robert]

How will we know how much Apple's market share is going up because of the Neo, how much because PCs are getting more expensive while Macs so far haven't, and how much because Microslop is happening?

Those are good questions. I like to think Apple will be able to track the numbers thus allowing us to see the correlation. If not, we may never know. I too would like to see Apple' take a huge bite from the competition.

 

[4sallypat]

Love the review!

Yes, the Neo will make a big splash in education.

Yesterday afternoon, I was invited to Apple Sales engineers showing off the Neo for education via WebEx.

Interesting to see lots of other school districts had no idea the Neo was out and they has questions about how they would integrate into their MDM, deploy apps, and restrictions.

The most amazing question was: "$499 is that for the licensing fees?" 😅