New Study Highlights Advantages of $549 Windows Laptop Over MacBook Neo

[iPay]

So they commissioned a study for someone to read the spec sheet on a mid range Lenovo?

Someone or something! AI bots are very good at splashing bullet lists, as often shown here.

 

[bunce66]

People leave Windows primarily becasue the software is terrible.

 

[cjsuk]

But it runs Windows. Which Microsoft broke beyond repair.

Edit: I actually prefer Windows. But not in its current state.

 

[krakenrelease]

I've had multiple Apple laptops last me 10 years. How many Windows laptops have remained useable that long after purchase? I'll wait.

 

[minik]

Of course the selected Windows devices won over a MacBook Neo, they also came with stickers as well. As a MacBook Neo user, I am completely happy with a 'loser' device and without the subscription junk.

 

[Wahlstrm]

This part is kinda sad (for PC users)..

"Moreover, many reviewers indicated that the MacBook Neo has a superior trackpad".

..and the NEO probably still has the most basic trackpad Apple has put in a laptop for over a decade.

Why are PC makers still so incredibly bad at this?

 

[Slix]

As usual, a bigger screen with worse resolution and brightness than the smaller MacBook screen. 🙄

 

[HouseLannister]

At last, something to disagree with. Windows ARM could be the best thing that ever happens to Windows. But, only if Microsoft stays with the program for a long time, and, makes it as cheap and easy as possible for third-party software vendors to produce solid ARM versions.

There's potential there, but MS has a bad track record with keeping these side projects going long-term. Windows on ARM was going to be all about epic battery life. But now Dell put out a laptop this year with a 43 hr battery that runs an Intel processor (XPS 14, Ultra 7 355). Now granted, most of the gains were from new screen tech, so hopefully some ARM laptop snaps up this tech (pun intended) and goes even further. Because without the battery life advantage, there just isn't enough in the Snapdragon camp to get hardware vendors, developers, or users to switch.

https://www.techradar.com/computing/laptops/god-tier-battery-life-dell-xps-14-lasts-43-hours-in-longevity-test-that-shows-the-laptop-leaves-apples-macbook-air-m5-in-the-dust

 

[bollman]

What they miss is that the almost only reason people buy cheap sh*t (laptop) PCs has historically been that they couldn't afford a Mac. Given a choice that included no monetary difference, I bet you a solid majority would choose the Mac, even if they've never used one. Apple is amazing at designing tech that just makes people want it.

I see Neos at the uni already and I was in a meeting today where there was complaining that technology students now buy macs instead of PCs. Although funny, I understand their concern. There is a ton of technical software that just don't run on macOS.

I think we all hope for the inevitable switch where these software manufacturers realize that they have to switch focus to macs since that is where their customers are.

 

[kagharaht]

The Neo uses rejected or bin chips right? If true then Advantage Apple?

 

[Agent007]

You can also run Linux on the PC. For some reason Apple refuses to allow that. Reason being it would cut into their quarterly reported user numbers.

 

[platinumaqua]

But, only if Microsoft stays with the program for a long time, and, makes it as cheap and easy as possible for third-party software vendors to produce solid ARM versions.

That's the thing. I don't see Microsoft having long term commitment to ARM, and third parties seems lukewarm to considering/making things for ARM Windows.

 

[tonythejetsfan]

Behind the curtains, doing this suggests that MS considers the entry of a cheap entry Mac laptop to be of some kind of significance. Seems to me you could make the same comparison at every product level between apple and MS. I suspect most people who chose Macs do it for familiarity, perceived greater ease of use, perceived better security and privacy, and smooth integration between other apple products and services. I'm guessing some ad agency talked them into thinking a rehash of the spec wars they've tried in the past would work better this time around.

 

[AppleWes]

What they miss is that the almost only reason people buy cheap sh*t (laptop) PCs has historically been that they couldn't afford a Mac. Given a choice that included no monetary difference, I bet you a solid majority would choose the Mac, even if they've never used one. Apple is amazing at designing tech that just makes people want it.

Exactly. It's beautiful to just open my Neo and get to work / casual use right away, no endless bloatware or other Windows AI b.s. plus updates and background tasks that Microsoft seems to think help. Not to mention build quality alone.

 

[melodibit]

All my life Wintel has sold itself against Apple by comparing specs. Totally misses the point.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

People leave Windows primarily becasue the software is terrible.

But, there is so much of it?!?!

How many Windows laptops have remained useable that long after purchase?

I had a pile before I put them in the e-waste bin ...

I am completely happy with a 'loser' device and without the subscription junk.

Uh, you need to talk to Apple about this ...

Why are PC makers still so incredibly bad at this?

(trackpads) -- I keep asking myself that.

As usual, a bigger screen with worse resolution and brightness than the smaller MacBook screen.

I know, right?

===

"Not a fan of" Lenovo and Windows, but, one must admit that the price on the IdeaPad Slim 3x is attractive to someone who might want to play with Windows ARM. Flag football style; I don't want anyone to get hurt.

 

[HouseLannister]

All my life Wintel has sold itself against Apple by comparing specs. Totally misses the point.

But it's marketing that works. People understand bigger number is better.
Apple actually had to counter-market against specs back when their specs were worse on paper.

 

[daanodinot]

I guess I just care more about the OS I work with. And few will argue that Windows is better MacOS.

The phrase "hardware differentiated by software" has never really lost its power - although it's great that Apple's is able to differentiate their products in other ways, like with the SoCs. And the Neo is a bargain whichever way you look at it.

 

[BSDnostalgia]

I was in a meeting today where there was complaining that technology students now buy macs instead of PCs. Although funny, I understand their concern. There is a ton of technical software that just don't run on macOS.

Sorry, I'm out of the loop on this. Can you be specific; you know, toughest to sub for top five packages?

 

[dingle19]

I love my Neo for what it is. Dumb laptop for really basic usage, but with continuity from my other apple devices, it makes it really useful for cafe loitering and home web browsing.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I see Neos at the uni already and I was in a meeting today where there was complaining that technology students now buy macs instead of PCs.

There's a whole wide world that doesn't ever go to university.

 

[weezor]

Significantly better overall value. When factoring in the
promotional savings on the devices together with the limited
time $500+ Windows offer3 for US college students alongside
hardware specification advantages, every system in this
comparison delivers more total value than the MacBook Neo,
with options spanning entry-level pricing through premium
configurations that compare favorably to the MacBook Air.

What a joke. They talk about "better value" because of some Windows software bundle for students, that most people don’t even need, since students usually already get Office through their school anyway. But they completely ignore that Apple is also offering the Neo at a lower student price.

 

[HouseLannister]

And few will argue that Windows is better MacOS.

Depends on the use case. I think every gamer would take a Windows box over a Mac any day.

 

[MacsRgr8]

What's the usage of Windows besides getting a GeForce 5090 in there and game on it?

 

[Rogifan]

How did Windows factor into this study? It seems to be all about hardware.