The MacBook Neo’s biggest problem is the MacBook Air

[gustar]

The biggest competitor to the MacBook Neo might actually be Apple’s previous-generation MacBook Air.

Because of Apple’s current update cycle, Macs now refresh almost every year. But since Apple keeps prices roughly the same, each generation is mostly an incremental upgrade.

That creates an interesting dynamic: Apple enthusiasts upgrade frequently, which means last year’s Macs often get discounted ~10-20% at third-party retailers.

Example from Europe today:

• MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM) — €899 on Amazon
• MacBook Neo with Touch ID — €799

That’s only a €100 difference. For that €100 you get:

• a much faster processor
• double the RAM
• the Force Touch trackpad
• a proper backlit keyboard

I briefly tried the Neo today and the overall experience just feels more “budget Mac” compared to the Air.

Which makes me think: Apple probably needed one more killer feature to justify the Neo. Something like bringing back the 12-inch MacBook idea could have made it truly different.

As it stands, the Neo isn’t just competing with Windows laptops. It’s competing with discounted MacBook Airs, and that might be its toughest battle.

Curious what others think — would you buy the Neo when the previous generation of Air is ~€100 more?

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

The Neo offers less, for less. Some are budget-constrained and the Neo may be the upper limit of their budget. The M4 MacBook Airs currently being sold at a discount will eventually be sold out. Windows users likely don't know of the relative value of a year old M4 MBA - coming from Windows, last year's Windows laptop is old news.
In a couple of months there will be used and refurbished Neos available too.

Either way, the value proposition will change depending on your country.

 

[adrianlondon]

I can type my password quick enough, and occasionally my TouchID fails if my fingers are too dry or too wet, so I personally wouldn't miss it.

So the difference becomes €200 (with the Air bought via a third party, so no customisable keyboard language if that matters) and you can add "Touch ID and backlit keyboard" to the differences.

As the keys are white, I don't think the lack of backlighting is an issue.

€200 for a faster processor and double the RAM, versus something totally new and from an Apple Store is the comparison, really. It's a tough one!

But then one might as well get a refurbished Air which makes the comparison even more tricky, as you can get an M1 or even an M2 Air for the same price as the non-touchID Neo.

 

[Digitalguy]

The biggest competitor to the MacBook Neo might actually be Apple’s previous-generation MacBook Air.

Because of Apple’s current update cycle, Macs now refresh almost every year. But since Apple keeps prices roughly the same, each generation is mostly an incremental upgrade.

That creates an interesting dynamic: Apple enthusiasts upgrade frequently, which means last year’s Macs often get discounted ~10-20% at third-party retailers.

Example from Europe today:

• MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM) — €899 on Amazon
• MacBook Neo with Touch ID — €799

That’s only a €100 difference. For that €100 you get:

• a much faster processor
• double the RAM
• the Force Touch trackpad
• a proper backlit keyboard

I briefly tried the Neo today and the overall experience just feels more “budget Mac” compared to the Air.

Which makes me think: Apple probably needed one more killer feature to justify the Neo. Something like bringing back the 12-inch MacBook idea could have made it truly different.

As it stands, the Neo isn’t just competing with Windows laptops. It’s competing with discounted MacBook Airs, and that might be its toughest battle.

Curious what others think — would you buy the Neo when the previous generation of Air is ~€100 more?

Yes, but... if you are a student/teacher the difference is €200, you get double the storage with the Neo, which personally I care a lot about.
Much faster matters if you use that speed (I have a M3 air and don't use it's speed nor I care about force touch as I tap to click). Backlighiting and RAM are the only downsides for me (but I use backlighting a couple of times a year, so no big deal.
For me it would mainly be a tradeoff between storage and RAM, and money...

 

[Corefile]

The Neo is targeting budget PC laptops and really isn't for your typical Mac user.

 

[4sallypat]

I love mine!

Super snappy and alongside my M2 MBA is copied over - it's a bit faster and more compact with smaller footprint than a 13" MBP.

Neo on top, 13" MBP under and 15" MBA bottom.

 

[turbineseaplane]

If you don't need or want new, obviously a refub or preowned M1-M4 MBA is a better buy and overall machine.

But, I have to say that for a "computer for college", the Neo is a superb choice.

I was really impressed with it today at the Apple Store for a 20 min session.

The biggest miss to me is not just making one model .. with MagSafe & TouchID.

 

[hans1972]

Example from Europe today:

• MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM) — €899 on Amazon
• MacBook Neo with Touch ID — €799

Apple will be devastated if you pay €899 instead of €799. Devastated.

Here Apple was trying to fool users into buying the Neo, but people like you saw right through it and gave Apple even more money, to thwart their diabolical plan.

 

[adrianlondon]

Apple will be devastated if you pay €899 instead of €799. Devastated.

Here Apple was trying to fool users into buying the Neo, but people like you saw right through it and gave Apple even more money, to thwart their diabolical plan.

Wait til they see through Apple's second diabolical plan and decides the Air is for losers and one must buy the Pro for only a few hundred more.

 

[KPOM]

The biggest competitor to the MacBook Neo might actually be Apple’s previous-generation MacBook Air.

Because of Apple’s current update cycle, Macs now refresh almost every year. But since Apple keeps prices roughly the same, each generation is mostly an incremental upgrade.

That creates an interesting dynamic: Apple enthusiasts upgrade frequently, which means last year’s Macs often get discounted ~10-20% at third-party retailers.

Example from Europe today:

• MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM) — €899 on Amazon
• MacBook Neo with Touch ID — €799

That’s only a €100 difference. For that €100 you get:

• a much faster processor
• double the RAM
• the Force Touch trackpad
• a proper backlit keyboard

For starters, we will see discounts on the Neo. We know Apple sells them starting at $499 in the education market (lower for volume purchases), and thus authorized resellers have room to discount. Also, there is a finite supply of older Macs. Apple isn't making the M4 Air widely available anymore (education buyers can still purchase them), and the refurbished market is dependent on consumer trade-in activity.

 

[JPack]

This is a short term problem that affects every Apple product line upon launch.

Neo will sell at regular "sale" price for $499, just like you could find MacBook Air M4 for $899 almost every day of the week. Actual discounts will bring Neo to $449 or even $399.

Neo also allows Apple to stop pulling the sales lever so hard on MacBook Air.

 

[jclardy]

I don't think so. Even though it is only slightly smaller, it is super noticeable. It is just a physically smaller footprint machine. As a former 12" MacBook and 11" Air user - I love it.

Buying the old M4 Air is obviously a better value, but for students, $500 is killer. I'm here loving this machine so far, it is definitely noticeably slower than my M4 Pro at just about everything, even just opening finder, but still, the size is the killer feature. I can remote in to my M4 via Tailscale if I need more power for something.

I feel everyone that despises the Neo are the same group that flip out when people say they like the iPhone mini.

 

[torana355]

Depends where you are, in Australia the cheapest you can find a M4 either on sale or refurbished is $1400 and thats for the 256gb version, the Neo is selling brand new for 900 and 1100 respectively.

 

[Madonepro]

As it stands, the Neo isn’t just competing with Windows laptops. It’s competing with discounted MacBook Airs

It’s competing with Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops, not MBA’s.

Entry point computers, where there is a huge market share to be captured.
Once bought, along with their iPhones, customers then see the lure of the ecosystem.