Things that need fixing on the MacBook Neo

[Detnator]

Well, I hate to break it to ya but I’ll be setting up the Neo with dual displays and getting the use out of it that’s needed with the Display Link USB hub that you quoted me with.

Can’t wait to see it used this way with the first iteration of the Neo! Lol

You “hate to break it to” me that you’ve found a way to get what you want/need.

You say that like I was rooting for that to fail.

No. Good for you. Really.

It doesn’t change any of my points, about the Neo, what it is, what it’s supposed to be, and the fact that your case is edge. It’s great that that option exists to accommodate you.

Quite often edge cases that Apple doesn’t want to deal with are made possible by third parties, and the fact that Apple doesn’t proactively block those possibilities shows their reasons for not catering to those cases themselves, is benign not malicious.

I’d like to take credit for sending you to that but it wasn’t me. Someone else deserves that accolade.

In any case I really hope that works out for you.

 

[Detnator]

Ditto. I think folks like to justify why they did or didn't.

Don't have to. I didn't need a reason to buy one, but I did get one because I wanted it. Same thing for those that don't want. No need to justify a reason. Now, if someone does want to justify it, I'll discuss it because I think no backlit keyboard is a silly thing to bar someone from getting a computer.

Also, if one is going to spend hours in front of a keyboard, may want to commit the layout to some muscle memory. It's a HUGE increase in productivity. When I finished typing-I in HS, my proficiency was 35 words per min. In my peak, last time I tested, I was 135 WPM. Granted, I'm an old dude who spent a life behind a keyboard, but if I can do it anyone can do it.

Alternatively, you can record in Notes on iPhone and then auto-transcribe when done.

Well… wow. I’m at about 70 on a good day and that always feels pretty fast. 135, almost double… I can’t even quite imagine what that might feel like.

Impressive.

 

[torana355]

Its a budget laptop that smokes everything else in its price bracket, if you want better specs get an Air. Simple. Actully as a matter of fact if you are looking at specs the Neo is the wrong machine for you.

 

[Mainsail]

I thinK the MBN is going to be wildly popular. It will sell well in the education market. It will sell well in the home computing market. And, it will sell well as a secondary productivity computer.

What do I mean by secondary? As an example, if you do most of your heavy lifting on a desktop, and you just need something for occasional productivity while on the go, then the MBN is a great option.

On the other hand, if your laptop is your primary computer, and you frequently use it for productivity on the go, then I would recommend the MBA. This has nothing to do with the tech specs under the hood. It has everything to do with hardware features that make productivity easier and make the computer more enjoyable to use; backlit keyboard, better camera for business calls, better trackpad, better screen quality, standard Touch ID, MagSafe, longer battery life. You will probably get a couple of extra years useful life from the MBA, so spread over 6-7 years the additional cost is probably worth the improved productivity and ease of use. For many everyday business professionals, the laptop is their workhorse computer. They spend hours upon hours using it to earn a living, so getting the best tool for the job makes sense.

On the other other hand 😀 , if your employer provides a work computer, I would just get a MBN for casual home use and call it a day.

 

[Royksöpp]

The biggest drawback is ram. Other than that, it's solid. It's a shame because, that is literally one of the most important things.

 

[Queen6]

The biggest drawback is ram. Other than that, it's solid. It's a shame because, that is literally one of the most important things.

Then buy an Air, is simple as that... It really isn't any more complex.

Q-6

 

[Zazoh]

The biggest drawback is ram. Other than that, it's solid. It's a shame because, that is literally one of the most important things.

And yet, I’ve used daily since launch and never had an issue.

 

[DotCom2]

The biggest drawback is ram. Other than that, it's solid. It's a shame because, that is literally one of the most important things.

It's obvious you do not own one and are not the target audience this little awesome device is made for.

 

[Queen6]

And yet, I’ve used daily since launch and never had an issue.

Same as my base 8GB M1 13" MBP, never had issue despite what all the experts say here on MR. Who basically know next to nothing about computing...

Q-6

 

[bapegg]

The biggest drawback is ram. Other than that, it's solid. It's a shame because, that is literally one of the most important things.

There are plenty of people on this forum that have a Neo and the 8 GB of RAM is not a problem for us. The Neo is very popular with the general public to the point that Apple is already having a hard time keeping up with demand.

You should really look at the Air or Pro if you need more RAM.

 

[Detnator]

The biggest drawback is ram. Other than that, it's solid. It's a shame because, that is literally one of the most important things.

Ok. So… what exactly are you doing that needs more than 8GB RAM?

 

[Queen6]

Ok. So… what exactly are you doing that needs more than 8GB RAM?

Waiting with bated breath LOL, have always bought the base models, used them on engineering projects thrashed them into the ground. Never failed me so always came back, awesome value for money 😎

Shot a report the oil company on my 2015 Intel base model, instantly paying for itself multiple times over. My M1 Base MBP is way more capable, yet some here seem to think you need 16GB RAM just to surf the web. Tip, they have no clue whatsoever...

Q-6

 

[Detnator]

Waiting with bated breath LOL, have always bought the base models, used them on engineering projects thrashed them into the ground. Never failed me so always came back, awesome value for money 😎

Shot a report the oil company on my 2015 Intel base model, instantly paying for itself multiple times over. My M1 Base MBP is way more capable, yet some here seem to think you need 16GB RAM just to surf the web. Tip, they have no clue whatsoever...

Q-6

Thanks for sharing. And yeah, Macs are consistently cheaper over their lifetime (therefore great value) for a bunch of reasons, including yours there.

It seems a bunch of people replied to his (Royksöpp’s) RAM comment not just me, and I see no replies from him to anyone. So best not hold your breath I think 😉

 

[snipr125]

Come on guys there is no need to be nasty. Royksopp said he is bothered by the limiting 8 GB RAM, that's all that matters in terms of having doubts about buying a Neo. He does not need to to explain to anyone why he wants/needs more RAM, and what tasks he does etc.

 

[Detnator]

Come on guys there is no need to be nasty. Royksopp said he is bothered by the limiting 8 GB RAM, that's all that matters in terms of having doubts about buying a Neo. He does not need to to explain to anyone why he wants/needs more RAM, and what tasks he does etc.

Well, ok, so why bother saying it in the first place then? It’s a discussion forum not a statement forum.

 

[snipr125]

Well, ok, so why bother saying it in the first place then? It’s a discussion forum not a statement forum.

You’re asking them what tasks they do that warrants needing more than 8GB ram just so you can ridicule them? All they said was the Neo is solid but only has 8GB ram.

 

[I7guy]

You’re asking them what tasks they do that warrants needing 8GB ram just so you can ridicule them? All they said was the Neo is solid but only has 8GB ram.

It should be no surprise to anyone the neo has an upper usability limit. The neo was designed to be an m5 replacement.

 

[4sallypat]

You’re asking them what tasks they do that warrants needing 8GB ram just so you can ridicule them? All they said was the Neo is solid but only has 8GB ram.

Not to ridicule, but my wife's 16" MBP with 32GB of RAM is awfully slow, fans spin up, heats up, battery life sucks with spinning beach balls all day surfing the web.

Maybe @Royksöpp has a similar situation because they have an Intel based Mac ?

My wife sitting next to me with my Neo said, why is it that her 32GB MBP that costed $2500 back in 2019 is such a slug and my 8GB Neo that costed $500 now is such a screaming fast machine.

I replied Intel vs Apple Silicon.

She now wants the Neo and is willing to give up the large screen size, especially because of the price point and screaming fast performance.

Her EDU Neo in Blush:

 

[Queen6]

Well, ok, so why bother saying it in the first place then? It’s a discussion forum not a statement forum.

All boils down to some wanting MacBook Air specs yet unwilling to pay the asking price. Neo's current pricing reflects the spec. Even this threads name sums matter's up as there isn't much that needs fixing if at all other than people's expectations of $599 entry level MacBook.

The Neo will update in time, equally at Apple's cadence. Given the rate the Neo is selling at, and Apple can continue to source A18 at reasonable pricing could be a while...

Q-6

 

[mpetrides]

Not to ridicule, but my wife's 16" MBP with 32GB of RAM is awfully slow, fans spin up, heats up, battery life sucks with spinning beach balls all day surfing the web.

Maybe @Royksöpp has a similar situation because they have an Intel based Mac ?

My wife sitting next to me with my Neo said, why is it that her 32GB MBP that costed $2500 back in 2019 is such a slug and my 8GB Neo that costed $500 now is such a screaming fast machine.

I replied Intel vs Apple Silicon.

She now wants the Neo and is willing to give up the large screen size, especially because of the price point and screaming fast performance.

Her EDU Neo in Blush:
View attachment 2621819

Yeah, well that's the Intel model 16" MBP that was the bane of everyone's existence, especially when the M1 MBP came out and fixed the issues you mention (slow, frequent beach balls, runs hot and throttles as a consequence, crappy battery life). I submit the comparison is largely unfair because it doesn't have Apple Silicon and is, therefore like comparing a Mack truck to a Ferrari. I traded my 16" Intel MBP in on a 16" M1 model the minute they came out. Light years' difference. Not that I am denigrating the Neo, mind you--just pointing out that the observation, while true, isn't directly on point.

 

[mike.coulter]

One thing I love about my M1 is the trackpad as it's the haptic type. How are people finding the trackpad on the Neo?

 

[Apple_Robert]

One thing I love about my M1 is the trackpad as it's the haptic type. How are people finding the trackpad on the Neo?

I really don't miss the haptic trackpad. The sensitivity and precision is the same between the two.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I really don't miss the haptic trackpad. The sensitivity and precision is the same between the two.

I feel like one would have to be incredibly elitist to not like a trackpad that moves up and down vs a trackpad that simulates moving up and down by jiggling a piece of metal on a spring with controlled electromagnetic radiation.

 

[jido]

It is the same glass surface, it is the same all-corners click. It has more recess specially when clicked. Not much difference really.

 

[Detnator]

You’re asking them what tasks they do that warrants needing more than 8GB ram just so you can ridicule them? All they said was the Neo is solid but only has 8GB ram.

And then he said (a) it’s a shame, and (b) RAM is “literally one of the most important things”.

I disagree with him, especially on (b). The most important thing for this machine is price, without making it junk - and Apple achieved that in spades.

So I don’t intend to ridicule him. What
I do intend to do depends on his answer.

Everyone else who replied told him their opinion why he’s wrong. I wanted to do that, but thought it might be better to first learn why he thinks 8GB RAM is not enough for this machine.

That said, in the absence of a response from him, so now speculating: Whatever the reason, he’s likely misinformed. It’s more than enough for what and who the Neo is intended for.

But it’d still be helpful to hear from him the reason for his assertion. Like I said, it’s a discussion forum not a statement forum, so why say anything and then disappear with no intention to discuss?