Things that need fixing on the MacBook Neo

[bapegg]

You might be right. Especially if backlit KB adds significantly to the cost.

I would love to hear from people with MBNs; do they miss the backlit KB, or do the light color keys plus screen illumination make it kind of a non-issue? Obviously, if you rarely find yourself using your MBN in a darkened space, it is a non-issue.

I've never owned a laptop with a backlit keyboard. I do have a couple of Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboards with back lighting but I always keep the lighting off.

I do wish the Indigo Neo would have white lettering on the keyboard but that is not a deal breaker.

 

[jaysabol]

You might be right. Especially if backlit KB adds significantly to the cost.

I would love to hear from people with MBNs; do they miss the backlit KB, or do the light color keys plus screen illumination make it kind of a non-issue? Obviously, if you rarely find yourself using your MBN in a darkened space, it is a non-issue.

I have an Indigo Neo and I don't miss backlighting. It's my main computer and on my desk. I do have a reading light that shines on the keyboard. I don't really need it, but it's helpful once in a while.

 

[biggest father1]

If that is your conclusion then I’d say your wrong. They made an error assuming that any device can power 2 screens. What they should have done - especially considering how cheap Neo is compared to other macs - is to read the specs and inform themselves if something that cheap can power 2 devices because - guess what - it can’t.

They did a purchase without knowing what they were buying, most likely because it’s cheap.

Where were you in this story? You’re here in an Apple forum so you probably know your way around Apple computers. Why did they not check with you before buying?

I'm not wrong for wanting a Neo to power 2 displays in clamshell eventually.

I thought this was a fun forum for discussing improvements that could be made for a computer until I read previous the 7 pages of people arguing with each other, which I did not read until I posted an idea. I didn't realize suggesting 2 monitor support was attacking the heart and soul of members here to start tearing each other apart.

The maturity here has been shocking. I'm open to future ideas and possibilities but your getting slightly out of hand here with the way you're trying to question me.

My parents don't need to check in with me for anything they buy as they're adults. I'm a developer that works with multiple languages and VM's and I know the Neo isn't for me so I never looked into the specs past the 512GB storage and 8GB's of RAM.

You won't change my mind on hoping the Neo supports 2 external displays in the future so don't waste your breath on me. Go argue with other people if that's what you're here for.

 

[turbineseaplane]

My 70 year old parent still wants to be able to use 2 monitors with the Neo they bought. My child would also like to use 2 monitors with a Neo. The Air's higher price point and performance is too much for the casual users in my family.

Now that I think about it, my parents have used 2 external monitors since Windows Vista as the Neo is their first mac and they're not heavy users at all. They just like 2 monitors.

I do have a nice CalDigit Thunderbolt setup at our place and it would just be nice if when my parents came down, they could connect right into it in our office setup but instead, I'll have to buy another USB dongle of some sort for them to be able to plug into 1 of my monitors.

Ironically, I've been facing the same challenge trying to get my partner off her Surface Go that's a "dog".

A Neo would be superb as her first Mac, however, she needs to be able to drive 2 externals at her work desk. We aren't even talking super resolution or refresh rate, but simply 2 older monitors that work provides.

I really hope a Neo 2 can tackle this.

Or perhaps some dongle could?

 

[jaysabol]

Who knows what the Neo 2 will bring? You may be right in hoping for two monitor support.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Who knows what the Neo 2 will bring? You may be right in hoping for two monitor support.

This is one of those areas that Mac-fan purity gets in the way.

For many of the types of buyers the Neo is meant to rope in (coming from PC is likely), simply having multiple external monitor support can be an odd sticking point, but one that can exist.

For my partner, we'll probably just get her into an M4 MBA refurb, even if that's otherwise total overkill and she'd prefer the colors offered by the Neo. The multiple monitor thing is the issue.

(plus she hates Liquid Glass on her iPhone, so putting her on Sequoia with me for a while might win me some points)

 

[geta]

Oooh. Really? I could have sworn…

Hey could you do us all a huge favor, go have a word with the Apple engineers and show them how to fit that 8 camera etc. into that 3mm space?

Seriously, please?

If only there bezel was 3mm which is not...

 

[tonmischa]

Or perhaps some dongle could?

Plugable claims they can do it with their DisplayLink technology.

How to Use Multiple Monitors with the MacBook Neo

Connect multiple monitors to your MacBook Neo. Discover how to bypass the A18 Pro single-display limit using DisplayLink docks for a powerful multi-monitor setup.

plugable.com

 

[turbineseaplane]

Plugable claims they can do it with their DisplayLink technology.

How to Use Multiple Monitors with the MacBook Neo

Connect multiple monitors to your MacBook Neo. Discover how to bypass the A18 Pro single-display limit using DisplayLink docks for a powerful multi-monitor setup.

plugable.com

The problem with all of them, except the last one I guess, is the cost ... it's basically a wash with just bumping up to a refurb M4 MBA which also nets one a way better overall computer.

Thx for the link!

Perhaps some more folks will get in this space and make it less expensive at some point.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

I'm not wrong for wanting a Neo to power 2 displays in clamshell eventually.

You can never be wrong for wanting something I suppose. But there is reality and pricing, for now at least.

My guess is that we will see a (minor) bump in ram before dual monitor support.

You won't change my mind on hoping the Neo supports 2 external displays in the future so don't waste your breath on me. Go argue with other people if that's what you're here for.

It was an honest question and not meant to start an argument. If it came across like that, then that’s on me.

I hope it all works out for your folks.

 

[NewOldStock]

People are so un-grateful.
Just be glad they produced a low cost Laptop for the masses.
Arm-chair engineers need not apply here.

 

[bapegg]

People are so un-grateful.
Just be glad they produced a low cost Laptop for the masses.
Arm-chair engineers need not apply here.

I am happy that Apple released the Neo. I was saving up to purchase an Air but the Neo allowed me to get a Macbook sooner. And the Neo does everything I need it to do.

 

[conmee]

We’ve been through this argument before and it’s a non argument. You can obviously afford nice things, judging by your M5 Pro purchase. However, Neo is in a different price bracket. People who have to shop in that particular price bracket for their one and only computer do not have $400 lying around for an upgrade.

They are in that price bracket for a reason.

I’m with you Dirk. I’m actually being mildly sarcastic in my previous comment you quoted (which was a response/follow up to someone else’s sarcastic comment stating that the sum of this thread is basically wanting an MBA for an MBN price), but I agree that the Neo is built and priced right for the intended audience and if someone considering a Neo is going to be wish it had certain missing features, THEY are the ones who don’t get what the Neo is and who it’s for. And if they are really that miffed about the missing features, they can buy something else. I actually have a hypothesis that the people who truly can’t afford more than the Neo are probably super happy just to get affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem and they are happily computing and not spinning up threads about the Neo’s shortcomings. It’s the customers who COULD afford an Air that are wishing/hoping they will get some or all $400 of additional value features for no extra cost in the next Neo.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I'm not wrong for wanting a Neo to power 2 displays in clamshell eventually.

I thought this was a fun forum for discussing improvements that could be made for a computer until I read previous the 7 pages of people arguing with each other, which I did not read until I posted an idea. I didn't realize suggesting 2 monitor support was attacking the heart and soul of members here to start tearing each other apart.

The maturity here has been shocking. I'm open to future ideas and possibilities but your getting slightly out of hand here with the way you're trying to question me.

My parents don't need to check in with me for anything they buy as they're adults. I'm a developer that works with multiple languages and VM's and I know the Neo isn't for me so I never looked into the specs past the 512GB storage and 8GB's of RAM.

You won't change my mind on hoping the Neo supports 2 external displays in the future so don't waste your breath on me. Go argue with other people if that's what you're here for.

Good thing you have more choices that support 2 displays. Don’t buy Neo if it doesn’t suit your needs. Heck you don’t even have to buy mac, buy a windows laptop for 765 or less that supports 2 monitors. Apple targets to certain segments at a price and features.

 

[TechnoMonk]

People are so un-grateful.
Just be glad they produced a low cost Laptop for the masses.
Arm-chair engineers need not apply here.

Consumerism.

 

[Detnator]

Asking to be able to use 2 external monitors on a MacBook Neo in clamshell that costs $765 doesn't sound unreasonable for basic users. If Apple could make 2 displays work over the single USB 3 port, then thunderbolt wouldn't be needed.

Until then, I'll still keep pushing for Thunderbolt 3 just to be able to use 2 external monitors on the Neo.

And then it will be more expensive, not be $765 any more and miss the point of what it’s supposed to be.

Or they’ll have to compromise something(s) else instead. Which features should Apple remove from everyone else’s experience to satisfy this edge case of yours?

Or are you really saying they should just throw in Thunderbolt/Dual monitor capability for free?

That expectation is the part that’s unreasonable.

You say “doesn't sound unreasonable for basic users”…

That’s just incorrect. The vast majority of “basic users” won’t ever even plug ONE external monitor into this let alone two. Again, it’s such an edge case.

A few loud voices are up in arms about what’s “missing” or “compromised” in the Neo.

Some are saying it needs all those things — well, that’s an Air.

Others (including you it seems) are saying “it just needs this one thing, and it’s reasonable to want that”, except there’s 27 different “one things” so which one thing should Apple add out of all of them to make people happy?

Or to put it another way: What really defines what’s reasonable?

Meanwhile… $765. Might feel expensive, and ok, I can’t deny you that if that’s how you feel, but you do understand this is the lowest priced Mac laptop ever, by a significant margin, right? How do you think they achieved that?

As I mentioned previously, compare it with every other laptop by any brand, at its price point. Sure some of them will have your particular “one thing”, but what have they left out to accommodate it, at the price?

It’s just nuts that people expect they should get extras for free.

 

[Detnator]

Unfortunately, certain areas of this thread have grown tiresome. Many posters keep thinking about what a 13 inch MacBook could be if only Apple would do this or that. The target audience is thrown out the window when that's precisely what people should be looking at. The target audience are students and people whose computer needs are light - older people on a tight budget like myself. In my case, the only non-Apple software on my Neo is my Epson software. We don't use external monitors and we don't care about keyboard backlighting. I can see a future where the Neo does have 12 GB RAM because the chip will allow for that. But it is imperative that Apple not change the price and make it out of reach for the target audience. It is the target audience that matters and nothing else. Switchers from Windows are also part of the target, but again it's students and those on a tight budget. With what I do with my Neo it doesn't require a heat sink. It runs nice and cool. It's a godsend for people such as myself.

Yes. This.

I am happy that Apple released the Neo. I was saving up to purchase an Air but the Neo allowed me to get a Macbook sooner. And the Neo does everything I need it to do.

… and this, is exactly what it’s about.

Apple isn’t going to throw in Thunderbolt, more RAM/storage, MagSafe, faster USB, keyboard backlighting, P3 color, TrueTone, better thermals, or any of the other things people are saying it MUST have without it costing more.

AND WE DON’T WANT IT TO COST MORE!

Even some of us who are never going to buy it don’t want it to cost more because we want it to eat Windows’ lunch. Or for lunch.

Apple have finally made a Mac laptop that seriously competes with low end PC laptops, and it doesn’t suck. It’s the lowest priced Mac laptop, ever, by a significant margin. And it’s still great.

Buy it or don’t buy it, but leave it the hell alone.

(Yes it’ll grow in RAM and storage over time, but by the time it has 12GB those people will be complaining “that’s not enough in 202x”).

 

[Detnator]

If only there bezel was 3mm which is not...

What are you talking about? I literally measured my MBP bezel before posting.

But then I believe it was you (incorrectly) insisting the Neo is so much smaller than the Air, and thinking it’s strange that putting more stuff in it (RAM/SSD) would take up more space, wasn’t it… 😂

 

[Queen6]

Yes. This.



… and this, is exactly what it’s about.

Apple isn’t going to throw in Thunderbolt, more RAM/storage, MagSafe, faster USB, keyboard backlighting, P3 color, TrueTone, better thermals, or any of the other things people are saying it MUST have without it costing more.

AND WE DON’T WANT IT TO COST MORE!

Even some of us who are never going to buy it don’t want it to cost more because we want it to eat Windows’ lunch. Or for lunch.

Apple have finally made a Mac laptop that seriously competes with low end PC laptops, and it doesn’t suck. It’s the lowest priced Mac laptop, ever, by a significant margin. And it’s still great.

Buy it or don’t buy it, but leave it the hell alone.

(Yes it’ll grow in RAM and storage over time, but by the time it has 12GB those people will be complaining “that’s not enough in 202x”).

Right on the money...

Q-6

 

[XboxEvolved]

People are so un-grateful.
Just be glad they produced a low cost Laptop for the masses.
Arm-chair engineers need not apply here.

It’s because of the normal Apple customer is used to “X” thing so they are spoiled. Some other guy wants it to have thunderbolt 3 in it. If you are someone actually using thunderbolt 3, then chances are you are going to need something more than a computer with a phone inside of it anyways.

If you compare it to its competition, on paper a lot of them sound better with more ram or something but in reality work just as well or in many cases worse.

I think another thing that people seem to be forgetting that this computer does something that not one of its competitors do is its deep integration into the ecosystem and the millions of people that are likely experiencing that for the first time with their phones and watches.

 

[throAU]

Or perhaps some dongle could?

You’d probably be able to do this with a displaylink dock.

however the dock will cost about half the cost of the neo or more.

Example (randomly pulled from google search, not endsoring this product specifically):

How Docking Stations Expand the MacBook Neo into a Full Workstation | Kensington

How Docking Stations Expand the MacBook Neo into a Full Workstation

www.kensington.com

Displaylink sort of gives you an external graphics adapter that can handle multiple displays. It’s software, it probably wont work for games, etc. but if you just need more than one monitor for “work stuff” it will be fine. With the caveat that with more screen real estate you may be more inclined to more heavily multitask.

At that point though you’re probably better off buying a macbook air (maybe an M2, M3 or M4 refurb), as by the time you add the cost of the displaylink dock, etc. you’re almost there already and the air has additional benefits.

 

[TechnoMonk]

And then it will be more expensive, not be $765 any more and miss the point of what it’s supposed to be.

Or they’ll have to compromise something(s) else instead. Which features should Apple remove from everyone else’s experience to satisfy this edge case of yours?

Or are you really saying they should just throw in Thunderbolt/Dual monitor capability for free?

That expectation is the part that’s unreasonable.

You say “doesn't sound unreasonable for basic users”…

That’s just incorrect. The vast majority of “basic users” won’t ever even plug ONE external monitor into this let alone two. Again, it’s such an edge case.

A few loud voices are up in arms about what’s “missing” or “compromised” in the Neo.

Some are saying it needs all those things — well, that’s an Air.

Others (including you it seems) are saying “it just needs this one thing, and it’s reasonable to want that”, except there’s 27 different “one things” so which one thing should Apple add out of all of them to make people happy?

Or to put it another way: What really defines what’s reasonable?

Meanwhile… $765. Might feel expensive, and ok, I can’t deny you that if that’s how you feel, but you do understand this is the lowest priced Mac laptop ever, by a significant margin, right? How do you think they achieved that?

As I mentioned previously, compare it with every other laptop by any brand, at its price point. Sure some of them will have your particular “one thing”, but what have they left out to accommodate it, at the price?

It’s just nuts that people expect they should get extras for free.

Entitlement. My MBP has Thunderbolt 5, I would need that in NEO. I connect my laptop through HDMI, it’s reasonable I want that too in Neo. And don’t forget the memory card. Come on Apple my MBP does it why not Neo.

 

[biggest father1]

And then it will be more expensive, not be $765 any more and miss the point of what it’s supposed to be.

Or they’ll have to compromise something(s) else instead. Which features should Apple remove from everyone else’s experience to satisfy this edge case of yours?

Or are you really saying they should just throw in Thunderbolt/Dual monitor capability for free?

That expectation is the part that’s unreasonable.

You say “doesn't sound unreasonable for basic users”…

That’s just incorrect. The vast majority of “basic users” won’t ever even plug ONE external monitor into this let alone two. Again, it’s such an edge case.

A few loud voices are up in arms about what’s “missing” or “compromised” in the Neo.

Some are saying it needs all those things — well, that’s an Air.

Others (including you it seems) are saying “it just needs this one thing, and it’s reasonable to want that”, except there’s 27 different “one things” so which one thing should Apple add out of all of them to make people happy?

Or to put it another way: What really defines what’s reasonable?

Meanwhile… $765. Might feel expensive, and ok, I can’t deny you that if that’s how you feel, but you do understand this is the lowest priced Mac laptop ever, by a significant margin, right? How do you think they achieved that?

As I mentioned previously, compare it with every other laptop by any brand, at its price point. Sure some of them will have your particular “one thing”, but what have they left out to accommodate it, at the price?

It’s just nuts that people expect they should get extras for free.

What’s incorrect about hoping for a future feature?

Plus, you’re late to reply to me. Someone already suggested this hub to make this work just like I bought a CalDigit hub for my MacBook Pro to connect my 2 external displays.

How Docking Stations Expand the MacBook Neo into a Full Workstation | Kensington

How Docking Stations Expand the MacBook Neo into a Full Workstation

www.kensington.com

$765 is a lot for someone in retirement thats on a budget. This info isn’t coming from me, it’s coming from someone I know that’s in retirement.

You guys need to calm down, this isn’t that big of a deal. I hope you get some needed rest after stressing about me hoping for 2 display support one day.

I guess when the Neo comes out with a backlit keyboard or 12GB’s of RAM at the same price point one day, I urge you not to buy that as that is a free feature. Just stick with the first iteration since those are now additional features.

In the mean time, I’ll just be waiting for the Apple Intelligent Siri I paid for in 2024 with my iPhone 16 Pro that I haven’t gotten yet.

 

[I7guy]

What’s incorrect about hoping for a future feature?

Not a thing. We don’t know what Apple is thinking but I would believe Apple won’t include many features they believe people would pay for in an upgrade.

Plus, you’re late to reply to me. Someone already suggested this hub to make this work just like I bought a CalDigit hub for my MacBook Pro to connect my 2 external displays.

How Docking Stations Expand the MacBook Neo into a Full Workstation | Kensington

How Docking Stations Expand the MacBook Neo into a Full Workstation

www.kensington.com

$765 is a lot for someone in retirement thats on a budget. This info isn’t coming from me, it’s coming from someone I know that’s in retirement.

$765 is a lot of money these days. But if a computer is needed prior to the neo reveal the options were a cheap, lousy windows laptop or an MBA, MBP. The MBN significantly changed the landscape but it does what it does. People saying it doesn’t do enough don’t want to acknowledge Apple does sell laptops that have these features, at a cost.

You guys need to calm down, this isn’t that big of a deal. I hope you get some needed rest after stressing about me hoping for 2 display support one day.

lol.

I guess when the Neo comes out with a backlit keyboard or 12GB’s of RAM at the same price point one day, I urge you not to buy that as that is a free feature. Just stick with the first iteration since those are now additional features.

It probably will have those features, trickle down and all of that. The Neo 2 or Neo+ will probably have more features and memory, and so will the air and pro. And the cycle will continue.

In the mean time, I’ll just be waiting for the Apple Intelligent Siri I paid for in 2024 with my iPhone 16 Pro that I haven’t gotten yet.

Yes it’s a delayed feature. And I’m waiting for it on my IPP M5 as I already paid for it.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I think another thing that people seem to be forgetting that this computer does something that not one of its competitors do is its deep integration into the ecosystem and the millions of people that are likely experiencing that for the first time with their phones and watches.

Agree. Continuity, Handoff, and Universal Clipboard are such great features that just aren’t available with other OSes. I’m sure there have been a few people surprised when their calls/texts get routed from their iPhone to their Neo.