Why are people buying a MacBook Neo as a travel laptop

[WilliApple]

Something I have seen a lot on here and on YouTube is that people are buying the MacBook Neo as their travel laptop...
When they already have MacBook Pro's or MacBook Airs...

The MacBook Neo is the same weight as the MacBook Air... And I highly doubt that bringing a MacBook Pro on the go is more inconvenient than just bring a MacBook Neo. Yes, it does weight a bit more, but you're likely going to put it in a backpack anyway and not feel the weight difference at all.

If you need a secondary travel laptop, just bring your MacBook! You bought a MacBook because you likely need it on the go lol. If not, buy a Mac mini / Mac Studio lol

I would understand a lot more if you bought a MacBook Neo to use as a second computer for your Mac mini or Mac Studio, but I have seen SOOOO many people at this point buy a MacBook Neo as a secondary laptop for their MacBook Pro's so that they can travel with it...

Im just confused. I don't get the point of having 2 MacBooks unless you are a YouTuber like me tbh or a software developer, but if you are traveling, who realistically is going to be testing their apps on the MacBook Neo on the go lol

If you are buying a MacBook Neo to use as a travel laptop because your MacBook Pro is too heavy or something, you might as well just buy a gym membership instead lmao (or a new backpack)

I am not saying the MacBook Neo is bad at all, for my parents who want new cheap laptops, this will be the perfect option for them because they are upgrading from a Chromebook and a 2015 Asus laptop with an HDD.

Im also not here to questions your lifes choices but id rather upgrade to a MacBook Pro than have a Mac mini and a MacBook Air (oh wait thats me lol, thats what I want to go to at some point just one MacBook Pro)

 

[eltoslightfoot]

If I could like this post more than once I would. I completely agree.

 

[Astuces iOS]

I agree with you ! I personally bring my MacBook Pro when I travel and I really like it ! Travelling is a good way to enjoy the MacBook Pro battery, why would I want a Neo with way worse battery ? 🤮

Also feels kinda dumb because if you are a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro user, you might wanna do some tasks like in my case photo editing during the travel, well it's going to be harder on the Neo ! You are hurting yourself by buying the Neo as second Mac... Even getting AirPods maxes is better !

 

[G5isAlive]

My MacBook Pro cost $4000. A Neo cost $600. That's why I considered it. But probably won't. But yeah, my MBP 16 doesn't fit in a hotel safe when I am out.. I travel a LOT and have had things stolen out of my room. Insurance can be a hassle.

Not to mention the Neo is a good 2 lbs lighter than my 16" MBP. And when traveling abroad, pounds matter (especially in the UK). Gym memberships don't mean squat with airline regulations for carry ons.

Shrugs. Not sure why people care so much about what other people buy.

 

[JPack]

 

[raythompsontn]

If you need a secondary travel laptop, just bring your MacBook!

Cost. Loosing a MacBook is a lot of money. Losing a NEO, not as painful.

For those that travel internationally, there is the issue of CBP having the authority to search any electronic devices without a warrant. Having another machine, with limited data, lessens the data that is exposed to CBP. The same as traveling with a second phone that is used for nothing but travel.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Cost. Loosing a MacBook is a lot of money. Losing a NEO, not as painful.

For those that travel internationally, there is the issue of CBP having the authority to search any electronic devices without a warrant. Having another machine, with limited data, lessens the data that is exposed to CBP. The same as traveling with a second phone that is used for nothing but travel.

This actually makes sense to me....I don't internationally travel, so I hadn't considered this.

 

[WilliApple]

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Just buy a new bag lol, im sure $20 - $50 is a lot cheaper than $499 or $599 depending on what you qualify for.
My backpacks can fit a 16 inch MacBook Pro just fine lol

Cost. Loosing a MacBook is a lot of money. Losing a NEO, not as painful.

Just use Find My on your phone, or idk, don't lose it lol

For those that travel internationally, there is the issue of CBP having the authority to search any electronic devices without a warrant. Having another machine, with limited data, lessens the data that is exposed to CBP. The same as traveling with a second phone that is used for nothing but travel.

Just don't be a sus person, then you don't have anything to worry about.
Unless you get in a lot of civil involvements, I don't think you have anything to worry about when going through CBP.

 

[WilliApple]

my MBP 16 doesn't fit in a hotel safe when I am out.. I travel a LOT and have had things stolen out of my room.

I have never had anything stolen from a hotel room, where are you staying? Da hood hotel lmao? Also the police can get involved, no insurance needed.
I also stayed in a hotel for 30 days straight once. Nothing was stolen

 

[Astuces iOS]

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Do you know that the MacBook Air is thinner? And like damn that's almost the same size, you won't have problems with the air !

Cost. Loosing a MacBook is a lot of money. Losing a NEO, not as painful.

For those that travel internationally, there is the issue of CBP having the authority to search any electronic devices without a warrant. Having another machine, with limited data, lessens the data that is exposed to CBP. The same as traveling with a second phone that is used for nothing but travel.

Erm what about photographers who need to bring their best cameras ?

 

[Astuces iOS]

My MacBook Pro cost $4000. A Neo cost $600. That's why I considered it. But probably won't. But yeah, my MBP 16 doesn't fit in a hotel safe when I am out.. I travel a LOT and have had things stolen out of my room. Insurance can be a hassle.

Not to mention the Neo is a good 2 lbs lighter than my 16" MBP. And when traveling abroad, pounds matter (especially in the UK). Gym memberships don't mean squat with airline regulations for carry ons.

Shrugs. Not sure why people care so much about what other people buy.

At this point just bring your iPad, that's it !

 

[raythompsontn]

Just use Find My on your phone, or idk, don't lose it lol

That doesn’t help when the device is stolen on DB in Germany.

There is also the issue of damage. Travel can be hard on laptops.

Just don't be a sus person, then you don't have anything to worry about.

There is a lot of data on my machine that is sensitive. Yes it is encrypted. CBP has the right to demand encryption keys. Contracts, proposals, private communications, trade secrets, etc. Stuff that has no business being viewed by government personnel. CBP has the right to impound the device for further analysis, possible cloning of the SSD. Paranoid? You bet.

 

[JPack]

Just buy a new bag lol, im sure $20 - $50 is a lot cheaper than $499 or $599 depending on what you qualify for.
My backpacks can fit a 16 inch MacBook Pro just fine lol

If you consider a backpack an option, then you really have no idea who this Neo is targeted at. No offense, but some of the tech geek crowd here really fails to understand the mainstream consumer, especially the other gender.

Why do you think Apple spent effort on this Neo packaging but not the Air?

 

[raythompsontn]

Erm what about photographers who need to bring their best cameras ?

Offload to cloud storage, then delete the images from the camera or discard the memory card (they are, or were, cheap).

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Cost. Loosing a MacBook is a lot of money. Losing a NEO, not as painful.

For those that travel internationally, there is the issue of CBP having the authority to search any electronic devices without a warrant. Having another machine, with limited data, lessens the data that is exposed to CBP. The same as traveling with a second phone that is used for nothing but travel.

CBP = Customs Border Patrol ??

 

[WilliApple]

If you consider a backpack an option, then you really have no idea who this Neo is targeted at. No offense, but some of the tech geek crowd here really fails to understand the mainstream consumer, especially the other gender.

Why do you think Apple spent effort on this Neo packaging but not the Air?

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This is arguing why people are buying a MacBook Neo in addition to their MacBook Pro or MacBook Air...
As I said before:

I am not saying the MacBook Neo is bad at all, for my parents who want new cheap laptops, this will be the perfect option for them because they are upgrading from a Chromebook and a 2015 Asus laptop with an HDD.

There is also the issue of damage. Travel can be hard on laptops.

AppleCare+ is a thing 🙂

That doesn’t help when the device is stolen on DB in Germany.

From my research this is the transit system in Germany, but why would you use a MacBook on a bus / train, but then again the Neo would get stolen too, and you lose your stuff regardless, or just use your backpack.

Offload to cloud storage, then delete the images from the camera or discard the memory card (they are, or were, cheap).

He was saying like bringing a $3000 camera with him, which he does use.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Offload to cloud storage, then delete the images from the camera or discard the memory card (they are, or were, cheap).

Haha you don't understand, their cameras cost A LOT !

 

[Macalway]

Because

1) it's smaller
2) less worry
3) tropical colors
4) A good excuse to buy one.

 

[JPack]

This is arguing why people are buying a MacBook Neo in addition to their MacBook Pro or MacBook Air...

Pre-March 2026: Everyone bought a MacBook Air or Pro. It was their desktop computer. COVID taught everyone you need mobility. Hardly anyone buys an iMac or Mac mini.

Today: MacBook Neo is smaller than MacBook Air and Pro. You buy it to travel.

When Neo launched, a few friends messaged me asking if they should buy it. They all had a 13-inch M2/M3 Air and carried it during vacation. But they found it bulky and only used it a few times during vacation just to check on work stuff.

 

[raythompsontn]

From my research this is the transit system in Germany, but why would you use a MacBook on a bus / train, but then again the Neo would get stolen too, and you lose your stuff regardless, or just use your backpack.

A person can get a lot of work accomplished, or watch videos, on an eight hour train ride.

AppleCare+ is a thing 🙂

If a person purchases AppleCare. I find most warranties a waste of money.

He was saying like bringing a $3000 camera with him, which he does use.

I have traveled with much more value in camera equipment. Locked in a case it is harder to steal. But CBP still has the right to look at the images. Pictures of products that should not be released to the public as the images represent trade secrets.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Because

1) it's a size smaller (whatever that means)
2) less worry
3) A good excuse to buy one.

Smaller? Just by a bit cause the air is thinner… Compared to pro ok but since you are a pro user, you better wanna bring your iPad ! That’s what I do, when I don’t wanna bring my mac, I bring my iPad with me !

 

[Astuces iOS]

A person can get a lot of work accomplished, or watch videos, on an eight train ride.


If a person purchases AppleCare. I find most warranties a waste of money.


I have traveled with much more value in camera equipment. Locked in a case it is harder to steal. But CBP still has the right to look at the images. Pictures of products that should not be released to the public as the images represent trade secrets.

Why would you travel to take pictures of something not released yet? Like mate aren’t they other photographers around ? That’s a very rare case…

For the right to check the photos, ok no problem… But I’ve been to USA multiples times and they never asked me anything… So even if they have the right, I would not buy a MacBook or anything cheaper just because they can check it…

 

[LeeW]

I have an expensive MBP, it's for specific tasks at specific times. Other times I spend on the move, I don't do those specific tasks that I need the MBP for, so why take it. The NEO is a throw-in my bag device that gives me access to everything I need on the move, better than an iPad, cheaper than an iPad and a MBP. No brainer for me.

 

[JPack]

Do you know that the MacBook Air is thinner? And like damn that's almost the same size, you won't have problems with the air !

Airline tray table users care a lot more about width and depth than height.

From a physics point of view, when you hold Neo with one hand, it feels better than Air because the center of mass is closer to your hand. There is also less wrist strength required because of less torque.

 

[raythompsontn]

Why would you travel to take pictures of something not released yet? Like mate aren’t they other photographers around ? That’s a very rare case…

I never said “not released yet”. I said “not released to the public”, as in trade secrets. I just go where the company sends me. I suspect they only wanted company personnel, not outside people.

But I’ve been to USA multiples times and they never asked me anything…

I have never been checked coming into the US. One time leaving Norway, I was taken to a private room, told to strip to my underwear, my clothes were searched, my passport taken to another room then returned, and my phone examined. I was told it was random but I think the Norway people matched my name, or description. It was enough to make me cautious on future trips. I have made 20+ trips overseas and that was scary enough that I, or someone that matches me, is on some watch list.