Why are people buying a MacBook Neo as a travel laptop

[Astuces iOS]

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.

Don't they care more about weight? What does width, depth and heigh has to do when it's in a bag?

 

[Astuces iOS]

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.

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.

Yeah I was talking about not released to the public... I find it kinda weird to go and take pictures of it...

I'm sorry for what happened to you, in my case this has never happened... The only thing that happened to family member is just double check like in a special machine but nothing big, going underwear is crazy and never happened... Might be a very rare cases...

For you MacBook Neo might be fine, but for most people out here I don't think 👍

 

[JPack]

Don't they care more about weight? What does width, depth and heigh has to do when it's in a bag?

It’s about hand feeling. Many people move around from couch to table to bed. Ideally, Neo would be lighter than Air, but people will take what they can get, which is a smaller footprint than Air.

 

[Astuces iOS]

It’s about hand feeling. Many people move around from couch to table to bed. Ideally, Neo would be lighter than Air, but people will take what they can get, which is a smaller footprint than Air.

I do that sometimes with MacBook Pro, Don't like? Just get an iPad !

Buying a new Mac when you already have one for hand feeling is crazy !

 

[1BadManVan]

Because

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

It weighs the same as an air and is thicker… technically making it less portable

 

[Macalway]

It weighs the same as an air and is thicker… technically making it less portable

Maybe, but the pictures show there's a noticeable difference in dimensions other than the thickness, so it may feel smaller. We shall see soon 🙂

Of course It ain't much but wtf. It's cheaper.....

 

[cateye]

Peak MacRumors: People lecturing others about why they should or shouldn't buy something. What's it to you? Who cares why someone wants to buy a Neo or Pro or Air? Let them buy a bushel of Citrus Neos because it reminds them of lemons and they love lemonade. I mean, weird, but who am I to judge.

 

[4sallypat]

Peak MacRumors: People lecturing others about why they should or shouldn't buy something. What's it to you? Who cares why someone wants to buy a Neo or Pro or Air? Let them buy a bushel of Citrus Neos because it reminds them of lemons and they love lemonade. I mean, weird, but who am I to judge.

Right ?
I am going to plant a ton of Citrus on my farm - will I see any fruit ?

 

[kevcube]

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

while I don't agree that CBP have the right to investigate all personal devices ("it's encrypted. Take a look but I'm not unlocking it for you"), if you believe in privacy at all then you know that to say "if you have nothing to hide, you don't need privacy" is absolutely wrong.

 

[hagjohn]

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)

Not taking my main computer to a hotel room to possibly be stolen. A Neo or an iPad is perfect for this.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Apparently, there are some posters in this particular thread who have not traveled extensively or lived extensively or done things that ordinary people do every day and are inconvenienced by borders, rules, politicians, and corporate, so quit telling people what they shouldn’t buy and just let them buy whether they’re gonna buy people can have their own reasons for what they get and they’re valid even if you don’t understand the context.

 

[G5isAlive]

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

I do. A mini. For content consumption. But for almost anything else I prefer macOS. So I take both. Thanks for the pithy advice.

 

[G5isAlive]

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


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


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.

I’m sorry, I thought your reason for asking this question was serious. Didn’t realize it was just a joke for you.

People are answering you sincerely… it’s starting to sound like you never travel. I thought about saying leave your mom’s basement but that would be snarky. Sorry people are spending their own money in ways that you disagree with.

 

[Fravin]

View attachment 2611901

very nice review. Thanks for sharing.

I think Neo will fit most user’s need. probably it will become the most used Mac.

 

[raythompsontn]

while I don't agree that CBP have the right to investigate all personal devices ("it's encrypted. Take a look but I'm not unlocking it for you"),

I don't know if you are disagreeing with CBP authority, or just generally disagreeing with the process, as in not liking the process.

The CBP does indeed have the right to search any and all electronic devices. They also have the right to search a travelers belongings, including an invasive body cavity search. If a traveler is asked to unlock a device, then the traveler must comply or face consequences. I don't like it, but it exists.

 

[DeepSix]

Because if it gets stolen or damaged while transporting it through the metal detectors at airport security or if they confiscate it, you won't lose as much money as a Pro. I've seen how airport security handles peoples personal belongings, with no care whatsoever. From my experiences when travelling, even if you ask them politely to treat your bag with care because there is a laptop in it, they will still huck your bags like a bag of laundry.

 

[kevcube]

The CBP does indeed have the right to search any and all electronic devices. They also have the right to search a travelers belongings, including an invasive body cavity search. If a traveler is asked to unlock a device, then the traveler must comply or face charges. I don't like it, but it exists.

2. Do you have to unlock your device?​

This is where the forum post is misleading.

• CBP can ask you to unlock a device.
• If you refuse, they usually cannot force you to unlock it on the spot.
• What they can do:
  • Detain the device
  • Delay your entry
  • Send the device for forensic analysis
  • In rare cases seek a warrant

Important distinction​

Situation	Consequence if you refuse
U.S. citizen	They must admit you eventually, but may seize the device
Non-citizen	Entry can potentially be denied

So the claim:

“you must comply or face charges”

is generally false. Refusing typically leads to device seizure or delays, not criminal charges.

refusal to give US CBP your password is not a crime.

 

[Zazoh]

I’m not buying one for travel, I’m just buying one because I think it is cool concept and color. I’ve wasted more money on worse things if I’m honest. Do you have any idea how much money I’ve wasted eating out in a year? (10s of thousands of dollars)

 

[turbineseaplane]

I love how this has pivoted to:

"this thing is disposable!"
"I'll take it where it might get stolen"

 

[ivnj]

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)

The NEO is 599. The PRO is 3x as much. If you loose your Pro its expensive and all your lost files and stuff is priceless. Even with backup. You don't want people stealing your files and stuff. If you take the NEO just for a small trip or family vacation it's not a total loss if anything happens. It's only 599 or 699. Not 1800 or 2000.

 

[DeepSix]

Travel internationally to a third world country and you'll be glad you have a $500 laptop and not a $2,000 one.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I love how this has pivoted to:

"this thing is disposable!"
"I'll take it where it might get stolen"

It really has. 😀

 

[ivnj]

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 !

Ya but not everybody edits photos on vacation. If you do that is fine. The NEO however is marketed for people who don't. Students or people who don't edit photos or videos or use heavy apps.

 

[ivnj]

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.

Well said.

 

[ivnj]

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.

Well said. I did not think about the data part.