What an irrelevant rant. My point is not about myself. It’s that hardware like the Neo is not enough on its own to significantly disrupt Mac’s share of the PC.
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Why I Returned the MacBook Neo
- Thread starter Pbwallstreet
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eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
Well I think what you are saying here is generally true with hardware. Although I would put the build quality of my Lenovo Legion 7 against Macbook Pros. (The 400W power brick is a different story, but that's what you get for discrete graphics capability...) And software? Plenty of it is better in the Windows world--or the same. IA Writer is better in Windows at this point, MS365 for how much we like to dog it, is like 10x more capable than iWork. If anything, I think OS has never mattered less, honestly.
So use what works. If I didn't game at all, I would invest in a 16 inch Macbook Pro, but I do. So instead I use Windows 11 and it works just fine. And finally MS is listening.
Apple, on the other hand, appears to want to add more ads and require more subscriptions than ever. Is that trend over when they appear to almost be subsidizing the Neo? Probably going to get worse.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
That's true, but it is mostly an issue of raw complacency. Still it is a compelling product in that price range. I messed with one and realized I could put both of my parents (long retired) on one of these and they would be better off.
Totally disagree. And you just speak abstractly here with nothing tangible. Microsoft is not scaling back on AI at all.
The stuff my team is doing with AI on Microsoft’s platform is pretty groundbreaking. And the enterprise runs off Microsoft globally. Apps are solid.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
Well good. I totally disagree with you as well. It is most assuredly groundbreaking. And uptime breaking. You ignored everything specific I brought up down to the application level and then said it is too "abstract."
And I wasn't talking about AI in enterprise--although I can see how you got there, that was my bad. I am talking about Copilot in Windows AND THAT ABSOLUTELY IS being scaled back.
These articles should help with your abstraction issue:
Microsoft rolls back some of its Copilot AI bloat on Windows | TechCrunch
The company is reducing Copilot entry points on Windows, starting with Photos, Widgets, Notepad, and other apps.
techcrunch.com
Microsoft responds to Microslop criticism by scaling back Copilot in Windows 11, starting with Notepad and other apps
Microsoft confirmed it'll reduce Copilot in apps like Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos, and Widgets in Windows 11.
www.windowslatest.com
Microsoft is cutting down Copilot “bloat” in Windows 11
Microsoft is reducing Copilot integrations in Windows 11 apps after user backlash, aiming for a more thoughtful and less intrusive AI experience.
digitaltrends.com
Microsoft says Windows 11 will get faster as it scales back Copilot
Microsoft is trying to cut down on the resources Windows 11 uses, including the RAM requirement and even Copilot AI, in various Windows experiences. The goal: a leaner, more responsive Windows.
www.pcworld.com
PBG4 Dude
macrumors 603
I remember when monitor choices were green or amber.
This is hyperbole.Well good. I totally disagree with you as well. It is most assuredly groundbreaking. And uptime breaking. You ignored everything specific I brought up down to the application level and then said it is too "abstract."
And I wasn't talking about AI in enterprise--although I can see how you got there, that was my bad. I am talking about Copilot in Windows AND THAT ABSOLUTELY IS being scaled back.
These articles should help with your abstraction issue:
Microsoft rolls back some of its Copilot AI bloat on Windows | TechCrunch
The company is reducing Copilot entry points on Windows, starting with Photos, Widgets, Notepad, and other apps.
Microsoft responds to Microslop criticism by scaling back Copilot in Windows 11, starting with Notepad and other apps
Microsoft confirmed it'll reduce Copilot in apps like Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos, and Widgets in Windows 11.
Microsoft is cutting down Copilot “bloat” in Windows 11
Microsoft is reducing Copilot integrations in Windows 11 apps after user backlash, aiming for a more thoughtful and less intrusive AI experience.
Microsoft says Windows 11 will get faster as it scales back Copilot
Microsoft is trying to cut down on the resources Windows 11 uses, including the RAM requirement and even Copilot AI, in various Windows experiences. The goal: a leaner, more responsive Windows.
Microsoft is not scaling back AI. They are revamping its experience across their Apps not removing it. They’ve shaken up the team, and are working to make Copilot Studio more homogenous for business and consumers.
A key quote from one of the articles you posted is pertitent:
“It’s unclear if Microsoft will completely remove Copilot from Notepad or simply reduce the entry points”
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
You ignored everything said and came away with that? Wow. Unbelievable.
I am done with you. Goodbye.
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eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
I remember how groundbreaking Commodore's 16 colors were! The first time I saw SVGA it was so awesome. We have come a long way when you stop and think about it.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I didn't even realize iA Writer was on Windows, let alone better on Windows.
Why is it better on Windows?
More features or better fit/finish in that version?
Only TWO USB-C ports and no MagSafe was the dealbreaker for me.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Not having MagSafe does really suck.
Careful when plugged into those USB-C ports folks.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
Of course. We charge our phones, iPads, APP all plugged in. We are used to it and have an out of the way charging location.
sdfox7
macrumors demi-god
I'm guessing cost was the reason. And, USB-C is the standard for most non-Apple products. So one less charger you have to carry around.
I wouldn't be surprised if a third-party MagSafe adapter became available for the Neo. Isn't this already available for Lightning iPhones and USB-C MacBooks?
sdfox7
macrumors demi-god
I just bolded the parts I wanted to emphasize. For the price, the Neo is incredible.
Of course, your choices are unlimited if you're willing to pay. I remember being able to configure a Mac Pro fully loaded for around $70K.
The Neo is an outstanding product for someone on a budget who wants a brand new MacBook for $600 or less. That type of person will overlook the deleted features compared to an MBA or MBP. It's an even better deal with the student discount.
Technerd108
macrumors 68040
You are correct. There are magsafe usb c adapters that are cheap and readily available. Usbc hubs, etc.
It is really a non issue. We all got used to it with the first m1 laptops.
Look a $500 MacBook is very impressive. You can buy an iPad air or a Neo. I know which one I would find more useful.
Well, he's not obliged to, but he just wanted to warn others before they get caught in the hype like he did. Nothing wrong with that.
Here on MR many people feel compelled to constantly tell strangers which items they bought and kept (often in their signature space) or why they love those items so much. That's very fine. And others wish to explain why it didn't work for them. And that's very fine too. We always need to hear both sides of the story.
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Mach 5
macrumors regular
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
Why are people like this? I don’t get it. 🙁
conmee
macrumors 6502a
Maybe it was just a combination of unique factors, but MagSafe on the wife's 2015 15" MBP let me down when she tripped over the power cable and it was enough to pull the MBP off the dining table and onto the tile (good news though, finally got her a new Air which she loves). MagSafe disconnected somewhere between being pulled off the table and hitting the ground, but it held on long enough to not work as hoped for. Maybe the swiftness of the tripping, the angle the MBP was at or location at the edge of the table... MagSafe comes off easier pulling up or down on the cable than laterally, who knows. Definitely better than the USB-C port, in terms of disconnect, but still (in this single data point), the result was the same. All that said, since upgrading from my 2019 MBP, happy to have MagSafe back with my M5 Pro MBP.
There's 19 pages about someone returning a product they didn't like. We are so back.
In all seriousness, I haven't read much about viewing angles being worse on the macbook neo but most reviews seem intent on comparing macbook neo with other $600 devices which have even more horrendous screens. That's a bummer.
also magsafe is the only port on my macbook air/pro that i have never used.
In all seriousness, I haven't read much about viewing angles being worse on the macbook neo but most reviews seem intent on comparing macbook neo with other $600 devices which have even more horrendous screens. That's a bummer.
also magsafe is the only port on my macbook air/pro that i have never used.
Queen6
macrumors G5
Fragile ego, snobbery, justifying overspending on HW they never really needed in the first place, who knows. If the Neo was problematic like the 2016 MBP's it would be understandable, however the Neo appears to be a well-thought-out entry-level Mac that will serve many at a fair price. I'd buy a Neo myself however my current Mac's and other HW still work well for me, although I haven't ruled out picking one up...
Q-6
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