Why I Returned the MacBook Neo

[ctjack]

Yes, but that is why it's really important to get this stuff out there. This is critically important information for photographers, artists, and others who really, really need color accurate screens. Now, if they are pros, they should be willing to pay for the MBP or even MBA that has the better P3 screens, but it is really important to know this up front.

It is fine for photographers. Because mainly all printed products are graded in srgb because printers can output only so many colors.

It makes more sense to have p3 for digital content creators akin youtubers/tiktokers. Even then you are placing a bet that majority of your viewers are rocking latest apple tech to be able to see those p3 colors. So p3 graded video or photo will look not as graded on all non p3 screens - good creator tends to make their photo/video equally painted on all screens regardless of having p3, which means operating on srgb space.

 

[Queen6]

I'd tend to go with these guys versus some Youtuber. They have always backed up their findings with facts & figures, have a long history of two decades. If considering a Neo or any other reading their reviews is time well spent. Alternatively, there's the experts here on MR...

NOTEBOOKCHECK MacBook Neo review

As per the norm they have also made their calibrated colour profile file available to all which may improve grayscale performance as well as the colour accuracy, it did for them. After reading through might just retire one of my older Mac's and go with a Neo as it would run rings round it with zero maintenance.

Those on a budget that need more performance check out the Apple refurbished store. A base M3 Air (16/256) will be a touch more ($30) than the 8/512 Neo if available. Note some regions may not have access to the refurb store.

Q-6

 

[eltoslightfoot]

It is fine for photographers. Because mainly all printed products are graded in srgb because printers can output only so many colors.

It makes more sense to have p3 for digital content creators akin youtubers/tiktokers. Even then you are placing a bet that majority of your viewers are rocking latest apple tech to be able to see those p3 colors. So p3 graded video or photo will look not as graded on all non p3 screens - good creator tends to make their photo/video equally painted on all screens regardless of having p3, which means operating on srgb space.

Funny you say that. My wife, who is a professional photographer, has a pro art color calibrated monitor that we carefully tested against her professional canon printer. It all works perfect. If she had purchased this macbook, that wouldn't be the case.

Edited to add: Just saw @Queen6's latest post. Looks like it would probably work. That's not really important to us anyway (she is strictly Windows), but I implicitly trust Notebook Check. They are the bomb, as we used to say. Thanks, @Queen6!

 

[I7guy]

When a screen has objectively lesser technology specs, it’s essentially impossible for it to not look worse.

Just because some of you can’t see those differences does not mean they are not there.

I’d be happy that you can’t see them if that’s the case.

It’s a little bit like how at my age I can’t hear the difference with lossless Audio… which I’m fine and happy about.

Similar to the difference between a base iPad and an IPP M5.

 

[I7guy]

I'd tend to go with these guys versus some Youtuber. They have always backed up their findings with facts & figures, have a long history of two decades. If considering a Neo or any other reading their reviews is time well spent. Alternatively, there's the experts here on MR...

NOTEBOOKCHECK MacBook Neo review

As per the norm they have also made their calibrated colour profile file available to all which may improve grayscale performance as well as the colour accuracy, it did for them. After reading through might just retire one of my older Mac's and go with a Neo as it would run rings round it with zero maintenance.

Those on a budget that need more performance check out the Apple refurbished store. A base M3 Air (16/256) will be a touch more ($30) than the 8/512 Neo if available. Note some regions may not have access to the refurb store.

Q-6

I saw the neo specs and instantly knew it would be a perfect replacement for an aging windows laptop. The problem for my wife is not speed nor srgb its workflow. 20 years of windows muscle memory is tough to beat.

 

[Mach 5]

I'm returning my 256GB Neo and getting a M5 MacBook Air. The Neo is a great little computer, but my old eyes need more screen real estate.

 

[sdfox7]

21 pages of comments and still going.

It seems like some people thought they were going to get a $1,000+ experience at half the price. That isn't how the world works.

For an extra machine around the house and to travel with, I couldn't be happier with my Neo. I did my research ahead of time, and have no regrets.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm returning my 256GB Neo and getting a M5 MacBook Air. The Neo is a great little computer, but my old eyes need more screen real estate.

I wonder if they will make a larger Neo at some point.

There are plenty of folks in the demographic of this machine (from a horsepower standpoint) that could benefit from more screen real estate.

 

[Queen6]

I saw the neo specs and instantly knew it would be a perfect replacement for an aging windows laptop. The problem for my wife is not speed nor srgb its workflow. 20 years of windows muscle memory is tough to beat.

I can see use cases for a Neo, however not as my primary portable as I have a better tools that serve my needs. NOTEBOOKCHECK's review is revealing as ever highlighting some positives & negatives others missed...

Q-6

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I can see use cases for a Neo, however not as my primary portable as I have a better tools that serve my needs. NOTEBOOKCHECK's review is revealing as ever highlighting some positives & negatives others missed...

Q-6

Yeah while that list of positives is impressive, so is that list of negatives.

To be fair, for $599 something had to give.

Pros​

+high-quality and stable aluminum chassis
+always silent
+bright IPS screen with very accurate colors and sRGB
+good system performance
+comfortable input devices
+good speakers
+long battery runtime at 150 nits
+no PWM
+improved repairability

Cons​

-no keyboard backlight
-only 8 GB soldered RAM/SSD not upgradeable
-only 2x USB-C (1x USB 2.0)
-Touch-ID reserved for the more expensive SKU
-short battery runtime at high brightness levels
-slow charging speeds
-temporal dithering and very reflective screen

 

[Howard2k]

It would but for the claim the same was true in the Apple store. So every display model in different colors and the returned item shipped from a different lot had the same problem that most machines don’t have?

Possible but not plausible.

As for being surprised by the SIZE of the screen, that’s different. I was surprised at how small it really was in person. But I took a wait and see approach rather than a buy and return plan.

Edit: Ended up buying my older son a discounted Lenovo Chromebook with touch for $189. It’s 4/64 but works for school. And he gave my younger son his old non-touch Chromebook, who is so excited to have his first computer.

Good call.

 

[I7guy]

I can see use cases for a Neo, however not as my primary portable as I have a better tools that serve my needs. NOTEBOOKCHECK's review is revealing as ever highlighting some positives & negatives others missed...

Q-6

The positives for me outweigh the negatives. But yeah as I said my wife’s arsenal is an iPhone, iPad and Neo. Should last a few years.

 

[Queen6]

Yeah while that list of positives is impressive, so is that list of negatives.

To be fair, for $599 something had to give.

Pros​

+high-quality and stable aluminum chassis
+always silent
+bright IPS screen with very accurate colors and sRGB
+good system performance
+comfortable input devices
+good speakers
+long battery runtime at 150 nits
+no PWM
+improved repairability

Cons​

-no keyboard backlight
-only 8 GB soldered RAM/SSD not upgradeable
-only 2x USB-C (1x USB 2.0)
-Touch-ID reserved for the more expensive SKU
-short battery runtime at high brightness levels
-slow charging speeds
-temporal dithering and very reflective screen

The reviewers touched on a valid point about battery life at high brightness levels as that's a real-world factor for a portable.

Q-6

 

[I7guy]

The reviewers touched on a valid point about battery life at high brightness levels as that's a real-world factor for a portable.

Q-6

Every point touched upon in these reviews are valid. There comes a point though where the consumer evaluates the products’ pros and cons and decides what outweighs what.

And if a con is a showstopper is there a way around it?

 

[snipr125]

Yeah while that list of positives is impressive, so is that list of negatives.

To be fair, for $599 something had to give.

Pros​

+high-quality and stable aluminum chassis
+always silent
+bright IPS screen with very accurate colors and sRGB
+good system performance
+comfortable input devices
+good speakers
+long battery runtime at 150 nits
+no PWM
+improved repairability

Cons​

-no keyboard backlight
-only 8 GB soldered RAM/SSD not upgradeable
-only 2x USB-C (1x USB 2.0)
-Touch-ID reserved for the more expensive SKU
-short battery runtime at high brightness levels
-slow charging speeds
-temporal dithering and very reflective screen

Could also add Notch-Less to the Pros, but I suppose this is subjective.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

A comment you don’t agree with and in fact is more succinct than yours is not a strawman. The YouTube video is an anecdotal subjective opinion as well.

Another strawman. The Neo screen is objectively worse. It is not a P3 panel but sRGB. It is incapable of displaying the depth of colour of a P3 panel like on the MBA or MBP. There is an objective difference between the screens. There is no argument.

If a person cannot see a difference between the two that is on them. There is an actual, real difference.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

Apple's site clearly stipulates the technical specifications of all its HW. If the display a priority or any other aspect all people need to do is read. It's not hidden, right at the top of the product page as you scroll down..Rest is on the individual, complaining about a lesser feature on a $599 entry level Mac when its spec is in black & white is on them not Apple...

Q-6

No, Apple does not list all of the specs. They don’t say whether the screen is laminated or not. They don’t detail the level of anti-reflectiveness of the screen. Etc.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

When a screen has objectively lesser technology specs, it’s essentially impossible for it to not look worse.

Just because some of you can’t see those differences does not mean they are not there.

I’d be happy that you can’t see them if that’s the case.

It’s a little bit like how at my age I can’t hear the difference with lossless Audio… which I’m fine and happy about.

I have trouble believing most people on here who claim they can’t see a difference. The Max Tech video is clear. For instance, the blacks are much blacker on the Air. Even people who don’t see colours well would see that.

 

[I7guy]

Another strawman. The Neo screen is objectively worse. It is not a P3 panel but sRGB. It is incapable of displaying the depth of colour of a P3 panel like on the MBA or MBP. There is an objective difference between the screens. There is no argument.

If a person cannot see a difference between the two that is on them. There is an actual, real difference.

You got it wrong. It’s not about whether the Neo screen specs are objectively worse than another type of Apple device. The MacPro and Air screens are objectively worse than my IPP m5, but so what?

What this is about if the screen specs are so subjectively bad to not be usable for the target market. And the answer to that is no.

Sure some potential customers may not like it, but I’m guessing for most customers like all other fit to the price specs it is okay.

But yeah, your point is valid, rightsize your tech to your requirements. But dont come onto MR an say the screen is objectively worse than the air or pro and therefore unusable.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

I did read, equally you are stating the Neo's display is inferior but inferior to what? That's why I said depends on where you're coming from. If coming from an Apple Silicon Air/MBP with objectively better specs the Neo's display will be a downgrade. If coming from an older Intel Mac or cheap PC the Neo will likely be an upgrade. Is very simple...

Is also entirely possible that some displays are better than others. Apple and many other source components from multiple vendors, so one display may potentially be better than the other. 2012 15" Retina MBP prime example; suffered this having both Samsung & LG displays, the latter developed image retention. Just how the industry works, so doesn't surprise me that some state the Neo has colour shift etc. and some don't...

Q-6

Stop with the excuses. It is very simple. Let’s say it together: The Neo screen is an sRGB panel. It is not P3. It displays 30-35% less colours than a P3 panel like on the MBA.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

That is the point, some are expecting M3/M4 MacBook Air specs for $599. For many the Neo will be a great notebook and one of the smartest moves Apple has made with the Mac of recent.

Q-6

THE POINT IS, THE SCREEN IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, FOR ME.

 

[I7guy]

No, Apple does not list all of the specs. They don’t say whether the screen is laminated or not. They don’t detail the level of anti-reflectiveness of the screen. Etc.

Apples’ site list the specs that most people would be interested in. If you have to worry about the level of anti-reflectiveness I can already tell you the Neo is not for you.

And that is okay. You are not in the target market.

 

[Pbwallstreet]

I'm glad you know everything about everything. Where would be without you?

Did I say it was as good as a MBA or MBP? No I did not. I said I don't see noticeable color shift or washout from extreme angles. Your arrogance and bias is really showing in your extreme responses to anything anyone says nice about the Neo.

What arrogance and bias?

You got it wrong. It’s not about whether the Neo screen specs are objectively worse than another type of Apple device. The MacPro and Air screens are objectively worse than my IPP m5, but so what?

What this is about if the screen specs are so subjectively bad to not be usable for the target market. And the answer to that is no.

Sure some potential customers may not like it, but I’m guessing for most customers like all other fit to the price specs it is okay.

But yeah, your point is valid, rightsize your tech to your requirements. But dont come onto MR an say the screen is objectively worse than the air or pro and therefore unusable.

Wrong. What this is about is about this thread that I started. And it is just about what is acceptable to me.

The screen is not good enough for me. And I will come onto the Internet and say whatever I decide, not subject to your approval.

 

[I7guy]

What arrogance and bias?

Wrong. What this is about is about this thread that I started. And it is just about what is acceptable to me.

The screen is not good enough for me. And I will come onto the Internet and say whatever I decide, not subject to your approval.

I agree you are the thread starter, but this is not your internet platform.

I also agree in the scheme of things the Neo screen in terms of specs is objectively worse than other displays that apple does have in other devices.

I also do not disagree if you don’t like the Neo for any reason whatsoever, don’t buy it.

The universe of Apple will not care if you don’t like the screen and don’t buy the Neo. Given Apple’s prior comments as reported on MR the Neo likely a huge success.

People who find the budget price point is sufficient to their needs are in the target market. You are not.

 

[DotCom2]

THIS! "People who find the budget price point is sufficient to their needs are in the target market. You are not."

People who are buying this are buying it for ONE reason. PRICE!
They don't care how black the blacks are. Apple knows this and why they created this low margin device. It's to bring NEW people into the system and hopefully subscribe to services.