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Why I Returned the MacBook Neo

Lets face it, it's an entry level device like the iPhone 16/17e, everything is downscaled and would probably be an excellent device for school kids getting thier first computer but if you're comparing it, even to the 14" M1 Macbook Pro with 10 core M1 Pro chip and 32GB RAM which I have, it's probably not going to stand up.
 
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Pbwallstreet said:
Got my Neo today. Put it through some paces, and just got back from the Apple Store to return it.

Why I returned it:
  • The screen size is just a little bit too small for my liking. The 13.6” MBA size is a better size for me. I could sort of live with this, if it wasn’t for:
  • The screen quality is just not good enough for me. Two main issues with it: the viewing angles are noticeably worse than a MBA and MBP screen and the clarity and crispness of the text and graphics is noticeably not as good as a MBA or MBP. Everything looks slightly blurred on screen in comparison to Apple’s Pro devices and even compared to the MBA.
The Neo’s screen made me feel like I was stepping back in time. I can’t go to a screen like that when I use devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the iPad Pro M5, the MacBook Pro M series, and a M3 MacBook Air.

I did side by side comparisons with the same content as well just to make sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

Overall really nice device though. Great build quality, nice keyboard and trackpad, decent sounding audio, ran apps well, etc.
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If you have an M5 iPad Pro, the Neo is not for you.
 
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Anecdotally i had m1 air and mbp 14 side by side for long time.

Air is inferior in every way except portability and ease of use, battery life.

But surprisingly my most used one was Air, despite subpar screen, sound and ports.

So it is not always about the specs, as i am downshifting from 15 pro to 12 mini in the meantime.
 
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Not sure how you didn't come to the conclusion that this isn't the right machine for you by just looking at the specs and available reviews. It's a great machine but if you're already a MBA or MBP user it's not going to suit you. You're used to a different baseline.

This thing is made for those who have been interested in a Mac because they've owned an iPhone for years now but the price point of a Mac was not affordable. This makes another option available for them. It's also very much geared for the education sector first.
 
As far as the screen having issues, I see nothing. No limited angles or color shift, and I would notice that. My panel looks to be on the warm side maybe, which is ok, considering that option is gone LOL

PC makers are not going to be breaking out the champagne this week.
 
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FOMO is real but this could have been worse out side return window. Fully expect some regret posts here when FOMo disappears in few months. Happens after new product launches.
 
Pbwallstreet said:
Got my Neo today. Put it through some paces, and just got back from the Apple Store to return it.

Why I returned it:
  • The screen size is just a little bit too small for my liking. The 13.6” MBA size is a better size for me. I could sort of live with this, if it wasn’t for:
  • The screen quality is just not good enough for me. Two main issues with it: the viewing angles are noticeably worse than a MBA and MBP screen and the clarity and crispness of the text and graphics is noticeably not as good as a MBA or MBP. Everything looks slightly blurred on screen in comparison to Apple’s Pro devices and even compared to the MBA.
The Neo’s screen made me feel like I was stepping back in time. I can’t go to a screen like that when I use devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the iPad Pro M5, the MacBook Pro M series, and a M3 MacBook Air.

I did side by side comparisons with the same content as well just to make sure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

Overall really nice device though. Great build quality, nice keyboard and trackpad, decent sounding audio, ran apps well, etc.
Click to expand...
I mean, it’s not exactly a surprise that the machine that costs twice as much has a bit better display, let alone a MBP that costs 3x-4x as much at base

For most people interested in the neo the screen will be a major step up compared to other machines in their price range
 
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I wonder if the inability to play Windows games natively will have an impact on sales for newcomers... 🤔
 
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I will say it's a little brickish. Heavy for the size. But this may be a positive as it's very solid, and a quality feel to it. No vents or fans. It's got the same vibe this way as the MacBook Pros, which are bricks.

MacBook Air Jr.
 
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mblm85 said:
Can I ask.... and I've always wondered about this: what are American consumer's rights to return goods, particularly used goods?

Here in the UK, even though we still have the EU directive enshrined in our Consumer Rights Act, our right of return doesn't seem half as generous.

Americans on here seem to be able to fully use goods for days, and still be able to take them back. Is that right? Or is it just an Apple thing?
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Well...the period of time to return an Apple product is 14 days, which is not necessarily a long time for those who don't reside near an Apple Store. For example, where I live at the nearest Apple Store is located nearly 400 miles away, so I always buy Apple devices of various kinds at the Apple Store online. So while I may already know the device's specifications, the only way for me to know how it looks and performs is by a visual inspection, and by using it for a few hours. It seems that the Apple return period of 14 days is equal to the UK's?
Return policies around the world
 
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I am considering buying one for travel only. I really like my iPad Pro, but the keyboard isn’t good enough and the OS sucks for any useful work. Not turning into a bashing post. Just saying I think the Neo could be a good cheap travel laptop for more specific use cases like email, writing, and normal computer usage. For $500 to $700, you get a MacBook that can travel and worst case scenario it gets stolen or smashed in a backpack incident, you’re out hundreds not thousands. My MBP cost around $5k and I love it but it’s heavy to travel with and not something I feel comfortable taking everywhere I want to go. For example, a beach day or a week long vacation where I want to have a little access but not going to work hard. I think it’s been shown on YT videos all ready that it can really do anything from 4K video editing to down to earth writing a document. Is it the best, no but it represents something cheap that would allow users to feel more comfortable traveling with it. It’s just one additional use case for me. I would probably still take my iPad Pro just leave the keyboard thing that weighs so much at home. Just an Apple Pencil and it. Now, if my iPad Pro ran MacOS, or even Windows, it would be amazing for that.
 
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Yeah i can’t believe I’m agreeing with OP on this, but i think people are being a little harsh on him. I’ve watched a lot of reviews and read a lot of takes on it and everyone seemed to be gushing about the screen quality and how it’s so good. So to see it in person with THOSE expectations and the viewing angles are crap, it’s dim and pixelated poor quality WOULD be a shocker.

I think we have to acknowledge the fact there is an industry of media influencers that get paid to hype up products and set unrealistic expectations. It’s understandable in my eyes someone would go in expecting it to be a more budget MacBook Air and then leave surprised the screen isnt even MacBook Air quality
 
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Ghost31 said:
Yeah i can’t believe I’m agreeing with OP on this, but i think people are being a little harsh on him. I’ve watched a lot of reviews and read a lot of takes on it and everyone seemed to be gushing about the screen quality and how it’s so good. So to see it in person with THOSE expectations and the viewing angles are crap, it’s dim and pixelated poor quality WOULD be a shocker.

I think we have to acknowledge the fact there is an industry of media influencers that get paid to hype up products and set unrealistic expectations. It’s understandable in my eyes someone would go in expecting it to be a more budget MacBook Air and then leave surprised the screen isnt even MacBook Air quality
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I played with the Neo at the Apple Store and the difference in the Display from the Air to the Neo was minimal but for its intended audience it will be fine.
 
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