Apple MacBook Neo review: What can Apple’s most affordable laptop do?
Since the launch of the Apple MacBook Neo on March 11th, a little over two weeks have passed, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it daily ever since to create a more detailed review.
8 GB of RAM might sound like a small amount, since all the others Apple MacBooks have 16 GB or more. Macs, however, are using the RAM so efficiently that most users won’t miss having more. The Apple MacBook Neo handles web browsing, watching videos, managing documents, writing, scrolling through social media apps, sending emails, doing homework, and other light tasks with ease. 8 GB of RAM is also sufficient for all the smart home features Apple has introduced so far.
The Apple MacBook Neo is excellent for editing photos and videos, but of course it’s not as fast as Apple’s MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M-chips. Export times are slightly longer, but the actual video editing on the MacBook Neo doesn’t feel excessively slow.
The Apple MacBook Neo had absolutely no problems with 30 Chrome tabs open, running YouTube, Google Docs, news sites, spreadsheets, Twitter, and more, even with apps like Mail, Messages, and Spotify running simultaneously. With up to 60 tabs open, it did utilize all available RAM, but everything ran smoothly without crashes or extended loading times. A Windows laptop with only 8 GB of RAM would likely struggle, but thanks to Apple’s chipsets, everything ran flawlessly.
Apple MacBook Neo: No MagSafe and only two USB ports
Besides the RAM, the Apple MacBook Neo also has a few compromises. While the display isn’t Apple’s best, it comes quite close to that of the MacBook Air. The only thing missing is True Tone for automatically adjusting the white balance to the ambient lighting. The number of USB-C ports is limited to two (one with USB 2.0 speeds of 480 Mbps, which limits data transfer speeds) and the other with USB 3.0 and 10 Gbps.
There’s no Thunderbolt or MagSafe, no SD card slot, no HDMI port, and no keyboard backlight. The trackpad is mechanical instead of Force Touch, but functions largely the same. It also features a 1080p camera.
The battery life is solid at up to 16 hours on a full charge, and power consumption is so low that you can easily get extra power with a small power bank. The MacBook Neo is only available with 256GB and 512GB of storage, so storage space is somewhat limited. We therefore recommend the 512GB upgrade for an additional €100/$100, as it adds Touch ID to the keyboard. The Apple MacBook Neo is slim and light at just 1.2 kg and comes in attractive colors such as blush, citrus, silver, and indigo.
The Apple MacBook Neo is aimed at students on a budget, parents buying their child’s first laptop, and anyone who simply needs a device for everyday online tasks. While it’s Apple’s most affordable Mac model, it’s still one of the best computers in its price range.
Many competing Windows PCs and Chromebooks around the €600/US$ mark are significantly bulkier, have dimmer displays, and less powerful processors. PC manufacturers haven’t had to make much of an effort in the low-price segment until now, as Apple wasn’t present there – but that has now changed.
ASUS CFO Nick Wu rightly described the Apple MacBook Neo as a “shock” to the entire PC industry, one that must be taken “very seriously.” PC manufacturers must innovate, otherwise Apple risks taking over the market for budget PCs and in the education sector as well.
