It looks like a perfect replacement for my 2011 MBP. I always figured I’d get a Chromebook when it croaked but this is a viable contender

> the trackpad will be excellent

Nope. It is mechanical.

I thought Apple's RAM architecture/speed lets more than 8 GB be addressed, effectively letting it have 50-100% more operating capacity?

I also know many professionals who have a work computer and just want a personal device for occasional things like personal web browsing/shopping/occasionally watching videos -- things that would be inappropriate on a work computer and inelegant on a phone. These people already basically use their phone for everything -- many of them have never upgraded from their college laptop, which is now obsolete. They'd value a well-built (design, feel, screen) computer but have no performance needs.

8gb was standard not that long ago and was just fine for most people.

The USB-C ports are unbalanced. Should have one on the left and right, not side by side.

Unbalanced USB-C ports has become a common bad design in the laptop industry.

There are also USB-C 2 cables.

For daily use the single core speed is the most important. Web browsing, UI render, etc., is still single threaded mostly.

Single core is close to M4, even.

I’m using a used M1 air as my daily for editing tens of thousands of photos, tons of 4K video editing, web and light dev work.

It’s still the fastest computer I’ve ever used. (No Tahoe for me)

Right? also, where's the thunderbolt ports? and it needs about another inch? maybe half inch on the screen. And really, 16gb is the new minimum. There's a whole bunch of acceleration and co processing features in the m series missing from the a series, so they really should put an m5 in there instead...

Seriously though. Every feature someone says is missing and should have been added would be another $100 on the cost. This is already likely a low margin product meant of someone who's only using a browser and maybe a few apps.

Honestly I am still wondering why tf they brought magsafe back. I thought Apple had turned the corner on proprietary connectors. I charge my M2 air with a usb-c cable.

Not if their goal is to make money on repairs/upgrades!

Kidding aside, I think this is one of their key differentiators from the MBA line. It's partly the MagSafe itself, and partly that you have an extra USB port open even when charging.

It's $600, unless you're a school.

You can't kill Chromebook with hardware. Apple needs software if they want more share of that market.

Depends what you consider luxury feeling. It's so stripped down.

Aside from the slower CPU, half the ram, and half the SSD as the Air this is also what it's all missing compared to the Air:

TouchID, MagSafe, slightly bigger wider color (P3) screen, better 12MP CenterStage camera, 2 more speakers, 1 more mic, backlit keyboard, ambient light sensor, force-touch trackpad, WiFi 7, 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, larger battery with longer runtime and faster charging.

Yes you can get TouchID with the 512GB upgrade for more money on the Neo.

A18 Pro offers 44% better single thread performance and similar multi-thread performance as the M1 processor.

The Neo should offer similar if not better performace as the first round of entry level Macbook Pro/Mini/Airs that Apple launched in 2020 with the M1 chip.

Mac Mini is already the Mac Mini version of this. How much lower in price can it realistically get?