MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air: Which One Should You Buy?

Five hundred dollars. This is the price difference between the MacBook Neo and the MacBook Air. Spent a lot of time testing and using both laptops in the MacBook seriesI can say that there is a clear demographic for both these devices.

If a long time laptop testermy purpose here is twofold. I want to make sure you’re buying the right MacBook, and I also want to make sure you’re not over or under buying. Deciding is actually not as difficult as you might think. Don’t you think you want a MacBook? Do not forget to our guides to the Best Windows Laptopsthe Best Chromebooksor the Best Linux Laptops.

The easy way to decide

Photo: Luke Larsen

There’s one easy question to answer if you’re stuck between the Neo and the Air. Is it for a job that you will use full time? Because if you sit in front of this laptop for eight hours a day, don’t bother with the MacBook Neo. You will probably be tempted by the price, but the compromises are just too much. trust me

On the other hand, if you answered “No” to that question, you can probably save money by buying the MacBook Neo without being bothered by some of its shortcomings. For example, many people have a work computer or laptop at the office, but then need something for weeknights, weekends or to travel with. It also works perfectly for a student whether in high school or college.

I know that’s an oversimplified way to think about it, but it’s a good place to start.

Design, size and aesthetics

There is a small difference in size, but it is not as significant as you might assume. The MacBook Neo’s screen is 13 inches, measured diagonally, which is more than half an inch smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air. As someone who regularly works on a MacBook Air, I found it quite easy to switch to the slightly smaller Neo. You can also upgrade to the 15-inch MacBook Air, which gives you a significantly larger canvas to work on. But it also costs an extra $200. In terms of portability, the MacBook Air is 0.44 inches versus the 0.50 inches of the Neo. Again, not a huge difference – especially since they are identical in weight.

The MacBook Neo departs from the MacBook formula in a few key ways in terms of design. It’s a bit more playful than other MacBooks, with rounder edges, white keycaps and some brighter color options. They’re not nearly as bold as the iMac colors, but you can choose between Silver, Blush, Citrus and Indigo. Silver and Blush are more subtle, while Citrus and Indigo are the bolder options. However, my favorite aspect of the MacBook Neo is the lack of a notch. Don’t get me wrong: I want thin bezels on my laptop like everyone else, but I’ve always found the notch to be an ugly solution.