MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air: Which should you buy?

Five hundred dollars. This is the price difference between the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air. After spending a lot of time testing and using both laptops In the MacBook lineupI can say that there is a clear demographic for both devices.

Like a long time Laptop testMy goal here is twofold. I want to make sure you’re buying the right MacBook, and I also want to make sure you’re not overpaying or underpurchasing. Making a decision is actually not as difficult as you think. Don’t think you want a MacBook after all? Don’t forget to check out our guides to Best Windows laptopsthe Best Chromebooksor Best Linux laptops.

The easy way to make a decision

Photo: Luke Larsen

There’s one easy question you can answer if you’re stuck between Neo and Air. Is this for a job you will use full time? Because if you’re sitting in front of that laptop for eight hours a day, don’t even bother thinking about it MacBook Neo. You may be tempted by the price, but there are too many compromises. Trust me.

On the other hand, if you answered “no” to this question, you can probably save some cash by purchasing a MacBook Neo without being bothered by some of its shortcomings. For example, many people have a PC or laptop for work in the office, but then need something to spend their weekends or weekends off or to travel with. It also works perfectly for a student, whether in high school or college.

I know this is an overly simplistic way to think about it, but it’s a good place to start.

Design, size and aesthetics

There is a slight difference in size, but it’s not as big as you might assume. The 13-inch MacBook Neo’s screen size, measured diagonally, is half an inch smaller than the 13.6-inch MacBook Air. As someone who frequently works on a MacBook Air, I found it very easy to switch to the slightly smaller Neo. You can also upgrade to a 15-inch MacBook Air, giving you a lot more space to work on. But this also costs an additional $200. In terms of portability, the MacBook Air is 0.44 inches versus the Neo’s 0.50 inches. Again, there’s not much difference, especially since they’re identical in weight.

The MacBook Neo departs from the MacBook formula in terms of design in several key ways. It’s a little more playful than other MacBooks, using rounded edges, white keycaps, and some brighter color options. They’re not quite 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. 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 unsightly solution.