Jason Snell

MacBook Neo looks really good. It's a lot like the MacBook Air but with enough compromises (chips, ports) to get it down to $599.

$599 is a staggering price for a new Mac. There's never been a NEW model Mac laptop for that price. The cheapest new Mac model ever sold was the $499 Mac mini

Mar 4 at 3:27pmWeb
Show threadRafael FischmannMar 4
@jsnell And consider that those US$499 for the Mac mini in 2005 is equivalent to about US$830 today.
Show threadxenonchromaticMar 4

@jsnell

Because nothing says Neo like a USB spec from *checks notes* 1996

Show threadJason SnellMar 4
@xenonchromatic given how people use computers it's not unreasonable at all but sure, if you'd like Thunderbolt please pay more money
Show threadxenonchromaticMar 4
@jsnell Im definitely getting a good chuckle watching folks defend the decision to limit it to USB 2.0 speeds. Even 3.0 would have been funny in 2026 but limiting it to a 30 year old standard illustrates the current rot in Cupertino.
Show threadTibo LoeteMar 4
@jsnell @xenonchromatic I don’t think they’re arguing for thunderbolt. I think 2 usb 3 ports on any laptop is absolutely reasonable. the difference is massive
Show threadxenonchromaticMar 4
@Mister_Eel @jsnell Agreed, I think 2 usb 3 ports would have been *fine*. Certainly not ridicule worthy. Making one of those ports USB 2.0 instead though, illustrates something worth observing.
Show threadPhilip Mallegol-HansenMar 4
@xenonchromatic @jsnell It also supports IPv4 from 1980. Gross right?
Show threadxenonchromaticMar 4
@philip @jsnell the difference of course, is that its not *limited* to IPv4, or the speeds we got in 1980.
Show threadNicolas Ward Mar 4
@jsnell Did they compromise on trackpad at all? That's my biggest complaint about the school issued HPs here, even more than Windows. It feels like mousing through mud compared to a Mac laptop.
Show threadChris EnnsMar 4
@ultranurd @jsnell It's a multi-touch, not force touch.
Show threadTheEJJ 🇨🇦Mar 4
@jsnell Yeah, I’m seeing some posts like “but it costs $100 extra for touchID,” or “the hidden compromise of the USB C ports,” but like… this price is shocking for an Apple product, and the value is extraordinary for ANY portable computer.
Show threadMax LeibmanMar 4

@jsnell I've seen some pushback on the price—someone pointed out it's not a big deal because it's basically iPad priced.

And they're right on one hand; a base-model iPad + Magic Keyboard Folio is literally the same price—you gain a touchscreen and TouchID with the iPad but lose half the storage and 25% of the RAM. Call is a wash.

But on the other hand . . . that's an iPad. BRAND-NEW FULL MAC LAPTOP WITH MSRP BELOW $600 is a historic move for Apple. Even if the price "makes sense" with the components and "de-contenting," it's still a fantastic price.