Christina WarrenThere are obvious deficits to the MacBook Neo — connectivity is a huge one, but I’m just stoked there is a $500 MacBook (assuming you use the student discount, which of course you obviously should) and in fun colors!
Jason Snell@film_girl I just wonder how much connectivity the buyers of a $599 laptop need....
Nick Heer@jsnell @film_girl Is the USB 2 port (or, more precisely, having only one USB 3 port of the two) perhaps downstream of the choice to use the A18? I agree that it’s not a dealbreaker but it *feels* nickel-and-dimey (and confusing, given that they look the same).
@nickheer @film_girl yes, it was impossible to do two usb 3 ports on this chip.
@jsnell @nickheer yes. And that was a choice Apple made. They could have used an iPad chip or an older iPhone Pro chip. I understand the technical limitations; my point is these were all limitations that Apple chose. And fine. But I don’t give them any grace or a pass on this just because they want 50% margins.
Greg Thompson@film_girl @jsnell @nickheer A couple things from a Tech Director for a K-12 School Corporation.
1. Chromebooks are getting more expensive by the day with the RAM Shortage.
2. The screen on the Neo Destroys any Chromebook I have ever seen.
3. Yes Jamf is Expensive, but we have already invested and set up that architecture for our 1:1 iPads.
4. Yes, Most schools buy "cheap" Chromebooks, but you get what you pay for. $350 for a device that falls apart in a year or 2.
1. Chromebooks are getting more expensive by the day with the RAM Shortage.
2. The screen on the Neo Destroys any Chromebook I have ever seen.
3. Yes Jamf is Expensive, but we have already invested and set up that architecture for our 1:1 iPads.
4. Yes, Most schools buy "cheap" Chromebooks, but you get what you pay for. $350 for a device that falls apart in a year or 2.
@film_girl @jsnell @nickheer
5. There will be resale value for the Neo after 4 years of use, Chromebooks are junk after 2 years.
6. We will absolutely transition to these from our iPads at Grades 7-12.
5. There will be resale value for the Neo after 4 years of use, Chromebooks are junk after 2 years.
6. We will absolutely transition to these from our iPads at Grades 7-12.
@gc_headtech @jsnell @nickheer wouldn’t it be more economical to write off the cost of the machines as amortized than to resell for what, $200 at most? again, genuine question. Transition from iPad I can see, but again, my question is: would you ever get the approval to double the budget to get off Chromebooks?