this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026
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Apple

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Apple Launches $599 MacBook Neo, Threatening Windows PC Market (www.bloomberg.com)
submitted 2 days ago by misk@piefed.social to c/apple@lemmy.zip
22 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

https://archive.ph/2026.03.04-165050/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-04/apple-launches-599-macbook-neo-threatening-windows-pc-market

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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Apple really has a way of creating really great products and then just kneecapping the fuck outta them somehow. The 8GB RAM limitation is that kneecap.

I would gladly pay an extra $200 for another 8GB RAM, even though it would cost Apple maybe $20. But it's not even offered as an option. And of course, you can't just remove it and install your own, because it's "unified" garbage. As is, you have to upgrade to the $1100 Air to get that, which is a $500 tax on 8GB RAM. And that's too fucking much.

[–] misk@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Saying M5 Air is just a RAM upgrade from Neo is silly. That M5 SoC will run laps around A18 Pro, not to mention other things like number of full speed USB ports, external display support etc. Neo needs USB-C display that can charge it because USB3 port is the only one it can use for power.

Neo is fine for web browsing and light tasks while even base M5 Air is a high end computer all things considered.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Saying M5 Air is just a RAM upgrade from Neo is silly.

That's not really what I was saying. I was saying that's the only way to get 16GB.

M5 Air is a high end computer all things considered.

90% of people don't need a high end computer, but they do need to multitask, which will be severely limited by RAM.

[–] misk@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago

Yeah, no argument from me that it sucks there’s no option to upgrade. Other than forced segmentation and memory prices this might also be due to A18 Pro design which is more of a phone SoC - there’s no device with A18 that has different amount of RAM. I hope they’ll give an option for 12GB next year since even iPads get more these days.

My girlfriend is in the market for a new laptop since her 2012 MacBook Air is on it’s last legs and I guess Neo is what will make her upgrade. She doesn’t really multitask on her personal computer, just needs to express millennial urge to do serious things on a device that has a keyboard.

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

This seems like a solid consumer friendly product.

Good price point, several clear use cases, no frills, and will meet the needs of like 80% of people.

It also makes it very easy when my in laws ask what computer to get. Ideally I could point them to Linux. It’s still relatively hard to wreck a macOS install, so this is a safe bet where they can run an office suit a d show slideshows of their trip photos.

If only I could trust Time Machine for backups for family but it always breaks, and there’s no obvious time capsule like hardware for sale.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What happens with time machine? I seem to only remember people having issues because they'd unplug the drive and leave it unplugged for years forgetting about it. Has it gone down hill a lot?

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Eventually it just stops writing successfully and needs to be resynced, but also it can get corrupted and you have to delete everything to continue writing.

It has been unreliable for a long time.

[–] Rozz@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 2 days ago

That describes my experience

[–] jqubed@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Runs on the A18, looks like 8GB unified RAM on all models. Only real choices are color and you can get 256 GB without Touch ID for $599 or 512 GB with Touch ID for $699. Primarily for school or office work, web browsing, video streaming. No MagSafe, two USB-C ports (one USB 3, one USB 2) and a headphone jack with a 13” screen.

The 13" M5 MacBook Air now starts at $1099.

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I was really hoping for 16 gigs of ram but not expecting it.

Either way a great machine for people who only do basic tasks. It’s just an iPhone 16 shoved into a laptop. Plenty of power as long as you’re not a multi tasker. I’ve never been a tablet guy so I’d pick this up any day over an iPad and keyboard case.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 3 points 2 days ago

I was really hoping for 16 gigs of ram but not expecting it.

If it was even an option, even at Apple's wild RAM prices, it would be a good deal. But alas they must kneecap it to ensure they don't make too good of a machine for normies.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

archive ph is a malicious site that alters content and turns users into ddos nodes.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You're thinking of archive.today

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

.ph is a mirror / alt domain of .today

[–] misk@piefed.social -1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

It is malicious towards the guy who tried to dox person behind archive.today. By altering content you mean that archive.today is trolling that guy by deadnaming him. I’ll keep on using this site because it provides valuable service, unlike the guy that I’m inadvertently DDoSing. You’re defending an asshole just because he’s transgender.

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Two wrongs don’t make a right, and you are liable for your computer being used to attack others.

[–] misk@piefed.social 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Yes, police are coming for everyone with an infected router any time now.

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Not what I said.

It’s like littering. You’re responsible for your actions.

[–] misk@piefed.social 0 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I’m okay with ddosing someone’s blog because they wanted to dox someone providing great service. Sometimes you need to stand up for yourself and show you’re going to fight back.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So it is malicious, and it’s not an archive as it alters content. So what service is it providing then?

[–] misk@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I’ve just described entire extent of that content altering so you can stop pretending now it’s anything more than that. As to capability to alter content, that existed always.

That service is providing archived copies of websites, often paywalled, which is quite valuable given that free news aren’t worth much these days. Not that FT or Bloomberg don’t have agenda but their target is different and they’re still adhering to some journalistic standards.

[–] LurkingLuddite@piefed.social -4 points 2 days ago

rofl no. The only thing threatening the Windows PC market is Microslop.