MacBook Air vs MacBook Neo: Which to buy?

I’ll cut to the chase. Even though the MacBook Neo is excellent and punches well above its weight, it is not perfect and it has its limitations. I’ll list some now.

The lack of high-speed USB 3 ports could be problematic. The Neo really only has one port for power and data. This means most people will probably need to get a USB-C hub to make it work as a primary system. The second USB-C port, which only supports USB 2, is really only good for peripherals like keyboards and mice, and I don’t know that many people who still use wired versions of them.

For most people, the Neo will not be lacking in performance. It has more than enough grunt for everyday tasks like emails, spreadsheets, and browsing the web. Even editing high-resolution photos and the odd 4K clip didn’t pose too much of a problem. Where it starts struggling is when you have many apps opened at once. The way it manages memory is remarkable, but it’s not magic. You will hit a wall at some point when there’s only 8GB of memory to play around with. If you are a wild multitasker like I am, you’ll notice the Neo slowing down at some point.

An old saying keeps ringing in my head when I think about the Neo. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The Neo is capable and will do a great many things, plus, its price is very attractive (starts at just S$849), but it’s not necessarily the best tool for the job. This is where the MacBook Air comes in.

A better display

The Air’s display is noticeably better. Not only is it larger, but it also supports a wider colour space (P3 vs. sRGB) and seems to be better calibrated from the factory. If you are fussy about your displays, I think you’ll notice the difference. I certainly did when I was using the Neo to edit photos. There’s just something not quite right about its colour representation. 

Superior connectivity

The Air also has two ports, but they are both Thunderbolt 4 ports. Aside from the fact that Thunderbolt 4 is faster (up to 40Gbps) and more versatile, having two of them gives you greater flexibility in your setup. Not only that, the Air’s external display support is superior. It can drive up to two 6K or 4K displays at a minimum of 60Hz. The Neo can only support a single 4K display at up to 60Hz. Finally, the Air has a MagSafe port, which means you can charge it without sacrificing your two USB-C ports.

Because the Air has Apple’s newest N1 wireless networking chip, it supports the latest wireless standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The Neo, on the other hand, also supports Bluetooth 6 but is stuck on Wi-Fi 6E. You might not have a Wi-Fi 7 router now, but with the standard steadily becoming more commonplace, having support for it ensures longevity for your device.

Lasting performance

Having the M5 chip means the Air is a much more capable machine. It can do more, and it’s noticeably faster. There are numerous examples of professionals who rely only on the Air for creative work, like photo and video editing. So, despite the name, it’s a very competent machine.

But what truly sets the Air apart from the Neo is its ability to multitask. The combination of the M5 chip and larger 16GB of memory means the Air can multitask effortlessly. On the Air, I noticed none of the slowdowns or hiccups that I experienced with the Neo. 

The ease with which the Air chews through apps also means it’ll likely be a better investment in terms of longevity. I recently updated my M1 MacBook Pro to macOS Tahoe, and it works like a dream. Furthermore, there are countless anecdotes of users still using their M1 machines to this day and feel that they are completely adequate. Will the Neo enjoy this type of longevity? That’s hard to say since it’s a first-generation device, but considering it only has 8GB of memory, I think it’s unrealistic to expect it to be as durable as the Air.

Closing thoughts

While the MacBook Neo is a ground-breaking new laptop from Apple, and easily the best budget laptop you can buy now, the Air is unquestionably the superior laptop. It’s significantly more powerful, offers better connectivity, and has a higher quality display. Admittedly, its price tag is considerably higher, but it more than justifies its price tag. If you can afford it, the MacBook Air is the Apple laptop you should get.