MacBook Neo vs iPad — Apple’s $600 Computer War

Apple has just created a really weird problem for buyers because right now Apple sells three completely different computers for around $600. You've got

the allne MacBook Neo, the M4 iPad Air, and the standard iPad with a keyboard.

They all cost roughly the same, but here's the thing. They're all completely different devices. So, the big question

different devices. So, the big question is, which one is actually the best computer for $600? Because depending on what you do, the answer might not be

what you expect. You see, for years, if you wanted a laptop from Apple, you had to spend at least $1,000. But now, Apple has completely changed the entry-level

market with the all-new MacBook Neo, starting at just $599, making it the cheapest MacBook that Apple has ever produced. And technically, if you're a

produced. And technically, if you're a student, you can even get it for $4.99.

And that price suddenly puts it directly against two other Apple devices. So you

get the MacBook Neo for $599. And guess

what? The M4 iPad Air is also $599. And

the third iPad, the standard iPad with the keyboard folio with it is also $599.

So that's three computers, same price, but completely different experiences. So

let's start with the most traditional option, the MacBook Neo. This is Apple's attempt to bring the MacBook down into the Chromebook and budget laptop territory. And to be very honest, I

territory. And to be very honest, I think they're going to crush it. Here is

what you get. You get a 13-in display, an A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro lineup. You also get 8 gigs of RAM, 256

lineup. You also get 8 gigs of RAM, 256 GB of starting storage, two USBC ports, 1080p webcam, and 16 hours of battery life. Now, like I said, the interesting

life. Now, like I said, the interesting part about this MacBook is the processor. Instead of using an M series

processor. Instead of using an M series chip like the other Macs, Apple's using the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone, which I know that sounds weird, but iPhone chips have become so powerful that yeah,

they can actually run Mac OS just fine for everyday tasks. And speaking of everyday tasks, let's now go over what the MacBook Neo is actually designed for. It's designed for things like

for. It's designed for things like school work, writing and research, browsing, streaming, live productivity.

Basically, everything that Apple is really marketing on its website, but it's not necessarily a device that's meant for things like heavy video editing, 3D work, or serious programming. And it's not that you can't

programming. And it's not that you can't do those things on the MacBook Neo. You

absolutely can. It's just if you want the best experience, this MacBook is probably not the one for you then, because if you're doing those tasks, you would probably want an M series Mac. But

now, let's talk about the iPad Air because on paper, this thing is actually the most powerful device here. The

latest iPad Air that Apple just announced has the allnew M4 chip, which is the same architecture used in many MacBooks. So, with this iPad, like I

MacBooks. So, with this iPad, like I just said, you get the M4 processor. You

get 12 gigs of RAM, 128 gigabytes of starting storage, Apple Pencil support, a 12 megapixel center stage camera, and it's obviously a touch optimized device.

But there is a catch. If you still want to use it like a laptop, then you need to purchase the Magic Keyboard. So once

you buy the M4 iPad Air, the 11in one, and you add the Magic Keyboard to it, the price then jumps to around $868.

So, while the iPad itself is $599, the real laptop setup is almost $900. And if

you want to go for the 13-inch model, then it's going to be even more expensive. And then there's a third

expensive. And then there's a third option, which is kind of like a middle ground. The standard iPad with the Magic

ground. The standard iPad with the Magic Keyboard Folio. The standard iPad costs

Keyboard Folio. The standard iPad costs around $3.49. And with the Magic

around $3.49. And with the Magic Keyboard, that combo costs about 599 total. So, with this you get an A16

total. So, with this you get an A16 chip, 128 gigabytes of starting storage, 6 GB of RAM, and because it's an iPad, you get a touchscreen, and obviously with the Magic Keyboard Folio, you get

the keyboard and trackpad included in that 599 price. But if we just talk about performance, this is probably the weakest device in this lineup. The A16

chip is slower than both the A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo and the M4 in the iPad Air. But hey, I do want to say one

Air. But hey, I do want to say one thing. I have tried using this A16 iPad

thing. I have tried using this A16 iPad as a computer and trust me, it works surprisingly well. It's not for me

surprisingly well. It's not for me because I do a lot of video editing and graphic design work, but honestly, the comparison here isn't really about hardware. All three of these machines

hardware. All three of these machines are built great. The real story here is about software because the MacBook Neo runs on Mac OS while the iPads run on iPad OS. With Mac OS, you get desktop

iPad OS. With Mac OS, you get desktop class applications, full file management, and traditional laptop workflows. Meanwhile, iPad OS is still a

workflows. Meanwhile, iPad OS is still a tablet first touch optimized system even though Apple keeps improving its multitasking and windowing features. And

for most people like myself, the iPad is my main computer. In fact, this M5 iPad Pro that you're looking at, it's my main machine and I absolutely love it. So,

the question everyone is asking is which one should you buy? So, here's the easiest way to think about it. Buy the

MacBook Neo if you just want a simple laptop. You don't want to add any

laptop. You don't want to add any accessories to it. You don't want any confusion. You just open the lid and you

confusion. You just open the lid and you get to work. And also, if you're a student, that $4.99 price tag, it's I feel like it's a steal at that point.

But you should buy the iPad Air if you want maximum versatility. And if you've been subscribed to my channel for a while, then you know how much I vouch for the iPad. Because with the iPad, you

can draw, you can take notes, you can read ebooks, manipulate things with the touch of your finger. Everything feels a lot more immersive and modern. You don't

always need to have it attached to a keyboard or a trackpad. You can use it as a touchscreen tablet and it's great.

And if you want to use it as a laptop, just get a keyboard accessory and attach it. The flexibility that the iPad offers

it. The flexibility that the iPad offers is unmatched with the M4 processor of the iPad Air. It's lightning fast. But

like I said, it's not just a MacBook Neo or the M4 iPad Air. There's also the base iPad combo as well. So, if you want the cheapest Apple laptop like setup,

it's the best value under $600. But like

I said, it's also the least powerful. So

what Apple has done here is actually pretty clever. Instead of selling one

pretty clever. Instead of selling one $600 computer, they're selling three completely different types of computers.

A laptop, a tablet, and a hybrid. And

the real choice comes down to this. Do

you want Mac OS or do you want a touchscreen? Because right now, Apple is

touchscreen? Because right now, Apple is not offering you both at the same time.

But I am curious with what you would choose. If you had $600 right now to

choose. If you had $600 right now to spend on an Apple computer, would you buy the MacBook Neo, the M4 iPad Air, or the standard iPad with the Magic Keyboard Folio? Let me know in the

Keyboard Folio? Let me know in the comments section below. Also, my review of the allne MacBook Neo is dropping in the next few days. So, stay tuned for that video. I think it's going to be a

that video. I think it's going to be a great one, and I'm going to be doing a lot more videos, you know, pairing the MacBook Neo against iPads as well. So,

subscribe to my channel for not just that video, but all things Apple and productivity because trust me, I've got a ton of great content in the works. So,

subscribe and I'll catch you in the next one.