Is the MacBook Neo too slow? Let's look at Apple's cheapest laptop differently

Apple’s newest laptop, the MacBook Neo, is the answer for a lot of people searching for their first Mac. But the portable computer also brings a fair number of questions with its fancy colors. For example, because the Neo uses an A18 Pro chip, first in the iPhone 16 Pro, does it mean the laptop is compromised?

I’ve been using the computer since it was released and have been thinking about all the questions the Neo raises. The non-upgradable 8GB of RAM is another big sticking point for some people concerned about the Neo’s performance. So, let’s talk about how the computer feels to use, specifically, by talking around it.

Comparing the MacBook Neo to a wireless speaker

I think the MacBook Neo is a fine computer for anyone, but it’s going to be a great computer for first-time Mac users or people with minimal needs. So, it struck me. Instead of listing speeds and specs, the best way to talk about this product is to compare it to something that isn’t a computer.

If you go out and spend $100 on a wireless speaker, you can connect it to your phone with Spotify Premium and listen to any song. The speaker can play pop songs the same way it can play indie rock or jazz tracks. Plus, based on my experience testing hundreds of audio devices over the years, spending $100 on a speaker in 2026 will get you a pretty good one. You’ll be super happy with your purchase.

That is, until you spend $200 or $300 on a speaker and compare the two directly. The bass is going to be deeper and hit harder on the more expensive one. It will have more range and possibly more clarity. The pricier speaker with more power will play the same songs, but those songs will sound better.

To take the speaker analogy further. At low volumes, both of the speakers will sound quite similar. If you’re in an area with other people and need to keep the volume low, then it’ll be much harder to distinguish the differences between the lower-cost one and the more expensive one. Most speakers at a low 10% volume won’t sound that different. But as you turn up the volume, the differences will become much more obvious.

So, while a $100 speaker might be great for listening at night, while you fall asleep, or in the living room with a couple of friends, it can’t be the speaker you put outside for a pool party with 15 guests. It will still play the songs, but it won’t facilitate that need like the more expensive one will.

If your needs don’t involve playing music at pool parties, then you’ll be served better by a cheaper, smaller speaker that can handle dinnertime soundtracks. But if you frequently find yourself at the center of events for which you’re in charge of the music, then opting for the more expensive speaker will be the more practical choice.

Back to the Mac

The MacBook Neo is the first in line of the good, better, best of Apple’s laptops. It’s good, but it’s not better for more things, and it certainly isn’t the best at everything.

I think the speaker analogy is apt for a few reasons, but mainly because it emphasises that the Neo is just a regular Mac laptop. It’s fully capable of playing any song, so to speak. It just won’t play the songs with the same depth and resonance as a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro will.

If you have no idea what kind of MacBook you need, then the Neo is probably a good starting point. If you have some idea of more intensive tasks, like using Xcode or constant video production, then you should start with Apple’s laptops with a wider range.