EDU Members: Apple MacBook Neo: 13" Liquid Retina, A18 Pro: 512GB $599, 256GB

auxiliary

Mar 6, 2026 3:04 AM

1.6K Comments

Joined Jan 2009

auxiliaryMar 6, 2026 3:04 AM

1.6K Comments

I have a M1 8gb and I need to unload it, I need more memory

Aznline

Mar 6, 2026 5:14 AM

164 Comments

Joined Nov 2011

AznlineMar 6, 2026 5:14 AM

164 Comments

Insane that the A18 Pro is better in almost every way than the original M1 in 2020. If only my iPhone 16 could run macOS...

processor - single core, multi core, metal (gpu)
A18 Pro - 3445, 8624, 32575
M1 - 2347, 8342, 33148

2

Afford

Mar 6, 2026 5:19 AM

380 Comments

Joined Jan 2011

AffordMar 6, 2026 5:19 AM

380 Comments

Quote from OniEdge

:

I'm curious how long a phone processor will be able to run it. 1 year? 2 years?

If this had an M1 or M2 chip, this would be a great deal. With a phone processor, it seems like Apple is saying that this is disposable.

Also, be advised that the base $599 model doesn't have a backlit keyboard. You need to upgrade to the $699 512GB model for that. And TouchID, if you care about that.

I think they chose to focus on having a good display over having a good processor. Sure with the low RAM and phone processor, this isn't going to do any heavy lifting tasks, but I think it's great for watching movies and browsing the web as long as you don't open too many tabs.

UKR_12

Mar 6, 2026 6:30 AM

1.5K Comments

Joined Oct 2017

UKR_12Mar 6, 2026 6:30 AM

1.5K Comments

Quote from goyangyi1

:

Have you used a mac before? 8GB is plenty even if you run games like World of Warcraft. You don't buy this budget macbook to do video editing obviously. It's only like $600. This is good for doing basic stuff.

As a lifelong Mac user, I disagree that 8GB is plenty in 2026. Modern software is simply more memory intensive than it used to be. Browsers alone are heavy. A typical Chrome tab uses roughly up 150-300mb, so 20 tabs can easily reach 3-6gb. Then add the system itself. macOS usually consumes around 1.5-2.5gb: system processes + wired memory. A pretty normal workflow today is browser, messengers, an office app, some background services. At that point 8gb is already at the limit, which means the system starts relying heavily on swap. Swap helps somewhat, but it is not free. It reduces responsiveness and increases ssd wear over time. So yes, 8gb might run basic tasks, but calling it plenty for a modern computer in 2026 is a stretch.

1

Driveshaft23

Mar 6, 2026 1:55 PM

163 Comments

Joined Aug 2015

Driveshaft23Mar 6, 2026 1:55 PM

163 Comments

Quote from clydesdal

:

Absolutely --at least in the near term. Was able to pick up a perfect walmart open box m1 air for $308 2 weeks ago, so new (or practically new) units are still available -- (for now). Scratch and dinged stuff will be available forever --there were a lot of these sold. What is cool is the neo doesn't currently have a >8GB ram option --so the M1 should in theory should have a fairly long support life --at least it won't be dropped for ram size.(8gb works fine for a bunch of use cases, but is a bit light on others --recommend holding out for 16gb or higher if you expect to be doing more demanding stuff a lot of the time). Anyway, cool to have options that don't cost historically typical apple money.

Looks like the neo basically gives you better webcam, ai integration, and color ways but the m1 has better hardware for the most part and it way cheaper. Will probably go your route as well.

1

dlinders10

Mar 6, 2026 2:39 PM

486 Comments

Joined Oct 2015

dlinders10Mar 6, 2026 2:39 PM

486 Comments

Quote from BLADE2142

:

Any good legit sites for that? I've been looking around but can't seem to find anything that's trustworthy.

I would also look at best buy open box. Definitely go with the excellent condition though.

dlinders10

Mar 6, 2026 2:49 PM

486 Comments

Joined Oct 2015

dlinders10Mar 6, 2026 2:49 PM

486 Comments

Quote from UKR_12

:

As a lifelong Mac user, I disagree that 8GB is plenty in 2026. Modern software is simply more memory intensive than it used to be. Browsers alone are heavy. A typical Chrome tab uses roughly up 150-300mb, so 20 tabs can easily reach 3-6gb. Then add the system itself. macOS usually consumes around 1.5-2.5gb: system processes + wired memory. A pretty normal workflow today is browser, messengers, an office app, some background services. At that point 8gb is already at the limit, which means the system starts relying heavily on swap. Swap helps somewhat, but it is not free. It reduces responsiveness and increases ssd wear over time. So yes, 8gb might run basic tasks, but calling it plenty for a modern computer in 2026 is a stretch.

I know ram is usually done in 8 gb sizes but it would almost make more sense for 12 gb to be the smallest size now adays. As much as I would love to see 16 gb be the minimum on laptops, there will aways be budget laptops that need the bare minimum to hit a price point, I would just argue that minimum should be 12 gb. Then 24 gb would be a nice jump up from the 16 gb that most laptops start with.

1

UKR_12

Mar 6, 2026 3:04 PM

1.5K Comments

Joined Oct 2017

UKR_12Mar 6, 2026 3:04 PM

1.5K Comments

Quote from dlinders10

:

I know ram is usually done in 8 gb sizes but it would almost make more sense for 12 gb to be the smallest size now adays. As much as I would love to see 16 gb be the minimum on laptops, there will aways be budget laptops that need the bare minimum to hit a price point, I would just argue that minimum should be 12 gb. Then 24 gb would be a nice jump up from the 16 gb that most laptops start with.

I guess at this point anything more than 8gb is better.

synergy3000

Mar 6, 2026 3:29 PM

524 Comments

Joined May 2010

synergy3000Mar 6, 2026 3:29 PM

524 Comments

I was strongly considering buying this as I need a laptop to carry around with me. Ended up finding a refurb deal on Apple.com for an M4 MBA for $683.

1

mrk43

Mar 6, 2026 3:34 PM

6K Comments

Joined Jun 2008

mrk43Mar 6, 2026 3:34 PM

6K Comments

Quote from UKR_12

:

As a lifelong Mac user, I disagree that 8GB is plenty in 2026. Modern software is simply more memory intensive than it used to be. Browsers alone are heavy. A typical Chrome tab uses roughly up 150-300mb, so 20 tabs can easily reach 3-6gb. Then add the system itself. macOS usually consumes around 1.5-2.5gb: system processes + wired memory. A pretty normal workflow today is browser, messengers, an office app, some background services. At that point 8gb is already at the limit, which means the system starts relying heavily on swap. Swap helps somewhat, but it is not free. It reduces responsiveness and increases ssd wear over time. So yes, 8gb might run basic tasks, but calling it plenty for a modern computer in 2026 is a stretch.

It's not plenty but it's perfectly fine for browsing or using a client to connect to VDI etc etc. Why would you use chrome on a Mac? SSD will last 5-10yrs even swapping. This is $499 and gets you into the echo system. Cheaper and an iPad and keyboard case? Its ok.

Last edited by mrk43 March 6, 2026 at 07:36 AM.

SociableMeat170

Mar 6, 2026 3:37 PM

192 Comments

Joined Nov 2019

SociableMeat170Mar 6, 2026 3:37 PM

192 Comments

Quote from NoMSRPForMe

:

The fact this has so many dislikes is criminal. Yes, a lot of the entry level buyers will be "fine" with 8GB Ram, but even at $499, there is no reason to get a dud that will be chugging from low Ram in less than 3 years.Every time this conversation comes around, people say x GB RAM is fine but unanimously forget their opinion a couple years later when it isn't enough.iPad Pro 2018 with 3GB Ram is an excellent tablet with a still plenty great processor. The iPad is not great because the 3GB Ram... chugs.M1 air runs great mostly but I've had insane swap data written to SSD and terrible battery life once there's lots of memory pressure on the RAM and lots of SSD writing. This was just browsing with 10-20 tabs and not any high demand video editing.8GB RAM on M series chips is a 5 year old configuration at this point and Apple has made 16GB the base for a reason!

So you want to do high demand video editing on a $500 laptop. Please let us know where we can buy such a machine.

2

1

thefantasy

Mar 6, 2026 4:18 PM

1.3K Comments

Joined Oct 2005

thefantasyMar 6, 2026 4:18 PM

1.3K Comments

Quote from mrgamers

:

This or the new M processor?

If you have to ask.. then this NEO is perfect for you.

2

thriftshopdelux

Mar 6, 2026 4:28 PM

117 Comments

Joined Jan 2008

thriftshopdeluxMar 6, 2026 4:28 PM

117 Comments

Lot's of comments on this one. Just adding to it.

1

tanginator

Mar 6, 2026 6:45 PM

354 Comments

Joined Sep 2004

tanginatorMar 6, 2026 6:45 PM

354 Comments

The NEO is a pretty good value with the edu discount. Single-core performance is on par with M4. Multi-core performance is 40% slower than M4.

A18 Pro (6-core) vs M4 (10-core) Benchmark Scores:
Single-Core: 3,461 vs 3,696
Multi-Core: 8,668 vs 14,730

For those with a little more demanding workflow, the Apple refurbished M4 Air is only $759 (16/256GB) or $849 (16/512GB). The M5 Air starts at $1099 as a comparison, so I don't think these will last long.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurb...acbook-air

Last edited by tanginator March 6, 2026 at 10:57 AM.

1

Slickdeelr

Mar 6, 2026 7:15 PM

15 Comments

Joined Sep 2012

SlickdeelrMar 6, 2026 7:15 PM

15 Comments

Sad, this laptop is just too big - same size and weight as a 13" Air - and crippled USB C specs. Was hoping Apple would have made this more like their 12" Macbook in weight and profile and not have 10 year old connectivity ports. Pass :-(

1

Product Description:	Get a new MacBook Neo laptop for only $41.58 per month. 13-inch Liquid Retina display. All-day battery life. Built for Apple Intelligence. Buy now at apple.com.
Product SKU:	apple_macbook-neo

EDU Members: Apple MacBook Neo: 13" Liquid Retina, A18 Pro: 512GB $599, 256GB

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