Apple has created a reputation for itself by being an expensive and powerful technology brand. MacBooks, Apple’s version of a laptop computer, have become increasingly popular on social media each year, but the price has also pushed a lot of students toward cheaper brands. Apple has decided to change that with the release of the new Macbook Neo.
This computer retails at $599, a big price difference from the original price point of the average $1,000 Apple computer. This marks a huge change in affordability of Apple products, benefiting the company by attracting more customers who previously stayed away from those prices.
Despite the lower price, the Macbook Neo still includes many features seen from a Mac. According to Apple, it has a 13-inch Liquid Retina display supporting one billion colors, delivering clear text and vibrant images. This highlights the brand’s dedication to maintaining the same quality standards as their other models.
“It comes in so many fun colors, and it’s so light in my backpack,” sophomore Savannah Alton said. “I like how easy it is to carry around throughout the day.”
Another positive listed in Apple’s description of the product is the battery life lasting up to 16 hours on a single charge. This makes it realistic for students to use throughout the whole school day without worrying about a recharge. It is clear that this product was designed with everyday needs in mind.
“It charges really fast and has been really convenient for all my schoolwork,” Alton said. “Apple definitely designed this with [high school] students in mind.”
However, affordability comes at a cost, and that is seen in the computer’s memory and storage space. It’s not an ideal computer for heavy video editing or intricate programs, with eight gigabytes of unified memory and 256 gigabytes of storage. That being said, the average student is doing research and schoolwork, simple tasks that will serve the laptop’s purpose.
“The only thing keeping me from getting [a MacBook Neo] of my own is its limited capabilities for editing apps,” senior Katelyn Gray said. “If I wasn’t planning on using it for editing and storing so many of my videos, I would totally get one.”
Macbook Neo brings accessibility to Apple, introducing a wider audience to the company. While it will not replace higher-end models, it offers a way for more everyday users to purchase Apple products without going past their budget. An easily transportable and fast computer is now within reach.
