The Neo Notebook

Apple's biggest Mac education deal ever, a reported 16 million Neos for 2027, and Windows 11 fighting back on 8GB.

Over 172,000 MacBook Neo Laptops Set for DepEd Rollout -Daily Tribune

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/11/03/over-172000-macbook-neo-laptops-set-for-deped-rollout

Tinio to DepEd: Give Every Teacher a Laptop - Daily Tribune

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/11/05/tinio-to-deped-give-every-teacher-a-laptop

Apple's latest giant education deal: 170,000 MacBook Neo toPhilippines - AppleInsider

https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/11/02/apples-latest-giant-education-deal-170000-macbook-neo-to-philippines

DepEd secures 172,654 Apple MacBook Neo laptops for publicschool teachers - Filipino Times

https://filipinotimes.net/latest-news/2026/11/04/deped-secures-172654-apple-macbook-neo-laptops-for-public-school-teachers/

Apple lands its biggest Mac education deal ever with 170,000MacBook Neos - The Apple Post

https://www.theapplepost.com/2026/11/05/73839/apple-lands-its-biggest-mac-education-deal-ever-with-170000-macbook-neos/

Apple Expects MacBook Neo Unit Sales to Double to 16 Millionin 2027 - MacDailyNews

https://macdailynews.com/2026/11/05/apple-expects-macbook-neo-unit-sales-to-double-to-16-million-in-2027/

Apple's MacBook Neo Tipped for 2X Shipments and More RAM in2027 - HotHardware

https://hothardware.com/news/apple-macbook-neo-2-tipped-2x-shipments-more-ram

Apple plans for 16 million MacBook Neo shipments in 2027 -iThinkDifferent

https://www.ithinkdiff.com/macbook-neo-shipments-forecast-16-million-2027/

Apple reportedly targets 16 million MacBook Neo units in2027 - Gadget Review

https://www.gadgetreview.com/apple-reportedly-targets-16-million-macbook-neo-units-in-2027

Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record - MacRumors (viaMacHash)

https://machash.com/macrumors/419755/apple-announces-new-mac-sales-record/

Apple CEO John Ternus Announces All-Time Record Mac Sales inFiscal 2026 - MacDailyNews

https://macdailynews.com/2026/11/06/apple-ceo-john-ternus-announces-all-time-record-mac-sales-in-fiscal-2026/

Windows Laptops Just Closed a Major Gap With the MacBook Neo- Lifehacker

https://lifehacker.com/tech/windows-laptops-just-closed-a-major-gap-with-the-macbook-neo

Windows 11 26H2 Improves 8GB PC Performance: How It ComparesWith MacBook Neo - Windows Forum

https://windowsforum.com/news/windows-11-26h2-improves-8gb-pc-performance-how-it-compares-with-macbook-neo-megathread.451082/

Spilt Water on MacBook - r/macbook

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1xo67zq/spilt_water_on_macbook/

There Are Some Black Spots on My MacBook Neo, Is... -r/MacbookNeo

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xqqrpn/there_are_some_black_spots_on_my_macbook_neo_is/

MacBook Neo Adapter - r/MacbookNeo

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xq4c4t/macbook_neo_adapter/

Which MacBook for a PhD Student? - r/macbook

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1xpbfbk/which_macbook_for_a_phd_student/

Should I Get a MacBook Neo or a Secondhand... - r/mac

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1xqtqgd/should_i_get_a_macbook_neo_or_a_secondhand/

Give Me Ideas on What to Do on a Neo, Convince Me -r/MacbookNeo

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xqwkcd/give_me_ideas_on_what_do_to_on_a_neo_convince_me/

I Want to Learn Coding, Specifically C. Is Neo a... -r/MacbookNeo

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xqgs43/i_want_to_learn_coding_specifically_c_is_neo_a/

Watch live on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook, Sundays at 9 PM EST

Email: [email protected]

Network: ThePodTalk.Net

Apple raised the MacBook Neo's education price, a Neo 2 is rumored for the first half of 2027, and the first Neo picks up a laptop-of-the-year nod and an iFixit chip page. Then we open the help desk on durability and care and close with the Reddit roundup.

With Marty Jencius, Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden and Brett Canedy.

THE EDUCATION PRICE INCREASE

• Apple Raises MacBook Neo Education Pricing (MacRumors): https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/28/apple-raises-macbook-neo-education-pricing/

• Apple raises the 256GB MacBook Neo's education price (MacDailyNews): https://macdailynews.com/2026/10/29/apple-raises-the-256gb-macbook-neos-education-price/

• Still a great deal for students, just not as great as before (Trusted Reviews): https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/the-macbook-neo-is-still-a-great-deal-for-students-just-not-as-great-as-before

NEO 2 RUMORS

• MacBook Neo 2 in the first half of 2027 (MacRumors Forums): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-reportedly-plans-to-release-macbook-neo-2-in-first-half-of-2027.2492970/

• Neo 2 tipped for early 2027, alongside MacBook Air M6 (Tom's Guide): https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/macbooks/macbook-neo-2-tipped-for-early-2027-launch-alongside-macbook-air-m6

• A more powerful successor could arrive early next year (PCMag): https://www.pcmag.com/news/loved-the-macbook-neo-a-more-powerful-successor-could-arrive-early-next

• Neo 2 release timeline tipped (Notebookcheck): https://www.notebookcheck.net/MacBook-Neo-2-release-timeline-tipped.1435401.0.html

AWARD AND TEARDOWN

• Laptop of the year: the Apple MacBook Neo (TechRadar): https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/weve-crowned-our-laptop-of-the-year-and-there-really-was-only-one-choice-the-apple-macbook-neo

• MacBook Neo Chip ID (iFixit): https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Neo+Chip+ID/213457

HELP DESK AND REDDIT

• Long-term physical durability (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xi6grn/macbook_neo_long_term_physical_durability/

• Issue with a relatively new MacBook Neo (r/mac): https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1xjifrs/issue_with_relatively_new_macbook_neo/

• Stick or not to stick (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xhqxfq/stick_or_not_to_stick/

• MacBook Neo for real estate (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xhhdau/macbook_neo_for_real_estate/

Live every Sunday at 9 PM EST: YouTube.com/@TheNeoNotebook

Questions or topic ideas: [email protected]

More shows: ThePodTalk.Net

PC shipments fell while Apple gained ground, the reports say. Then the Neo meets the Air M5, a Surface Arm rumor and a Reddit full of new-owner questions.

TOP STORY: THE NEO HELPS APPLE OUTPACE A SHRINKING PC MARKET

MacBook Neo Helps Apple Outpace Rivals as Market Declines (MacRumors)

https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/23/macbook-neo-helps-apple-outpace-rivals-as-market-declines/

MacBook Neo Helps Apple Soften the Blow of Global PC Market Downturn (9to5Mac)

https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/22/macbook-neo-helps-apple-soften-the-blow-of-global-pc-market-downturn-per-report/

MacBook Neo Cushions Apple's PC Shipments (iThinkDifferent)

https://www.ithinkdiff.com/macbook-neo-cushions-apple-pc-shipments-counterpoint-q3-2026/

MacBook Neo Helps Apple Gain PC Market Share (iClarified)

https://www.iclarified.com/103020/macbook-neo-helps-apple-gain-pc-market-share-despite-shipment-decline-report

MacBook Neo Helps Apple Outpace Rivals (AppleDay)

https://appleday.org/macbook-neo-helps-apple-outpace-rivals-as-market-declines/

THE NEO VERSUS THE FIELD

MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air M5 (TechRepublic)

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-macbook-neo-vs-macbook-air-m5/

MacBook Neo Review Through a Windows User's Eyes (Her Social Edit)

https://hersocialedit.com/macbook-neo-review-through-a-windows-users-eyes/

MacBook Neo Long-Term Review (Gadget Pilipinas)

https://www.gadgetpilipinas.net/2026/10/macbook-neo-long-term-review/

AMD Arm "Sound Wave" APUs and Surface Laptops (Wccftech)

https://wccftech.com/amd-arm-action-microsoft-surface-laptops-soundwave-apus/

HELP DESK

Sticky Grips for Rubber Feet on Your Mac

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xe753o/sticky_grips_for_rubber_feet_on_your_mac/

MacBookNeo Incident

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xbzyeb/macbookneo_incident/

MacBook Neo Backlight Bleed

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1xe8db3/macbook_neo_backlight_bleed/

Keyboard Stickers on MacBook Neo

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1xdrpts/keyboard_stickers_on_macbook_neo/

I Have a MacBook Neo. One of My Issues Is When...

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1xesbmc/i_have_a_macbook_neo_one_of_my_issues_is_when/

Should I Sleep or Shut Down My Neo?

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xf3dsn/should_i_sleep_or_shut_down_my_neo_while_keeping/

Just Got a MacBook Neo, Stressed About...

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xdh1iu/just_got_a_macbook_neo_am_stressed_about_getting/

Suggestions for My New MacBook Setup (Neo, Air, M5)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1xb2gjv/suggestions_for_my_new_macbook_setup_neo_air_m5/

Gonna Buy a MacBook Neo Tomorrow

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1xehnne/gonna_buy_a_macbook_neo_tomorrow_what_should_i/

COMMUNITY CORNER (REDDIT)

I Had a Nightmare About the Neo

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xfaqy1/i_had_a_nightmare_about_the_neo/

Any Fellow Neo Coders?

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1xer6u5/any_fellow_neo_coders/

MacBook Neo as Home Server

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1xeid04/macbook_neo_as_home_server/

SHOW CONTACT

Live every Sunday, 9 PM EST: YouTube.com/@TheNeoNotebook

Email: [email protected]

Network: ThePodTalk.Net

One essay calls the Neo Apple's biggest win of 2026. Acer's CEO calls it a "common enemy," and HP answers with an OLED OmniBook 5.

MacBook Neo — the Success Story of 2026!

https://medium.com/macoclock/macbook-neo-the-success-story-of-2026-b79491a574bf

Acer CEO Says MacBook Neo Shock Forced PC Industry to Unite Against a ‘Common Enemy’

https://smbtech.au/news/acer-ceo-says-macbook-neo-shock-forced-pc-industry-to-unite-against-a-common-enemy/

Laptop Makers Are Racing to the Bottom to Beat MacBook Neo, and Laptops as a Whole Are Worse for It

https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/laptop-makers-racing-bottom-beat-113013823.html

4 Reasons to Buy the MacBook Neo Over the HP OmniBook 5

https://www.bgr.com/2280788/reasons-to-buy-macbook-neo-over-hp-omnibook-5/

Maybe the Most Exciting New MacBook Neo Competitor: HP OmniBook 5 14 Hands-On Review

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Maybe-the-most-exciting-new-MacBook-Neo-competitor-HP-OmniBook-5-14-laptop-hands-on-review.1426125.0.html

Apple MacBook Neo Laptop Test

https://www.dxomark.com/apple-macbook-neo-laptop-test/

Apple MacBook Neo Falls Behind MacBook Pro in DxOMark Camera Test

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Neo-falls-behind-MacBook-Pro-in-DxOMark-camera-test.1423972.0.html

MacBook Neo Keyboard Stain (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x4rer7/keyboard_stain/

MacBook Neo Liquid Detected but No Liquid (r/macbook)

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1x58bgv/macbook_neo_liquid_detected_but_no_liquid/

MacBook Neo Screen Has Yellow/Green Haze and... (r/computerrepair)

https://www.reddit.com/r/computerrepair/comments/1x5tawc/macbook_neo_screen_has_yellowgreen_haze_and/

MacBook Neo Accidentally Closed the Lid While... (r/MacOS)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1x4sdit/macbook_neo_accidentally_closed_the_lid_while/

How to Export My Work on Pages That Can Be Edited... (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x822zx/how_to_export_my_work_on_pages_that_can_be_edited/

MacBook Neo: Any Tips for a First-Time Mac User? (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x8547w/macbook_neo_any_tips_for_a_first_time_mac_user/

Acquired My Third Neo in Indigo (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x77edx/acquired_my_third_neo_in_indigo/

First Time Apple Experience: MacBook Neo (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x8wszj/first_time_apple_experience_macbook_neo/

Is a MacBook Neo OK for a Major in... (r/AskEconomics)

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEconomics/comments/1x6kvfl/is_a_macbook_neo_ok_for_a_major_in/

DAE Prefer MacBook Neo to Pro/Air? (r/mac)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1x9bdtv/dae_prefer_macbook_neo_to_proair/

Show Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Network: https://ThePodTalk.Net

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook

Watch live Sundays at 9 PM EST. Video and audio are available afterward on YouTube and podcast services.

A quiet news week, so: when the novelty fades, is the Neo still the right device - or does the iPad win?

Top Story: Neo or iPad?

I Re-Tried the MacBook Neo. It Made Me Love My iPad Pro Again — Manav Tyagi, Medium
https://tyagimanav04.medium.com/i-re-tried-the-macbook-neo-it-made-me-love-my-ipad-pro-again-645335517240

Keep iPad Mini or Trade In Towards MacBook Neo? (r/mac)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1x1cwvr/keep_ipad_mini_or_trade_in_towards_macbook_neo/

Help Desk: Kids, Settings & Staying Power

Can MacBook Neo Handle Roblox and FaceTime at… (r/mac)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1wz0rya/can_macbook_neo_handle_roblox_and_facetime_at/

How to Set Up MacBook Neo Child Safety Tools and Screen Time — Mashable

https://mashable.com/tech/how-to-set-up-macbook-neo-child-safety-tools-screen-time

MacBook Neo Longevity (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wybgiz/macbook_neo_longevity/

What Are Neo Owners Actually Doing With It?

Can You Do Real Work on a Neo? Yes, Using My… (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x1ki5u/can_you_do_real_work_on_a_neo_yes_using_my/

My Experience With the MacBook Neo for Anyone… (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x1y18z/my_experience_with_the_macbook_neo_for_anyone/

Is It Good for Studying and Middle Video Editing? (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wxf1tt/is_it_good_for_studying_and_middle_video_editing/

Community Corner: Reddit Roundup

Will the MacBook Neo Go Down in Price for Black… (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x1msl2/will_the_macbookneo_go_down_in_price_for_black/

MacBook Neo Trackpad Rant (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1x2ebi0/macbook_neo_trackpad_rant/

Contact Information

Catch us live every Sunday at 9 PM EST at YouTube.com/@TheNeoNotebook, or find the video and audio afterward wherever you get your podcasts.

Questions or topic suggestions? [email protected]. Find the whole network at ThePodTalk.Net.

This week's Neo Notebook covers a Texas school district's 10,500-Neo purchase to replace Chromebooks, a help-desk segment on Neo setup and repair issues, what owners are doing with their Macs, and a Reddit roundup.

Texas School District Ditches Chromebooks, Approves $11M iPad and MacBook Neo Deal — 9to5Mac: https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/02/texas-school-district-ditches-chromebooks-approves-11m-ipad-and-macbook-neo-deal/

How to Set Up MacBook Neo Child Safety Tools and Screen Time — Mashable: https://mashable.com/tech/how-to-set-up-macbook-neo-child-safety-tools-screen-time

Target Disk Mode from MacBook Air to Neo — Which… (r/applehelp): https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/1wwrth5/target_disk_mode_from_macbook_air_to_neo_which/

Bent My New MacBook Neo — What Would You Do in My… (r/mac): https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1wvr6ae/bent_my_new_macbook_neo_what_would_you_do_in_my/

Repairing a Neo (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wv73cf/repairing_a_neo/

MacBook Neo Suddenly Getting Hot and Draining… (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wuazl6/macbook_neo_suddenly_getting_hot_and_draining/

What Games Do You Play on Your Mac Neo? (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wwlpua/what_games_do_you_play_in_your_mac_neo/

MacBook Neo Sims 4 (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wwbph3/macbook_neo_sims_4/

As a Wedding Photographer, I Love My Neo (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wr7s6w/as_a_wedding_photographer_i_love_my_neo/

Neo and 34" Display (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wtojtz/neo_and_34_display/

Apple Support: Take a tour of MacBook Neo (see "Get to know your USB-C ports"): https://support.apple.com/guide/macbook-neo/take-a-tour-of-macbookneo-apd1628f4eb7/mac

These YouTubers Need to Know That the Neo Isn't… (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wqu3cv/these_youtubers_need_to_know_that_the_neo_isnt/

Is There Any Free Way to Get Notch in My… (r/MacbookNeo): https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wwmy0z/is_there_is_any_free_way_to_get_notch_in_my/

Linux 7.4 to Introduce Initial Device Trees for… (r/linux): https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1wx4n09/linux_74_to_introduce_initial_device_trees_for/

Email (questions or topic suggestions): [email protected]

Network website: ThePodTalk.Net

Live stream: YouTube.com/@TheNeoNotebook, Sundays at 9 PM EST (video and audio available afterward on YouTube and podcast apps)

This week's episode tackles seven listener questions about whether a MacBook Neo can handle music production, video editing, game dev, and dental school, alongside a wave of new Neo rivals from Acer, Dell, and Google, Microsoft's choice to skip the budget fight, the Neo's surprisingly high repairability score, early macOS 27 Golden Gate reports, and resale-value questions.

Top Story

• Acer Swift Air 14: New MacBook Neo Competitor Released for $699 — Notebookcheck — https://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-Swift-Air-14-New-MacBook-Neo-competitor-released-for-699.1406546.0.html
• 2026 Laptop with 16GB RAM and 120Hz Panel Undercuts MacBook Neo After $400 Off — Notebookcheck — https://www.notebookcheck.net/2026-laptop-with-16-GB-RAM-120-Hz-panel-undercuts-MacBook-Neo-after-400-off.1404724.0.html
• Dell's XPS 13 Is the Perfect Starter PC for Anyone Shopping Under $800 — Windows Central — https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/dell/dells-xps-13-is-the-perfect-starter-pc-for-anyone-shopping-under-usd800
• Googlebook vs MacBook Neo: Which Laptop Is Better for Everyday Work? — TechRepublic — https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-googlebook-vs-macbook-neo/
• Microsoft Doesn't Think Surface Needs to Compete with MacBook Neo — Windows Central — https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-doesnt-think-surface-needs-to-compete-with-macbook-neo

Repairability

• The MacBook Neo Is the Best MacBook for Repairability in Over a Decade — SlashGear (via Yahoo Tech) — https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/macbook-neo-best-macbook-repairability-211500681.html

Can a Neo Do My Job?

• Any Limitations of MacBook Neo? (r/macbook) — https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wo3usv/any_limitations_of_macbook_neo/
• MacBook Neo for Producing in FL Studio — Worth It? (r/macbook) — https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1worfla/macbook_neo_for_producing_in_fl_studio_worth_it/
• Is MacBook Neo Good for Basic Video Editing? (r/macbook) — https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wobutk/is_macbook_neo_good_for_basic_video_editing/
• MacBook Neo Game Development (r/MacbookNeo) — https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wpgfmh/macbook_neo_game_development/
• MacBook Neo for Dental School (r/macbook) — https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wlik4y/macbook_neo_for_dental_school/

macOS 27 Golden Gate

• macOS 27 Absolutely Destroyed Battery Life (Safari...) (r/MacOS) — https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1wmt1ch/macos_27_absolutely_destroyed_battery_life_safari/
• macOS Golden Gate Makes the Neo's Screen Look Way... (r/MacbookNeo) — https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wl2v2t/mac_os_golden_gate_makes_the_neos_screen_look_way/
• Callback: Need to Calibrate the Battery? (r/MacbookNeo) — https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wkzu3t/neo_battery_usage_need_to_calibrate_battery_of/

Deals, Prices & Resale

• What Is a Fair Selling Price for a 4-Month-Old Neo? (r/MacbookNeo) — https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wna6ap/what_is_a_fair_selling_price_for_a_4monthold/

Community Corner

• Gonna Buy a MacBook Neo as a Secondary Machine (r/MacbookNeo) — https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wlhwz1/gonna_buy_a_macbook_neo_as_a_secondary_machine/
• Why the MacBook Neo Is the Ultimate Desk Aesthetic Upgrade — When In Manila — https://www.wheninmanila.com/why-the-macbook-neo-is-the-ultimate-desk-aesthetic-upgrade/
• Callback: "I Don't Like Some Fellow MacBook Neo Owners" (r/macbook) — https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wl4blq/i_dont_like_some_fellow_macbook_neo_owners/

Show Contact Information:

• Live: YouTube.com/@TheNeoNotebook, Sundays 9 PM EST
• Questions/topics: [email protected]
• Network: ThePodTalk.Net

The panel looks at the Neo as a Windows machine, five brands building Neo rivals, Gurman's Neo 2 forecast, new school deployments, and a battery-heavy Troubleshooting Corner.

Top Story: Five Brands, One Target

5 Tech Brands Trying to Compete With Apple's MacBook Neo (SlashGear via Yahoo)
https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/5-tech-brands-trying-compete-024500789.html
https://www.slashgear.com/2257448/tech-brands-making-macbook-neo-laptop-alternatives/

Huawei Qingyun L420z (Notebookcheck)
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Huawei-unveils-new-MacBook-Neo-rival-with-120-Hz-OLED-display-and-14-hours-of-battery-life.1402741.0.html

What's Next: Gurman Maps the Neo 2

Gurman's Apple H1 2027 Slate (AI Weekly)
https://aiweekly.co/alerts/gurman-maps-apple-h1-2027-iphone-18e-macbook-neo-2-m6-air

Segment: Running Windows (and Android) on a Neo

Parallels Desktop on a MacBook Neo (r/mac)
https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1whf68e/paralells_desktop_on_a_macbook_neo/

Windows on MacBook Neo (r/macbook)
https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wj0aro/windows_on_macbook_neo/

KVM Switch with MacBook Neo and a Windows Gaming PC (r/buildapc)
https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1wgpk21/kvm_switch_with_macbook_neo_and_windows_gaming_pc/

MacBook Neo (r/BlueStacks)
https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueStacks/comments/1wk8yaq/macbook_neo/

Neo in Education

Nampa Switches to Apple as PC Prices Rise (Idaho Education News)
https://www.idahoednews.org/news/nampa-switches-to-apple-as-pc-prices-rise/

Ball State Technology Store: Four Customized MacBook Bundles
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/technology-store-offering-four-customized-macbook-bundles-1

MacBook Neo: Is It Good Enough for College Students?
https://www.nssi.com/blog/macbook-neo-is-it-good-enough-for-college-students

MacBook Neo Review (Good Housekeeping)
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/what-to-buy/a70780708/macbook-neo-review

Gaming & Mods

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines on a MacBook Neo (r/macgaming)
https://www.reddit.com/r/macgaming/comments/1wivoe7/play_vampire_the_masquerade_bloodlines_on_macbook/

The Neo Effect: How Apple's Cheapest Mac Is Changing the PC Game (The Verge)
https://www.theverge.com/tech/904705/apple-macbook-neo-news-reviews-mods

Troubleshooting Corner

MacBook Neo Not Charging While in Sleep (r/applehelp)
https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/1wjayxq/macbook_neo_not_charging_while_in_sleep/

Need to Calibrate the Battery? (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wkzu3t/neo_battery_usage_need_to_calibrate_battery_of/

Optimized Battery Charging: On or Off? (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wee9vq/optimized_battery_charging_on_or_off/

Confused About RAM and Memory Swapping (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wle6vj/confused_about_ram_and_memory_swapping/

Community Corner:

Planning to Buy a Neo – Is There Better? (r/computers)
https://www.reddit.com/r/computers/comments/1wgjs0i/planning_to_but_macbook_neo_but_is_there_better/

Neo vs MBAir Cost Considerations in Canada (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/s/pyDufWF2EX

Got a New Neo – Is My 2018 MacBook Still Worth Keeping? (r/mac)
https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1whgmjd/recently_got_a_new_macbook_neo_is_my_2018_macbook/

Buyer's Remorse (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wk4yd8/buyers_remorse/

"I Don't Like Some Fellow MacBook Neo Owners" (r/macbook)
https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wl4blq/i_dont_like_some_fellow_macbook_neo_owners/

MacBook Neo Accessories (r/MacbookNeo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wkdkcf/macbook_neo_accessories/

On the Screen

MacBook Neo 6 Months Later and I Respect Your Time
https://youtu.be/foO1QakhjZE

Is the MacBook Neo Actually a Scam? (Short)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iu7Mw-_TrEg

Find The Neo Notebook

Sunday at 9 PM EST at YouTube.com/@TheNeoNotebook

Email [email protected]

ThePodTalk.Net

Marty, Dave, Eric, and Brett unpack Dell's two-front move on the Neo — the colorful budget 14S and an XPS 13 price hike driven by the memory crunch — then work through a Reddit week heavy on macOS 27 reactions, buy-or-wait debates, real-world workload questions, and troubleshooting.

— DELL'S DOUBLE BID —

The Dell 14S Is Yet Another Cheap Laptop Chasing the MacBook Neo (Engadget via Yahoo Tech)

https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/dell-14s-yet-another-cheap-070000413.html

Dell XPS 13 Gets a Price Hike as Memory Crisis Bites (Mashable)

https://mashable.com/tech/dell-xps-13-price-hike-memory-crisis

— macOS 27: THE STABLE RELEASE LANDS —

Just updated my Neo to stable macOS 27 (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wcgg0b/just_updated_my_neo_to_stable_macos_27/

— BUY IT, WAIT, OR CHOOSE SOMETHING ELSE? —

Don't know whether to wait or buy the MacBook Neo (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1we0orp/dont_know_whether_to_wait_or_buy_the_macbook_neo/

MacBook Neo or a brand new MacBook M2 2022 (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1we7blv/macbook_neo_or_a_brand_new_macbook_m2_2022/

Thinking about getting a MacBook Neo as a second machine (r/macbook)

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1wejtsa/thinking_about_getting_a_macbook_neo_as_a_second/

— REAL-WORLD WORK: CAN THE NEO HANDLE IT? —

Laptop for photo/light video editing (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wdpgdg/laptop_for_photo_light_video_editing/

Laptop recommendations for clinical mental health (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1w84omn/laptop_recommendations_for_clinical_mental_health/

NBA2K26 on MacBook Neo (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1w9s3m1/nba2k26_on_macbook_neo/

— NEW OWNERS AND FIRST QUESTIONS —

New MacBook Neo user: browser vs. app for Google (r/macbook)

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1w6c90i/new_macbook_neo_user_browser_vs_app_for_google/

What vibe is each Neo color giving you? (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1w9uoxo/what_vibe_is_each_neo_color_giving_you/

— TROUBLESHOOTING CORNER —

What to do with a water damaged MacBook Neo (r/macbook)

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1w9gbhg/what_to_do_with_a_water_damaged_macbook_neo/

Is the battery supposed to be draining so fast? (r/mac)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1wdbh8z/is_the_battery_supposed_to_be_draining_so_fast/

Help: keyboard and mouse turning yellow (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wbmfjy/help_keyboard_and_mouse_turning_yellow/

Jitteriness when scrolling in Safari (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wdwhck/jitteriness_when_scrolling_in_safari/

Trackpad click sounding different after a while (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1wb03gj/trackpad_click_sounding_different_after_a_while/

— CONTACT —

The Neo Notebook | ThePodTalk.net

Host: Marty Jencius | Panel: Dave Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brett Canedy

YouTube: @TheNeoNotebook — live Sundays 9 PM ET

Email: [email protected]

Berlin showed up with four $699 aluminum MacBook Neo answers in a single week, Gurman finally put an A19 Pro and 12GB on the Neo 2, and thirteen Reddit threads asked whether the cheapest Mac can do real work — Marty, Eric, and Brett sort the real threats from the paint.

IFA 2026 ANSWERS THE NEO

Dell Wants to Fight Apple's MacBook Neo With Color, But Its Product Names Are a Mess (Windows Central via Yahoo Tech)

https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/dell-wants-fight-apples-macbook-134155797.html

Samsung Has a MacBook Neo Rival for Those Who Prefer Windows (T3 via Yahoo Tech)

https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/samsung-macbook-neo-rival-those-173000202.html

Lenovo's IFA Laptops: MacBook Neo Killer, Fanless ThinkBook, and Yes, Another Rollable Screen (CNET)

https://www.cnet.com/videos/lenovos-ifa-laptops-macbook-neo-killer-fanless-thinkbook-and-yes-another-rollable-screen/

Lenovo's Latest Laptop Gives Off MacBook Neo Vibes (CNET)

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/lenovos-latest-laptop-gives-off-macbook-neo-vibes/

Colorful Intros New MacBook Neo Competitor With Slim and Lightweight Design (Notebookcheck)

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Colorful-intros-new-MacBook-Neo-competitor-with-slim-and-lightweight-design.1390676.0.html

NEO 2: GURMAN PUTS NUMBERS ON IT

Apple Planning to Update MacBook Neo in Three Ways (MacRumors via TechNewsTube)

https://technewstube.com/macrumors/1864482/apple-planning-to-update-macbook-neo-three-ways/

MacBook Neo 2: Everything We Know About Apple's Next Budget Mac (Gadget Review via Yahoo Tech)

https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/apple-intelligence/articles/macbook-neo-2-everything-know-163755724.html

Apple's Budget MacBook Neo 2 Could Become a Serious Air Rival (VietnamNet)

https://vietnamnet.vn/en/apple-s-budget-macbook-neo-2-could-become-a-serious-air-rival-2552217.html

COMMUNITY CORNER: WHAT NEO OWNERS ARE ASKING

-- Creative Work: Can It Actually Handle It? --

MacBook Neo: Can It Handle It? (r/finalcutpro)

https://www.reddit.com/r/finalcutpro/comments/1w8h3hz/macbook_neo_can_it_handle_it/

MacBook Neo (r/LogicPro)

https://www.reddit.com/r/LogicPro/comments/1w8gt17/macbook_neo/

Video Editing on MacBook Neo (r/mac)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1w7uhz9/video_editing_on_macbook_neo/

-- New Owners and Switchers --

Windows User to MacBook Neo Newbie: MS Paint and… (r/macbook)

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1w8nnlf/windows_user_to_macbook_neo_newbie_ms_paint_and/

New MacBook Neo User: Browser vs App for Google… (r/macbook)

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1w6c90i/new_macbook_neo_user_browser_vs_app_for_google/

MacBook Neo's Screen (r/mac)

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1w7p9mw/macbook_neos_screen/

Spilt Cola on My MacBook Neo (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1w6byhd/spilt_cola_on_my_macbook_neo/

-- Buy, Switch, or Repair --

https://www.reddit.com/r/SuggestALaptop/comments/1w899gk/is_it_worth_repairing_my_old_laptop_or_switching/

Why Do People Prefer the MacBook Neo So Much Over… (r/laptops)

https://www.reddit.com/r/laptops/comments/1w537nf why_do_people_prefer_the_macbook_neo_so_much_over/

A Pile of MacBook Neo Clones Gives Googlebook All… (r/googlenews)

https://www.reddit.com/r/googlenews/comments/1w8xcto/a_pile_of_macbook_neo_clones_gives_googlebook_all/

apple_planning_to_update_macbook_neo_in_three_ways/

-- Just for Fun --

I Built NeoKeys: Satisfying Keyboard Sounds Made… (r/MacbookNeo)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1w8x4it/i_built_neokeys_satisfying_keyboard_sounds_made/

Flying TYoasters for MacOS

https://www.patreon.com/dmug/posts/flying-toasters-141691459

CONNECT WITH THE NEO NOTEBOOK

Live every Sunday night at 9 PM Eastern on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook

Audio available wherever you get your podcasts.

Network: https://ThePodTalk.Net

Email: [email protected]