# Macbook Neo Review: Better than you Think! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGeXGdYE7UE Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/iGeXGdYE7UE Generated: 2026-03-11T00:04:11.231+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The custom-colored MacBook Neo, running on an A18 Pro chip, is surprisingly powerful for its budget price, scoring similarly to the M1 MacBook Air in multi-core benchmarks and excelling in single-core performance, making it a very capable machine for general use, students, writers, and even moderate photo/video editing, though it lacks features like a backlit keyboard and a better display for high-end creative work. **Key Points:** - The custom MacBook Neo, featuring the A18 Pro chip, scored 8,519 in Geekbench 6 Multi Core, putting it slightly ahead of the M1 MacBook Air's 8,365. - Single-core performance for the Neo (3,483) is stronger than the M1 Air (2,349) and is close to the M3 chip performance level. - The laptop handles basic tasks like web browsing, music, email, and even 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro smoothly, but 8GB of RAM can fill up when multitasking heavily. - The design is highly customizable with various color options (like the reviewer's lime green/citrus) and matching nostalgic rainbow Apple logos on the lid. - Drawbacks include the lack of a backlit keyboard and a display that does not cover the full P3 color space or use a high refresh rate OLED panel. - The SSD read/write speeds are around 1,500 MB/s, which is fast but slower than higher-end M-series machines. - The device is rated highly for students (A+), writers (A), and casual gamers (D+), suggesting it excels at everyday productivity tasks. ![Screenshot at 00:05: The initial price point of the 'newest laptop' is stated as $599, indicating its target as a budget-friendly option compared to current market offerings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/iGeXGdYE7UE/00-00-05.jpg) **Context:** The video reviews a conceptual or custom-built laptop called the 'MacBook Neo,' running on a hypothetical 'Apple A18 Pro' chip, which is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to Apple's standard MacBook lineup. The reviewer compares its performance against existing Apple Silicon Macs like the M1 MacBook Air and a 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4) using Geekbench 6 scores, and assesses its suitability for various user groups, including students, writers, coders, and gamers, while highlighting its unique, colorful design reminiscent of older Macintosh aesthetics. ## Detailed Analysis The reviewer evaluates the conceptual MacBook Neo, powered by the A18 Pro chip, finding it surprisingly capable, particularly for its projected $599 starting price. Benchmarks show the Neo scoring 8,519 in Geekbench 6 Multi Core, narrowly beating the M1 MacBook Air's 8,365, and achieving a strong single-core score of 3,483, comparable to M3 performance. The reviewer confirms it handles general tasks like web browsing (in Safari and Chrome), document editing, music, and even 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro without major issues, although the 8GB RAM configuration can quickly max out during heavy multitasking, causing the system to rely on swap memory. The design is a major feature, offering bright, customizable colors (like the reviewer's lime green 'Citrus') and an optional retro rainbow Apple logo sticker, which the reviewer notes Apple could easily implement. Physical features include two USB-C ports (one USB-3, one USB-2) and a headphone jack, but it notably lacks a backlit keyboard and has a 13.4-inch, 60Hz, 500-nit LCD screen that doesn't cover the full P3 color space. The SSD transfer speeds clocked in around 1,500 MB/s. The final verdict rates the laptop highly for students (A+) and writers (A) due to its performance for basic tasks, but gives it a D+ for gamers due to the 60Hz display and potential performance dips under heavy load, concluding that it is an excellent, inexpensive machine for productivity users. ### Performance Benchmarks - Neo A18 Pro scores 3,483 Single Core, 8,519 Multi Core, 19,521 OpenCL, and 30,461 Metal, placing it competitively against the M1 MacBook Air in multi-core and exceeding it in single-core. ### Usability & Software - Handles web browsing, email, music, and basic 4K editing smoothly; 8GB RAM fills quickly with heavy multitasking; supports native macOS apps like Final Cut Pro. ### Design & Build - Features vibrant color options (Citrus shown) with matching chassis feet and retro rainbow Apple logos; includes two USB-C ports (USB-3 and USB-2) and a headphone jack. ### Screen & Keyboard Deficiencies - Lacks a backlit keyboard and features a 13.4-inch, 60Hz display that does not cover the full P3 color space. ### Target Audience Grades - Students (A+), Writers (A), Gamers (D+), Editors (B-), Coders (B), giving it high marks for productivity but lower marks for intensive tasks like serious gaming or heavy plugin use. ### Pricing & Value Proposition - Starts at $599, offering performance close to older M-series MacBooks for significantly less money, making it an easy recommendation for budget-conscious buyers. ![Screenshot at 00:02: The green MacBook Neo prototype is shown resting on a yellow ottoman in a modern living room setting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/iGeXGdYE7UE/00-00-02.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:29: A close-up shot highlights the integrated Touch ID sensor located on the top right corner of the keyboard deck.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/iGeXGdYE7UE/00-00-29.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:47: A Geekbench 6 comparison chart shows the MacBook Neo's A18 Pro chip performance metrics against the M1 MacBook Air and M4 MacBook Pro 14-inch.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/iGeXGdYE7UE/00-01-47.jpg) ![Screenshot at 09:35: The laptop screen displays Final Cut Pro running a video editing timeline, demonstrating its capability for video work.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/iGeXGdYE7UE/00-09-35.jpg)