Finally an actual MacBook Neo competition arrives

Searching for cheap Neos and our favorite apps

The gang brings you the Neo news of the week and then their top 10 apps to load on your Neo 1 | The $599 Hunt — Where Pre-Hike Pricing Still Lives This Might Be the Last Place to Get a $599 MacBook Neo | Macworld https://www.macworld.com/article/3178961/this-might-be-the-last-place-to-get-a-599-macbook-neo.html Walmart Is Still Selling the MacBook Neo at Apple’s Original Price | Mashable https://mashable.com/tech/june-1-apple-macbook-neo-walmart The Refurbished MacBook Neo May Be Your Best Way Around Apple’s Price Hike | Digital Trends (via Yahoo Tech) https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/apple-intelligence/articles/refurbished-macbook-neo-may-best-103727195.html 2 | Competition Watch — Microsoft and Dell Fire Back Microsoft Fires Shots at MacBook Neo, But That Battle Looks to Be an Uphill Struggle | TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows-laptops/microsoft-fires-shots-at-macbook-neo-but-that-battle-looks-to-be-an-uphill-struggle-and-rumored-ditching-of-more-affordable-surface-laptops-wont-help Microsoft and Dell Take a Dig at Apple MacBook Neo | Notebookcheck https://www.notebookcheck.net/Microsoft-and-Dell-take-a-dig-at-Apple-MacBook-Neo.1332671.0.html Cheaper Than MacBook Neo: This 14-inch Dell Laptop with 16GB RAM Is $130 Off | Notebookcheck https://www.notebookcheck.net/Cheaper-than-MacBook-Neo-This-14-inch-Dell-laptop-with-16-GB-RAM-is-130-off.1332334.0.html 3 | Head-to-Head — The Comparisons Everyone Is Making MacBook Neo vs. Chromebook Plus: Apple’s Price Hikes Made This a Tighter Race | PCMag https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/macbook-neo-vs-chromebook-plus-apples-price-hikes-made-this-tighter-race 4 | Long-Term Review and Buying Advice Apple MacBook Neo Long-Term Review: 27 Days on the Road | HotHardware https://hothardware.com/reviews/apple-macbook-neo-review What to Consider Before Buying the MacBook Neo | Geeky Gadgets https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/macbook-neo-price-increase-2026/ 5 | Looking Ahead — MacBook Neo 2 Leaks Apple’s Next Budget Laptop: How the MacBook Neo 2 Plans to Beat the Original | Geeky Gadgets https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/apple-macbook-neo-2-2027-leaks/ 6 | Accessories Corner The TOP Must-Have MacBook Neo Accessories | Tom’s Guide (via Yahoo Tech) https://tech.yahoo.com/videos/top-must-macbook-neo-accessories-180000858.html 7 | Community Corner — r/MacbookNeo As an Engineering Student, Can AutoCAD and Coding Work on the Neo? | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1uod1ud/as_an_engineering_student_can_autocad_and_coding/ My New Citrus Neo Is Faster Than My Silver Neo | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1unuhxa/my_new_citrus_neo_is_faster_than_my_silver_neo/ MacBook Neo Battery Life at 3 Months | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1un0w1f/macbook_neo_battery_lift_3_month/ MacBook Neo for Physics | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1ulggna/macbook_neo_for_physics/ MacBook Neo Gaming Performance | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1ujo6q7/macbook_neo_gaming_performance/ Choice of Wired Earphones | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1uinxni/choice_of_wired_earphones/ 8 | Video of the Week MacBook Neo — Community YouTube Short https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RE4UlYhHiEM Show Topic: The First 10 Apps Eric’s list BBEdit  Mona  Infuse Movist Firefox Apple Remote Desktop  Davinci Resolve  MacPorts Xcode  Marty’s list Bluesky Claude ChatGPT Microsoft Excel  Microsoft Outlook Team Zoom Slack Cleanmymac Ominifocus Text expander Brett’s list Carrot Weather TripIt Simple Mind Pro Tapestry Ivory Final Cut Pro Itsycal Overcast Tot Dave’s list Parallels Desktop Parallels Toolbox Hazel macOS 27 Beta Setapp  Ecamm Snagit  CoPilot 1Password Bartender  YouTube: Youtube.com/@theneonotebook Email: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com ThePodTalk.Net

MacBook Neo Price Hikes

Dave, Eric, Brett, and Marty cover this week's stories and a lot about the Apple price hikes and how they affect the Macbook Neo 1 | The Price Hike — What Happened and Why The Most Surprising Apple Price Increase Is to the MacBook Neo | 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/25/the-most-surprising-apple-price-increase-is-to-the-macbook-neo/ Buying MacBook Neo or iPad? Get Ready to Pay More — Apple Increases Prices | PCMag https://www.pcmag.com/news/buying-macbook-neo-ipad-get-ready-to-pay-more-apple-increases-prices Apple Price Hikes Have Hit Australia, and the MacBook Neo No Longer Looks Quite So Cheap | TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/apple-price-hikes-have-hit-australia With the Price Hike, This Is the MacBook Pro I Can Now Afford Instead | Reddit r/macbookpro https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/1uhb1l3/with_the_price_hike_this_is_the_macbook_pro_i_can/ 2 | The Refurbished Angle — Apple's Built-In Workaround Refurbished MacBook Neo Models Now Available, a Day After Price Hike | MacRumors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/26/refurbished-macbook-neo-now-available/ Apple Now Sells Refurbished MacBook Neo, But You Probably Shouldn't Buy It | 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/26/apple-now-sells-refurbished-macbook-neo-but-you-probably-shouldnt-buy-it/ The Refurbished MacBook Neo May Be Your Best Way Around Apple's Price Hike | Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/the-refurbished-macbook-neo-may-be-your-best-way-around-apples-price-hike/ 3 | Prime Day — A Narrow Window at Old Prices Beat the Apple Price Rise — Get the MacBook Neo for $599/£599 | Stuff https://www.stuff.tv/news/beat-the-apple-price-rise-get-the-macbook-neo-for-599-599/ MacBook Neo: Prime Day Deal 2026 | Mashable https://mashable.com/tech/prime-day-deal-2026-apple-macbook-neo 4 | Windows Challengers — The Competition Smells Blood I Can't Believe I'm Saying This, But the MacBook Neo's $100 Price Bump Means Budget Windows 11 Laptops Are Now the Better Buy | TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/i-cant-believe-im-saying-this-but-the-macbook-neos-usd100-price-bump-means-budget-windows-11-laptops-are-now-the-better-buy The Best Windows Equivalent to the MacBook Neo | Gadget Salvation https://www.gadgetsalvation.com/blog/the-best-windows-equivalent-to-the-macbook-neo/ Microsoft's New College Deal Is a Half-Hearted Answer to the $500 MacBook Neo | DeviceDaily https://www.devicedaily.com/pin/microsofts-new-college-deal-is-a-half-hearted-answer-to-the-500-macbook-neo/ 5 | Community Voices — Real Users, Real Questions Is the MacBook Neo a Good Option for Making Music? | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1ucn6we/is_the_macbook_neo_a_good_option_for_making/ Would a MacBook Neo Be Good Enough to Run MuseScore? | Reddit r/Musescore https://www.reddit.com/r/Musescore/comments/1uhfcti/would_a_macbook_neo_be_good_enough_to_run/ Should I Get a MacBook Neo? A Finance Major | Reddit r/mac https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1uhdhsv/should_i_get_a_macbook_neo_a_finance_major/ Apple Should Change How They Produce the MacBook Neo | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1udanmr/apple_should_change_how_they_produce_the_macbook/ MacBook Neo Community Roundup | Reddit r/MacbookNeo (Short Link 1) https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/s/VYhBJcPuuV MacBook Neo Community Roundup | Reddit r/MacbookNeo (Short Link 2) https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/s/OSSgZ5sGzP MacBook Neo Community Discussion | Reddit r/MacbookNeo (Short Link 3) https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/s/73lf0LnvP0 6 | Reviews and Photography Perspective Apple's Cheapest MacBook Ever — Amazing Deal | Fstoppers https://fstoppers.com/gear/apples-cheapest-macbook-ever-amazing-deal-903220 7 | Video of the Week MacBook Neo — Community YouTube Feature https://youtu.be/9BepF3pfqTY YouTube: @TheNeoNotebook • Sundays 9PM EST ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com • ThePodTalk.Net

Finally an actual MacBook Neo competition arrives

Dave, Eric and Marty to a good look at the new MacBook Neo not-so competition from the released Dell XPS 13, along with other news 1 | The Competition Responds — Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Neo This Is the Windows Version of the MacBook Neo https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z_snJx3XmwU Dell's MacBook Neo Rival Is Finally Here for $599 | Yahoo Tech https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/dell-macbook-neo-rival-finally-143019435.html Apple MacBook Neo vs. Dell XPS 13: The Low-Cost Laptop Fight of the Year | PCMag via Yahoo Tech https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/apple-macbook-neo-vs-dell-155337133.html 2 | AMD Takes Aim — The Gaming Argument Nobody Asked For 'Ok, but no one is buying a MacBook for gaming, right?': AMD Launches Misguided Marketing Campaign Against MacBook Neo | TechRadar https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows-laptops/macbook-neo-comes-under-fire-in-amds-latest-marketing-campaign-but-its-a-poorly-thought-out-attack 3 | Is the $599 Price Tag Living on Borrowed Time? 'The $599 MacBook Neo Was Fun While It Lasted': Mac Fans Fear the Worst After Tim Cook's Price Warning | TechRadar via Yahoo Tech https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/apple-intelligence/articles/599-macbook-neo-fun-while-111904569.html 4 | Community Conversations — Real Users, Real Questions Are People Being a Bit Hysterical Over the MacBook Neo? | Reddit r/macbook https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1uar96k/are_people_being_a_bit_hysterical_over_the/ MacBook Neo Trackpad False Click | Reddit r/mac https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1ual7l7/macbook_neo_trackpad_false_click/ What Do You Think — Should We Expect More from a $599 Mac? | Reddit r/macbook https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1ua8bbf/what_do_you_guys_think_should_we_expect/ Weird Kind of Ghosting Effect on Brand New MacBook Neo | Reddit r/macbook https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1ua40mk/weird_kind_of_ghosting_effect_on_brand_new/ 5 | From the Community — YouTube Shorts Roundup MacBook Neo Unboxing — YouTube Short https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gXjo85MQYP8 MacBook Neo Review Clip — YouTube Short https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TERlm6f7tTc 6 | Switcher Support Spotlight — When macOS Surprises You Firefox Profile Cannot Be Loaded — Brand New Mac | Reddit r/firefox https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1u7f0y4/firefox_profile_cannot_be_loaded_brand_new/ Switcher Support Links Mac Tips for Windows Switchers | Apple Support https://support.apple.com/en-us/102323 10 Mac Tips for Windows Switchers (macOS 26 Guide) | iDropNews https://www.idropnews.com/gallery/windows-to-macos-26-switching-guide-2026/253838/ 9 Things Windows Users Should Do First When Switching to macOS | Tom's Guide https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/macos/9-things-windows-users-should-do-first-when-switching-to-macos Switching from Windows to Mac? Here Are 15 Apps You Need First | TechPP https://techpp.com/2026/05/08/switching-from-windows-to-mac-apps/ Must-Have Mac Apps for Windows Switchers | Julian West http://blog.julianwest.me/must-have-mac-apps-for-windows-switchers/ Youtube: Youtube.com/@theneonotebook Email: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com ThePodTalk.Net

MacBook Neo - Eric's $600 charcuterie board

The Neo gang talks about WWDC changes to MacBook Neo, this week's news, and if and how we cover our Neo. 1 | MacBook Neo Sales & Market Impact 1.1 Million MacBook Neo: Apple Takes Over the Entry-Level Segment | Research Snipers https://researchsnipers.com/1-1-million-macbook-neo-apple-takes-over-the-entry-level-segment/ MacBook Neo Sales Are Breaking Records | Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/consumerism/article-898308 MacBook Neo Is So Popular, Dell Is Baiting PC Shoppers Again | Macworld https://www.macworld.com/article/3153464/macbook-neo-is-so-popular-dell-is-baiting-pc-shoppers-again.html Amazon Deals: MacBook Neo Delivers as Soon as Tomorrow | 9to5Toys https://9to5toys.com/2026/06/12/amazon-deals-macbook-neo/ 2 | The Competition — Dell, Acer, AMD, Intel MacBook Neo vs Dell XPS 13: $599 Budget Battle | AppleInsider https://appleinsider.com/inside/macbook-neo/vs/macbook-neo-vs-dell-xps-13-599-budget-battle-compared Dell Copied Apple’s Best Ideas. Windows May Ruin It | PCWorld https://www.pcworld.com/article/3158033/dell-copied-apples-best-macbook-neo-ideas-windows-may-ruin-it.html AMD: MacBook Neo Can’t Run All Your Games, But Ryzen Laptops Can | WCCFtech https://wccftech.com/amd-says-macbook-neo-cant-run-all-your-games-while-ryzen-based-laptops-can/ Intel Project Firefly Could Challenge the MacBook Neo | Techgenyz https://techgenyz.com/intel-project-firefly-wildcat-lake-budget-laptops/ Acer: MacBook Neo Was a Shock, But Competition Is Good | Lowyat.NET https://www.lowyat.net/2026/395235/acer-macbook-neo-shock-but-competition-is-good/ Acer COO at Computex 2026: “The Neo May Help the Industry” | TechFinitive https://www.techfinitive.com/interviews/interview-with-jerry-kao-acer-coo-at-computex-2026-i-think-the-macbook-neo-may-help-the-industry/ 3 | Reviews & Head-to-Head MacBook Neo Review: Apple’s Budget Laptop | Mashable https://mashable.com/review/apple-macbook-neo-budget-laptop MacBook Neo vs MacBook Pro | CNET https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/macbook-neo-vs-macbook-pro/ Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Neo | ZDNet https://www.zdnet.com/article/dell-xps-13-2026-vs-macbook-neo/ I Tried Dell’s $699 XPS 13 — What It Has Over the Neo | PCMag https://www.pcmag.com/news/i-tried-dells-699-xps-13-what-it-has-over-apple-macbook-neo-computex-2026 4 | From the Community MacBook Neo for Engineering Student | Reddit r/mac https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1u4r9kh/macbook_neo_for_engineering_student/ Can MacBook Neo Handle Editing a Podcast? | Reddit r/LogicPro https://www.reddit.com/r/LogicPro/comments/1u4p9hk/can_macbook_neo_handle_editing_a_podcast/ New to macOS — Why Aren’t There Many Apps? | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1tvrgam/new_to_macos_why_arent_there_many_apps_for_the/ Battery Life Experiment: I Tried to Kill the MacBook Neo | Reddit r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1tv7ag4/did_a_silly_battery_life_experiment_where_i_tried/ The MacBook Neo Takes on Retro Gaming | MacStories https://www.macstories.net/linked/the-macbook-neo-takes-on-retro-gaming/ 5 | Inside Apple — Aluminum Recycling Patent Apple Patent: CNC Waste Recycled into MacBook Neo Frames at 125°C | WCCFtech https://wccftech.com/apples-next-aluminum-breakthrough-could-turn-cnc-machining-waste-back-into-iphone-and-macbook-neo-frames-at-temperatures-as-low-as-125-degree-celsius/ YouTube: @TheNeoNotebook — Sundays 9 PM EST Email: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com ThePodTalk.Net

Macbook Neo vs. Dell

The Neo sells a ton of laptops but the story of the week is all the new Neo competitors announced. The Neo Notebook — Show Links   1 | MacBook Neo Dominates — The Sales Numbers Are In MacBook Neo Outsold Every Other Mac in Its Debut Quarter https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/02/macbook-neo-outsold-every-other-mac/ [https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/02/macbook-neo-outsold-every-other-mac/] Apple's MacBook Neo Is Winning Over New Buyers https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/02/apples-macbook-neo-is-winning-over-a-new-generation-of-buyers/ [https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/02/apples-macbook-neo-is-winning-over-a-new-generation-of-buyers/] MacBook Neo Sales vs. M5 MacBook Air and Pro https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/02/heres-how-macbook-neo-sales-compare-to-m5-macbook-air-and-pro/ [https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/02/heres-how-macbook-neo-sales-compare-to-m5-macbook-air-and-pro/] Analyst Ups MacBook Neo 2026 Shipments to 10 Million Units https://macdailynews.com/2026/05/29/apple-analyst-ups-macbook-neo-2026-shipments-to-10-million-units/ [https://macdailynews.com/2026/05/29/apple-analyst-ups-macbook-neo-2026-shipments-to-10-million-units/] Kuo Confirms Massive MacBook Neo Demand https://www.applemust.com/kuo-confirms-massive-macbook-neo-demand/ [https://www.applemust.com/kuo-confirms-massive-macbook-neo-demand/]   2 | The Competition Swarms — Dell, Acer, and Nvidia Strike Back MacBook Neo Is So Popular, Dell Is Baiting PC Shoppers Again https://www.macworld.com/article/3153464/macbook-neo-is-so-popular-dell-is-baiting-pc-shoppers-again.html [https://www.macworld.com/article/3153464/macbook-neo-is-so-popular-dell-is-baiting-pc-shoppers-again.html] Dell XPS 13 vs MacBook Neo: A Full Comparison https://www.igeeksblog.com/dell-xps-13-vs-macbook-neo/ [https://www.igeeksblog.com/dell-xps-13-vs-macbook-neo/] Dell Takes Aim at MacBook Neo with XPS 13 https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/dell-takes-aim-at-macbook-neo-with-xps-13/ [https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/dell-takes-aim-at-macbook-neo-with-xps-13/] Acer Swift Air 14: A MacBook Neo Rival at $699 https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/acer-swift-air-14-peppy-115153317.html [https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/acer-swift-air-14-peppy-115153317.html] Acer's Swift Air 14 Wants to Take on the MacBook Neo https://ca.news.yahoo.com/acer-swift-air-14-wants-180050072.html [https://ca.news.yahoo.com/acer-swift-air-14-wants-180050072.html] MacBook Neo Rival Launched at $599; Nvidia ARM Chip Takes on Apple Silicon https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/01/macbook-neo-rival-launched-at-599-nvidia-pc-chip-takes-on-apple-silicon/ [https://9to5mac.com/2026/06/01/macbook-neo-rival-launched-at-599-nvidia-pc-chip-takes-on-apple-silicon/] Dell and Acer Take on MacBook Neo with One Major Compromise https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2026/06/01/dell-and-acer-take-on-apples-macbook-neo-with-one-major-compromise/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2026/06/01/dell-and-acer-take-on-apples-macbook-neo-with-one-major-compromise/] MacBook Neo Rivals: A Roundup of the Challengers https://applemagazine.com/macbook-neo-rivals/ [https://applemagazine.com/macbook-neo-rivals/] Asus ZenBook 14 vs Apple MacBook Neo https://www.firstpost.com/tech/asus-zenbook-14-vs-apple-macbook-neo-which-portable-powerhouse-is-right-for-you-14017956.html [https://www.firstpost.com/tech/asus-zenbook-14-vs-apple-macbook-neo-which-portable-powerhouse-is-right-for-you-14017956.html] Dell Unveils $699 Laptop with Features Not on a MacBook Neo https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dell-unveils-699-laptop-with-features-you-wont-find-on-a-macbook-neo.2483156/ [https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dell-unveils-699-laptop-with-features-you-wont-find-on-a-macbook-neo.2483156/]   3 | Real-World Tests — Coding, 3D Sculpting, and the 8GB Question Is 8GB RAM Enough for Programming? Testing the MacBook Neo https://medium.com/macoclock/can-the-macbook-neo-handle-coding-my-two-month-experience-running-postgrad-hobby-projects-84f7317f31a0 [https://medium.com/macoclock/can-the-macbook-neo-handle-coding-my-two-month-experience-running-postgrad-hobby-projects-84f7317f31a0] MacBook Neo Blender Sculpting: Honest Polycount and Memory Performance Test https://www.blendernation.com/2026/05/27/macbook-neo-blender-sculpting-honest-polycount-and-memory-performance-test/ [https://www.blendernation.com/2026/05/27/macbook-neo-blender-sculpting-honest-polycount-and-memory-performance-test/] MacBook Neo After Two Months: A Professional Programmer's Review https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1tsoh9k/my_review_as_professional_programmer_and_the_neo/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1tsoh9k/my_review_as_professional_programmer_and_the_neo/]   4 | From the Community — Hidden Accent Colors Found in macOS Found Hidden MacBook Neo Accent Colors in macOS https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1tuvfmb/found_hidden_macbook_neo_accent_colors_in_macos/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1tuvfmb/found_hidden_macbook_neo_accent_colors_in_macos/]   YouTube: @TheNeoNotebook Email: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com ThePodTalk.Net