Essential software for your Neo

The Googlebook Trojan Horse

This week on The Neo Notebook: Google launches Googlebook, Intel fires back with Project Firefly, Kansas City orders 30,000 Neos, and have you seen a Neo in the wild? MacBook Neo at 60 Days: What's Known, What's Still Open https://the-gadgeteer.com/2026/05/18/macbook-neo-update-review/ MacBook Neo Worth It for Gaming? Apple's Budget Laptop Tested https://www.techtimes.com/articles/316825/20260519/macbook-neo-worth-it-gaming-apples-budget-laptop-tested-gaming-benchmarks.htm A New Cheapo Intel Laptop Outperforms the MacBook Neo — Does It Matter? https://gizmodo.com/a-new-cheapo-intel-laptop-outperforms-the-macbook-neo-does-it-matter-2000760011 MacBook Neo Is Living Rent-Free in PC Rivals' Heads https://www.macworld.com/article/3135834/macbook-neo-is-living-rent-free-in-pc-rivals-heads.html Lenovo Intros New Wildcat Lake Laptop Globally to Surpass MacBook Neo https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-intros-new-Wildcat-Lake-laptop-globally-to-surpass-MacBook-Neo.1303679.0.html Chuwi's UniBook Is a $449 Laptop Chasing the MacBook Neo's Crown https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/chuwi-unibook-449-laptop-chasing-193706041.html Microsoft Is Planning a 13-Inch Surface Laptop with MacBook Neo-Level RAM — Charging $1,300 https://wccftech.com/microsoft-is-planning-to-launch-a-13-inch-surface-laptop-with-apple-macbook-neo-level-ram-while-charging-1300-for-the-device/ Intel Reveals Project Firefly: Cheap Wildcat Lake Laptops That Rival MacBook Neo https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/intel-reveals-project-firefly-cheap-101816432.html Introducing Googlebook — Official Google Announcement https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/meet-googlebook/ Google Announces Its Chromebook Successor — The Verge https://www.theverge.com/tech/928479/google-googlebook-laptops-android-tease-aluminium-chromebook Googlebooks Aren't Just Android Laptops — They're a Trojan Horse for Gemini https://www.pcworld.com/article/3136774/googlebooks-arent-just-android-laptops-theyre-a-trojan-horse-for-gemini.html 8 Critical Questions About Googlebook — Computerworld https://www.computerworld.com/article/4169703/googlebook-android-chromeos.html MacBook Neo in K-12 Schools — Jamf https://www.jamf.com/blog/macbook-neo-in-k-12/ Kansas City Schools Go "All-Apple" with MacBook Neo — iDrop News https://www.idropnews.com/news/kansas-city-schools-macbook-neo-switch/263974/ Apple's Faulty Chips Are Big Business — and Not Just in the MacBook Neo https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/18/apples-faulty-chips-are-big-business-for-the-company-and-not-just-in-the-macbook-neo/ How the MacBook Neo Has Forced Windows and Google to Up Their Budget Laptop Game https://iol.co.za/technology/gadgets/2026-05-24-how-the-macbook-neo-has-forced-windows-and-google-to-up-their-budget-laptop-game/ Pushing the MacBook Neo to Its Absolute Limits — Hackster.io https://www.hackster.io/news/pushing-the-macbook-neo-to-its-absolute-limits-6cf695b1d7cc Unlocking the True Power of a MacBook Neo by Cooling It — Hackaday https://hackaday.com/2026/05/20/unlocking-the-true-power-of-a-macbook-neo-by-cooling-it/ DIY: Add Water Cooling to Your MacBook Neo — Boing Boing https://boingboing.net/2026/03/30/diy-add-water-cooling-to-your-macbook-neo.html Coming from a Chromebook — Now That's an Upgrade! — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1tfuxh4/coming_from_a_chromebook_now_thats_an_upgrade/ Charged My MacBook Neo Up to 80% Before Shutting It Down — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1tkjgu9/charged_my_macbook_neo_up_to_80_before_shutting/ MacstockConference.com "PodTalk" for a 50$ discount New episodes drop every Sunday at 9PM EST on YouTube. Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook Contact: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com Network: ThePodTalk.Net

Oh No! It's the Googlebook

The Neo Notebook gang talks about this week's MBN news including the dreaded Googlebook Section 1 | The Price Question The $599 MacBook Neo Is Here to Stay — Macworld https://www.macworld.com/article/3134739/the-599-macbook-neo-is-here-to-stay.html MacBook Neo Could Face Price Hike, Analyst Predicts — Macworld https://www.macworld.com/article/3134574/macbook-neo-could-face-price-hike-analyst-predicts.html Section 2 | Supply Update MacBook Neo Shipping Estimates Just Saw a Positive Turn for Customers — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/12/macbook-neo-shipping-estimates-just-saw-a-positive-turn-for-customers/ MacBook Neo Has Turned Into an Impulse Purchase for Buyers — WCCFTech https://wccftech.com/macbook-neo-turned-into-impulse-purchase-for-some-buyers/ Section 3 | The Googlebook Arrives Intel Says It Is "Thrilled" to Power the Googlebook, as a Veritable Armada of Partners Emerges to Take On the Apple MacBook Neo — WCCFTech https://wccftech.com/intel-says-it-is-thrilled-to-power-the-googlebook-as-a-veritable-armada-of-partners-emerges-to-take-on-the-apple-macbook-neo/ Google Announces Googlebook, a MacBook Neo Competitor Built Around AI — The Indian Panorama https://www.theindianpanorama.news/google-announces-googlebook-a-macbook-neo-competitor-that-is-built-around-ai/ Did Apple's MacBook Neo Accidentally Build the New Googlebook? — PhoneArena https://www.phonearena.com/news/did-apple-macbook-neo-accidentally-build-the-new-googlebook_id180389 Section 4 | Microsoft's Move Microsoft's MacBook Neo Whitepaper Is a Very Serious Joke — Macworld https://www.macworld.com/article/3140022/microsoft-commissioned-a-whole-macbook-neo-study-because-its-totally-not-worried.html Section 5 | Real-World Reviews MacBook Neo Review, Two Months Later: Almost a MacBook Pro Beater — AppleInsider https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/05/14/macbook-neo-review-two-months-later-almost-a-macbook-pro-beater Apple's MacBook Neo Has Caught Them Out! — Mac O'Clock (Medium) https://medium.com/macoclock/apples-macbook-neo-has-caught-them-out-74f7cbb423db I Got a MacBook Neo to Run Xcode. The Results Were Surprising. — Mac O'Clock (Medium) https://medium.com/macoclock/i-got-a-macbook-neo-to-run-xcode-the-results-were-surprising-a0e12c06290a Section 6 | Accessories, Comparisons & What's Next 9 MacBook Neo Accessories for Under $50 You Need Right Now — Tom's Guide https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/laptops/9-best-macbook-neo-accessories-for-under-usd50-you-need-right-now iPad Pro M5 vs MacBook Neo: A Case for Both? — Mark Ellis Reviews https://markellisreviews.com/buying-guide/ipad-pro-m5-vs-macbook-neo-a-case-for-both/ Does iPhone Need Its Own MacBook Neo Moment? — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/10/should-apple-make-an-even-cheaper-iphone-neo-to-compete/ Section 7 | Community Corner MacBook Neo Is Only a Rumour and Hasn't Been Released — r/macbook https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1tc4zyu/macbook_neo_is_only_a_rumour_and_hasnt_been/ iPad with Magic Keyboard vs MacBook Neo/Air — r/macmini https://www.reddit.com/r/macmini/comments/1tcor1s/ipad_with_magic_keyboard_vs_macbook_neoair/ Section 8 | Featured Topic Resources MacBook Neo's Missing Features Ranked, From Meh to Ehhh — Macworld https://www.macworld.com/article/3078635/macbook-neos-missing-features-ranked-from-meh-to-ehhh.html The Next MacBook Neo Would Be Perfect After These Five Changes — The Point Online https://www.thepoint.online/apple-macbook-neo-top-five-changes-for-2027/ MacBook Neo Review: One Month Later — Mark Ellis Reviews https://markellisreviews.com/reviews/macbook-neo-review/ MacBook Neo Review — Basic Apple Guy https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/macbook-neo-review MacBook Neo vs. Best Laptops in 2026 — J.D. Hodges https://www.jdhodges.com/blog/macbook-neo-vs-best-laptops-2026-comparison/ Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook Contact: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com Network: ThePodTalk.Net

A use case for Neo

The Neo Notebook team brings this week's MacBook Neo news and make the case for how we each use it. 1 | Earnings Bombshell — Apple Was Caught Off Guard Apple Was Caught Off Guard by MacBook Neo's 'Off the Charts' Demand — MacRumors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/01/apple-was-caught-off-guard-by-macbook-neo/ 2 | Supply Watch — Delivery Dates Keep Slipping MacBook Neo Starts May with Delivery Dates Stretching to Month's End — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/01/macbook-neo-starts-may-with-delivery-dates-stretching-to-months-end/ Apple's MacBook Neo Supply Problems Continue in May; Amazon and Walmart Offer Faster Delivery — Mac Observer https://www.macobserver.com/news/apples-macbook-neo-supply-problems-continue-in-may-amazon-and-walmart-offer-faster-delivery/ 3 | The Memory Question — Costs Rising, Neo 2 Getting More RAM? Apple Expects Significantly Higher Memory Costs to Impact iPhone and MacBook Neo — CNET https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-expects-significantly-higher-memory-costs-to-impact-iphone-macbook-neo/ The Next MacBook Neo Could Get a RAM Upgrade — Yahoo Tech https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/apple-intelligence/articles/next-macbook-neo-could-ram-055144829.html 4 | Built to Last — Repairability and Long-Term Value The MacBook Neo Could Have Extended Life Because of How Repairable It Is — Yahoo Tech https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/macbook-neo-could-extended-life-203900561.html Here's How Much a Replacement Battery for the MacBook Neo Will Cost You — BGR https://www.bgr.com/2152661/macbook-neo-replacement-battery-cost/ 5 | The Competition — Intel Responds, Surface Faces Reality Intel Responds to MacBook Neo with 21% Faster Chip Intended for Similar Devices — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/29/intel-responds-to-macbook-neo-with-21-faster-chip-intended-for-similar-devices/ Surface Laptop 13-inch vs. MacBook Neo: Rising Prices Make Microsoft's Lightweight Darling a Tough Sell — Windows Central https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/surface-laptop-13-vs-macbook-neo 6 | What's Ahead for Apple — Neo's Halo Effect The MacBook Neo Might Help Apple Become the Third-Largest Laptop Maker in 2026 — Yahoo Finance https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/macbook-neo-might-help-apple-121243478.html 7 | Honest Takes — Living with the Neo Day to Day MacBook Neo — It's Time to Be Honest! — Talking Tech and Audio (David Lewis) https://talkingtechandaudio.com/blog/macbook-neo-its-time-to-be-honest/ I Held Off on the MacBook Neo — I Hope the Next One Fixes These 5 Papercuts — Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/i-held-off-on-the-macbook-neo-i-hope-the-next-one-fixes-these-5-papercuts-before-i-plonk-cash/ 9 | Community Corner — What Neo Owners Are Saying Damn You Apple for Making a Near-Perfect Device — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1t12gt6/damn_you_apple_for_making_a_near_perfect_device/ Kansas City Public Schools Switching to MacBook Neo — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1t09qsr/kansas_city_public_schools_switching_to_macbook/ MacBook Neo Case Recommendations — r/macbook https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1t1q8ev/macbook_neo_case/ 10 | Featured Topic: Is the MacBook Neo Your Go-Anywhere Machine? MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air: Every Difference Compared — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/04/macbook-neo-vs-macbook-air/ Mac Neo: Winner for Remote Worker and VPN — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1svmllc/mac_neo_winner_for_remote_worker_and_vpn/ Neo Cases https://amzn.to/3P1k73h Clear Case for MacBook Neo https://amzn.to/4wcC1kA Tomtoc sleeve for Macbook Neo Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook Contact: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com Network: ThePodTalk.Net

Neo and writing apps

The Neo group talks this week's news and our favorite Neo writing apps 1 | Behind the Curtain — MacBook Neo Launch Film Famous Campaigns: Handmade Craft Behind Neo Launch Film https://www.famouscampaigns.com/2026/04/apple-shows-the-handmade-craft-behind-macbook-neo-launch-film/ 9to5Mac: Apple Reveals How It Made the Neo Introduction Video https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/24/apple-reveals-how-it-made-the-delightful-macbook-neo-introduction-video/ 2 | Leadership Portrait — John Ternus's Apple Engadget: MacBook Neo Is a Glimpse into John Ternus's Apple https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/the-macbook-neo-is-a-glimpse-into-john-ternuss-apple-170000842.html 3 | Sales & Market Performance — Still at the Top Apple Must: Neo Tops Amazon Laptop Charts in US, UK https://www.applemust.com/macbook-neo-continues-to-top-amazon-laptop-charts-in-us-uk/ Digitimes: Neo Demand Surge Highlights Chip Shortage Pressure https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20260421VL202/apple-macbook-sales-demand-launch.html 4 | The Competition Scrambles — Can Anyone Match the Neo? Gizmodo: PC Makers Will Struggle Making a MacBook Neo Killer https://gizmodo.com/pc-makers-are-gonna-struggle-making-a-macbook-neo-killer-2000750454 TechRadar: New Windows 11 Laptop Looks Like a True Neo Rival https://www.techradar.com/computing/laptops/new-windows-11-laptop-looks-like-a-true-macbook-neo-rival-that-should-worry-apple 5 | What's Next — MacBook Neo 2 Speculation Geeky Gadgets: Neo 2 Tipped for A19 Pro and 3x Faster AI https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/macbook-neo-2-early-launch/ 6 | Long-Read Reviews — Real-World Verdicts Inc.: After 45 Days, Who Is the MacBook Neo For? https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/after-45-days-i-figured-out-exactly-who-the-macbook-neo-is-for/91336235 7 | Fix It Yourself — Official Repair Parts Now Available 9to5Mac: Official Repair Parts Now Available for MacBook Neo https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/08/you-can-now-buy-official-repair-parts-for-macbook-neo-iphone-17e-studio-display-xdr-more/ 8 | Community Corner MacBook Neo vs. Air for My Son (Grade 9–12) https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1suyb2w/macbook_neo_vs_macbook_air_for_my_son_grade_912/ Just Bought a MacBook Neo for My Father's Birthday https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1ssh9am/just_bought_a_macbook_neo_to_my_father_on_his/ Can the MacBook Neo Run Xcode Simulators? https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/1sqbjoo/can_the_macbook_neo_run_xcode_simulators/ AirAssist — Free, Open-Source Menu Bar App for Mac https://www.reddit.com/r/opensource/comments/1sqkk6h/airassist_free_opensource_menu_bar_app_designed/ My Honest First Impression https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1suwvds/my_honest_first_inpression/ I Made an Extended Foot Bar — 3D Print Link Inside https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1swgq8l/got_tired_of_the_teetering_when_i_had_a_corner/ Best Mouse for MacBook Neo https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1srwhwr/best_mouse_for_macbook_neo/ 9 | Featured Topic: Writing Tools for the MacBook Neo Timing App Blog: Best Writing Apps for Mac in 2026 https://timingapp.com/blog/best-writing-apps/ The Sweet Setup: Best Writing App for Mac — Ulysses https://thesweetsetup.com/apps/best-writing-app-mac-iphone-ipad/ Setapp: 7 Best Writing Apps for Mac in 2026 https://setapp.com/app-reviews/best-writing-apps-for-mac Reedsy: 69 Writing Apps for Mac in 2026 https://reedsy.com/resources/writing-apps/mac/ iMore: Best Writing Apps for Mac 2026 https://www.imore.com/best-writing-apps-for-mac Macstock X celebrates its 10th anniversary! Three days of expert sessions packed with productivity tips. New this year: Ecamm Creator Camp (July 9, 2026) — limited to 100 bundle tickets. Weekend Pass (July 10–12) MacstockConference.com Use code PODTALK to register and get a 50$ discount. Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook Contact: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com Network: ThePodTalk.Net

Essential software for your Neo

Marty, Dave, Eric and Brett provide this week's Neo news and what they think are some essential apps to have on your Macbook Neo 1 | Demand & Supply Neo Sells Out for April — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/16/macbook-neo-sells-out-for-april-as-demand-for-apples-affordable-laptop-outpaces-supply/ Neo Stock Shortage — What's Going On? — Geeky Gadgets https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/macbook-neo-stock-shortage/ Neo Sold Out — Best Prices at Amazon — Mashable https://mashable.com/article/macbook-neo-sold-out-best-price-at-amazon 2 | The Chip Dilemma Solving the Problem of Neo's Popularity — Six Colors https://sixcolors.com/post/2026/04/solving-the-problem-of-macbook-neos-popularity/ Neo's Chip Supply Problem — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/18/macbook-neo-has-a-chip-supply-problem-heres-how-apple-could-fix-it/ Mac Neo: Follow-Up to MacBook Neo's Success — AppleInsider https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/04/13/mac-neo-should-be-the-follow-up-to-the-huge-success-of-the-macbook-neo 3 | Microsoft on Defense Surface Price Hikes — More Reason to Buy a Neo — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/14/microsoft-surface-price-hikes-the-latest-reason-to-buy-a-macbook-neo/ Surface Cheapest Now Twice Neo's Price — Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-raises-surface-laptop-prices-and-its-cheapest-is-now-twice-as-pricey-as-macbook-neo/ Microsoft's Idea to Deter Students from Neo — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/15/microsoft-has-a-new-idea-on-how-to-deter-students-from-macbook-neo/ Microsoft's College Deal: Half-Hearted Answer to Neo — Engadget https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/microsofts-new-college-deal-is-a-half-hearted-answer-to-the-500-macbook-neo-215336362.html 4 | Neo vs. The Field Neo vs. Chromebook Plus — Who Wins? — PCMag https://www.pcmag.com/comparisons/macbook-neo-vs-chromebook-plus-apple-shakes-up-budget-laptops-but-who-wins Neo vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x — AppleInsider https://appleinsider.com/inside/macbook-neo/vs/macbook-neo-vs-lenovo-ideapad-slim-3x-inexpensive-mac-vs-windows-toe-to-toe Neo as My Only Writing Machine: 20,000 Words Later — Medium https://medium.com/macoclock/i-used-the-macbook-neo-as-my-only-writing-machine-20-000-words-later-heres-the-truth-21bacbcc3c3b Neo Moonlighting as a Windows Gaming Machine — Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/the-macbook-neo-is-moonlighting-as-a-windows-gaming-machine-and-its-doing-it-well/ 5 | Customize & Accessorize Multicolor Neo with Official Parts for $39 — 9to5Mac https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/13/you-can-create-a-multicolor-macbook-neo-with-official-apple-parts-for-just-39/ Build a Multi-Color Neo Yourself — Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/you-can-build-yourself-a-multi-color-macbook-neo-if-you-got-the-diy-tools-handy/ 6 | Community Corner What Was Your Main Reason for Purchasing? — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1sjvnwz/ Homemade Case — r/MacbookNeo https://www.reddit.com/r/MacbookNeo/comments/1sl56cu/ Neo for Apple Configurator — Worth It? — r/macbook https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/1sp9twr/ 7 | Must-Have Software 4 Neo Productivity Apps to Try Now — Fast Company/Yahoo Tech https://tech.yahoo.com/articles/4-macbook-neo-productivity-apps-090000484.html 5 Best Mac Utilities in 2026 — Digital Trends https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/5-best-mac-utilities-of-2026/ 5 Essential MacBook Apps in 2026 — BGR https://www.bgr.com/2130898/essential-macbook-apps-you-should-use-in-2026/ macOS Is 80% There — 10 Apps Finish the Job — Medium https://jess-writes-about-tech.medium.com/macos-is-80-there-these-10-apps-finish-the-job-2026-cb1159717500 30 Best Free macOS Apps + Homebrew Guide — Boredom at Work https://boredom-at-work.com/best-free-macos-software/ Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheNeoNotebook Contact: ThePodTalkNetwork@gmail.com Network: ThePodTalk.Net