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Apple this week, it stirred up the waters with two laptops that at first glance seem to be aimed at a similar audience, but in reality each one is aimed at a slightly different audience. In addition to the complete novelty in the form of MacBookat Neo here we have the latest MacBook Air with the M5 chip, which are similar in many ways, but in other ways these machines are quite different, and the main thing is that they are separated by a price gap of 500 dollars, while in the Czech Republic it is 13,000 CZK. And then we still have a number of older machines, which, although their best years are behind them, are still reliable. We are talking about MacBooku Air with the M1 from 2020, which many users are still using with satisfaction. So if you're considering an upgrade or your first entry into the world of Mac, let's be clear about what actually separates these three machines.
MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air M1 vs. MacBook Air M5: performance as the main dividing line
The biggest differences are logically found under the hood. MacBook Neo is betting on the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. Incidentally, this is the first time that the chip originally known from the iPhones has made it into MacBookin this form (except for the 2020 developer kit, which had A12Z in it for testing applications for the chips Apple Silicon), The Apple This makes it affordable, yet very agile. variafor normal use.
MacBook Air s M1 was a revolution in its time. The 8-core CPU (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores), 7-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine set the bar back then and it is still a very capable machine today, but time is relentless. Just to give you an idea, MacBook Air The M1 scores around 2350 points on single-core and around 8750 points on multi-core in Geekbench performance tests. The A18 Pro chip from iPhone The 16 Pro scores around 3500 points on a single core and 8750 points on multiple cores. So the chips should be comparable in multi-core tasks, and when using a single core it should have MacBook Not on top.
The performance leader among lightweight laptops is of course Air with the M5 chip, which brings a 10-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, significantly higher memory bandwidth (153 GB/s compared to 60 GB/s with the A18 Pro) and an overall different league for more demanding work, video editing or larger AI tasks.
Simply put, the M1 is still a usable base today, the A18 Pro in MacBookThe Neo aims for a modern, economical and affordable mainstream thanks to very solid performance, and the M5 is a clear choice for those who want a performance reserve for years to come.
MacBook Neo
Display: small difference in numbers, bigger in practice
On paper, the differences look subtle, but in reality they are not entirely negligible. MacBook Neo offers 13″ Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2408 × 1506 pixels and a brightness of 500 nits without a notch in the display. In contrast MacBook Air The M5 brings a larger 13,6″ Liquid Retina a panel with a higher resolution of 2560 × 1664 pixels, also with a brightness of 500 nits and in addition with a wide color gamut P3 and True Tone. MacBook Air The M1 is 13,3″ Retina display with a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels, but "only" with a brightness of 400 nits. In a normal interior, this is not a problem, but when working near a window or outdoors, the higher brightness is noticeable.
In other words, if you want the most advanced panel with the best color, the M5 Air is a step further. Neo will offer very solid quality beyond Air from 2020, the M1 is now more average in this regard. Just beware that the Neo does not have an ambient light sensor and therefore cannot automatically adjust the display brightness, which may be a disadvantage for many.
Construction and weight: you'll hardly notice the differences
All three models weigh around 1,2 kilograms. MacBook Neo and Air The M5 weighs the same at 1,23 kg, the M1 is a few dozen grams heavier (1,29 kg). In a backpack or on the go, you will hardly notice the difference.
But what you will recognize is the design generation. The M1 is still the "old" wedge-shaped Air. The M5 already has a more modern, angular style. The Neo then brings an aluminum body and also plays with the colors that the AirYou won't find it to that extent. And to be honest, I personally really like the color palette of the Neo model and I believe that it can convince many people to buy it.
MacBook Air M5
Battery and charging: durability as a guarantee
MacBook Neo can handle up to 16 hours of video streaming. Air Both the M5 and M1 get up to 18 hours of playback. For normal web browsing, the Neo ends up at 11 hours, while both AirThey can handle around 15 hours.
So there are differences, but none of these machines will leave you hanging during the workday. However, if endurance is an absolute priority for you, Air still has a slight lead. What is perhaps even more crucial is the fact that the Neo model lacks MagSafe foronewhich means it can only be charged via USB-C. However, this is ultimately a "problem" even for MacBooku Air M1, as MagSafe only arrived with Airy M2 and newer.
What is very interesting to me personally is that MacBooku Air An adapter with a plug is enough for charging.onem 20W, which is really low. As a result, you will only need a low-power, but also cheap charger, which is great.
Camera, sound and equipment: here you can see the generational shift
MacBook Air The M1 has a now slightly outdated 720p camera, the Neo brings a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and Air The M5 goes even further with a 12MP camera with Center StageSo video calls will definitely be more enjoyable on the Neo than on the 2020 model, but logically on Air The M5 will not be enough.
Audio is another area where the models differ. The Neo has a pair of speakers, the M1 has stereo speakers, while the Air The M5 will offer a four-speaker system and support for more advanced surround sound, but the question is, of course, how the Neo will sound. Apple He has shown many times that paper assumptions are one thing and reality is another, and often much sweeter. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he could MacBook Neo will bring a sound that will also be fantastic.
The port equipment is simpler on the Neo – specifically two USB-C without Thunderbolt. Both AirHowever, they do have Thunderbolt ports, which can be important for external monitors or fast storage. MacBookHowever, with the Neo, you can of course also connect one external monitor in 4K at 60Hz.
It is also worth remembering that while MacBook The Neo doesn't have a backlit keyboard, while the other models do. So if you're used to typing on illuminated keys, you'll be limited with the Neo model.
MacBook Air M1
For whom does which model make sense?
MacBook Air The M1 is ideal as an affordable entry into the world of Mac today, if you don't mind the older design, weaker camera, and less performance reserve for the future. Of course, you have to take into account the fact that it's very difficult to get a new one.
Compared to that MacBook The Neo is aimed at students and everyday users who want a new Mac at the lowest possible price, a modern design, a solid display and sufficient performance for everyday work, streaming and light creativity. Its huge benefit is of course the price and, as a result, the fact that it is a freshly released machine with the certainty of software updates and a full warranty.
MacBook Air with the M5 is then the clear choice for those who want maximum in the lightweight notebook category. It has the display of the trio, the highest performance, the best camera and sound, and of course, a higher price.
So to sum it up without any unnecessary frills: Neo is about availability, M1 is about still surprisingly good price-performance ratio and M5 is about you wanting peace of mind for a few more years. And that's exactly what your decision should be based on. But if I were to "scratch" between the older MacBooky Air a MacBookem Neo, I would go for the Neo model because its specifications combined with price and software support are really good.
And what you didn't mention, and for me personally, the biggest "obstacle" with the Neo is that it doesn't have a backlit keyboard...
Thanks for the insight, I've added it there. :) Honestly, I'm quite surprised how many people see a backlit keyboard as a must-have. For example, I work primarily on external Magic Keyboard, which also lacks backlight (maybe a tip for Apple? :)), I don't write all ten and yet I'm completely fine with it. On MacBooku Air then I use the backlight too miniBut of course I understand that everyone is different and it can be an obstacle.
Sure, I'm one of the few % for whom this is a must-have. I sometimes do emergency work at night on call, and I never want a laptop without a backlit keyboard again. :-D