Apple has finally introduced the long-awaited entry-level MacBook, the MacBook Neo, and it was truly worth the wait. The shiny new machine meets even the most optimistic price predictions with its starting price of just $599.

There is little doubt that the Neo will affect some MacBook Air sales. While it does involve some compromises, it will be the right choice for many. However, my suspicion is that it will actually affect more iPad sales...

For Some Uses, an iPad is Enough

Before presenting my argument, I must acknowledge that some use cases can indeed be met with just a tablet. Examples include:

  • Illustrating
  • Intensive photo editing types with brush work
  • Taking handwritten notes
  • Annotating PDFs
  • Reading eBooks

There are also other ways of using an iPad that feel more natural due to its form factor. For instance, reading digital magazines and certain forms of media consumption, such as video streaming and passive web browsing.

For Many People, an iPad is a Laptop

However, many people using an iPad with a keyboard are using it as a laptop, and there are good historical reasons for this.

For a while, a base model iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard were much cheaper than the cheapest MacBook Air. Many times, when friends who are not tech-savvy asked me which Mac they should buy, I would ask about their needs and often recommended an iPad.

Even as iPads moved up to higher price segments and the Magic Keyboard emerged as a much more expensive way to turn an iPad into a faux laptop, there were still advantages. Instant wake and battery life were good arguments, and for a tech user who uses only one app, the iPad was a friendlier option.

Apple Silicon Macs Changed the Landscape

However, everything changed dramatically with the advent of Apple Silicon Macs. At that point, you could buy a MacBook Air with the same instant sleep/wake and the same battery life. Not only that, but if you wanted a 13-inch screen, the MacBook was actually cheaper than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard.

Of course, the iPad combination provided the flexibility of being both a faux laptop and a tablet with one purchase, but this led many who previously chose the iPad route to prefer the MacBook Air.

Neo Redefines the Targets

But now... what is directly comparable to the Neo is the 13-inch iPad Air and Magic Keyboard. This offers the same size screen and the same quality keyboard. However, when paired with 256GB of storage, its price rises to $1,218 - exactly double the price of the Neo!

Of course, there are cheaper options as well. As we mentioned yesterday, a basic iPad and Magic Keyboard Folio come at the same price, but in this case, you only get an 11-inch screen. Additionally, you can make it even cheaper by pairing the base model iPad with a third-party Bluetooth keyboard.

Whether these options make sense comes back to whether your usage is better suited to an iPad or a laptop. The flexibility of a 2-in-1 device is undeniable. However, if you are buying an iPad and considering using it as a laptop for your entire life, then the MacBook Neo is a much more sensible choice in terms of both hardware and software.

In terms of hardware, the Neo is much more organized compared to the iPad and keyboard combination. In terms of software, iPadOS is much better than before, but still lags far behind macOS.

So yes, the MacBook Neo will definitely affect MacBook Air sales. But it will also affect iPad sales, and I believe the impact in that area will be more dramatic.

Do you agree, or do you think the iPad is safe for those buying it as a faux laptop? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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