Ridealong has curated the best and most interesting podcasts and clips about MacBook Air.
Top Podcast Clips About MacBook Air
“… life my Power Mac 9600 350 which is a long time ago That was an amazing computer but yeah that was the last time you were in that market Yeah I been MacBook as my desktop I think ever since And you were obviously different, but I remember, but I'm excited by Power Macs and Mac Pro hardware. Just knew that they weren't really for me. And I remember being excited about the Trashcan Mac Pro. I was like, wow, that's a cool idea. Yeah, it was. I was excited about it, too. They tried something new. Yeah, and I guess the argument is if you don't occasionally have a dud of an idea, hopefully not like a …”“I don't know about you. And I was already not in the market. I haven't bought a Pro Mac desktop since... I think I only ever bought one in my life my Power Mac 9600 350 which is a long time ago That was an amazing computer but yeah that was the last time you were in that market Yeah I been MacBook as my desktop I think ever since And you were obviously different, but I remember, but I'm excited by Power Macs and Mac Pro hardware. Just knew that they weren't really for me. And I remember being excited about the Trashcan Mac Pro. I was like, wow, that's a cool idea. Yeah, it was. I was excited about it, too. They tried something new. Yeah, and I guess the argument is if you don't occasionally have a dud of an idea, hopefully not like a severe dud, but like, let's backtrack. And, you know, there was only one fat Nano, right? It's like, well, all right, let's backtrack and go back to the other. One buttonless shuffle. Let's, all right, forget about the one. Yeah, but didn't they try to say it had no buttons? I forget. Yeah, no, I said they did the one buttonless shuffle. Oh, okay, …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's current approach under Tim Cook lacks the exciting, rebellious spirit that defined the company during Steve Jobs' era. While the company remains incredibly successful, there's a sense that they're playing it safe rather than taking bold risks, as seen in their product launches and development timelines. This shift raises questions about the future of innovation at Apple and whether they can recapture the creative spark that once made them a trailblazer in tech.
The Talk Show With John Gruber·445: ‘Apple at 50’, With John Siracusa·Apr 01, 2026
“… computing that we have access to. I wrote a whole article about this. You have access to the greatest computing in the entire world from the MacBook Neo. Yes, the cloud computing. I will just mention, I want to go down a little bit of memory lane of my experience with the Mac Pro. And I was working in a place where our use case was we had to ingest two streams of HD video, recording both streams in sync, video and audio, and be able to play back those two channels of video and audio in real time. So we needed a computer that had four video channels, two in and two out, and a computer …”“… It's just not, there's not because anybody who like training LLM models is not a thing you need to be doing locally. Right? Like there's, there is a really good resource for that. It's called infinity in the cloud, right? Like it's like the most powerful computing that we have access to. I wrote a whole article about this. You have access to the greatest computing in the entire world from the MacBook Neo. Yes, the cloud computing. I will just mention, I want to go down a little bit of memory lane of my experience with the Mac Pro. And I was working in a place where our use case was we had to ingest two streams of HD video, recording both streams in sync, video and audio, and be able to play back those two channels of video and audio in real time. So we needed a computer that had four video channels, two in and two out, and a computer powerful enough to do that. Now, sure, the Mac Studio today would be powerful enough to do that. Like it has the horsepower to do it. But what I'm showing right now, and I will put a link in the show notes, even if it's not chapter artwork. And if you see the domain Oak tree pixels, just know it's mine. I'm hosting the pictures. I'm putting those on my …”View more
Ridealong summary
The Mac Pro was a powerhouse for specialized tasks, like ingesting and recording HD video in real time, making it a crucial tool for professionals. In contrast, while the newer Mac Studio can handle similar tasks, it lacks the reliability and convenience of the Mac Pro's PCI card slots. This is a nostalgic look back at how the Mac Pro excelled in demanding environments before its discontinuation.
Primary Technology·Apple’s Legacy and Future After 50 Years, Mac Pro is Dead, Claude Code Leak·Apr 02, 2026
“… list of vintage and obsolete hardware. A piece from MacRumors says Apple has put the third-generation Wi-Fi-only iPad Air and the 13-inch 2017 MacBook Air on the vintage rack. Generally speaking, vintage devices are those that have been off the market for more than five years, but less than seven. While Apple and its authorized service providers will service those machines in theory, such service is dependent on parts availability, so go gentle just in case. As for obsolete devices, the piece says the iPad Mini 4 and 32GB Apple TV HD have taken the long walk. Off the market for seven years or …”“… Cupertino company is said to be issuing refunds for folks in that situation. The ones with the adjustable stand stay the same price. Is. It's $3,299 for the regular glass plus a stand. Nanotexture plus stand stays. $35.99. Additions this week to Apple's list of vintage and obsolete hardware. A piece from MacRumors says Apple has put the third-generation Wi-Fi-only iPad Air and the 13-inch 2017 MacBook Air on the vintage rack. Generally speaking, vintage devices are those that have been off the market for more than five years, but less than seven. While Apple and its authorized service providers will service those machines in theory, such service is dependent on parts availability, so go gentle just in case. As for obsolete devices, the piece says the iPad Mini 4 and 32GB Apple TV HD have taken the long walk. Off the market for seven years or more, neither Apple nor its service providers will service or repair obsolete machines, so go extra gentle with those.”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple has officially added several devices to its vintage and obsolete hardware lists, including the third-generation iPad Air and the 2017 MacBook Air. Vintage devices may still receive service depending on parts availability, while obsolete devices like the iPad Mini 4 will no longer be serviced at all. If you own one of these devices, handle them with care to avoid costly repairs.
Mac OS Ken·Security Updates and Tim's 50 Year Memo - MOSK: 04.02.2026·Apr 02, 2026
Ridealong summary
President Trump announced that U.S. military actions have severely weakened Iran's military capabilities, bringing the country closer to being unable to support terrorist activities or develop nuclear weapons. He emphasized the importance of honoring fallen American warriors by completing the mission swiftly, thanking Middle Eastern allies for their support in this effort. The stakes are high as the U.S. aims to finish what was started for the safety of future generations.
Bannon`s War Room·War Room Special: PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESS TO THE NATION·Apr 02, 2026
“… way. It is really lovely. And the way the animations work are really nice. And it is technically very impressive in the way that like the 12 inch MacBook was really thin. Right. And it turns out that has very little to do with the actual experience of living with these products. I can take it further, too, because the 12-inch – look, the butterfly keyboard, for people who don't remember, I would suppress that memory if I could. It's for the best. It is that they designed this super low-travel keyboard for this super small laptop that they made, the Retina MacBook, which was underpowered and it …”“… butterfly keyboard comparison is that it does feel like the same thing is happening right now in which a group of people has decided that some pursuit of aesthetic perfection is what matters. Like liquid glass is beautiful in a very certain specific way. It is really lovely. And the way the animations work are really nice. And it is technically very impressive in the way that like the 12 inch MacBook was really thin. Right. And it turns out that has very little to do with the actual experience of living with these products. I can take it further, too, because the 12-inch – look, the butterfly keyboard, for people who don't remember, I would suppress that memory if I could. It's for the best. It is that they designed this super low-travel keyboard for this super small laptop that they made, the Retina MacBook, which was underpowered and it never really went anywhere. They're trying to replace the MacBook Air. It didn't really work. And it was one of their failures of the 2010s. but the big mistake with that butterfly keyboard is once they designed it to fit in this teeny tiny laptop they're like great we made a new keyboard let's put it everywhere let's shove it in every product even …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's recent software design choices echo the infamous butterfly keyboard disaster, revealing a troubling disconnect between aesthetics and usability. After Steve Jobs' death, the company prioritized visual appeal over practical functionality, leading to products that look great but frustrate users. This trend raises concerns about whether Apple can regain its focus on user experience in a competitive tech landscape.
The Vergecast·Apple at 50: the good and the bad·Mar 31, 2026
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Waymo is revolutionizing urban transportation in the Bay Area, providing a fun and reliable autonomous ride experience that many residents are already enjoying. Brett Adcock discusses the future of urban air mobility and the challenges of FAA certification, emphasizing the need for safety standards before these technologies can scale. As we await the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles, the conversation highlights both the excitement and the hurdles that lie ahead.
The Shawn Ryan Show·#292 Brett Adcock - Shawn Ryan Meets a Humanoid Robot·Mar 30, 2026
“… about all of those use RAM and NAND. That'll hurt PC makers, which will practically be required to raise their prices. And they will also be hurt by MacBook Neo. Not only does Apple have leverage and buying power in the supply chain, the piece says the Neo's own architecture stands it in good stead. MacBook Neo uses 8GB of RAM to a Microsoft-mandated 16GB for Windows machines. Additionally, MacBook Neo's unified memory means it can more efficiently use the RAM that it does have, according to Engadget. efficiency and buying power aside ramnarock will hit apple in the form of higher prices same as …”“… that it would end its consumer-facing business to focus on providing RAM and other components to AI customers. Engadget had the CEO of SK Hynix saying recently that memory shortages could last until 2030. That'll hurt consumer electronics since just about all of those use RAM and NAND. That'll hurt PC makers, which will practically be required to raise their prices. And they will also be hurt by MacBook Neo. Not only does Apple have leverage and buying power in the supply chain, the piece says the Neo's own architecture stands it in good stead. MacBook Neo uses 8GB of RAM to a Microsoft-mandated 16GB for Windows machines. Additionally, MacBook Neo's unified memory means it can more efficiently use the RAM that it does have, according to Engadget. efficiency and buying power aside ramnarock will hit apple in the form of higher prices same as it's hitting everybody else but apple can take the hit iphone just had its best quarter ever services keep scaling new heights the way engadget sees it it's time for apple to play hard offense Moving forward, the site argues that Apple should do everything it can to maintain and maybe even lower the price of its computers to a point where its …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's MacBook Neo is poised to disrupt the PC market, leveraging its unique architecture and supply chain advantages. With major memory chip shortages affecting competitors, Apple could maintain lower prices while outperforming rivals like Lenovo and HP. This strategic move could shift consumer preferences toward Mac computers, setting a new standard in the industry.
Mac OS Ken·A Threat Against Apple, Laptop Talk, and Apple at 50 - MOSK: 04.01.2026·Apr 01, 2026
“… discussion in Apple whether they should just go with one. And maybe they would have if they hadn't tried it before a decade ago with the just plain MacBook, which the difference there was that it was a $1,500, $1,600 starting price. Yes. And it felt like, hey, how are you selling a premium priced laptop, like $1,500? And again, $1,500 a decade ago, not now. Right. No, it was an expensive thing. Well, not only that, but it was the replacement, the way that it was positioned. And Ivan, in my review at the time, wrote that this is the future and this is what all laptops will look like. And that wound …”“… it's the wrong port, you know, when you're having to kind of switch back and forth and you don't know by feel or by anything else. I don't know. Yeah. And it's, I get it. Like I'll bet just hearing you make the case there, I'll bet it was a serious discussion in Apple whether they should just go with one. And maybe they would have if they hadn't tried it before a decade ago with the just plain MacBook, which the difference there was that it was a $1,500, $1,600 starting price. Yes. And it felt like, hey, how are you selling a premium priced laptop, like $1,500? And again, $1,500 a decade ago, not now. Right. No, it was an expensive thing. Well, not only that, but it was the replacement, the way that it was positioned. And Ivan, in my review at the time, wrote that this is the future and this is what all laptops will look like. And that wound up not really being correct, but the USB-C thing was. But it was in many ways the – it was the replacement for the Air. Like they got rid of the Air. And that was – They never got rid of the Air, but they kept it at a non-retina. and at one point even reduced it to $899, which was, you know. Well, but by getting rid of it, what I mean is they were …”View more
Ridealong summary
The discontinuation of the Mac Pro is a strategic move by Apple, reflecting a shift towards more efficient and capable alternatives like the Mac Studio, which better serve professional needs.
Apple's decision to discontinue the Mac Pro is a strategic move that reflects a shift towards more efficient and powerful alternatives like the Mac Studio, despite the nostalgia for the Mac Pro name.
Apple's discontinuation of the Mac Pro reflects a broader neglect of professional users in favor of consumer products, leaving high-end users with subpar options.
Apple's decision to discontinue the Mac Pro highlights years of missteps and underperformance during the Intel era, suggesting a delayed transition to Apple Silicon that could have happened much earlier.
The discontinuation of the Mac Pro is a strategic decision reflecting the strength and evolution of Apple's current hardware lineup, particularly with the success of the Mac Studio and Mac Mini.
The Talk Show With John Gruber·444: ‘You’re Going to Have the Niggles’, With Christina Warren·Mar 29, 2026
“Apparently, Tim Cook came out and said that the NEO has caused the largest jump in first time MacBook ownership that Apple has ever seen. Turns out price is important. one yeah one thing i i will point out and i i will give a a tip of the hat to the person who pointed this out to me is that the macbook neo uh very relevant to this conversation but does not have a glowing apple on the back it also does not have a backlit keyboard correct if that's important to you um and i i learned that on saturday because uh our dear friend john martellaro was …”“Apparently, Tim Cook came out and said that the NEO has caused the largest jump in first time MacBook ownership that Apple has ever seen. Turns out price is important. one yeah one thing i i will point out and i i will give a a tip of the hat to the person who pointed this out to me is that the macbook neo uh very relevant to this conversation but does not have a glowing apple on the back it also does not have a backlit keyboard correct if that's important to you um and i i learned that on saturday because uh our dear friend john martellaro was in the market to uh to perhaps buy a macbook neo and then said it was off his list when uh when he realized that that was uh that it did not have a backlit keyboard as many of you might know uh several days later we actually lost john modelero john um he he he actually was in fine health but you know he'd had some issues over the years as …”View more
Ridealong summary
John Martellaro, a brilliant mind behind the Apple II Space Shuttle lander simulator, recently passed away, leaving a legacy of laughter and innovation. His absence is felt deeply, as friends recall his intelligence and humor, highlighting how he made a lasting impact on those around him. In a bittersweet moment, they share memories that celebrate his life while acknowledging the void he leaves behind.
Mac Geek Gab·When the Internet Spits You Out – Mac Geek Gab 1135·Mar 30, 2026
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The mysterious disappearances of scientists, including General William McClaskin, have raised eyebrows amid rising tensions and drone activity around U.S. Air Force bases. This coincides with a potential connection to UFO sightings and military operations in Iran, suggesting a complex web of national security concerns. As the situation unfolds, many are left questioning whether these events are linked to foreign adversaries or something more enigmatic.
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar·3/30/26: Oil Crisis Expands, Israel Blocks Palm Sunday, Scientists Go Missing, Larry Wilkerson On Iran War·Mar 30, 2026
“… A new version of the Mac Studio with the M5 Max and presumably an M5 Ultra is expected this year. Meanwhile, Apple also sells three laptops, the MacBook Neo, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro. There are options spanning dramatically different price points, configurations, and form factors. Apple needed to make a decision to either update the Mac Pro or discontinue it. Continuing to sell it with the M2 Ultra at such a high price was a disservice to Mac shoppers. There will undoubtedly be some Mac Pro loyalists disappointed by this news, but they shouldn't be surprised because the writing has …”“… an 80 GPU paired with 256GB of unified memory and 16TB of SSD storage With the discontinuation of the Mac Pro, Apple now sells three desktop Macs, the 24-inch iMac with M4, the Mac Mini with M4 and M4 Pro, and the Mac Studio with M3 Ultra and M4 Max. A new version of the Mac Studio with the M5 Max and presumably an M5 Ultra is expected this year. Meanwhile, Apple also sells three laptops, the MacBook Neo, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro. There are options spanning dramatically different price points, configurations, and form factors. Apple needed to make a decision to either update the Mac Pro or discontinue it. Continuing to sell it with the M2 Ultra at such a high price was a disservice to Mac shoppers. There will undoubtedly be some Mac Pro loyalists disappointed by this news, but they shouldn't be surprised because the writing has been on the wall for a long time.”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's discontinuation of the Mac Pro was inevitable given its outdated hardware and high price point, making the Mac Studio the new 'Pro' desktop option.
Apple's decision to discontinue the Mac Pro was necessary to avoid disservice to consumers by selling outdated technology at a high price.
The discontinuation of the Mac Pro is a long-expected move, as continuing to sell it with outdated hardware was a disservice to consumers.
“… from Bloomberg underlines this describing both internal and external pointers to the company favored choice First the report explains that the MacBook Neo is arguably Apple most significant new hardware release for several years and it was John Ternus, not Tim Cook, who was the face of the launch. Ternus headlined Apple's special experience for the press in New York City and also appeared on Good Morning America to talk about the MacBook Neo. This is the type of media appearance that historically Tim Cook has done himself. Meanwhile, inside Apple, Bloomberg says that Ternus has continued to …”“… everyone is careful to acknowledge that Apple CEO Tim Cook isn't likely to retire imminently, and the decision about his replacement hasn't yet been made, there seems little doubt that John Ternus is next in the line of succession. An extensive new report from Bloomberg underlines this describing both internal and external pointers to the company favored choice First the report explains that the MacBook Neo is arguably Apple most significant new hardware release for several years and it was John Ternus, not Tim Cook, who was the face of the launch. Ternus headlined Apple's special experience for the press in New York City and also appeared on Good Morning America to talk about the MacBook Neo. This is the type of media appearance that historically Tim Cook has done himself. Meanwhile, inside Apple, Bloomberg says that Ternus has continued to expand his empire. Last year, he took control of a secretive unit developing robotics. He's also taking a bigger role in Apple's product marketing, sometimes personally editing copy for the website and product event materials. He has also become central to Apple's work to make its devices more environmentally sustainable. sustainable. He's assumed …”View more
Ridealong summary
The iPhone Air has become twice as popular as the iPhone 16 Plus during its launch period, marking a significant shift in Apple's mid-tier smartphone strategy. While the Air is the least popular model in the iPhone 17 lineup, it still surpasses the Plus model, indicating a successful niche for Apple. This success comes as John Ternus emerges as a likely successor to Tim Cook, showcasing his growing influence within the company.
9to5Mac Daily·iPhone Air popularity, iPad rumors·Mar 24, 2026
“I'm going to lean Air still, but I think the MacBook Neo is going to surprise people and absolutely make an impact. And if we just jump over to the, so yeah, it's a great Apple. That is the smartest business decision Apple has arguably made from a product standpoint in, ooh, from a price and performance. I don't know. I don't know. It's hard. When was there a bargain or entry-level product that was this good? this might be the smartest business decision and actual quality product that Apple's …”“I'm going to lean Air still, but I think the MacBook Neo is going to surprise people and absolutely make an impact. And if we just jump over to the, so yeah, it's a great Apple. That is the smartest business decision Apple has arguably made from a product standpoint in, ooh, from a price and performance. I don't know. I don't know. It's hard. When was there a bargain or entry-level product that was this good? this might be the smartest business decision and actual quality product that Apple's made that I can remember in at least 20 years. I'm really trying to think hard and out loud right now. It might even be more than that. It's really that major of a shift in philosophy, but also bringing a true MacBook experience to that price. It's amazing. um let's touch upon really quickly the m5 macbook air the quintessential the foundational …”View more
Ridealong summary
The M5 MacBook Air is Apple’s smartest business move in decades, offering unmatched performance at an entry-level price. With increased base storage to 512GB and doubled SSD speed, it’s a powerhouse for everyday users, starting at just $1,099. This shift brings a true MacBook experience to more people than ever before.
Apple Bitz XL w/ Brian Tong·MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air & M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro Reviews! Plus, New AirPods Max 2?! (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 371)·Mar 19, 2026
“… a year. That's an insane amount of phones. And they sell around and it been pretty steady around 23 million Macs The vast majority of those are MacBooks right Yeah And that like its 10 to 1 ratio Right. If it's very, very possible that Apple will more than double their share of how many Macs they sell a year by being in this completely different price band, especially as everything else is getting a price hike. Everything in Windows laptop land is getting more expensive because of all the RAM shortages and chip shortages and everything. So if a year or two from now, Apple is selling 100 …”“… what's going to be exciting to watch with the NeoTrend is Apple sells, they don't give the numbers, but people do their analysis. And the best ones I could find, say Apple sells between 230 and 250 million iPhones a year. A quarter of a billion iPhones a year. That's an insane amount of phones. And they sell around and it been pretty steady around 23 million Macs The vast majority of those are MacBooks right Yeah And that like its 10 to 1 ratio Right. If it's very, very possible that Apple will more than double their share of how many Macs they sell a year by being in this completely different price band, especially as everything else is getting a price hike. Everything in Windows laptop land is getting more expensive because of all the RAM shortages and chip shortages and everything. So if a year or two from now, Apple is selling 100 million Macs a year because they're in this price band where most laptops are sold, most laptops are sold well under $1,000 in the world. that's going to really change how much emphasis the company puts on the Mac and Mac OS and everything else. We may all be the beneficiary of the MacBook Neo, even if we don't want one, just because it's going to make …”View more
Ridealong summary
The MacBook Neo could double Apple's annual Mac sales by tapping into a new price band, attracting customers previously priced out of Apple laptops. With most laptops sold under $1,000, this shift could prompt Apple to focus more on the Mac ecosystem, benefiting all users. If successful, we may see Apple invest more in Mac technology, similar to how they prioritize the iPhone.
Macworld Podcast·Episode 975: Reviews of the M5 Max MacBook Pro and M5 MacBook Air·Mar 18, 2026
“But this is the MacBook Neo, folks. And we both have it. Where's mine at? I got mine right here. Where'd it go? oh yeah blush you got blush i had to you know i had to go with the blush one to try it out you know yeah it is in this lighting right here it looks silver but in some good lighting it does look pinkish you know at least looks pinkish i'm a big fan of the uh indigo color i i did not think i would like this but man i think it looks good i love the keyboard as …”“But this is the MacBook Neo, folks. And we both have it. Where's mine at? I got mine right here. Where'd it go? oh yeah blush you got blush i had to you know i had to go with the blush one to try it out you know yeah it is in this lighting right here it looks silver but in some good lighting it does look pinkish you know at least looks pinkish i'm a big fan of the uh indigo color i i did not think i would like this but man i think it looks good i love the keyboard as well color match keyboard It's subtle. It's very subtle, but I think it looks really good, honestly. Agreed. I mean, yeah, the MacBook New. Give us your initial reaction, your initial thoughts on this thing, because obviously we've seen the hype cycle happen. Everybody was wowed. So what was your initial thought when you finally got your hands on …”View more
Ridealong summary
The MacBook Neo redefines budget laptops with its impressive value at just $499 for students and $599 retail. Unlike the powerful but limited iPad, the Neo offers multiple ways to access its features, making it more versatile, akin to a starter home with several doors. This new standard in laptops emphasizes practicality over sheer power, catering to everyday users effectively.
9to5Mac Overtime·9to5Mac Overtime 063: The new standard·Mar 17, 2026
“… the end of last week with some interesting Apple news. According to that, then, the number one bestseller on Amazon's computer list in the U.S. was MacBook Neo, while Apple's low-cost laptop was number three on the list in the UK. That prompted me to check again on Sunday. In the UK, MacBook Neo seemed to already be off Amazon's Computers and Accessories Top 50, though it was still holding the top spot in the US on Sunday. One thing I found pretty funny about the Amazon list, the second best-selling thing on the list in the US, was an Anker USB-C hub with a few different expansion ports. I'm not …”“Apple Must ran a piece at the end of last week with some interesting Apple news. According to that, then, the number one bestseller on Amazon's computer list in the U.S. was MacBook Neo, while Apple's low-cost laptop was number three on the list in the UK. That prompted me to check again on Sunday. In the UK, MacBook Neo seemed to already be off Amazon's Computers and Accessories Top 50, though it was still holding the top spot in the US on Sunday. One thing I found pretty funny about the Amazon list, the second best-selling thing on the list in the US, was an Anker USB-C hub with a few different expansion ports. I'm not saying one definitely has to do with the other, but with only two USB-C ports, or one, if you're trying to power the thing while you're using it, it wouldn't surprise me if a spike in hub sales was tied directly to Apple's low-cost laptop. Now, if you want to know about deliveries from Amazon, you feel free to go down that rabbit hole There was no …”View more
Ridealong summary
The MacBook Neo's design prioritizes repairability, marking a positive shift in Apple's approach to device longevity and user serviceability.
Mac OS Ken·MacBook Neo News and Two Stories or One on Apple and A.I. - MOSK: 03.16.2026·Mar 16, 2026
“… doing some vertical stacking of dyes, which I didn't quite understand, but that's cool. I don't think we have to get into that here, but the but the MacBook Neo is the actual interesting new product line. Yeah. The, the top line on that is that it's a $600, um, uh, MacBook, small MacBook running, uh, an a 18 pro, which is last year's iPhone pro chip. Yeah. Um, like insane that we're at the point where a phone processor can now run a laptop, but I mean, we've been trying to people and try it for more than a decade. It just is kind of always sucked fair. Um,”“… of it, but there's only one actually new thing. I mean, they announced like M5 Pro laptops, but that's just iterative. I mean, there's some interesting stuff with the way they're designing their SoCs now for those, but I don't think we need, they're doing some vertical stacking of dyes, which I didn't quite understand, but that's cool. I don't think we have to get into that here, but the but the MacBook Neo is the actual interesting new product line. Yeah. The, the top line on that is that it's a $600, um, uh, MacBook, small MacBook running, uh, an a 18 pro, which is last year's iPhone pro chip. Yeah. Um, like insane that we're at the point where a phone processor can now run a laptop, but I mean, we've been trying to people and try it for more than a decade. It just is kind of always sucked fair. Um,”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's new MacBook Neo features a shocking price point of $600, powered by last year's iPhone Pro chip, the A18 Pro. This marks a significant evolution where a phone processor is now capable of running a laptop, challenging the notion of performance in portable devices. Such advancements raise questions about the future of computing and the merging of mobile and desktop technology.
Brad & Will Made a Tech Pod.·330: Our E-Cores Are Better Than Your P-Cores·Mar 15, 2026
“… things get wider, the menus change. So, yeah, I think Jason's probably right about that. Yeah, I'd worry about it. But you're right, especially with MacBook Neo, macOS needs some love. They're going to get – I think there's a very good chance that a year from now there's twice as many Mac users as there are now. No doubt. Yeah because everybody wants a laptop So yeah I mean Tim Cook said like this was our biggest our biggest biggest Mac launch for non users which I don know how they measure that so quickly After a week, that is meaningless marketing fluff. But it's still notable in the sense that …”“… for the touch. So I feel like be careful what you wish for when you ask to change macOS a lot because it might go the wrong direction. You can kind of get a glimpse of that with iPadOS 26. There's kind of some of that in there where if you hover, things get wider, the menus change. So, yeah, I think Jason's probably right about that. Yeah, I'd worry about it. But you're right, especially with MacBook Neo, macOS needs some love. They're going to get – I think there's a very good chance that a year from now there's twice as many Mac users as there are now. No doubt. Yeah because everybody wants a laptop So yeah I mean Tim Cook said like this was our biggest our biggest biggest Mac launch for non users which I don know how they measure that so quickly After a week, that is meaningless marketing fluff. But it's still notable in the sense that it's immediately attracting people who aren't previous Mac users. Yeah. I've been watching college baseball with my son and like every single ad break has a Mac Neo commercial. Oh, really? They're targeting the audiences that we thought they would. Yep. So that's going to be the ads for that are going to be huge. Come like supply will have rebounded …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's upcoming macOS update may sacrifice information density for touchscreen compatibility, causing potential frustration among users. As the tech giant prepares to launch touchscreen Macs, the interface might shift to accommodate wider touch targets, leading to a less compact design. This change could attract new users but also risk alienating current Mac enthusiasts who prefer the existing layout.
Macworld Podcast·Episode 976: WWDC26 news, Apple TV rumors, and more·Mar 25, 2026
“… ways kind of out of the box without having to configure things to get started with that sort of stuff is to get a Mac Mini or a Mac Studio or even a MacBook Pro. GPUs are expensive and they can be more powerful, but for what a lot of tasks a lot of people want to do, what's great is, yeah, I think you're right. Like, Apple has maybe they're behind in terms of their own models, but the tooling for the things you can actually do within Mac OS is actually pretty robust because there so many people who love the hardware for other reasons and they like okay we wanna figure out how we can get the custom …”“… pretty powerful and you can get a lot out of them. And if you go to Hugging Face, which is like a great resource just to find people who've tuned local kind of customized AI models that you can run in a cloud or on your own machine, one of the best ways kind of out of the box without having to configure things to get started with that sort of stuff is to get a Mac Mini or a Mac Studio or even a MacBook Pro. GPUs are expensive and they can be more powerful, but for what a lot of tasks a lot of people want to do, what's great is, yeah, I think you're right. Like, Apple has maybe they're behind in terms of their own models, but the tooling for the things you can actually do within Mac OS is actually pretty robust because there so many people who love the hardware for other reasons and they like okay we wanna figure out how we can get the custom AI models to run on these things as well as possible. And so that's opened up a whole new world. Well, last night I was reading about a guy who got QEN 3.5, which is a Frontier model that was released, I think back in February, running on his MacBook, which is astonishing. And he said that he did it, he was able to do it partly because of the …”View more
Ridealong summary
A MacBook user successfully ran a complex AI model with 400 billion parameters, thanks to Apple Silicon's architecture. This innovative use of shared memory allows for astonishing speeds, feeding data at 17.5 gigabytes per second, opening up new possibilities for AI on consumer hardware. This achievement showcases Apple's potential in the AI landscape, despite perceptions of being behind competitors.
Cult of Mac·Surprise! AirPods Max 2 just dropped?·Mar 19, 2026
“… opinion about this oh i'm also happy to be wrong like if i'm wrong please i would love to know more about this that apple is in fact sending out macbook neos and if that's true like that's very cool if apple's doing that i just feel like how many do they send out and what did the other people do with them because they didn't make Instagram reels. Yeah. Should I put that in the title? Is Apple sending out MacBook Neos? Ooh, because MacBook Neo does do very well in the title for us. Our YouTube episodes are doing awesome. And people are discovering this show. I think I'm going to put that in the …”“… this didn't happen but what i'm saying is it's strange it is strange that a biology teacher is the only person that we've heard about it from and if you are at apple and you listen to this this is the perfect example steven yes i do have a strongly held opinion about this oh i'm also happy to be wrong like if i'm wrong please i would love to know more about this that apple is in fact sending out macbook neos and if that's true like that's very cool if apple's doing that i just feel like how many do they send out and what did the other people do with them because they didn't make Instagram reels. Yeah. Should I put that in the title? Is Apple sending out MacBook Neos? Ooh, because MacBook Neo does do very well in the title for us. Our YouTube episodes are doing awesome. And people are discovering this show. I think I'm going to put that in the title. That's interesting. Well, we have some other Apple news too, because Apple announced that they have acquired Motion VFX. And this felt like huge news. One, I've used Motion VFX for years. They make plugins, visual effects, like MKBHD has a Motion VFX pack. iJustine actually used both of their packs in Final Cut. And now Apple has acquired …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's acquisition of Motion VFX could revolutionize video editing for creators. This Polish software company, known for its high-quality plugins, will likely integrate their tools into Apple's Final Cut Pro, enhancing features for both one-time purchasers and subscription users. This move could provide users with premium content at a better value, changing how creators produce their work.
Primary Technology·Is Apple Giving Away MacBook Neos? iOS 26.4 Features, AI Generated Dead Actors is Too Far·Mar 19, 2026
Ridealong summary
Apple's new MacBook Neo, priced at just $599, combines the power of an iPhone chip with Mac OS, making it a compelling option for travelers. With impressive features like Touch ID and dual side-firing speakers, it promises a great user experience and long battery life. This could redefine what we expect from budget laptops.
Diggnation (Rebooted)·Hard Truths: Layoffs, Bots, and What's Next for Digg·Mar 18, 2026
“and then a year later the headphone jack was gone from every phone in the world Apple kept setting the standard even with the 2015 MacBook the single USB-C port back when USB-C wasn't normal for most people and only one how do I charge it and use a dongle how does that work? exactly it sounds like Apple's been doing that for years they have they'll promote some jack you know, SCSI or DisplayPort. And then, or remember the series of laptops where the power adapter connector would change with every new model? Yeah. That's really ridiculous. But I was just remembering, you know, the …”“and then a year later the headphone jack was gone from every phone in the world Apple kept setting the standard even with the 2015 MacBook the single USB-C port back when USB-C wasn't normal for most people and only one how do I charge it and use a dongle how does that work? exactly it sounds like Apple's been doing that for years they have they'll promote some jack you know, SCSI or DisplayPort. And then, or remember the series of laptops where the power adapter connector would change with every new model? Yeah. That's really ridiculous. But I was just remembering, you know, the iMac, I did not know this until I interviewed John Rubenstein, was originally meant to be an NC, a network computer. This was all the rage in the late 90s that now there was the internet, you wouldn't need a hard drive. You wouldn't need software on your machine. Everything would live on the internet, just like Google Docs now or Google Drive. So …”View more
Ridealong summary
The original iMac was designed as a network computer with no hard drive or CD drive, reflecting the internet's early promise. However, a heated debate between John Rubenstein and Steve Jobs led to the inclusion of essential hardware, transforming it into a real computer. This pivotal change not only saved the iMac but also set the stage for its iconic status in tech history.
9to5Mac Overtime·9to5Mac Overtime 065: Untelling parts of the story w/ special guest David Pogue·Mar 27, 2026
“… that's mac pro region right and that's where apple is reportedly planning to uh kind of move towards this year you know you already started with the macbook you know that's downstream and then later this year reportedly is supposed to be like macbook pros with oled displays and touchscreens and that like a super niche right ultra the ultra niche as they say man i gonna say i just as we were talking about the studio and kind of replacing the pro branding I was like what if it called the MacBook pro studio MacBook pro ultra super turbo championship edition Pro max. Super Saiyan. Don't forget pro max. …”“… left to sell their own existing products to so the only place that they can go is either downstream which is to the market that hasn't like you know welcomed them or way upstream and that's going to be even harder because that's even more niche that's mac pro region right and that's where apple is reportedly planning to uh kind of move towards this year you know you already started with the macbook you know that's downstream and then later this year reportedly is supposed to be like macbook pros with oled displays and touchscreens and that like a super niche right ultra the ultra niche as they say man i gonna say i just as we were talking about the studio and kind of replacing the pro branding I was like what if it called the MacBook pro studio MacBook pro ultra super turbo championship edition Pro max. Super Saiyan. Don't forget pro max. Pro max turbo. But I can see, I can see this, the studio. Oh, like you're replacing. Yeah. Yeah. You're not. Yeah. You're not wrong. You're not wrong. So, you know, well, it's just a kind of interesting thing to see how they're facing a lot of different challenges. We talk about what's coming down the line with Apple. They did officially announce …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's AI and Siri upgrades need to demonstrate real functionality to impress, as past iterations have been underwhelming.
Apple's AI and Siri upgrades need to demonstrate real innovation and functionality to impress, as past efforts have been underwhelming.
Apple's focus on function over form is a strategic shift to offer more value, but their AI initiatives, like Siri, need significant improvement to impress.
Apple's AI advancements, particularly with Siri, are met with skepticism as past efforts have failed to impress, and significant improvements are necessary to change perceptions.
Apple's shift towards more functional products is seen as a positive move, but skepticism remains about the impact of Siri updates and the discontinuation of the Mac Pro.
Apple Bitz XL w/ Brian Tong·The Mac Pro Is Dead & WWDC26 Is Official So What Does Apple Need To Do ? (Apple Bitz XL, Ep. 372)·Mar 28, 2026
“… 2 and 4 maybe. Actually decreased. It is true that they eliminated a SKU. the lowest price. So you do actually have to spend more money to buy any MacBook Air. Now, I don't know what percentage of people buy the base. I don't think anybody should just buy the base. I think you should buy the, you should get the 512, which means this is a much better deal because you save a hundred dollars now. And I think the example that you told me in the pre-show, if the M4 MacBook Air was $999 last week and you had to buy an M4 MacBook Air this week from Apple and it was $10.99, that would have been raising the …”“… upgrade price of any of the memory configurations. The storage configurations got, some of them actually went down. Some of the upgrades decreased in price. Like the gap between like a 4 terabyte and 8 terabyte. I don't remember which ones they were, 2 and 4 maybe. Actually decreased. It is true that they eliminated a SKU. the lowest price. So you do actually have to spend more money to buy any MacBook Air. Now, I don't know what percentage of people buy the base. I don't think anybody should just buy the base. I think you should buy the, you should get the 512, which means this is a much better deal because you save a hundred dollars now. And I think the example that you told me in the pre-show, if the M4 MacBook Air was $999 last week and you had to buy an M4 MacBook Air this week from Apple and it was $10.99, that would have been raising the price on the same product. That that would have been raising a price. And this is a new product, the M5 MacBook Air with a different configuration. Yes, it is true. You could buy a brand new MacBook Air for $9.99 last week. And this week you would have to pay $10.99. But I do think that distinction, there is a difference. Like it is not raising the …”View more
Ridealong summary
The MacBook Neo is not suitable for tech-savvy users who care about RAM or storage, while the M5 MacBook Air offers a better value despite its price increase.
The MacBook Neo is not for the average user, and the price increase for the M5 MacBook Air is justified by its enhanced features.
Primary Technology·Who MacBook Neo is For, Studio Display XDR, Anthropic, Nothing, and More!·Mar 05, 2026
“… people on staff have written stuff. It's great. It's going to be a really fun series. Guess who wrote the piece titled for $200 more you can get a MacBook Air. I won't say, but just take a guess. Who to say And did it cause that person a brief existential crisis about the course of their career Also who to say But yeah yeah it it good stuff i i very excited about it i think it going to be it going to be a fun week we also have a bunch more apple stuff coming on tuesday show um we have a version history about the macintosh with you and john gruber and me coming this weekend it's going to be a very …”“… It's Prince Bondi. It might be. I can't confirm that. But anyway, we're going to have tons of great coverage. The Ranker is just one piece of it. We have a bunch of really fun stories coming. Jason Snell has written some stuff for us. A bunch of other people on staff have written stuff. It's great. It's going to be a really fun series. Guess who wrote the piece titled for $200 more you can get a MacBook Air. I won't say, but just take a guess. Who to say And did it cause that person a brief existential crisis about the course of their career Also who to say But yeah yeah it it good stuff i i very excited about it i think it going to be it going to be a fun week we also have a bunch more apple stuff coming on tuesday show um we have a version history about the macintosh with you and john gruber and me coming this weekend it's going to be a very appley week um yeah i'm pretty excited about it it's been a lot of fun and i have some personal news do you yeah it's very important and i realize what people feel when i when people say you have some personal news and i want you to feel that because it rises to that occasion i think okay you're quitting to be a lawyer no like hard u-turn back back to …”View more
Ridealong summary
A tech enthusiast is turning their old 5K iMac into a functional monitor, diving into a niche subculture of DIY tech projects. After navigating the complexities of ordering the right parts from China, they reveal the excitement of a new driver board that will breathe new life into their iMac. This journey showcases the challenges and joys of tech tinkering, proving that old devices can still have a purpose.
The Vergecast·Meta's court losses could be just the beginning·Mar 27, 2026
“… I sort of go back and forth, like the pros and cons of each. This was before iPadOS 26 with the freeform multi-windowing. And it was also before the MacBook Neo, which is much cheaper. So both of the two biggest points, you know, the Mac is better at multitasking and the iPad is cheaper are no longer true. But there are still a number of limitations on iPadOS. For example, iPadOS can still only play one thing at a time. They can now do like big tasks in the background. But like files and QuickLook are much more basic compared to their Mac counterpoints of Finder, Preview and Disk Utility. iPad apps …”“… it really better to use a Mac than an iPad? I wrote an article on this, on Cult of Mac, which is now, of course, a few years old. A lot of things have changed since then. I wrote an article comparing, you know, should you buy an iPad or a Mac? And I sort of go back and forth, like the pros and cons of each. This was before iPadOS 26 with the freeform multi-windowing. And it was also before the MacBook Neo, which is much cheaper. So both of the two biggest points, you know, the Mac is better at multitasking and the iPad is cheaper are no longer true. But there are still a number of limitations on iPadOS. For example, iPadOS can still only play one thing at a time. They can now do like big tasks in the background. But like files and QuickLook are much more basic compared to their Mac counterpoints of Finder, Preview and Disk Utility. iPad apps are sandbox, so you can't have system-wide utilities like backup tools, clipboard managers, context-aware, note-taking and to-do apps, app launchers or keyboard macros. You can't compile open source software yourself. You can't virtualize Windows on an iPad or macOS for that matter. So those are the big things that I meant when I said macOS is …”View more
Ridealong summary
Many users prefer the iPad for its simplicity and durability, even after years of using laptops. One user shared how their wife transitioned from a stack of broken laptops to solely using an iPad, highlighting its resilience and ease of use. This raises the question: Is the iPad really a better choice for everyday tasks compared to a Mac?
Cult of Mac·What the new Siri will actually do·Mar 26, 2026
“gone apple announced the macbook neo obviously and i have to know what was your reaction because i i messaged you right away i was in new york i had the price i i messaged you right away and i said 5.99 what was your reaction when you saw that i was surprised i really didn't think they going to go that cheap you were thinking like 799 at the lowest yeah around like with a number starting with seven for sure yeah um especially when in the days prior they made the macbook air …”“gone apple announced the macbook neo obviously and i have to know what was your reaction because i i messaged you right away i was in new york i had the price i i messaged you right away and i said 5.99 what was your reaction when you saw that i was surprised i really didn't think they going to go that cheap you were thinking like 799 at the lowest yeah around like with a number starting with seven for sure yeah um especially when in the days prior they made the macbook air more expensive at the base level right um because they gave it the higher storage but they took away the base Like the MacBook Air used to be Now it starts at what $1099, yeah. Yeah. So they were like making room for a $700, $799 laptop there to have like a differentiation from the Air. And then they're like, bang, $599. So yeah, I was surprised. I …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's new MacBook Neo launched at an unexpected starting price of $599, surprising many who anticipated a higher entry point. This strategic pricing aims to attract schools and everyday users, especially as the MacBook Air's base price increases. Despite some missing features like Touch ID, the MacBook Neo is set to become a popular choice, evidenced by its record launch week.
“… end to end uh was we had these scripts. I think maybe even using Selenium or Selenium, just like QuickStream. But they're running on originally a MacBook that was in a server closet, or I guess not even a server closet, really a janitorial closet at the office. It was running on that laptop until the battery became what a friend calls a spicy pillow, started to expand. We had to trash out a laptop replace it with a mac mini um but yeah like that testing method you know is is obviously pretty inconvenient um you can only run uh like maybe one the suite of tests maybe every 15 minutes or so maybe …”“… as as it usually runs i guess oh yeah yeah right yeah totally and i guess this sort of maybe even goes into uh you know your guys's um the company you guys work at but yeah no it was very horrible uh the way to test it the only way to test things from end to end uh was we had these scripts. I think maybe even using Selenium or Selenium, just like QuickStream. But they're running on originally a MacBook that was in a server closet, or I guess not even a server closet, really a janitorial closet at the office. It was running on that laptop until the battery became what a friend calls a spicy pillow, started to expand. We had to trash out a laptop replace it with a mac mini um but yeah like that testing method you know is is obviously pretty inconvenient um you can only run uh like maybe one the suite of tests maybe every 15 minutes or so maybe even longer um so it's just running in the background and posting updates to slack definitely super inconvenient yeah that's fun browser tests are known for being like flaky and hard to maintain, but not for like battery exploding issues. Yeah. But yeah, maybe that's that as well. I imagine it also had that sticky note on top that said, don't close …”View more
Ridealong summary
Testing UIs can be a nightmare, especially when your testing laptop is in a janitor's closet and starts to explode. Jonathan Chan shares the hilarious and inconvenient reality of stress-testing Figma's React UI on a MacBook that became a 'spicy pillow.' This chaotic setup led to the creation of FuzzMap, a solution to automate and simplify UI testing.
The BugBash Podcast·The Dollar Bet that Fuzzed Figma: Exploding Laptops and UI Reliability with Jonathan Chan·Mar 25, 2026
“And for some people, just like that old 12-inch MacBook, just like the MacBook Neo, sometimes those tradeoffs are exactly what you want as a consumer. And the person next to you on the bus is like, no, those compromises make no sense to me. It's exactly the opposite of what I want. And I find it interesting to draw the contrast between the iPhone and the Mac where Apple is willing to sell a bunch of Mac models Like Apple sells four different desktop Macs in 2020 Well it three and a half. The Mac Pro …”“And for some people, just like that old 12-inch MacBook, just like the MacBook Neo, sometimes those tradeoffs are exactly what you want as a consumer. And the person next to you on the bus is like, no, those compromises make no sense to me. It's exactly the opposite of what I want. And I find it interesting to draw the contrast between the iPhone and the Mac where Apple is willing to sell a bunch of Mac models Like Apple sells four different desktop Macs in 2020 Well it three and a half. The Mac Pro is, you know, whatever. It's because all those meet the needs of different consumers. Right. And the iPhone at its much larger scale, that's a much bigger deal. And it feels like they haven't been able to really find a fourth product that really fits a niche that works for them. But I do hope for the people who love it, and I certainly do, it's …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's approach to product design highlights the beauty of compromise, especially in their iPhone lineup. While some consumers crave high-end features, others appreciate style and affordability, creating a unique niche for products like the iPhone Air. This balance of aesthetics and functionality is crucial for Apple's future in a competitive market.
MacBreak Weekly (Audio)·MBW 1017: We Found a Google, and Put it in - WWDC 2026 Dates Announced!·Mar 24, 2026
“… releases rather than at an event because what would there have been to say about this product right um you can kind of do that in passing with the macbook air which was on day two tuesday was all about the mac uh mostly the pro-ish workflow but we did get a macbook air this one gets the m5 chip now you do have a 512 gig base storage but it is a hundred dollars more now so you're not getting that for free like you did on the iphone 17e where it jumped up 100 or um or it jumped up in storage but um you didn't change the price it still remains at 599 now the macbook air starts at 1099 um which is …”“… it's really not even trying to to to go out of its way to make it clear that this is that different this is pretty much just a background spec bump and is another indication i think of why some of these products this week have been released in press releases rather than at an event because what would there have been to say about this product right um you can kind of do that in passing with the macbook air which was on day two tuesday was all about the mac uh mostly the pro-ish workflow but we did get a macbook air this one gets the m5 chip now you do have a 512 gig base storage but it is a hundred dollars more now so you're not getting that for free like you did on the iphone 17e where it jumped up 100 or um or it jumped up in storage but um you didn't change the price it still remains at 599 now the macbook air starts at 1099 um which is obviously 100 more and there is a reason for this but we'll get to it actually yeah we'll get to it a little bit later but there's a whole bunch of reasons why things are going up in price. I know a lot of people talked about, oh, it's not going to go up. And then Apple literally said it was going to go up. But at least you're getting something for it. …”View more
Ridealong summary
The new MacBook Air features the M5 chip and starts at $1,099, marking a shift from its long-standing sub-$1,000 price point. While it offers increased storage and performance, many wonder if this upgrade justifies the higher cost or if it's merely a spec bump. This change reflects the rising component prices and Apple's strategy to position the MacBook Air as a more capable workhorse for users.
The MacRumors Show·184: Apple Experience Recap: $599 MacBook Neo Announced!·Mar 06, 2026
“All right, M5 MacBook Air. The CPU is 10-core, which is for performance, 6 efficiency. All of the cores are working. The GPU is 8 or 10-core, 10 cores with all the cores working. RAM, 16, 24, 32 gigs. SSD starts at 512. There's no more 256 option. One terabyte, two terabyte, or four terabytes, which is new. It also has the M1. It supports up to two external displays, each of which can be either 6K at 60 hertz, like your ancient Pro Display XDR, or 4K at 144 hertz. Or …”“All right, M5 MacBook Air. The CPU is 10-core, which is for performance, 6 efficiency. All of the cores are working. The GPU is 8 or 10-core, 10 cores with all the cores working. RAM, 16, 24, 32 gigs. SSD starts at 512. There's no more 256 option. One terabyte, two terabyte, or four terabytes, which is new. It also has the M1. It supports up to two external displays, each of which can be either 6K at 60 hertz, like your ancient Pro Display XDR, or 4K at 144 hertz. Or you could go one display up to 8K at 60 hertz, 5K at 120 hertz, or 4K at 240 hertz. uh the environment story is same as the uh m4 we talked about earlier we what was that the ipad the same as the macbook air m4 oh i'm sorry thank you um uh and so anyways uh and then news with the environments environmental stuff is that it's manufactured with 50 …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's pricing strategy for the MacBook Air leaves room for the new MacBook Neo, offering a better base configuration at a slightly higher entry price.
Accidental Tech Podcast·681: The Price of Your Nightmares·Mar 05, 2026
“The Cupertino company issued a press release introducing MacBook Air powered by the M5 processor. It is faster, of course. According to the company, the new machine with M5 delivers up to four times faster performance for AI tasks than the same machine with M4, and up to 9.5 times faster than the MacBook Air with M1. It's rocking the Apple-designed N1 chip for networking that brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the new machine, delivering improved performance and reliability, according to Apple. It does have a …”“The Cupertino company issued a press release introducing MacBook Air powered by the M5 processor. It is faster, of course. According to the company, the new machine with M5 delivers up to four times faster performance for AI tasks than the same machine with M4, and up to 9.5 times faster than the MacBook Air with M1. It's rocking the Apple-designed N1 chip for networking that brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the new machine, delivering improved performance and reliability, according to Apple. It does have a higher starting price, kicking off at $1,099 for the 13-inch model versus the old starting price of $999. That said, it packs twice the starting storage, 512GB, up from the previous model's 256GB. It's kind of hard to get too upset about the price increase. That's partly because the storage gets doubled to start, and partly because Apple's rumored to …”View more
Ridealong summary
The new MacBook Air with the M5 processor is here, boasting up to 9.5 times faster performance for AI tasks compared to its predecessor. Priced at $1,099, it offers double the storage at 512GB, making the price increase easier to swallow. With improvements in connectivity and performance, this model raises the bar for Apple's laptops.
Mac OS Ken·Apple Updates MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Lines - MOSK: 03.04.2026·Mar 04, 2026
“… razors been all over that for the cat ears yeah i have seen that they're still 550 yeah still really expensive you could buy this or you could buy macbook neo truly oh my god this was one of my favorite takes on twitter was that seeing macbook neo and airpods max next to each other in the same store is truly like those are the opposite approach to a product like macbook neo is customers going as low as possible in price to essentially maximize your chances of customer acquisition in like the masses and then hopefully that gets the people into like buying apple services and buying other apple …”“… are all sorts of like clear slash opaque covers you can get and like sticker packs and like like stickers i've seen i've seen people and you can get attachable cat ears for the canopy like people really like like personalize them mm-hmm that's cool razors been all over that for the cat ears yeah i have seen that they're still 550 yeah still really expensive you could buy this or you could buy macbook neo truly oh my god this was one of my favorite takes on twitter was that seeing macbook neo and airpods max next to each other in the same store is truly like those are the opposite approach to a product like macbook neo is customers going as low as possible in price to essentially maximize your chances of customer acquisition in like the masses and then hopefully that gets the people into like buying apple services and buying other apple products and that's the like trojan horse of like all right now i'm an apple guy macbook neo is their youtube shorts for discovery yeah it's a big funnel but airpods max are the exact opposite it's like these are you're not going to get these as your first apple product ever. Wait, can I tell a recommending MacBook Neo story that happened yesterday? …”View more
Ridealong summary
AirPods Max have transformed from a simple design to an iconic accessory, especially in urban settings like Brooklyn. Users are customizing them with colorful ear cups and quirky add-ons like cat ears, showcasing a unique blend of personal expression and tech sophistication. This trend highlights how Apple products can become fashion statements while maintaining their premium image.
Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast·Did Anything Change with AirPods Max 2?·Mar 20, 2026
“… have such a meteoric rise that they have to give you the honorary degree before while you're still eligible. That's a good one. The point about the MacBook Neo is that at a lot of PC makers should be sort of quaking in their booths because you selling at that price point And for a customer who just like I want a laptop normally it was like am I going with like Asus or another brand I'm not I'm not in the Apple category like it's not an option because yeah that that store over there those those laptops start over a thousand that's not my budget so I'm not even going in that store well now you can …”“There are some legendary leave of absences where people have been away for like 10 years and then they go and do so many. The goal is to defer for so long but then also have such a meteoric rise that they have to give you the honorary degree before while you're still eligible. That's a good one. The point about the MacBook Neo is that at a lot of PC makers should be sort of quaking in their booths because you selling at that price point And for a customer who just like I want a laptop normally it was like am I going with like Asus or another brand I'm not I'm not in the Apple category like it's not an option because yeah that that store over there those those laptops start over a thousand that's not my budget so I'm not even going in that store well now you can and you can spend $600 and get a pretty good computer and And the CFO, Nick Wu of Asus, was on their recent earnings call and he said, actually, don't worry about it, it's not a threat. We found out about the MacBook Neo shipments in the second half of last year. We made some internal prep, but now that it's out, like, we don't think it's that big …”View more
Ridealong summary
Companies using AI can actually grow faster while cutting headcount, shifting focus from routine tasks to productivity enhancement. This perspective, shared by industry analysts, highlights a trend where executives are more excited about AI's potential to increase overall output rather than fearing job losses. The conversation emphasizes how AI is reshaping enterprise value and investment strategies.
TBPN·AI vs. Dog Cancer, Timothée Chalamet Under Fire, ‘Agents Over Bubbles' | Diet TBPN·Mar 16, 2026
“… things like you know various electron apps and things like that so like apple does care a lot No one else does Yes the 8 gig RAM constraint in the MacBook Neo keeps macOS lean but macOS wasn your problem Your problem is everyone else, and they're going to do whatever they're going to do. And the best thing macOS can do is have really good swap and virtual memory support. And it does. MacOS can use a lot of memory, especially when things run away. But the real question is, and this was the question when the Neo came out when we were discussing it. if you're going to roll out a brand new computer …”“… use all the ram in the world should we maybe put a second of effort into not duplicating this thing over here nope nope no one thinks that way at all no one pays attention not a single software developer ever cares about that kind of stuff when making things like you know various electron apps and things like that so like apple does care a lot No one else does Yes the 8 gig RAM constraint in the MacBook Neo keeps macOS lean but macOS wasn your problem Your problem is everyone else, and they're going to do whatever they're going to do. And the best thing macOS can do is have really good swap and virtual memory support. And it does. MacOS can use a lot of memory, especially when things run away. But the real question is, and this was the question when the Neo came out when we were discussing it. if you're going to roll out a brand new computer in 2026 with eight gigs of ram how long will mac os run on that computer because that's the question like i don't think their apple will feel constrained to keep mac os lean because they needed to run on the neo i think they'll decide based on wherever mac os is going how long the neo will be supported and i'm sure it'll be supported for years …”View more
Ridealong summary
The MacBook Neo's 8GB RAM may soon limit its software support, raising questions about its longevity. As macOS evolves, the Neo risks being the first Mac to fall off the update list, especially compared to its contemporaries with more RAM. This could leave users stuck with outdated software while others thrive.
Accidental Tech Podcast·684: It’s Not What Young People Do·Mar 26, 2026
“… Instead, it's included in this beta for testing purposes, and Apple says it will be available in a future iOS 26 update. Walmart's supply of M1 MacBook Airs has reportedly dried up. The piece from MacRumors says the machine, which got as low as $549 during a Black Friday sale this past holiday season, is gone now. It is listed as out of stock, with no indication that it will be back. MacRumors sees this disappearance as a possible sign that a replacement is coming soon. A low-cost MacBook powered by an A-series Apple processor has been rumored for some time. Expectations are that it will be among …”“… need to be running the latest beta version of the Google Messages app. Also, it'll depend on carrier support. Doesn't really sound ready, but that's okay. As sites reported last week, RCS end-to-end encryption will not actually ship as part of iOS 26.4. Instead, it's included in this beta for testing purposes, and Apple says it will be available in a future iOS 26 update. Walmart's supply of M1 MacBook Airs has reportedly dried up. The piece from MacRumors says the machine, which got as low as $549 during a Black Friday sale this past holiday season, is gone now. It is listed as out of stock, with no indication that it will be back. MacRumors sees this disappearance as a possible sign that a replacement is coming soon. A low-cost MacBook powered by an A-series Apple processor has been rumored for some time. Expectations are that it will be among the range of products Apple is expected to announce next week, either during or ahead of its experiences for select media. Seems most are now expecting a series of press releases about new products next week ahead of media demos in New York, London, and Shanghai on Wednesday, the 4th of March. Farther on the horizon, Apple is planning to make …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's decision to produce the Mac Mini in Texas is a strategic move to align with U.S. manufacturing goals, though the scale of production remains uncertain.
Apple's plan to produce Mac Mini units in Houston is a strategic move to bolster U.S. manufacturing and reduce reliance on Asian production.
Apple is expected to announce a new low-cost MacBook powered by an A-series processor, aligning with the upcoming 'Special Experience' event, suggesting a strategic expansion of their product lineup.
Mac OS Ken·A Monster Promo for a Monster Apple TV Show - MOSK: 02.24.2026·Feb 24, 2026
“… videos you're not doing 3d shit you're not doing you're not processing ai gpu heavy requirements no but my degree is fully online so yes and the macbook airs are incredible the new the m chip macbook pros are incredible i think i have airs airs i think i had a macbook air before yes but not probably not an m chip maybe not but i had that my previous computer i had for like six years yeah the airs were not great before the m chip i'll be completely honest It doesn't matter. Top of the line MacBook Pro. That's not even close. You're not a pro user. You're not. You don't do anything. You use Google …”“you're not rendering videos you're not doing 3d shit you're not doing you're not processing ai gpu heavy requirements no but my degree is fully online so yes and the macbook airs are incredible the new the m chip macbook pros are incredible i think i have airs airs i think i had a macbook air before yes but not probably not an m chip maybe not but i had that my previous computer i had for like six years yeah the airs were not great before the m chip i'll be completely honest It doesn't matter. Top of the line MacBook Pro. That's not even close. You're not a pro user. You're not. You don't do anything. You use Google Chrome. I need to be able to make sure that I. But you can without a top of the line MacBook Pro. Well, that's. You can do anything you need to do. Tell me one thing you need to do that requires a pro machine. There's nothing that I specifically need to do. There you go. Shut the f*** up. How much did you spend on your MacBook Pro? My computer cost …”View more
Ridealong summary
Many students are spending thousands on laptops they don't need. In a heated debate, one student argues for a top-of-the-line MacBook Pro despite only using it for basic tasks. This highlights the disconnect between perceived value and actual requirements in education today.
“… And just say, look, you know, new version things break, new APIs, all of that. And he said when this was a Sinoski's piece as a review of the MacBook Neo. But his point was, how did they get here? One of the ways they got here with Apple Silicon is because Apple wasn't afraid to break so many things and move so many new APIs in. And people on Apple's platforms are kind of used to this happening. And it is, you know, Microsoft's great advantage in so many ways was a disadvantage in this one particular way. And I think it's a great point that it's not like Microsoft wasn't capable of doing a …”“… their old software. They can keep running, you know, ancient versions of Excel or, you know, custom apps that were built and it'll still run. And that's all part of the promise. And he said, Apple has never been afraid to break stuff. No, they haven't. And just say, look, you know, new version things break, new APIs, all of that. And he said when this was a Sinoski's piece as a review of the MacBook Neo. But his point was, how did they get here? One of the ways they got here with Apple Silicon is because Apple wasn't afraid to break so many things and move so many new APIs in. And people on Apple's platforms are kind of used to this happening. And it is, you know, Microsoft's great advantage in so many ways was a disadvantage in this one particular way. And I think it's a great point that it's not like Microsoft wasn't capable of doing a lot of that stuff. It's that Microsoft's business was predicated on people relying on them not doing it.”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's willingness to break compatibility is a key factor in its success with Apple Silicon, while Microsoft's focus on backward compatibility is both a strength and a limitation. This difference highlights how Apple is unafraid to disrupt its ecosystem for innovation, whereas Microsoft prioritizes stability for its users. The result? A stark contrast in software strategies that shapes the future of technology.
MacBreak Weekly (Audio)·MBW 1016: An Orca, a Trombone and a Treasure Chest - AirPods Max 2 Pro Unveiled·Mar 17, 2026
“… get a new power cable from the Best Buy. How's he doing? Did he get in line there? I think he got his USB-C's figured out. Was he able to get that MacBook powered up? Because the whole future of civilization is riding on Gary, And if he doesn't get that power cable, I think we're all in a lot of trouble. If Gary's list, don't keep listing. Yeah. I don't know if you guys ever saw there was a fantastic movie starring Ice Cube called War of the Worlds that came out recently. I don't know if any of you saw this movie. I watched it in five separate small clips. All right. Well, as you know, you think …”“… 20 There we go That closer No problem There we go That why we call them JT and TJ They just mirrors of each other He reviews code by the way By the way, JT's Gary Tan, if you're wondering, even though it's JT. That was a stretch. Yeah, he managed to get a new power cable from the Best Buy. How's he doing? Did he get in line there? I think he got his USB-C's figured out. Was he able to get that MacBook powered up? Because the whole future of civilization is riding on Gary, And if he doesn't get that power cable, I think we're all in a lot of trouble. If Gary's list, don't keep listing. Yeah. I don't know if you guys ever saw there was a fantastic movie starring Ice Cube called War of the Worlds that came out recently. I don't know if any of you saw this movie. I watched it in five separate small clips. All right. Well, as you know, you think I'm joking. But as you know, the fate of humanity itself can very well hinge on one delivery of an Amazon thumb drive. so I don't think what I just laid out is all that far-fetched just go watch the movie if you don't believe me it's a documentary that's what I heard too I just am super proud that Ice Cube was like give me that bag, I don't care …”View more
Ridealong summary
Cognitive debt in software development can hinder teams' ability to navigate complex codebases, especially when senior developers leave. This phenomenon means that as teams claim to review thousands of lines of code daily, they may actually be accumulating knowledge gaps that could jeopardize future performance. The implications of this cognitive debt could reshape how companies approach coding and AI reliance in the coming months.
The Standup with ThePrimeagen·Whats really going on with AI, Expert weighs in·Mar 13, 2026
“The MacBook Air has an M5. But the Air is interesting too because they took away the 256 model and they forced it to the 512 model, but they cut the price of the 512 model to $1099. But now it starts at $1099 instead of $999. That's the MacBook Air. That's the MacBook Air. What did you say? iPad Air. Oh. I thought you had switched to – The M4 iPad Air. the M4, I mean, wait, the, wait, is it M4 iPad Air? Am I confused about what? What part of this is supposed …”“The MacBook Air has an M5. But the Air is interesting too because they took away the 256 model and they forced it to the 512 model, but they cut the price of the 512 model to $1099. But now it starts at $1099 instead of $999. That's the MacBook Air. That's the MacBook Air. What did you say? iPad Air. Oh. I thought you had switched to – The M4 iPad Air. the M4, I mean, wait, the, wait, is it M4 iPad Air? Am I confused about what? What part of this is supposed to be quick? The M4 Air has 12 gigs of RAM What you explained makes a lot of sense because there wasn there was never an eight gig device i sorry there was never a device with eight gigs of ram and an m4 chip they all had six and i think the kind of ram they use and so what you're saying makes sense they have to have the memory bandwidth they can't …”View more
Ridealong summary
Apple's latest product launch focuses on increasing base storage across devices without raising prices, making higher storage options more accessible.
Macworld Podcast·Episode 973: MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, M5 Pro and Max MacBook Pro, and more·Mar 06, 2026
“… a base Apple Watch Series 11 50 less than this computer and i know they both computers but like the watch costs pretty much the same price as the macbook if you have the educational discount it's actually 49 more you want to go up to an ultra it's two of them yeah yeah it's nuts like i'm a airpods pro guy i'm like how it's a better part of a laptop it's crazy well but but here's the thing is the great divide so like truthfully i just ordered a new macbook pro for the company and if you get a relatively decently specced out macbook pro with a pro chip not even a max chip you're touching four or …”“… a website build crazy it does raise yeah there's this weird thing of like does does having a really good value over here reveal a lack of value over here? And I just struck by the fact and I have no beef with the Apple Watch I can help but notice that a base Apple Watch Series 11 50 less than this computer and i know they both computers but like the watch costs pretty much the same price as the macbook if you have the educational discount it's actually 49 more you want to go up to an ultra it's two of them yeah yeah it's nuts like i'm a airpods pro guy i'm like how it's a better part of a laptop it's crazy well but but here's the thing is the great divide so like truthfully i just ordered a new macbook pro for the company and if you get a relatively decently specced out macbook pro with a pro chip not even a max chip you're touching four or five grand like like the the gap is huge so you could buy you could buy an entire fleet of these neos for the price of one MacBook M5 Ultra. The daisy-chain them. Yeah. So when it comes to hardware planning for businesses and even personal use, looking at how much power certain people actually need is now a massive... If you've got 200 employees and …”View more
Ridealong summary
The price of an Apple Watch Series 11 is shockingly close to a MacBook, raising questions about value in tech. While many users may only need basic functionality, the price disparity highlights a significant gap in the market. This dynamic forces businesses to rethink hardware needs based on the actual power required by employees.
“… I am so backed up. I'm the exact opposite of you. But because I have a big drive that, you know, I paid all that money for it. the value of four MacBook Neos at the education discount, I am able to just not think about it and everything gets backed up and I don't have to worry about cold storage versus hot storage. It's very nice. Yeah. Well, I have tons of cold storage. I'm not backing anything up too, but I do use it. Well, you're not backing up your hot storage. So what's the matter? Exactly. Is hot storage a thing? I never even thought of it. I just made it up, but I like it. I like it. hot …”“… have, you know, a time machine attached to my computer that gets everything. I can do a carbon copy cloner that gets everything. I have a backup account with Backblaze. And because it's on my native drive, all of my data gets sent to Backblaze. Steven, I am so backed up. I'm the exact opposite of you. But because I have a big drive that, you know, I paid all that money for it. the value of four MacBook Neos at the education discount, I am able to just not think about it and everything gets backed up and I don't have to worry about cold storage versus hot storage. It's very nice. Yeah. Well, I have tons of cold storage. I'm not backing anything up too, but I do use it. Well, you're not backing up your hot storage. So what's the matter? Exactly. Is hot storage a thing? I never even thought of it. I just made it up, but I like it. I like it. hot storage and cold store i make total sense to me uh yeah i save uh i save my video my final renders for all my video content i save to my network attached storage as well as my plex server and things like my live streams that i do more in my community now i saving those live stream files to my network attached storage those don sit on my Mac Yeah …”View more
Ridealong summary
In the debate of hot storage versus cold storage, one creator reveals they’ve never needed to keep raw video files after rendering. With a robust backup system in place, they confidently rely on their NAS and cloud storage for all their data needs. This highlights a key difference in how content creators manage their video assets and the importance of effective storage solutions.
Mac Power Users·840: Finder is More Powerful Than You Think·Mar 15, 2026
“… know. It's fine. I mean, I like my backlit keyboards, but it doesn't change how I type. It's fine. I'm sorry. I've just a second realized on my MacBook Pro, yes, back then, it's very pretty. I have a Magic trackpad, excuse me, a Magic keyboard, the extended one on my Mac Studio, and it doesn't have backlighting. It does not. To this second, I haven't noticed. So that's a couple of years worth of fine. Yeah, but, you know, everybody has their stuff. to complain about something. The Neo is not a perfect machine. The resolution is as low as you can go while it's still being Retina. It defaults to …”“… saying to me well useless for writers because it hasn't got a backlight and i'm thinking who's very pretty yeah i'm a touch typist what's the point of all this so okay not really a deal breaker i think but you know If anything, I kind of like it. I don't know. It's fine. I mean, I like my backlit keyboards, but it doesn't change how I type. It's fine. I'm sorry. I've just a second realized on my MacBook Pro, yes, back then, it's very pretty. I have a Magic trackpad, excuse me, a Magic keyboard, the extended one on my Mac Studio, and it doesn't have backlighting. It does not. To this second, I haven't noticed. So that's a couple of years worth of fine. Yeah, but, you know, everybody has their stuff. to complain about something. The Neo is not a perfect machine. The resolution is as low as you can go while it's still being Retina. It defaults to 1080p externally, which I agree with. Mike has me on some app thing because I said a thing and now he's going to have me do a whole project on it. If you increase the resolution in Mac OS it makes everything smaller because of scaling. Yes. and uh so i don't i use the defaults i like the normal sized icons not the microscopic ones um so mike's …”View more
Ridealong summary
Many users are questioning the necessity of backlit keyboards, especially for touch typists. In a recent discussion, a host reflects on their own experience with non-backlit keyboards, revealing that it hasn't hindered their typing efficiency. This raises the intriguing question: are we too reliant on features that don't impact our actual performance?
AppleInsider Podcast·AirPods Max, MacBook Neo, and Family Sharing on the AppleInsider Podcast·Mar 20, 2026
“All right, let's talk about MacBook Neo teardowns. First of all, Tech Renew did one where they did fast forward a bit, but effectively they tore the whole thing down in 10 minutes. I think we talked about this briefly last week. I think it was six minutes they had a department. Oh, okay, there you go. iFixit did a teardown. There's a video as well as a blog post about it. They did some interesting things. They were talking about, hey, how does this weigh what it weighs? In the …”“All right, let's talk about MacBook Neo teardowns. First of all, Tech Renew did one where they did fast forward a bit, but effectively they tore the whole thing down in 10 minutes. I think we talked about this briefly last week. I think it was six minutes they had a department. Oh, okay, there you go. iFixit did a teardown. There's a video as well as a blog post about it. They did some interesting things. They were talking about, hey, how does this weigh what it weighs? In the good way and the bad way, how does it weigh what it does? And so the Neo's bottom case and keyboard is only each grams lighter than the MacBook Air's. Despite being 6.5% smaller in... two-dimensional area, 101.3 square inches versus 95.1 square inches. The NEO screen and lid is 48 grams heavier than the Air's. And at 86 grams, the metal H that's …”View more
Ridealong summary
The MacBook Neo's weight is surprisingly equal to the larger MacBook Air, despite being smaller and having a smaller battery. This is mainly due to its hefty trackpad assembly and screen lid, which add significant weight. Analyzing the teardown reveals fascinating insights into how design choices impact the device's weight distribution.
Accidental Tech Podcast·683: I Didn’t Want to Melt My Rug·Mar 19, 2026
“… that lives at your house. I know a lot of people have taken a Mac Mini. I personally have a, I'm pointing to the ground right now, I have an old MacBook that I have set up to never go to sleep. Yeah. And it's just hardwired into it. I'll probably throw it into my server rack at some point. And that is allows me just to have something running constantly. You have a Mac mini, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's so funny that became so trendy. I bought this Mac mini like what, two years ago or something because my NAS exists with the NAS hardware is like garbage for a lot of stuff. Like I wanted to do video …”“… end of the day, you need either a computer or a server running somewhere that can sit there and let this agent sort of churn away, send API calls back and forth to the LLMs, take a look at your code, all of that type of stuff. So this could be a machine that lives at your house. I know a lot of people have taken a Mac Mini. I personally have a, I'm pointing to the ground right now, I have an old MacBook that I have set up to never go to sleep. Yeah. And it's just hardwired into it. I'll probably throw it into my server rack at some point. And that is allows me just to have something running constantly. You have a Mac mini, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's so funny that became so trendy. I bought this Mac mini like what, two years ago or something because my NAS exists with the NAS hardware is like garbage for a lot of stuff. Like I wanted to do video transcoding and stuff that the NAS can handle. So it's like, oh, I'm going to get a Mac mini. I'm going to run my software on the Mac mini and containers and then just use the NAS as actual drives instead. And I've been doing that for a little while. And then now I run a lot of dev processes off that machine. It's not powerful enough because I'm …”View more
Ridealong summary
Running a remote coding agent can be as simple as using an old laptop or a Mac Mini, which allows for constant API calls and development processes. Many tech enthusiasts are repurposing their hardware to handle tasks like video transcoding and game servers, showcasing the versatility and efficiency of these setups. This trend highlights how even less powerful machines can effectively support complex coding tasks without breaking the bank.
