The MacBook Neo Might Be the iPad Killer Nobody Saw Coming

The MacBook Neo costs $500–$600. My iPad Pro cost $2,000. After one week, the cheaper machine is doing more for my daily workflow — and that says a lot. I picked up the MacBook Neo not to benchmark it against the M4 Max or spec it out against a Windows laptop. I wanted to know one thing: can a normal person actually get real work done on this thing? Spoiler — yes, and maybe more easily than on an iPad. In this video I share my first week of real-world use: running Claude Code, managing client websites, jumping between apps, and even pushing it to its limits to see where it breaks. Plus, why I think this might be the device iPad fans have been waiting for — even if they don't know it yet. I'm also giving myself a 30-day challenge to use this as my primary non-video machine. Full review coming soon. ⬇️ MacBook Neo: https://jerad.link/macbookneo TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – The unpopular opinion: MacBook Neo is the iPad killer 0:39 – Hardware tour: ports, build quality, what's inside 1:16 – Why I keep going back to a laptop instead of my iPad 2:29 – The real question: can a $500 chip handle real work? 3:33 – One week as my primary computer 4:35 – Who is this device actually for? 5:39 – Build quality vs. $500 Windows laptops and Chromebooks 6:07 – Real-world multitasking: Chrome, email, Claude Code, music 7:05 – What most people actually use a laptop for 7:37 – Stress-testing with 15 tabs, Lightroom, Messages, and more 9:35 – Which model to buy (storage, Touch ID, clamshell mode) 11:34 – Why right now is the perfect time for a device like this 13:02 – My 30-day intentional use challenge 14:34 – The battery life revelation (and why limitations help) 16:06 – Final thoughts + what the 30-day review will cover ⚠️⚠️ Disclaimer: The content of this video is intended for viewers ages 13+. Jerad Hill Tech (Jerad Hill) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and BHPhoto, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, BHPhoto, and affiliated sites, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.