The MacBook Neo is Apple's newest and cheapest MacBook. It has an A18 Pro chip, the same kind of chip as in an iPhone, and is aimed at students, home use and light tasks. Because it is built differently from the MacBook Air and Pro, people wonder: can a MacBook Neo be repaired, and what should you watch for? This article explains what is known about the MacBook Neo, what to watch for with damage and how a MacBook Neo repair works.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including the MacBook Neo.
What is different about the MacBook Neo?
- Chip: an A18 Pro instead of an M chip.
- Memory: 8 GB, fixed on the logic board; cannot be upgraded.
- Ports: two USB-C ports, one at USB 3 speed and one at USB 2 speed. No Thunderbolt and no MagSafe.
- External display: one external display.
- Screen: an sRGB screen, less bright and with a smaller colour range than the Air and Pro.
More on the difference in MacBook Neo or MacBook Air.
Because it is new
The MacBook Neo has only been on the market for a short time. So little is known yet about typical long-term faults. Most repairs we see on new models come from accidents: a cracked screen, a spilled drink or a drop. Those can happen to any MacBook.
What to watch for
- The screen: as with any thin laptop the screen can crack from pressure, for example from something on the keyboard when closing. See screen cracked without a drop.
- Liquid: turn the MacBook off immediately and have it checked. See liquid spilled.
- The USB-C ports: because there is no MagSafe, one of the two ports is also used for charging. Tripping over the cable can damage the port. See USB-C port not working.
- The battery: keep it healthy with the tips in saving your MacBook battery.
Data and backup
As with other MacBooks with an Apple chip, the storage is fixed on the logic board and encrypted. With serious logic board damage your data can only be saved if the board works again. So turn on Time Machine or iCloud from day one. See backing up.
Is repairing worth it?
The Neo is cheaper than a MacBook Air. An expensive repair, such as a new screen or logic board, is therefore a relatively larger share of the new price. Still, repairing a new device is almost always wiser than replacing it, especially if you want to keep your data. We always tell you beforehand what a repair costs, so you can choose yourself.
AppleCare
If you have AppleCare for your Neo, first check what it covers. See AppleCare: what it covers.
Tips for a long life
- Use a sleeve and close the lid at the edge.
- Charge with a good USB-C charger and a good cable.
- Use the USB 3 port for fast drives, not the USB 2 port.
- Keep at least ten percent of storage free; with 8 GB of memory macOS uses storage as extra memory.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We examine your MacBook Neo, tell you what is wrong and what the repair costs before we start. More on our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Can the memory or storage of a MacBook Neo be upgraded?
No, both are fixed on the logic board. Extra storage is possible with an external SSD. See external SSD.
Does a MagSafe charger work on the Neo?
No, the Neo charges via USB-C.
Is the MacBook Neo good enough for school or study?
For writing, internet, video and light apps, yes. For heavy programs an Air or Pro is better.
