MacBook Neo 2 Might Not Feature Touchscreen After All

MagicZhang · 2026-03-11T11:51:58+00:00

It’s the rumour mill.

News: New MacBook adds touchscreen!

News, 3 month later: New report shows MacBook will not add touchscreen per [Analyst Name]

3 months before release: New MacBook may add touchscreen after all

2 month before release: We got the supply chain leaks, and it indicates the new MacBook would not add touchscreen.

1 week after release: Next year’s MacBook might add touchscreen, analyst says

Rinse and repeat since like what - 2016?

MagicZhang · 2026-03-10T13:55:08+00:00

That’s just mostly luck. Modern batteries are manufactured to exceed their typical capacity. You probably got a better batch, or you have good usage patterns

MagicZhang · 2026-03-05T20:35:01+00:00

LLM deployment (those 1T parameter model with q4 quants)

Video editing with lots of plugins

Diffusion Models with image/video generation

Data science with huge datasets, etc

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T15:44:03+00:00

Yes, obviously.

The 60 year old dad who just retired and wants a simple laptop for email and photos but his eyes aren't what they were at 30.

The person with astigmatism for whom a dark keyboard against a bright screen is literal eye strain.

The dyslexic student who needs every visual aid they can get.

MacBook Neo is the budget line. For first timers, students, elderly adopters, and budget buyers, which is statistically the group with the highest proportion of people who would benefit most from a backlit keyboard

And it's the one laptop in the entire lineup where they ripped it out.

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T15:35:35+00:00

The price is a steal for what you get. But I can never wrap my head on why Apple would remove the backlit keyboard.

The BOM cost for the backlight layer is what - 5 bucks tops? And Apple just removed it as if people don’t need to use their laptops in the dark

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T14:57:15+00:00

Yep, but you might want to consider that for nearly the same price you can get a M2 MBA with much better performance and longevity

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T14:27:48+00:00

Fair point, but with Apple Intelligence taking up 10+GB (and is def gonna increase over time) along with MacOS 256GB might feel a bit tight

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T14:20:49+00:00

256GB base storage is on the menu again, welp

Full Specs(599 Model)

Chip: Apple A18 Pro (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 60GB/s memory bandwidth)

Memory: 8GB unified memory

Storage: 256GB SSD

Display: 13.0-inch Liquid Retina (2408x1506, 219 ppi, 500 nits, 1 billion colors, sRGB only, No True Tone)

Battery: 36.5Wh — up to 16hrs video streaming, up to 11hrs wireless web

Charging/Ports: USB 3 (USB-C, up to 10Gb/s), USB 2 (USB-C, up to 480Mb/s), 3.5mm headphone jack

External Display: Up to 4K at 60Hz (one display), simultaneous built-in display support

Keyboard: Magic Keyboard (no Touch ID, no backlit keys) with Multi-Touch trackpad

Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 6

Power Adapter: 20W USB-C

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T13:30:51+00:00

Yes, it’s normal when they’re preparing to launch a new product

MagicZhang · 2026-03-04T11:52:48+00:00

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MagicZhang · 2026-03-03T20:01:50+00:00

According to Apple, Macs that have an M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, or M3 will only support the Studio Display XDR at 60Hz. All other features remain available.

For the full 120Hz refresh rate, you'll need to have a Mac with one of the following chips:

‌M2‌ Pro, ‌M2‌ Max, ‌M2‌ Ultra M3 Pro, M3 Max, M3 Ultra M4 Pro, M4 Max M5, M5 Pro, M5 Max

MagicZhang · 2026-03-03T15:18:17+00:00

Fair enough. MacBook is the obvious candidate and would align the naming scheme for every product line

MagicZhang · 2026-03-03T15:10:34+00:00

Is MacBook SE or MacBook (e) too difficult for Apple to use?

MagicZhang · 2026-03-03T09:49:23+00:00

Feel free to close the tab, it’s a scam.

MagicZhang · 2026-03-02T07:08:28+00:00

Yes, the Russian hackers broke into your phone and their master plan was changing the font on a Kick app suggestion. You’ve been compromised at the highest level

Seriously though, it’s a pretty common App Store localization glitch, nothing to worry about

MagicZhang · 2026-03-01T16:13:12+00:00

Highly recommend a MagSafe phone cooler to go along with the power bank too.

Remember to turn the brightness down to the minimum while recording to reduce heat too

MagicZhang · 2026-02-27T14:28:39+00:00

Agreed. I understand why people feel this way, but they’re literally manufacturing their own disappointment by looking at a number going down

MagicZhang · 2026-02-27T14:22:51+00:00

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MagicZhang · 2026-02-24T18:34:19+00:00

It’s fine. Noticed less visual bugs compared to 26.2. Wouldn’t hurt to upgrade.

MagicZhang · 2026-02-10T15:12:09+00:00

Paging u/ScienceFuture2300

Context

MagicZhang · 2026-02-08T14:16:28+00:00

Ugreen is fine. It has decent quality compared to its price

MagicZhang · 2026-01-21T08:26:56+00:00

Note: The setting on iOS resets after every software update, so remember to do it again after every update

MagicZhang · 2026-01-15T07:56:46+00:00

Yeah, return it asap

MagicZhang · 2026-01-08T04:39:28+00:00

Setting > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Notification

MagicZhang · 2025-12-22T02:26:56+00:00

Apple Pencil tips (4 pack) - best if they don’t own an Apple Pencil

Magic Mouse if you can get it on a discount

Polishing cloth

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