When the cheap one is the cool one • Hacker News Board

Re: When the cheap one is the cool one

#121

Post by 0xmagic0 » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 4:17 PM UTC

gradstudent wrote: post #30

Weighing up a Neo vs Framework 12 for my kids. The Neo is nicer, but I'll probably get the Framework even though it's more expensive. Apple products seem to have a fixed shelf life; a certain number of years of support and then the machine is slowly incompatible with apps that have since moved on to newer versions of macOS. Meanwhile Framework supports Linux and is still providing hardware/software upgrade paths for…

Interesting! I was not aware of the framework laptops. I was more familiar with System76 and and Tuxedo laptops, but I wouldn't call those kids laptops.

Re: When the cheap one is the cool one

#122

Post by timpera » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 5:13 PM UTC

DANmode wrote: post #108

timpera wrote: post #73

While I am back to my Surface Laptop 7 after a few weeks with the Neo because the latter wasn't good enough for my usage, I agree it's the coolest Mac right now, the colors are great! I don't really understand why Apple keeps its "more serious" devices mostly color-less, it's a shame.

> the latter wasn't good enough for my usage Please say more. Specs?

Yes, the battery life was way worse than the Surface, I missed the 120 hz screen more than I thought I would, and the 1 external monitor limit was too annoying. It's still a great device for the price.

Re: When the cheap one is the cool one

#123

Post by DANmode » Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 8:01 PM UTC

timpera wrote: post #122

DANmode wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> the latter wasn't good enough for my usage Please say more. Specs?

Yes, the battery life was way worse than the Surface, I missed the 120 hz screen more than I thought I would, and the 1 external monitor limit was too annoying. It's still a great device for the price.

Thanks for your concise + helpful reply!

Re: When the cheap one is the cool one

#124

Post by halapro » Sat, May 02, 2026, 7:14 PM UTC

jshier wrote: post #15

halapro wrote: post #13

[flagged]

Ridiculous. First Mac mini was a 1.25GHz G4 with 256MB RAM in 2005 for $499. There have many models since there, ranging from $499 to $799 for the base model. 2018 was indeed the highest at $799, but that was mainly Intel's fault, and Apple's poor refresh timing. Current M4 mini starts at $599, which is over $1000 in 2005 dollars, so the value has largely increased through the model's entire history, especially once…

The Mac Mini starts at $800 now. How many false information will you include in your comments?

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/mac-mini

Re: When the cheap one is the cool one

#125

Post by halapro » Thu, May 07, 2026, 3:49 PM UTC

jshier wrote: post #15

halapro wrote: post #13

[flagged]

Ridiculous. First Mac mini was a 1.25GHz G4 with 256MB RAM in 2005 for $499. There have many models since there, ranging from $499 to $799 for the base model. 2018 was indeed the highest at $799, but that was mainly Intel's fault, and Apple's poor refresh timing. Current M4 mini starts at $599, which is over $1000 in 2005 dollars, so the value has largely increased through the model's entire history, especially once…

[flagged]