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Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

macrumors.com

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Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#261

Post by ewoodrich »

overfeed wrote: post #238
hodgehog11 wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aside from gaming, I can do basically everything on Mac that I can on Linux or Windows. That's a hell of a lot more than a Chromebook. Take it from someone who has owned both a Chromebook and a Macbook; suggesting that they are in the same league is silly. Also, used != new. I'm surprised people need to be reminded of this.

> That's a hell of a lot more than a Chromebook. It appears most people - even on Hacker News(!) - are unaware that Chromebooks have a one-click Linux VM (currently Debian Trixie is the default). It is well-integrated into the Chrome desktop/launcher, and any Linux app can even be pinned onto the taskbar, next to your browser. Any Linux package you can `apt get` or `curl | sh` can run on Chromebooks made in the last…

Yep, I've been using ChromeOS/ built-in Debian VM for light VS Code, web dev and terminal stuff on a 150 dollar Lenovo ARM Chromebook with 4GB RAM for the last 2 years as my couch PC. I just disabled Android apps because that pushed it over the line.

Gets about 10 hours battery life, touchpad is way better than my $799 Lenovo Ideapad (ChromeOS is weirdly good with even cheap touchpad hardware) and does an incredible job of suspending idle tabs without being noticeable. No rooting, jailbreaking, etc required and unlike my M1 Macbook I can actually install apps without the ridiculous click app->can't open unverified app->settings->security->open anyway->click app second time-> open anyway song and dance.

Would I recommend it as your primary development device? Certainly not, and Neo would be a much better experience for sure but it also costs 4x as much so shrug.

I bought it entirely because I wanted the cheapest modern ARM Chromebook I could find with good battery life since my m1 Macbook is pretty much always tied to a dock and but pleasantly surprised by how much it could actually do beyond just web browsing.

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#262

Post by alwillis »

tshaddox wrote: post #242
amelius wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple is going to cannibalize their own laptop market.

I think this is actually the reason the Neo has 8 GB of RAM (non-upgradable). It’s their anti-cannibalization strategy. They’re relying on the huge portion of their existing laptop market who self-identifies as “tech-savvy” or “enthusiast” and thinks 8 GB of RAM is a non-starter. Those folks will keep buying Mac laptops at double (or triple, quadruple, …) the price.

> I think this is actually the reason the Neo has 8 GB of RAM (non-upgradable). It’s their anti-cannibalization strategy.

It has 8 GB of RAM because they wouldn’t be able to hit the price point of $599 with more; their target audience doesn't need more. It's also why the SSD is slower than a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air; it's the only device in the lineup other than the entry-level iPad with a sRGB display; the other devices have P3 Wide Color Displays. No Thunderbolt ports, only supports 1 external display and only at 4K. No Wi-Fi 7.

These are some of the compromises they made to keep the price down. They're also using a binned A18 Pro with 5 GPU cores instead of the 6 core version in the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.

There are lots of potential customer for which a Mac laptop was out of reach; it's a lot more affordable at $49.91 /month for 12 months for the $599 model.

Its display is better than PC laptops in the same price range, but that display is a non-starter for graphic designers, video editors, etc.

That's why cannibalization is a non-issue.

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#263

Post by TiredOfLife »

alwillis wrote: post #237
lubujackson wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is Apple's "Nintendo moment" when they realize they can package old hardware and win on polish and ecosystem.

> This is Apple's "Nintendo moment" when they realize they can package old hardware and win on polish and ecosystem. The A18 Pro isn't even two years old yet; it debuted in iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max September 2024. What's funny is none of the PC laptops manufactures can match the speed and quality of the Neo. The benchmarks for the A18 Pro are impressive; its Single Thread Performance beats all mobile processors […

Outside of some specialized benchmarks only Geekbench 6 is more or less usable for comparisons between generations or manufacturers.

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#264

Post by TiredOfLife »

gamblor956 wrote: post #79
bfrog wrote: post #13

Funnily it probably runs Windows better than the typical corporate spyware burdened x86 laptop.

My corporate spyware laden Surface ARM runs Windows faster than the Macbook Neo, but unlike the Neo can survive a fall onto a concrete floor. (Ask how I know...) My home laptop is even faster.

Unless you are a time traveler that is very likely not true.

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#265

Post by DaiPlusPlus »

todotask2 wrote: post #257
roody15 wrote: post #131

MacBook Neo is going to sell like crazy. In the education market, educators, students, aides... nothing close at this price point. With memory and SSD prices so high I don't see how Dell, Asus and others are going to be able to compete. Unless the build quality is significantly worse than a M1 macbook air not sure budget PC makers will be able to compete.

As someone who has been working in IT support for years, for most people a Windows laptop in the $400 range is cheaper if you add on-site IT support, parts replacement, and a longer warranty period. I wonder where Apple stands here.

> parts replacement

For a $400 laptop?

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#267

Post by nxobject »

roody15 wrote: post #131

MacBook Neo is going to sell like crazy. In the education market, educators, students, aides... nothing close at this price point. With memory and SSD prices so high I don't see how Dell, Asus and others are going to be able to compete. Unless the build quality is significantly worse than a M1 macbook air not sure budget PC makers will be able to compete.

I'm glad Apple's caring about the education market again – people forget how it (and DTP) sustained Apple through the lean years of the 90s, until they came out with iMac and iBook.

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#268

Post by ewoodrich »

thelastgallon wrote: post #249

Apple is moving into Google's territory, cheap Chromebooks. The right move for Google is to aggressively move forward with their desktop OS and launch their line of laptops. The first pixel laptops had the best keyboards and trackpads ever. Google can nail this if they have the right product person. Apple needs some competition and the legacy PC makers won't cut it. Once again, it has to be Apple vs Google, same as A…

$599 is about 4x what I paid for my current Chromebook...

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#269

Post by pxmpxm »

roody15 wrote: post #131

MacBook Neo is going to sell like crazy. In the education market, educators, students, aides... nothing close at this price point. With memory and SSD prices so high I don't see how Dell, Asus and others are going to be able to compete. Unless the build quality is significantly worse than a M1 macbook air not sure budget PC makers will be able to compete.

My 13 year old mac desktop is sitting here with 14.82gb used with nothing but messages and firefox. Really dount that 8gb will cut it.

Re: Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

#270

Post by fooker »

pxmpxm wrote: post #269
roody15 wrote: post #131

MacBook Neo is going to sell like crazy. In the education market, educators, students, aides... nothing close at this price point. With memory and SSD prices so high I don't see how Dell, Asus and others are going to be able to compete. Unless the build quality is significantly worse than a M1 macbook air not sure budget PC makers will be able to compete.

My 13 year old mac desktop is sitting here with 14.82gb used with nothing but messages and firefox. Really dount that 8gb will cut it.

Macos will try and keep available memory used.

Launch a few more applications and you'll see everything sort of still keeps working at an acceptable responsiveness.

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