The Vergecast: Ad-Free Edition MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, and iPad Air: The Vergecast Livestream
Mar 4, 2026
Hands‑on reactions to Apple’s surprise MacBook Neo reveal and its budget tradeoffs. A deep look at the new Studio Display XDR and why pros might pay a premium. First impressions of the iPhone 17e’s compromises and display confusion. Discussion of the refreshed iPad Air, wireless upgrades, and who should consider each new product.
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MacBook Neo Is A Budget First Mac
- Apple positioned the MacBook Neo as a $599 entry Mac to win education and first-time Mac buyers.
- It uses an A18 Pro iPhone-class chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, cheaper clicky trackpad, no Thunderbolt, and two USB-C ports to cut costs.
Trackpad Click Moment At Hands On
- David pressed the Neo's trackpad and was surprised when it physically clicked, drawing laughter from an Apple minder.
- The demo emphasized the cheaper mechanical click trackpad versus the Air's haptic one as an obvious cost cut.
RAM Not CPU Will Limit The Neo
- Apple sacrificed RAM and storage for price, making 8GB unified memory the likeliest bottleneck, not raw A-series CPU power.
- Nilay warns heavy multitasking, Chrome tabs, gaming, or photo/video editing will hit unified 8GB quickly and force swapping.