A MacBook Neo at work? Yes, but only if it has a fingerprint sensor.
The MacBook Neo, Apple’s new entry-level laptop, has been on the market for a few weeks now. It is so affordable that some companies are wondering whether they should add it to their product range as an alternative to their Windows laptops. But is that feasible? Apart from its low price, can it also meet the other requirements of a corporate environment? We put the MacBook Neo through a practical test and a technical evaluation in a real-world business setting.
At first glance, the device impresses with its elegance. It is slim, lightweight and meticulously crafted. The fact that the casing has been milled from a single block of aluminium is exceptional for this price range. The keyboard is every bit as good as that of other MacBook models. What experienced MacBook users will notice straight away, however, is the trackpad: The click mechanism is mechanical, giving it a slightly more direct, less refined feel.
More than enough performance – without a fan
‘For standard tasks such as Microsoft 365, web applications, Teams meetings and general administrative tasks, the performance is more than adequate,’ concludes our colleague, who tested the MacBook Neo in everyday use for three weeks. Considering that the device runs completely silently – there’s no fan fitted – this is impressive and not to be found in Windows devices in this class. The modest 8 GB of RAM didn’t prove to be a drawback: macOS compensates for this with very good memory management and a fast SSD (rapid swapping).
External displays reach their limits
When connecting external displays, you reach the device’s limits relatively quickly. If you plug into the wrong one of the two USB-C ports – of which there are only two anyway – a friendly push notification appears, advising you to use the rear port. The front port only supports USB 2.0 – that would be too slow for a USB stick, and other devices often cannot be connected via it at all. These days, mice and keyboards are generally connected via Bluetooth anyway.
‘The graphics display on the external monitor doesn’t match the quality and smoothness of a MacBook Pro, even when the display is connected to the correct port,’ as our colleague aptly sums up. Resolutions above 4K are upscaled and appear pixelated; this was also confirmed in a test with the Dell Q4025QW.
The fingerprint sensor is a must-have
Our colleague tested the model with the fingerprint sensor and found no issues. With the model without the sensor, the difference becomes apparent very quickly: every time you want to unlock the device, you instinctively reach for where you expect the sensor to be – only to find a button with a padlock symbol. You have to enter your password. That takes time – time that your employer pays for.
More importantly, however, are the security features that are lost without the fingerprint sensor. With macOS 27 (Golden Gate), Apple simplifies logging in via web login directly with identity providers such as Microsoft Entra or Okta. Combined with the fingerprint sensor and passkeys (passwordless authentication), this creates a solution that your IT security department won’t want to do without – simply because the wrong MacBook Neo model was ordered.
Software Management
macOS runs just as stably and smoothly on the MacBook Neo as it does on other Mac models. The real challenge lies more in the fact that your organisation may not yet be using macOS. In that case, you would first need to set up a macOS management system, evaluate a software distribution solution and develop a security strategy. This sounds more complicated than it is, especially if you make use of UMB’s standard services.
UMB Device Management: Let us set up a macOS management system for you that covers all aspects of professional device management – at a fixed price per device per month. Our Workplace experts have in-depth specialist knowledge of the Apple ecosystem. We’ll take care of your MacBooks, whilst you focus on your business.
UMB Application Packaging: Naturally, your MacBooks need to be equipped with software. With UMB Application Packaging, we provide your environment with software packages at a unit price and with unlimited updates for our Shop Packages (a selection of frequently used apps). Still unsure? Let us assess your environment. With the UMB Apple Readiness Assessment, we produce a comprehensive report to determine whether your IT infrastructure is ready for MacBooks and highlight the measures required to ensure the smooth deployment of Apple devices.
Where the MacBook Neo fits into your business
Recommended for:
Service staff_ People who only use the MacBook occasionally and need a lightweight, robust and portable device.
Team leads to C-level executives_ People who do a lot of communication and text-based work (emails, Teams calls, web tools) and are frequently on the move.
Sales staff_ people who need a visually appealing device and frequently visit clients. The long battery life is a particular selling point here.
Not recommended for:
Software developers_ people who require high CPU performance (compiling) and plenty of RAM (test servers, virtual machines). The more expensive models also offer high-performance, AI-optimised hardware components.
Graphic designers_ People who frequently use applications with high system requirements (image editing, video editing).
Illustrators and architects_ People who work with 3D editing software and CAD applications
Do you have any questions about using MacBooks in your organisation, or would you like to have an Apple Readiness Assessment carried out? The UMB Workplace experts will be happy to assist you.
Marius Baumann
marius.baumann@umb.ch
+41 58 510 14 09
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