The MacBook Neo represents the machine users wanted back in 2020 when iPad Pro gained trackpad support. The author argues Apple took iPadOS in the wrong direction by making it more like "fake macOS" instead of embracing a touch-only philosophy. The Neo delivers what the iPad Pro never could — a compact, capable writing machine that stays out of your way.

The original iPad Pro had powerful hardware but was hamstrung by software limitations. While Apple Silicon Macs escaped Intel's "purgatory," iPads remained stuck with an OS that couldn't handle "serious" work. The author describes the situation as bolting a Ferrari engine onto a Honda Super Cub — the potential was obvious but the OS held it back. macOS became the clear choice for LLM tools and professional workflows, offering the flexibility iPadOS simply couldn't match.

After two weeks with the MacBook Neo, the author finds it far more capable than an iPad with keyboard, at a lower price point. The machine runs proper macOS with full LLM tool support, integrates seamlessly with services like Dropbox, and avoids iCloud's notorious syncing issues. The author explicitly does not want touchscreens on MacBooks — the Neo works precisely because it doesn't try to be something it's not.