Videographers obviously shouldn’t buy the MacBook Neo – nor should photographers

Source: 9to5Mac

I’ve just argued that the MacBook Neo offers phenomenal value for money and is the machine I expect to recommend to a great many people. However, it of course won’t be suitable for everyone. A quick glance at the specs would rapidly rule it out for videographers, and there is one compromise that means it’s not a good choice for photographers either…

Videographers can rule it out completely

Obviously professional videographers would be buying the MacBook Pro or Mac Studio. But for enthusiastic amateurs, the MacBook Air is a remarkably capable machine for video editing, so long as you are not doing anything too sophisticated.

The same will not be true of the MacBook Neo.

• Storage – The base model only has a 256 GB SSD, with an upgrade option to 512 GB. For reference, a modest 14‑minute mini‑documentary can generate a Final Cut Pro library exceeding 600 GB. While external drives and proxy workflows are possible, having sufficient internal storage is far more convenient.
• External display support – The Neo’s limited ability to drive external monitors can be a drawback for those who prefer a larger workspace.
• Thunderbolt – The lack of Thunderbolt ports may hinder workflows that rely on fast external‑drive access.
• Display – See the next section.

The sRGB display is a big compromise

One of the great things about MacBooks is their fantastic displays. All other models in the lineup support the P3 color gamut, which offers dramatically better color accuracy than the smaller sRGB gamut found on most Windows laptops.

The MacBook Neo uses an sRGB panel—a cost‑saving measure that enables its low price point. For photographers and videographers alike, this reduced gamut is a compromise you don’t want to make.

The orange triangle below illustrates the wide color range of P3‑capable MacBook screens, while the white triangle shows the far more limited range of the Neo’s sRGB display.

For photographers, a MacBook Air is worth it

When I talk to friends about their needs, I suggest that anyone even moderately serious about photography should opt for a MacBook Air (or MacBook Pro) instead of the Neo, primarily because of the superior display.

Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash