Price is around 11 million, but its single-core almost matches the much more expensive MacBook Pro M4 Max. Sounds tempting—but does that performance actually feel real for daily work and study? Or are there gotchas you should know first?
YouTuber Cupu has tested it hands-on, and the results are quite surprising—while being honest about its limits.
At a Glance: Who Is It For?
| ✅ Great for | Students and light office workers who prioritize UI responsiveness, browsing, documents, and online meetings |
| ❌ Less suitable for | Content creators, developers, or anyone who often renders video, does heavy exports, or needs many ports |
| 💡 Quick takeaway | High single-core makes the Neo feel nimble for quick tasks—but 8GB RAM, a 60Hz display, and limited ports are the real constraints |
Quick Specs You Need to Know
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chip | Apple A18 Pro, 6-core CPU |
| Single-core score | ±3,500 (Neo) vs ±3,925 (Pro M4 Max) vs ±2,569 (Air M2) |
| Multicore | Pro M4 Max can be 2–3× faster than the Neo |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Display | 13" Liquid Retina, 60Hz, thick bezels, no notch |
| Ports | USB 3.0 (10 Gbps, supports display out) + USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) + 3.5 mm jack |
| Keyboard | No backlight |
| Trackpad | Mechanical (not haptic) |
| Cooling | Fanless—no fan, silent |
| Price | Starts at ~SGD 849 (±Rp11.2 million), 512GB variant |
High Single-Core Score—Where Does It Matter?
Cupu notes the Neo scores around 3,500 in single-core—nearly touching his MacBook Pro M4 Max (±3,925) and well above the MacBook Air M2 (±2,569).
This isn’t just a benchmark number. In real use, high single-core means opening apps, navigating the interface, scrolling pages, and switching documents feels responsive and “no waiting.” For a quick-but-short work rhythm—replying to emails, online meetings, web research, opening and closing apps—the Neo delivers a feel that’s almost on par with pro laptops that cost twice as much.
But What If the Workload Is Heavy?
Here’s where the story changes.
Once tasks get longer and more parallel—video rendering, large file exports, code compiles, or lots of tabs at once—the Neo starts to fall behind. Cupu says the Pro M4 Max’s multicore can be 2–3 times faster. The 8GB RAM is also a natural limiter when many apps are open simultaneously.
On top of that, the Neo has no internal fan. Like the MacBook Air, it’s designed for short bursts—not hours of sustained abuse. Great for sprints, less ideal for long marathons.
Build and I/O: Does It Feel “Cheap”?
In terms of materials, Cupu says the Neo’s aluminum body doesn’t feel cheap. You can open it with one hand, similar to the Air and Pro. First impressions are solid for the price.
What stands out more is the trimmed I/O. There’s no MagSafe—so if the cable gets snagged, the laptop can get pulled down. You only get two USB ports (one 3.0 that supports display out, the other USB 2.0 that doesn’t), plus a 3.5 mm audio jack. Compare that to the Air with Thunderbolt 4, or the Pro with Thunderbolt 5 plus HDMI and an SD card slot—worlds apart if your needs are more complex.
On the input side, the keyboard has no backlight. In a dark room, you’re relying on light from the screen. The trackpad is also mechanical, not haptic like on modern Macs—multi-finger gestures still work, but the click feel is different if you’re used to the Air or Pro.
Display, Speakers, and Camera: Are They Enough?
According to Cupu, its 13-inch Liquid Retina panel is still pleasant for watching content. But the 60Hz refresh rate means UI animations and scrolling aren’t as smooth as the Pro’s up to 120Hz—you’ll feel this difference especially if you often switch apps or scroll through long content.
It looks more “classic”: slightly thick bezels, no notch. For some that’s neutral; for others it may feel dated.
As for sound, the Neo’s speakers fire left-right across the body—slightly different from the Air, which reflects sound from the hinge gap, or the Pro, which has grills by the keyboard. The result is still fine for everyday content consumption, says Cupu.
For the camera, the Neo’s field of view feels narrower than the Pro’s. But the quality is adequate for meetings and online classes—it won’t embarrass you on Zoom.
Price and Alternatives in Indonesia
Cupu bought the 512GB variant for SGD 849—around Rp11.2 million. For this segment, that’s reasonable if your needs fall into the “light to mid” category.
If you feel you need more, Cupu himself suggests looking at the MacBook Air M2, whose price has dropped to around 12 million on some marketplaces. The difference isn’t huge, but you get Thunderbolt 4, RAM that’s more future-ready, and a more mature macOS ecosystem. Note: check the item’s condition before buying.
Summary: Choose the Neo or Not?
Pick the Neo if:
- Your main needs are browsing, documents, meetings, and light multitasking
- Your budget is around 11 million and you don’t want to compromise on UI responsiveness
- You don’t need many ports or a high-refresh-rate display
Consider something else if:
- You often work with video, photos, or code that requires render time
- You need to connect many accessories or external monitors
- You want a laptop that will “last” 5 years ahead with increasingly heavy workloads
FAQ
1. Does high single-core mean all tasks are fast? For short, single-thread tasks—app launches, UI navigation, light productivity—yes, it feels fast. But for long renders or compiles, the Pro is still far superior.
2. Is 8GB RAM still enough in the coming years? It’s fine for light work today. But Cupu warns that in 4–5 years, 8GB may start to feel tight as usage gets heavier.
3. Can it connect to an external monitor? Yes, via the USB 3.0 port that supports display out. The USB 2.0 port does not.
4. What are the most noticeable input drawbacks? No keyboard backlight and a mechanical trackpad—these two differences are most immediately noticeable if you previously used a modern Mac.
5. How different is the display compared to the Pro? Neo is 60Hz, the Pro goes up to 120Hz. The difference is most noticeable when scrolling long content and during app transition animations—the Pro feels visually smoother.
All experience assessments above are based on YouTuber Cupu’s testing and comments in his video.
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Source: YouTuber Cupu
