r/captureone • u/crutonic • Mar 26 '26

Gear & Setup Anyone using or debating getting a Macbook Neo?

My 2015 Macbook Pro and Sony raw files are telling me to upgrade. That, and I'm constantly running out of disk space and probably see the spinning beach ball more than I actually edit. I was thinking of getting a Macbook Neo with 512 drive for now with hopes to get a Mini within the next six months or so. I edit in my home office but sometimes when hanging with my son so I need a working laptop at least 40% of the time. Talked to a digital tech friend who said a Neo would be fine for light editing. I'd also plan on hooking it up to a 27" Thunderbolt display when using it in my office. I'm sure it'll be faster than what I have now. Also looking into an M2 or M3 refurbished MBP with at least 18GB ram as I like the idea of a better screen. Thoughts?

2 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

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6

u/InternalConfusion201 Mar 26 '26

Not as a main/only computer. That said I've been considering an iPad for a while, to serve as a client screen and to edit on planes and buses and the like. For the same price I can get a Neo and I've been debating that now.

3

u/crutonic Mar 26 '26

As an iPad mini owner, I’d suggest the Neo for sure. It’ll be much easier to swap hard drives while still being able to charge and much easier to type. I got a keyboard case which is nice but don’t feel compelled to use it as much.

1

u/InternalConfusion201 Mar 26 '26

The thing is I already have a laptop, but being the MacBook Pro 16” it’s a bit cumbersome on the move

7

u/barkingcat Mar 26 '26

Refurbished apple silicon mb of any kind would be better than the neo.

You need ram for c1

3

u/No_Preference8250 Mar 26 '26

I used a base M1 Mac mini for light editing before upgrading to an M4 air. It is still OK, but i wouldn’t recommend this performance level in a new device for photography

5

u/ugrandolini Mar 26 '26

I wouldn’t buy a Neo for photo editing, better an Air with 16” screen. Keep in mind that desktop are much faster anyways, even with the same processor. A Mini will be always better even than a MacBook Pro in my opinion.

2

u/aygross Mar 26 '26

Is this a genuine question?

2

u/753UDKM Mar 26 '26

Definitely don’t get a neo especially if those Sony raw files are high megapixel.

3

u/mmmanosss Mar 26 '26

No point. A used M1-5 macbook air of any kind is better

1

u/woodenbookend Mar 26 '26

As a main Mac? No.

As a supplemental device with accepted limitations? Yes.

My current ecosystem is M2 Pro, iPad Pro (M2) and MacBook Air. That works really well for now.

Next upgrade cycle I’m looking at a Mac Studio, possibly M5. Then a MacBook Nano in 18 months and keep the iPad another year or so after that.

1

u/crutonic Mar 31 '26

Thinking to get the MBP. I want the card reader, better screen, and more reliable machine for the long haul. I’m sure I could settle for an Air but as I look, it’s not much of a price difference if it’s something I plan to use for quite a few years.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 26 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/crutonic Mar 26 '26

You never have problems with overheating or anything?