Google Just Launched its MacBook Neo Trump Card

The introduction of the MacBook Neo in March created a significant impact in the personal computer market.

While Apple’s expertise in crafting laptops was never questioned, creating an affordable option was a different matter. Previously, the most economical choice was the original M1 MacBook Air from 2020, still priced at a steep £999/$999 at launch.

The arrival of the Neo changed that. Priced at £599/$599 (£499/$499 for students), it is Apple’s most budget-friendly MacBook to date. The use of an A18 Pro chip, similar to the one in the iPhone 16 Pro, is a notable trade-off, leading to somewhat reduced performance.

Despite this, feedback has been largely favorable. Macworld, our sister site, praised it as “a delight” and “the perfect gateway Mac.” Comparisons with similarly priced Windows PCs have not been flattering for the latter.

With Linux and ChromeOS lacking the necessary third-party software to appeal to the mainstream, the Neo stands alone as the preferred affordable laptop. Its record-breaking sales following the launch are testament to its success.

However, how long can this dominance last? Windows laptop manufacturers were caught off guard by this new contender, but could Google have a surprise in store?

Introducing a new Android-ChromeOS hybrid, the newly announced Googlebook devices could present a real challenge to the MacBook Neo. Here are five compelling reasons why.

Google’s ecosystem is nearly as good as Apple’s

The Apple ecosystem is renowned for its seamless device integration.

It allows users to easily transition tasks from their iPhone to an iPad, or switch from listening to music on AirPods to watching a TV show on a MacBook.

If you already use Apple devices, the MacBook Neo is an obvious choice. Even Google concedes that Apple has an “ecosystem advantage,” which prompted its decision to act.

However, for Android users, the decision is more challenging. Although Google’s services are available on Mac, they lack the seamless integration that Apple provides. On Windows, Microsoft’s Phone Link app offers only basic interaction with Android phones, highlighting a gap in the market.

Microsoft

Google, with its extensive range of productivity tools, is well-positioned on the Android side.

Google Search, YouTube, Maps, Gmail, Chrome, Docs, Photos, and Calendar are integral to my daily tasks, and I’m sure others feel the same way.

Using Android feels natural, but shifting to a laptop is often cumbersome. The current version of Android isn’t designed for cursor-based navigation, making a dedicated operating system essential.

Google is addressing this with AluminiumOS, which it describes as a blend of Android and ChromeOS.

The Android integration will be off the charts

The possibility of a full desktop version of Android excites me, especially for its integration potential with Android phones.

Compared to the seamless interaction between iPhone and Mac, the integration between Android and Windows falls short. I anticipate Googlebooks and AluminiumOS to significantly improve upon this.

Features like using your Android phone’s camera as a desktop webcam, automatic earbud switching, and a unified clipboard that syncs copied items across devices are promising.

Apple

The ease of controlling both an iPhone/iPad and Mac with a shared cursor and keyboard, or resuming web activities seamlessly, is something Apple offers that Google aims to replicate, especially for Pixel phones. Googlebooks promises to allow direct use of phone apps on the laptop or quick access to phone files through the browser, fulfilling a long-held desire for such integration.

And Gemini wipes the floor with Siri

As expected, Google has announced that Gemini will be a central feature of AluminiumOS.

With AI being a hot topic, Google appears to lead in its implementation.

On smartphones, Gemini is at the forefront, offering a user-friendly approach to integrating AI. Initially skeptical, I now find Gemini indispensable.

Foundry

Meanwhile, Apple’s Siri is hindered by slow progress, with updates moving at a snail’s pace.

Google, through Gemini Intelligence, is looking to solidify its lead by introducing AI agents capable of performing tasks in the background. While I generally have reservations about AI agents, I trust Google to develop a truly beneficial service.

Is Google reinventing the cursor?

In addition to revolutionizing typing, Google is targeting another computer mainstay: the cursor.

The classic tilted arrow has remained unchanged for over half a century, until now. Google is revamping it with what they call a ‘Magic Pointer’.

Powered by Gemini, a simple wiggle activates Google’s AI assistant, offering context-specific suggestions based on screen content.

Google

Examples include swift image comparisons and calendar events automatically created from selected dates. This innovation could be just the beginning, potentially being adopted by all desktop PCs, including Macs.

Google isn’t making Googlebooks itself…

Google’s past attempts at first-party laptops have not been overwhelmingly successful. After launching ChromeOS in 2011, Google released several Chromebooks throughout the decade.

Despite the high-quality offerings like the 2019 Pixelbook Go, these initiatives did not lead to lasting success.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

Google’s latest laptop was the Pixelbook Go, after which the company shifted its focus to enhancing the ChromeOS software experience on third-party devices.

I initially feared Google might revive its first-party laptop line with Googlebooks, but thankfully, they seem to have learned from past experiences and are concentrating on software excellence instead.

With AluminiumOS being a new operating system built from scratch, it will likely need Google’s full attention, making this approach a wise decision.

…but some of the leading PC makers are

If Google had difficulty attracting top laptop manufacturers to join the Googlebooks initiative, investing in first-party hardware might be warranted. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Major Chromebook manufacturers such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are already on board, with more likely to follow.

These brands have a proven track record of developing hardware that complements Google’s software, and there’s no reason they can’t replicate that success.

With multiple partners involved, Googlebooks offers something the MacBook Neo cannot: choice. Google promises that Googlebooks will come in “a variety of shapes and sizes,” ensuring there’s a device for nearly everyone.

Foundry

Moreover, like the MacBook Neo, Googlebooks are expected to maintain high build quality, using “premium craftsmanship and materials.”

While more advanced than Chromebooks, Googlebooks have the potential to match or even offer a more competitive price than Apple’s laptop, providing Android phone users with the best possible choice.

Overall, this is an exciting time for Google and the laptop market as a whole. The MacBook Neo may continue to attract Android users for a while, but Googlebooks position Google well to challenge this trend.

For the first time in a long while, I’m genuinely excited about the future of laptops.