411 - Mike Potter vs The Macbook Neo

Dave Ginsburg is joined by Mike Potter, Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, and Eric Bolden to break down a big week of Apple news. The panel discusses visionOS 26.4 beta updates, iOS 26.4 beta, the new iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, and refreshed MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with M5 chips. The biggest debate centers around Apple’s brand-new MacBook Neo, a $599 MacBook designed to compete with Chromebooks in education. Is it a smart gateway device for new users or an underpowered compromise? The panel shares strong opinions while also discussing Apple’s strategy for expanding the Mac ecosystem.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In episode 411 of In Touch With iOS, host Dave Ginsburg is joined by Mike Potter, Chuck Joiner, Marty Jencius, Jill McKinley, and Eric Bolden to break down a week packed with Apple news, software updates, and new hardware announcements. The discussion begins with updates across Apple’s platforms, including visionOS 26.4 beta 3, which appears to focus mainly on bug fixes and stability improvements as Apple prepares the platform for a future release. The panel shares their early impressions of the update process and discusses how developers are continuing to explore new possibilities around XR streaming and immersive experiences on Vision Pro.

The group then moves into Apple’s latest software updates, including iOS 26.3.1 and iOS 26.4 beta 3, along with updates for iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. While many of the updates are minor, Apple continues refining features such as Apple Music’s Playlist Playground and preparing Apple Podcasts for native video podcast support. The panel also notes Apple’s continued improvements to system security and stability while reminding listeners that beta software should still be used cautiously on primary devices.

A major part of the episode focuses on Apple’s latest hardware announcements. The panel begins with the iPhone 17e, Apple’s new entry-level iPhone that includes the A19 chip, improved portrait photography, MagSafe support, and a 256GB base storage configuration while maintaining a competitive $599 starting price. The group discusses how this model could become the ideal recommendation for many users who want a reliable iPhone without paying for a higher-end Pro model. They also explore how the device could work well as a travel phone, a secondary phone, or a practical upgrade for family members who want simplicity and value.

Next, the panel examines the newly refreshed iPad Air with the M4 chip, which now includes 12GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip. The panel largely agrees that the iPad Air continues to be the “sweet spot” in Apple’s tablet lineup, offering powerful performance without the premium cost of an iPad Pro. They discuss how the Air remains the most common recommendation for everyday users who want a capable iPad for productivity, media consumption, and general use.

The conversation then shifts to the Mac side of Apple’s announcements. Apple updated the Studio Display with Thunderbolt 5 support and upgraded internals, though the panel debates whether the premium pricing makes sense compared to other high-quality displays on the market. The discussion continues with Apple’s updates to the MacBook Air with the M5 chip and the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which bring major performance gains, increased base storage, and improved graphics capabilities. Dave shares that he plans to upgrade his own MacBook Pro to an M5 Pro model, while the panel reflects on how dramatically Apple Silicon has improved Mac performance since the M1 era.

The biggest debate of the episode centers around Apple’s surprising announcement of the MacBook Neo, a brand-new entry-level MacBook starting at $599 and powered by an A18 Pro chip. Designed to compete directly with Chromebooks in education markets, the Neo introduces a new tier in Apple’s laptop lineup. The panel dives into a lively discussion about whether the Neo represents a smart strategy to expand Apple’s reach or a compromise that may struggle with longevity due to its limited memory and ports. Mike Potter delivers a passionate critique, arguing that the device feels like a disposable computer aimed primarily at schools, while other panelists see it as a secure, well-built, and affordable entry point for students, travelers, and users who need a simple Mac for basic tasks.

The conversation also explores how the Neo might introduce a new generation of users to macOS while potentially competing with low-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks. Some panelists see it as a gateway device that could lead users to upgrade to more powerful Macs later, while others question whether a refurbished MacBook Air might be a better long-term option.

To close the show, Mike Potter shares updates on MacStock 10, including expanded programming, the addition of Ecamm’s Creator Camp, and a new Saturday evening event that will be announced soon. The panel reflects on how MacStock continues to grow each year as an important gathering for Apple enthusiasts and creators.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week. 

BETA 26.4 beta 3 - 9.5 GB update but runs fast

• Mostly bug fixes and stability improvements
  
  

• Developers testing NVIDIA CloudXR support for streaming high-resolution XR content
  
  

• Focus on refining features added earlier in the 26.4 cycle rather than big UI changes. 
  
  

Beta this week. iOS 26.4 Beta 3 was released this week

Apple Releases iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 With Bug Fixes and Studio Display Support

Apple Seeds Revised Third Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers, New Public Betas

Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers 

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4 Betas 

Product Announcements This Week

Apple's Biggest Week of 2026: Details on Every New Product Announced

Apple Unveiled These Seven New Products This Week

iPhone 17e

Apple Announces iPhone 17e With A19 Chip, MagSafe, and More

iPhone 17e Now Features 256GB Base Storage

IPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17e Buyer's Guide: All Upgrades Compared 

iPad Air M4

Apple Unveils iPad Air With M4 Chip, Increased RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and More

First M4 iPad Air Benchmarks Surface

M3 vs. M4 iPad Air Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared - MacRumors

Studio Display

Apple's Two New Studio Display Models Feature Different A19 Chips

New Studio Display and Studio Display XDR Will Have Day One Firmware Update

Apple Updates Studio Display With Thunderbolt 5 and More

Apple discontinues the Pro Display XDR

Apple Discontinues Pro Display XDR and $999 Stand

New Apple Studio Display and Studio Display XDR Don't Work With Intel Macs

These Macs Can't Run the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 With Support for Studio Display and Studio Display XDR

Third macOS Tahoe 26.4 Beta Now Available for Developers

Apple Removes 512GB Storage Option From M5 MacBook Pro, Drops SSD Upgrade Prices

Macbook Neo

macOS Will Alert You to MacBook Neo's USB-C Port Limitation

MacBook Neo Features Two Different USB-C Ports

20+ MacBook Neo Compromises: What You Give Up for Apple's Cheapest Mac

MacBook Neo Can Only Drive One External Display at 4K 60Hz

MacBook Neo Starts at Just $499 for Students

MacBook Neo Has Just 8GB RAM With No Upgrade Option

Walmart will continue selling Macs after proving market for MacBook Neo

Announcements

Macstock X is here celebrating its 10th anniversary! With Three Full Days of expert-led Presentations and Workshops, Macstock’s sessions are crammed full of productivity-enhancing content. NEW this year is a partnership with sponsor Ecamm. Ecamm Creator Camp: Mac Edition on July 9, 2026 there are only 100 tickets available for the bundle. There are 2 passes available: Macstock weekend pass July 10,11,12, 2026 or the Macstock Ecamm Bundle starting July 9 (only 100 tickets available)  Come join us. Register HERE

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65  and the show @intouchwithios

 

Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @[e-mail] and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast  Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at [e-mail]  https://thepodtalk.net 

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him by email at [e-mail], on Mastodon at @[e-mail], on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

 

Jill McKinley works in enterprise software, server administration, and IT A lifelong tech enthusiast, she started her career with Windows but is now an avid Apple fan. Beyond technology, she shares her insights on nature, faith, and personal growth through her podcasts—Buzz Blossom & Squeak, Start with Small Steps, and The Bible in Small Steps. Watch her content on YouTube at @startwithsmallsteps and follow her on X @schmern. Find all her work at http://jillfromthenorthwoods.com 

Chuck Joiner is the host of MacVoices and hosts video podcasts with influential members of the Apple community. Make sure to visit macvoices.com and subscribe to his podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @chuckjoiner and join his MacVoices Facebook group.

Guy Serle is one of the hosts of the new The Gmen Show along with GazMaz and email [e-mail]  @MacParrot and @VertShark on X  Vertshark on YouTube, Google Voice +1 Area code  703-828-4677