Apple's week March 20: Neo is king
It's been two weeks since I made a proper post or newsletter to this blog, but don't worry, it isn't dead. I've just been spending every waking moment not working trying to empty my old house.
The good news is we're almost done and turn in the keys Monday. So, expect a return to daily posts soon.
Here's the news of the week:
- MacBook Neo is Apple's best attempt yet at a budget laptop
- iPhone Fold rumors are still in left field
- Tim Cook is determined to die at his desk at Apple
- AirPods Max 2 finally exist
- F1 has a strong debut for its 2026 season
- We're still waiting on an iPhone Fold leak
MacBook Neo is an excellent new Mac
My review for the MacBook Neo has been published, linked above, and I'm quite happy with this little machine. Of course, it won't steer me away from my beloved iPad Pro, but it isn't meant to.
Apple's ability to bring a premium-feeling device to the sub-$800 laptop range is a feat worth celebrating. There isn't a Windows or Chromebook PC that can come close to matching the design, materials, performance, or software experience created by the MacBook Neo for $699.
There's nothing else I can say here that I didn't in the review. I'm sure at some point I'll do a more specific piece on the relationship between something like the MacBook Neo and the iPad, but that's not a discussion for today.
My iPad Pro is still the center of my work, as it should be. Its price alone could buy four MacBook Neo models. These computers serve very different purposes.
Tim Cook could easily last another 20 years
I know a lot of people online want Cook to step down as CEO, but the man is 65. That's not exactly retirement age for rich folks in cushy, powerful positions. Warren Buffett is 95 and he's only just retiring.
I'm 34. There's a world that exists where Tim Cook is still CEO when I'm 64.
Maybe we should cool it on the succession discourse. If Cook steps down and announces a replacement, then great, let's talk about it. Until then, I fully expect the man will die in his office.
The only middle ground here is the possibility of Cook giving up CEO for Chairman, but he doesn't have to do that. He can simply wear both hats for a while.
The thing is, Cook has been amazing for Apple. It wouldn't be the company it is today without his influence and control over the advanced supply chain. I am not happy with his political maneuvers, even if they might be necessary, but he's the best we have at the moment.
Ternus is an exciting prospect too. I'd love to see someone with an engineering background with some youth step in to assume the role of Apple CEO.
But until something changes, all of this feels like hot air. We have the Apple we have. Let's discuss what's real.
AirPods Max 2 are here
Honestly, I'd be more excited about these headphones if they were announced in 2024, or perhaps at least a few weeks away from me signing a mortgage. The $550 price point stands, but there's an H2 chip now.
Yay?
My biggest concern with AirPods Max 2, as wonderful as they may sound, is that they're going to be immediately outdated. The H3 could arrive at any moment, perhaps as soon as fall 2027.
Once the H3 chip is here, I'd be loath to buy AirPods Max 2 with the old feature set. However, there's also a chance that it could take six additional years to get H3 in these headphones.
At about $100 a year, I feel like I got my money's worth out of my original AirPods Max purchased in December 2020. I could easily get a similar value out of the second generation if I buy them immediately.
I can't help but feel like that would be a mistake.
Maybe Apple releases the H3 in AirPods Pro in late 2027 or early 2028. Okay, but it could be four more years before H3 arrives in AirPods Max.
I can't decide if that's a good or a bad thing. At the least, if I upgrade now, I'll at least gain Lossless and USB-C. Plus, they'll finally have the H2-H2 connection introduced for Apple Vision Pro.
I suppose I'll need a neck brace too.
Still no iPhone Fold leaks
It'll be April very soon and we've yet to see even a glimpse of the iPhone Fold. Ambitious leakers haven't even bothered making fake versions of the parts or smartphone to get clicks.
This is very odd. Normally, by now, something would have leaked. A camera module, a hinge, even just a USB-C port. Something.
As of this newsletter, nothing except a sketchy "CAD" drawing has appeared. And even then, I feel like that CAD is just the same 3D printer file we saw in December.
I'm not sold on iPhone Fold ever launching, and without something concrete, I won't be convinced otherwise until something leaks or Apple makes an announcement.
Perhaps Apple has finally locked down its supply chain, or at the least, locked down this specific device. It's tough to say. Whatever the case, I'm excited to see what form the iPhone Fold takes, if it ever launches at all.
