Is MacBook Neo a Good Buy?

Level 2 Review Lesson by: Aron Thode Source: expertreviews.co.uk

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

Apple's MacBook Neo in four colors
MacBook Neo comes in four colors

Apple has a new low-cost laptop, the MacBook Neo. It is a 13-inch computer with a metal body and four colors. The big question is simple: is this the best laptop near £600?

The Neo feels strong and well made, like a more expensive model. The lid opens easily, and the body does not bend or make noise. It is also easier to open and repair than most MacBooks. These points make it stand out in this price range.

There are some weak points. The keyboard feels good, but it has no backlight. The speakers are clear for calls and podcasts, but are not as good for music. Battery life is also shorter than a MacBook Air in tests.

Still, it works well for daily use, study, and office tasks. The webcam is good, and the touchpad works well. At £599, or £499 for students, it is a very strong choice. If you want a small laptop on a budget, this one is easy to recommend.

Vocab List

  • budget (n.) — The money you can spend.
  • £600 (n.) — "Six hundred pounds" in British money.
  • repair (v.) — To fix something that is broken.
  • battery life (n.) — How long a battery works before charging.
  • recommend (v.) — To say something is good to buy or use.
  • stand out (v.) — To be easy to notice as better.
  • weak point (n.) — A part that is not very good.
  • touchpad (n.) — The flat area you move with your finger on a laptop.

Speaker: British Female  Duration: 1:24

YouTube link

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

Apple has a new low-cost (1) __________, the MacBook Neo. It is a 13-inch computer with a metal body and four colors. The big question is simple: is this the best laptop near £600? The Neo feels strong and well made, like a more expensive model. The lid opens easily, and the body does not bend or make noise. It is also easier to open and (2) __________ than most MacBooks. These points make it stand out in this price range. There are some weak points. The keyboard feels good, but it has no backlight. The speakers are clear for calls and podcasts, but are not as good for (3) __________. Battery life is also shorter than a MacBook Air in tests. Still, it works well for daily use, study, and office tasks. The (4) __________ is good, and the touchpad works well. At £599, or £499 for students, it is a very strong choice. If you want a small laptop on a (5) __________, this one is easy to recommend.
True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch screen.
    The story says it is a 13-inch computer.
  • The keyboard has a backlight.
    The story says the keyboard feels good, but it has no backlight.
  • The review says this laptop is hard to recommend.
    The story says it is easy to recommend for people on a budget.

True or False

1. The MacBook Neo has a 13-inch screen. T / F

2. The keyboard has a backlight. T / F

3. The review says this laptop is hard to recommend. T / F

Review Breakdown

Read each statement. Write the letter in the correct group below.

  1. The Neo has a metal body.
  2. The Neo has a touchscreen display for drawing.
  3. The MacBook Neo is a 13-inch laptop with four colors.
  4. The Neo is too heavy for daily travel.
  5. The Neo feels strong and well made.
  6. This laptop is easy to recommend for people on a budget.
  7. It is easier to repair than most MacBooks.
  8. The keyboard has no backlight.

What it is: _______________

Good / Bad points: _______________

Final opinion: _______________

Not in the review: _______________

Vocab Match

Loading vocabulary activity...

Vocab Match

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

1. Budget (n)

2. Repair (v)

3. Battery life (n)

4. Recommend (v)

5. Weak point (n)

a) A part that is not very good.

b) To say something is good to buy or use.

c) How long a battery works before charging.

d) To fix something that is broken.

e) The money you can spend.

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. ________ Apple products look nice, but they are not always the best choice.

    I think, / But, / For example,

  2. £599 seems like a fair price ________ the laptop looks strong and useful.

    because / but / and

  3. No keyboard backlight is annoying, ________ shorter battery life is a bigger problem for me.

    because / but / and

Sentence Unscramble

  1. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. a laptop B. is too small C. I still need D. my phone E. for schoolwork. F. because

  2. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. but B. only for C. and work. D. recommend it, E. basic study F. I would probably

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you usually like Apple products? Why or why not?
  2. Do you think £599 is a good price for a laptop?
  3. What laptop features are most important for you?
  4. Do people need laptops these days? Or is having a phone enough?
  5. Do you think these are serious problems: no keyboard backlight, shorter battery life, and bad speakers?
  6. Do you use speakers often, or do you use headphones?
  7. Would you recommend this laptop to a friend? Why?
  8. When you buy tech, do you choose low price or strong quality?

Answers

Think Ahead: b

Listening: (1) laptop, (2) repair, (3) music, (4) webcam, (5) budget

True or False:

  1. True. The story says it is a 13-inch computer.
  2. False. The story says the keyboard feels good, but it has no backlight.
  3. False. The story says it is easy to recommend for people on a budget.

Review Breakdown:

What it is: A C

Good / Bad points: E G H

Final opinion: F

Not in the review: B D

Vocabulary:

  1. Budget (n): The money you can spend.
  2. Repair (v): To fix something that is broken.
  3. Battery life (n): How long a battery works before charging.
  1. Recommend (v): To say something is good to buy or use.
  2. Weak point (n): A part that is not very good.

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Opinion. 2) Reason. 3) Contrast.

  1. I think,
  2. because
  3. but

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. I still need a laptop because my phone is too small for schoolwork.
  2. I would probably recommend it, but only for basic study and work.

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