Apple’s MacBook Neo was a shock to the industry. It’s the new affordable MacBook that’s quiet, efficient and affordable. But a new stress test suggests that things could have been noticeably better with a very simple change.
According to a recent test, adding a simple copper plate to the cooling setup can significantly improve both thermals and performance. And the frustrating part? It’s not a complex technical overhaul and it’s relatively straightforward.
What’s holding the MacBook Neo back?
Just like the MacBook Air, the Neo has a completely passive cooling system. So part of the problem is the fanless design that keeps the A18 Pro chip cool. There is no active cooling to dissipate heat. Although you get a completely silent device that is thin and light and is even more energy efficient, the downside is thermal throttling.
Under sustained workload, the chip heats up quickly, forcing the system to reduce performance to stay within optimal temperature limits. And this is completely avoidable, as shown by an ETA Prime video on YouTube.
How to increase MacBook Neo performance
By adding a copper plate for improved heat transfer, the MacBook Neo was able to distribute heat more efficiently across the chassis. The result?
- Lower operating temperatures
- Reduced throttling
- Noticeable performance increases (in the double-digit percentage range)
In real-world use, this is a significant improvement for such a small hardware change.
Apple probably skipped this for a variety of reasons. Adding additional thermal materials such as copper plate increases manufacturing costs, affects the internal layout, and potentially transfers more heat to other components.
Additionally, the MacBook Neo is positioned as an entry-level $599 MacBook, so the company is clearly focused on cost-effectiveness, simplicity, battery life, and silent operation. It’s not intended for heavy workloads, which is what the more expensive MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are intended for.
