MacBook Neo in K-12

When Apple announced the MacBook Neo earlier this year, people paid attention. And why not, with the sleek interface and robust features we know and love from Mac? Not to mention the $599 USD price point ($499 for education).

MacBook Neo piqued the interest of school administrators and IT admins too — maybe you’re one of them, trying to learn more about what a Mac deployment could look like in your K-12 school. For schools already invested in Apple, you’ll find MacBook Neo fits naturally in your fleet, making learning better for teachers and students.

This is what we talk about in our e-book, MacBook Neo in K-12. Get a preview of it below.

How a device choice influences learning

Mac and iPad share a lot of similarities, enough that if you use one, the other will be familiar. But they have key differences that change the experience for a user. If you want to record video or sketch out a concept, an iPad is likely better. If you’re analyzing data in a spreadsheet, Mac is probably your better option.

Every student learns differently, and which device is better suited to their learning style and other needs is unique to them. Offering students a choice in device empowers them to learn how they learn. Sometimes a tablet makes sense; other times, a laptop. And sometimes both together is best.

Why MacBook Neo

For a device to enhance learning, it needs to perform the tasks the user needs it to do, adapt to their evolving needs and help them thrive. Many laptops popular in schools restrict users to browser apps and limited software tools — which ultimately limits their learning opportunity.

MacBook Neo offers a number of features that benefit learners, like:

• A powerful processing chip that supports creativity beyond browser apps
• Repairability, like battery and keyboard replacements
• Durable cases made from aluminum
• 16 hour battery life
• A full operating system that prepares users for life beyond school
• Regular updates to the operating system

Plus, when you deploy Mac alongside iPad, you benefit from the entire Apple ecosystem. Continuity features mean they act almost like a single device, so users get the best of both worlds when it makes sense for their work.

Managing Mac and iPad

If you add MacBook Neo to your device fleet, you need a management platform that can handle app management, authentication and security for both Mac and iPad. This platform needs to empower students and teachers without adding undue burden to IT.

Without management, you introduce holes in your security, create manual work for IT, make it more difficult for teachers to manage their classroom devices, and make it more difficult for students to find resources they need.

Management with a platform like Jamf means you cover your bases:

• App management: deploy apps, manage licensing and keep apps up to date
• Authentication: integrate device login with your school credentials, leverage single sign-on, mandate password requirements and automatically assign/unassign accounts
• Security: enforce passwords, minimum software versions, deploy content filtering and/or threat detection, configure device restrictions

What a Mac program could look like at your school

How you deploy Mac is unique to your school. Depending on student needs and your curricula, the deployment should fit the use case. Some examples are:

• iPad 1:1 + Mac cart: great for media labs and creative projects
• iPad cart + Mac 1:1: special education classrooms where some students require different devices
• Mac 1:1: long-term creative or technical projects

Affordability is important, and a great benefit of the MacBook Neo. But a device also needs to enhance learning. The MacBook Neo offers features that extend its value beyond its cost. It makes the powerful features Mac delivers accessible in schools — Jamf makes sure it's secure and ready for learning.