[DigitalToday reporter Yoonseo Lee] Apple’s entry-level laptop, the "MacBook Neo", is drawing attention as a product that can boost perceived performance by changing settings without additional cost.

On April 12 (local time), IT outlet TechRadar pointed out that storage management, software updates, cleaning up background apps and port selection can directly affect the MacBook Neo’s performance.

The key is storage management. As free space on the drive shrinks, system responsiveness can also slow. Users can check available capacity in System Settings under "General > Storage" and use options such as optimizing storage, moving files to iCloud and automatically emptying the trash.

Updating the macOS operating system was also presented as a basic step. This is because performance improvements can come along with stronger security. Backups are needed before updating, and users can apply the latest version in System Settings under "General > Software Update".

A habit of using the device by closing only the lid without powering it off can also accumulate performance degradation. Shutting down the Mac can clear memory, remove unnecessary temporary files and cache, and restart heavy processes. Even without shutting down for a long time, restarting alone can deliver some similar effects. Because Apple automatically lowers performance as battery charge drops, shutting down can also help with battery management.

App management is also important. In many cases, closing a window does not fully quit an app, so unused apps should be completely closed to reduce system resource usage. Google Chrome was cited as an example of high memory and battery use, and assessments say switching to an alternative browser can make performance improvements noticeable more quickly.

The MacBook Neo’s USB-C ports differ in performance depending on location. The port near the trackpad is based on USB 2 and supports up to 480 Mbps, while the port near the hinge is based on USB 3.0 and supports up to 5 Gbps. Connecting devices where transfer speed matters, such as an external SSD, to the front port can make performance degradation more pronounced, so using the rear port is more advantageous.

Auto-start items are also something to check. In System Settings under "General > Login Items & Extensions", users can turn off unnecessary apps that launch automatically and background activity. The impact of extensions may be limited, but the more items that run constantly, the greater the burden on the device.

When unexplained slowdowns continue, Activity Monitor was presented as an alternative. It can be used to identify processes that consume excessive resources based on CPU, memory and storage usage. Users should quit items only when it is clear what they are, and caution is needed because forcing processes to quit can cause macOS errors.

Reducing visual effects is also an option. After the "Liquid Glass" redesign in macOS 26, transparency and animation effects increased, but users can lower the graphics processing burden by turning on Reduce Transparency and Reduce Motion in the Accessibility menu. This works by reducing transparency in menus and the Dock and simplifying some animations to free up resources.

Heat management is also a variable. The MacBook Neo is fanless, so sustained heavy work can lead to overheating and performance limits. External SSDs were mentioned as a way to supplement storage, while cooling pads or external cooling devices were cited as ways to curb heat.

The MacBook Neo is assessed as a product with significant room to improve the user experience through setting optimization and management even without adding hardware. That is because detailed factors, from storage and software to heat and peripheral connection methods, can directly affect perceived performance.

The ability to improve performance without additional spending is particularly meaningful in the entry-level product segment. Users are seen as being able to make better use of the MacBook Neo’s potential performance by first refining basic settings and their usage environment before considering upgrades.