Apple announced a ton of new tech this week, from the iPhone 17E to speedy new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. By far, the affordable MacBook Neo is making the biggest splash. The 256GB model starts at $599, while the 512GB model costs $699.
But let’s be real. We’re all talking about the new colors. With silver, blush, citrus, and indigo on the table, we polled the CNET crew to see which shade actually wins the office beauty pageant.
Silver came in dead last. Makes sense, since that’s Apple’s default color, and most of us are looking for a tech glow-up. Despite the lower votes for standard silver, I’m sure the classic look will sell well. It’s predictable, but it’s also clean and fresh.
Among CNET staff, the other three colors got a lot more love, with citrus and indigo clearly edging ahead of the competition.
From top to bottom, the MacBook Neo comes in blush, silver, indigo or citrus.
Managing Editor Josh Goldman said that citrus was the favorite at the New York Apple event. But he’s personally not a fan: “It is a yellow-green. I don’t care for it.”
Senior Copy Editor Sarah McDermott also weighed in, calling citrus the “worst of both worlds.” McDermott opted for the blush, as did Goldman, who called it “subtle, changing from silver to pink, depending on the lighting.”
Senior Editor Lori Grunin wasn’t a fan of citrus, either: “Get your green out of my yellow. Also, of the colors, I like the pink best, but I think all-pink devices are ugly.” If Grunin were to buy a MacBook Neo, she’d go with the indigo.
The indigo color squeaked ahead to earn the most votes, and for good reason. It’s a calming shade and reminds me a lot of the iPhone 17 Pro in deep blue.
Senior Editor James Bricknell agreed that Neo’s citrus hue is “more like a lemon that’s not quite ripe,” rather than a bright yellow, but he stilled liked the citrus the best out of the lot. He added, “Full disclosure, my iPad is also yellow. It’s simply the most fun color that Apple makes.”
Citrus is my favorite of the four as well, and Bricknell and I both agreed the indigo is probably our second-favorite. While I’m not a big fan of pastels in general, I must say blush pink is a lovely shade.
It’s crystal clear that the Silver color is the worst.
In the end, indigo took the top spot, garnering 38% of the vote. Citrus was close behind, with 35%. Blush earned a respectable 23% of the vote. And silver scored a measly 4% in total.
I, for one, miss the days of bold, bright colors. Everything has been getting washed out and pastel-ified for years, as if brands just want to be the LaCroix of colors.
I want Kool-Aid red back. I was a big fan of the Product (Red) collection, and I would have loved for the new releases to include some bright, saturated shades — and I’m not the only one in that camp.
Social Media Manager Faith Chihil wants those infamous translucent iBooks to make a comeback. Goldman noted that the days of plastic Apple laptops and desktops are likely done. Senior Writer Jeff Carlson jumped in, agreeing, “Yes, but what about transparent aluminum? (Which is real now!).” Now that’s an idea.
Watch this: Apple Gets It Right! Hands-on with MacBook Neo
You can preorder everything Apple has announced right now, with items launching officially on March 11.
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