Side Project Spotlight

The Trio declares this an AI-free episode and dives into Apple's latest hardware announcements. Kotaro, Steve, and Aaron break down the new MacBook Neo, its surprisingly capable A18 chip, aluminum build, colorful design, and its potential to expand the Mac market at just $600. Then Steve takes The Trio on a deep dive into his increasingly desperate search for the perfect external monitor, weighing the refreshed Studio Display, the new Studio Display XDR, BenQ's upcoming 5K Mac monitor, Dell's 4K Thunderbolt hub display, and BenQ's programmer-focused 3:2 aspect ratio monitors. What follows is a lively debate over 120Hz refresh rates, macOS 4K scaling quirks, nano-texture vs. glossy glass, multi-monitor setups, MacBook Pro pricing strategies, and whether Kotaro and Aaron can convince Steve to just pick one already.

## Chapters

00:00 Introductions

01:48 MacBook Neo

18:31 The Studio Display (2026)

22:17 The Studio Display XDR

25:26 Understanding 120 Hertz Displays

27:49 Evaluating Cost vs. Performance in Monitors

29:24 Comparing Alternatives to the Studio Display

31:27 The BenQ Monitor: A Viable Contender

33:06 Dell 4K and macOS Scaling

36:43 BenQ Programmer Series Monitors

42:28 Multiple Monitors vs. One High-End Display

43:55 Navigating MacBook Pro Configurations

45:34 Understanding RAM and Pricing Strategies

48:11 Choosing the Right Display for Your Needs

53:33 A Digression About Apple Care Prices

55:53 A Monitor Intervention

01:00:30 Wrap-Up

01:00:58 One More Thing...

01:02:24 Tag

## Show Notes

- Apple announces new hardware including the MacBook Neo, refreshed Studio Display, and the new Studio Display XDR

- The MacBook Neo starts at $600 ($500 education), features an A18 chip, aluminum unibody, colorful options, and is capable enough for 4K video editing in Final Cut

- Touch ID is a $100 add-on: The Trio agree it's worth the upgrade

- The refreshed Studio Display gains Thunderbolt 5 and daisy-chaining support but remains 60Hz

- The Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299 with mini-LED backlighting, 120Hz ProMotion, and the stand included

- Steve's monitor search considers: Studio Display ($1,500 edu), Studio Display XDR ($3,200 edu), BenQ 5K Mac monitor (~$1,000), Dell 4K Thunderbolt hub (~$800), and BenQ RD280UG programmer monitor (~$700)

- Discussion of macOS 4K scaling issues: macOS renders at 5K and downsamples to 4K, which can cause artifacts

- The BenQ programmer monitor features a 3:2 aspect ratio (28"), 120Hz, dark/light mode presets, and a halo backlight, but weaker color reproduction

- Nano-texture vs. glossy glass: nano-texture reduces glare but can appear slightly fuzzy; standard glass is easier to clean

- Apple's MacBook Pro pricing now ties higher RAM options to higher chip tiers, effectively bundling price increases

- AppleCare One costs more per additional device ($6/mo) than standalone AppleCare Plus ($5/mo): a pricing quirk Steve finds baffling

- BentoFit, The Trio's health kit dashboard app, gets a plug: download it at bentofit.app

- Kotaro asks if this is the "Steve intervention podcast" as the monitor debate spirals. Aaron's rational choice? Buy the XDR and keep it for 10 years. Steve remains unconvinced. Stay tuned.

## Links

**MacBook Neo Reviews**

John Gruber (Daring Fireball): https://daringfireball.net/2026/03/the_macbook_neo

Tyler Stalman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-VOt9559Gk

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGeXGdYE7UE

Linus Tech Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSheV0FEYYU

**Displays**

ArtIsRight on nano-texture displays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzEmuA53LLE

**One More Thing**

AppJawn LLC: https://appjawn.com

Apps: Clipdish, Mio Vino, Minimalist Meditation Timer

**PhillyCocoa:** http://phillycocoa.org

Intro music: "When I Hit the Floor", © 2021 Lorne Behrman. Used with permission of the artist.