I think branding and reputation basically encapsulates all the build quality and support and stuff you mentioned. Non-technical consumers will see this, decide that it's probably better than a Chromebook, and be right.

There's a compelling value case here. It might well be my first Apple purchase.

Just not having a Celeron level chip is worth the difference...

Windows update on a Celeron chip makes it 100% utilisation with full boost.

I would actually rather but an Android phone than a laptop with a Celeron chip for the same price.

Resale value. You practically have to pay someone to take an open box chromebook. The secondary market for apple products lasts longer than apple’s software support.

Assuming the Neo is broadly available, which it very likely will be, the price will likely continue to come down. The used market will be strong on Neos. It's never really going to compete for the ultra-budget conscious market but that isn't Apple's playbook. It will compete VERY well for people that want the upmarket appeal of a Mac product which I think has enormous appeal. Probably the main thing this will do for the chromebook and low end windows market is they will go even cheaper to make the price jump for the Mac as noticeable as possible.