Product Positioning...

Apple is doing everything they can to ensure it doesn't appear as a premium product.

A decade ago, they had the 12" MacBook (not Air, just "MacBook") it it felt super premium because it was lighter and smaller than any Air/Pro ... and used by executives (because it targeted that use case).

By having this product:

- called "Neo"

- thicker

- as heavy

- limiting RAM

And marketing this towards kids and lower grades, they are avoiding any mistaking this product as premium.