Has Apple dropped the ball with its Gen Z marketing? I miss when the brand felt like a cool millennial uncle. Now, after the launch of the Gen Zified MacBook Neo, things have been a little different. What was once a classy, space grey affair has turned into TikTok memes and bountiful silliness, and some Apple purists aren’t happy.

On TikTok, the brand is hitting the college-age audience hard with silly videos of yearning MagSafe chargers and steamy MacBook Neo romance. 'This is why Apple is the best,' one commenter wrote, while another added, 'Love this team in charge of this account.' But over on X, the vibes aren’t so peachy.

Apple seems stuck between a rock and a hard place—keen to please its loyal fans who have stuck by across the decades, while still appearing accessible to the next generation. This 'random' Gen Z social media engagement style isn't without risks and striking the wrong balance can come across as desperate and cringe.

While brands like Duolingo have nailed the random lightning-fast pace of Gen Z culture, Apple's gentle soiree into this world still has a tinge of its signature slick decorum. Until it can let its metaphorical hair down, Apple will exist in a limbo where it can either sacrifice its legacy or attempt to keep up with trends.