From The Verge · Antonio G. Di Benedetto · · 1m 10s
It's time for the Mac Neo
Apple should build a cheap desktop Mac with a phone chip to fill the gap left by the $899 Mac Mini.
In brief
Apple should build a cheap desktop Mac with a phone chip to fill the gap left by the $899 Mac Mini. A stripped-down Mac desktop using an A-series chip could cost around $499 and serve users who only need basic computing. Originally reported by The Verge.
Mac Mini got too expensive
The Mac Mini now starts at $899 with an M6 chip that's overkill for basic web browsing and everyday tasks.
Phone chips work for laptops
The MacBook Neo uses an iPhone chip and costs $699, proving A-series processors can handle everyday computing without desktop-class power.
A desktop version could be cheap
A screenless Mac with a phone chip, power supply, and basic ports shouldn't cost much more than a MacBook Neo, potentially around $499.
“It's a screenless phone with a couple of USB ports, Michael. What could it cost? $499?”
Could be tiny or reuse existing design
Apple could make it smaller than the Mac Mini or repurpose the Apple TV 4K chassis, add some ports and colors.
MacBook Neo proved the concept works
The MacBook Neo showed that a lower-cost Mac can be both viable and great, so a desktop version could succeed the same way.
The big picture
A stripped-down Mac desktop using an A-series chip could cost around $499 and serve users who only need basic computing.
