# 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.
- Title: It's time for the Mac Neo · The Verge | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: apple, mac mini, mac neo, a-series chip, desktop computer, macbook neo, pricing, product concept, budget mac, technology, culture, It's
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/report/998501/apple-mac-mini-m6-price-mac-neo-concept
- Author: Antonio G. Di Benedetto
- Published: 2026-09-22T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, mac mini, mac neo, a-series chip, desktop computer, macbook neo, pricing, product concept, budget mac, technology, culture
## 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.
## Key takeaway

A stripped-down Mac desktop using an A-series chip could cost around $499 and serve users who only need basic computing.