Apple is reportedly considering the release of a budget desktop computer, the Mac Neo, priced at just $299. If the information is confirmed, this would be the cheapest Mac in history. However, there are serious caveats to this rumor.
Apple will have another cheap computer
Budget Mac Neo Specifications
According to the source, the Mac Neo (or Mac mini Neo) will feature the A19 Pro chip — the same one used in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. This would be the same binned chip that the company uses in the MacBook Neo. RAM will be 12 GB. The case will be plastic and compact, and total power consumption won’t exceed 35 W.
Mac Neo may come in colorful cases. Image: ixbt.com
For connectivity — two USB Type-C ports with transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module may be optional. This means that the base version might not have wireless connectivity — an unusual decision for 2026.
It’s important to understand: Apple has not officially confirmed the existence of the Mac Neo. The source is a Chinese publication, and none of the major Western insiders (such as Mark Gurman from Bloomberg) have mentioned this specific model yet.
How Much Will the Mac Neo Cost
The Mac Neo is expected to cost around $299 — significantly cheaper than the Mac mini, which starts at approximately $599. At that price, Apple would clearly be targeting users with limited budgets and a portion of the Windows mini-PC market.
However, $299 is an unrealistic price, analysts say. According to other reports, the Mac Neo may start at $399, with the $299 price available only as a student and educator discount. This seems more plausible: that’s exactly how Apple already works with the MacBook Neo, where the regular price is $599 and the education price is $499.
The source itself (Fast Technology) notes that given current memory prices, the information “may seem somewhat doubtful.” In other words, even the leaker isn’t confident about the final price.
MacBook Neo — Apple’s First Cheap Computer
Apple introduced the MacBook Neo on March 4, 2026 — pre-orders opened immediately, and deliveries began on March 11. The starting price was $599 for the 256 GB version, while $699 gets you 512 GB and Touch ID.
Apple already has a budget device and it became popular
The MacBook Neo uses the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro and became the first publicly available Mac running an A-series processor rather than the familiar M-series. The laptop turned out to be a “mass success” — high demand prompted Apple to negotiate with suppliers about expanding chip production.
It’s precisely the success of the MacBook Neo that makes the idea of a desktop Mac Neo logical. During the production of A19 Pro chips for the iPhone 17 Pro, specimens with defective cores inevitably appear, and Apple could use these “rejected” processors in the Mac Neo. This is standard practice in the semiconductor industry: disable the non-functioning core and put the chip in a less demanding device.
Differences Between Mac Neo and Mac mini
The current Mac mini is the most affordable Mac, starting at $599. Inside — M4 or M4 Pro chips, Thunderbolt 4 or 5 ports, up to 64 GB of RAM, and up to 8 TB SSD storage. The case is aluminum, measuring 12.7 by 12.7 cm.
Mac mini is much more powerful and looks more premium
The Mac Neo, according to the leak, is a completely different story:
- An iPhone chip instead of M-series (weaker in multi-threaded tasks, but sufficient for basic scenarios)
- 12 GB of RAM instead of 16 GB
- A plastic case instead of aluminum
- Only two USB-C ports without Thunderbolt
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth possibly at an extra cost
Essentially, this is a computer for those who need an affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem: internet, documents, video calls, and streaming. Roughly the same tasks the MacBook Neo handles, only in a desktop format and cheaper.
Should You Wait for Mac Neo or Buy Mac mini Now
If the Mac Neo does appear, its target audience will be narrow but specific:
- Students who need a Mac for studying but have a limited budget
- Those who want to try macOS without a major investment
- iPhone and iPad users who want a computer within a unified ecosystem
- Office tasks: email, browser, documents, messengers
iPhone processors are inferior to the M-series in raw performance, but the MacBook Neo proved that for tasks most people need — opening apps, web browsing — they are more than sufficient.
Mac Neo’s design will resemble a plastic Apple TV
However, for serious video work, development, large spreadsheets, and running dozens of apps simultaneously, the Mac mini with M4 will remain the more sensible choice. The price difference may not be that significant — especially if the Mac Neo launches at $399 rather than $299.
Mini PCs at the price of Mac Neo
We’re dealing with an insider report from a single source that itself admits the final price could be different. Apple has not commented on the Mac Neo, and Western analysts estimate the starting price to be closer to $399. Nevertheless, after the success of the MacBook Neo, the idea of a budget desktop Mac seems entirely plausible.
