The article argues that Apple should create a cheaper desktop, dubbed the “Mac Neo”, for people who want an affordable and capable macOS computer. Although the new Mac Mini is powerful, its $899 starting price and high-end specifications may be excessive for users who mainly browse the web and perform basic tasks.

Apple’s MacBook Neo reportedly demonstrates that an iPhone-derived chip can power a good-enough computer costing $699, suggesting a screenless desktop could sell for around $499. The proposed Mac Neo would use a small, fanless enclosure, a power supply, basic speakers and several ports, potentially in colourful designs, while providing a lower-cost alternative as Apple’s more powerful M-series Macs become increasingly expensive.