Is this possible for another Neo desktop version ?
Apple's $399 Mac Neo is INSANE! Windows Users Should Be WORRIED...
Apple's $399 Mac Neo is INSANE! Windows Users Should Be WORRIED...
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$399 Mac Neo (cheaper Mini) ?
- Thread starter 4sallypat
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I can't see Apple giving a Mac Neo the same number of ports as the Mac mini - the Neo has just 2 USB-C and one of those is stuck at USB-2 speeds. Would mean adding additional hardware controllers (if it's even possible) which would bump the price up.
And removing the fan for a desktop device is just asking for trouble for anyone looking to push a desktop device for an extended length of time.
They'd be far better utilising the CPU in an Apple TV Pro (which would be perfectly happy with a single USB-C at best) - but realistically what I'm asking Apple to do is allow tvOS to be installed on any older ARM hardware.
Other than that, a more sensible 'base' spec would possibly involve sharing a case design with a redesigned Apple TV (we're not meddling with a port-filled Mac mini) and going with at most 2 USB-C ports (like the MacBook Neo).
After all, if an A17 Pro Apple TV with 128Gb of storage and ethernet port is worth 249 USD (after the massive price increase), why not launch that and an A19 Pro box which starts at 256Gb for an extra 150 USD to cover the price of storage and a couple of USB-C ports (which would charge controllers when used on Apple TV). And for me, a new design would bring the fan back that's strangely missing from Apple TV 4K mk3.
And both would be made with polycarbonate shell which would be friendlier for wifi.
Both would include the Thread Radios which Apple have been adding for years secretly to ARM CPUs since after the M1.
This guy made a mistake in his video as he says the Mac mini M4 is now 799 with 512Gb storage - 799 is for 256Gb.
I can't see Apple giving a Mac Neo the same number of ports as the Mac mini - the Neo has just 2 USB-C and one of those is stuck at USB-2 speeds. Would mean adding additional hardware controllers (if it's even possible) which would bump the price up.
And removing the fan for a desktop device is just asking for trouble for anyone looking to push a desktop device for an extended length of time.
They'd be far better utilising the CPU in an Apple TV Pro (which would be perfectly happy with a single USB-C at best) - but realistically what I'm asking Apple to do is allow tvOS to be installed on any older ARM hardware.
Other than that, a more sensible 'base' spec would possibly involve sharing a case design with a redesigned Apple TV (we're not meddling with a port-filled Mac mini) and going with at most 2 USB-C ports (like the MacBook Neo).
After all, if an A17 Pro Apple TV with 128Gb of storage and ethernet port is worth 249 USD (after the massive price increase), why not launch that and an A19 Pro box which starts at 256Gb for an extra 150 USD to cover the price of storage and a couple of USB-C ports (which would charge controllers when used on Apple TV). And for me, a new design would bring the fan back that's strangely missing from Apple TV 4K mk3.
And both would be made with polycarbonate shell which would be friendlier for wifi.
Both would include the Thread Radios which Apple have been adding for years secretly to ARM CPUs since after the M1.
Omega Mac
macrumors 6502a
I was sent the YT link recently too.
A powerful start for Ternus if he launches something like this as CEO during his first address at WWDC, a totally new product segment through re-inveniotn, a stellar move a strong signal that Apple really is back and hopefully it can't run all the new Siri/AI casue it wont' have enough ram! 😂
I can see a whole cult around this tiny box, seeing how far they can push it and what it can be made do.
Let's see, nothing like a good hardware rumour run up in the build up to WWDC. 🥳
Omega Mac
macrumors 6502a
Also if you search this you will see variation of this rumours and differing spec., now I coudl be mistaken but this reddit post might have seeded the idea, unless there is an earlier source?
Here is an example of an April piece on the same idea from Apple Insider:
appleinsider.com
Here is an example of an April piece on the same idea from Apple Insider:
Mac Neo should be the follow up to the huge success of the MacBook Neo
Apple's Mac mini is in extremely short supply, under pressure because of demand for good AI hardware, and RAM shortages. M5 Mac minis are expected, but what about a MacBook Neo approach to a new Mac mini for people who want to get work done?
Yes, agree this Neo desktop Mini would be a great low cost entry into the Chromebox field but with a stunning performance.
Since my Neo Macbook is awesome for my uses, I'd venture to say if Apple can make the Neo Mini desktop a reality, it would certainly be a gamechanger.
Just hoping it would not cut into or cannibalize Mini sales...
Personally I'd call it the Mac Nano...
Either way, I am sure somebody at Apple is doing or has done that exact analysis: loss of gross profit on the cannibalized Mini sales versus gain from gross profit on the additional Mac Neo/Nano sales minus fixed R&D/tooling/distribution/product lifecycle support costs. Likely across all the permutations of various price points and hardware specs (with all the trade-offs of gross profit, cannibalization, etc). Supply chain constraints could also complicate the question if Nano/Neo production cannibalized production capacity of their other products (e.g. if there are not enough memory chips or A19 Pro to go around).
Yeah I like the name!
Considering how scarce the Mini has been, it makes sense for Apple to come up with an iPhone chipped alternative....
Omega Mac
macrumors 6502a
It won't be an issue if it remains around that price point, since there is nothing in that range yet, it opens up a whole new market that is not going ot fork out 1K on a Mac mini, this segment re-visits I think a kinda forgotten segment, but let's be honest it doesn't take much to up the mini prices, a few clicks and a full spec is over 7k in my part of the woods! So it's understandable to be concerned here.
A very fixed spec fixed price Mac mini Neo is going to have a particular appeal that will be hard to beat, because it might re-open a forgotten space of early computing yore.
It also might in part explain why the mini went up in price the way it did, anticipating by making space for the new Mac mini Neo price point, I know the entire range has increased but, there is now an genuine space there, for a awesome little box of tricks, particularly for children and there are only only 149 sleeps left till Christmas!
It would be a very easy buy in, many existing Mac users will just buy it for the shear novelty of the thing or client deployments where the thing is more than powerful enough, people who only iPhone might think actually that's kinda cool, and now feel like they can buy more into the whole package, and be a bit more computing mature or grown-up.
If you have one or more children who want a computer or you want to give them that desktop experience (as a counter to phone first). This would be it without a second thought. It would IMHO help birth a whole generation of new coders and so on at a particular age etc. just like older platforms did., there is a "big moment" to this, if it turns out to be a thing.
It would also be rather like a reverse console, you know when it use to be that consoles in the 80's / 90's was what the majority of children got first (post 8-bit), so they never had a keyboard or a bundled manual with basic, but now you can give them that whole big computer experience, at that price point, and consoles are now at the computer prices of the olden days. It would be a mega market table turn like no other.
I think I speak for all our 10 year old (inner childs), when I say what an awesome stocking filler it would be! 😅
Maybe much of this can be achieved with a Chromebox too but it's the last thing I'd consider giving when you have a house full of Macs. I can see more than one of these in stockings this year... "hey dad... you got one too in your stocking!", "Oh really, well isn't that something..." 😅
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Technerd108
macrumors 68040
Why not? Just like laptops a lot of desktop users are old school or older unless gamers. This demographic doesn't need a ton of power is they stream, browse, and get emails, maybe Facebook. That's it. So for this group, for young students, etc. A Neo desktop mini would be a great idea.
I think if Apple makes a Mini Neo that it will sell just as much, maybe even more than the Neo laptop due to low cost.
Having a $399 mac mini would be awesome and I am sure a lot of people will love it! If they release it with a newer chip and more ram these will sell out fast.
I think if Apple makes a Mini Neo that it will sell just as much, maybe even more than the Neo laptop due to low cost.
Having a $399 mac mini would be awesome and I am sure a lot of people will love it! If they release it with a newer chip and more ram these will sell out fast.