Apple should make a Mac Neo to fill the void left by the more expensive Mac mini

A modest proposal for Apple to add a lower-cost option to its Mac lineup. Apple should make a Mac Neo to fill the void left by the more expensive Mac mini. Not only is it affordable, but it packs an enormous amount of power into a tiny package, especially with Apple Silicon’s ability to run AI models locally.

If there’s a wrinkle, it’s that the Mac mini now starts at $899, pushing its price much higher than what we’re used to. It got me thinking that Apple could really do with making a new, low-cost desktop Mac that could fill the space vacated by the mini’s ever-increasing price. The Mac mini is one of the smartest products in Apple’s lineup, and one of its most enduring.

Born in 2005, it was the cheapest and easiest way to dip a toe into the Mac world for a mainstream that was just warming up to Apple. The iPod was just three years old, Windows was king and Apple was still recovering from its ’90s slump. The "Get A Mac" ads wouldn’t start for another year, and the $499 Mac mini was a small, well-made (if underpowered) machine you could hook up to your existing keyboard, mouse and display.

Apple yesterday announced the new Mac mini and Mac Studio, and pre-orders have begun on each device ahead of their September 22 launch date. We aren’t currently tracking any straight cash discounts on pre-orders, but Best Buy is offering some money back in the form of Best Buy rewards when ordering.

Apple launched a new Mac mini yesterday with M6 and M5 Pro chips, and reports online show that recent, backordered M4 purchases are being upgraded for free to the new model. Apple upgrading recent Mac mini orders to M6, M5 Pro models for free.

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Apple announces updated Mac mini, here’s everything new Chance Miller Aug 25 2026.

Specifically, My Best Buy Plus and Total members will get 2% back in the form of Best Buy rewards with the pre-order of a new Mac mini or Mac Studio. This offers runs through September 22 and is available to new and existing My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members, which starts at $29.99/year.

Note: My Best Buy Plus/Total members only. 2% BACK IN REWARDS Mac mini/Mac Studio Pre-Orders at Best Buy You can find out more about everything Apple announced yesterday in our dedicated post.

This also includes the new polishing cloth and a few updates to the Magic Keyboards. Mac mini M6 16GB/256GB – $899.00 M6 16GB/512GB – $1,099.00 M6 24GB/512GB – $1,299.00 M5 Pro 24GB/512GB – $1,699.00 Mac Studio M5 Max 36GB/512GB – $2,499.00 M5 Ultra 96GB/1TB – $5,499.00 If you’re on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026. Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, " Pre-Ordering a Mac Mini or Mac Studio.

Here’s How to Get Money Back at Best Buy " first appeared on com Discuss this article in our forums. Pre-Ordering a Mac Mini or Mac Studio? Here’s How to Get Money Back at Best Buy.