Neo desktop????

[Davidnow]

I have an old iMac 2012 which I've had since new. I only use it for web browsing, email , etc.
I do not need high powered machine and the specs of the new MacBook neo sound great to me but I don't need laptop. Id like

- desktop
- budget cost
- macOS not Windows

Do you think there will be a desktop 'Neo' type machine available sometime soon, or is there already something I should be looking at.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think it will be several more years until we see a desktop Neo equivalent.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Assuming you mean macOS (iPhones run iOS), they make one: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

 

[Davidnow]

Yes, I meant macOS .(Updated)..... Thanks

 

[waw74]

I'm assuming the Neo supports clamshell mode like the rest of the Macs.

if you hook a monitor, keyboard and mouse to it, you can use it with the laptop closed. It also needs to be connected to power to work this way.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get an m4 Mini and be done with it.

Then use any display you want. I'd suggest 27" 4k.

If price is an issue, I'd suggest the Apple online refurbished store. I bought the m4 Mini I'm using now from them, works great.

However, I would recommend that you order it with 512gb of SSD storage instead of the base model's 256...

 

[4sallypat]

Until Apple designs one, look at a pre-owned M1 or M2 Mini - they will blow away any Intel Mini.

 

[Alameda]

I have an old iMac 2012 which I've had since new. I only use it for web browsing, email , etc.
I do not need high powered machine and the specs of the new MacBook neo sound great to me but I don't need laptop. Id like

- desktop
- budget cost
- macOS not Windows

Do you think there will be a desktop 'Neo' type machine available sometime soon, or is there already something I should be looking at.

I think you would be much better off with a Mac Mini and a basic 27” 4K monitor. Yes, you will have to pay about $200-$250 for the monitor and you’ll need to buy a keyboard/mouse either way.

BUT… you’ll have double the storage, double the memory, a much faster CPU, and a far larger display. The base Mac Mini costs the same as a base Neo.

 

[theluggage]

Do you think there will be a desktop 'Neo' type machine available sometime soon

Nobody knows for sure, but I doubt it.

The ~13" laptop market is huge, with lots of opportunity for "economies of scale". Before the Neo, Apple had nothing to offer there below $1000, so a $600 MacBook is a big deal.

The desktop market is a lot more niche with possibly 1/10 of the sales volume. The Mac Mini is already fairly affordable at $600, and a lot of potential customers will already have a display, keyboard and mouse to use (a 4k TV and a cheap PC keyboard/mouse set will do in a pinch).

If you want something on the cheap, maybe look for a refurb Apple Silicon Mini and a 27" 4k display.

Luckily, you have a pre-Retina 2012 iMac so you haven't been spoiled for life by a 5k screen (you may even be able to use "target display mode" to use your iMac as a 1440p display, but a 4k@27" will look better, even in scaled mode).

If your old iMac is the 21.5" version then maybe look at refurb Apple Silicon 24" iMacs.

I wouldn't consider the Neo as a "desktop replacement" laptop - the I/O and external display support isn't up to snuff, and if you're going to rely on an external display anyway the Mini gives you far more computer for the same money.

 

[maflynn]

Do you think there will be a desktop 'Neo' type machine available sometime soon, or is there already something I should be looking at.

You mean like a Mac Mini for 499 on the EDU store

 

[Davidnow]

I think you would be much better off with a Mac Mini and a basic 27” 4K monitor. Yes, you will have to pay about $200-$250 for the monitor and you’ll need to buy a keyboard/mouse either way.

BUT… you’ll have double the storage, double the memory, a much faster CPU, and a far larger display. The base Mac Mini costs the same as a base Neo.

Thanks, this looks a good way forward.

I see mac mini M1 refurbished on Amazon at a good price. As I say I only need for web browsing, email, light word processing.

I like the sound of a 27 inch monitor and happy to buy one.

What is the spec of the monitor I will require and what cable will I need ?

The only monitor I have now is one with old style ( is it VGA ?) input. Can that work ?

 

[Alameda]

Thanks, this looks a good way forward.

I see mac mini M1 refurbished on Amazon at a good price. As I say I only need for web browsing, email, light word processing.

I like the sound of a 27 inch monitor and happy to buy one.

What is the spec of the monitor I will require and what cable will I need ?

The only monitor I have now is one with old style ( is it VGA ?) input. Can that work ?

I would recommend a 27 inch 4K60 display with DisplayPort support.

There are two type of DisplayPort connectors used on monitors: The traditional connector, which is large and rectangular, and USB Type C

The Mac will have a USB Type C connector. So depending on your monitor, you will need a USB-C to ISB-c cable, or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable.

If you need USB-C to USB-C, make sure it is NOT a charging cable. You need a cable which can support the high speed DisplayPort signal, and charging cables won’t do it.

 

[M4th]

The only monitor I have now is one with old style ( is it VGA ?) input. Can that work ?

If you do want to try your monitor, a cable like this should do the trick. I'd say you'd be happier with a newer monitor, though.

Rtings has some suggestions, but rule of thumb get the best you can afford.

 

[chrfr]

I would recommend a 27 inch 4K60 display with DisplayPort support.

There are two type of DisplayPort connectors used on monitors: The traditional connector, which is large and rectangular, and USB Type C

The Mac will have a USB Type C connector. So depending on your monitor, you will need a USB-C to ISB-c cable, or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable.

If you need USB-C to USB-C, make sure it is NOT a charging cable. You need a cable which can support the high speed DisplayPort signal, and charging cables won’t do it.

Mac minis have HDMI ports, so there's no need to get DisplayPort or USB-C displays with them.

 

[Davidnow]

Thanks for all the replies .... Much appreciated.

I've been looking on Amazon.co.uk and think I'll get a Mac mini 1 with compatible wireless keyboard/mouse.

I have seen a 27 inch 4k monitor available on sale in UK at an attractive price.

AOC U27B3A​

Would this be a sensible choice , and what cable would I need to connect with the Mac mini ?​

 

[maflynn]

AOC U27B3A​

Would this be a sensible choice , and what cable would I need to connect with the Mac mini ?​

I have no knowledge of this monitor, but googling it, you get HDMI ports, so you'd need a hdmi cable.

Here's some links I found egarding that monitor

AOC Presents 27" U27B3A and U27B3AF, Affordable 4K Monitors with IPS Panels

Display specialist AOC is excited to unveil two new ultra-high definition (UHD) monitors designed for home and office users: the 27" (68.6 cm) AOC U27B3A and U27B3AF. These monitors offer exceptional clarity and vivid colours, making them perfect for a wide range of daily tasks, from spreadsheet...

www.techpowerup.com

AOC just rewrote the rules on 4K monitor prices

Gaming performance isn't top priority of the U27B3A and U27B3AF, but if you're looking for a cheap 4K monitor, you can't go far wrong with these options.

www.pcgamesn.com

 

[wyliej]

A desktop would need more connectivity than the Neo has. Figure on USB (2.0 at least) for a keyboard, mouse, and camera. Plus, some way to connect one or more monitors (HDMI, most likely) external storage (would need at least USB 3.0), ethernet (ideally 10Gbps or faster), and a different power supply.

I think that it would be neat, too, but the current base model Mac Mini is reasonably priced and is better in every spec than the Neo. It's really a bargain for what it is.

 

[theluggage]

A desktop would need more connectivity than the Neo has. Figure on USB (2.0 at least) for a keyboard, mouse, and camera. Plus, some way to connect one or more monitors (HDMI, most likely) external storage (would need at least USB 3.0), ethernet (ideally 10Gbps or faster), and a different power supply.

Worst case - say this has the same I/O as the Neo & lacks an internal power supply - except the Neo Mini doesn't have a built-in display, so probably both of the ports could offer video.

1 x USB C 3.0 + charge + video
1 x USB C 2.0 + charge + video

Best solution, get a USB-C display so a single cable will provide power and give you some downstream USB-2 ports. Better still if you can plug this into the USB 2 port to leave your USB-3 port open.

Second best solution - use a HDMI display via the Apple USB-C to AV multiport adapter which gives you a HDMI port, replicates a USB-C charge port and gives you a USB 2 port into the bargain. Or, any of the many, many multiport adapters or USB-C hubs on the market.

You've still got the second USB-C port for external storage etc. Bluetooth for keyboard/mouse *plus* both the above options give you an extra USB-2 port or two. Velcro it to the back of a cheap USB-C display and you've got an ersatz iMac...

That's assuming that not having the internal keyboard, trackpad and webcam doesn't free up enough I/O for an extra USB port.

Would I put up with a Mac with such limited I/O? Heck, no - but it would be a working system if they could offer it for $200-$300 or so. Being worse than the M4 Mac Mini is part of the product brief.

Not saying it's remotely likely - as I've posted before, the Mini is already niche compared to the MacBook range - people prefer laptops these days, Apple wouldn't get the huge volumes of sales to justify a really low price and the smaller sales across the Mini range (c.f. the MB Air) would be more vulnerable to cannibalisation.

 

[Mrbobb]

The only monitor I have now is one with old style ( is it VGA ?) input. Can that work ?

VGA technology is too old and can't do 4K which is the recommended minimum resolution these days.

 

[Davidnow]

Thanks for all the replies .... Much appreciated.

I've been looking on Amazon.co.uk and think I'll get a Mac mini 1 with compatible wireless keyboard/mouse.

I have seen a 27 inch 4k monitor available on sale in UK at an attractive price.

AOC U27B3A​

Would this be a sensible choice , and what cable would I need to connect with the Mac mini​

 

[Davidnow]

Thanks everyone,
I have purchased a refurbished Mac M1 mini together with 2 x 27 inch 4k monitors and Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

The installation and migration from my old iMac was very straightforward and I'm very pleased with my new setup.

The only minor problem I have come across so far is that the scanner function on my all in one printer is not working, but I'll look into that.

the 2 monitor setup is excellent.

 

[ignatius345]

I have purchased a refurbished Mac M1 mini together with 2 x 27 inch 4k monitors and Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.

Nice. Even now the M1s are quite capable little machines. And now that you’ve invested in the monitors and input devices, it’ll be comparatively cheap/easy to upgrade the Mini itself down the road.