Budget Mac Showdown: Neo Laptop vs Mac mini M4 at $599
Tom’s Guide compares Apple's $599 MacBook Neo (13-inch, 8GB RAM, fanless) with the $599 Mac mini M4 (desktop M4, 16GB RAM) to help buyers decide between portability and desktop power. The Neo is portable and quiet but RAM isn’t upgradeable and its display/output options are limited; the Mac mini M4 packs a desktop-class chip, more RAM, and higher display flexibility (multi-monitor up to three displays, HDMI), delivering better multitasking and gaming performance. If you need portability, the Neo is a solid budget option; for desk use with multiple displays, the Mac mini M4 is the better buy, even though both cost the same.