Microsoft’s next gaming console, codenamed Project Helix, could be a game-changer that rivals Apple’s MacBook Neo in terms of market impact. According to insider Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID), the Helix will essentially be a powerful gaming PC in a console body, offering $2,000-$3,000 PC performance for a fraction of the price.
Microsoft’s next gaming console, codenamed Project Helix, could be a game-changer that rivals Apple’s MacBook Neo in terms of market impact. According to insider Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID), the Helix will essentially be a powerful gaming PC in a console body, offering $2,000-$3,000 PC performance for a fraction of the price.
This became known from the material of the Wccftech publication, which refers to the new issue of the Broken Silicon podcast.
The insider notes that Project Helix will feature the largest APU (hybrid processor) in console history, measuring over 400 square millimeters. It is manufactured using a 3-nanometer process technology based on AMD’s RDNA5 architecture.
«If Project Helix has a PC mode, it could be as revolutionary for mid-range and high-end PCs as the MacBook Neo was for budget laptops. Even if the console costs $1,200, it’s still at the level of a $2,000–3,000 gaming PC,» MLID claims.
This data is consistent with recent statements at the GDC 2026 conference. New Microsoft Gaming General Manager Asha Sharma confirmed that Project Helix will be a «performance leader» and will support both console Xbox games and PC projects. Xbox VP Jason Ronald added that the new system will be «an order of magnitude better» than the current generation of consoles.
A feature of the architecture is Microsoft’s refusal to deeply customize the graphics core. Using standard AMD solutions will allow developers to more easily adapt games for Windows. In addition, insiders say that Microsoft will allow third-party hardware manufacturers to release their own versions of consoles on this platform.
The final price of the device remains a matter of debate due to the shortage of RAM and SSDs, which is expected to last until 2026. Analysts suggest that the cost will exceed $1,000, which is high for consoles but competitive for the PC market.
Recall that in early March, Apple introduced an inexpensive MacBook Neo laptop with the A18 Pro chip, which first appeared in the iPhone 16 two years ago. It became a serious competitor to cheap Windows laptops, offering premium performance and energy efficiency at a mass-market price.
According to Moore’s Law Is Dead, Microsoft is planning a similar move in the gaming industry: to offer hardware that enthusiasts usually buy for a lot of money in the format of a more affordable serial device.
