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5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini

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Apple's Mac mini has long been a powerhouse in a compact form, offering impressive performance in a small package. With rumors swirling about a completely overhauled new model that is likely just days away from being announced, anticipation is building for what Apple has in store.

M4-Mac-mini-Silver-Perspective.jpg

From enhanced connectivity to major hardware upgrades, the upcoming Mac mini promises to bring significant improvements that make it more compelling than ever. Here are five reasons to get excited about the next generation of this beloved small form-factor desktop.

Major Redesign

Apple is planning to debut completely redesigned Mac mini models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new ‌Mac mini‌ will be the first major design change to the machine since 2010, and is expected to become Apple's smallest ever desktop computer. The slimmed down machine will retain its aluminum casing and be comparable in size to the Apple TV, though it is expected to be taller. Individuals working on the new device reportedly say that it is "essentially an iPad Pro in a small box."

5 USB-C Ports

According to Mark Gurman and a leaked Apple report, the next Mac mini is expected to come with five USB-C ports. Similar to the Mac Studio, two of these ports are anticipated to be positioned on the front. It's likely that some of these will support Thunderbolt 4, utilizing the same USB-C interface. However, the full set of five ports might only be available on the M4 Pro versions of the Mac mini.

M4 Chip

The next Mac mini will come in both M4 and M4 Pro configurations, a significant step up from the current M2 and M2 Pro models. Like the M3, the M4 is built on a 3nm process, but with enhancements from Apple supplier TSMC for improved performance and power efficiency. The M4 also includes an improved Neural Engine that fuels accelerated AI workloads. Apple says it is the company's most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second, so there's plenty of scope for faster compute speeds.

16GB Base RAM

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in August that Apple has tested four new Mac models equipped with an M4 chip, and all of them have either 16GB or 32GB of unified memory. The adequacy of 8GB of RAM in Macs has been a contentious issue for over a decade. That has left Apple open to criticism from users who believe that 8GB is not a sufficient amount of RAM for most creative professional workflows, so the news that 16GB is likely to be the new minimum will surely be a welcome development.

Apple Intelligence

Apple is expected to emphasize the artificial intelligence capabilities of the M4 chip series, and the first Apple Intelligence features are expected to arrive with the release of macOS Sequoia 15.1 on October 28, which is right around the time we are expecting a Mac mini announcement. The initial release will focus on new Siri features, Smart Replies in Mail and Messages, Priority messages in the Mail app, Memory Movie and Clean Up in Photos, and more, with additional features coming in phased updates over the next several months.

Release Timing

The new-look Mac mini is expected to be announced by Apple before the end of October, with a launch to follow in early November. In his latest word on the subject, Gurman said an "M4 Mac launch" is on Apple's schedule for next week, but he did not mention a specific day. What are you looking forward to about the overhauled model? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: 5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/23/5-reasons-get-excited-upcoming-mac-mini/
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We don't need small, we need usable.

If the new mini slides off the desk every time you try to plug in something then it is not usable. We need power. If the new mini throttles for every workload because it is so small and has terrible thermal characteristics, then it is not usable. Please Apple give us a real computer, not a redesigned iPad without a screen.
 
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A redesign is not in itself positive or a reason to be excited. The current design has worked for what a decade?

Removing USB-A ports is a bad move, people still need them for things like iLok.

Shrinking the mac mini to look like an Apple TV has one motive behind it: make it cheaper to build.

And they’ll charge the same or probably more than the current ones.
 
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I'm very curious. All sorts of things, I won't list.

I'll get one most likely. 16gb base is great, and will increase sales. An entry level version of this. with 16gb and 256gb, for around $500 to $600, would sell very well, imo. Reduction of the size will set a trend, and still retain it as the top contender.

That is, as long as it's black :)
 
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nt5672 said:
We don't need small, we need usable.

If the new mini slides off the desk every time you try to plug in something then it is not usable. We need power. If the new mini throttles for every workload because it is so small and has terrible thermal characteristics, then it is not usable. Please Apple give us a real computer, not a redesigned iPad without a screen.
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Sounds like what you need is a Mac Studio, and not a Mini. There are absolutely use cases for micro computers, and just because yours doesn't seem to be one, doesn't me "we" don't need it.
 
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LionTeeth said:
Removing USB-A ports is a bad move, people still need them for things like iLok.
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There are cheap adapters available. USB-A to USB-C or USB-C to USB-A. I have a couple of each. I keep a portable multi-port adapter with my laptop that supports both interfaces. I have had no issue using USB-C or USB-A.

I prefer that USB-A be eliminated from the Mac mini. The USB-C ports are smaller thus there is room for more ports on the case.
 
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That will be a day 1 purchase for me.

My home automation software and eight video cameras are currently running off a 2019 Intel Mac Mini 24/7 (for the last five years). An M4 Mini will significantly increase the video processing performance of my security cameras while likely reducing the power dissipation.

Five USB-C ports with one on the front would be great.
 
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nt5672 said:
We don't need small, we need usable.

If the new mini slides off the desk every time you try to plug in something then it is not usable. We need power. If the new mini throttles for every workload because it is so small and has terrible thermal characteristics, then it is not usable. Please Apple give us a real computer, not a redesigned iPad without a screen.
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Considering how Apple almost without exception equates more size and higher price to "higher specs, premium, pro", and vice-versa, and defiantly wants all product line-ups to have three, well-defined tiers, I fear this mini overhaul will disappoint the "Pro mini"-enthusiasts greatly.

Yes, I hear the rumors and have some hope.

But while everyone is getting hyped, I'm not forgetting the "essentially an iPad Pro M4 in a tiny box" phrase that Gurman and leakers were using a few months ago.

Is there any current line-up, besides the Macs, where there is a Pro chip in an entry-level product? No, only the more expensive M2 Pro mini is a "budget but 'Pro'" product.

I can't help think this is Apple making the mini lower priced and less value/$ than ever before. The "SE-efication" of the mini.

I hope I'm dead wrong. Or, that besides an " Mac mini 'SE'", there's also a significantly more expensive " Mac mini 'Pro'" option. Fingers crossed!
 
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nt5672 said:
We don't need small, we need usable.

If the new mini slides off the desk every time you try to plug in something then it is not usable. We need power. If the new mini throttles for every workload because it is so small and has terrible thermal characteristics, then it is not usable. Please Apple give us a real computer, not a redesigned iPad without a screen.
Click to expand...
ugh, my thoughts exactly, imagine it's 'so gorgeously small and light' and moves around every time you plug something in or out. That would be absolutely terrible, would boil my piss that.
 
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nt5672 said:
We don't need small, we need usable.

If the new mini slides off the desk every time you try to plug in something then it is not usable. We need power. If the new mini throttles for every workload because it is so small and has terrible thermal characteristics, then it is not usable. Please Apple give us a real computer, not a redesigned iPad without a screen.
Click to expand...
That's a good point. They say it will be similar in size to the Apple TV. I've heard that the current Apple TV overheats and throttles more easily under load than the previous model due to the fan being removed.
 
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With the 5 usb-c ports does that mean I could run up to 3 monitors? Trying to replace my 2017 iMac with something. since they no longer sell large screen iMacs.

Any chance I’d be able to use my old iMac in target mode?
 
Sweet! Once I'm ready to buy a new Mac Mini, I may go with the regular M4 model with 32 GB of RAM, rather than the Pro-level option. It'd still be a significant boost from my M1 MacBook Air (that I'll still use when on the go and such). And as for the USB-C ports, I can easily hook my CalDigit TS3-Plus dock to the Mini and still be able to get USB-A ports. I'll still likely be using my old Apple Thunderbolt Display with it until I've made enough to buy a new UHD monitor (preferably one with built-in speakers and USB ports, likely one made by Dell or LG or Samsung).
 
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Dorv said:
Sounds like what you need is a Mac Studio, and not a Mini. There are absolutely use cases for micro computers, and just because yours doesn't seem to be one, doesn't me "we" don't need it.
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No, because the gap between the mini and the Studio is too large.

The Mac mini M2 Pro was a decent step towards something in-between entry-level and mid/high-end.

Apple is infamous for making the low-end and mid-tier products too low value and performance that those who just need a little more than budget/mid-tier are forced to go "Pro" even if their needs are not "Pro" but just more than budget/mid-tier.

Yes, that's Apple's business model, forcing the consumer up the value/$ ladder and offering peanuts for anyone who can't/won't pay up.

But the need for something between the Studio and mini is there, regardless of whether one doesn't want to or cannot pay for a Mac Studio or Mac Pro.
 
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TouchMint.com said:
With the 5 usb-c ports does that mean I could run up to 3 monitors? Trying to replace my 2017 iMac with something. since they no longer sell large screen iMacs.

Any chance I’d be able to use my old iMac in target mode?
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Just because it has the ports doesn't mean it will support 3 monitors. We'll have to wait and see to find out.
 
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I bought the mini M2 Pro earlier this year. So I'm not planning to upgrade anytime soon. But I'm still curious what Apple's vision is for the future of the mini. I'm also very glad, that they haven't abandoned the form factor yet. Hopefully they did not skimp on ports as has been rumoured. Can't have enough of them if you ask me.
 
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"excited"? It's a computer. It either fulfills a need or is ideal to a task, or it isn't.

I don't get the need for everything in the Apple universe to be about anticipation and excitement like some kind of cult baptism. They're just electronics.
 
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Hmmmm.... Tempted, but my 16gig M2 Mini is only a year old, and while I do push it to the limit at times, I don't really feel the NEED for more power - yet.

Probably too early to upgrade, sadly...
 
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MilaM said:
Agree 100%. A Studio is complete overkill for my needs. The base on the other hand had serious drawbacks because of RAM and small SSD storage.
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I would consider a Studio if they'd include a user accessible NVMe slot

I do not want my "desktop computer" to need dongles, adapters, USB or TB external drives

It's just such a regression on aesthetics and efficiency and the opposite of what I want for desktop computing.
 
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