5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Nanotape is available and not even expensive.

Sufficiently able to prevent movement that my front door mat has been held in position for many months with four tiny bits.

Thanks. I 100% understand that we can readily buy other stuff including clamps and various kinds of presses that would hold anything so solidly a linebacker couldn't move in a full speed tackle. I'm not confused about the impossibility about how to avoid a "desktop" potentially made too light & small from moving.

The incredulousness is in having to think about any such solutions... and then people just rolling with the idea that anyone worried about this SHOULD be taping/gluing/affixing/clamping/etc a DESKTOP computer down.

I see little fault with the existing design. I understand there was a lot of unused space inside but the alternative to shrinking it to a fat AppleTV size might be to repurpose that space for other consumer utility... like maybe adding a few m.2 slots for the option to have big storage inside at market rates. The existing size is big enough to not worry as much about being pulled off a desk so easily.

But hey, Apple is going there, so we just accept it and then sling ideas at each other how to lock down a cute, little form factor... or pretend there's nothing to worry about at all... as we've done many times before such as when Apple rolled out fusion drives and some were worried about the little SSD side burning out before life of device. That too had abundant defense and now there are plenty of threads with failed SSD-sides of Fusion drives and the remedy offered is "buy a new Mac." Same here I guess. When it accidentally slips off the desk and is perhaps damaged beyond repair, just "buy a a new Mac."

 

[Jordan Klein]

not buying until there are more usbc ports than gigs of RAM.

That'd be the special 5 port, 4 GB model. Starting at $1499!

 

[ELman]

"Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second"
Still not enough to be certified as a Windows Co-Pilot PC. They require at least 40.

 

[washablemarkers]

Can't wait to hear about how the new form factor means it's ready for Apple Intelligence.

 

[nonns]

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.

If it’s that small stick Velcro on the bottom and Velcro it to a strip on your desk

 

[turbineseaplane]

Can't wait to hear about how the new form factor means it's ready for Apple Intelligence.

Smaller box for the smaller brain of "Apple Intelligence" 😆

 

[AstroRexaur]

I think I’ll replace my AppleTV with this MacMini haha

 

[turbineseaplane]

I think I’ll replace my AppleTV to this MacMini haha

An interesting point and idea -- I hope it has HDMI 2.1 and can support Dolby Vision

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Yeah...the sky is falling. Again.

As opposed to "practically perfect in every way?"

I can respect your remarkable and consistently-steadfast support for seemingly every decision Apple makes. Bravo. But as someone else, I have my own opinions. Sometimes those align with Apple and sometimes those won't. And since I'm the owner of my opinions, they are at least as fine to contribute to a conversation about Apple products. Those seeing my opinions or yours are free to take 'em or leave 'em.

I actually DO NOT KNOW if this thing will be so light. But I do know that Apple has a long history of just loving to spin "thinner/smaller AND lighter." like that is some huge benefit. For mobile tech, there's some merit to the "lighter" portion but this is presumably not a laptop alternative for mobile use. Or maybe that's the goal here?

So I expect an AppleTV-sized Mac Micro to be considerably lighter. The existing one is already fairly light and I have ready experience with both it and plenty of AppleTVs... the latter of which can move by simply a well-insulated (thick) HDMI cable wanting to revert to its original shape. Nobody would need to touch it at all. If I positioned it near the edge of the shelf and bent the HDMI cable, I could just wait a while and it would tumble with no contact whatsoever.

I fear that this "smallest ever" and presumably "lightest ever" Mac Micro may have the very same issue too... and if so, that seems worthy of contributing to a conversation about it. Maybe the base will be made of thick lead and it will be heavier than the existing one... or maybe it will ship with a heavy "footer"/hub. All TBD. We're speculating about rumors. Anything is possible. It may have fall detection and airbags that pop out to save it as it falls.

But from what I've seen in rumors, it looks like the ever-sharpening speculation is what might be called a modestly taller AppleTV case. If so, I think the weight worry is at least a worthy concern as a consumer interested in a desktop. It is not my job or presumably yours to try to help maximize Apple's sales.

There's no "sky is falling" extremism here- just a fellow APPLE consumer expressing his own opinion about something that seems apparent from accumulated rumors. You and I have had time in many Vpro threads arguing FOR the potential of Vpro against a tsunami of contempt and disdain for that product, so I'm not the "sky is falling" type. However, I'm also not the "practically perfect in every way" type either. When I like something they are doing, I say that and when I don't, I say that too.

I hope this new Mini is great in every way. I worry that what I see as a gimmick of making Mini go Micro comes with some shortcomings like easily falling off desktops with only a bit of catalyst(s) to make that happen. We'll all see soon enough.

 

[macdaddy43]

Price point, needs to remain the same.

Based on Apple history, IIRC anytime Apple has redesigned anything, the price has always increased. Correct me if I am wrong but at least in the past 8-10 years that’s been the case? I don’t see this remaining the same price. $100 increase at least across the board for the Mac Mini

 

[webkit]

Because third party sellers have big sales- better than Apple- and they generally stock only a few base models. So finally, there will be an opportunity to buy a new Mini at a discounted price and not end up with too little RAM in 2020+.

Consumers want value. Sure they could configure it that way already... but then they pay way, wayyyyyyyyyyy up at the lone, "Company Store" pricing to do so.

Apple doesn't usually discount but you can buy Mac minis with 16GB RAM from Apple Authorized Resellers today at a discount. For example, B&H offers a 16GB Mac mini for $729 ($70 off).

I just don't see this as something to get "excited" about especially if it's just due to anticipated pricing/sales; and pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

 

[tubular]

I’m writing this on an M2 Pro mini, which is a great machine. I’m not in the market for a new machine, given that my current one is only about 18 months old. I’m also not very persuaded about the new form factor. Heating? Port constraint? We’ll have to see. Maybe this is good for an entry-level, but what will they have that corresponds to the M2 Pro level?

This sounds like Apple going back to the time circa 2016 when they “fixed” everything about their laptops by breaking it.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

The reason i'm looking forward to a new design is to see if Apple finally fixed the BT issues with past Mini's. I own several of them and even with Apple magic keyboard and magic trackpads, I still deal with random disconnects and reconnects and there are no other BT devices just those two.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The reason i'm looking forward to a new design is to see if Apple finally fixed the BT issues with past Mini's. I own several of them and even with Apple magic keyboard and magic trackpads, I still deal with random disconnects and reconnects and there are no other BT devices just those two.

Thank you for mentioning this .. I'd forgotten about this somewhat, but you're right
Every Mini I had was plagued with BT weirdness -- never fixed by Apple with revisions

 

[citysnaps]

As opposed to "practically perfect in every way?"

I can respect your remarkable and consistently-steadfast support for seemingly every decision Apple makes. Bravo. But as someone else, I have my own opinions. Sometimes those align with Apple and sometimes those won't. And since I'm the owner of my opinions, they are at least as fine to contribute to a conversation about Apple products. Those seeing my opinions or yours are free to take 'em or leave 'em.

I actually DO NOT KNOW if this thing will be so light. But I do know that Apple has a long history of just loving to spin "thinner/smaller AND lighter." like that is some huge benefit. For mobile tech, there's some merit to the "lighter" portion but this is presumably not a laptop alternative for mobile use. Or maybe that's the goal here?

So I expect an AppleTV-sized Mac Micro to be considerably lighter. The existing one is already fairly light and I have ready experience with both it and plenty of AppleTVs... the latter of which can move by simply a well-insulated (thick) HDMI cable wanting to revert to its original shape. Nobody would need to touch it at all. If I positioned it near the edge of the shelf and bent the HDMI cable, I could just wait a while and it would tumble with no contact whatsoever.

I fear that this "smallest ever" and presumably "lightest ever" Mac Micro may have the very same issue too... and if so, that seems worthy of contributing to a conversation about it. Maybe the base will be made of thick lead and it will be heavier than the existing one... or maybe it will ship with a heavy "footer"/hub. All TBD. We're speculating about rumors. Anything is possible. It may have fall detection and airbags that pop out to save it as it falls.

But from what I've seen in rumors, it looks like the ever-sharpening speculation is what might be called a modestly taller AppleTV case. If so, I think the weight worry is at least a worthy concern as a consumer interested in a desktop. It is not my job or presumably yours to try to help maximize Apple's sales.

There's no "sky is falling" extremism here- just a fellow APPLE consumer expressing his own opinion about something that seems apparent from accumulated rumors. You and I have had time in many Vpro threads arguing FOR the potential of Vpro against a tsunami of contempt and disdain for that product, so I'm not the "sky is falling" type. However, I'm also not the "practically perfect in every way" type either.

I hope this new Mini is great in every way. I worry that what I see as a gimmick of making Mini go Micro comes with some shortcomings like easily falling off desktops with only a bit of catalyst(s) to make that happen. We'll all see soon enough.

Why not wait to when Apple releases the new Mini before speculating what will be wrong with it right out of the gate? I know that's a crowd favorite activity here.

Perhaps Apple's product/design/hardware engineers are not as clueless as you believe. And have cats (as I have) and even thought about it. As an aside, no issues here.

You might even give a wee bit of credit to those who *might* encounter that, being smart/resourceful and coming up with a solution if the issue you believe is going to occur, will be easily solved. If cats will knock a Mini of the table no doubt have knocked other items off years before. Somehow cats and cat owners have dealt with that. Cats around the world knocking the new Mini off around the world and creating a problem for Apple is a stretch.

Again... why not wait and see what the Mini looks like? It won't be that long from now.

 

[deconstruct60]

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.

Pretty good chance this is not to look more like a Apple TV , but to look more like a shrunken Mac Studio. Two ports on the front won't necessarily be 'cheaper to build'. In fact, too ports on the front would be useful. On a standard desktop placement those two ports ( for stuff that isn't constantly plugged in ) would be FAR easier to reach than on the back. The current Mini design too far down the "has to be magical and appear to have no vents or ports" design dogma. All that effort put into hiding the ports makes them harder to actually use if have a variety of things to plug in over time.

If they were removing ports and still just hiding all of them on the back then it could be cheaper. Taking two of the USB-C ports off the back would allow some shrinkage in width. There are three sides to the current mini that they are not using at all. Cheaper would be just using a same old jigs/presses/millers they have been using for the last 10 years to make exactly the same cases.

iLok and a $2 adapter would work fine. The quirk that Apple would need to avoid is putting all the USB-C ports too close together.


I suspect would loose twin USB-A even if they keep some 'A' around. At least one of the USB-C on the front for the two front facing slots would be a USB only (i.e, no Thunderbolt) socket. So if they have a plain USB discrete controller hanging off of a x1 PCI-e v4 lane , then at least one of those front slots would be driven off of that controller. Probably only going to get one USB controller added. In short, pretty good chance the USB only ports are moving up front and that it is less of a backtrack from "no ports visible" to go USB-C. ( Apple's primary use case is going to be plug in iPhone/iPad which have been USB-C for a while (power bricks have had USB-C ports for a while).

The M4-Pro version would be similar to the Ultra Studio where the front socket(s) could get upgraded since more TB ports to provision.


Making the Mini a bit taller could lead to better thermals and fan placement. Stacked like in the Studio. Both still suffering from the self imposed "no visible vents" constraints that put the inlets on the bottom of the device. If power and fan are overlapped more vertically things don't necessarily get cheaper , but could get more effective.

And they’ll charge the same or probably more than the current ones.

If the amount of base RAM capacity goes up, then yeah. That has little to do with the enclosure costs.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Who decided that Mac Mini is a desktop computer?

Some use it as a server - in my case, I’d use it as a portable music server, and the smaller size would be great for me. Some would strap it to the back of a TV, or a monitor (I’ve seen people specifically wish for that).

Other than that, calling this an iPad without a screen is ridiculous. Does it run iPad OS? No. Many people are very happy with their Apple Silicon MacBook Pro’s, and this is closer to that without a screen, than an iPad. A 16GB M4 Mac Mini is a serious computer.

OK fair point, there would be a good use case for a truly mini computer. But that leaves us with zero middle ground to just have a base model desktop Mac. I seem to recall we already tried tiny computers and nobody liked the truly tiny ones.

The issue isn't just processing power, or limitations of the operating system. We do like ports on these types of things. They're designed to be plugged in to constant power, have peripherals inserted, be connected to wired Ethernet, etc.

If they leave the traditional Mac Mini form factor alone in addition to an optional smaller one, that would be interesting. But I don't see why they would want to compete with their own Apple TV.

And my point about what they did to the Mac Pro still stands and the point is that that seems to be the beginning of a trend. I would like to see Apple do more to support and expand desktop computing rather than forcing it to be increasingly more like mobile. Again not in terms of raw power, but in terms of meaningful ports and interoperability that just isn't a part of the mobile paradigm.

 

[okieoutwest]

Nothing i have to add about the ports specifically, but i agree with folks on here who are asking that we at least keep the same number of them. I counted it up and could fill 5 USB-A/C ports immediately with the wired peripherals i have.

On the rumor of shape and size, it doesn't seem very Apple 2024 of them to change the enclosure up for this device. This is an Apple that sells an iPhone SE with a button on it while its newer phones have *two* different other designs. Maybe there are refreshes for both the mini and the TV in the works, and assumptions are getting crossed about which is which when it comes to enclosure / processors.

 

[!!!]

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.

I still need USB-A on my Mac mini because otherwise I can't log in, the keyboard doesn't work through the USB-C hub until after it finishes booting.

 

[btbeme]

When can I link two or more of the new minis together via Thunderbolt and create an expandable, daisy-chained Bitcoin super mining machine? /s

 

[BSben]

I don't like the comment that it is 'like an iPad pro in a box' I sincerely hope it is still a proper Mac where I can download apps from any source and organise files the way I want.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Why not wait to when Apple releases the new Mini before speculating what will be wrong with it right out of the gate? I know that's a crowd favorite activity here.

We speculate about RUMORS. It's not called MacFacts or MacNews.

We speculate good and bad about what is coming.

Why don't YOU wait until Apple releases something before reassuring all that it is all dandy and that anything negative imagined about it is now proven wrong? Same. You are also speculating about the practical perfection of each rumored thing. And that's fine too. All should be welcomed to their opinions whether they are pro or con.

This is also not MacPR. or MacMarketing. It's not our "jobs" to only praise and push Apple products. Instead- I presume- most of us are Apple product consumers.

Perhaps Apple's product/design/hardware engineers are not as clueless as you believe.

I said no such thing. Again, in some threads, I'm arguing right with you on the apparent greatness of other rumored things. You and I have been among the tiny minority arguing much in favor of the merits of Vpro before it released and afterwards when we knew the facts. I should not only be wrong in my opinions when they aren't consistently praising Apple. And in turn, you are not wrong in your opinions when you see everything Apple so positively. They are opinions about rumors.

In spite of today's rumor about Vpro possibly losing Apple enthusiasm, I STILL think it is an incredible product and concept. I could write 1000 words of praise for having an any-size screen in a relatively small package able to be MOBILE. I could also write 1000 words panning Apple for how they have not done a very good job since launch of making it far more appealing. I'm like that. I can write passionate praise or pans based on what I think. Apple is fantastic in some ways and not in others. I'm not a one-sided contributor here. I just call it as I see it.

And have cats (as I have) and even thought about it. As an aside, no issues here.

Good for you. I have AppleTVs that readily move just because the HDMI cable is thick and wants to revert to a particular position. No falls here either but I can see those movements with no interacting force like cat or kid or wind involved.

You might even give a wee bit of credit to those who *might* encounter that, being smart/resourceful and coming up with a solution if the issue you believe is going to occur, will be easily solved.

And you might give a wee bit of consideration that consumers may want to NOT have to innovate a solution to a potential problem of getting a desktop computer to stay on a desk. I would much prefer Apple brilliance making a desktop able to stay on a desktop since that's their thing... not have them innovate Micro and then consumers have to come up with solution to get a DESKTOP to stay on a DESK (if necessary).

If I get to innovate a desktop update, I probably keep the old design and fill the freed-up internal space with 2 m.2 slots... resolving this worry AND delivering a lot of added utility. The option for much greater storage INSIDE would deliver utility potential for life of device vs. a day or "oooooooh.... ahhhhhh... look how little it is" reaction and then we just live with it.

And if I'm bored of the design, maybe I go with the iMac like rainbow color options as rumored in 2022 and/or the glass top for improved wireless signals too. But what do I know?

Would buyers be more excited about up to 16TB of market-competitive big storage inside, rainbow colors and glass top for improved wireless signals or do we want a cuter, smaller & lighter Mac Micro. We'll never know. But speaking for myself, I'd prefer the life-of-device utility over a day or so of "how cute" reactions myself.

If cats will knock a Mini of the table no doubt have knocked other items off years before. Somehow cats and cat owners have dealt with that. Cats around the world knocking the new Mini off around the world and creating a problem for Apple is a stretch.

There are children. There's thick cables. There are people walking by who might cause an accident. There's wind when the windows are open. There's vibrations when a printer prints. Etc. Just because an accident has never happened, doesn't mean it can't.

Again... why not wait and see what the Mini looks like? It won't be that long from now.

Ditto. Why don't you wait and see instead of challenging speculation in support of a product not yet released? Or shall only those who praise get to post and those who express consumer concern need to wait to share opinions?

 

[deconstruct60]

Based on Apple history, IIRC anytime Apple has redesigned anything, the price has always increased. Correct me if I am wrong but at least in the past 8-10 years that’s been the case? I don’t see this remaining the same price. $100 increase at least across the board for the Mac Mini

Not always.

iMac 23.5" 2019

" ... The new 21.5-inch 4K ‌iMac‌ models start at $1,299 and the new 27-inch 5K ‌iMac‌ models start at $1,799. ..."

Apple Updates iMac Lineup With Up to 8-Core 9th-Gen Intel Processors and Radeon Pro Vega Graphics Options

Nearly two years have passed since Apple last refreshed the iMac, but updates are finally here for both 4K and 5K models. Apple today announced...

www.macrumors.com

iMac 24" 2021
"... Apple's new ‌M1‌ iMacs are priced starting at $1,299 for a 7-core GPU, and $1,499 for an 8-core GPU and additional color choices. ..."

New M1 iPad Pros, 24-Inch M1 iMacs, Apple TV 4K, and Siri Remote Now Available to Order

Apple is now accepting orders for the new 11 and 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro models, 24-inch M1 iMacs, second-generation Apple TV 4K, redesigned Siri...

www.macrumors.com

Apple stripped off the Ethernet port and some USB-ports to offset the new screen size, but the starting point was the same. If you wanted the same number of ports as the 2019 model , then yes it was more.


If Apple is backsliding on ports it is could be the same. Likely though the price may go up because the base RAM capacity will go up (and Apple doesn't find something else to trade off to lower the bill of materials elsewhere).

Some of the redesigns have come with more stuff. MBA screen got incrementally bigger. Entry MBP ... dropped touchbar , but got bigger primary screen. Apple Intelligence driven more baseline RAM usage likely leads to high BoM costs which Apple passes along. ( the M-series isn't getting particularly cheaper to make).

 

[citysnaps]

We speculate about RUMORS. It's not called MacFacts or MacNews.

We speculate good and bad about what is coming.

Why don't YOU wait until Apple releases something before reassuring all that it is all dandy and that anything negative imagined about it is now proven wrong? Same. You are also speculating about the practical perfection of each rumored thing. And that's fine too. All should be welcomed to their opinions whether they are pro or cons.



I said no such thing. Again, in some threads, I'm arguing right with you on the apparent greatness of other rumored things. You and I have been among the tiny minority arguing about the merits of Vpro before it released and afterwards when we knew the facts. I should not only be wrong in my opinions when they aren't consistently praising Apple. And in turn, you are not wrong in your opinions when you see everything Apple so positively. They are opinions about rumors.



Good for you. I have AppleTVs that readily move just because the HDMI cable is thick and wants to revert to a particular position. No falls here either but I can see those movements with no interacting force like cat or kid or wind involved.



And you might give a wee bit of consideration that consumers may want to NOT have to innovate a solution to a potential problem of getting a desktop computer to stay on a desk. I would much prefer Apple making a desktop to stay on a desktop since that's there thing... not have them innovate Micro and then consumers have to come up with solution to get a DESKTOP to stay on a DESK (if necessary).



There are children. There thick cables. There are people walking by who might cause an accident. There's wind when the windows are open. Etc. Just because an accident has never happened, doesn't mean it can't.



Ditto. Why don't you wait and see instead of challenging speculation in support of a product not yet released? Or shall only those who praise get to post and those who express consumer concern need to wait to share opinion?

Oh stop it. If a consumer has cats/children/earthquakes/wind that he/she believes will cause an insolvable problem with a Mac Mini, at least give them credit for being able to make a proper purchase decision. It's not that difficult. This is a non issue for reasonably intelligent people.

I'm looking forward to all the reports from people who purchase a new mini and having to take them back (or sell them) because they keep falling on the floor due to the above causes.

 

[deconstruct60]

I don't like the comment that it is 'like an iPad pro in a box' I sincerely hope it is still a proper Mac where I can download apps from any source and organise files the way I want.

It will still be Mac like. But the iMac has taken "thinner than an iPad Pro" like design cues which pushed some previous norms off the device. It is too thin for USB-A. Or even a headphone jack on the back. It is an "iPad on a stick" (and bigger, non-touch screen).

There is even LESS a chance the Mini would take on some 'touch screen' characteristics than the iMac would. It has no screen. So the touch screen aspect of the iPad can't come into play at all.

What could come into play is that they take the internal volume optimization of the iPad Pro and try to put the Mini into as small a volume of a 'box' as possible. (e.g, the even thinner iPad Pro they just did). Probably would not end up with an "even thinner" Mini, but it could be a maximize volume shrinkage. If they fork off the M4 from the M4 Pro for a Mini enclosure then there is a hefty amount of volume they could chuck. The M1/M2 Mini's are about half empty inside. The thermal envelope is vastly smaller also (to 2nd half of Intel era. ) .

The iPad Pro isn't about multiples of ports either. If the ports get allocated by volume and the volume plummets .... dropping several ports would be iPad Pro like also.