I wouldn't hold your breath. Apple hasn't made an ergonomically comfortable mouse since the Desktop Bus Mouse II, which was discontinued in 1999.
I've been using Logitech and Microsoft mice ever since.
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Apple Leaks New Mac Mini With 5 USB-C Ports
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I wouldn't hold your breath. Apple hasn't made an ergonomically comfortable mouse since the Desktop Bus Mouse II, which was discontinued in 1999.
I've been using Logitech and Microsoft mice ever since.
Shouldn't need a dock on a desktop computer...
If they get rid of 1gb ethernet it's a total anti-consumer money grab. And, although they charge $100 extra for 10gbps ethernet, that's still cheaper than an ugly stupid dongle that takes up a USB-C port and might not be as reliable as an OEM on-board solution.
I don't see them cutting HDMI because so many casual users will want to plug this into an aftermarket display fresh out-of-the-box on Christmas morning and nowhere near as many displays support Thunderbolt.
I don't see them cutting HDMI because so many casual users will want to plug this into an aftermarket display fresh out-of-the-box on Christmas morning and nowhere near as many displays support Thunderbolt.
Same here! I'll be upgrading from an 2019 Intel Mac Mini that has been running my home automation software and multiple security cameras 24/7 non-stop since 2019. Never a crash or a hiccup.
With a 2024 M4 Mini I'll definitely be looking forward to greatly reduced power consumption. And much better performance, especially on the video cameras processing.
If Jobs was still alive this would be a little cube.
I plan to buy that whole machine for $1000, by buying myself new models 3-4 years behind the rest of you.
You guys are paying for this junk? They send me prerelease prototypes for free.
I don't think it's stupid. There are so many possibilities of ports now that it's no longer feasible to include them all. Meanwhile there is one port type (usb-c) that you can use to customize your required inputs via a dongle or hub.
Yes. Due to the system-on-a-chip approach now, let's ignore extensive slots for much cheaper 3rd party DIY RAM upgrades. And even external graphics cards. Hey, who needs a tower or mini-tower, right?I guess some people would prefer the good ol' days.
Well, at Apple's ghastly prices for big internal SSD capacities (around $1,200 for a 4-terabyte SSD), people have these choices:
1.) Make do with less.
2.) Get gouged for big money.
3.) Attach an external SSD, either ready-made or buy SSD and enclosure and put it together. Even with Thunderbolt 3, you get slower-than-internal data throughput, and of course the 'dongle' effect of another gadget attached to your system like a parasite (some are bus-powered, so the analogy works).
If the new systems come with Thunderbolt 5, then OWC's new $600 4-terabyte external TB 5 SSD could be a game changer, closing a lot of the distance in terms of data transfer speeds.
But with a tower, we could buy the lowest capacity SSD (since it'd be largely ignored), put in a 3rd party big SSD way cheaper and get internal speeds. Sweet! Then drop an internal hard disc drive in as a backup disk for Carbon Copy Cloner or Time Machine, all in the same box.
And there is a middle ground. Since the overwhelming majority aren't using optical drives these days (and no need for lots of RAM slots), one could cut that tower to maybe 2/3rds the size without compromising the functionality I'm talking about. Even if it were $100 extra over the cost of the anticipated Mac Mini, it'd be very cost effective for many end users.
But just as Superman had his agenda (truth, justice and the American way), Apple has their's. Unfortunately, it seems to be thin, minimalist and big profits (via BTO price gouging).
Same. That’s about the time I switched to a laptop full time. It’s easy enough to just hook up to a monitor when I’m not using it in bed. Unless it’s for a server or serious processor workloads on a Studio or Pro I just don’t see the point of desktops anymore.
This scenario seems very likely--especially if it's in a smaller incasing. I hope that's not what happens but I won't be surprised if it does.
Sure you should, at the low end. Plus it would make no sense to build a Mini larger and more costly just to fit all the low-bandwidth USB-A connections many users have. It is easy and cheap to add powered docks, switches and hubs that suit individual needs, and Minis are desktop boxes so adding custom inexpensive peripherals is logical and cost effective. If adequate bandwidth is available.
What really matters are available bandwidth and available RAM, and no one here has discussed either. I would buy a Mini in a heartbeat, but I consider 64 GB RAM the minimum appropriate for me for the next five years.
Anyone speculating that this new Mini might ship without Ethernet is forgetting that a major use case for Minis is in a “headless” configuration, without a monitor or input devices attached. Hard to set up a wi-fi configuration like that.
Will eat my hat if any SKU of the new Mini ships without Ethernet or HDMI. Sone folks just love to invent imaginary, speculative problems to complain about.
Yay, the Mac Mini is getting smaller!
... oh wait, now my desk will be filled with dongles...
... oh wait, now my desk will be filled with dongles...
Since the system-on-a-chip approach robbed us of additional RAM module slots, and Apple took away internal drive bays, much of the point of desktops is gone (other than saving money since you don't have to buy a built-in monitor). Especially now that desktop and notebook Macs use the same processors. Compelling desktop alternatives could be built. Probably won't, but could.
No, it is not the SoC fault alone. Laptops have been RAM locked for a long time. It is where the market is going: configure when you buy, use and dispose. Look, I work a technical university and today many of the young ones (who where branded "digital natives" ironically) do not know what a file system is, nor what is inside computer and definitely do not know how to upgrade or build a computer. The few who can still lament the demise of the traditional towers.
The mini needed a design upgrade. Smaller and taller will look very good. Like the old Apple Airports Time capsule?
A lone USB A port on the front would be convenient for memory sticks. People who buy the cheap model are likely light duty users who will not own adaptors or hubs. Adaptors are okay for permanent connections on the back. Remember that hubs share a controler and so slow processing down.
The base M4 currently lives in an iPad… I doubt you’ll hear a thing as per all the M series mini and mini pro’s before it.
Then don’t buy one. The studio is the product for you. I’m happy to have mine connected to a hub