Apple May Be Testing an M3 Mac Mini, Based on Developer Logs

[MacRumors]

Apple may be actively testing an M3 version of the Mac mini, based on specifications found in third-party developer logs and reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple is testing a Mac under model identifier "Mac 15,12" that includes eight CPU cores (consisting of four efficiency cores and four performance cores), 10 graphics processor cores, and 24GB of RAM.

The machine is said to be running macOS Sonoma 14.1, the first point update of Apple's forthcoming operating system, and given the similar specifications to the base M2 Mac mini (bar the existing model's 8GB RAM as standard), Gurman believes it represents a next-generation Mac mini.

In his latest newsletter, Gurman repeated that he expects the first M3-powered Macs to debut as early as October. However, based on previous reporting, he does not expect the Mac mini to be one of the first models with the M3 chip. They are likely to be the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac.

Gurman last month said that he did not expect a new Mac mini to emerge until late 2024 at the earliest. If the developer logs do indicate Apple is testing an M3 Mac mini, that could mean we could see it sooner than previously expected. That said, the latest Mac mini models are less than a year old, having been introduced in January 2023.

The ‌M3‌ chip is widely expected to be fabricated using TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based ‌M2‌ chip in existing devices.

Article Link: Apple May Be Testing an M3 Mac Mini, Based on Developer Logs

 

[reverie]

Just because this self-marketing genius needs to fill his regular newsletter doesn’t mean that there is a story worth reporting for MacRumors? “An M3 Mac Mini will at some point exist.” What’s the news value in that?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

He gets paid to state these things, remember.

 

[Zest28]

Will be interesting to see who makes better predictions, AI or Gurman.

 

[contacos]

Just because this self-marketing genius needs to fill his regular newsletter doesn’t mean that there is a story worth reporting for MacRumors? “An M3 Mac Mini will at some point exist.” What’s the news value in that?

Do you know what site you are on? I highlighted it again in bold just in case

Also, the annual media "summer slump" is still on going

 

[Manzanito]

Just because this self-marketing genius needs to fill his regular newsletter doesn’t mean that there is a story worth reporting for MacRumors? “An M3 Mac Mini will at some point exist.” What’s the news value in that?

The specs, for instance.

 

[Cromulent]

People come to a rumour site and complain when the rumour site posts rumours.

 

[pacmania1982]

Please don't take this the wrong way - but colour me NOT surprised... I'd be more surprised if Apple weren't testing their M3 CPUs in products at this point.

 

[Wokis]

The specs, for instance.

Here's the scoop on the specs!

• M3

 

[curnalpanic]

Couldn't it just as well be the M2 iMac finally making an appearance?

 

[ScottishDuck]

Rumour has it there will be an M4 after the M3

 

[SoldOnApple]

Stop the presses, I thought Apple were going to stick with M2 4 eva.

 

[FitzZic]

Gurman is more wrong and wrong years after years, Apple is chasing down all these leaks or release fake assertion to identify the leakers.

 

[USB-Adapter]

Here's the scoop on the specs!

• M3

But also

eight CPU cores, 10 graphics processor cores, and 24GB of RAM

 

[McJobs]

Deleted.

 

[playtech1]

I am a bit disappointed that core counts seem to have stagnated. That is leaving a lot of work to be done by process improvements and architecture changes.

Worst case is that Apple basically shrinks M2, overclocks it a bit, and makes extra profit by cramming more M3 chips for every wafer than it could for M2.

 

[elgipsy]

Two new Mac mini in the same year? The current one was released like 6 months ago... It's Apple we're talking about

 

[cicalinarrot]

Just because this self-marketing genius needs to fill his regular newsletter doesn’t mean that there is a story worth reporting for MacRumors? “An M3 Mac Mini will at some point exist.” What’s the news value in that?

You and many others are reading and interacting with the article to say how mad you are that it exists. So you're the very reason why it exists, news run on engagement.
Nice paradox, uh?

 

[aknabi]

I am a bit disappointed that core counts seem to have stagnated. That is leaving a lot of work to be done by process improvements and architecture changes.

Worst case is that Apple basically shrinks M2, overclocks it a bit, and makes extra profit by cramming more M3 chips for every wafer than it could for M2.

And that's the innovation Apple has switch to with the semiconductor advancements... innovation in profits/margins... financial engineering will make you far more successful than product engineering

 

[jouster]

Seems about right given that I just bought an M2 Mini.

 

[ashleykaryl]

My i7 mini was the current model from 2018 to 2023! If Apple gets the colour right with the M3 I may just jump for a new machine.

 

[mazz0]

I think the Mini is ripe for a redesign personally. I've no reason to upgrade my M2 Pro mini, and it still looks nice, but I have to admit I'd be tempted by a redesigned one, perhaps something even smaller and maybe taking on a bit of the aesthetics of the recent MacBooks.

 

[Icelus]

Two new Mac mini in the same year? The current one was released like 6 months ago... It's Apple we're talking about

They did the same in 2005, 2006 and 2009

 

[acctman]

Apple should kill off the Mac Mini line. The older M model studios are perfect replacement. Why have a M3 mini that Apple will surely limit in order for it not to out shine the Mac Studio line.

 

[opeter]

Rumour has it there will be an M4 after the M3

Really? Wow. That is excellent news. Today I will not sleep at night, now that I know this information.