Maybe they will create a bevel-edge design that would fit nicely onto the back of a monitor, such that the user could put together their own iMac-like device using any old monitor. I could go for such a ZFP config.
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Apple's Next Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know
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hell yes!
a Red Mac Mini would POP if done right and kinda perfect for Valentines Day present too! Make it a custom order like engraving if she’s number projections would be small, it’s still a sale.
matt black or a deeper Space Grey Mac Mini M1 Pro and bring back space grey trackpad 2, Magic Mouse 2, and full QWERTY keyboard as well please. Pricing on eBay is outrageous!
+1, hope it's at least 3 externals.
My M1 mini has been amazing, but 1 more screen would be great.
Ahem,
Mac Mini Intel quad core from 2012, 6 core in 2018, and the M1 all were able to compete on same performance as MBP 13” each year respectively when released. I’m not saying it outsold, no but Performance wise I think you may be incorrect, else I am.
While i sadly agree with you..perhaps they’ll only do m1pro option minis. That could potentially be a compromise for apple and margins?
13” MBP has always been the value MBP. All higher end MBP absolutely crush the 13” and mini and always have.
But you guys believe what you want. I’m sure apple is absolutely going to offer a product with the exact same performance at the $1000-2000 price point as it offers in the $4000-8000 price point. Obviously, that makes complete sense from a business standpoint and I’m sure customers looking for performance will absolutely decide to drop $6000 when the same performance can be had for $2000.
I’m sure the stock price will reflect what a great decision this would be.
As someone who has had two Mac Minis (Intel, M1) and had weird graphics problems with both (display ports not working, monitors not waking up etc.) I would say an iMac unless you have some specific monitor needs. Though re-design could always correct the issue too
Exactly. In the server world you only want to pay for as much storage performance as you need. If you are using it as a file server over 1 Gigabit Ethernet, there is little point in having disks that can maintain read/write at more than 120-150MB/s (at your usual file sizes) because you'll typically only get Ethernet transfer speeds of less than 100MB/s.
With 10G Ethernet, it makes sense to have faster SSDs, but even then, you don't need much more than 1GB/s, which can (just about) be done with USB3.2 drives.
You also need to consider what you are serving. If it's something like streaming video files, you only need about 3-4MB/s for 4K video which can be played by even the slowest USB2 thumb drive (in theory). Certainly any magnetic drives are perfectly capable of supporting multiple streams of video or audio.
There are questions of latency and the decrease in throughput performance when sending larger numbers of smaller files, so in practice you need more headroom than the maximum sustained speeds.
Fitting a server with super-speed SSDs in a very niche case, where there is some kind of processing going on as well than needs fast disk speeds. Just sending data somewhere else via a network is easily met by much cheaper solutions.
[Edit: I should caveat all the above by clarifying that the quoted bandwidths are "per user" or per stream. I was thinking mainly of single user applications, but of the Mini may well be used as a small team server, in which case concurrent bandwidth is important. There is a case for having at least some super-fast storage if this is shared with multiple users. However, this is still not going to replace a fast RAID system for robust multi-user storage. ]
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That would make using server colocation racks quite troublesome wouldn't it? They all rely of Ethernet connectivity, so you'd have modify racks to hold all the power supplies, to provide the port access, and ensure the MagSafe connector doesn't get disconnected.
Magsafe and external PSU with Ethernet would an unnecessary complication for a new Mini unless they are making the case so small that the power supply will no longer fit..
What's the absolute smallest possible enclosure for the Mini M1? An iPhone. That's unrealistic for a number of reasons, mainly, power and connectivity.
The next available form factor is an Apple TV, which already has the predecessor to the M1 in it. They could stuff a bunch of USB-C ports onto it and call it a day.
Next up is the HomePod Mini form factor. It has the obvious benefit of having built-in speakers, and a bunch of USB-C ports would make it a surprisingly good contender.
They could stretch it into an AEBS form factor, which would actually be really cool...like the old trash can mac, but smaller. That gives you a ton of ports, a small form factor, and some possible expansion opportunities (an nvme drive). It also allows you to have an HDMI port or two.
Remember, the reason the Mini was shaped that way in the first place was for the DVD drive. That drive hasn't been there for over a decade now. Without expandable ram or a removable drive, there's no reason to have the enclosure user-serviceable at all. Now the question is "what ports do you want and how much surface area do they take up?"
I would love an AEBS form factor, because (1) it's easier to plug stuff into it, and (2) it'll take up almost no desk space. As a bonus they could make the Apple logo really huge, and make it a monster sized sleep indicator.
The next available form factor is an Apple TV, which already has the predecessor to the M1 in it. They could stuff a bunch of USB-C ports onto it and call it a day.
Next up is the HomePod Mini form factor. It has the obvious benefit of having built-in speakers, and a bunch of USB-C ports would make it a surprisingly good contender.
They could stretch it into an AEBS form factor, which would actually be really cool...like the old trash can mac, but smaller. That gives you a ton of ports, a small form factor, and some possible expansion opportunities (an nvme drive). It also allows you to have an HDMI port or two.
Remember, the reason the Mini was shaped that way in the first place was for the DVD drive. That drive hasn't been there for over a decade now. Without expandable ram or a removable drive, there's no reason to have the enclosure user-serviceable at all. Now the question is "what ports do you want and how much surface area do they take up?"
I would love an AEBS form factor, because (1) it's easier to plug stuff into it, and (2) it'll take up almost no desk space. As a bonus they could make the Apple logo really huge, and make it a monster sized sleep indicator.
IMO, it's going to be smaller than the current Mac mini, but bigger than Apple TV. The Apple TV would be too small for the higher tier Apple Silicon models for a number of reasons.
They are not going to make it a Home Pod / Cube / trash can. There will be a higher tier than the Mac mini, and that will be the Mac Pro, which undoubtedly will be smaller than the current Mac Pro.
Some are postulating it would be plastic to facilitate Bluetooth communications, since a lot of people are complaining about signal issues with the current Apple Silicon models (and the previous Intel models as well).
It's to get better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals strength, which has been an issue with the all-metal Mini for some people.
I don't see Apple doing anything like that. That's more of an Acer or HP move.
nobody is dying high end cou config for Mac Mini to be at current Mac Mini pricing. We’re just debating your stance on performance. 13” MBP stopped being a value notebook ever since quad core i5/i7 chips debut In them. I9 only shipped with the 16” MBP I think but i7s have debut in the Mac mini for some time.
Mac Mini CPU: https://browser.geekbench.com/search?q=Mac+mini+2020
Mac Mini compute : https://browser.geekbench.com/search?k=v5_compute&q=Mac+mini+2020
MBP CPU: https://browser.geekbench.com/search?utf8=✓&q=MacBook+Pro
MBP compute: https://browser.geekbench.com/search?k=v5_compute&q=MacBook+Pro&utf8=✓
isolate for Intel chips ignoring M1 Pro/Max models and i9 (for now), and although chip family for i5/i7s differe have a look at performance comparing the models 13/15” MBP vs Mac Mini’s. You may not find a big difference in performance but sustained performance under load is where you find it (always wanted to use that Robocop phrase).
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I'm hoping the next generation Mac mini includes an internal battery, keyboard, and screen.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
What if this config- replacing the highest config Intel Mac Mini- is priced so there's no cannabilization? What if this Mac Mini MAX MAXED is $3K-$6K as those anticipating it expect? Then Apple gets the big fat margin- perhaps MORE margin than they get by selling the one that also has a screen, keyboard, mouse, etc in the box.
What if it is close to the same price as the MBpro MAX, minus the cost of the screen, camera, keyboard, speakers, etc? Again, Apple would get theirs and perhaps then some.
If anything perhaps the iMac MAX'ed would cannabalize some of the lucrative profits from a Mac Mini MAX by having to include a screen, keyboard, mouse, etc too.
There have been rumors from just about everyone for MONTHS that this Mini will have PRO & MAX. I'll be shocked if it's- say- M2 only.
But- all that offered- there's still room to NOT functionally offer "the same" in a Mini by offering MORE (Duo anyone?) in the iMac, now rumored to come later anyway. If delayed long enough, it may or may not be Duo, but M2 PRO & MAX iMac Pro.
Mac Mini M1 PRO & MAX vs. iMac Pro MAX DUO... or iMac Pro M2 PRO & MAX. Either will probably be worlds apart in both power and pricing.
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On the other hand, iMacs have usually been priced close enough to the cost of a Mini that you end up getting a really nice display fairly cheaply.
Apple is working on an updated version of the high-end Mac mini, with the new machine set to replace the Intel version of the Mac mini that Apple is still selling today. Apple replaced the entry-level Mac mini with an M1 version in 2020, and now the company is ready to complete the Apple silicon transition for the entire lineup.
This guide includes everything that we know about the Mac mini refresh, which could be happening in a matter of weeks.
Design
Apple is going to overhaul the design of the Mac mini, but we don't yet know just what it will look like.
The current M1 Mac mini
Leaker Jon Prosser, who has somewhat of a mixed track record when it comes to predicting Apple's plans, provided details on what he believes the new Mac mini will look like. He says the new Mac mini will have a plexiglass-like top that will sit over the aluminum enclosure, and that the overall size could be smaller than the current Mac mini.
Prosser provided renders, but it's worth noting that this design is not accurate when it comes to port layout because there would not be so little space between USB-C ports.
Colors
The Mac mini could feature a two-tone design instead of one single color, and it could potentially come in colors other than space gray or silver, much like the 24-inch iMac. Color options have not yet been confirmed, so Apple could just stick to the standard Mac mini shades.
Ports
Apple's new Mac mini is said to be equipped with four Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, and an HDMI port, along with the same magnetic charging cable used for the 24-inch iMac.
Apple Silicon Chips
The updated Mac mini will adopt the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that were first introduced in the 2021 MacBook Pro models, effectively replacing all Intel versions of the Mac mini.
The low-end Mac mini will continue to use the M1 chip for the time being, while higher-end more expensive models will be available with the M1 Max and M1 Pro. Both chips feature a 10-core CPU with eight high power cores and two high-efficiency cores, though there is also an 8-core version used in the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
As for GPU performance, the M1 Pro chip features a 16-core GPU (14-cores in the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro), while the M1 Max features a 32-core GPU with a lower tier 24-core option also available as an upgrade. These same chip options may come to the Mac mini.
The M1 Pro chip supports up to 32GB RAM and the M1 Max supports up to 64GB, so the new Mac mini will continue to offer support for up to 64GB RAM. The M1 version of the Mac mini is limited to 16GB RAM.
Launch Date
We know a new Mac mini is coming at some point in 2022, and it's looking like we could see it as soon as March. Apple is planning to hold an event on Tuesday, March 8, which is when we could see the new Mac mini launch.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has repeatedly said that at least one new Mac with an Apple silicon chip is coming at the spring event, and other Macs are not expected to be refreshed until later in the year. It's possible the updated Mac could be an iMac, but display analyst Ross Young recently said an new iMac wouldn't be ready to launch until summer.
With the iMac held until summer and planned Mac Pro and MacBook Air refreshes coming in the fall, the Mac mini seems to be the likely candidate for an early 2022 release.
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Article Link: Apple's 2022 Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know
I really want to buy the base model. Do you all think Apple will keep the same price on the base model M1?
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Refurb store for existing M1 Mini. Same machine. Same warranty. Cheaper price. There's some in there right now.
Not for a M1 Pro/Max model. It will replace the higher priced Intel models.
The M2 would replace the M1 model, but I suspect that won't come until fall or later.
personally if you were going to buy this i would suggest the imac for the display alone unless you can afford a good display for this