Apple's Next Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know

[sudo-sandwich]

There is no way in hell the Mini will have pro and max chips. If they do, they will be altered (gimped) in a drastic way. Think the difference between a GeForce 3090 TI and 3060. Both 3000 series cards based on the same chip, but drastic hit to performance.

Apple has NEVER allowed the mini to fully compete with the larger MacBook pros and higher end iMacs. This has always been a pipe dream of mini fans for many years, and it’s just not happening.

The minis have been faster than the MBPs at times. They have desktop CPUs, albeit low-end ones. Comparing the latest i7 mini against a slightly newer i7 MBP, the mini had slightly higher Geekbench scores despite having a one generation older CPU.

https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-c...iniIntel030&prod2=MacBookPro121&prod3=eMac003

You needed an i9 MBP to beat it, except that's ignoring thermal throttling that realistically would give the mini a big advantage. As someone with a high-end corp i7 MBP that'll still lag trying to do a video call during heavy web browsing, I gotta say the heat problem in laptops is severely overlooked. My slower-on-paper MacPro5,1 was always faster IRL.

 

[DFP1989]

So the next Mac Mini is almost certainly coming…. oh wait!

Yeah, yet an article about “what we know” that lists nothing but rumour and conjecture.

 

[kalsta]

I’ve been saying for a while now I’d like to see a mac mini with a battery.

I've long had a similar thought myself… Mac Desktops (including the mini) with a very small lithium battery—just enough to give you say 10 minutes of power. The idea is that if there's a power outage, or someone accidentally pulls out the cord, macOS gives you a warning that you're on reserve power and should consider shutting down your Mac safely, or else restore its power. Would have saved me a few times over the years!

 

[Andrew73875]

I've long had a similar thought myself… Mac Desktops (including the mini) with a very small lithium battery—just enough to give you say 10 minutes of power. The idea is that if there's a power outage, or someone accidentally pulls out the cord, macOS gives you a warning that you're on reserve power and should consider shutting down your Mac safely, or else restore its power. Would have saved me a few times over the years!

Lithium battery requires service every few years. It can also bloat and damage internal parts of the Mini. I don't think Apple will ever do this.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I see, I actually ment the toss link. As I have sen it more disappear to be replaced by standard hdmi

OK - but I don't think HDMI is at all common on audio-only gear. I've recently bought some modern powered speakers with TOSLink, and my TV has it, as does my new CalDigit Thunderbolt Dock, so "rumors of its demise are greatly exaggerated"

But you are correct for general home entertainment (that involves video) HDMI is taking over: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/is-the-optical-cable-dying/

 

[Boil]

I got a set of Z625 speakers with optical input; sure I can also use the 3.5mm audio input, but I would prefer the optical...

So yeah, a return of optical output for the high-end ASi Mac mini would be nice...!

 

[Fomalhaut]

Yeah, yet an article about “what we know” that lists nothing but rumour and conjecture.

Welcome to MacRumors.com

 

[Torrijos]

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

What we definitely don't know about the mac mini ^^

I'm so tired of the constant spamming and videos of supposed leaks about this...
I do want a Apple Silicon Mini that is more powerful than my current rig, so I am waiting calmly but these articles and youtube videos are so annoying.

 

[Realityck]

I like to see Apple bundle a upcoming LG display with the unannounced Mac Mini that is a cheaper deal together as a option. Probably too much to wish for.

 

[MacWorld78]

I’m currently looking forward to get M2 chipset for the Mac mini (Pro or Max version).

it would be nice idea to stack up (via magnet connection) few Mac mini as shared CPU,RAM and SSD as one unit - it will be mind blowing performance.

 

[MajorFubar]

This is SOOOO what I want. But if it doesn't appear in March I don't think I can wait any longer, and will instead end up dropping money on the existing M1 Mini or a MBA. My IT is so old it's started to p--s its bed at night and demands I cover up its lap with a tartan blanket to keep it warm.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

I got a set of Z625 speakers with optical input; sure I can also use the 3.5mm audio input, but I would prefer the optical...

So yeah, a return of optical output for the high-end ASi Mac mini would be nice...!

Buy a proper thunderbolt audio interface that has Optical, balanced XLR, TRS inputs, etc.

 

[Duncan-UK]

The only thing the Mini needs is more memory...even though I've never run out of RAM with my Mini.

I have a 2018 model with 16gb of memory - late last year (may have been when I upgraded from Big Sur - but I think it was before that) I started running out of memory. Wasn't doing anything different with my Mini. Have installed Memory Diag to monitor and automatically recycle the ram. I could always upgrade to 64gb but that's expensive (about £350-£400 all in) and I can't believe I need it.

 

[Duncan-UK]

Let me summarize this article.

THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.

Absolutely - too many of their articles these days are vacuous fillers - full of nothing.

 

[Alwis]

Lithium battery requires service every few years. It can also bloat and damage internal parts of the Mini. I don't think Apple will ever do this.

And for this exact reason I would not want to have a better inside the Mini (or iMac). IfI need an UPS I buy one with added benefit, that I can easily replace the battery every few year.

I fear, that the new Mini will get an external power supply, in that case im absolutely not interested. I still have an old Mini, where the power brick was nearly as big as the Mini itself. Do not want this back, it is unpractical and clutters the desk.

I would like a Mini in the AppleTV form factor, but I am sure we will not het that.

 

[octopi]

Apple has NEVER allowed the mini to fully compete with the larger MacBook pros and higher end iMacs.

They did, with the Mac Mini late 2012... And you're right, iMac sales tanked. That's why they crippled them after the late 2012 machines.

 

[Maximara]

Just please fix the wireless weirdness of the existing design.

It's literally a deal breaker for many of us.

Do you mean the wifi or the bluetooth weirdness? Some people have reported that the wifi issues are due to the local router not the mini itself. Bluetooth on the other hand is Apple's fault.

 

[Maximara]

There is no way in hell they are going to let their cheapest product (the mini) that has always been a value product cannabinolize sales of their $3000-8000 high dollar premium pro product range.

Except when it comes to Intel vs M1 (Mini is beating the low end Intel Mac Pros) ?

 

[Fomalhaut]

I’m currently looking forward to get M2 chipset for the Mac mini (Pro or Max version).

it would be nice idea to stack up (via magnet connection) few Mac mini as shared CPU,RAM and SSD as one unit - it will be mind blowing performance.

I think you can expect to wait a fairly long time for an M2 Pro/Max Mini. At present, it's looking like an M1 Pro/Max Mini sometime soon, but the base (4/4 core) M2 not expected to be released until later this year, and M2 Pro/Max probably towards the end of 2023 for the MacBook Pros. In the past Apple has delayed releases of the Mini with the same chipset as the MBP for several months, so I wouldn't expect an M2 Pro/Max until some time in 2024.

As for clustering Minis together, people used to talk about this a lot, and it still hasn't happened in the way you describe. Even TB4 is not fast enough for multiple systems to act as a single system in the same way that multi-socket machines do (which are connected by very fast processor interconnects). At best you can hope for a "distributed system" with different kinds of workloads (web servers, databases etc. ) communicating between themselves over fast local networks.

 

[MrGimper]

Apple's 2022 Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know Are Guessing​

 

[Fomalhaut]

Do you mean the wifi or the bluetooth weirdness? Some people have reported that the wifi issues are due to the local router not the mini itself. Bluetooth on the other hand is Apple's fault.

I have my mini very close to a modem that also had 5GHz and 2.4GHz wifi enabled. I also have a separate wifi base station about 1.5 metres away, so I disabled the modems wifi. My Bluetooth connections got much better.

 

[EntropyQ3]

You're definitely wrong on the Pro and I have no idea where your confidence comes from.

Let's look at the facts: We know that the Intel Mac Mini is still for sale. We know it is more expensive than the M1 Mac Mini. We also know the M1 Mac Mini outperforms it (despite costing less).

So here's the first question: why did Apple keep it up for sale if a better product can be had for less? Obviously they plan to replace the Intel Mac Mini with something that out performs the M1 Mac Mini. If they weren't, they would have either discontinued it, dropped the price, or raised the M1 price above it.

Next question: what chip options does Apple have that are better than the M1? In theory, the options are M2, M1 Pro and M1 Max. We can rule out the M2 though, because that's what the M1 macs will be upgraded to when they are refreshed. No need for an additional product line. That only leaves the M1 Pro and M1 Max. There are no other options. So at the very least, it's getting the M1 Pro.

The M1 Pro does have two versions: 8CPU/14 GPU and 10CPU/16GPU, so maybe you'll get part marks and the binned version will be the only version Apple ships. I doubt it though. The rules are different now that they are producing their own chips. They don't have to build products in power envelopes set by Intel, released on a timeline partially set by Intel.

Apple can set whatever prices they want so as to not cannibalize the rest of their product line.

If Apple prices the new Minis too high, it only means that their lunch will be eaten by stationary computers sporting AMD or even intel hardware. Most Mini users seem perfectly capable of running Windows boxes, they merely have a preference for MacOS. If the offerings aren't competitive enough. people won't necessarily buy a MacBook Pro, they might just buy a PC. Apples stationary computers sell less than their laptops because they are simply less attractive relatively. Pricing them high to protect laptop sales (???) will not benefit Apple at all.

 

[Newfiebill]

So the next Mac Mini is almost certainly coming…. oh wait!

Gees, don't start that again...lol

 

[Fomalhaut]

If Apple prices the new Minis too high, it only means that their lunch will be eaten by stationary computers sporting AMD or even intel hardware. Most Mini users seem perfectly capable of running Windows boxes, they merely have a preference for MacOS. If the offerings aren't competitive enough. people won't necessarily buy a MacBook Pro, they might just buy a PC. Apples stationary computers sell less than their laptops because they are simply less attractive relatively. Pricing them high to protect laptop sales (???) will not benefit Apple at all.

I agree, although a lot of people will buy a Mini because they want a Mac at a reasonable price and won't choose an Intel/AMD machine unless the Mac mini represents very poor value. People expect to have to pay the Apple-tax, but there are limits.

I suspect that Apple will protect MacBook Pro sales by not offering the Mini in the same configurations as the MBP, plus making it "significantly cheaper" than the MBP, but similar in price to an iMac when a good quality screen and keyboard are added to the cost.

It is possible that Apple will only release the Mini with an M1 Pro and not the Max, or limit it to the 24-core GPU Max...or price it so that it is tempting to get the MBP with a lovely screen etc. for only "a few hundred $ more".

That said, someone who wants a desktop is probably not going to swayed too much by the availability of a more expensive laptop that has the same spec.

 

[ForkHandles]

Hmmm. Buy this or wait for an iMac?

I went Mac Mini M1 with an LG Ultrafine Thunderbolt display. The absolute beauty was that when I bought a MacBook 14" I could just plug it into the LG and hey presto a big screen experience, no need for my Mini anymore. If you have the budget then I would recommend and thunderbolt display and a laptop. Best of all worlds.