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Earlier this month we tracked new all-time low prices on a few models of Apple's M2 Mac mini, and now Amazon has expanded its discounts to include the Mac mini with the M2 Pro chip. You can get the 512GB M2 Pro Mac mini for $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00.

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Amazon estimates a delivery between April 21 and April 25 as of writing, and with this $199 markdown it's now the best price we've ever seen on the M2 Pro model of the 2023 Mac mini. As of now, only Amazon has this record low price.



Moving to the 256GB M2 Mac mini, you can get this model for $499.99, down from $599.00. This is still the best price we've ever tracked for this version of the computer, and delivery dates have now slipped into early May.



Additionally, the 512GB M2 Mac mini has dropped to $689.99, down from $799.00 on Amazon. This is another best-ever price for the new Mac mini, and delivery dates are available for early May as of writing.



Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Article Link: Deals: Amazon Takes Up to $199 Off Apple's M2 and M2 Pro Mac Mini, Starting at $499.99
 
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512Gb (which should be absolute bare minimum) for $500 I would impulse buy, just to see how well I could get ARM versions of Win/Lin working on it. I have zero interest in non-x86 Apple hardware, which the fickle Apple can completely discontinue support for, whenever it feels like it. With no warning or public timetable.
 
If people are not rushing to buy up these M2 models, what do you think that means for M3? I don't see Apple rushing to jump on M3 anytime soon. They are gonna finish out remainder of the product line before they even move to 3NM. iPhone will of course be the first place to experience it. But expect an M2 Ultra for the Mac Pro before we see any actual M3 products.
 
I don't see Apple rushing to jump on M3 anytime soon.
Unless they already agreed to buy the capacity from TSMC.

I also don't see how an M3 would drive significant demand at this point. I probably would not be able to tell the difference between any of these SOCs (M1-3) speed wise. Off course there are also differences in display ports and such.

More RAM or SSD would make a huge difference though!
 
Unless they already agreed to buy the capacity from TSMC.

I also don't see how an M3 would drive significant demand at this point. I probably would not be able to tell the difference between any of these SOCs (M1-3) speed wise. Off course there are also differences in display ports and such.

More RAM or SSD would make a huge difference though!
Apple pretty much has solved the hardware part that has been plaguing the line for years under Intel. What they need to do now is step up their 'A' game on the software side.
 
The recent impressive drop in Mac sales (due to high quality of the prior crop of Macs) will force Apple to think hard about next steps. It seems that the success of M(1, 2) SOCs precludes success of a simple "Hey, see, we got a faster mac!" sales pitch. Need to create a strong differentiating point, improve on what users desire. I would love to see more RAM options, larger SD capacities, built-in cellular, touch screen could be of value to a sector, ports, better cams. So there is some room there that can help M2-3 go still attract/justify new purchases. Otherwise, it can become stale for a bit of time until the next breakthrough meaning higher computational demands exceeding M2,3's capabilities to drive sales.
 
Additionally, the 512GB M2 Mac mini has dropped to $689.99, down from $799.00 on Amazon. This is another best-ever price for the new Mac mini, and delivery dates are available for early May as of writing.
So essentially, this is a $100 discount on the Mac Mini and a $10 discount on the 512gb storage upgrade. In case anybody was wondering what the most expensive 256gb of consumer storage on earth costs, it’s the $200 difference between the base model, and this model.

By comparison, you can buy a top-of-the-line 2tb SSD for under $200.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
So essentially, this is a $100 discount on the Mac Mini and a $10 discount on the 512gb storage upgrade. In case anybody was wondering what the most expensive 256gb of consumer storage on earth costs, it’s the $200 difference between the base model, and this model.

By comparison, you can buy a top-of-the-line 2tb SSD for under $200.
I just bought a top of the line 4tb ssd for $299 😁 apples prices are insane
 
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Add “built-in battery” to the “I would love to see in the next Mini” list. And a much smaller form factor. Full speed cpu, fanless, and a touch screen for controlling the playback and volume right on the Mini. Basically, an iPhone running MacOS with full speed USB 3 ports to connect to peripherals. And wireless display and keyboard (or one thunderbolt cable to display for top performance and power).

A portable battery powered mini would be a brand new product that would change people’s lives. We would no longer be tied to the wall. Macbooks would be free to be wireless laptops, because the mini could be the connected to peripherals and displays leaving MacBook available to use to couch.
 
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I am going to need an M2 Pro Mac mini in the next few months, but I think I might want 1TB of storage. Still, it is tempting since the discount effectively covers the Sales Tax.


If people are not rushing to buy up these M2 models, what do you think that means for M3?

As you noted, the iPhone's A17 SoC will likely eat up a significant portion of TSMC's initial 3nm production capacity even with Apple owning 100% of whatever TSMC can produce at 3nm. So I do not think we will see an M3 launch much before Q4 2023 at the earliest.
 
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Add “built-in battery” to the “I would love to see in the next Mini” list. And a much smaller form factor. Full speed cpu, fanless, and a touch screen for controlling the playback and volume right on the Mini. Basically, an iPhone running MacOS with full speed USB 3 ports to connect to peripherals. And wireless display and keyboard (or one thunderbolt cable to display for top performance and power).

A portable battery powered mini would be a brand new product that would change people’s lives. We would no longer be tied to the wall. Macbooks would be free to be wireless laptops, because the mini could be the connected to peripherals and displays leaving MacBook available to use to couch.
I’ve thought about this too. A Mac Nano of sorts. It’s certainly doable. I was surprised that the original M1 Mac Mini kept the same size as the previous Intel model.

Even with a small battery, they could probably make a Mac the size of a 2.5” external hard drive.
 
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I’ve thought about this too. A Mac Nano of sorts. It’s certainly doable. I was surprised that the original M1 Mac Mini kept the same size as the previous Intel model.

Apple likely wanted to leverage the existing production capacity for the existing form factor. You also have a fair bit of accessories and markets like CoLo data centers that were designed around the existing form factor.


Even with a small battery, they could probably make a Mac the size of a 2.5” external hard drive.

Many were speculating Apple could probably create an M1 Mac that fit in a case the size of the the Apple TV 4K case if they wanted to play in the "very small form factor" market.
 
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