Is there really a place for a Pro Mac Mini? The Studio is essentially that device.
For people who want to future-proof a new Mac purchase with more ram and storage (or more GPU cores) than the standard M1 allows/has, but don't need the M1 Max found in the entry level Studio, yes.
Users who don't upgrade/cycle every-other year or even every 3 years that hang on to their tech for 5+ years, are looking for exactly that option/device.
Which is one of the reasons I suspect Apple isn't selling one. They're positive that customers will buy the new hotness right now, either settle for the M1 and buy a new Mac again 3 years from now, or upsell to the Studio for their 5+ year purchase. They don't seem to notice or care that there are plenty of users stubbornly waiting for Apple to sell them what they actually want.
How many users sat and waited for *years* (and even built and used Hackintoshes) until Apple released the "headless iMac" Studio? Waited for *years* until they released the MacBook Pros without the crappy butterfly KB?
Apple is making enough money that they just don't seem to care anymore. Settle for what we'll sell you .. or don't.
Now, I'm someone who thinks that the entry level Studio is damn near perfect for my office, but it's more than I can justify for the home, and the M1 Mini just isn't enough. So, while I'm perfectly happy that Apple released the Studio that feels a lot like my old Centris 650 in some ways, the space where a M1 Pro Mini would go, remains .. empty.
And, again, Tim's too busy swimming in the Olympic-sized pool filled with gold coins to notice, or care.
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