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High-End 'M1X' Mac Mini With New Design and Additional Ports Expected to Launch in the 'Next Several Months'
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I just put the computer on desk and don't turn it up down every few minutes and thus don't have to look at the bottom again and again
The engineering penalty for that would be pretty large. Given the shared memory model, the crossbar would be very complicated and performance would suffer. Better to have a single die with double the core count and a correspondingly beefier cache memory hierarchy. And given the size of the TSMC reticle and Apple’s cores (so far), you could easily just tape out a chip with many more cores - if some of them don’t work due to yield fall-out, you just down-bin them.
Apple is never going to include m.2 NVMe slots in any computer they make. The slots they had until up until 2019 are all proprietary. I also doubt that the new mini will have DRAM slots either. Definitely not slots for storage.
Every time you be of these rumors is mentioned, out comes the fantasy list of sh*t Apple is never going to give you.
DRAM slots - 50/50 as needs in the >64GB region will be very expensive and complicated.
m.2 slots - let it go, you’re never getting removable SSD again.
Discrete GPU - nope, Apple has made this abundantly if anyone has been paying attention.
Work within Apple’s self-imposed constraints and you’ll be much happier than getting upset when Apple disappoints you not giving you things they were never going to give you.
DRAM slots - 50/50 as needs in the >64GB region will be very expensive and complicated.
m.2 slots - let it go, you’re never getting removable SSD again.
Discrete GPU - nope, Apple has made this abundantly if anyone has been paying attention.
Work within Apple’s self-imposed constraints and you’ll be much happier than getting upset when Apple disappoints you not giving you things they were never going to give you.
I’d consider selling my M1 MBP for one of these, depending upon specs etc. I’ve wanted a Mac Mini for a long time, but the hardware glitches etc. have kept me away.
The Geekbench results show the Mac mini (Late-2020) versions are faster than the Intel ones, so are they not more powerful than the Intel ones, regardless of RAM capacity?
I've been running a headless Mac mini as my iTunes library and Time Machine for years.
I'm kinda hoping/expecting that Apple is doing this..
Entry Level (these have the bright colors) : MacBook (13" or 14"), Mac Mini (new form factor) , iMac (24")
Better Machines (at least two colors: silver and a darker than space grey color, maybe a deep red): MacBook Pro (14 + 16), Mac Mini Pro (2-3 half length PCIe slots), iMac Pro (30ish"), Mac Pro (4-8 PCIe full length slots, Socketed RAM, CPU on a daughter card)
I don't think the Mini Pro will have replaceable RAM (but really want it to be), but the slots could make things like extra internal M.2 drives, video capture cards, or extra USB-C ports. This is the machine I am hoping they make and I want, but it is probably wishful thinking.
Entry Level (these have the bright colors) : MacBook (13" or 14"), Mac Mini (new form factor) , iMac (24")
Better Machines (at least two colors: silver and a darker than space grey color, maybe a deep red): MacBook Pro (14 + 16), Mac Mini Pro (2-3 half length PCIe slots), iMac Pro (30ish"), Mac Pro (4-8 PCIe full length slots, Socketed RAM, CPU on a daughter card)
I don't think the Mini Pro will have replaceable RAM (but really want it to be), but the slots could make things like extra internal M.2 drives, video capture cards, or extra USB-C ports. This is the machine I am hoping they make and I want, but it is probably wishful thinking.
Hmmm... I'm pretty sure Apple is one of the most opaque companies when it comes to confirming leaks, so I think Gurman was wise to not publish a date that only Apple is aware of. We'll get the official scoop in the Fall - and I definitely will be listening as I bought my in-laws a M1 mini and they can't get over what a blazing computer it is (vs 2015 15" MBP) and I definitely need something to replace my 2009 Mac Pro.
What I don't get with Apple's strategy is who they are targeting with this. I keep hearing they target the casual user with the mini (ones that only want to surf the web, facebook, video chat) but all that can be done on their phone or a base iPad for less than half the price (not even including monitor).
If you are going to work on your Mac, you probably would get a portable to take with you or a Mac Pro if you really need to push the envelope.
To me, the only thing needed more than a phone or tablet, that does not need to be portable and doesn't need to be an extremely high end workstation is a home system that can game.
The M1 seems to be great and if the M1X adds to the gpu side, awesome. I know the M1 is better than low to mid level Intel chips (or built in GPUs)and that what people point to for a comparison to say Apple is better. You know what though? My 2018 i3 Mac mini isn't pushed hard in the games I play, but my external eGPU is maxed at all times. I can't add a video card to an M1. I can add one to just about ANY Intel system - even the small form factors - use a half height card. I bought a $399 I3 because of this a few years ago with an SSD and added in an older gaming card I traded to a friend for an old MacBook I had lying around. Apple doesn't make a system today that can match this.
Sorry long rant - I just hope Apple can add some performance in the area they are mostly lacking in instead of focusing on areas they already are strong in. Weakest link and all
If you are going to work on your Mac, you probably would get a portable to take with you or a Mac Pro if you really need to push the envelope.
To me, the only thing needed more than a phone or tablet, that does not need to be portable and doesn't need to be an extremely high end workstation is a home system that can game.
The M1 seems to be great and if the M1X adds to the gpu side, awesome. I know the M1 is better than low to mid level Intel chips (or built in GPUs)and that what people point to for a comparison to say Apple is better. You know what though? My 2018 i3 Mac mini isn't pushed hard in the games I play, but my external eGPU is maxed at all times. I can't add a video card to an M1. I can add one to just about ANY Intel system - even the small form factors - use a half height card. I bought a $399 I3 because of this a few years ago with an SSD and added in an older gaming card I traded to a friend for an old MacBook I had lying around. Apple doesn't make a system today that can match this.
Sorry long rant - I just hope Apple can add some performance in the area they are mostly lacking in instead of focusing on areas they already are strong in. Weakest link and all
I enjoy having a desktop computer, a 2014 Dell AIO, which will remain stuck with Windows 10.
I will not be purchasing any more Windows computers.
My go-to devices are Android tablets.
I live in N. CA.
I could be interested in the mini, but it is not evacuation friendly, and fire season here never really ends.
It is nice to see Apple giving the love to all their products and not being just the iPhone company.
The new iMac is sexy, if that's actually possible, but it sometimes seems silly for me to keep buying AIO computers.
A G3 iMac, Blueberry, 1999. My still bootable 2007 1st. Gen. Aluminum iMac. My 2010 HP AIO. Now my Dell.
If I get another desktop, guess it has to be a mini.
So I'm thankful Apple keeps is fresh.
I will not be purchasing any more Windows computers.
My go-to devices are Android tablets.
I live in N. CA.
I could be interested in the mini, but it is not evacuation friendly, and fire season here never really ends.
It is nice to see Apple giving the love to all their products and not being just the iPhone company.
The new iMac is sexy, if that's actually possible, but it sometimes seems silly for me to keep buying AIO computers.
A G3 iMac, Blueberry, 1999. My still bootable 2007 1st. Gen. Aluminum iMac. My 2010 HP AIO. Now my Dell.
If I get another desktop, guess it has to be a mini.
So I'm thankful Apple keeps is fresh.
Recent models of the Mini could be configured as a low end machine (i3) and mid/higher end (i5/i7) depending on your need with up to 64BG of RAM. The M1/M1x models will likely also allow a range of price and performance options. This lets the Mini be a cheap machine for those who need it or a workhorse for those who need that but don't want an integrated monitor. Some people want a simple box that can up graded without being tied to a built in monitor. This gives more flexibility. The Mini can be configured to be as high a performance as the MBP but is less expensive. The Mac Pro is really targeted at a non-consumer market so it's not even a consideration.
You may only need a base model Mini or laptop but others want something with a little more oomph and the Mini is flexible to serve both sets of customers.
So great to see so many options. Even the low-end Macs are super fast. I wish that would have been the case in the 90s and 00s. LOL, Macs were super expensive to render anything.
I’m doubting the case redesign rumor. Possible? Yes, but probably not going to happen before the M2 models.
Which is what will happen. The default M1X configuration will be comparable price, storage, and RAM to the latest i5 and i7 Mac mini configs.
Up to 8TB SSD and up to 64GB RAM is probably going to remain the options for the(se) upper tiers.
No, no, no, no, no. The current thermal headroom is great.
since the RAM is inside the M1 chip package, how would that work? You want the rest of us to have longer RAM latency so you can change your mind someday and upgrade your RAM?
If Apple is shooting for “drop in” replacements for racked and stacked minis then later would probably be better .
but if they are super eager to be a disruptive design then Could be coming now . The DTK and initial M1 Mac had almost minimal possible design effort put into them from industrial design perspective. They have over a year to come up with something as what they pit in over last 2-3 years was next nothing .
I highly doubt the range of prices will be the same. The M1X probably takes four memory packAges on the SoC rather than two. That has side effective of making it harder to offer just 8GB as a starting point.
the much bigger number of GPU cores are probably driving the at least four packages.
If the starting RAM config starts at 16 or 32 GB then the “ entry ‘ big boy’” configurations . Not entirely new numbers but range shifted up.
If Apple added a > 32 GPU option that could go over rhe range . ( presuming Apple goes to fill the thermal capacity up rather than thin out the case )
I’ve been debating getting a Mac Mini for a while now but I will definitely wait until the release of this update if it’s coming this year.
Mind if I ask which dock you got? Do you like it? I'm thinking of getting one.
lol. Gurman has never and shouldn’t have ever been titled a “leaker” not before joining Bloom erg and especially after. His “journalism” has dropped terribly from his own site, or he’s always had an editor but on video terrible.
mall his info on Apple products were sourced elsewhere and regurgitated. Many times news leaks he’s just re-iterating what’s already been said commonly from discussion right here on macrumors forums.
since working at Bloom erg from interviews with staff he has direct access to Apple and when Apple executives have something very important and want to gauge pent up or any demand they’ll allow leaks or for him to “report on” with limited information - that’s another reasons he can never give a specific date or “next month” before anyone else - from real leakers.
leakers or reporters are ONLg as good or effective on the story being told and it’s accuracy above normal standards. When that ceases to continue over a few months relevance falls dramatically.
I’ve never but any faith or worth in Gurman.
I just bought an M1 Mac Mini, and I’m happy about it. Maybe something more powerful will come later, but I doubt they’d stop selling the M1 version for a while. Anything more specced up would be above my budget anyway.