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Last week, Bloomberg reported that Apple is working on a high-end version of the Mac mini with additional ports and featuring the same Apple silicon chip expected to debut in the upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro. Now, new renders from Apple leaker Jon Prosser have potentially given us our first look at this upcoming Mac.

mac-mini-ports.jpg

According to renders made by Ian Zelbo in collaboration with Prosser, and shared in a new YouTube video from Front Page Tech, the new Mac mini will retain a mostly similar design to the existing Mac mini but be smaller in overall size.


According to Prosser, the new high-end Mac mini will feature the same ports currently available on the Intel-based Mac mini, which includes four Thunderbolt, two USB-A, Ethernet, and HDMI. Another change reportedly coming to the new Mac mini is a "plexiglass-like" top, which will sit above the aluminum enclosure.

mac-mini-back2.jpg

Proser says he has "heard" that Apple is testing two-tone color options for the Mac mini, similar to the newly released 24-inch iMac. Finally, Prosser says that the new Mac mini will feature the same magnetic power port that debuted in the 24-inch iMac.

mac-mini-ports.jpg

Apple updated the Mac mini with the M1 Apple silicon chip in November, keeping in its lineup Mac minis equipped with Intel processors. Bloomberg has indicated Apple could scrap its plans to release this new high-end Mac mini but notes that regardless, it will eventually replace the current Intel models with ones featuring Apple silicon chips.

Article Link: High-End Mac Mini Said to Feature Thinner Design With 'Plexiglass' Top, Magnetic Power Port
 
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m.x

macrumors 6502
Oct 12, 2014
259
944
Why should they use the magnetic power cable like on the iMac? I can understand why they did it on the iMac (>100W so no USB-C, case too thin), but they could simply use the same one like on the previous generations…
maybe because of the color matching?
 

chucker23n1

macrumors G3
Dec 7, 2014
9,090
12,110
That magnetic plug makes sense on the iMac because a regular plug has too much force for such a relatively fragile case, but… on a Mac mini? For consistency / economics of scale reasons, perhaps (and to provide Ethernet more conveniently), but I don't think that's right. I think the Mac mini won't have a magnetic plug.
 

citysnaps

Suspended
Oct 10, 2011
12,735
27,483
Why the crap does the Mac Mini need to change to using an external power brick? One of the nice things about the Mac Mini is its lack of such a brick.

The first iteration of the Mac Mini had one, then moved away from that. It feels like we're sliding backwards?

Separating the power supply may keep it fan-less. Which is a huge plus for some applications.

I have no problem with a separate power brick for two of my applications.
 
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