High-End Mac Mini Said to Feature Thinner Design With 'Plexiglass' Top, Magnetic Power Port

[profcutter]

Welcome to Apple . Will you take your security seriously so what we're going to do is lock everything down and will be the first computing and technology company to offer a socialist approach and/or Marxist approach to computing. Imagine if you will your computer fails and you have no way to put the machine up to get to the data or to continue your workday not to mention Apple service and support is so horrendous especially the retail level that you could be without a machine for up to 10 days somebody in Apple corporate really didn't think this through.

 

[hot-gril]

As I said, I'm sure the magnets are strong enough to prevent that from happening unintentionally. You'd literally have to have no slack in your power cable to accidentally dislodge it when adjusting your monitor on the desk.

Zero slack is the problem. You think you have some, but then you don't, and something gets unplugged. I don't know how the magnet can be weak enough to prevent the tripping problem but strong enough to prevent accidental unplugs. The Mac mini only weighs 2.6 lbs.

Guess we'll see. This isn't the same situation as with the MBP, but the MBP Magsafe was an example of Apple not doing this quite right. I always have to baby the thing so it stays plugged into my laptop.

 

[hot-gril]

.... how does an external power brick affect any of what you just said?

Yeah idk. If anything, the external brick slightly increases repairability since you now have a replaceable PSU.

 

[Stephen.R]

Zero slack is the problem. You think you have some, but then you don't, and something gets unplugged. I don't know how the magnet can be weak enough to prevent the tripping problem but strong enough to prevent accidental unplugs. The Mac mini only weighs 2.6 lbs. Guess we'll see.

From what I’ve read I don’t think the iMac magnet is meant to prevent the “tripping” problem. I think it’s just because the thin display won’t slow for a deep enough friction fit power cord.

 

[somnolentsurfer]

It would be shortsighted to not use the same Ethernet+Power cable that they debuted with the M1 iMac. Otherwise, this seems fine.

If it's going to have a magnetic connection and ethernet it seems a pretty sure bet this is what they're doing. Which seems like it would be mighty inconvenient for those who like to rack-mount Mac Minis.

 

[The Mad Kiwi]

Another Mac redesign with external power brick.

View attachment 1781276

It's probably just a charger like a laptop, so no biggie.

 

[hot-gril]

From what I’ve read I don’t think the iMac magnet is meant to prevent the “tripping” problem. I think it’s just because the thin display won’t slow for a deep enough friction fit power cord.

That makes sense. It's also annoying when you want to plug something in with friction and you have to hold the front of the monitor in place because it's so light.

 

[citysnaps]

um. you're missing the point. function should dictate design. you don't design a thin case and then say "welp, there's no space for a power supply so let's saddle the customers with an awful brick". you design correctly to begin with.

Um…you can do anything you want. As Apple did, and reaping the benefits of a great selling computer. There’s no issue with the power supply.

 

[MacModMachine]

I don't think MagSafe will work well with Mac mini. Considering many of these will be used in server farms, there would be no benefit but catastrophes if someone were to tug the cable a little too hard...

if that were to happen , they deserve it to be disconnected. there are restrictors for the cables in server racks that prevent this from happening for ANY power source type.

 

[rafark]

A magnetic power port in a desktop computer is like an anti-feature.

 

[citysnaps]

I don't think this is true. At best it's speculation. Apple hasn't released the power figures for the new iMac yet. But let's assume they're roughly 200W - which is consistent with the much more power hungry Intel iMacs. In reality, this iMac probably uses under 100W. There are power supplies capable of putting out 200W that are VERY small. Here is one that is 300W and impressively small. This company is putting out some very impressive designs too. The technology exists, they could have done it. They chose not to do it.

As is said earlier, excellent engineering is about managing a set of often conflicting goals and requirements. I suspect Apple put a great deal of thought into that.

 

[usagora]

(a) not all “professional” use cases have any need/justification for a $5K display

(b) 4K above 24” is decidedly crap ppi.

this is why people want an apple display: they’re willing to pay for a better quality display but there are very few options right now.

(a) Then buy something more affordable, but don't expect identical specs and quality for thousands less.

(b) Then if you need something larger than 24", get the 27" 5K LG I linked earlier that has nearly the same PPI as the Apple display.

Yes, it would be nice to have one of the best monitors that exists for half price or less. I'd also like to buy some nice luxury cars for half the price. But reality is harsh. You pay a premium for a premium product.

 

[Stephen.R]

Then buy something more affordable, but don't expect identical specs and quality for thousands less.

Nobody expects identical specs.

we just want a decent PPI.

Then if you need something larger than 24", get the 27" 5K LG

This is literally the whole point being made: there’s exactly one choice.

 

[usagora]

Nobody expects identical specs.

we just want a decent PPI.


This is literally the whole point being made: there’s exactly one choice.

Only one choice based on your desired specs (>24" with ~220ppi), but not everyone will want or need that. Besides, what's wrong with the LG? Gets great reviews from what I can see and cost $3700 less than the standard Pro Display XDR. And you said nobody expects identical specs. So, there you go.

 

[usagora]

Zero slack is the problem. You think you have some, but then you don't, and something gets unplugged. I don't know how the magnet can be weak enough to prevent the tripping problem but strong enough to prevent accidental unplugs. The Mac mini only weighs 2.6 lbs.

Guess we'll see. This isn't the same situation as with the MBP, but the MBP Magsafe was an example of Apple not doing this quite right. I always have to baby the thing so it stays plugged into my laptop.

Someone tripping over the cord is going to be a whole lot of force on that power cord, far more than any force from you simply moving your Mac Mini. It's easy enough to use proper cable management and to be careful not to stress connections - you wouldn't want to do that even with a standard power cable.

 

[SuperMatt]

Another Mac redesign with external power brick.

View attachment 1781276

History lesson: The first Mac mini had an external power supply. We’ve come full circle.

 

[Bill291]

Plexiglass (Like)...Nope...scratches too easily, must be glass then, but....why, just use aluminium.
There is no reason to make the top of Plexiglass like material.

So it glows? I dunno.

 

[Bill291]

Now they just need to release an affordable monitor to go with it!

I'm looking forward to getting one. I have plenty of widescreen monitors waiting to retire from an Alienware R8.

 

[tomtad]

Pssstt... I have a picture of a real world plexiglass Mac mini.

It's actually quite interesting seeing the orginal again. It was clearly designed around the CD drive.

Now this limitation is no longer there does it make sense for this to be perfectly square?

 

[coolerkid]

This looks great, but they really need a semi-pro 32 inch Apple Display to go along with this. It's crazy that Apple's only display starts at $5000. It would be nice to have something around $1k or below that was as thin as the 24" iMac M1 without the chin.

 

[Stephen.R]

Now this limitation is no longer there does it make sense for this to be perfectly square?

Are you thinking what I’m thinking B2?

yep! Just make it chin shaped. Like the iMac without the screen. All chin, all the time.

 

[HowardEv]

you know you don’t have to put a laptop literally on your lap right?

I like to be able to adjust it on the desk, and yes, use it on my lap. I also like it to be light and quiet, and cheap. I don't want it to be heavy, expensive, loud, and hard to move. I also want maximum performance. Those used to be mutually exclusive and require compromise. The solution is to take the CPU out of the laptop and put it in a portable Mini, with one thunderbolt cable to the laptop or display, or maybe a wireless connection. No compromises on speed or comfort.

 

[Stephen.R]

I like to be able to adjust it on the desk, and yes, use it on my lap. I also like it to be light and quiet, and cheap. I don't want it to be heavy, expensive, loud, and hard to move. I also want maximum performance. Those used to be mutually exclusive and require compromise. The solution is to take the CPU out of the laptop and put it in a portable Mini, with one thunderbolt cable to the laptop or display, or maybe a wireless connection. No compromises on speed or comfort.

So just... buy an external keyboard and display for the laptop? You’re making this a lot harder than you need to.

 

[BobMcBob]

This looks great, but they really need a semi-pro 32 inch Apple Display to go along with this. It's crazy that Apple's only display starts at $5000. It would be nice to have something around $1k or below that was as thin as the 24" iMac M1 without the chin.

Just get a 4K tv for even cheaper than $1k. Apple doesn't need to make monitors when there are so many commodity options.

 

[oneMadRssn]

As is said earlier, excellent engineering is about managing a set of often conflicting goals and requirements. I suspect Apple put a great deal of thought into that.

I think the decision to have an external power supply on an all-in-one desktop is proof they did not.