Imagined Mac Mini Redesign Argues Apple Should Borrow From Mac Studio

[aibloop]

The Mac Studio enclosure is more expensive to make and consists of more expensive parts and manufacturing process = more expensive Mac Mini…

I would say no, keep the Mac Mini cheap entry level.

Unless economics of scale makes the production of each the same, but somehow I doubt it, aluminium will always be more expensive than plastic.

 

[NightFox]

Waiting for the telescopic Mac Mini/Studio - starts at Mac Mini height but then thermally expands vertically the harder you work it.

 

[SactoGuy18]

You never actually addressed the question.

The current Mac mini chassis just doesn't have enough ports for many users, given the age of that chassis design. An upgraded Mac mini chassis with more ports available would make the mini a lot more useful.

 

[macsimcon]

This will never happen, as it would cut into Apple's profits as people would no longer be forced to buy a Mac Studio, they could just buy a powerful Mac Mini.

To paraphrase Timmy: Apple does what's best for Apple even when it's hard for customers.

 

[frou]

The Mac Studio came out as a new product with an unbelievably lazy exterior design. The internal design is nice, but the exterior is like they procrastinated for months and then pulled an all-nighter before the deadline.

 

[aibloop]

I've long wondered if Apple has stuck with the Mac mini design because the bulk of sales come from server farms, which have invested in racks that are built around the old design.

They COULD make the Mac Mini 50% smaller to cater to that demographic…

 

[redheeler]

The Mac mini 2011+ is basically a metal slab, not a lot to improve upon from a design standpoint. Making it Space Gray would be an improvement, except they tried that and went back for some strange reason. Maybe to add some ports to the front like the Mac Studio, the mini hasn't had front-facing slots or ports since the 2010 model's optical drive (that wouldn't be a design improvement but a functionality one).

One underrated feature of the Mac mini's design is that it's easier to take apart than the Mac Studio.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Given the massive savings in space from apple Silicon I would have thought Apple could move to power the Mini via USB-C (enabling the removal of the internal PSU) and the Mini could fit into an Apple TV-size box! Might be a tight squeeze for the ports on the M2 Pro version, but should be ok for the M2 version (especially if USB-PD allowed to to be powered by the monitor)

I like this

Plop the m3 in a true mini form factor and then put the pro/max in something like the above.

 

[Mousse]

The Mac Studio came out as a new product with an unbelievably lazy exterior design. The internal design is nice, but the exterior is like they procrastinated for months and then pulled an all-nighter before the deadline.

The battle cry of the procrastinators, "If you wait until the last minute, it only takes one minute to do the work."😁

Any redesign of the Mini that falls short of the Cube is pointless. I'd settle for a sphere if they make it a floating sphere. I'm a Star Trek and Star Wars fan, so I want either Borg or Deathstar. Pancake...meh.😐 Double stack pancake. Double meh.😏

 

[dennisbrekke]

Cool, EXCEPT for the air vents on the bottom. Collects SOOOO much dust and if you happen to spill an entire glass of water on your desk - cross your fingers! I love my Studio, but I vacuum the vents weekly and make sure any liquids are on the other side of my desk.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The Mac Studio came out as a new product with an unbelievably lazy exterior design. The internal design is nice, but the exterior is like they procrastinated for months and then pulled an all-nighter before the deadline.


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Agreed. I feel like Apple Mac Pro Trash Can design was much better.

 

[crsh1976]

The no-brainer stuff to borrow from the Mac Studio: put a couple of ports in user-facing position.

It kills me they are still hanging on to that design-over-function paradigm on the Mini when they addressed it with the Studio.

 

[Le0M]

The Mac Mini should become even smaller, like the AppleTv or something, and the Mac Studio should just remain as good.
I wouldn't want a Mini Studio mix, which would result in a more expensive and bigger product.
I truly think these should remain two different, distinct products!

 

[Sowelu]

No. If anything, if there is a redesign, the Mac mini should have a smaller footprint and no change in height.

 

[crsh1976]

Makes zero sense. Why would you redesign the cheapest Mac to be more expensive?

The Mini isn't cheap tho, they even added a M2 Pro version.

Let's not forget the current Mini case design is old stuff, it was designed for an Intel mobo with user-upgradeable RAM and storage - the current Mini case is mostly empty with its chips all soldered to a single board and nothing else.

 

[Freida]

Looks awesome to be honest. Unfortunately I don't think its happening but the Mini should get a redesign. This would just be the easiest - also looks sexier than studio as its not that bulky

 

[paradox00]

The current Mac mini chassis just doesn't have enough ports for many users, given the age of that chassis design. An upgraded Mac mini chassis with more ports available would make the mini a lot more useful.

It still shouldn’t be a dramatically more expensive chassis, as that defeats the purpose of the Mac mini. I’m commenting on the concept presented here, not on a redesign in general. It’s simply not a well thought out concept.

Sidenote: the high speed ports are limited by Apple silicon, but they could add more usb ports at lower speeds.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Huh? The Mac mini is the right size for what it is. The Mac Studio is the right size for what it is. Why even post this?

The Mac mini is too flat and wide. The Studio is too tall. A modernized version of the original G4 Mac mini would look much better on the desk.

 

[paradox00]

The Mini isn't cheap tho, they even added a M2 Pro version.

Let's not forget the current Mini case design is old stuff, it was designed for an Intel mobo with user-upgradeable RAM and storage - the current Mini case is mostly empty with its chips all soldered to a single board and nothing else.

The Mac mini is the cheapest Mac by a long shot. It starts at $499 for education users. Yes a Mac mini with an M2 pro isn’t cheap, but it shares a chassis with the cheap one. You have to consider that.

You’re making a poor argument for a bigger case too. If the current one is mostly empty, it doesn’t need to get bigger…

 

[Warped9]

Keep the Mac Mini. Keep Mac Studio Max. Then either axe Mac Studio Ultra for Mac Pro or upgrade the Studio Ultra and ditch Mac Pro.

 

[StinkyGonzales]

I love the Mac Mini design. Dont think it needs change

 

[anthogag]

Rename the Studio to Mac mini Studio. What is next on the agenda.

 

[coolfactor]

Seems like a pointless exercise. Same difference.

Yah, I don't understand this one. Trying to fix something that isn't broken?

 

[Manzanito]

No need.

 

[BGPL]

I got the Mac Studio last year, and just got a M2 Pro Mini... for daily use they are the same. Very rarely do I see any difference in the performance or GPU cores. And with my Satechi add-on base, I get more ports and SD/Mini-SD slots, so I would not buy the Studio again unless I went with the Ultra.