Kuo: 2023 Mac Mini to Retain Same Design as Current Model

[phrehdd]

I have no issue with the look of the present mini. If they can continue to handle heat, the I would like to see them focus on
1) more ports
2) a better audio DAC
3) allow for 64 gigs of RAM

 

[Seanm87]

Prosser is so full of crap. No way is his accuracy rate as high as this site claims. I can barely think of anything he got right apart from the AirTags design.

 

[russell_314]

I wouldn't say the Intel model is the "high-end". It may be a pricier option but it performs poorly compared with the M1 version (especially in the graphics department, even after adding an external GPU). The only reason I can see that anyone might want the Intel version is to run Windows.

It is the high end version. The M1 MacBook Air outperforms the high end 16 inch MacBook Pro in some ways but that doesn’t mean that it’s not the high end version. All of the older Intel models are going to have less performance in some areas.

 

[opeter]

Wasn't he one of the people sure that Apple was going to release a Mini with a transparent glass top? If so, what happened to that? It would be awesome, but never happened. *shrug*

Not, that was mentioned by another guy (Jon Posser)...

Mac mini: New M4 Chips, Should You Buy?

The Mac mini was updated in October 2024 with a smaller design, Apple's M4 and M4 Pro chips, front USB-C ports, and rear Thunderbolt 4 or...

www.macrumors.com

 

[infinitejest]

Some ports at the front would be nice.

 

[russell_314]

I have no issue with the look of the present mini. If they can continue to handle heat, the I would like to see them focus on
1) more ports
2) a better audio DAC
3) allow for 64 gigs of RAM

What ports are you looking for? I mean specifically do you want like 10 USB-A ports or something. I think the mini has more ports than almost any other Apple computer

 

[TheMacDaddy1]

Should we call this daily useless mac mini rumor, or mac mini rumor #528?

 

[opeter]

What is wrong with the current Mac mini? M1 is more then enough for regular use and those who needs more can buy the iMac or the Mac studio, IMHO, the current design is great too.

The 24" iMac is the same as the M1 Mac mini. It's just glued to the computer's screen casing.

 

[russell_314]

The 24" iMac is the same as the M1 Mac mini. It's just glued to the computer's screen casing.

You’re not wrong. I think the circuit shape may be a little bit different but it’s basically the same thing. I think the current M1 Mac mini is perfect for a low and general purpose computer. Perhaps there needs to be an intermediate model that sits between the current M1 Mac mini and the Mac studio.

I think that’s going to be the replacement for the space gray Mac mini. I don’t see in any reason why Apple is keeping it unless it’s really selling well but it has to be upgraded soon because 8th gen Intel is getting really long in the tooth.

 

[4jasontv]

If Apple can make a Mac Pro that allows you to join multiple mini and studio into a single machine, they can totally justify having the same footprint.

 

[jeffpeng]

Extremely bold prediction considering they just released a mid-to-high-end desktop that looks exactly the same just moar thicc. (Which I call lovingly the "Big Mac".)

 

[jerryk]

I prefer the smaller design Prosser showed. If you use the external power supply/ethernet of the iMac you can easily reduce the size of the unit on the desk. Also, a plastic top can help with the Bluetooth signal issue.

 

[ttyRazor]

Disagree…I think we’re getting a two year cycle from here on out. The mini is priced reasonably enough for Apple to make a profit on them now and with the engineering in-house and not dependent on Intel, this is an important cog in Apple’s consumer lineup.

At worst some Macs might end up like some iPad models that skip A series generations, but that’s more a symptom of iPad updates not lining up with the annual iPhone schedule. Hopefully Macs will be more consistent since they’re no longer stuck on intel’s broken schedule.

 

[Doomtomb]

Current Mac Mini form factor is fine. I'd believe Apple would want to keep cohesion between it and the Mac Studio. If the iMac made use of plexiglass, I could see the change but otherwise unlikely.

 

[ipsedixit]

I don't care what the form factor is for the Mac Mini.

It's hidden underneath my desk. So it could be in the shape of a big middle finger, and it wouldn't really matter to me.

 

[rumz]

I’d love to see an updated Mac mini the same form factor as the 4K Apple TV! I’d buy that in a heartbeat!

Yeah how about a Mac Nano— uses base M series chip, can be powered by USB-C… it’d be totally transportable. (Even more niche than any current product though to make it transportable, hah.)

 

[Bug-Creator]

uses base M series chip, can be powered by USB-C

-> just double-tape it to any monitor with power-delivery and bang howmany"youwant_iMac....

 

[opeter]

I’d love to see an updated Mac mini the same form factor as the 4K Apple TV! I’d buy that in a heartbeat!

Why not a Mactini?

 

[doctrsnoop]

The Mac mini Colo industry alone would tend to lead to keeping the same design. Also, Apple is getting a little bit away from design for design's sake.

Having said that I believe that the current Mac mini is larger than it needs to be, probably twice as large as it needs to be. They could save money on materials and shipping by shrinking at least one model.

I think they could cut the width in half, make it a rectangle rather than square, make it as deep so you could fit 4 across in a 1U rack.

And a more powerful Mx Pro into the current size.

 

[tomtad]

Kuo, I don’t believe you.

Yes the mini will likely be a unibody aluminium enclosure but with the Studio this is now firmly a consumer product and the space of the current enclosure just isn’t needed. The mini will likely mirror the iMac in specs going forward.

Expect a smaller form factor for the mini which takes on the aesthetic of the iMac and upcoming MacBook Air. There'll certainly be no ‘mini Pro’.

What will this look like? A similar square form but smaller with a metallic or etched Apple logo on top and maybe even some plexiglass. Would be nice to have a USB port on the front too.

 

[Ballis]

Given the new Mac Studio's design, I'm 100% ok with Apple sticking with the current Mac mini's design. Sure Apple could probably make it more svelte, but honestly, does it really need it? My hesitation with the new Mac mini design that Jon Prosser put out was that Apple would make the power supply external like the iMac. I didn't like that aspect of the rumor at all.

Well its Prosser so dont worry. His guesses are never right

 

[cult hero]

File this under “meh.” Adding a couple ports to the front would be really nice.

There’s nothing wrong with the current design but I think the possibility of mounting one directly to a Studio display would be awesome. (Extra bonus for moving the PSU external and allow it to piggy back off a monitor.)

 

[turbineseaplane]

File this under “meh.” Adding a couple ports to the front would be really nice.

There’s nothing wrong with the current design but I think the possibility of mounting one directly to a Studio display would be awesome. (Extra bonus for moving the PSU external and allow it to piggy back off a monitor.)

The Apple NUC!

I actually did a Hackintosh out of a very early Intel NUC and mounted it to the back of an ASUS display.

Was great!

 

[oofio2461]

Same old Apple, releasing products with outdated designs...

 

[Jim Lahey]

As far as I'm concerned they can use the same external design for another two millennia just so long as they start making all versions in Space Gray. MacBook Pro aside, there's been a gradual move away from this option ever since the iMac Pro was retired along with all its colour coded peripherals later being permanently discontinued. Someone at Apple needs to give their head a wobble if they think this strategy is a good idea.