And if that happens, they may move to an external power supply before they change the size of the enclosure.
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Kuo: 2023 Mac Mini to Retain Same Design as Current Model
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Love this! if there is any sort of redesign I feel this is the most likely scenario. Front ports would be nice too but that may be asking for too much lol
Not to argue but the claim was it was 1/2 empty. That is not the case. What Apple does in the future, they will do.
So you make the Mini smaller by moving half the volume out into another box? I think 1+1 still equals 2.
I agree with you. In fact, I think we’ll see the Mac mini get updated at least with each iteration of the base M? chip because why not?
The Mac mini has an odd history because it was designed to be the low cost entry point for switchers, then the niche machine, then the cheap one again (2012-2018). It was always lesser and ignored with no clear place in modern Apple.
Now with Apple Silicon and the state of the iMac I think that mini has found its place again in the low to mid end Mac desktop crowd and, if it gets an M2 or M2 Pro with 32GB of RAM, a deemed replacement for the 27” iMac.
I think Apple has always liked the Mac mini server hosting companies and they have existing racks for the minis. As long as the mini stays the same form factor, the server hosting companies can buy and swap in new minis easy. Add in that making the flat desktop computer smaller is very unlikely to actually leave you with space on your desk that is really going to be all that more useful, there isn't much to be gained by going smaller. Certainly there is nearly nothing to be gained by making the mini half an inch shorter. Keep the space and make sure there is plenty of room for cooling.
Also, the computer looks great the way it is. I think it is a good idea to basically keep it looking the same. Though a couple of color options wouldn't be a bad idea.
The Studio is more computer than I need, so I will continue to hold onto my excellent 2018 mini. But I think the next mini will be the upgrade for me. If that a year from now, so be it.
Also, the computer looks great the way it is. I think it is a good idea to basically keep it looking the same. Though a couple of color options wouldn't be a bad idea.
The Studio is more computer than I need, so I will continue to hold onto my excellent 2018 mini. But I think the next mini will be the upgrade for me. If that a year from now, so be it.
Maybe Apple's crack engineering design team are busy on the iMac Pro for next year and they have to leave the Mac mini for another generation at least?
In all seriousness, perhaps forthcoming price increases due to transport costs have forced Apple to abandon work on investing in the next mini to improve profit margins?
Certainly sticking with the same case enables them to offer the M1 Pro if they wanted to - it'll only have one more Thunderbolt port as with the 14" MacBook Pro
In all seriousness, perhaps forthcoming price increases due to transport costs have forced Apple to abandon work on investing in the next mini to improve profit margins?
Certainly sticking with the same case enables them to offer the M1 Pro if they wanted to - it'll only have one more Thunderbolt port as with the 14" MacBook Pro
M1 has been passively cooled. In modded cases and MacBooks Airs. Even compared to the MacBook Pro 13" with active cooling, the difference has been found negligible.
That said, even an actively cooled M1 Mac mini could do just as well in a smaller form factor.
Yeah but Apple want people to have a good experience, perhaps with a mini that is silent in the current case with the M1. Smaller case = potentially less airflow, running hotter and maybe noise that will annoy customers.
If you want facts, may I suggest www.apple.com. No errant rumors there.
Not a problem. Plenty of space inside to put a bigger CPU (just look at the tear down of the M1 Mini).
But more Thunderbolt ports and display support please…
In three words, Lack Of Ports.
Make it have the same ports as the low end Studio, and then it will be good. 2 USB 3 and a SD card slot on the from, and 2 USB 3 and four thunderbolt 4 on the back and we are good. And the HDMI and ethernet of course.
Actually two Thunder bolts, 2 USB C and the two USB 3 on the back would do it, along with the front ports. The point is you should need a thunderbolt hub to make the machine useful. It's a desktop, it's supposed to connect to things.
I don’t think the current selection is too bad. It already has Ethernet (1 or 10GBe) and an HDMI port for a 4K60 display, plus using Bluetooth for mouse and keyboard, so four ports for data is perfectly usable.
If you’re using a Thunderbolt Display it’s likely you have a few extra USB ports on a built-in hub too (my ASUS PA32UC gives me two USB ports plus a Thunderbolt 3 pass through).
I’d expect if they add the M1 Pro to the Mac mini that it will pickup at least a couple of extra USB-C ports (or maybe TB4).
Considering how much the M1/Apple Silicon is energy efficient in comparison to Intel; Apple could really reduce the size of the Mini a bit more. I played around with one at the Apple store last week and I was surprised how big it feels in comparison to the Dell Optiplex 7090 SFFs we use at work.