That suggests how positive people are about Apple's history of shrinking products. Who cares if they make the thinnest, lightest iMac or Mac Mini? We'd rather have the best computer for the money instead of the smallest.
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M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
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i specifically bought the m1 mini to have all the ports on the back of it. i want a traditional desktop without paying thousands. so it looks like if usba and ethernet go away then ill have to just hold onto my m1 for a while longer
also fact that theres only 1 hdmi is kind of a joke. i have to use an hdmi/usbc adaptor for 1 of my monitors.
also fact that theres only 1 hdmi is kind of a joke. i have to use an hdmi/usbc adaptor for 1 of my monitors.
Hope at least they still make a model with the M4 Pro chip.
That is true, but some day you’re going to upgrade that Mac mini. One upgrade and it now is cheaper to buy a separate monitor and computer. I have quite a few 27” iMacs that are totally useless, occupying space in my garage with another one sitting on the ground in my family room, completely unused. Even if Apple came out with a 27” iMac, I think I’ll stay with the separate monitor/computer combo.
Note I already upgraded once, from an M1 Mac mini to an M2 Ultra Mac Studio, so I’m already ahead.
I am going to make predictions:
* USB-A will go away.
* Power supply will be "external". Most monitors sold nowadays have USB-C as an option for input. Your monitor's PSU will basically power it like they do with docked laptops, so why waste the space?
* Ethernet is hanging loose.
I know some enthusiasts won't like that. Though it would have mainstream appeal that you can buy a "computer stick" essentially, but unlike earlier attempts this one just takes everything it needs from the monitor and you're good to go as soon as you've put it into the USB-C port.
* USB-A will go away.
* Power supply will be "external". Most monitors sold nowadays have USB-C as an option for input. Your monitor's PSU will basically power it like they do with docked laptops, so why waste the space?
* Ethernet is hanging loose.
I know some enthusiasts won't like that. Though it would have mainstream appeal that you can buy a "computer stick" essentially, but unlike earlier attempts this one just takes everything it needs from the monitor and you're good to go as soon as you've put it into the USB-C port.
cesjr wrote:
"I hope they don't sacrifice I/O for the sake of a smaller enclosure."
Of course they did.
Look at the back of the current m2PRO Mini.
All kinds of ports, and these "just about fit" on the back of the current enclosure. With no room to spare.
Make that enclosure SMALLER, and some of those ports will have to go.
I'll hazard a GUESS that there won't be USBa ports, perhaps the ethernet port will be gone, as well (it may be migrated, "iMac style", to an external power supply.
I wonder if they'll include an HDMI port?
"I hope they don't sacrifice I/O for the sake of a smaller enclosure."
Of course they did.
Look at the back of the current m2PRO Mini.
All kinds of ports, and these "just about fit" on the back of the current enclosure. With no room to spare.
Make that enclosure SMALLER, and some of those ports will have to go.
I'll hazard a GUESS that there won't be USBa ports, perhaps the ethernet port will be gone, as well (it may be migrated, "iMac style", to an external power supply.
I wonder if they'll include an HDMI port?
Awfully, you're probably right. If they make it USB-C powered they might avoid even providing a wall adapter...
Depending on type of usage, one could get by with just using an iPad to replace a large monitor and keyboard. If not, a smaller mini would afford slightly more deskspace.
I had a Apple Studio Display and I question this everyday why Mac mini can't be powered through the thunderbolt cable but rather have separate power cable.
Sadly this violates the EU small design rules and will result in massive fines.
Potentially, power needs to be filtered more perfectly to run a computer in the long term, as opposed to simply charging a battery.
Just a remark for a designer of the heading picture of this article. When you scale down something that was larger before and had a logo, that logo may be scaled down too. It's not mandatory to make it so ugly.
I wonder if they will build the ethernet into the external power supply like the iMac. I'm always excited to see the new designs and what improvements/downgrades we will get.
How much cooler does the M4 run vs M2? My M2 iPad Pro gets HOT and throttles when running graphics heavy apps.
Being an M2 iPad Pro user, and having used an M4 iPad Pro for a week: initially it’s a bit cooler, especially because the M4 have more efficiency cores than can manage most of the tasks. But once you start demanding raw power (CPU or GPU), it gets as hot, if not hotter, than the M2. And mine was the binned M4 with just 3 performance cores instead of 4.
My guess is that this noticeable increase in temperature is due to the better heat dissipation of the new iPad Pro. But during regular use it usually stays a bit cooler for longer than the M2.
The size of an AppleTV with the reintroduction of FrontRow (AppleTV mode) to have one device connected to my TV.
$299 / $399 / $499 tiers
$299 / $399 / $499 tiers
That’s a pretty prescient prediction for this pointless predilection for petiteness over potentiality. I will not be a fan.
iPad is not supposed to have high performance. The mini, which many of us use for more robust tasks, needs max performance, not some scaled down iPad like performance. If iPad performance works for you, then get an iPad. But don't screw the rest of us that need more.
This is one of the worst takes I've seen in awhile. Tell me you know nothing about how computers work without telling me you know nothing about how computers work.
I gather you believe that a machine equipped with x-wattage of power supply must then consume a similar amount of power? Maximum power supply capacity doesn't mean anything with regards to consumption of a given device under load. All Apple Silicon Mac Minis draw significantly less power than their power supplies are capable of supplying. This is a supply-chain decision by Apple. The cost of using an existing power supply was less than designing, validating, and supplying a new model of power supply custom-tailored to the Mac Mini.
"Apple is going the wrong direction in regards to power consumption". You're wrong and you should feel bad. Apple Silicon has the best perf/watt currently available to consumers. M2 Mac mini draws a maximum of 50 watts, M2 Pro maximum of 100 watts. All data indicate these machines are among the most efficient and performant in their class and generation of silicon. This is practically verifiable from your desk using a device at your power outlet to measure consumption from the wall. Source.
What an insanely bad and ignorant take. It'd be funnier if you weren't so completely incorrect.
The old Mac mini size was largely dictated by the size of the CD/DVD drive. There is really no reason to hold onto it. If they are using an iPad SoC that is already quite small, why keep the case larger?
If you want more for the footprint, there is always the Mac Studio.