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M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
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This is pretty cool, and I will definitely pick up one, but my real question is...
Since it's AppleTV sized anyways, can you just let me run tvOS on this and have a high-end AppleTV? Please?
Since it's AppleTV sized anyways, can you just let me run tvOS on this and have a high-end AppleTV? Please?
Apple has been shrinking components to better its mobile devices. It uses those same components in its desktops. What would be the point of leaving extra space and using more material than necessary?
If it’s fanless it’s basically doa. I would never choose a mac mini over an air if they are both fanless. The whole point of the mini (with a fan) is to get even better performance than a Mx Macbook Pro (also with fan) at 1/3 the price.
Or same perf as Mx Pro Macbook Pro at ~1/2 the price.
Or same perf as Mx Pro Macbook Pro at ~1/2 the price.
Probably not a supply chain issue though Apple would likely use the same power supply for the non Pro and Pro versions of the Mini. TB and USB-C ports have a minimum power delivery requirement (15W). The Pro version of the Mini has 4 TB ports so the power supply needs to supply 60W for those ports. You need another 10W for the other two USB-A ports. So, 70W power delivery is required for the connected peripherals. Factor in typical power conversion efficiency and you need to provide about 80W power to the input. Add some safety margin to improve reliability and you are easily over 100W just to support the externally attached peripherals.
Preferably the ability to have a tvOS like GUI and run tvOS apps in macOS so that it "looked" like an AppleTV would be welcome.
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Would be nice if it is powered over usb c rather than a huge power brick
this thread is over the top demotivating by people wanting a device to do "everything" completely ignoring the fact that it is not possible.
If Apple to listen a lot of you here we would still have floppy discs and cd drives.
People, please WAKE UP!
A product will always have compromises one way or another because its impossible to satisfy all. I still know people what use floppy discs and cds. Should Apple cater to those too? No way, those people find a solution (like an adapter or external solution) and that is precisely what people here need to do.
USB-A is old tech - it needs to go. USB-C is way more universal and requires less space. Get over it - its done
Ethernet will most likely stay just because if Apple removes it they might lose 'rack/server' customers and if AppleTV can have it I doubt they would remove it
brick or no brick - I never understood this argument - your laptop has a tiny square brick that you connect to a wall so why are people fussed about the same with a desktop!!! machine that is hidden away as you don't move it much (if ever)? Does the tiny box really make you angry when its hidden behind the desk etc.?
Its crazy to me that people would rather have bulkier machine on the desk that takes more space and is visible than to save that space and have smaller thing on a desk with more options (like hiding behind screen etc.) and then tiny box thats hidden with other cables etc. behind/under the desk.
The new mac mini only needs 4 or so usb-c ports, 1x hdmi and 1x ethernet.
Technically, if Apple does the job well, we can have just 4-6 usb-c and call it a day. For those that need other stuff (i do too btw) you have adapters or a hub adapter that does all and cost $30.
Lets not cripple innovation by keeping old insufficient tech (like USB-A) around. The sooner people will get it the better for all of us. Simple as that
If Apple to listen a lot of you here we would still have floppy discs and cd drives.
People, please WAKE UP!
A product will always have compromises one way or another because its impossible to satisfy all. I still know people what use floppy discs and cds. Should Apple cater to those too? No way, those people find a solution (like an adapter or external solution) and that is precisely what people here need to do.
USB-A is old tech - it needs to go. USB-C is way more universal and requires less space. Get over it - its done
Ethernet will most likely stay just because if Apple removes it they might lose 'rack/server' customers and if AppleTV can have it I doubt they would remove it
brick or no brick - I never understood this argument - your laptop has a tiny square brick that you connect to a wall so why are people fussed about the same with a desktop!!! machine that is hidden away as you don't move it much (if ever)? Does the tiny box really make you angry when its hidden behind the desk etc.?
Its crazy to me that people would rather have bulkier machine on the desk that takes more space and is visible than to save that space and have smaller thing on a desk with more options (like hiding behind screen etc.) and then tiny box thats hidden with other cables etc. behind/under the desk.
The new mac mini only needs 4 or so usb-c ports, 1x hdmi and 1x ethernet.
Technically, if Apple does the job well, we can have just 4-6 usb-c and call it a day. For those that need other stuff (i do too btw) you have adapters or a hub adapter that does all and cost $30.
Lets not cripple innovation by keeping old insufficient tech (like USB-A) around. The sooner people will get it the better for all of us. Simple as that
Nice mockup but I think the corners are too round, @AngerDanger.
On the other hand, while I’m not an insider and don’t have access to privileged info, I heavily suspect the top will be polycarbonate. You know,to cut costs increase the benefits improve the reliability of wireless connections.
I’m so eager to see it!
On the other hand, while I’m not an insider and don’t have access to privileged info, I heavily suspect the top will be polycarbonate. You know,
I’m so eager to see it!
[While it’s not very nice and it’s a bit cynical] I believe the rationale is the belief at Apple about the marketing potential and sales appeal of the “new smallest Mac mini”. It is aimed primarily at users of older Mac mini (especially intel units) to the “brand new”, “modern”, “updated” Mac mini. The M4 gives it the upgraded processing capability. But the new packaging will drive marketing in an attempt to boost sales. It is just Attempting at repeating the Perceived marketing “success” of the current iMac and new iPad Pro.
It is NOT A technological or engineering rationale it’s all in support of a marketing spiel.
I've been moving more and more to smaller form factors. This seems to be a bit much, but it will be a lot easier to mount this thing to the back of my monitor now. I guess that's a plus... and the M4...
The problem as I see it is you are making the argument your preferences are the only ones that matter and that others are unreasonable for having their preferences. Since they're preferences there are no right or wrongs.
On a different site is a rendering for a new skinny mini. The ports are vertical instead of horizontal. Duh! That works.
The power port looks like that of the iMac 24.
I do realize nobody makes a better computer for the price than the mini.
I would like to have an ATV product that was a Chromebox type system. Just add Safari and I'm good. You can sell it to me for $300.
Very few Chromebox computers are available. I don't need Mac OS and I don't want Windows 11. Leaves me out in the cold. Also don't need a $600 mini when a $300 ATV would do.
In my opinion, Apple doesn't want to stop being a 3 Trillion dollar company. So I won't get what I want.
The power port looks like that of the iMac 24.
I do realize nobody makes a better computer for the price than the mini.
I would like to have an ATV product that was a Chromebox type system. Just add Safari and I'm good. You can sell it to me for $300.
Very few Chromebox computers are available. I don't need Mac OS and I don't want Windows 11. Leaves me out in the cold. Also don't need a $600 mini when a $300 ATV would do.
In my opinion, Apple doesn't want to stop being a 3 Trillion dollar company. So I won't get what I want.
This. This. This. Right there. A headless Mac should be full of ports. Make it expandable. I mean, there's no reason why the huge surface area of an iMac has limits on ports, but one can at least make the excuse that with a built in display, it doesn't need one of the ports the mini needs. But both should have far more ports than they do. Especially the Mac mini as it is used in all different environments, and those ports come in handy. At the very least, make a "better" or "best" option for the mini that includes more ports, so we can vote with our wallet.
You read that wrong. I've stated that people hinder innovation by wanting to be stuck in the past.
I've used the box as one of the examples. Its not about preference its about the product and the product has a 'MINI' in the name itself and right now its not mini at all.
the designed worked fantastic with Intel as that was probably the best it could at the time. Now with AS it can get really Mini and so it should.
I also pointed out the floppy/cd argument to illustrate where would we be if that stayed!
So no, its not about preferences its about progress.
I've used the box as one of the examples. Its not about preference its about the product and the product has a 'MINI' in the name itself and right now its not mini at all.
the designed worked fantastic with Intel as that was probably the best it could at the time. Now with AS it can get really Mini and so it should.
I also pointed out the floppy/cd argument to illustrate where would we be if that stayed!
So no, its not about preferences its about progress.
I used iTunes in the past, not as a player but to transcode files. My previous MP3 players did not support AAC.
Apple has killed iTunes deader than dead.
It is very unfortunate to me for optical media to fade away. Apple is always first in line to kill something off.
I believe it is all about profit. Apple makes no money from iTunes if used to burn CDs.
As they say on Turner Classic Movies, "Everything old is new again."
LP records are still around and are a novelty, especially at the price.
Flip phones, the dumb kind, are growing in popularity and I have one.
I couldn't disagree more with the idea of being stuck in the past.
Better than being addicted to the current style.
My Internet goes down soon for repair. It won't be pretty. Yes, I'm addicted just not to a phone.
Some of you young people don't know any different.
The world is not a better place because of the iPhone. Social media is making a big mess.
Yeah, disagree all you want. I'm old enough to know when things were simple and better.
I suspect the whole point of the redesign might be to deter people from buying it, forcing them towards a Studio, or a MacBook. I fear they feel it wasn't sufficiently gimped in its current form.
