I'm a developer for probably more years than you have been an adult. So yes, I know exactly how it works and your misconceptions are mighty, but then again that is the value of Apple marketing.
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M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
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it means that we will see what Apple does. Small device doesn't mean bad product as others are so horribly implying here. There are things that need to go (USB-A) so there is tons of wiggle room to play with. I am actually excited to see what Apple does here. So much potential on the table
I did just picture a Mac Studio height Mac mini (thanks to the myriad fake images crafted by others floating about the ether). That could have all of the features of the present Mac mini, including built-in PSU, and perhaps adding the front SD and USB-C ports. Now that is a Mac mini I could probably handle just fine…
Not personally exciting to me as I expect it to become even more of a limited scope super locked down "appliance"
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This. I think what Gurman may be alluding to is that the new Mini has a similar footprint to the TV, but the height could in fact be proportional to the Studio has you say. Because from a space-saving perspective, the footprint is arguably more important than the bright, plus it would allow for a more efficient heat sink.
Makes sense to me! Especially if this fake Mac Mini sported the M4 and M4 Pro chips, and the Mac Studio has the Max and Ultra versions. But the ”Gurman” Mini form factor makes me wonder about the M4 flavor distribution.
Edit: Oy. I just reread the article. “There will continue to be two versions of the Mac mini: one with the standard M4 chip, similar to the iPad Pro, and one with an M4 Pro chip.” That answers that!
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So, the PSU will be in the form of a brick with an Ethernet port on it? And that the standard, freely available power cable will now be proprietary? How much is that going to add to the price?
Sounds like the much earlier Apple TV with a display rumor is likely the same as this Apple TV like size for a M4 Mac mini. They could use an external power supply w/network port similar to what the 24" iMac offers.
I don't see the obsession with some posters here regarding removing USB-A from desktops. These aren't laptops with limited space, but desktops where you can hide the 'ugly' 'archaic' USB-A round the back. It's still useful for various accessories that still serve a purpose, without the need to use dongles or buy new cables. My keyboard isn't magically going to be better to type on if I switch it out for a new one, for example.
Speaking of potential... name three hypothetical improvements miniaturisation is likely to bring?
1. When hooked up to a future 40” 8K monitor the juxtaposition will be even funnier!
2. Nanoscale computing. Or quantum computing. Or not. Or quantum computing. Or not. Or qu… wait a minute
3. If they go with the height of a Studio it’ll make a great bookend when it ages out of being a doorstop.
I'm pretty surprised the current mini still has USB-A ports. Apple has always pushed the envelope on stuff like this. We no longer have to deal with floppy disks, serial ports, CD drives and other things I can't recall at the moment. I suppose you're aware that there are USB-A to USB-C adapters about the size of your thumbnail? Get some.
Hopefully the price of the more well-equipped models shrinks along with the physical size. A nicely configured M2 Pro model is basically the same price as the M2 Max Studio.
Ha Ha I did Turbo Pascal on a IIe with a Z80 card.
Its a good thing Apple doesn't build to design by everyone's taste as they would never get any thing built.
Just funny complainers complain when anything new comes along. They should become designers and make products for apple. Shame really anything new comes along and people poo poo it.
Just funny complainers complain when anything new comes along. They should become designers and make products for apple. Shame really anything new comes along and people poo poo it.
And waste a USB-C port to connect it? The only way losing USB-A ports isn't an unmitigated negative is if we get more USB-C ports to compensate.I'm pretty surprised the current mini still has USB-A ports. Apple has always pushed the envelope on stuff like this. We no longer have to deal with floppy disks, serial ports, CD drives and other things I can't recall at the moment. I suppose you're aware that there are USB-A to USB-C adapters about the size of your thumbnail? Get some.
You're making unfair comparisons too... it's hardly like a USB-A port occupies as much space inside a computer as an optical drive or a floppy drive.
I think that sounds GREAT but I’m skeptical. The initial article stated:
The Mac Studio height is 3.7”. Increasing the height from an Apple TV 1.4” by 2.3” sounds more than “slightly taller” to me. Still, I hope your idea is right since I think it sounds great .
Agreed, about six would be nice.
Can’t see them making that mistake again given the lawsuits and repair costs that idea cost them.
I only read through the first 12 pages of the thread before skipping to page 25.
I don't mind a smaller sized Mini as long as we don't loose ports. Part of why I am still running my 2018 Mini is because I would have to get the M2 Pro Mini to get the ports I need. As it is is I have to still use a USB hub with my 2018 Mini.
I guess we will just have to wait and see what Apple does with the new Mini. It wouldn't surprise me if they go with USB C and mini HDMI ports like what is found on Raspberry Pi boards.
An external power supply is not that big of a deal either. I have two Dell Optiplex Micro computers that are really close to the same size as the current Mac Mini but they have external power supplies. One runs Windows 11 and the other one runs Linux.
I don't mind a smaller sized Mini as long as we don't loose ports. Part of why I am still running my 2018 Mini is because I would have to get the M2 Pro Mini to get the ports I need. As it is is I have to still use a USB hub with my 2018 Mini.
I guess we will just have to wait and see what Apple does with the new Mini. It wouldn't surprise me if they go with USB C and mini HDMI ports like what is found on Raspberry Pi boards.
An external power supply is not that big of a deal either. I have two Dell Optiplex Micro computers that are really close to the same size as the current Mac Mini but they have external power supplies. One runs Windows 11 and the other one runs Linux.
Wonder if they’d ever make a mac pro 6.1 tribute mini. A mini in a coke can 😂
with the io on a back panel.
or slightly more seriously, since the minis in colocation centres are already stored on their side, why not have the design be a square base that’s taller. like a micro tower.
Hope you’re right, and 10G would be even better. But I’m skeptical, I’m afraid at best it just be 1G, Optional (cost more money) and implemented something like the current iMac (part of an external power brick). Sorry, I’m just being a pessimist, I’ve come The conclusion that it’s best not to be too optimistic with Apple expectations.
I fixed it for you:
I don't see the obsession with some posters here regarding removing DVD player from desktops. These aren't laptops with limited space, but desktops where you can hide the 'ugly' 'archaic' DVD player round the back. It's still useful for various accessories that still serve a purpose, without the need to use dongles or buy new cables.
I don't see the obsession with some posters here regarding removing DVD player from desktops. These aren't laptops with limited space, but desktops where you can hide the 'ugly' 'archaic' DVD player round the back. It's still useful for various accessories that still serve a purpose, without the need to use dongles or buy new cables.
Moving parts = more service issues. There's also tons of these used in data centers and by developers as test beds, and having drives in them by default is just incredibly wasteful. It's also wasteful for most home users. And if they offered a model with a choice, if it's designed to have one that means they've had to put a port on the motherboard for it, build extra thermal capacity, etc.
Buy a USB DVD drive and you can plug it in as needed on most modern machines, and even some TV sets. And when it wears out or breaks you don't have to make an appointment at the Genius bar to get it fixed, you just replace the dongle.