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M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
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Maybe they are on the bottom, like for the Magic Mouse?
Apple can simply trim its hardware category. Merge AppleTV with MacMini and make TVOS an app like FrontRow available on all devices. Reduce the footprint and price and now you don’t have to concern oneself with Axx chips and put the effort and money into Mxx chips. If the M4 MacMini has mounting magnets placed where the feet would be it can be a convenient option to mount it on the rear of a TV or on the wall with a metal plate.
Daisy chain via USB-C for server farms. Another option if for the M4 MacMini to introduce a SmartConnector for data and charging that way stack these in a tower formation will provide ample server power with expandability and flexibility.
Apple can always design a fold and flip keyboard in the design language and footprint of the M4 MacMini along with a track pad and mouse.
An aftermarket product that holds one of these against the back of any monitor could be great.
Not needed as Apple can incorporate magnets where the feet sit.
I'm certainly port limited. Six USB ports is the rock bottom minimum, and no I don't want to plug docking stations into every USB port to get a working configuration.
As for updates, the M1 is still fast enough for nearly everything that is not 4K video.
Apple is planning to debut completely redesigned Mac mini models with the M4 and M4 Pro chips later this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
The new Mac mini will be the first major design change to the machine since 2010, making it Apple's smallest ever desktop computer. The new Mac mini will apparently approach the size of an Apple TV, but it may be slightly taller than the current model, which is 1.4 inches high. It will continue to feature an aluminum shell. Individuals working on the new device apparently say that it is "essentially an iPad Pro in a small box."
Apple is said to have tested Mac mini models with at least three USB-C ports on the back, as well as an area for the power cable and an HDMI port. 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. The base model is set to begin shipping from suppliers this month ahead of release later in the year, while the high-end model will not be ready until October.
The M4 generation of Apple silicon will purportedly be the first time that Apple has used the same chip generation across all of its Macs, with refreshes to add the M4 chip to the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro planned to take place over the next year.
Article Link: M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
Is there really a demand for a *smaller* mini?
The current one is just about perfect...
This is just to somehow fit more units per pallet to make transport from China cheaper, right? Not because anyone really wants this?
That and less aluminum, fewer ports and more margin.
Apple is planning to debut completely redesigned Mac mini models with the M4 and M4 Pro chips later this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
The new Mac mini will be the first major design change to the machine since 2010, making it Apple's smallest ever desktop computer. The new Mac mini will apparently approach the size of an Apple TV, but it may be slightly taller than the current model, which is 1.4 inches high. It will continue to feature an aluminum shell. Individuals working on the new device apparently say that it is "essentially an iPad Pro in a small box."
Apple is said to have tested Mac mini models with at least three USB-C ports on the back, as well as an area for the power cable and an HDMI port. 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. The base model is set to begin shipping from suppliers this month ahead of release later in the year, while the high-end model will not be ready until October.
The M4 generation of Apple silicon will purportedly be the first time that Apple has used the same chip generation across all of its Macs, with refreshes to add the M4 chip to the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro planned to take place over the next year.
Article Link: M4 Mac Mini to Become Apple's Smallest Ever Computer With Complete Redesign
We need an iPad mini M-eries update.
The older Mac minis did have external power bricks. Most of the small form factor PCs have external bricks as well. For that matter All Apple needs is to be able to power the new mini from the same power supply the Mac Book pro uses.
Been contemplating an M3 (or M4) iMac as an upgrade from my M1 iMac -- but if a "mini Mini" came out I'd strongly consider it, paired with an Apple Studio Display, as an alternate path.
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Agreed. Mine fits perfectly under my display stand. Plus, I don't want them skimping on back ports (unless then plan to finally put some on the front. I hate having to reach around to plug/unplug anyway.)
I’m shocked that a certain contingent hasn’t tried to hijack this thread, crying “If they can make a smaller Mac Mini why can’t I have a new iPhone Mini?” 😂
As for myself, at Christmas of 2023 I bought an M2 Max Mac Studio with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. It’s been great and I see no reason to upgrade. But my curiosity has me wondering how much more a next-gen Mac Mini with an M4 Pro and the same amount of RAM would give me. I already have the Studio Display.
As for myself, at Christmas of 2023 I bought an M2 Max Mac Studio with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. It’s been great and I see no reason to upgrade. But my curiosity has me wondering how much more a next-gen Mac Mini with an M4 Pro and the same amount of RAM would give me. I already have the Studio Display.
Not reading all 8 pages of the thread, sorry if someone’s already said this:
It’d be neat if they let you power it via USB-C/Thunderbolt, so you could connect it to a dock or monitor and skip the additional outlet. For that matter, they could stick a small battery in there. Even something with just enough capacity to keep the thing running for 30–60 minutes would be an advantage over a UPS for power outages, and it’d be handy if you just want to move it to another room temporarily.
It’d be neat if they let you power it via USB-C/Thunderbolt, so you could connect it to a dock or monitor and skip the additional outlet. For that matter, they could stick a small battery in there. Even something with just enough capacity to keep the thing running for 30–60 minutes would be an advantage over a UPS for power outages, and it’d be handy if you just want to move it to another room temporarily.
I have a pretty small desk, and footprint matters to me. Crap on it all you want, but if I can get good performance out of something that small, works for me.
In other words, a 13" MacBook Air, that just happens to include a keyboard and trackpad.
In my case, a MBA is so expensive for a single device. I'd rather have an iPad and mini instead.
I'd rather not see a smaller product. In the case of my ATV, the HDMI does not fit snug.
The mini needs the option of a stand to hold it up vertically.
While I never owned one, the old Mac Cube was a delightful design. Steve Jobs loved demonstrating it.
I'd rather not see a smaller product. In the case of my ATV, the HDMI does not fit snug.
The mini needs the option of a stand to hold it up vertically.
While I never owned one, the old Mac Cube was a delightful design. Steve Jobs loved demonstrating it.
Actually the rumor says that, despite having smaller footprint like an AppleTV, it will actually be slightly taller than current mac mini, to fit the fan and heat sink. So, I don’t think it will be fanless, if Gurman leak is accurate.
If only Apple had waited a decade to release the "trash can" Mac. They finally have chips that would work in it.