Mac Mini to Lose Its USB-A Ports Later This Year

[Stromos]

They could have yes but that's just not Apple is it really?

As for durability, it's crap. The biggest failure points in all our corp hardware is thermal failure (thanks Dell) and broken USB-C ports. In fact we have started getting iPhones with damaged and flakey USB-C ports now as well. Already! Lightning ones rarely failed (occasionally fluff got in them but meh).

I've personally had a broken USB-C port on a ThinkPad and the cable that came with my iPhone 15 Pro is dicky already.

Been saying this to deaf/I'm lying responses. I don’t have the article handy but I also find it complete bull that Dell has a knowledge base article about being careful with USB C ports and a bold disclaimer that any issues with a C port are from abuse and not covered under any warranty except accidental damage. They claim any damage to a C port is abuse and not covered likely most companies follow this.

Is it always the C port on the laptop? No. Everyone saying docks are cheap is lying to themselves Dell docks are ~200 bucks and we have also had waves of docks with where the cable has worn out long before the dock has died.

Some Dell docks have replaceable cables however the cable itself is ~60 bucks and you have to have the skill to replace it. Usually this equates to trash the dock and get a new one.

Let’s not forget that the type C standard is that the cable is designed to fail and not the port that’s where the springs and everything are that wear down. So when people are saying suck it up and buy a adapter or a dock which we all know real TB4 docks are expensive, unless they have a replaceable cable that’s affordable you can expect the dock to have to be replaced based on how often you use it. Same with card readers hubs etc. At no point should you expect to buy a hub/dock/reader where eventually the cable isn’t going to become loose unless it’s always plugged in which is completely impractical for a portable device. Mac Mini hopefully isn’t moving around too much.

Another comment specifically on Dell but likely anything TB 4 is the sheer weight of the cable even on a desk. The dock cables/connectors are heavy. I can look at the office walking the cubes right now and know how old a dock is by how much sag on the laptop connection. Almost all of them are not straight just different degrees of a downward bend. Now is that damaging the laptop or dock? Likely a degree of both.

 

[bzgnyc2]

I wouldn’t be using any mini’s for it, it’s just the principle of the thing and windows machine makers tend to follow apple so when apple does it they won’t be far behind. We have a lot of windows laptops now that don’t have any USB-A either and it‘s such a pain in the ass, I can’t plug anything into them without an adapter. It’s just absurd to me to not include some USB-A ports on a desktop, where space isn’t the issue. Even laptops should still include at least one USB-A port unless they are an ultra portable. Fine, take them off of the macbook Air, but I’d love for it to come back on the Pro. I also have lots of USB-A stuff at home where I do use more Apple Products (and windows). I’m probably still 70/30 on USB-A/USB-C at home too.

There's always the Framework solution to it:

Framework Marketplace | Expansion Cards

Head to the Expansion Cards page to choose which ports you need for your Framework Laptop—from additional storage to additional device connections.

frame.work

Everybody gets what they want (other than an infinite number of total ports).

Personally I started shifting all new purchases to USB-C after I got my Mac Mini 2018. After seeing USB-C only laptops like the MacBook (original) and MacBook Pro 2016 and TB3, it seemed clear USB-C was the future.

 

[drrich2]

Microsoft is missing an opportunity for some serious revenge. Remember the 'I'm a Mac/I'm a PC' ads? Okay, picture this. A college student is looking at laptops. 'I'm a PC' takes out a notebook and hooks up some common peripherals directly to it. The student then asks 'I'm a Mac' what he has, and he takes out a MacBook with some ugly hub thing dangling from a USB-C port. The student looks put off and says 'Uh, maybe I'll get a desktop.' The PC guy pulls out a nice, clean looking mini-tower, and the Mac guy puts out a puny looking little Mac Mini and hooks it to a big dock.

PC...when you don't need all that crap.

 

[cjsuk]

Been saying this to deaf/I'm lying responses. I don’t have the article handy but I also find it complete bull that Dell has a knowledge base article about being careful with USB C ports and a bold disclaimer that any issues with a C port are from abuse and not covered under any warranty except accidental damage. They claim any damage to a C port is abuse and not covered likely most companies follow this.

Is it always the C port on the laptop? No. Everyone saying docks are cheap is lying to themselves Dell docks are ~200 bucks and we have also had waves of docks with where the cable has worn out long before the dock has died.

Some Dell docks have replaceable cables however the cable itself is ~60 bucks and you have to have the skill to replace it. Usually this equates to trash the dock and get a new one.

Let’s not forget that the type C standard is that the cable is designed to fail and not the port that’s where the springs and everything are that wear down. So when people are saying suck it up and buy a adapter or a dock which we all know real TB4 docks are expensive, unless they have a replaceable cable that’s affordable you can expect the dock to have to be replaced based on how often you use it. Same with card readers hubs etc. At no point should you expect to buy a hub/dock/reader where eventually the cable isn’t going to become loose unless it’s always plugged in which is completely impractical for a portable device. Mac Mini hopefully isn’t moving around too much.

Another comment specifically on Dell but likely anything TB 4 is the sheer weight of the cable even on a desk. The dock cables/connectors are heavy. I can look at the office walking the cubes right now and know how old a dock is by how much sag on the laptop connection. Almost all of them are not straight just different degrees of a downward bend. Now is that damaging the laptop or dock? Likely a degree of both.

Don't start me on Dell's docks. I've had 3 blow up so far. The last 2 were the expensive dual USB-C port ones.

Absolute garbage.

 

[ric22]

Don't start me on Dell's docks. I've had 3 blow up so far. The last 2 were the expensive dual USB-C port ones.

Absolute garbage.

Always best to avoid docks where possible!

 

[cjsuk]

Always best to avoid docks where possible!

Annoyingly their USB-C dock monitors are fine. It's the standalone docks that explode.

 

[johnmcboston]

Little USBA to C plus are pretty cheap, and have had no issues yet. But haven't we had the same argument when apple removes <some other standard>?

 

[bgillander]

Microsoft is missing an opportunity for some serious revenge. Remember the 'I'm a Mac/I'm a PC' ads? Okay, picture this. A college student is looking at laptops. 'I'm a PC' takes out a notebook and hooks up some common peripherals directly to it. The student then asks 'I'm a Mac' what he has, and he takes out a MacBook with some ugly hub thing dangling from a USB-C port. The student looks put off and says 'Uh, maybe I'll get a desktop.' The PC guy pulls out a nice, clean looking mini-tower, and the Mac guy puts out a puny looking little Mac Mini and hooks it to a big dock.

PC...when you don't need all that crap.

Perhaps, but I don't think any company really wants to advertise that you need anything other than that singular, wonderful product they are trying to sell you in their ad.

It also might backfire on them, since the first thing I bought 4 years ago after getting my first Surface Go was a snap on mini-dock for it because it only has one USB port and that is USB-C.

 

[AppliedMicro]

What's driving this is Apple's bizarre fixation on maximum miniaturization of what's supposedly a 'desktop' computer. With the prior Mac Mini, were there threads lamenting how awful it was the Mini had USB-A ports? Had the Mini stayed the same size with the current ports, would we over 30 pages into this thread be debating USB-A ports?

We wouldn’t have this thread going on for 30 pages.
But then, what‘s Apple brand proposition?

“Look at this computer:
- it’s got our brand new M4 chip inside
- but it (case) still looks the same aswe’ve been doing over the last 14 (!) years
- and it even has the same USB ports we introduced 26 years ago, to connect with all of your old cruft.
It‘s the best Mac mini we‘ve ever made!“

Now, the Mac mini’s design has undoubtedly held up well over time (14 years at this point). And sometimes Apple tends to neglect a particular product in their lineup to something else for quite a while (such as the Mac mini after 2014, or the iPad mini at times), only to eventually phone in a minor update.

But even the Mac mini is due for a redesign at some point. And at that point, they’ll „think different“ and choose a forward-looking approach, trying to create a product that‘ll (hopefully) „wow“ people. Powerful in an insanely small package. With only a minimum of physical ports.

„What‘s a (or: Where’s my) desktop computer?“

They‘ve already (successfully) done it with the MacBook Air as a notebook computer - that only has two (USB-C/TB4) data ports.

The ports on a computer aren't just for new stuff you will buy going forward; they're to enable you to use what you already have on hand.

True - particularly for the Mac mini.

But Apple isn’t really in the business of enabling you to use everything you already had (the Mac mini was an outlier in that regard, when introduced). They‘ve and been at the forefront of wireless connectivity that replaces your old wired connectivity:

- Wireless peripherals (Bluetooth)
- Wireless networking (AirPort)
- Wireless printing (AirPrint)
- Wireless media streaming (AirPlay)
- Wireless file transfer (AirDrop)
- Wireless sharing of device functionality (Continuity, Hand-off)

Some things, like a printer or speakers, may be used many years. I picked up my Brother DCP-L2540DW all-in-one back in 2015 for roughly $100. I'm using it wirelessly now, but I've used it with USB-A before. Not what I'd buy today, but works fine for what I do with it.

…and it‘s still going to have work with a USB-C to B cable.

 

[drrich2]

Now, the Mac mini’s design has undoubtedly held up well over time (14 years at this point). And sometimes Apple tends to neglect a particular product in their lineup to something else for quite a while (such as the Mac mini after 2014, or the iPad mini at times), only to eventually phone in a minor update.

That neglect you mention makes for an erratic course. For years, the iMac was the desktop favorite son (Mac Pros were very expensive, albeit not as badly as now), and the Mac Mini was the lower end cheap option at times very sporadically updated (people kept debating whether Apple was killing it). These days, the iMac has been relegated to 24" size and if you want a 'desktop' Mac with a 27" monitor, it won't be an iMac. Apple stayed out of the display business so long it didn't look like they were ever going back; now there's the Apple Studio Display.

Apple isn't just forward-thinking, they change course markedly. The only Mac in the lineup that's a true desktop (e.g.: internal expansion bays, room for a non-notebook chip with greater cooling needs) is the outrageously priced Mac Pro.

They‘ve and been at the forefront of wireless connectivity that replaces your old wired connectivity:

And I'm mostly a fan (using Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and after a multi-session ordeal eventually got the old multi-function printer wirelessly connected), until the Mac gets glitchy and I'm told to restart while holding down certain keys until I hear a chime. Then wired or wireless receiver-based keyboard and mouse appear needed.

But then, what‘s Apple brand proposition?

“Look at this computer:
- it’s got our brand new M4 chip inside
- but it (case) still looks the same aswe’ve been doing over the last 14 (!) years
- and it even has the same USB ports we introduced 26 years ago, to connect with all of your old cruft.
It‘s the best Mac mini we‘ve ever made!“

If they really want to stir up excitement better serving customers with a genuinely improved product, offer a mini-tower option - give us a compact Mac with easily accessible internals for user serving (and blowing out the dust), and an expansion bay or two. Can you imagine the excitement on Mac Rumors? Users reporting affordable 3rd party big SSD storage added internally, port expansion via PCI cards, etc...

If they did that, I wonder how many Mac Rumors posters would take to the threads lamenting But it's not thin! It's not tiny! They could even offer what I describe and this 'mini-brick' thing we expect soon, and see what the customer base prefers. But Apple giving the customers what they want instead of what Apple wants them to buy?

Near useless miniaturization and less ports is our future. At least we have 'courage.'

 

[theluggage]

But even the Mac mini is due for a redesign at some point. And at that point, they’ll „think different“ and choose a forward-looking approach,
[SNIP]
They‘ve already (successfully) done it with the MacBook Air as a notebook computer - that only has two (USB-C/TB4) data ports.

Making the Mini smaller for the sake of it isn't "forward looking" it's bad, form-over-function design that ignores the different affordances of desktop and laptop computers and makes the product worse. What's good for the MacBook Air isn't automatically good for the Mini.

The MacBook Air is an ultra portable laptop - the original Air pretty much created the "ultrabook" form-factor which was widely copied by PC manufacturers. It was introduced by Steve pulling it out of a brown letter-sized envelope. It is designed for people who want to carry it around all day. wherever they go. It needs to be as small and light as possible, and needs to focus on wireless communications (you don't want to be plugging it and unplugging it every time you move) and if you want it to double as a desktop the best solution is to use a single-cable docking station.

The Mac Mini is a desktop computer - it was introduced with the slogan "Bring your own display, keyboard and mouse" so connectivity is pretty important. Most people using one are going to need a display that is many times larger and heavier than the Mini so the size isn't that relevant. It is already small enough to VESA mount behind a display or wall-mounted TV. and low enough to place under a display (either directly or with a suitable display stand/shelf) although, typically, it will happily sit under the "overhang" of a display and not really consume desk space & can be stacked up with other stuff. It has plenty of internal space for a large (and therefore quiet) cooling system. WiFi and Bluetooth are great in situations where cables would be a problem, but wherever you can use a cable, Ethernet and USB are still more reliable and real-world faster than interference-prone wireless.

It's 2024 - MacBook/MacBook Pros are offering desktop-level performance, and laptops were already becoming the preferred choice for most people. The main point of getting a desktop Mac is that you don't need to move it around, are going to be using your own peripherals and, possibly, want to plug in lots of stuff.

I have still yet to see a practical argument for making the mini smaller other than hand waving about how it "needs a re-design". It's not even behind the competition once you realise that NUCs ans suchlike rely on bulky external power bricks and have a tendency to be noisy and/or overheat.

Now, we haven't seen what Apple is actually going to come up with yet - the rumour of 5 USB-C plus HDMI and Ethernet and internal PSU is actually somewhat reassuring, but it's still just a rumour that explicitly mentions the M4 Pro Mini, not the regular M4 - if the M4 gets 5xUSB-C it would be starting to look like an upgrade. What happens w.r.t. noise and throttling in such a tiny box remains to be seen.

…and it‘s still going to have work with a USB-C to B cable.

Only if there's a spare USB-C port to plug it in to. Even the rumoured 5 USB-C on the M4 Pro is one less USB port (of whatever type) than the M2 Pro Mini... and while extra front mounted ports are handy for plugging in memory sticks, card readers etc. it sounds like these come at the expense of fewer ports on the back.

So, sorry, a Mac Mini design that makes the computer smaller at the expense of needing extra external hubs, or having some peripherals permanently connected to the front ports is nonsensical.

 

[AppliedMicro]

I have still yet to see a practical argument for making the mini smaller other than hand waving about how it "needs a re-design".

There is little practical argument.
It’s a design choice.

Minimalism has been a hallmark of Apple’s hardware designs for decades (although arguably a bit more with Ive at the helm than after him). It looks cleaner and nicer.

a Mac Mini design that makes the computer smaller at the expense of needing extra external hubs, or having some peripherals permanently connected to the front ports is nonsensical.

Not if your computer is designed for people that don’t need a bunch of stuff to connect (wired).

The ones who do: well, there‘ll be another Mac with more ports for you.

 

[drrich2]

Minimalism has been a hallmark of Apple’s hardware designs for decades (although arguably a bit more with Ive at the helm than after him). It looks cleaner and nicer.

Yes it does, until people start plugging hubs into it. My old 2017 12" MacBook is the poster child for this; 1 USB-C port and 1 headphone jack. Nice, minimalist form until I plug the hub into it. People who use USB-C or Thunderbolt monitors with charging and hub functionality can get around some of that. Some gear, like Satechi's Mac Mini-matching dock, take away some of the 'eye sore factor.'

Not if your computer is designed for people that don’t need a bunch of stuff to connect (wired).

True, but the Mac Mini was historically the 'budget Mac' for people to bring their own already owned accessories (some of which are wired).

It'd be interesting to find out what the typical Mac Mini user uses port wise with the recent models. How many of those USB-A ports are in use, whether sporadic (e.g.: thumb drives) or continuous (e.g.: wireless keyboard and mouse receiver).

The ones who do: well, there‘ll be another Mac with more ports for you.

The Mac Studio's higher price puts it in line with more well-off customers. Whether they are less likely to use older 'legacy' equipment vs. professional wired gear I don't know.

 

[IvyKing]

Not if your computer is designed for people that don’t need a bunch of stuff to connect (wired).

That sounds like a MBA in clamshell mode, which may not be the same demographic as the buyers for a Mac Mini. Wired connections, in my experience, are much simpler to set up and more reliable that wireless connections. While a wireless mouse has distinct advantages over a wired mouse, there aren't significant advantages for wireless keyboards or trackpads, while the wired keyboards and trackpads "just work".

Since I already had a Thunderbolt display, buying a Mac Mini was the least expensive way for me to experience the M1 and it has worked very well for me. I had a year and a half experience with an Intel MBP with just two USB-C ports prior to buying the M1 Mini, and the USB-A, Ethernet and HDMI ports were a major selling point for the M1 Mini. The fact that it is very quiet, is another reason that I have been pleased with it. Wireless functionality is pretty much limited to Airdrop for photos. If/when I upgrade to an M4 Mini, the M1 Mini can still be useful as a file server.

There may be a market for a Mac Micro, i.e. an Mx processor in a smaller box with 2 - 3 USB-C ports and power from USB-C, but that's not the computer I want. I am more interested in the computer being useful than making a statement.

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

The picture shows an Apple TV on the top shelf, my cable modem, and a mess of ethernet cables. My mac mini is on the bottom. The door stays closed, is next to my desk. I count 9 things attached

I don't need a smaller mac mini and I really don't care if the ports are on the front or back. In fact, it looks like all the ports are on the front of my mini now. I use a USB hub so I can keep a couple of open ports. Also a hub in my monitor where the USB-A keyboard receiver is attached. I haven't had a desktop computer on my actual desk in 25+ years.

Mac mini bluetooth sucks. I'd give up a port or two if they fixed it. It's sucked since 2011. I'd like a touch Id keyboard that will work with things attached ot the mini if I ever upgrade to Apple silicon. Maybe they could spend an extra $1 an add a bluetooth antenna, maybe even external. Sometimes old school works better.

 

[bgillander]

It'd be interesting to find out what the typical Mac Mini user uses port wise with the recent models. How many of those USB-A ports are in use, whether sporadic (e.g.: thumb drives) or continuous (e.g.: wireless keyboard and mouse receiver).

Yes, it would. I would think Apple has thought the same thing. Assuming this rumor is true, we will probably get a little more feedback once the new model is shipping, as I expect there would be some reaction from those more typical users (those normal ones that don't haunt rumour sites ). If it is discontinued in two years, I would say there were more USB-A users than Apple expected. So far, it has held up unusually well for an Apple product with mini in the name.

 

[AppliedMicro]

Wired connections, in my experience, are much simpler to set up and more reliable that wireless connections.

True - and I’ve wired everything I could below my desk (except mouse and keyboard). The average ”non-techy” doesn’t care that much though, in my experience.

It'd be interesting to find out what the typical Mac Mini user uses port wise with the recent models

A hardware and a flash drive - that’s enough USB devices.
Scanning and printing has moved to wireless networking from what I can observe.

but that's not the computer I want. I am more interested in the computer being useful than making a statement.

Oh, I totally get that (even though I am into minimalist design).

I want a Mac mini with a storage bay or two. One M.2 and one SATA - yet they’re not making what I want. Is there a reason? Well, using souped-up smartphone SOCs maybe. And fleecing people for storage upgrade. But there’s certain enough space in today’s Mac Mini. So have to do with stupid external drives for storage expansion.

 

[bgillander]

There may be a market for a Mac Micro, i.e. an Mx processor in a smaller box with 2 - 3 USB-C ports and power from USB-C, but that's not the computer I want. I am more interested in the computer being useful than making a statement.

Well, if they keep the USB-A port on the Studio, then there will still be a Mac for you, and Apple will charge you more for it. That would be a win-win for Apple, and if I was cynical I would say that was their reasoning. If they drop the USB-A on the Studio, then I will think Apple is just trying to move on from USB-A.

Neither scenario would be my choice, but neither will ruin my life enough to justify my multiple posts to this thread. It simply is what it is, and I cannot say that many things in the 2020s have gone in the direction I would prefer.

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

True - and I’ve wired everything I could below my desk (except mouse and keyboard). The average ”non-techy” doesn’t care that much though, in my experience.


A hardware and a flash drive - that’s enough USB devices.
Scanning and printing has moved to wireless networking from what I can observe.

Oh, I totally get that (even though I am into minimalist design).

I want a Mac mini with a storage bay or two. One M.2 and one SATA - yet they’re not making what I want. Is there a reason? Well, using souped-up smartphone SOCs maybe. And fleecing people for storage upgrade. But there’s certain enough space in today’s Mac Mini. So have to do with stupid external drives for storage expansion.

Satechi makes a couple of these but not one with room for both disks. Some other brands. search amazon US for 'mac mini dock'.

edit: There is still a need a valid need for a local time machine backup, especially for those of use that had their iTunes library destroyed my Apple Music 1.0. And some faster local storage because some of us still have an iTunes library. And where I live you absolutely need a UPS/battery for power outages and it connects via USB so the mini can turn itself off safely.

 

[Edgecrusherr]

I tend to agree though I don't have too much use for USB A ports. However, there are some nice adapters out there for A to C and C to A.

Yeah, I probably have about 20 adapters. My problem is, if I ever have to take off an adapter, there’s probably a 60% chance I’m going to forget where I put it lol.

 

[Edgecrusherr]

Buy a $20 hub and get more ports than you need.

When the answer is to buy something to compensate for the computer, that generally tells me it’s a flaw with the computer. Also, have you used a lot of USB-C hubs? they get very hot, this means that they’re wasting energy, and probably leading up to failure at some point.

I currently own 5 bus powered USB-C hubs, 1 powered USB-C hub, and a powered Thunderbolt hub. Having a plug a hub in is a diminished experience, and putting the responsibility on the user to compensate for poor design.

On top of that, a lot of people struggle with hubs in general, even just the concept and what they need to do with it. no one going to this website would fall into that category, but anyone from a 30-year-old paralegal to a 80-year-old senior creative VP, who don’t care about technology, tend to struggle with connecting things to their computer.

 

[Edgecrusherr]

Really?
Where have you been?
This is totally the right way to go, and totally a non-issue… 🙄

Do you have experience with Hunter to Mac users who struggle with connectivity, or are you just going off of your personal experience?

 

[AppliedMicro]

have you used a lot of USB-C hubs? they get very hot, this means that they’re wasting energy

So does a computer.
Built-in USB ports do not magically consume no power or produce no heat.

anyone from a 30-year-old paralegal to a 80-year-old senior creative VP, who don’t care about technology, tend to struggle with connecting things to their computer

I agree, if their peripheral (or wireless dongle for it) doesn’t use the same type of connector as on the back side of their computer (e.g. type A port to plug).

That said, this target group doesn’t normally connect tons of stuff to their computer:

• a monitor, yes (which Thunderbolt ports actually make easier than ever, if cable or adapter provided)
• a USB flash drive occasionally
• a backup disk if they’re lucky

 

[neomorpheus]

If they really want to stir up excitement better serving customers with a genuinely improved product, offer a mini-tower option - give us a compact Mac with easily accessible internals for user serving (and blowing out the dust), and an expansion bay or two. Can you imagine the excitement on Mac Rumors? Users reporting affordable 3rd party big SSD storage added internally, port expansion via PCI cards, etc...

Thats the much rumored Mac X that never arrived.

Worse, for some crazy reason, you hear a lot of crazy apple fans cursing at the apple customers that want such a device.

But the truth is, apple dont want any device that can be upgraded or serviced by the users because it cuts on future purchases and the job security plus revenue created for the apple stores geniuses.

Hell, the Mac Studio is a nightmare to open it up, so you will have a really hard time properly dusting one off.

And no, the adapters, stands, tricks like pantyhose, etc wont stop the dust completely.

And i expect the new mini to be as difficult if not more to open.

 

[chucker23n1]

Thats the much rumored Mac X that never arrived.

There was never such a rumor. There was wishful thinking.

And the Mac Studio does exist now.