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I'm going to be getting the M4 Pro version, so hoping that if the base M4 mini is 16GB/512, then that we at least get 24/512 or 32/512. I would be thrilled with 1tb storage, but that's just me day dreaming. 😅
 
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A desktop machine with an ultrafast SOC like the M4 without active cooling is essentially that, crippled.

You never hear the fan on a M1 mini unless you’re really pushing it, so I don’t see any real benefit of removing active cooling. It makes sense on an ultraportable like the MBA, but it serves zero purpose to release fanless desktop machine, other than making some silly marketing spiel. And of course, upselling your “pro” model with active cooling.

A fanless, port starved base M4 mini would be a huge downgrade than the current base M2 mini, no matter how Apple tries to spin it.

Yeah that. If that happens I will probably just buy one of the M2 Pros that will be being dumped off by people who want new shiny.
 
A desktop machine with an ultrafast SOC like the M4 without active cooling is essentially that, crippled.

You never hear the fan on a M1 mini unless you’re really pushing it, so I don’t see any real benefit of removing active cooling. It makes sense on an ultraportable like the MBA, but it serves zero purpose to release fanless desktop machine, other than making some silly marketing spiel. And of course, upselling your “pro” model with active cooling.

A fanless, port starved base M4 mini would be a huge downgrade than the current base M2 mini, no matter how Apple tries to spin it.
💯
 
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I was just saying that, crippled or not, I'm sure there are many folks who will enjoy a tiny fanless Mac Mini (if it comes to pass)
I've gotten the distinct impression that many of the iMac buyers would love a Mac Micro/Nano that could be mounted on the back of the monitor. This could be powered by the supply in the monitor, thus saving space. Updating to a new processor would not involve replacing the monitor as in the case of the current iMacs.

What I want from a Mac Mini is the ability to use just about any monitor, that is the monitor doesn't need to supply power, USB connectivity or Ether connectivity. Another selling point for the Mini is that I can use the keyboard that I like - my preference is for one with a numeric keypad as all but one of my previous desktop computers had a separate keyboard with numeric keypad. After using a mouse with my Mini for a few months, I decided that the trackpad was much easier to use with MacOS and purchased one.
 
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Are we really sure there will be a pro version? Even the entry level MacBook Pro doesn't have a pro chip anymore. My educated guess would be that Apple will change configurations to raise profit margins while still adding 8GB of RAM to base models. So I wouldn't be surprised to see:

Mac mini: M4 only
Mac Studio: Pro/Max chips
Mac Pro: Ultra chip

Maybe I'm wrong (hope so), but that, to me, would be a typical Apple move. They would say the M4 is so powerful, specially with Apple intelligence that the base M4 will be enough.

So: MB Air, Mini and iMac would be about the same machine in a different enclosure (like the iMac was with the PowerBook during the G3/G4 era - The iBook always had lowered specced compared to iMac).

Pro/Max for MacBook Pro and Studio

Ultra for Mac Pro (so it would be distinct to the Studio).

Hope i'm wrong, but, as I said, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple did something like this.
 
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I currently have a 2018 Intel mini with 8/256 config. it's not my primary or even secondary machine, but I hope the M4 mini will have 16gb ram standard, but I don't see 512gb being standard as well, unless the price goes up a lot.

I would prefer a 16/512 config, just so it will last me longer, as I do local iPhone backups with a decent sized audio library. External storage solutions will likely be plentiful with bases under it like there have been for all other mini's.

I have a 100TB NAS as well.
 
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I'm hoping base model will be 16/512 at only $100-$200 more than current base model. Furthermore, I'd like to see the M4 chip support up to 32GB RAM. The 24GB limit on M2/3 is just not enough. For my use case, the "Pro" variant doesn't provide any real performance gains, I just need to be able to configure to 32GB RAM. Going with a base M4 but stuck to just 24GB is really limiting.
 
When people compare it to an iPad M4 in a box, I think it would be pretty cool if the new Mac Mini is powered by USB-C too. Wouldn't really add/subtract anything from the Mac Mini experience, but it would look cool if it were all USB-C ports on the back.
 
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A desktop machine with an ultrafast SOC like the M4 without active cooling is essentially that, crippled.

You never hear the fan on a M1 mini unless you’re really pushing it, so I don’t see any real benefit of removing active cooling. It makes sense on an ultraportable like the MBA, but it serves zero purpose to release fanless desktop machine, other than making some silly marketing spiel. And of course, upselling your “pro” model with active cooling.

A fanless, port starved base M4 mini would be a huge downgrade than the current base M2 mini, no matter how Apple tries to spin it.
They removed the fan from the current Apple TV and people are complaining about overheating, so I don’t see that happening
Unless Apple is stubborn
 
When people compare it to an iPad M4 in a box, I think it would be pretty cool if the new Mac Mini is powered by USB-C too. Wouldn't really add/subtract anything from the Mac Mini experience, but it would look cool if it were all USB-C ports on the back.

Sorry, but I don't want it to "look cool on the back" and I especially don't want the already limited USB-C port selection to be permanently used for power input.

Moreover, external power bricks are ugly, and clutter your desk space. I have 3 of them already and I don't need to add another one.
 
Sorry, but I don't want it to "look cool on the back" and I especially don't want the already limited USB-C port selection to be permanently used for power input.

Moreover, external power bricks are ugly, and clutter your desk space. I have 3 of them already and I don't need to add another one.
It wouldn't need an external power brick. It could have an internal one and still use USB-C (I think? I'm not an engineer)

It seems likely that the new shrunk Mac Mini is going to have an external power brick... I really hope not though. I didn't like the 2005-2009 Minis for that reason.
 
I'm hoping base model will be 16/512 at only $100-$200 more than current base model. Furthermore, I'd like to see the M4 chip support up to 32GB RAM. The 24GB limit on M2/3 is just not enough. For my use case, the "Pro" variant doesn't provide any real performance gains, I just need to be able to configure to 32GB RAM. Going with a base M4 but stuck to just 24GB is really limiting.
That would be nice, as long as the jump to 24GB or 32GB RAM is $200 and not $400.
 
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Must haves? Reduced price… and you must have a monitor, mouse/trackpad and keyboard…


I'm here all day folks, try the veal!





(I'd want at least 16GB Ram, 1 TB storage if it replaces my current iMac at 512GB).
 
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1 TB of storage is fine since I have two fast NVME enclosures of 1TB each, and 32 GB of RAM, which is also enough for me. I will probably choose more cores I think but depends on the price. I don't care much about ports etc since I have a nice OWC Thunderbolt dock. I am mostly interested in the speed of the CPU. For reference I have an M3 Pro MBP from work at the moment, but I will buy the mini for myself.
 
Actually you can swap the storage out with a rework station. That is proven now. All they need to do is put the flash chips on a module like the Studio and it's job done.

NVMe is not the answer though because the SSD controller is on the processor die (for security and integration reasons).

Studio storage cards (clones):

60780-125113-modules-xl.jpg
The mac mini M4 is reported to have the same specs as the Macbook Pro. 16gb 512gb ssd. Same as when the M2 was released the M2 mac mini and m2 pro had the same specs. As for storage the best solution is the one where you can just add a thunderbolt 4 external ssd solution. Same speeds as the internal drive. You can then swap out a base mini each time there is a refresh and keep your storage each time.
Att $699 reported price you can have a M4 mini with say a 1.5tb of storage with 16 gb of ram. Best deal in the Mac lineup.
 
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The mac mini M4 is reported to have the same specs as the Macbook Pro. 16gb 512gb ssd. Same as when the M2 was released the M2 mac mini and m2 pro had the same specs. As for storage the best solution is the one where you can just add a thunderbolt 4 external ssd solution. Same speeds as the internal drive. You can then swap out a base mini each time there is a refresh and keep your storage each time.
Att $699 reported price you can have a M4 mini with say a 1.5tb of storage with 16 gb of ram. Best deal in the Mac lineup.

Any credible source of these reports other than random twitter accounts?
As far as I know, Gurman hasn’t made any such claims about the Mini’s specs and pricing.

At $699, the 16/512 M4 mini could easily end up being Apple’s best selling desktop Mac.
 
Any credible source of these reports other than random twitter accounts?
As far as I know, Gurman hasn’t made any such claims about the Mini’s specs and pricing.

At $699, the 16/512 M4 mini could easily end up being Apple’s best selling desktop Mac.

Strategic guessers be strategically guessing.

It's a waste of energy until the outcome is known.
 
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