Me too. I've been waiting to update my 2012 mini but wanted to wait as long as possible since I keep my desktop computers a long time. Perfect timing since the 2012 is stuck on Catilina which has or will lose support about now.
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New MacBook Pro and Mac Mini With M2 Pro Chips Likely to Launch in November
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All rumors seem to point to 3nm next year, with production starting in the first quarter.
I think we’ll see a minor spec bump for the MacBook Pros next month. Then a shorter refresh period where they get an m3 Pro/Max next summer during WWDC.
(m3 for 3nm!)
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, I didn't mean to attach it together. Keep it as separates, as the parts are intended to be used.
The core idea is buy a Mac Mini or Mac Mini PRO and related accessories including a great screen for primary use AND a portable screen to take all but the desktop screen on the road in place of a laptop
vs.
Buy the same and then buy pretty much all the same stuff again in an Apple laptop case (same M2 guts, a keyboard, a trackpad instead of mouse, and screen).
The point is in exchange for the aluminum clamshell, you have pretty much all of the same power in those separates. If you can find an easy way to take them with you and don't really need to use them on a lap, maybe it's a much cheaper option vs. Mac Mini + MB. Certainly NOT for everyone but those that don't need a computer in a lap, this is basically a similar approach to using a laptop hooked to a bigger monitor, keyboard and mouse as a desktop too.
It would be faster than an m1max(24core) other than cache too!
Faster CPU + 2 more E cores.
Just as fast or slightly faster GPU. (20 cores+year over year improvements)
The only loss would Cache and monitor handling.
I think you are underestimating how big the M1 to M2 differences are. First off, M2 is a year newer and always will be. Buyers of M1 today will always be ~a year further behind the tech curve than buyers of M2 today; M1 will reach EOL a year sooner.
Secondly, M2 is the evolved generation of M1's spectacular performance achievements, and will have thousands of lines of cleaned up code, etc. under the hood.
Thirdly, improved internal specs like WiFi 6E, USB, etc. may present. Perhaps not the "design/color changes" so many here seem to desire (which totally escape me, because I care almost exclusively about performance/cost issues), but things that make life nicer over the 3-6 year life of a new box.
Fourth but not least is expected M2 20% performance improvement is actually quite a bit given how good M1 are.
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And hopefully the charging port on the mouse is not on the bottom so it can be used while plugged in.
I am going to be very disappointed if new mac minis aren't announced in Nov / Dec.
I'm trying to picture this. In the bus, Lithium Battery pack between the feet, "portable monitor" goes on both your and your neighbor's knees. Magic keyboard on your lap and the mac mini between your legs, heating up your crotch.
My expectation is that Extreme SoC will be 3nm process, which will allow lots of transistors and extraordinary performance. Possibly issues around N3 versus (new improved) N3E have led to delayed release of the new MP.
If they use a M2, and you get 24 GB RAM Max is that close enough?
Clearly multiple monitor support is one of the parameters Apple varies to price line products. Like me, you need a Studio or a MacBook Pro to drive multiple monitors (my 2016 MBP drives three external 4K displays). IMO Apple would be making a mistake to build the low end Mini to drive 3 displays, and we will have to see how the higher end Mini is configured.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
No, obviously the option will need electricity access. In all of my travels- quite substantial for business- I've always been able to get some electricity when needed. Personally, while I have desktop, laptop and iPad, I find the places where I'd have to depend on a battery- like flying- is too cramped for MB anyway. So I use iPad in such situations. Home office: I'd have electricity. Client's office: I'd have electricity. Hotel: Electricity. Etc.
However, for those who worry about such stuff or actually DO lean on battery a lot of time, my suggestion would be to do the other variation of the same idea: buy MB (and no desktop Mac) and a great desktop monitor, keyboard, mouse and use the MB for BOTH purposes.
And why the heck? M2 brings almost no benefits over M1. If there is no redesign, I don't see why people don't buy a refurbished M1 Mac mini right now!
We disagree. IMO the M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra are quite clear. Superior to what we usually see on the Intel side.
Version 2 of a new chip, including on 5nm, IMO is more than a minor spec bump. That said, if M2 Pro/Max are made on 3nm that would probably mean lots more transistors, with concomitant increased performance.
It will be worth it for the M2 if there is a 24 GB option. That would make a LOT of people very, very happy. A 32 GB option would be nice too, but at that point it might just make more sense to get a Mac Studio for most in that situation.
In fact, 24 GB RAM is advantage for some (like me). 32 GB is extreme overkill for me, whereas having more than 16 GB might be a reasonable option, especially since I keep my machines a very long time. The cost to upgrade from 16 GB to 32 GB is US$400, but the cost to upgrade from 16 GB to 24 GB is half that at $200. That US$200 price point makes the more-than-16-GB option much more palatable for many people.
It's quite unlikely to be on 3 nm.
same i have a long in the tooth MB Air and don't really need the portability. Been waiting for ever, it seems.
No way Apple achieves the MP performance necessary 2022/2023 without 3nm process, and that means 2023, especially if Apple chooses the better N3E process.
I'm sure they will cost a lot more than the outgoing models and at least 25% more here in the UK like the new iPads.