I have wondered about this. Given that the new iPhones have a 19 Pro and all the associated compute and storage in a tiny volume, would Apple have any appetite to make a really mini Mini? Something I could carry, in my pocket, between monitors? I’d be a day one purchaser…
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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
- Thread starter GabrieleR
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So, rather than put it on the front or back where many users can reach it, put it underneath where nobody can reach it...?
Makes sense /s
Do we know exactly what PCIe/IO support the A19 Pro has? It has enough I/O for the 5G modem, WiFi, cameras etc. and at least one USB 3 port. Remember, Apple already built a credible Mac Mini-alike around an A-series processor for the developer transition kit.
Nah. I know that Apple have done that in the past, but its not a good look. If you want to save money by buying last year's model, that's what clearance sales, refurbs and second-hand are for.
Ideally, having a lower processor/fewer ports tier for the entry-level might remove the need for Apple to scrimp on storage and RAM to differentiate the various M4 models. Probably won't happen - we can dream, though.
Sounds like an Apple TV running MacOS.
...which would be fun. Not a replacement for the daily driver, but as long as you could hang external storage off it & it was cheap I could see a use in places where I'm currently using Raspberry Pis. That sets a rather non-Apple-y standard for "cheap" though...
I think the iPhone pro has a thunderbolt controller which is an added expense. Can it support enough additional controllers to support all the ports that the current external case supports? Is it even an economic proposition to do so?
And the a12x/z series was surely already an M series cpu in everything other than name. It had more graphics cores if I recall.
That being said, if Apple do indeed make a 13’’ MacBook with A series cpu rather than allowing old model MacBook Pros to remain on sale in third party retailers then the precedent will effectively be set and there shouldn’t be any impediment to selling such a SKU for the Mac mini. The current economic conditions in the home market might dictate a base model Mac available direct from Apple being a good idea.
Should we expect it to support 3 external displays though? Will the ram on board be limited to 12Gb as the current iPhone pro comes with? Will that still support Apple intelligence in macOS?
Typically, continuing to sell last season’s models is something for third party retailers. It leaves Apple with the premium up to date stuff. While I might see an argument for bringing back an ultra portable laptop I can’t really see a market for a Mac nano using A series cpu. It would be an entry level sku in a line which gets very few sales as it is.
Pretty much what I would describe as AppleTV pro. Axx series cpu, 2 usb c ports, onboard thread router. Allow apps and people connect Bluetooth for peripherals. Not sure how Apple would make that work without a touch interface though. As a gaming device it would need to be keenly priced or have good games to get people buying in - neither of which are Apple priorities.
Having said that though, if Apple can get round tariffs by having a less expensive hardware line, they could look to make more money from the App Store. Having said that - there’s already controversy over App stores lately.
I would hazard a guess that, in the near future, the base Mini will indeed have an A-series chip just as the alleged low cost MacBook will.
Not to make the Mini cheaper, but to retain the consumer level power at that price range. The M-series are becoming so powerful that many pro workflows are being democratised to cheaper and cheaper devices, so Apple will likely want news ways to keep people upgrading to better hardware and will make them pay for it.
Not to make the Mini cheaper, but to retain the consumer level power at that price range. The M-series are becoming so powerful that many pro workflows are being democratised to cheaper and cheaper devices, so Apple will likely want news ways to keep people upgrading to better hardware and will make them pay for it.
yeah but I’m seeing M3 and even M4 Minis on sale for as low as $499 routinely… I don't see how they could create a demand for cheap A-series Minis when affordable last-gen and even occasional current-gens are everywhere
If they do make an A-series Mini, it had better be the size of a pack of chewing gum
Don't think any iPhone has Thunderbolt. Apple Silicon uses on-chip Thunderbolt/USB4 controllers - I don't think it's public knowledge whether the A19 Pro has this (maybe not).
Still, Thunderbolt isn't mandatory on a "budget"... OK let's call it a Mac Nano. 2 USB-C ports (possibly on a hub) and HDMI would do it.
You're assuming that a "Mac Nano" would need the same ports, RAM and display capabilities as a Mx-powered "full" Mac Mini. It wouldn't. Anyway, we don't know what capabilities the A19 Pro chip has - just what has been implemented in the iPhone.
How is that different from the A19 Pro?
The developer transition kit didn't have Thunderbolt and ISTR that, at the time, it lacked a few instructions that the M-series gained. Didn't stop it being a perfectly usable MacOS machine for the brief period for whidh it was supported.
I don't disagree - I'm just saying that it would be feasible, not that it's likely. I think Apple could do with some better low-end options - I don't think Apple care.
Android (for the moment) still allows sideloading and alternative App stores/payment methods, yet the Google Play Store and Google Pay are still going strong. Even with the option to use an alternative source most people will stick with the App Store to get the "footfall" - the profits might get a haircut but I doubt it will go away. On the Mac, the App Store has never been forced on users, yet it is still getting custom. Plus, Apple services like Music, iCloud etc. don't depend on the App store.
Interesting. I don’t see a smaller size of the device as a factor in value, I would say it’s more bang-for-buck per se.
But from Apple’s perspective an A-series cheaper might be attractive if they can nickel and dime with the smaller package itself.
It seems insane to release the M5 Mini next month given that the M4 Mini just came out. But that might explain all the deals we've had all summer trying to dump inventory at cheap prices.
I was on the market for a mac mini m4 (essentially sell my m3 max mbp as I don't use it to its full extent) but now I'm curious if an m5 mac mini might be on the horizon. Saw some random x post showing that Apple even privated or deleted the m4 mac mini announcement vid or something?
If you can wait a while longer then the M6 Mini should be along soon.
HUH....you were 12 years olde when you posted this?
anyways, long time- no reply...
how are you lately?
im good, and as of now going to erase TAHOE on top of Monterey
and fresh install Tahoe and just use files and photos I need.
this is for the old designed M1 Mac mini since my wifi is strong!
? Nervous, why? Anyhow, AppleInsider says it's coming out early 2026 according to info inside Tahoe.
With the big jump in performance of the M4, I would expect it to level off a bit for the next few years. There will be a few enhancements, but probably no real reason to trade in a M4 for a M5.
What I would like to see is MacOS performance enhancements so that it is as fast as Ubuntu Linux.
I read there is going to be a big performance boost for the GPU, so for gamers it should be an important upgrade. Not sure how correct this rumour is.
Since I already have the M4 Mac mini, a new model will get more interesting for me once it gets Thunderbolt 5 / DisplayPort 2.1 in the non-Pro version.
With TB4 / DP1.4 like in the M4 non-Pro Mac mini, some third party 6K monitors don’t work properly with 4:4:4 colour. Instead, 4:2:2 is provided, leading to bad text quality. Mind you, the problem is solved if HDMI 2.1 is used, and the M4 non-Pro Mac mini already has that.
Well, an A18 Pro Mac mini would be interesting as a budget model for some people too.
With TB4 / DP1.4 like in the M4 non-Pro Mac mini, some third party 6K monitors don’t work properly with 4:4:4 colour. Instead, 4:2:2 is provided, leading to bad text quality. Mind you, the problem is solved if HDMI 2.1 is used, and the M4 non-Pro Mac mini already has that.
Well, an A18 Pro Mac mini would be interesting as a budget model for some people too.
Could be true since A19 Pro has a huge GPU performance upgrade over A18 Pro.
I guess we will soon find out if Thunderbolt 5 is coming to M5 - perhaps as soon as today if the rumours are true.
Would also need to see if Apple do indeed create a precedent with an A19 Pro powered MacBook, it opens the door to an A19 powered Mac mini by extension but I'd have still said such a CPU was better off inside an AppleTV (or whatever they are going to call it)
I will be very, very surprised if TB5 comes to the base M5. I would expect the base Mx to remain on TB4 for several generations. Maybe M7 or something will get TB5.
Here’s hoping this isn’t an issue with the LG 6K I ordered. It was a problem with the Dell 6K but was fixed in macOS 14 Sonoma.I said:
Looks like with the release of the base 14” MacBook Pro that we have our answer. It stays with thunderbolt 4 probably for product differentiation.
And while EU customers get a 100 euro price drop for reportedly not having a charger in the box the uk users get stuffed with the same price but still no charger.
Doesn’t bode well for uk price of Mac mini going forward. Best case scenario appears to be price parity while EU folks might get a price cut depending on currency hedging when m5 mini gets released (probably next summer now with latest rumours)