Unreleased Mac Mini Spotted in Latest Studio Display Firmware

[Souponastick270]

Almost like there is the extra costs of the display, speakers, mics, webcam, keyboard, mouse, etc. ...

Well duh... obviously they all add to the total cost.

My gripe is that there is no middle ground available in the line up you either have to go M1 or M1 Max for desktop computing - If you see my pervious comment there is a sweet spot they could've put an M1 Pro in the Mac Mini.

 

[turbineseaplane]

M1 is still fine. More GPU and RAM would be nice though.

 

[grouch]

This will be the replacement for the purely consumer oriented M1 Mini. Most of them were 100% o.k. with hooking the 8GB version to a HDMI monitor.

A girl can wish.

 

[obviouslogic]

Well duh... obviously they all add to the total cost.

My gripe is that there is no middle ground available in the line up you either have to go M1 or M1 Max for desktop computing - If you see my pervious comment there is a sweet spot they could've put an M1 Pro in the Mac Mini.

I'm wondering if Apple isn't getting the yields of the M1 Pro and can currently only handle the demand for the MBP "Pro"? Which is why there's no M1 Pro in any other system while the "Max" is in the MBP, and both Studio systems.

 

[CarlJ]

yeah, I’m still not on the M2 bandwagon. I don’t see why they would need to move to the next version already.

Because progress. A huge part of the reason for making their own chips is so that they're no longer stuck with Intel's timetable for new releases. If they think that it's time for a new chip, they can do a new chip.

And note that with the Apple Silicon chips they aren't making a big deal out of clock speeds - they won't come out in the Fall and say, "yeah, but last years' M1 ran at 3.2 GHz, and this year's M1 runs at 3.5 GHz. Instead, they'll make whatever changes they intend to the internals of the chip, run it at the same clock speed or higher, and announce it as the M2.

Don't expect the M2 to be as much of a leap forward as the M1 was (though I'll be happily surprised if it is). Expect to see the same good-but-not-improbable year-over-year improvements in the M* series chips that we've been seeing in the A* series chips for the last 8 years.

 

[opeter]

My gripe is that there is no middle ground available in the line up you either have to go M1 or M1 Max for desktop computing - If you see my pervious comment there is a sweet spot they could've put an M1 Pro in the Mac Mini.

Apple would automatically kill the entry level Mac Studio if they would put an M1 Pro in the Mac mini.

 

[macsteve27]

Apple would automatically kill the entry level Mac Studio if they would put an M1 Pro in the Mac mini.

I don’t agree with that assessment.

M1 Mini Base: $699

(Big ‘ol gap)

M1 Max Mac Studio Base: $1999

$1999 is a huge cost for a computer without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. IMO a lot of people won’t want to spend that much nor do they need that power, so they would take a step down and grab the mini, or take their money elsewhere. Having an extra option could spur some people to pay more than the base model, just as much as it would deter some people from getting the Mac Studio.

I could see them slotting in an M1 Pro at the current high-end intel Mac mini around $1099-$1299.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I could see them slotting in an M1 Pro at the current high-end intel Mac mini around $1099-$1299.

I like your price range there...a Mac Mini M1 Pro with 16gb RAM and 512 SSD would be a super compelling machine.

$1299 is about right, as the Mini M1 with 16gb/512ssd is $1099

Of course -- it's Apple, so it'd probably be like $1599..

Their goal is always to get just within shouting distance of the next upsell and get folks to go .... "heck with it -- I might as well just get (insert next most expensive item)"

 

[Boil]

Too many here seem to have an issue with wrapping their heads around overlapping market segmentation...

Compare the M1 Max Mac Studio with the 14" M1 Max MacBook Pro...

Any way you configure (both using the M1 Max SoC) the two, the laptop is always $900 more than the headless desktop...

So with that in mind, the base price for a theoretical double-binned M1 Pro Mac Studio (8/14/16/512) should be $1099; the same price as the current low-end of the 2018 Intel Mac mini on the Apple website...

Do a bit of configuring, of course you can get a M1 Pro Mac mini that costs the same as the M1 Max Mac Studio, but the specs will be slightly different (1TB versus 512GB SSD, and Gigabit versus 10Gb Ethernet)...

And do we know if the M1 Pro can support the same amount of ports as the M1 Max, or would a M1 Pro Mac Studio have "charging only" USB-C ports up front...?

 

[EugW]

I'd pay:

US$1229 edu - Mac mini M1 Pro / 16 GB / 512 GB
US$1409 edu - Mac mini M1 Pro / 16 GB / 1 TB

I won't pay:

US$1799 edu - Mac Studio / 32 GB / 512 GB
US$1979 edu - Mac Studio / 32 GB / 1 TB

The price premium here is US$570 to go from Mac mini M1 Pro 16 GB to Mac Studio M1 Max 32 GB.
That's an increase of 40-46% depending on the chosen configuration, for features I don't want or need.

(Actually, I'm in Canada so the numbers would be a bit different, but close enough.)

 

[planteater]

The new mini will be M1 Pro.

M2 will be make it’s appearance in the Mac Pro.

 

[CWallace]

And do we know if the M1 Pro can support the same amount of ports as the M1 Max, or would a M1 Pro Mac Studio have "charging only" USB-C ports up front...?

M1 Pro and M1 Max both have four Thunderbolt controllers so both would offer four TB4 and two UB4 ports.

 

[OlegShv]

Here is my take on that M2 mini rumor.
At the WWDC Apple will have to release the Mac Pro as they promised in the previous event. Then, on top of that there are a few different scenarios.

1. Best case scenario: Apple discontinues the expensive intel Mini and we get the Mini and the iMac with M1 Pro chips. Probably there won’t be as many options as there are for MBPs. The Mini will start at $1299 for 8/512 version. Do not know about the iMac price.

2. Mid-grade scenario: same thing with the Mini, but no updates to iMac.

3. Default scenario: Intel Mac Mini is quietly discontinued and no new Mini is announced.

In all three scenarios I expect that Apple will announce the M2 chips, but no new products with M2 will be launched at WWDC. It doesn’t make sense to announce top of the line product that uses M1 architecture along with a product that uses the latest and greatest M2. We should probably expect product launches with M2 in the fall.

 

[EugW]

In all three scenarios I expect that Apple will announce the M2 chips, but no new products with M2 will be launched at WWDC. It doesn’t make sense to announce top of the line product that uses M1 architecture along with a product that uses the latest and greatest M2. We should probably expect product launches with M2 in the fall.

Mac Pro won't likely be using M1 architecture. May not necessarily be M2 based either though. Might be something in between for all we know.

 

[Boil]

Bob says no M1 or M2 for the ASi Mac Pro...

Max speculates Apple will call the ASi Mac Pro SoC the X1 (or)...

Cmaier feels Mac hardware based on A15 cores will allow for higher clocks in desktop models...

Whatever happens, I am hopeful to see a preview of the ASi Mac Pro at WWDC...

 

[opeter]

Here is my take on that M2 mini rumor.
At the WWDC Apple will have to release the Mac Pro as they promised in the previous event. Then, on top of that there are a few different scenarios.

1. Best case scenario: Apple discontinues the expensive intel Mini and we get the Mini and the iMac with M1 Pro chips. Probably there won’t be as many options as there are for MBPs. The Mini will start at $1299 for 8/512 version. Do not know about the iMac price.

2. Mid-grade scenario: same thing with the Mini, but no updates to iMac.

3. Default scenario: Intel Mac Mini is quietly discontinued and no new Mini is announced.

In all three scenarios I expect that Apple will announce the M2 chips, but no new products with M2 will be launched at WWDC. It doesn’t make sense to announce top of the line product that uses M1 architecture along with a product that uses the latest and greatest M2. We should probably expect product launches with M2 in the fall.

I vote for the 3rd scenario. ?

 

[Bug-Creator]

At the WWDC Apple will have to release the Mac Pro as they promised in the previous event.

Or they just gonna announce the MacPro and ship it in the fall.

get the Mini and the iMac with M1 Pro chips.

The Mini will start at $1299 for 8/512 version.

M1Pro starts at 16GB so a clear no to that.

If Apple wanted to put the M1Pro into the Mini or iMac they would have done so when the announced the 14 and 16" MBP. Just a 5min reminder that those are now an option.

Apart from the MacPro I don't see Apple releasing anything M1 related at this point. Well maybe something like a MacBookSE but thats more likely just the "old" M1 Air at a lower price.

The might allow slightly stronger BTO options when the Mini and iMac get refreshed for M2 but I wouldn't bet any money on that.

 

[GalileoSeven]

Yep, I was hoping to upgrade from my 2012 21” iMac but the 24” just doesn’t cut it

It’s £1450 for the mid spec 24” iMac (because two thunderbolt ports on the base is a joke) - double the ram and add 1TB and it cost more than the base spec Studio ?! It’s mental

Exactly. My mid-2015 5K 27" iMac was a hair under $1700USD when I bought it almost 5 yrs ago now (with 8GB of RAM and a regular 1TB HD). A top spec M1 mini right now with 16GB/1TB SSD is still roughly $500 cheaper than that was (and is $1000 less than a 24" iMac with the same options).

Am hoping that as time goes on, they can keep or otherwise carve out a solid middle-of-the road option like that

 

[svish]

Might see it at WWDC.

 

[macsteve27]

Exactly. My mid-2015 5K 27" iMac was a hair under $1700USD when I bought it almost 5 yrs ago now (with 8GB of RAM and a regular 1TB HD). A top spec M1 mini right now with 16GB/1TB SSD is still roughly $500 cheaper than that was (and is $1000 less than a 24" iMac with the same options).

Am hoping that as time goes on, they can keep or otherwise carve out a solid middle-of-the road option like that

I have a 2015 5K 27" iMac (Purchased for around $2000 in 2015) and when you factor in that it has a screen, you start to realize what a deal those machines were.

Since I can't hook up a mini to my 27" iMac screen, I will need to start looking for a 27" external monitor, and the Studio Display adds $1599 to the cost of mini. So, Apple's entry level equivalent to the 27" iMac is a specced up mac mini ($1099-$1299) plus the Studio display ($1599). Ends up being a $2700-$2900 purchase in total, compared to the 2020 iMac line which went for around $1800-$2300.

Feels like a bad deal. I know I'm going on a bit of a tangent here related to my own needs, but I think it's worth mentioning in relation to the mini ?. Hoping they will carve out a solid middle of the road option like you mention.

 

[macsteve27]

Too many here seem to have an issue with wrapping their heads around overlapping market segmentation...

Compare the M1 Max Mac Studio with the 14" M1 Max MacBook Pro...

Any way you configure (both using the M1 Max SoC) the two, the laptop is always $900 more than the headless desktop...

So with that in mind, the base price for a theoretical double-binned M1 Pro Mac Studio (8/14/16/512) should be $1099; the same price as the current low-end of the 2018 Intel Mac mini on the Apple website...

Do a bit of configuring, of course you can get a M1 Pro Mac mini that costs the same as the M1 Max Mac Studio, but the specs will be slightly different (1TB versus 512GB SSD, and Gigabit versus 10Gb Ethernet)...

And do we know if the M1 Pro can support the same amount of ports as the M1 Max, or would a M1 Pro Mac Studio have "charging only" USB-C ports up front...?

I agree with you 100%. I could see them charging a bit more though for inflation, chip shortages, etc. but the double binned m1 pro mini could live around $1099-1299. There's a spot for I think if Apple feels it's worthwhile.

Re: Ports, If they did offer a Mac Studio with an M1 Pro though I could see them going lighter on the ports than on the M1 Max Mac Studio to save costs on the lower priced model.

 

[macsteve27]

Here is my take on that M2 mini rumor.
At the WWDC Apple will have to release the Mac Pro as they promised in the previous event. Then, on top of that there are a few different scenarios.

1. Best case scenario: Apple discontinues the expensive intel Mini and we get the Mini and the iMac with M1 Pro chips. Probably there won’t be as many options as there are for MBPs. The Mini will start at $1299 for 8/512 version. Do not know about the iMac price.

2. Mid-grade scenario: same thing with the Mini, but no updates to iMac.

3. Default scenario: Intel Mac Mini is quietly discontinued and no new Mini is announced.

In all three scenarios I expect that Apple will announce the M2 chips, but no new products with M2 will be launched at WWDC. It doesn’t make sense to announce top of the line product that uses M1 architecture along with a product that uses the latest and greatest M2. We should probably expect product launches with M2 in the fall.

I also think M2 is more likely in the fall in an October Event or similar. Generation 1 of Apple Silicon gets wrapped up and tied in a bow at WWDC with whatever the chip gets put into the Mac Pro. I think this is especially true with chip shortages being a reality for all companies, they'll likely need to prep for M2.

Hoping for scenario 1 or 2, but wouldn't be surprised if scenario 3 is reality ?

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

Hmm, if that's the case, I may hold off on the purchase of a Mac Studio with M1 Max and wait until if a Mac Mini with the M1 Pro chip indeed comes out, and use THAT to replace my 2012 quad-core i7 Mac Mini. Still gonna configure it with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD.

I decided to cancel my Studio order and do the same - wait for the next Mac mini. The Max and Ultra chips are geared for video editors, animators and audio people imo.

I think the reason that so many people are posting about an M1 Pro option for the mini is that there is just no viable "pro-sumer" option right now for Apple Silicon desktops. I think Apple knows that the M1 Pro is the sweet spot between entry-level consumer (M1 mini, M1 24" iMac) and professional (M1 Max/Ultra Mac Studio, Mac Pro) and they seem content to abuse this for some time. Since the high-end 27" iMac is discontinued for the foreseeable future, the high-end intel mac mini is the only desktop product listed on apple's website that an M1 Pro could potentially slot into.

For most people the M1 is enough, but for those who need extra ram (at least 32GB) and want a little more GPU oomph including myself have no desktop options. For my specific use case this is for large Sketch and Adobe CC files that are common in my workflow. I don't need the M1 Max which IMO is much more geared towards video editing professionals to really get full use out of the CPU and GPU, not to mention the price tag of the Mac Studio + Mac Studio Display is a whopping $3600 for the base models.

Crossing my fingers for a Mac Mini (or iMac) with the M1/M2 Pro. But I also don't disagree with you that Apple may draw this out to try to upsell as many people as possible on the Mac Studio. Definitely leaving a bad taste in my mouth in the process.

Exactly. I was provided a MBP with a Max chip for work. Outside of the extra RAM, it doesn't feel any more capable for my needs (software dev) than my personal M1 Air is.

I'm thinking it's not a great idea to invest in the Studio rn.

 

[EugW]

I also think M2 is more likely in the fall in an October Event or similar. Generation 1 of Apple Silicon gets wrapped up and tied in a bow at WWDC with whatever the chip gets put into the Mac Pro. I think this is especially true with chip shortages being a reality for all companies, they'll likely need to prep for M2.

Well, since Mac Pro might use something quite different, not in the Mx series, it doesn't really have a direct impact to the finalization of the transition of the M1 based Macs.

 

[dryjoy]

I'm wondering if Apple isn't getting the yields of the M1 Pro and can currently only handle the demand for the MBP "Pro"? Which is why there's no M1 Pro in any other system while the "Max" is in the MBP, and both Studio systems.

I think there might be something in this. We all know the semiconductor industry has been hugely impacted by Covid, and now the war in Ukraine, and supplies of silicon have been constrained across the board.

I can’t see how Apple could not have been affected by this, and it stands to reason they’d focus on their most popular laptop lines.

I think if all those supply issues hadn’t occurred, there would have been a M1 Pro Mini by now. Hopefully they’ll still do it, as there’s a clear place in the range for it.