Will Apple's March Event be a big splash for M2?

[DHagan4755]

In pondering Apple's March event in a few weeks, the focus on what Mac product is coming is intriguing. This could be the M2's coming out party. The outlook outlined below is a more aggressive stance for Apple & not completely what's expected. This would be the brightest possible outlook of what's to come. It would make the most sense in the cadence of product releases, ameliorating the possible consumer confusion of mixing M2 in with M1 Pro/Max chipsets for the rest of 2022, which seems backwards in a way.

So around March 8th, Apple announces:

• Refreshed 13" MacBook Pro with M2 (replaces existing model with M1).
• Refreshed low-end Mac mini with new design & M2 (replaces existing model with M1).
• Refreshed iMac 24" with M2 (replaces higher-end configurations that have M1); lower end two USB-C port M1 model will remain (perhaps at a lower price point).

Around WWDC, we get the iMac Pro 27" with M2 Pro/Max & the Mac Pro redesign with M2 Pro/Max. In October, the new design MacBook (Air) with M2, 14" & 16" MacBook Pro with M2 Pro/Max, and a Mac mini "Pro" with M2 Pro/Max.

 

[jazz1]

I wonder what my trade-in with an M1 MacMini for an M2 MacMini to Apple would be? ?

 

[ctjack]

I wonder what my trade-in with an M1 MacMini for an M2 MacMini to Apple would be? ?

You can check it out now and discount it further 15-20% and estimate your trade-in value.

 

[DHagan4755]

I wonder what my trade-in with an M1 MacMini for an M2 MacMini to Apple would be? ?

What I'm wondering is whether the M2 Mac mini would support even more displays? Perhaps 3 now (2 from USB-C, 1 from HDMI)? That would be a huge upgrade for some folks. As well as allowing 32GB of RAM.

 

[ctjack]

What I'm wondering is whether the M2 Mac mini would support even more displays? Perhaps 3 now (2 from USB-C, 1 from HDMI)? That would be a huge upgrade for some folks. As well as allowing 32GB of RAM.

Well then we lose 2 reasons to jump on more expensive 14/16. I think they will limit to 1 screen and 16GB of RAM.
Everything will stay the same except design and CPU - that is in itself is costly update for Apple, so they won't go too far as bumping other specs.

 

[pshufd]

I wonder what my trade-in with an M1 MacMini for an M2 MacMini to Apple would be? ?

I'm putting my M1 mini up for sale as soon as I get a clean Big Sur install on it. It's taking longer than I expected to wipe it and do a clean install.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Well then we lose 2 reasons to jump on more expensive 14/16.

Why would one be jumping from a Mac mini to the 14/16 laptops?
Totally different categories and use cases

 

[pshufd]

What I'm wondering is whether the M2 Mac mini would support even more displays? Perhaps 3 now (2 from USB-C, 1 from HDMI)? That would be a huge upgrade for some folks. As well as allowing 32GB of RAM.

The Pro would support three, the Max would support five. I would expect Apple to only support two because they are Apple - and force you to get the Pro chip if you wanted three. But they may surprise and delight. Apple does like to do market segmentation.

 

[pshufd]

Why would one be jumping from a Mac mini to the 14/16 laptops?
Totally different categories and use cases

It's the other way around. Some people buy the MacBook Pros because they want three or more displays. If the mini supports three displays, it would be a reason not to buy a 14/16 MacBook Pro.

 

[ctjack]

I'm putting my M1 mini up for sale as soon as I get a clean Big Sur install on it. It's taking longer than I expected to wipe it and do a clean install.

Could you please share a tutorial how to do it? All I need now is some 32/64 GB flash drive.

Totally different categories and use cases

Because mini was always a starter pack to desktop PC from Apple. They urged to buy Mac Pro or iMac/Pro for those that used mini+Display.

 

[pshufd]

Could you please share a tutorial how to do it? All I need now is some 32/64 GB flash drive.

Because mini was always a starter pack to desktop PC from Apple. They urged to buy Mac Pro or iMac/Pro for those that used mini+Display.

My problems are mainly because my keyboards are too slow or old to be able to do Command-R or Option before it boots macOS. In general, it's just Option or Command R. Never had a problem with my Intel Macs doing this before. I suspect a more modern Apple keyboard would work just fine. My workaround was to install Big Sur on an external SSD, boot into it and then wipe the internal SSD. I'm reinstalling to the internal SSD now. I just have to make sure that I disable the Activation Lock.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Could you please share a tutorial how to do it? All I need now is some 32/64 GB flash drive.

Because mini was always a starter pack to desktop PC from Apple. They urged to buy Mac Pro or iMac/Pro for those that used mini+Display.

You were implying that folks might not upgrade to 14/16 *laptops* if they made the Mac mini too feature filled.

Almost nobody is cross shopping a desktop headless machine with a pro laptop and interchanging them in the buying decision.

 

[MayaUser]

What I'm wondering is whether the M2 Mac mini would support even more displays? Perhaps 3 now (2 from USB-C, 1 from HDMI)? That would be a huge upgrade for some folks. As well as allowing 32GB of RAM.

i dont think Apple will place the M2 in the mac mini, while the Intel "higher" end mac mini is still available
In the best scenario, Apple could release the M1 pro/max as the replacement for the intel one, and the M2 mac mini replacing the M1 mac mini (or keeping the M1 and making it $100 cheaper)

 

[ctjack]

You were implying that folks might not upgrade to 14/16 *laptops* if they made the Mac mini too feature filled.

Yes. If you need M1 Pro/Max, 32GB or RAM, 2-4 display support then there is nothing on the market except 14/16. Soon Apple will release the same specs in iMac 27 or iMac Pro, that would be a logical upgrade from mini.

Almost nobody is cross shopping a desktop headless machine with a pro laptop and interchanging them in the buying decision.

What people do with a mini? Tuck it under the desk or display so it is hidden somewhere there. What 14/16 laptop owners do in this case? They clamshell it on a vertical stand and also tuck it away from the eyesight.

Mini never had a dGPU or high end core i9. MBP 15/16 always had dGPU and core i9. Mac Mini is not about being headless while fully loaded - it is more about being a welcoming device in terms of price to the MacOS world.
People who had money, always opted for iMac 27, iMac Pro, Mac Pro tower.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

My two cents; Apple’s priority is completing the transition, not refreshing products that have only just been updated.

Therefore I very much doubt that the iMac 24 will get a bump at this event, even if the chips were ready. My guesses would be a replacement for the Intel and M1 Mac mini (with the new enclosure for better wireless connectivity) and the new ‘MacBook’/Air, which would allow Apple to drop the price of the existing Air by (example) $100.

 

[thenewperson]

If there's an M2 unveiling at this event I'd be really surprised if a redesigned MBA wasn't a part of it. But I guess that may be down to miniLED so it's possible.

I could see the M2 gaining 2 displays via 2 USB ports (or 3 with the HDMI on the mini if it shows up) and 32GB RAM max. I doubt the 8GB starting would be changed though.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Unpopular opinion…Apple will either introduce the Mac (Mac mini Pro) with M1 Pro, no Max, or they’ll pull the Mac announcement at the last minute and save it for WWDC. I just don’t believe Apple is going to introduce the M2 in anything other than the MacBook Air for its debut. If the M2 MBA is as radical as the rumors say, then they want all the PR around it and it’s new M2 SoC. Personally I don’t think any Mac is being introduced, no matter what the rumors say.

 

[DHagan4755]

Unpopular opinion…Apple will either introduce the Mac (Mac mini Pro) with M1 Pro, no Max, or they’ll pull the Mac announcement at the last minute and save it for WWDC. I just don’t believe Apple is going to introduce the M2 in anything other than the MacBook Air for its debut. If the M2 MBA is as radical as the rumors say, then they want all the PR around it and it’s new M2 SoC. Personally I don’t think any Mac is being introduced, no matter what the rumors say.

You could very well be right! It doesn't seem like that right now. There's gotta be more sizzle than an SoC/5G upgrade for the lowliest iPhone, iPad Air & a Mac mini redesign.

These virtual events are a major production. Why waste time & money shooting & editing, when those meager updates could simply be announced via press release, like in years past?

My hunch is M2 will be the headliner for this spring event. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Two rumors (the Digitimes report & MacRumors sourcing) about the 13" MacBook Pro are leading me in this direction. Combine this with the more accurate record from Mark Gurman & we may be on to something. The iPhone SE & iPad Air will be the hors d'oeuvres for the more substantial announcement, just like last October when Apple showed off its new HomePod mini colors before announcing the new 14" & 16" MacBook Pros.

 

[MayaUser]

Unpopular opinion…Apple will either introduce the Mac (Mac mini Pro) with M1 Pro, no Max, or they’ll pull the Mac announcement at the last minute and save it for WWDC. I just don’t believe Apple is going to introduce the M2 in anything other than the MacBook Air for its debut. If the M2 MBA is as radical as the rumors say, then they want all the PR around it and it’s new M2 SoC. Personally I don’t think any Mac is being introduced, no matter what the rumors say.

The first M1 was introduced into old design products, so Apple already showed that they dont care their new SoC to be in the newest design...i can easily see this M2 coming to the old design macbook pro
For selling purpose, the M2 Mbp will have 6-8 months until the redesign M2 macbook air, because otherwise, if Apple release the same old MBP m2 along side the redesign air....from business perspective it will be a big flop...nobody would buy the Mbp. So, i can see Apple release the M2 with this Mbp on March

 

[Miat]

Cheaper M1 Minis and M1 Airs would be good.

 

[jdb8167]

My problems are mainly because my keyboards are too slow or old to be able to do Command-R or Option before it boots macOS. In general, it's just Option or Command R. Never had a problem with my Intel Macs doing this before. I suspect a more modern Apple keyboard would work just fine. My workaround was to install Big Sur on an external SSD, boot into it and then wipe the internal SSD. I'm reinstalling to the internal SSD now. I just have to make sure that I disable the Activation Lock.

If this is an M1 Mac mini then you have to use the new procedure which is to hold down the power button and follow the instructions on the screen. For Apple silicon Macs the old keyboard shortcuts no longer work.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

 

[staypuftforums]

Unpopular opinion…Apple will either introduce the Mac (Mac mini Pro) with M1 Pro, no Max, or they’ll pull the Mac announcement at the last minute and save it for WWDC. I just don’t believe Apple is going to introduce the M2 in anything other than the MacBook Air for its debut. If the M2 MBA is as radical as the rumors say, then they want all the PR around it and it’s new M2 SoC. Personally I don’t think any Mac is being introduced, no matter what the rumors say.

If be shocked if the M2 isn’t announced next month. I just don’t see an entire event devoted to a spec bump for the iPhone SE.

 

[skaertus]

There is no March event yet. Let us not over-speculate things.

I am not sure if the M2 is coming next month. Apple has not even updated its entire Mac line to the M-series. The M1 Pro/Max was released some 4 months ago. The 27-inch iMac, the high-end Mac mini, and all Mac Pros still use Intel processors. Perhaps Apple holds an event in March to release a brand-new large iMac with the M1 Pro/Max, a new high-end Mac mini, and (who knows?) even an Apple-powered Mac Pro.

I just think it makes more sense for Apple to upgrade its entire line-up to the first generation of the M-series chip than to release the second generation right away.

 

[jdb8167]

There is no March event yet. Let us not over-speculate things.

I am not sure if the M2 is coming next month. Apple has not even updated its entire Mac line to the M-series. The M1 Pro/Max was released some 4 months ago. The 27-inch iMac, the high-end Mac mini, and all Mac Pros still use Intel processors. Perhaps Apple holds an event in March to release a brand-new large iMac with the M1 Pro/Max, a new high-end Mac mini, and (who knows?) even an Apple-powered Mac Pro.

I just think it makes more sense for Apple to upgrade its entire line-up to the first generation of the M-series chip than to release the second generation right away.

I speculated in another thread that Apple might need to free up room on the TSMC N5 M1 fab line for the larger dies of the M1 Pro and Max and the future Jade SoCs by moving the low-end M1 production to a new M2 N4 line. I’m not knowledgeable enough to know if this is reasonable so I’m hoping someone with more industry experience like @cmaier could chime in.

 

[DHagan4755]

There is no March event yet. Let us not over-speculate things.

I am not sure if the M2 is coming next month. Apple has not even updated its entire Mac line to the M-series. The M1 Pro/Max was released some 4 months ago. The 27-inch iMac, the high-end Mac mini, and all Mac Pros still use Intel processors. Perhaps Apple holds an event in March to release a brand-new large iMac with the M1 Pro/Max, a new high-end Mac mini, and (who knows?) even an Apple-powered Mac Pro.

I just think it makes more sense for Apple to upgrade its entire line-up to the first generation of the M-series chip than to release the second generation right away.

Agreed. The whole 13" MacBook Pro in the same design with an M2 chip has me rattled. The implications of M2 next month seem premature just from an obvious marketing standpoint... but what do we know? The only rational explanation for M2 in a 13" MacBook Pro next month is that all future Macs announced henceforth will be M2-based. I know, I know... we haven't transitioned completely away from Intel yet. Other than the iPhone SE & iPad Air upgrades the rest is murky.