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Your thoughts on how the M3 Pro MacMini can be improved in 2024.

TheRealAlex said:
So I’d like your thoughts on how an M3 Pro powered MacMini can Ben improved over the current gen model. I’ll share my Top 5

#1. HDMI 2.1b across all SKUs
#2. Updated design/ Foot print
#3. Built in Gen 3 SD card slot
#4. WiFi 7
#5. DisplayPort 2.0
Click to expand...
More ports so I don't have to buy a dock or stack a dock on or near my MacMini.
 
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rpmurray said:
Sarcasm. Want a 27 inch or larger new Mx iMac. This would be a way to get that.
Click to expand...
ah, so not this then...

THIS.png
 
MacProFCP said:
The perfect MacMini:

1. Dual HDMI ports with support of up to three 4K displays.
2. SD card reader in the front
3. 4x USB-A
4. 4x USB-C
5. 16 GB Ram
6. 512 SSD
8. 10 GB Ethernet

Fanless design in a 8" x 8" x 1" package.
Click to expand...
I don't need 10GB ethernet, and anything no taller than a Studio would be fine. but the USB ports are not negotiable.
 
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USB-A ports are, let’s face it, just crap. Usbc/thunderbolt only. You should know by now, there are inexpensive cables for any legacy devices. Who cares about legacy cables especially when it imposes a limitation. Replace the cables Luke (off hand sky wars reference)
 
The best thing Apple would do probably just updating the existing port as long as the SoC support it. Nothing else will change. The Mac mini is a lower margin product so Apple would invest minimally on it.
 
MauiPa said:
USB-A ports are, let’s face it, just crap. Usbc/thunderbolt only. You should know by now, there are inexpensive cables for any legacy devices. Who cares about legacy cables especially when it imposes a limitation. Replace the cables Luke (off hand sky wars reference)
Click to expand...
I learned how true this is with a wall outlet I installed. It had a USB C and A ports. Thought it was a good idea until I needed two sets of cables to do everything I wanted. Dumb idea. I’ve been a convert ever since. Get rid of the A.
 
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TheRealAlex said:
So I’d like your thoughts on how an M3 Pro powered MacMini can Ben improved over the current gen model. I’ll share my Top 5

#1. HDMI 2.1b across all SKUs
#2. Updated design/ Foot print
#3. Built in Gen 3 SD card slot
#4. WiFi 7
#5. DisplayPort 2.0
Click to expand...
I will eventually be upgrading a 2012 Mac mini to a new Apple Silicon Mac mini. I use the 2012 Mac mini as a home server, so my perspective is uniquely different. 1,3,4 &5 are all incidental to me. I don't care one way or another. I am adamantly against #2 as the existing Mac mini is already tucked nicely on a shelf and any change to form factor would require rewiring and possibly rearranging various equipment.

My wishlist is for a server edition:
1) 10gb ethernet standard.
2) Dual ethernet standard or optional (I'd pay extra for this).
3) This is a software feature really, but - ability to set up from another Apple device without a display or input device(s) (like Apple TV) over bluetooth (so no networking has to be established ahead of time)
4) Ability to add additional internal storage (like an NVME slot)
5) (this one is a crazy wild card) Internal or external first-party backup battery
 
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I want as many ports as can fit. It’s not a portable device and USB ports aren’t expensive. Also, a new design. Keep the same footprint/height if necessary, but I thought the plexiglass top rumors from a while back would be cool. I miss white plastic Apple devices, not everything needs to be aluminum forever.
 
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#1. HDMI 2.1b across all SKUs
#2. USB 4 & TB4 all ports (full link)
#3. Built in Gen 3 SD card slot
#4. WiFi 7
#5. DisplayPort 2.0
#6. 24/96+ DAC & amp (high impedance 🎧)
#7. Optional a) 10g Ethernet b) frontside port(s) USB/🎧/card slot

#wishlist base model 😱
 
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Lounge vibes 05 said:
unlikely, a lot of organizations buy Mac minis in bulk, and… They’re not going to want to have to change their set ups to accommodate a new design.
Which is why the design has barely changed in 13 years.
Click to expand...

I agree. While the other suggestions wouldn't have any impact on my use case for the mini none of them would negatively impact me either. But I like the footprint of the mini just the way it is. It sits on the back of my desk, out of the way (and silent) with enough room to fit 2 or 3 external drives on top.
 
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never say never, with apple. the air design changed, so did the macbook pro, the mac pro, and the imac (a bit). but we'll get there when we get there...
 
Lounge vibes 05 said:
unlikely, a lot of organizations buy Mac minis in bulk, and… They’re not going to want to have to change their set ups to accommodate a new design.
Which is why the design has barely changed in 13 years.
Click to expand...
Exactly companies like macstadium have built racks to accommodate the mini and they have 460 minis in a rack, using own custom racks.
they say have many customers deploying 100’s of mini at a time

www.macstadium.com

MacStadium Data Centers | Locations, Capabilities, and Innovation

MacStadium has state-of-the-art data centers powering Apple Mac Pro and Mac mini servers. Our diverse data centers are accessible around the globe. With MacStadium, you'll get a great Mac hosting experience from anywhere in the world.
www.macstadium.com www.macstadium.com

they would be seriously unhappy if the footprint changes now.
 
MacProFCP said:
Most peripherals are usb-a and likely to stay that way for a while. Printers, keyboards, scanners, etc. have no need for the extra speed and power of usb-c.
Click to expand...
it's 2023; usb c is the present, and the future (for a while at least). more & more peripherals are usb C. either way, it's easy enough to use an A-to-C adapter cable or plug.

can't see any reason, then, to go with an older protocol. and who doesn't want speed & power?? 🤔
 
TheRealAlex said:
So I’d like your thoughts on how an M3 Pro powered MacMini can Ben improved over the current gen model. I’ll share my Top 5

#1. HDMI 2.1b across all SKUs
#2. Updated design/ Foot print
#3. Built in Gen 3 SD card slot
#4. WiFi 7
#5. DisplayPort 2.0
Click to expand...

All of those are good but having it in bright flashy in your face neon/fluorescent green would make it OP!

I am not joking BTW!
 
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