It only has to be 80% the size, not 80% smaller.
If you assume every dimension is 1, and the reduced size is .8 (80%) L, .8 (80%) H, and .5 (50%) W, that's
.8*.8*.5 = .32 or 32% the size or a 68% decrease.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
YouTuber Modifies M1 Mac Mini to Be 78% Smaller
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If you assume every dimension is 1, and the reduced size is .8 (80%) L, .8 (80%) H, and .5 (50%) W, that's
.8*.8*.5 = .32 or 32% the size or a 68% decrease.
Welcome to MacRumors, where we **** on people that deviate from Apple's flawless design. All hail our Apple benefactors.
Laudable effort and fun project, but Apple could probably make a M1 mac fit in the Apple TV enclosure, power supply included. Heck, they could make the M1 fit in an iPhone.
I completely agree with this. I'd rather have the mini retain it's current size/mass which allows you to plug in power, network, hdmi, thunderbolt, AND usb-a, and it doesn't move around; while still being able to be tucked away in a small corner on your desk. Not to mention, there are a lot of rack mounts available for holding mini's. If they change the size, all new mounts have to be designed. It's not just a matter for apple to make the change; a bunch of other companies would have to change as well.
If it could be powered via USB-C that would be great! Get a monitor that has USB charging, and you could velcro the mini to the back of your monitor and not even need the power supply, and have a nice clean desktop.It is smaller because he took the power supply out.. wow amazing. Now you just have an external power supply which is still large and taking up space...
I don't care either way if the power supply is internal or external, but I don't like that the Mini has a lot of wasted space. All of the M1 Macs should move to a form factor which is slimmer/smaller because it doesn't need the space that the Intel designs required. So I hope we see a newer Mini design that shows off the M1's advantages
I kind of expect that Mini might adopt the iMac power supply if we see a new design
I kind of expect that Mini might adopt the iMac power supply if we see a new design
I like building my own small computers. Good on this guy for reducing the size of the Mac Mini, but using an external PSU is an absolute fail. It's a different type of computer now. Now half of the guts of the computer is in a separate plastic enclosure cluttering up the floor or the wall plugs. When I built my mini-PC, I was determined that everything should go in the box, just keeps things neat and tidy.
(FYI my current PC is is in a SGPG K39 case which is 4.5 litres, about half the size of a shoebox, or the size of 3 Mac minis stacked on each other.
That contains an ITX mobo, 32gb RAM, 2x M2 drives, 3x HDDs, a desktop CPU AMD Ryzen 3700X, full PSU and a full size GPU (currently a 1060 because new GPUs are overpriced.))
(FYI my current PC is is in a SGPG K39 case which is 4.5 litres, about half the size of a shoebox, or the size of 3 Mac minis stacked on each other.
That contains an ITX mobo, 32gb RAM, 2x M2 drives, 3x HDDs, a desktop CPU AMD Ryzen 3700X, full PSU and a full size GPU (currently a 1060 because new GPUs are overpriced.))
Just think how much more you can put on your desk with those extra few square inches of desk space.
[Edit] Might even be enough for a power supply, except it's the wrong shape.
[Edit] Might even be enough for a power supply, except it's the wrong shape.
It’s fine. The Mac Mini runs ridiculously cool, the cooling in it is overkill and just a remnant of the Intel days. I believe he took out the fan but left head spreader, and it took absolutely no performance hit.
That's been expected for nearly a decade and hasn't happened. I'll believe it when Apple announces it. I don't see what's wrong with the current design but some people want new design for new design sake.
Yes, if they ever decide to make a hard left turn to a steampunk aesthetic.
I'm not a fan of external power supplies, especially on stationary, desktop systems. It just adds to all the clutter. I'm also curious to see how going from a 150w to 65w (not even half the original) supply, along with the retrofitting will affect it in the long term?
I'd like to see if Apple could make an HDMI stick-style computer? No ports whatsoever except for the HDMI & power. Everything else is wireless via either wifi or bluetooth.
For some reason, it reminds me of an old Nintendo cartridge, which got me thinking. What if Apple made a chassis like the current Mac mini, and but with multiple slots on top to plug in "Mac mini cartridges?" You get one cartridge if you need one M1's (or M1 Max) worth of power, and add up to 4 cartridges for 4x the performance.
Of course, every so often you'll have to unplug your Mac mini cartridge and blow on the connector pins, but might otherwise be an interesting modular design.
As for this particular piece, it's interesting - but I personally hate external power bricks for devices designed to be stationary. Either have it be a built-in power brick, or have it feed off of USB-C from the monitor it's connected to.
Of course, every so often you'll have to unplug your Mac mini cartridge and blow on the connector pins, but might otherwise be an interesting modular design.
As for this particular piece, it's interesting - but I personally hate external power bricks for devices designed to be stationary. Either have it be a built-in power brick, or have it feed off of USB-C from the monitor it's connected to.
Appreciate the efforts.
For a channel who usually criticizes apple, his design is not better than the original one, just smaller.
I was having quite high expectation like using CNC or laser cut machine and desolder/resolder new parts.
But again, good efforts for finishing the project.
For a channel who usually criticizes apple, his design is not better than the original one, just smaller.
I was having quite high expectation like using CNC or laser cut machine and desolder/resolder new parts.
But again, good efforts for finishing the project.
I get annoyed by the "When are we getting a redesign?" people who don't specify what redesigns they want. So many want change for the sake of change. Not necessarily a bad thing, just annoying. At least say what you'd like to see changed.I don't see what's wrong with the current design but some people want new design for new design sake.
And how much time did he spend on thermal analysis, taking into consideration the wide range of environments, use cases, and I/O loads Apple customers will be using Mac Mini computers? And how much margin was built into his design for those scenarios, over Apple's spec'd temperature range and reliability requirements?
Without that information it's not very interesting.
Without that information it's not very interesting.
Yes on this video last night snazzy labs or snazzy it’s pretty smart and what he does knowledge in Mac OS especially for shortcuts etc. is leaps & bounds above all the popular YouTubers
I agree. Tell us what's really wrong with the current form factor. Apple has clearly kept it because they don't believe it needs a redesign. It packs everything they need into a small package. Why invest all the R&D, retooling, and other resources into a new form factor if it's not really needed?
Honestly haven't seen anyone suggest what needs to be changed about the current form factor.
There is such a thing as being too small or light in weight for an intended purpose (like having the computer slide off of a table from the weight of its cables).
If they make the new Mac mini any less wide there won't be enough space on the back for the needed peripheral connections. The MagSafe with the ethernet connector built in will free up some space but I'd also like to have a multi-card reader and at least two USB-A type ports in addition to the Thunderbolt/USB-C and two video outs. Also, it would be nice to have an analog audio out connector.
Of course, it would be best if they put the audio out and the multi-card reader on the front but I don't think Apple will do that since that would put holes in the front of the enclosure (heaven forbid). Plus, at least one Thunderbolt/USB-C port should be on the front. But, I think it will be form over function, so once again everything will be placed on the rear of the enclosure.
If they make the new Mac mini any less wide there won't be enough space on the back for the needed peripheral connections. The MagSafe with the ethernet connector built in will free up some space but I'd also like to have a multi-card reader and at least two USB-A type ports in addition to the Thunderbolt/USB-C and two video outs. Also, it would be nice to have an analog audio out connector.
Of course, it would be best if they put the audio out and the multi-card reader on the front but I don't think Apple will do that since that would put holes in the front of the enclosure (heaven forbid). Plus, at least one Thunderbolt/USB-C port should be on the front. But, I think it will be form over function, so once again everything will be placed on the rear of the enclosure.
This will never happen, but one form factor I'd like to see:
Either an Apple TV or Mac Mini with extra space to fit a single 3.5" HDD. I'd probably settle for a 2.5" drive. Hell, even an extra NVME slot.
Why? It would be awesome to have a lightweight NAS built into a machine I already have for network storage or time machine backups.
The problem: Macbook SSD pricing is just too high for static media you don't access much (old videos/photos). I don't want to pay $1000 more for 4tb. A 4tb HDD is like $70. Even M.2/NVME storage would be less than 1/2 the price of Apple SSD storage.
We're talking ~ $285/tb vs. around $15-$20/tb (~15x price difference).
I'm just super frustrated with Apple pricing on storage in general - between high SSD prices and expensive iCloud storage, there is no good solution unless you move to a completely 3rd party NAS (synology, etc). Don't like USB external drives because I'm on laptops 99% of the time, not desktops.
Either an Apple TV or Mac Mini with extra space to fit a single 3.5" HDD. I'd probably settle for a 2.5" drive. Hell, even an extra NVME slot.
Why? It would be awesome to have a lightweight NAS built into a machine I already have for network storage or time machine backups.
The problem: Macbook SSD pricing is just too high for static media you don't access much (old videos/photos). I don't want to pay $1000 more for 4tb. A 4tb HDD is like $70. Even M.2/NVME storage would be less than 1/2 the price of Apple SSD storage.
We're talking ~ $285/tb vs. around $15-$20/tb (~15x price difference).
I'm just super frustrated with Apple pricing on storage in general - between high SSD prices and expensive iCloud storage, there is no good solution unless you move to a completely 3rd party NAS (synology, etc). Don't like USB external drives because I'm on laptops 99% of the time, not desktops.
Last edited:
Maybe Apple thought no one would pay the Apple Tax for a "Matchbook" ?? I do love my M1MacMini! For me it is a desktop machine, so its current size works fine for me.
I did see an earlier article on MacSurfer indicating Apple patented a computer in a keyboard. I suppose that would be useful to some people. Just as a MacMini Mini might for a home and office setup. Still I think I'd rather have a laptop.
Finally the "printing" aspect of the project was intriguing!
I did see an earlier article on MacSurfer indicating Apple patented a computer in a keyboard. I suppose that would be useful to some people. Just as a MacMini Mini might for a home and office setup. Still I think I'd rather have a laptop.
Finally the "printing" aspect of the project was intriguing!