Apple Inc. is planning a new version of the Mac mini that will be its smallest desktop computer yet, part of a broader overhaul of the Mac line with AI-focused chips.
The new model — due later this year — will mark the first major design change to the mini since it was revamped under Steve Jobs in 2010, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The device will be far smaller than its predecessor, approaching the size of an Apple TV set-top box, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the work is secret.
The updated mini is one of several new Macs coming over the next several months. The company is preparing versions of the iMac desktop and MacBook Pro with chips from the M4 line, also for as early as this year. There are MacBook Airs in development for the spring, and Mac Pro and Mac Studio models are planned for the middle of next year.
I bought into the M2 Mac Mini last year after giving up on my Olde 2010 Mac Pro. An SSD extended the life of the Mac Pro, but, it was slipping behind, it was time to retire it…
So it’s good to see they have made this move, with an even smaller Mini, it will be interesting to see what the final product is…
The M2 Mini perks along fine for everything I need at the moment, when busy it warms up to all of 98°, never hear a fan, if there even is one… The only observation I have is the need for additional ports, so I have an extended, multi-port widget setting atop it, feeding the external drive case, various chargers…
I have a 2023 M2 Mini too. I can’t see any need to replace it in the foreseeable future. But the ports are tight on it and I can’t see how a smaller form factor device won’t exacerbate that.
It took me a long time to make the move to the M2 Mini, hated to give up the open structure of the Mac Pro, but in the end it was a tossup between the mini & studio… But the port solution had me scrambling. I ended up with this one… So far so good…
But the new proposed mini would have to have ports on all sides to fit our needs…Some I could do without, some if these remain unused, but connectivity is needed… Choices!
I’m a Windows PC guy, not Mac, but I can’t resist commenting on the docking station idea. An amazing device, thanks to USB-C.
I bought a large screen but thin laptop the last time I upgraded. This was the first time I didn’t assemble my computer from parts (motherboard, case, power supply, etc). There weren’t enough ports, and I solved that with a docking station.
There is just one cable plugged into the laptop. This single USB C cable provides:
power
video (ultra-wide monitor)
sound (stereo)
ethernet
printers (one laser, one label)
external drives (2)
keyboard (ergonomic Microsoft)
I won’t guarantee that I didn’t miss something. I could have plugged the mouse dongle into it, but it was easier to plug that into the laptop.
When I travel I unplug that one cable and put it and the mouse in the bag. The power supply that came with it stays in the bag. When I get home, one connection and I’m back in business.
Yes please! Hard to believe it’s been 14 years since the Mini has had a form factor change. There’s little reason for it to be any larger than 4"x4"x2".