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M4 Mac Mini: everything we know so far

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M4 Mac Mini: everything we know so far

Released in 2023, the M2 Mac Mini is one of the best Mac computers for users who prefer a portable and powerful desktop computer. Now Apple is ready to launch the new Mac Mini with a huge leap in performance, power and efficiency. The Cupertino technology will drop the M3 option and jump from the M2 to the flagship M4 chipset. The upcoming M4 Mac Mini is expected to be the first-ever major redesign of Apple’s most compact desktop computer in the last 14 years. Thanks to the M4 processor, the upcoming Mini could redefine what a compact desktop computer can do. This means we may finally see a fresh-looking Mac Mini that is more modern and meets consumer needs. Here’s everything we know about Apple’s upcoming M4 Mac Mini.

More compact design

Apple hasn’t redesigned the Mac Mini in over a decade, and the current design dates back to 2010. Fortunately, this will change soon. Apple will introduce the first-ever styling refresh for the Mac Mini since Steve Jobs. Yes, Apple is ready to slim down the Mac Mini for a more compact and space-saving design.

According to Mark Gurman, the upcoming Mac Mini will be Apple’s smallest desktop computer ever, and will be so compact it will be almost the size of an Apple TV. This means that the upcoming Mac Mini could feature a sleek and minimalist aesthetic like the Apple TV. For comparison, the dimensions of the M2 Mac Mini are 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm. The Apple TV 4K, on ​​the other hand, is sleeker and more compact, measuring 93 x 93 x 31 mm.

While the M4 Mac Mini will likely have dimensions similar to the Apple TV, the Mini is expected to be slightly taller than the current “Mac Mini.” The M2 Mac Mini is 1.4 inches tall, which makes it quite low. So a slight increase in height shouldn’t impact overall portability. Despite the M4’s reduced size, the Mac Mini is expected to deliver improved thermal performance. There are rumors that Apple is actively working on ways to increase cooling efficiency so that the device can maintain optimal performance without a fan. This will not only allow for quieter operation, but will also make the Mini capable enough to handle demanding tasks without causing overheating issues.

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The main attraction of the upcoming Mac Mini will be the M4 processor, the latest addition to Apple’s family of custom Silicon processors. The new Mac Mini will launch in vanilla M4 and flagship M4 Pro versions, with Apple skipping the M3 series entirely. This will allow for better performance and greater energy efficiency.

The M4 chip debuted with the iPad Pro launched in May 2024. This all-new chip is built on second-generation 3nm technology, making it more powerful and efficient than its predecessors. The M4 chip offers 2x the performance of the M2 and is considered an incredibly powerful AI chip.

The M4 chip includes a 10-core CPU with ML accelerators and a 10-core GPU with ray tracing capabilities. There is also an M4 variant with a 9-core processor, but it is speculated that Apple will not use it in the “Mac mini”, instead we may see it in the iPad Pro‌ and the future MacBook Air. The M4 chip also has a more advanced 16-core neural engine along with ML accelerators, making it a powerful machine for AI tasks. There are no specific details about the M4 Pro’s processor at this point, but users will certainly have a choice of processor (just like in the current model). All in all, we can expect greater efficiency and increased efficiency, which is critical for a compact machine like the Mini.

5 USB Type-C ports

The current M2 Mac Mini model comes with four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, as well as HDMI, a headphone jack, and Gigabit Ethernet. According to Mark Gurman and several other sources, the upgraded M4 Mac Mini will likely come with five USB-C ports, which appears to be an improvement.

Gurman also mentioned that, like the Mac Studio, two USB-C ports will be placed on the front of the new Mac mini. Additionally, at least some of these USB-C ports should be Thunderbolt 4 ports. If this proves to be true, Thunderbolt 4 will enable faster data transfer rates of 40Gbps and support for dual 6K displays, making the M4 Mac Mini the best choice for users , who need to work with high-end accessories and multiple displays.

However, Apple will remove the USB-A port to make room for a fifth USB-C port. This means you won’t be able to use USB-A accessories without a compatible adapter. It’s unclear at this point what Apple will do with the additional ports. Apple could have tried to do away with the HDMI port like it did on the MacBook Pro in 2016, but that move was extremely unpopular. So in 2021, they had to reintroduce basic ports like HDMI and card readers in the MacBook Pro.

Storage and memory

The new Mac Mini is expected to enter the market with multiple storage configurations. The M4 Mini may start with 16GB of RAM instead of the 8GB that will be supported to support Apple Intelligence features. RAM options can go up to 32GB or even 64GB to serve power users. In terms of storage options, the base model can have a capacity of 256 GB and the maximum capacity variant goes up to 2 TB, providing versatile space for all your files and applications.

Performance improvements and additional features

Thanks to the M4 processor, the upcoming Mac Mini is sure to provide a significant performance boost over its predecessors. We can expect it to offer faster processing speeds that can easily handle everything from everyday tasks to more demanding calculations like video editing, 3D rendering, and more. The improved 10-core GPU will also be an invaluable addition for gamers and creative professionals who desire high-quality graphics. Since the M4 chip is designed with artificial intelligence in mind, the new Mac Mini M4 would be a solid option for machine learning and artificial intelligence enthusiasts. It looks like the Mac Mini is becoming one of Apple’s best compact machines.

M4 Mac Mini Price Forecast

The previous rumor mill suggested a release date for the M4 Mac Mini in late 2024 or early 2025. A recent report by Mark Gurman indicates that Apple may launch the M4 Mac mini in October 2024, alongside the M4 MacBook Pro and M4 iMac. Additionally, Apple has a track record of refreshing Mac hardware in the fall, around October or November.

So the October release date coincides with past history. Indeed, Gurman mentioned that most M4 Macs have already started shipping from factories. The only exceptions are high-end MacBook Pros and Mac Minis with M4 Pro. He also believes that the MacBook Air M4 is planned for the first quarter of 2025, and the new Mac Studio will appear in mid-2025. The new Mac Pro will debut before the end of 2025.

There is no indication at this time as to how much the M4 Mac Mini will cost. However, Gurman once mentioned that the new Mac Mini “may be cheaper to make.” This means we could see an affordable Mini.

However, considering the AI ​​features and improved RAM, we cannot rule out that the starting price of the M4 Mac Mini will be similar or even higher than the M2 Mac Mini.

That’s everything we know about the M4 Mac Mini. Considering all the rumors and leaks, the upcoming Mini seems like an ideal option for professionals and creators who need a powerful yet space-saving desktop computer. We will update this article as new leaks emerge in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for further information!