Apple is set to launch a new version of the Mac mini, making it the company's smallest desktop computer. This will be part of a broader update to the Mac lineup featuring AI-focused chips.
The upcoming Mac mini, expected to be released later this year, will undergo its first significant design change since its last update under Steve Jobs in 2010. The device will be considerably smaller than its predecessor, approaching the size of the Apple TV streaming box. The Apple TV measures about 9.4 cm in diameter, which is less than half the size of the current Mac mini. At the same time, the new model is anticipated to be slightly taller, with the existing version standing at 3.5 cm.
Apple has been testing prototypes of the Mac mini with at least three USB-C ports on the rear. The device will also include a power connector and an HDMI port for connecting to TVs and monitors. Those involved in the development of the new Mac mini describe it as essentially an iPad Pro in a compact form factor. This approach incorporates lower power consumption requirements for the chip while maintaining an aluminum casing.
Apple is preparing two versions of the new Mac mini. One will feature a base configuration with the M4 chip, similar to the processor found in the iPad Pro. Additionally, there will be a higher-end Mac mini that utilizes an unannounced M4 Pro chip, which will provide support for increased memory and enhanced graphical performance.
Apple's suppliers are expected to begin component shipments for the standard M4 version this month, with a release planned for later in the year. However, the higher-end devices equipped with the M4 Pro processor will not be ready for consumers until October. The last update to the Mac mini occurred in early 2023, with the introduction of the M2 and M2 Pro chips.
The starting price of the current Mac mini is $599. Although the new model may have a lower production cost, it remains unclear whether the company will pass on any savings to consumers.
Source: bloomberg
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