The M2 Mac Mini, which debuted in 2023, is among the greatest Macs for consumers who want a powerful and portable desktop computer. Apple is currently preparing to launch a new Mac Mini that will significantly increase speed, capacity, and efficiency. The flagship M4 chipset will replace the M3 alternative, which the Cupertino tech will be using. The impending M4 Mac Mini is expected to be the first significant overhaul of Apple’s smallest desktop computer in the previous 14 years. The forthcoming Mini may reinvent the capabilities of a small desktop computer because of the M4 CPU. This suggests that a new Mac Mini that looks better and meets customer needs may ultimately be released.

A Design That Is More Compact:

The present Mac Mini design dates back to 2010, and Apple hasn’t updated it in almost ten years. Fortunately, this is about to change. Apple is going to release the Mac Mini’s first design update since the Steve Jobs era. Indeed, Apple is planning to reduce the size of the Mac Mini to make it more portable and space-efficient.

NEW: As part of an end-to-end Mac makeover, Apple is getting ready to release a redesigned, incredibly compact Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro that is smaller than half the size of the existing model. Man “Mark Gurman” (@markgurman) August 8, 2024

The next Mac Mini, according to Mark Gurman, will be Apple’s tiniest desktop computer ever. It will be so little that it will nearly be the same size as the Apple TV. This suggests that the forthcoming Mac Mini may have a sleek, simple design similar to that of the Apple TV. The M2 Mac Mini is 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm, for comparison. The Apple TV 4K, on the other hand, measures 93 x 93 x 31 mm and is more streamlined and small.

The M4 Mac Mini is anticipated to be marginally taller than the existing Mac Mini, despite having a footprint similar to that of the Apple TV.Therefore, total portability shouldn’t be impacted by a small increase in height. It is expected that the M4 Mac Mini would have better thermal performance despite its smaller size. Rumor has it that Apple is aggressively researching ways to improve cooling effectiveness so the device can continue operating at peak efficiency without a fan. This will not only provide a quieter operation, but it will also enable the Mini to manage intensive activities without experiencing overheating issues.

Processor:

The most anticipated feature of the next Mac Mini will be the addition of the M4 CPU, the newest model of Apple’s proprietary silicon. Apple will only release the premium M4 Pro and vanilla M4 variants of the upcoming Mac Mini; the M3 series will be completely ignored. This will enable higher power efficiency and better performance.

When the iPad Pro was released in May 2024, the M4 chip made its debut. Because it is based on second-generation 3nm technology, this new chip has greater power and capability than its predecessors. The M4 chip is said to be an incredibly potent AI chip that can perform twice as quickly as the M2.

There is also an M4 model with a 9-core CPU; however, it is rumored that Apple may use it in an iPad Pro and a future MacBook Air rather than the Mac mini. The M4 chip is a beast for AI workloads since it includes ML accelerators in addition to a more sophisticated 16-core Neural Engine. Although the M4 Pro processor is still unconfirmed, users will undoubtedly have a choice of CPUs (like the present model). Overall, better performance and efficiency are to be expected, which is important for a small computer like Mini.

Five USB-C connectors:

The latest M2 Mac Mini has Gigabit Ethernet, an HDMI port, a headphone jack, and two USB-A and four USB-C connections. It looks like an improvement that the revised M4 Mac Mini will likely come with five USB-C connections, according to Mark Gurman and a few other sources.

M4 Mac Mini Redesign Rumors💻

According to rumors, Apple is preparing a major redesign for the Mac Mini that will have a smaller form factor more akin to the Apple TV. The M4 and M4 Pro CPUs, which leverage Apple Silicon’s efficiency, will probably power the upcoming generation, resulting in a more compact.

Gurman also revealed that the new Mac mini will have two USB-C ports on its front, similar to the Mac Studio. Moreover, Thunderbolt 4 ports ought to be present on at least some of these USB-C connectors. In the event that this proves to be accurate, Thunderbolt 4 will enable dual 6K displays and faster 40Gbps data transfer rates, making the M4 Mac Mini an excellent option for people that need to work with expensive peripherals and numerous monitors.

To create room for the fifth USB-C port, Apple will, nevertheless, remove the USB-A port. In other words, without an appropriate converter, you will not be able to utilize your USB-A gadgets. It’s unclear right now what Apple plans to do with the extra connectors. Apple might try to delete the HDMI port, as it did with the MacBook Pro in 2016, but that move was immensely unpopular. As a result, in 2021, the MacBook Pro will need to reinstall fundamental connectors like HDMI and card readers.

Memory and Storage:

It is anticipated that the new Mac Mini will make an appearance with various memory and storage configurations. Instead of 8GB, the M4 Mini may come with 16GB of RAM out of the box to support Apple Intelligence capabilities. For hardcore users, the RAM possibilities may increase to 32GB or even 64GB. In terms of storage capacities, the entry-level model may have 256GB, while the highest-end model might have up to 2TB of storage, offering ample room for all of your data and software.

Enhancements in Performance and New Features:

The forthcoming Mac Mini is expected to give a notable performance gain over its predecessors with the M4 chip aboard. It should provide quicker processing rates, more than capable of handling routine chores as well as more complex computations like 3D rendering and video editing. For those who love high-quality graphics and are gamers or creative workers, the enhanced 10-core GPU would be a great addition. The new Mac Mini M4 would be a good choice for machine learning and AI aficionados because the M4 CPU is intended for AI. The Mac Mini appears to be developing into one of Apple’s best little computers.

M4 Mac Mini Estimated Price:

The M4 Mac Mini is expected to be released in late 2024 or early 2025, according to earlier rumors. According to a recent report by Mark Gurman, Apple may release the M4 Mac mini in October 2024 along with the M4 iMac and M4 MacBook Pros. Additionally, Apple typically updates its Mac hardware in October or November of each year.

Thus, the October release date makes sense given historical trends. In reality, Gurman stated that the majority of M4 Macs are already leaving the plant for shipping. The Mac Mini with M4 Pro and high-end MacBook Pros are the sole exceptions. Additionally, he thinks the M4 MacBook Air will launch in Q1 2025 and the new Mac Studio will follow in the middle of the year 2025. On the other hand, the new Mac Pro won’t be released until after 2025.

There are currently no hints as to the price of the M4 Mac Mini. Gurman did, however, previously state that the new Mac Mini “may be cheaper to make.” Thus, a reasonably priced Mini may be released. We cannot, however, completely rule out the likelihood that the M4 Mac Mini may start at a price that is comparable to or greater than the M2 Mac Mini due to its AI features and upgraded RAM.

All we know about the M4 Mac Mini is that. The forthcoming Mini appears to be the best choice for professionals and creatives that require a powerful yet compact desktop computer, especially in light of all the rumors and leaks. As further leaks come to light over the next few weeks, we’ll update this article. Keep checking back!