Earlier this week, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to begin its M4 Mac rollout later this 12 months. He additionally stated that “a minimum of one Mac mannequin will get extra dramatic adjustments,” and on Thursday, Gurman offered extra particulars, reporting that Apple plans to revamp the M4 Mac mini because the smallest Mac ever.
The primary redesign of the Mac mini since 2010 will make it comparable in dimension to the Apple TV, which measures 3.7 by 3.7 by 1.2 inches (93 by 93 by 31 millimeters)–that’s practically half the peak and width of the present Mac mini’s 7.7 by 7.7 by 1.4 inches (19.7 by 19.7 by 3.6 centimeters). The M4 Mac mini could also be taller than the present mannequin, and the case will nonetheless be aluminum. The unique Mac mini launched in 2005 measured 6.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches (16.5 by 16.5 by 5.1 centimeters) and had an aluminum physique with a plastic high.
Gurman stories that Apple has examined three fashions which have a minimum of three USB-C ports, an influence connector, and an HDMI port. He didn’t make clear if any of the USB-C ports are additionally Thunderbolt ports–however it’d be stunning if Apple didn’t supply Thunderbolt connectivity.
Just like the M2 fashions, Apple will doubtless supply the Mac mini with a base M4 chip just like the one within the iPad Professional and a brand new M4 Professional chip. The bottom M4 mannequin will likely be out there instantly, whereas the M4 Professional Mac mini may not be out there till later in October, Gurman stories.
Apple’s resolution to make the Mac mini smaller isn’t stunning. There have been rumors for years that Apple is engaged on a Mac mini redesign with a thinner case. Teardowns of the M1 and M2 Mac mini present that the swap to M-series chips permits for smaller motherboards and different elements, leaving quite a lot of house inside these Macs. One of many largest elements within the M1 and M2 Mac mini is the fan; it doesn’t appear doubtless that Apple would do away with it within the new Mac mini, since a fan might be mandatory for the M4 Professional chip.