Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is set to release a new version of its Mac Mini that will be its smallest desktop computer to date. This upcoming model is part of a broader overhaul of the Mac line, featuring the latest M4 chip, which is designed to enhance AI capabilities across Apple’s devices. The new Mac Mini is expected to launch later this year and represents the first significant design change to the mini since it was last revamped in 2010.
A New Era for Mac Mini Design
The updated Mac Mini will be significantly smaller than its predecessor, nearly approaching the size of an Apple TV set-top box. According to sources familiar with the matter, the new design will still feature an aluminum shell but may be slightly taller than the current model, which stands at 1.4 inches high. The Apple TV box, by comparison, measures about 3.7 inches across, making the new Mac Mini’s footprint much smaller.
Apple has reportedly tested models of the new Mac Mini that include at least three USB-C ports on the back, along with an area for plugging in the power cable and an HDMI port for connecting to monitors and TVs. These enhancements highlight Apple’s commitment to maintaining the Mac Mini’s versatility while modernizing its design.
The Power of the M4 Chip
The introduction of the M4 chip into the new Mac Mini marks a significant milestone for Apple. The M4 silicon, which is already featured in the iPad Pro, is set to power new AI-focused features that Apple plans to roll out later this year. This upgrade is the first time Apple has incorporated the same chip generation across its entire Mac lineup, signaling a unified approach to its hardware development.
The current Mac Mini, which was last updated in early 2023 with the M2 and M2 Pro chips, will now see a leap in performance with the M4 chip. Apple is preparing two versions of the new Mac Mini, both codenamed J773. The base model will use the standard M4 chip, similar to the one found in the iPad Pro, while a higher-end version will feature a yet-to-be-announced M4 Pro chip. This Pro version is expected to include support for additional memory and enhanced graphics capabilities, catering to power users who require more performance from their desktop machines.
Production and Release Timeline
Apple’s suppliers are gearing up to begin shipping units of the standard M4 version of the Mac Mini this month, with a release planned for later this year. The higher-end M4 Pro models are slated to become available to consumers in October. While the new model may be cheaper to produce due to its smaller size and the efficiencies gained from the M4 chip, it remains unclear whether Apple will pass these savings on to consumers. The current Mac Mini starts at $599, and it’s uncertain if the new version will be priced similarly.
Impact on Apple’s Mac Lineup
The Mac Mini is just one part of Apple’s larger strategy to integrate the M4 chip across its Mac lineup. Over the next several months, the company plans to introduce new versions of the iMac desktop and MacBook Pro, both featuring the M4 chip. Additionally, new MacBook Air models are expected in the spring, and upgraded Mac Pro and Mac Studio models are anticipated by mid-next year.
Apple’s transition to in-house silicon, beginning with the M1 chip in 2020, has played a critical role in boosting Mac sales and accelerating the pace of upgrades. However, demand for Macs has slowed since the pandemic-driven surge, as consumers are no longer as urgently equipping home offices. Despite this, the Mac category still generated about $7 billion in revenue last quarter, representing a 2.5% increase from the same period a year earlier.
Conclusion
Apple’s new Mac Mini with the M4 chip is poised to be a game-changer, not just for its compact size but for the advanced AI capabilities it will bring to the desktop market. As Apple continues to refine and expand its Mac lineup, the integration of the M4 chip across all its devices marks a significant step in the company’s technological evolution. Whether consumers will embrace these changes remains to be seen, but the new Mac Mini is certainly a product to watch as its release approaches.
Featured Image: Pixabay © Matias Cruz
