The Mac mini is getting back at smaller sized with very first redesign in 15 years

Previously today, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple prepares to begin its M4 Mac rollout later on this year. He likewise stated that “a minimum of one Mac design will get more significant modifications,” and on Thursday, Gurman supplied more information, reporting that Apple prepares to upgrade the M4 Mac mini as the tiniest Mac ever.

The very first redesign of the Mac mini because 2010 will make it comparable in size to the Apple television, which determines 3.7 by 3.7 by 1.2 inches (93 by 93 by 31 millimeters)– that’s almost half the height and width of the existing 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 might be taller than the existing design, and the case will still be aluminum. The initial Mac mini launched in 2005 determined 6.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches (16.5 by 16.5 by 5.1 centimeters) and had an aluminum body with a plastic top.

Gurman reports that Apple has actually evaluated 3 designs that have at least 3 USB-C ports, a power port, and an HDMI port. He did not clarify if any of the USB-C ports are likewise Thunderbolt ports– however it ‘d be unexpected if Apple did not provide Thunderbolt connection.

Like the M2 designs, Apple will likely provide the Mac mini with a base M4 chip like the one in the iPad Pro and a brand-new M4 Pro chip. The base M4 design will be readily available instantly, while the M4 Pro Mac mini may not be readily available till later on in October, Gurman reports.

Apple’s choice to make the Mac mini smaller sized isn’t unexpected. There have actually been reports for many years that Apple is dealing with a Mac mini redesign with a thinner case. Teardowns of the M1 and M2 Mac mini reveal that the switch to M-series chips enables smaller sized motherboards and other parts, leaving a great deal of area inside those Macs. Among the biggest parts in the M1 and M2 Mac mini is the fan; it does not promise that Apple would eliminate it in the brand-new Mac mini, considering that a fan is most likely needed for the M4 Pro chip.