Expected to launch later this year, the Mac mini M4 will have a new design, becoming the smallest Apple desktop ever.
According to reporter Mark Gurman of BloombergApple plans to redesign the Mac mini as part of a broader strategy to revamp its entire Mac lineup with AI-focused processors.
The device is expected to launch later this year with a smaller size than the current generation, almost the same size as the Apple TV. If the rumors are correct, this will be the smallest desktop computer ever introduced by Apple.
Based on rumors, the Mac mini M4 is 9.4cm wide, less than half the current size (19.7cm).
Despite its tiny size, the product could be taller than the current 1.5-inch (3.58-cm) Mac mini. For comparison, the Apple TV 4K is 3.6 inches (9.3 cm) wide and 1.2 inches (3.1 cm) tall.
The new generation Mac mini is codenamed J773 with 2 versions, using M4 and M4 Pro processors. Apple is said to be testing the product with at least 3 USB-C ports on the back, next to the power port and HDMI.
The M4 Pro version also has a similar design, but higher RAM and GPU power, still using aluminum shell material.
Suppliers plan to ship some M4 Mac mini models this month for sale later this year, while the M4 Pro version won’t hit shelves until October.
The Mac mini M4 developer says it’s essentially an iPad Pro in a small square box, thanks to the power-efficient nature of the M chip.
“The current Mac mini starts at $599. While the new version may be cheaper to manufacture, it’s unclear whether Apple will pass the price down to consumers,” Gurman added. The current Mac mini uses the M2 and M2 Pro chips, which will be released in early 2023.
In addition to the Mac mini, Gurman also revealed when Apple will launch other M4-powered products. Specifically, the MacBook Air M4 will launch in the spring, while the Mac Studio and Mac Pro will launch in mid-2025. The MacBook Pro and iMac lines will launch later this year.
Mac Pro and Mac Studio. Photo: 9to5Mac.
“The Mac mini is one of several new computers Apple is expected to introduce in the coming months. The company is preparing new iMac and MacBook Pro M4 versions for release as early as this year.
The MacBook Air is also in development for a spring launch, while the Mac Pro and Mac Studio are planned for mid-next year,” Gurman wrote.
The pen of Bloomberg emphasized that this will be the first time Apple equips the same generation of chips on the entire Mac line, an important milestone for Apple when the M4 is designed to focus on AI features.
In Apple’s most recent quarterly financial report, the Mac line brought in about $7 billion in revenue, up 2.5% year-over-year.