In November 2020, Apple introduced two new models of Mac mini with its own M1 chip. Their prices They vary by configuration, starting at $ 799 for the most basic model with the same processor and graphics as the more expensive MacBook and iMac options.
In this way, buying a Mac mini for the time being has become the cheapest way to access Apple equipment with an M1 chip. However, we do know that Apple would be working on a new Mac mini that is more powerful.
This model will not replace the current Mac mini M1 models, but will instead replace the Intel-powered Mac mini model that Apple has decided to keep on sale until now, or at least that’s what it is claimed.
New Mac mini release date
The news that Apple is planning to launch a new Mac mini came from a report by May Bloomberg of Mark Gurman stating that “Apple is preparing to release several Mac laptops and desktops with faster processors.”
New designs and improved connectivity would also come with the thought of the possibility of connecting a wider variety of external devices. “Among these new Macs, the possibility of presenting the 16-inch MacBooks Pro during the event is being considered. WWDC 2021.
That being said, when is the new Mac mini coming out? We don’t know for sure. However, the report of Bloomberg suggests that it could be based on the same chip that will be used in newer MacBook Pro models, so we can see them in June as well.
New Mac mini price
Apple hasn’t changed the design of Mac mini in recent years, not because it couldn’t, but because it told us that there are a number of server farms and other organizations. that use the Mac mini in existing form factor configurations.
But it looks like that may now change. Famous Apple leaker Jon Prosser has revealed design details for the new Mac mini model, indicating that it will be significantly thinner than the current one.
Ian Zelbo did some illustrations based on the results and Prosser shared them. Renderings indicate that the new mini will be available in silver and white, rather than one of the new bright color options seen on the 24 inch IMac.
These renderings are based on rumors, but they help us get a feel for what Apple might be up to next. The ports are the same as the latest Intel model, with four Thunderbolt USB C, two USB-A, Ethernet and HDMI.
Prosser shared the news in a video on his Front Page Tech channel.
Despite the fact that Prosser was repeatedly wrong, he had great success in his predictions. AppleTrack currently gives it an accuracy rate of 78.1%.
New 2021 Mac mini specifications
As discussed, the Mac mini model that Apple is preparing is the top-of-the-line mini, so its specs will be higher than the current Mac mini M1, which would also result in a higher price tag.
According to the Bloomberg report, this more powerful version will feature the same chip that we will also see at the heart of the new MacBook Pros.This machine is codenamed as J374.
Processor
We don’t know exactly what the name of the processor will be, it could be the M1X or the M2. However, it appears to be the same chip that Apple will be using in the new MacBook Pro.
According to the Bloomberg report, the new chip used in the MacBook Pro will offer eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, which means we can expect a total of 10 cores.
Today’s M1 chips offer four high performance cores and four efficiency cores.
Graphic
You should also have better graphics performance for this high-end Mac mini, with variations of 16 or 32 graphics cores, compared to the seven or eight graphics cores currently on M1 machines.
RAM
One of the advantages of the Intel Mac mini that Apple continues to sell is that it can be configured to support a total of 64 GB of RAM. The Mac mini M1 (and all Mac M1s) have a maximum of 16 GB of RAM.
You cannot add more. For some, this is a big reason not to buy a Mac M1. The good news is, according to the May Bloomberg report, we could see 64GB of RAM supported by the new high-end Mac mini.
Ports and Peripherals
The old model and the new Mac mini both offer two USB-A ports and one HDMI 2.0 port, which will likely be retained in the new version. One of the main advantages of the older 2018 Mac mini is that it has four Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports.
As you know, the current M1 models only have two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. (The following image shows the ports of the Mac mini 2018).
The good news is that the new Mac mini will apparently offer four ports instead of the two it currently has. It seems that this ability is given thanks to its improved neural engine, which will allow better management of multiple Thunderbolt ports.
This is also likely to affect compatibility with external displays. One of the main drawbacks of the Mac mini M1 is the fact that it only supports a 5K display and a 4K display, while the Intel-powered Mac mini 2018 supports up to three 4K displays.
Consultation how to connect two or more displays to Mac with M1 (Apple Silicon).
The arrival of 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity and the 10Gb Ethernet option on the new model is also to be expected (the latter is a feature of the 2018 model).
Apple does not ship the Mac mini with an Apple keyboard. Right now, you need to provide your own or purchase one from Apple. This is unlikely to change, but we expect Apple to start offering its new keyboard with Touch ID, as it does with its iMac on 2021.
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