Apple is planning to release a host of machines powered by its latest chipset, but out of all of them, a new report states that the M4 Mac mini will be the only one sporting a redesign. With the change, this model is said to become the company’s smallest computer ever. Given that the Apple Silicon Mac mini range has existed since 2020, it was long overdue that these machines received an aesthetic makeover.
The upcoming M4 Mac mini could be as small as an Apple TV but will boast desktop-class performance thanks to the new Apple Silicon
It is possible that Apple gained inspiration from the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models sporting the M4 chipset, as both of these are the thinnest tablets that the company has ever produced. Unfortunately, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman did not mention it as a reason for introducing the M4 Mac mini redesign. An interesting fact is that the Mac mini family has not received a design overhaul since 2010, and what should get potential buyers excited is how small Apple intends to make it.
Based on information from the report, it is said that the M4 Mac mini will share the same size as an Apple TV, but it could be slightly taller to accommodate the powerful components and cooling system. For reference, the current-generation Apple TV is 1.4 inches tall. As for the build materials, the technology giant will continue to employ an aluminum chassis, making it as robust as previous-generation releases. Strange enough, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted that the M4 MacBook Pro family will not feature any redesign, making the M4 Mac mini the only device arriving this year to do so.
However, the report does not mention what specification changes will be made to ensure that it successfully reduces the M4 Mac mini’s size. Given that the latest Wi-Fi standards negate the use of a wired Ethernet connection thanks to their upgraded speeds and reduced latency, our gut tells us that the RJ45 jack will be removed first, possibly getting replaced with a Thunderbolt port that can deliver the same experience, but through the use of a compatible dongle.
The M4 Mac mini is just another one of Apple’s products that are in the pipeline of becoming thinner and more compact. According to Gurman, the latest 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models were just the start of the company’s plans, with the design change expected to branch out to future MacBook Pro lineups and the iPhone 17, which is reported to feature a ‘skinnier’ chassis.
News Source: Bloomberg
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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