Apple Inc. is preparing to launch a new version of the Mac mini, its most miniature desktop computer to date, later this year. This update is part of a significant rethinking of its Mac product line, particularly emphasizing integrating chips focused on artificial intelligence.
The new Mac mini will represent a significant change in device design, much smaller than its predecessor. According to people familiar with the matter, the device will approach the size of an Apple TV set-top box, making it the first significant redesign of the Mini since 2010, when Steve Jobs oversaw its revamp.
The launch is part of Apple's broader strategy, which includes introducing updated versions of the iMac, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air with the new M4 chips. The upgrade to the M4 processor, already used in the iPad Pro, will allow all Apple Mac computers to share the same generation of silicon for the first time.
Despite its reduced size, the new Mac mini could be slightly taller than the current model, which is about 1.4 inches tall. The enclosure will continue to be made of aluminum, maintaining the aesthetics and strength characteristic of Apple products.
The new device will feature at least three USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a power cable connector. Analysts note that this design makes it a sort of "iPad Pro in a box," an approach that benefits from the lower power requirements of the internal silicon.
Apple is developing two versions of the new Mac mini, codenamed J773. One version will include the standard M4 chip. At the same time, the other will use an M4 Pro chip, offering support for additional memory and greater graphics power.
Units of the base model with the M4 chip will be released in late 2024, while versions with the M4 Pro chip will hit the market in October. The last Mac mini upgrade occurred in early 2023 with the introduction of the M2 and M2 Pro chips.
Bloomberg has reported that while the new Mac mini will be cheaper to manufacture, it is still being determined whether Apple will pass those savings on to the consumer. Apple has accelerated the pace of its hardware upgrades since adopting its processors, which has boosted sales. However, Mac demand has slowed since the boom experienced during the pandemic.
In the latest quarter, the Mac computer category generated approximately $7 billion in revenue, up 2.5% year-over-year.
