We’ve already heard that the Mac Mini M4 is likely to launch later this year, but now new rumors are swirling that Apple’s diminutive Mac is likely to get even smaller thanks to its first design refresh in 14 years.
According to Bloomberg’s reliable Apple insider Mark GurmanThe new Mac Mini will be the company’s “smallest desktop computer ever.” In fact, the new M4-powered Mini will be so compact that it will be “approximately the size of an Apple TV set-top box,” according to Gurman’s sources.
In reality, the redesign wouldn’t functionally change the Mac Mini much. The current version measures 1970 x 1970 x 358 mm, while the Apple TV 4K is 93 x 93 x 31 mm. Gurman’s report claims that the new Mac Mini may even be taller than the current version to achieve that reduced overall footprint.
Still, that would see it reach the milestone of being Apple’s smallest desktop yet, and the upgrade to an M4 chip could make it massively more popular. That chip is apparently the main reason for Apple’s Mac Mini redesign due to its lower power requirements – with Gurman’s sources stating that the computer is “essentially an iPad Pro in a small box.”
What other upgrades does the M4 Mac Mini get? Obviously, the Apple Intelligence features in macOS Sequoia will be among the most notable. That said, Apple also reportedly tested versions with three USB-C ports on the back (the current M2 version has two Thunderbolt 4 ports) alongside an HDMI port, just like the current model.
According to Bloomberg, there will also be two versions of the Mac Mini. One is expected to be powered by the base M4 chip, while the other is expected to feature the unannounced M4 Pro chip. It appears the base M4 version will be available first, with production ramping up in August for a release “later this year.” We may have to wait until October for the M4 Pro model.
One thing we don’t yet know is whether Apple plans to keep the Mac Mini’s tempting pricing at the same low level. The current one starts at just $599 / £649 / AU$999, and according to Gurman, “the new model may be cheaper to make.” We don’t yet know whether that will result in an even lower price tag, a similar price tag, or potentially a higher price tag.
Don’t buy a Mac yet
Our Mac mini (2023) review called it “the best mini PC you can buy right now,” and it still tops our guide to the best mini PCs. A new M4 chip and a new design certainly wouldn’t hurt its chances of staying there, unless Apple flops with connectivity or performance.
The appeal of the Mac mini has always been the combination of its size and the fact that you can add your own keyboard, mouse and monitor. If Apple can keep the base model priced at $599 / £649 / AU$999, it’s sure to remain popular with Mac fans and even some diehard Windows users.
The new Mac Mini’s main competition may come from within Apple. This Bloomberg report reiterated previous rumors that Apple is also planning M4 refreshes for the iMac and MacBook Pro in 2024, meaning we’d advise holding off on buying a new Mac for now if you can.
The exceptions to this might be if you’re considering a MacBook Air, Mac Pro, or Mac Studio. The Air apparently won’t get an M4 reboot until spring 2025 (in other words, sometime between March and April), while the M4-like Mac Pro and Mac Studio apparently won’t arrive until “the middle of next year.”