While Apple gears off its next-gen chipset-powered devices, a new report suggests the M4 Mac mini will be one to get redesigned. This is expected to turn it into the smallest computer ever made by Apple. After all, an update to the look of the Apple Silicon Mac mini lineup was long overdue and it’s been nearly a year since they first debuted in 2020.
More About the M4 Mac Mini Redesign
Apple may well have looked to the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with an M4 chipset for inspiration since they are two slimmest tablets Apple has ever made. And yet, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman did not list this as a cause for the redesign of the M4 Mac mini. However, it is worth mentioning that the Mac mini-series has not been redesigned since 2010 and a more compact form factor could be an exciting prospect for many.
According to the report, this new M4 Mac mini will still roughly match an Apple TV but it could be a little bit higher in order to integrate all necessary components and cooling. By comparison, the current Apple TV is 1.4 inches tall; Like current models, the M4 Mac mini will feature an aluminum chassis to improve durability. To note, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had suggested that the M4 MacBook Pro lineup wouldn’t get a redesign meaning this year’s updated Mac mini would be the lone new look.
However, the report does not say what cuts will be made to shrink down the size of the M4 Mac mini. Given the current advancement in Wi-Fi standards being faster and having less latency than previous models, it makes sense that they are getting rid of the RJ45 Ethernet jack altogether which will probably be replaced with a Thunderbolt port that can provide a similar experience through a compatible dongle.
It is not just this one Mac mini; the M4 has been Apple favoring thinner and smaller designs for some time now. Gurman reports that the design changes seen in the latest iPad Pro models are just the beginning, with future MacBook Pro models and the iPhone 17 also expected to adopt slimmer designs.
FAQs
What is unique about the M4 Mac mini redesign?
The M4 Mac mini is expected to be Apple’s smallest and most compact computer ever.
Will the M4 Mac mini have any changes in connectivity options?
It’s rumored that the RJ45 Ethernet jack may be removed, possibly replaced by a Thunderbolt port.
