Apple is set to make waves with its upcoming 2024 Mac Mini, rumored to be a game-changer in the compact desktop market. This article delves into the anticipated design, the powerhouse M4 chip, and the expected release date, giving you all the reasons to be excited about this new addition to Apple’s lineup.
Apple M4 Mac Mini Design
Apple hasn’t altered the Mac Mini’s design for years, and 2024 appears to follow this trend. Despite a minor adjustment in 2023, making it slightly thicker and lighter, the 2024 model is expected to retain the same design. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo confirmed that the next Mac Mini will maintain its familiar form factor.
Back in 2021, rumors suggested a Mac Mini with a plexiglass top and other design changes, but this never came to fruition. The Mac Mini remains Apple’s smallest and most portable desktop, measuring 7.75 inches square and 1.41 inches thick. Designed to connect to a standalone display, keyboard, and mouse, it doesn’t come with these accessories, making it a versatile option for various setups.
Apple M4 Chip Details
The most significant upgrade for the 2024 Mac Mini lies in its heart—the M4 chip. Skipping the M3 line entirely, Apple jumps straight to the M4 and M4 Pro chips. Debuted in the iPad Pro, the M4 chip is built on second-generation 3-nanometer technology, boasting a 50% faster CPU and up to 4x faster rendering performance compared to the M2 chip.
Featuring a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the M4 chip includes a variant with a 9-core CPU, likely reserved for the iPad Pro and future MacBook Air models. The M4 also showcases a 16-core Neural Engine and supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, enhancing its AI capabilities significantly.
M4 Mac Mini Specs
The M4 Mac Mini is expected to come with impressive specifications:
- CPU: 10-core (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores)
- GPU: Apple GPU (10-core graphics)
- Memory: Options include 256GB with 8GB RAM, 512GB with 8GB RAM, 1TB with 16GB RAM, and 2TB with 16GB RAM
- Ports: Multiple USB Type-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet
- Neural Engine: 16-core, optimized for AI and machine learning tasks
- Design: Compact and portable, maintaining the classic Mac Mini form factor
Release Date
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the refreshed Mac Mini is expected alongside the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in late 2024. The last update was in January 2023, making the upcoming refresh nearly two years in the making. Historically, Apple tends to unveil Mac updates in October or November, so anticipate the new M4 Mac Mini to debut around that time.
Conclusion
The Apple M4 Mac Mini is shaping up to be a powerhouse with its groundbreaking M4 chip and retained compact design. As the release date approaches, excitement is building for what promises to be one of Apple’s most impressive desktop offerings yet. Stay tuned for more updates on this eagerly awaited device!
Apple M4 Mac Mini: The 2024 Powerhouse Everyone’s Talking About