Apple should overhaul the Mac mini next month, equipping the miniature computer with M4 chips and removing the old-school USB-A ports from the lineup.
The computer is rumored to feature five USB-C ports, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. But the two USB-A connectors found on the current models will be going away. While the move may not sit well with folks who value the Mac mini’s selection of built-in ports, it shouldn’t have too many consequences as USB-A is the legacy connector. And the few people who do need USB-A because they have a few old-school peripherals lying around may want to consider one of the excellent multi-port USB-C adapters from Satechi, Ugreen, Dockcase and others.
Ditching the USB-A connector will free up space in the computer. Gurman claims the Mac mini will undergo a significant redesign shrinking it to a size roughly comparable with the Apple TV 4K. And like the Apple TV, the next Mac mini should feature an integrated power supply so you’ll just plug the computer into a power outlet without lugging around a separate power brick.
Rumor: The Mac mini to undergo a major redesign
As I’ve been reporting for several months now, the Mac is in for a big transition to M4 chips — starting around the end of this year and extending into the first half or so of 2025. Apple plans to kick things off soon with a new Mac mini, iMac and MacBook Pro. Of those models, the Mac mini will get the most dramatic new design, its first major overhaul since 2010. Just to put that in perspective: The last time there was a Mac mini redesign, preorders of the iPhone 4 had just began.
As for the port situation:
I’ve received a lot of questions about the ports on the new Mac mini. In the past, Apple has removed connectors to simplify designs, irking customers in the process. So here’s the good news: The M4 Pro version will have five USB-C ports (three on the back and two on the front like the Mac Studio). That model will also retain an Ethernet port, HDMI connector and headphone jack. But prepare to say goodbye to the USB-A ports found on the current Mac mini. And one has to wonder if those will survive the Mac Pro and Mac Studio upgrades next year.
Gurman also reiterated his earlier prediction that all new M4 Macs would ship with 16GB of unified memory as standard across the board, twice than before (this is likely because Apple Intelligence alone requires 8GB of RAM).
New M4 Macs coming in October?
Apple is holding its annual iPhone event on September 9, but no new Macs are expected. Instead, there should be another event in October to unveil the next Mac mini and other refreshed Macs. Now, Gurman says suppliers will start shipping units of the standard M4 Mac mini to Apple’s global warehouses in early September, but doesn’t believe they’ll go on sale before October.
“The higher-end version, with an M4 Pro, won’t begin shipping until October,”, speculating that neither the standard M4 model nor the M4 Pro one won’t be official announced “until about a month after the iPhone unveiling.”