Design of a Mac Mini Pro

[Rickroller]

So I think it’s time to update the Mac Mini. After the release of the M2 Pro version of the Mini, it would make sense to update the 2018 hardware to something that would be more in line with the current design language.

I propose a unit exactly have the size of the Mac Studio.

A quick mock-up of what I’d like to see coming hopefully as soon as March🤞

 

[Royksöpp]

I did this one a while back.

#117

 

[Rickroller]

Good one! I basically used as much of the studio as I could. Would probably need more ventilation if they wanted to go more power in the future.

im betting something like this turns up at some point. I noticed that the previous Mac mini designs have been updated in around 4 year intervals…so hoping they release a 2023 model at the next event. The front IO is definitely needed for a pro ish machine like this one.

 

[Boil]

Highly doubtful Apple would release a redesigned chassis for the Mac mini when they just released the M2 & M2 Pro Mac minis a month ago...

But I would love to see this for the M3 & M3 Pro Mac minis, and if anything the added height might give more stability for the units standing on end in the various CoLo facilities...?

 

[mcnallym]

The main reason why externally has not really changed since 2010 is the cool’s that rack mount mini’s.

if change the size/shape then going to have to work on spending on those racks.

not to mention all the accessories for mounting min’s based on external sizing.

if they have kept the same external size for 13 years 2010, 2012, 2018, 2020, 2023 models all basically externally same size, the rear plate and dvd slot removal been changes, then unlikely to be bothered about changing now.

 

[Rickroller]

Highly doubtful Apple would release a redesigned chassis for the Mac mini when they just released the M2 & M2 Pro Mac minis a month ago...

But I would love to see this for the M3 & M3 Pro Mac minis, and if anything the added height might give more stability for the units standing on end in the various CoLo facilities...?

The chances are low…but these macs should/could have been out two or three months ago! And besides, it seems like it would make more sense to build a more efficient system than the 2018 mode. For example, they should really design a PSU to power the M2 and the M2 Pro with the same unit. Currently they have a 150w as well as a 180w system. There is also no excuse for the lack of front IO since the Mac Studio proves that it’s a useful option.

Also the addition of the M2 Pro is a paradigm shift in performance, even when you consider it’s supposed to be a replacement for the higher end Intel mode. This thing is more powerful than the top of the line 2020 27 inch iMac in CPU and GPU!!!

 

[Rickroller]

The main reason why externally has not really changed since 2010 is the cool’s that rack mount mini’s.

if change the size/shape then going to have to work on spending on those racks.

not to mention all the accessories for mounting min’s based on external sizing.

if they have kept the same external size for 13 years 2010, 2012, 2018, 2020, 2023 models all basically externally same size, the rear plate and dvd slot removal been changes, then unlikely to be bothered about changing now.

They can definitely keep the same chassis for the rack mount fitments, but that doesn’t mean they can update the design for a different more consumer focused machine. They currently still sell the touch bar 13 inch MacBook Pro, but I guess it might be retired once the 15 inch model gets released.

I would also it would make a lot of sense to add this design to the lineup as it’d be trivially simple to add something that is fundamentally just a shorter version of the Studio to the supply chain.

 

[Aenean144]

The more interesting part is the cooling system inside. A small pizza box footprint isn't a good shape for a cooling system. It's a bit inelegant. Look at the M2 Pro Mac mini. The blower fan is offset from the center, and it looks a bit weird. I also wonder if there is enough inflow area for the dual-blowers in the Mac Studio. Your design implies a thinner dual-blower too. If it only has a Pro and Mac SoCs, perhaps the inlet to the blowers could be from the bottom instead of the top which is where they are in the Studio.

 

[Rickroller]

The more interesting part is the cooling system inside. A small pizza box footprint isn't a good shape for a cooling system. It's a bit inelegant. Look at the M2 Pro Mac mini. The blower fan is offset from the center, and it looks a bit weird. I also wonder if there is enough inflow area for the dual-blowers in the Mac Studio. Your design implies a thinner dual-blower too. If it only has a Pro and Mac SoCs, perhaps the inlet to the blowers could be from the bottom instead of the top which is where they are in the Studio.

I see your point.

it's why I thought a redesign would probably turn up actually. The poorly aligned blower they had to kludge together for the Pro model is very un-Apple. It's obviously not a real solution they would accept from the fanatical industrial design team they have working for them.

The cooling system in the Mac Studio is overpowered for the M1 Ultra, so it seems like overkill for the Max chip.



I tend to think Apple would rather keep things simple by using what they already have in terms of design and engineering.

This version keeps everything the same as for the Mac Studio, except for the smaller profile for the dual blowers.

It ends up a little taller, but a lot more logical for manufacturing purposes.

 

[xraydoc]

I kinda think the Studio is/was the Mac mini Pro.

 

[Rickroller]

The Studio is monstrously powerful. It should really be set to house only ultra type chips. it's way overkill for the Max chips. They should really have developed two tiers of this design. One for the the Pro and Max, and another for dual Pro and Max chips in Ultra configs.

The power output is 370w for the studio, which they could scale down for the smaller model to 225w which would be plenty for the Mini Pro considering what they can get away with the limitations of the MacBook Pros.

Apple should also see it as a waste of surplus material having to build an oversize box for the Max when they could fit it comfortably in a smaller more compact unit.

 

[i486dx2-66]

The more interesting part is the cooling system inside. A small pizza box footprint isn't a good shape for a cooling system. It's a bit inelegant.

I wonder how much heat could be shed by passive cooling?
(Using a heat pipe to transfer heat to the shell like the Macbook Air does.)
Perhaps if using the whole case as a radiator, the internal fan could be reduced in size?

 

[Rickroller]

I wonder how much heat could be shed by passive cooling?
(Using a heat pipe to transfer heat to the shell like the Macbook Air does.)
Perhaps if using the whole case as a radiator, the internal fan could be reduced in size?

Apple could make the unit itself a lot smaller by doing what you suggest, but they wouldn't be able to benefit from the probable power increases of the M3 Pro or M4 pro down the line. I'd love to know the sales of the mini pro is going, as it'd give us a hint to what resources they would be willing to expend on upgrading the design if it's as successful as I think it is.

 

[darngooddesign]

I kinda think the Studio is/was the Mac mini Pro.

And the Mini is the Mac Studio Air. 😁

 

[Aenean144]

I wonder how much heat could be shed by passive cooling?
(Using a heat pipe to transfer heat to the shell like the Macbook Air does.)
Perhaps if using the whole case as a radiator, the internal fan could be reduced in size?

There are already examples on the market.

iPhone ~= 5 W
iPad, MBA ~= 10 W

All limited by what Apple considers to be a surface that is too hot to touch.

I would hazard a guess that the Mac mini box could probably handle 15 to 20 W. There is a virtuous circle because if the power supply is only 50 W, compared to the 150 to 190 W currently, so less heat from the PSU to get out. You'd have to limit the TB4 ports to 2 though. Also, probably shouldn't directly transfer the heat to the the case. Just do what Apple does: use a large heat spreader to evenly distribute the heat. Air-gap the heat spreader to reduce hot spots on the case that may get too hot to touch if it was bridged.

Noctua has a passive CPU cooler that can handle about 65 W. This is what it looks like:

I bet it will need some significant ventilation holes in the case for it to work for 65 Watts. So, you can imagine the size of the box or volume needed for a fanless M2 Max box. It would be a G4 cube, basically. You definitely can make a G4 cube like device look better imo.

 

[dono42]

If Apple sold the Mini to an OEM to embed the unit in a product? Then form factor will be a definite consideration. A lot of computer manufactures sell commerical units to the likes of Telco, DOD, etc. Drives the OEMs nuts when the form factor changes. Otherwise Apple is using current manufacturing tools?

 

[satcomer]

To me as Network tech throughout my life and going 10g back in 2019 the 10g port is VERY important! to me you can't cal something Leo if it can't go 10g!

 

[Yebubbleman]

The cooling system of the Mac Studio is an absolute dust magnet. I like the overall aesthetic, but I'd rather not retain design elements that carry that particular caveat over.

 

[Cham2000]

The cooling system of the Mac Studio is an absolute dust magnet. I like the overall aesthetic, but I'd rather not retain design elements that carry that particular caveat over.

Did you own a Studio to see that dust attraction? Where do you saw that it's a dust attractor? I'm just curious about the Studio Mac...

 

[satcomer]

Did you own a Studio to see that dust attraction? Where do you saw that it's a dust attractor? I'm just curious about the Studio Mac...

Yep if he has that much dust he needs to change his furnace filter soon!

 

[Yebubbleman]

Did you own a Studio to see that dust attraction? Where do you saw that it's a dust attractor? I'm just curious about the Studio Mac...

No, I do not own a Mac Studio. I just see that dust build-up on every display model I've seen at Apple retail stores. Plus, I've been around computers long enough to recognize a design prone to frequent dust build-up when I see it. 😝