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High-End M1 Mac Mini Pricing predictions

hellosil

hellosil

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 11, 2013
228
517
What if March 8: the High-End M1 Mac mini is is announced. ?
Big if, and what will it cost? Lets try to predict!

For example for the
  • Apple M1 Pro
  • 10‑core CPU, 16‑core GPU and 16‑core Neural Engine (10/16/16)
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD

Using the 2021 14/16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max as a guideline​

Formula:
  • Apple M1 Mac mini with 8‑core CPU, 8‑core GPU and 16‑core Neural Engine (8/8/16), 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD = price is known
  • + Price for the upgrade from M1 8/8/16 to M1 Pro 8/14/16 = price is unknown
    • guessing 75% of price difference between 13" M1 MacBook Pro 16GB 512 GB SSD and 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro 16GB 512 GB SSD
  • + Price upgrade from M1 Pro 8/14/16 to M1 Pro 10/16/16, 16 GB RAM, 1TB SSD = price is known
  • + RAM upgrade from 16 GB to 32 GB = price is known
0,75*(2.249 - 1.909,10) = 0,75 * 339,90 = €254,93

In Euros, including Dutch tax that would be
€ 1.259,10 + €254,93 + €500 + €460 = €2219 + ?? = €2.474,03

In terms of pricing it would sit between the base 14 and 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro (€2.249 and €2.749 in The Netherlands).

Do you think it will be close to that?​

Why (not)?
Love to hear from you.

High-End Mac mini ?
 
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Is this supposed to be the base model high-end Mac mini? If yes, why should it have 32GB memory and 1TB SSD?
I would say it starts at $1399.

EDIT: I will correct my prediction to $1299.
 
Last edited:
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Mr.Blacky said:
Is this supposed to be the base model high-end Mac mini? If yes, why should it have 32GB memory and 1TB SSD?
I would say it starts at $1399.

EDIT: I will correct my prediction to $1299.
Click to expand...
That could be the base model price for the M1 Pro 8/14/16, 16 GB, 512 GB SSD indeed.

In Euros that would be €1.259,10 + €254,93 = around €1.500 including 21% VAT using the 2021 14/16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max as a guideline.

(The OP example is not about the base model.)
 
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Base Mac Mini ‘M1 Pro’:
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $999
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 512 GB NVME = $1049
Upgrades …
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $1049
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $1249
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 512 GB NVME = $1329
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 1 TB NVME. = $1499
+ 1TB (totalling 2 TB NVME) on the top end would be $1649

Those are my estimates, not using the ’21 MBPs for modelling on pricing since those have micro-LED screens factored into their pricing.

PS: I didn’t use SSD because its not PCIe 2 based storage, way too slow which Apple hasn’t used for years, yet I know Apple still uses ‘ssd’ on their site.
 
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DeepIn2U said:
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $999
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 512 GB NVME = $1049
Upgrades …
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $1049
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $1249
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 512 GB NVME = $1329
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 1 TB NVME. = $1499
+ 1TB (totalling 2 TB NVME) on the top end would be $1649

Those are my estimates, not using the ’21 MBPs for modelling on pricing since those have micro-LED screens factored into their pricing.

PS: I didn’t use SSD because its not PCIe 2 based storage, way too slow which Apple hasn’t used for years, yet I know Apple still uses ‘ssd’ on their site.
Click to expand...
I can’t see a 256 GB model for Mini Pro…maybe not even a 512 except in binned CPU version. Apple traditionally charges about $380 for upgrade from 16-32 GB of RAM.

I hope you‘re right, but I see base as

M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 1 TB SSD = $1599 ($300 more than M1 with similarly equipped RAM/SSD).
M1 Pro 8-core CPU, 16 GPU, 16 Neural, 16 RAM 512 GB SDD $1199.

personally hoping for an 8 core with 32 RAM / 1 TB for $1800 or so.

…if we get a pro chip in mac mini at all…Apple seems to love on breaking my heart on that ?
 
Base:
  • M1 Pro SoC
  • 8-core CPU (6P/2E)
  • 14-core GPU
  • 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • 200GB/s UMA
  • 512GB SSD
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • US$1,299

Well-equipped:
  • M1 Max SoC
  • 10-core CPU (8P/2E)
  • 32-core GPU
  • 64GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • 400GB/s UMA
  • 1TB SSD
  • 10Gb Ethernet
  • US$3,099
 
DeepIn2U said:
Base Mac Mini ‘M1 Pro’:
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $999
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 512 GB NVME = $1049
Upgrades …
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $1049
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 256 GB NVME = $1249
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 512 GB NVME = $1329
M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 64 GB RAM 1 TB NVME. = $1499
+ 1TB (totalling 2 TB NVME) on the top end would be $1649

Those are my estimates, not using the ’21 MBPs for modelling on pricing since those have micro-LED screens factored into their pricing.

PS: I didn’t use SSD because its not PCIe 2 based storage, way too slow which Apple hasn’t used for years, yet I know Apple still uses ‘ssd’ on their site.
Click to expand...
Remember tha M1 Pro can be had in 3 variants.

CPUGPU
8-core14-core
10-core14-core
10-core16-core

That will probably be the same for the Mac mini.

SSD stands for Solid-state Drive. It says nothing about how the NAND flash controller communicates with the rest of the computer. NVMe or Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface is a set of specifications for accessing a computer's non-volatile storage media, usually attached via PCI Express bus.
 
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coffee06 said:
I can’t see a 256 GB model for Mini Pro…maybe not even a 512 except in binned CPU version. Apple traditionally charges about $380 for upgrade from 16-32 GB of RAM.

I hope you‘re right, but I see base as

M1 Pro 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 16 GB RAM 1 TB SSD = $1599 ($300 more than M1 with similarly equipped RAM/SSD).
M1 Pro 8-core CPU, 16 GPU, 16 Neural, 16 RAM 512 GB SDD $1199.

personally hoping for an 8 core with 32 RAM / 1 TB for $1800 or so.

…if we get a pro chip in mac mini at all…Apple seems to love on breaking my heart on that ?
Click to expand...

No Pro model device from Apple has ever started with 1TB storage not even 512GB. That’s why I’m seeing 256Gb minimum but I like how you’re thinking ;)

8-core 16GB RAM 1TB for $1800 sounds just about right to me.
 
Pressure said:
Remember tha M1 Pro can be had in 3 variants.

CPUGPU
8-core14-core
10-core14-core
10-core16-core

That will probably be the same for the Mac mini.

SSD stands for Solid-state Drive. It says nothing about how the NAND flash controller communicates with the rest of the computer. NVMe or Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface is a set of specifications for accessing a computer's non-volatile storage media, usually attached via PCI Express bus.
Click to expand...
Got it. Somehow my tired mind mixed sad for sata. I really should know better. Thanks for the corrections.
 
Pressure said:
Remember tha M1 Pro can be had in 3 variants.

CPUGPU
8-core14-core
10-core14-core
10-core16-core
Click to expand...
Yep, don't know where my brain was...of course the 8-core CPU goes with the 14-core GPU, and I didn't even think of the 10/14 variant.

DeepIn2U said:
No Pro model device from Apple has ever started with 1TB storage not even 512GB. That’s why I’m seeing 256Gb minimum but I like how you’re thinking ;)

8-core 16GB RAM 1TB for $1800 sounds just about right to me.
Click to expand...
Well, the 8/14 base model MacBook Pro starts with 512 GB; the 10/16 base model MacBook Pro starts with 1 TB (allow you can BTO a 512 variant). But they might allow more variety in a Mini. I won't care where the base starts if they just have a Pro chip in one.

The only thing is that resale hit that you get if you upgrade from base...it's the one thing that might have me settling for the base if a variant starts with 16 GB/1TB. But if I have to upgrade the SSD, I'll go ahead and upgrade the RAM...in a for penny and all that. But really, I'm just guessing or more appropriately hoping there will even be a pro version of the mac mini...I won't really believe it until I see it.
 
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DeepIn2U said:
No Pro model device from Apple has ever started with 1TB storage not even 512GB. That’s why I’m seeing 256Gb minimum but I like how you’re thinking ;)

8-core 16GB RAM 1TB for $1800 sounds just about right to me.
Click to expand...
If the price is that much I'll wait for the M2. That is horrible imo, especially for the 8-core model. I think it'll be less given the 14in MBP (granted it's 512GB) isn't much more.
 
hellosil said:
What if March 8: the High-End M1 Mac mini is is announced. ?
Big if, and what will it cost? Lets try to predict!

For example for the
  • Apple M1 Pro
  • 10‑core CPU, 16‑core GPU and 16‑core Neural Engine (10/16/16)
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD

Using the 2021 14/16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max as a guideline​

Formula:
  • Apple M1 Mac mini with 8‑core CPU, 8‑core GPU and 16‑core Neural Engine (8/8/16), 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD = price is known
  • + Price for the upgrade from M1 8/8/16 to M1 Pro 8/14/16 = price is unknown
    • guessing 75% of price difference between 13" M1 MacBook Pro 16GB 512 GB SSD and 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro 16GB 512 GB SSD
  • + Price upgrade from M1 Pro 8/14/16 to M1 Pro 10/16/16, 16 GB RAM, 1TB SSD = price is known
  • + RAM upgrade from 16 GB to 32 GB = price is known
0,75*(2.249 - 1.909,10) = 0,75 * 339,90 = €254,93

In Euros, including Dutch tax that would be
€ 1.259,10 + €254,93 + €500 + €460 = €2219 + ?? = €2.474,03

In terms of pricing it would sit between the base 14 and 16" MacBook Pro M1 Pro (€2.249 and €2.749 in The Netherlands).

Do you think it will be close to that?​

Why (not)?
Love to hear from you.

High-End Mac mini ?
Click to expand...
It will be cheaper.

The mini doesn’t have a display, keyboard or trackpad included by default. The screen on the 14-16” Pros is awesome and can’t be cheap to produce.
 
throAU said:
It will be cheaper.

The mini doesn’t have a display, keyboard or trackpad included by default. The screen on the 14-16” Pros is awesome and can’t be cheap to produce.
Click to expand...
That's why I choose factor 0,75 for the (small) unknown part where display and such is included.
The rest is based on Mac mini and RAM + SSD upgrades, no display or whatever.

I'll try to make a USD pricing estimates list for the Pro based on the OP formula soon.

I sure hope it will be cheaper, but unfortunately the estimates will probably be pretty close to the real thing. (IF a Mac mini Pro / Max is released of course)
 
hellosil said:
That's why I choose factor 0,75 for the (small) unknown part where display and such is included.
The rest is based on Mac mini and RAM + SSD upgrades, no display or whatever.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that you can relate BTO upgrade prices or price differences between different ranges to likely base model prices as if Apple were using some simple bill-of-materials + % markup formula. The BTO RAM and SSD upgrades have an astronomical markup (easiest comparison is if you look at the Intel Minis, 5k iMac and Mac Pro which use the same generic DDR 4 DIMMS you can buy from Crucial et. al. - yet Apple charge the same $200/8GB as they do for soldered-in or on-package LPDDR). Apple's game is very much to make the base prices attractive and then make money hand over fist on the upgrades.

I'd simply point out that all of the Apple Silicon machines released so far have come out with a starting price within $100 or so of the Intel models they "replaced". The entry-level Mini got a price cut. Even the 14" MBP has only "skipped" a model and is the same price as the i7 version of the old 4-port 13"... yet you're talking about a larger case, larger battery and a completely different display with the added complication of the notch. I really don't think the price difference can be explained by bill-of-materials.

So, I'd just look at the current base price of the i5 Mac Mini - $1099 - or maybe the i7 model - $1299 - plus the possibility of a bit of "inflation" in the current climate.
 
now i see it said:
Whatever the price for a certain mini model is, you can count on it not being a “deal “.
Click to expand...

I disagree. There are some great deals in the Apple lineup: iPhone SE, base model iPad, Mac Mini. With the Mini you don't need Apple components to make it work.
 
Last edited:
pax-eterna said:
Wow, I just bought a new Mac Mini M1, now you folks have me worried it was a mistake :eek:
Click to expand...

Well, you should still be in the return window if a new model is announced. OTOH, just because they announce something doesn't mean you can get your hands on it right away. :)

www.macrumors.com

Buyer's Guide: Don't Buy a Mac Mini Right Now – New Model Imminent

The high-end Mac mini is expected to arrive in the immediate future with a number of notable features and improvements, so prospective customers...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com

Pressure said:
if you were happy when you purchased it, why wouldn't you be satisfied now?
Click to expand...

Generally I would agree with that. However, if a new model is faster and has more memory/storage at the same price then that might cause some dissatisfaction.
 
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Pressure said:
Nothing have changed from when you bought it, so if you were happy when you purchased it, why wouldn't you be satisfied now?
Click to expand...

Just that perhaps I could have purchased a better spec'd device...might have changed how and what I do with my existing NUC box.
 
Boyd01 said:
Well, you should still be in the return window if a new model is announced. OTOH, just because they announce something doesn't mean you can get your hands on it right away.
Click to expand...

Not sure we have the same return conditions in Australia. Generally, under our consumer law, you cannot return an item simply because you change your mind...you need to rely on the the largesse of the company/retailer concerned.
 
In the US, each vendor has their own policy. Apple has a 14-day policy, would be surprised if that were less in other countries but really don't know. In the past, they have even allowed returns during a longer period if a new model was just released and you bought the old version. If you bought from a third party, that's another matter of course.

www.apple.com

Returns & Refunds - Shopping Help

Find out how you can return an item, how long the refund process takes, what to do if your invoice is not with your order, and much more.
www.apple.com
 
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