Odds of a new Mini announcement at WWDC?

[Kaji]

Having picked up iOS development over the last year, I'm keenly interested in picking up an M1 machine so that I can better test how apps work when run on macOS. Looking at the buyer's guide, it seems like a short cycle may be in order, but then again they may just focus their efforts on updating the rest of the line, such as the Mac Pro.

Anyone have any particular thoughts on if an updated M1 Mini will be announced at WWDC this year? Is now as good a time as any to hop in on it (budget willing), or is there possibly something on the near horizon worth holding out for?

 

[Fishrrman]

Odds of a "new Mini" announcement -- next to nothing.

Odds of a larger-display iMac announcement -- very good.

 

[aliasfox]

I'd say you're probably nearly as likely to win the next billion dollar Powerball as you are of getting a replacement Mini in two months. A higher end iMac, 14"/16" MBP, and a Mac Mini-Maxi are all more likely than a replacement for the current Mini.

 

[MevetS]

Somewhere between 0 and 100 percent.

Seriously, if you do not need a machine now, then I suggest waiting until WWDC to find out. Only a couple of months.

And if you do need a machine now, then buy one.

I too would like a more 'pro' level mini. And I don't like waiting. But waiting I will do.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't see a new mini happening this year.

 

[pilotpat]

WWDC isn't traditionally a time for apple to announce new devices. It's mainly a software event, and updates on hardware components. Since when the mini was updated about 7 months ago it would be very surprising if they announce a new one. If they were to announce any devices it would probably be new Macbook Pros and possibly a new Mac Pro/Mini Pro/Imac Pro.

 

[LeeW]

Not sure about this one, I suspect there is an update coming, at WWDC? Probably not. My simple thought process is that they are still listing the intel Mac Mini on the site. The reason for that is simple, to cater for those that need more ram than the new versions allow, > 16GB.

They are going to leave that for sale until there is something to replace it. Will that be an M2 device? Nothing else it could be unless they remove it altogether in place of the rumoured Mac Pro Mini.

It seems unlikely it will be seen at WWDC but I can't see them wanting to leave that intel Mini for sale too much longer and I can't imagine it will be a difficult one to simply throw an M2 into the MM enclosure for a quick win and more sales.

 

[NT1440]

If any updates to the mini, it’s going to be the “pro” mini, the M1 version is the entry level and here to stay.

 

[trevpimp]

The way everything needs updates, 27-inch iMac? Mac Pro? 14inch MBP? I don't think we will see an update for the Mac mini anytime soon. I could be wrong though, lol

 

[hobowankenobi]

The big question is...what CPU option is next? So far, all M1 Macs are essentially the same.

If we see an M1x or M2 (more CPU cores, more GPU cores, faster clock speeds, etc) in an iMac Pro or 16" MBP...then we can at least guess that similar higher performance silicon will make its way to a higher performance mini as well, at some point.

Until then, there is no upgrade path.

Even then, Apple will likely (based on previous hardware rollout schedules) wait for the high-end machines to saturate the market. If so, I would be surprised to see a faster mini until after this Christmas season...so next spring, or later, depending on the rest of the line, including the Mac Pro.

I would love to be wrong and see one in the fall.

The other variable is...what sort of upgrade cycle should we expect with Mac CPUs now? iOS devices get an upgrade nearly every year. We know with Intel it has gotten complicated, but maybe every Mac will be M2 next year? Hard to say.

 

[satcomer]

I have a feeling we know more about the transition and the rumored M1 chip! I feel WWDC might be good time to layout a roadmap for the new chip and the Pro machine and high end iMacs! I tend to think we might go back to dual chips in nMac Pro!