The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[Matt Leaf]

I was in the Apple store earlier checking everything out, and there were two Studio Displays - one with a Mini and the other with the Studio.

The Studio just looked so bulky and weird, the mini - sleek, light and minimal. Even the MacBook Pro’s feel like behemoths compared to the Airs.

I’m on the cusp of upgrading my Mac fleet and the mix of how this looks with a Studio Display is something I’ve yet to land on. But today seeing the mini there was something that hadn’t occurred to me beforehand.

For most, the Studio is overkill. The MBPro’s, while awesome, are kindve chunky. I feel a dual mini/air lifestyle with a Studio Display could be a real nice way to go. But it doesn’t make heaps of sense to buy the mini right now given the m2 Air is here.

I’m hoping for an m2 Pro mini update - gives me the ports the MacBook Air doesn't have - and also the cheapest hookup price to get setup with a Studio Display.

I used to be, and still am, someone that had a top spec MacBook Pro for getting things done, but I don’t know if I even need to live in that world anymore. A refreshed mini could be a nice modern home studio setup that doesn’t break the bank, and I’d look forward to whatever Air comes next as its mobile compliment (12” / 15”) when away from home, or on the couch.

One thing stopping me from just running with an Air only is the limited ports, so hopefully a Pro mini looks something like the current intel machine. But also, the mac mini provides better bang for buck for the Studio Display, and would allow me to jump in at the base model level for the laptop - keeping things even more cost effective.

Was a nice way of seeing it all today that hadn’t occurred to me before. Looking forward to a hopeful October/November Mac event!

 

[EugW]

I was in the Apple store earlier checking everything out, and there were two Studio Displays - one with a Mini and the other with the Studio.

The Studio just looked so bulky and weird, the mini - sleek, light and minimal. Even the MacBook Pro’s feel like behemoths compared to the Airs.

The Mac Studio doesn't fit underneath my (non-Retina) 30" Apple Cinema HD Display. It's just a touch too tall.

 

[ZD_plguy17]

Why not just get MBP 14 and a high quality desktop Thunderbolt docking station like Caldigit TS4 or TS3. Or since you would get Studio Display, you could get away even with just Thunderbolt4 usb hub and usb-c Ethernet dongle if you use wired network. You have then only one purchase saving money and laptop on the go unless you need to carry it often and it’s too heavy/bulky in your situation. You are also “future proofed” for secondary monitor (with native support).

 

[Matt Leaf]

Why not just get MBP 14 and a high quality desktop Thunderbolt docking station like Caldigit TS4 or TS3. Or since you would get Studio Display, you could get away even with just Thunderbolt4 usb hub and usb-c Ethernet dongle if you use wired. You have then only one purchase saving money and laptop on the go unless you need to carry it often and it’s too heavy/bulky in your situation. You also “future proofed” for secondary monitor (with native support).

Because the refreshed Mac mini will have the Pro chip performance which the Air doesn’t. The 14” is too bulky for me for what I want it to be, which is a light everywhere laptop.

Latest MaxTech vid points to 3nm possibly coming sooner rather than later - we might get the new Mini before the year is out, along with iPad refreshes.

 

[CWallace]

Latest MaxTech vid points to 3nm possibly coming sooner rather than later - we might get the new Mini before the year is out, along with iPad refreshes.

I think he is overly optimistic. I fully expect the more powerful M2 SoCs to be on the same 5nm process node as the M2 itself because that is what TSMC could deliver when Apple was developing them.

I don't see Apple moving to 3nm until the A17 and M3 family in mid-to-late 2023.

 

[EugW]

Latest MaxTech vid points to 3nm possibly coming sooner rather than later - we might get the new Mini before the year is out, along with iPad refreshes.

Based on what? I find that Max often reports random rumours which have no basis in fact. TSMC itself reports that it will not see any 3 nm revenue until 2023. Furthermore, Ming Chi Kuo states that while manufacturing at 3 nm will begin soon in late 2022, it takes months - Q1 2023 - which coincides with TSMC's revenue statement of 2023.

That would suggest that any 2022 product would very likely be 4/5 nm, not 3 nm, and 3 nm products would be 2023. Also remember that it's not just about producing the SoCs. After receiving the SoCs, they'd have to construct the logic boards and assemble the machines too.

 

[ZD_plguy17]

Because the refreshed Mac mini will have the Pro chip performance which the Air doesn’t. The 14” is too bulky for me for what I want it to be, which is a light everywhere laptop.

Latest MaxTech vid points to 3nm possibly coming sooner rather than later - we might get the new Mini before the year is out, along with iPad refreshes.

I take what MaxTech and other tech YouTubers say with a grain of salt especially after promoting thermal pad fix which may cause your battery to prematurely fail and void your warranty. I think many YouTubers including Apple itself went overboard making M2 MacBook air look like productivity midrange MacBook Pro (in refreshed design) rather than MacBook Air for everyday causal use in their marketing.

 

[Boil]

5nm+ M2 / M2 Pro SoCs - Late 2022

3nm M2 Max / Ultra / Extreme SoCs - Mid 2023

3nm M2 Ultra / Extreme Mac Pro - WWDC 2023

 

[EugW]

5nm+ M2 / M2 Pro SoCs - Late 2022

3nm M2 Max / Ultra / Extreme SoCs - Mid 2023

3nm M2 Ultra / Extreme Mac Pro - WWDC 2023

Are you suggesting M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros would be released at different times?
Or are you suggesting that M2 Pro in 2022 would not be for the MacBook Pro?

 

[Boil]

Are you suggesting M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros would be released at different times?
Or are you suggesting that M2 Pro in 2022 would not be for the MacBook Pro?

5nm+ M2 Pro SoCs for "high-end" Mac mini Late 2022, 3nm M2 Pro SoCs for 14" & 16" MacBook Pro Mid 2023...?

 

[EugW]

5nm+ M2 Pro SoCs for "high-end" Mac mini Late 2022, 3nm M2 Pro SoCs for 14" & 16" MacBook Pro Mid 2023...?

I would like that, but I just don't see it happening. Perhaps the rumoured October event would provide us more clarity.

 

[inkswamp]

Why not just get MBP 14 and a high quality desktop Thunderbolt docking station like Caldigit TS4 or TS3. Or since you would get Studio Display, you could get away even with just Thunderbolt4 usb hub and usb-c Ethernet dongle if you use wired network. You have then only one purchase saving money and laptop on the go unless you need to carry it often and it’s too heavy/bulky in your situation. You are also “future proofed” for secondary monitor (with native support).

Because it's largely luck if these set-ups work well. And that's mostly Apple's fault. I tried that with my MacBook Air M1 and it just doesn't work consistently. When I test the components with other machines (i.e., PCs) they work seamlessly. With the MBA, not so much. Sometimes, I have to pick the MBA up and open and close it repeatedly to get it to send the video signal to the display. Clamshell mode is a crapshoot at best. Sometimes, the machine goes to sleep when you tell it to, sometimes not. Sometimes it wakes when you click the mouse, sometimes not. It's a constant hassle, and scanning Apple's support site, it appears their hardware is the weak link.

It's sad because I was toying with the idea of replacing my aging iMac (2013) with a MacBook Air/dock set up so I'd have a mobile computer that is my primary machine, but it just doesn't work. I'm going to cave and buy the next revision of the Mini and use that as my primary machine.

 

[ZD_plguy17]

Because it's largely luck if these set-ups work well. And that's mostly Apple's fault. I tried that with my MacBook Air M1 and it just doesn't work consistently. When I test the components with other machines (i.e., PCs) they work seamlessly. With the MBA, not so much. Sometimes, I have to pick the MBA up and open and close it repeatedly to get it to send the video signal to the display. Clamshell mode is a crapshoot at best. Sometimes, the machine goes to sleep when you tell it to, sometimes not. Sometimes it wakes when you click the mouse, sometimes not. It's a constant hassle, and scanning Apple's support site, it appears their hardware is the weak link.

It's sad because I was toying with the idea of replacing my aging iMac (2013) with a MacBook Air/dock set up so I'd have a mobile computer that is my primary machine, but it just doesn't work. I'm going to cave and buy the next revision of the Mini and use that as my primary machine.

From what I know not all USB-c/thunderbolt hubs/docks work well with Macbooks, even if they work well with PCs. I had work issued Intel i7 MacBook Pro 2019 and it worked pretty well with my HP USB-C G5 dock. But still needed Windows or Linux host to upgrade dock firmware. Combined with my gaming monitor S2721, the maximum refresh rate on QHD, was 60Hz which is fair because Apple studio display only goes up to 60Hz but with my Dell XPS 13, it could go up to 120Hz and it could probably go little higher if I had Thunderbolt docking station.

Before I had the desktop docking station I used usb-c hub UtechSmart UCN 3273. When I was on High Sierra or Big Sur, I had constant issues with my monitor not waking up after waking up MacBook. Had to disconnect and reconnect which pretty annoyed me and went back to Apple HDMI adapter. Later when I wiped and installed Monterey, the UTechSmart usb-c hub worked flawlessly. But ended up replacing it because of coil whine and was tired of dragging multiple cables when switching between laptops.

 

[pshufd]

The Mac Studio doesn't fit underneath my (non-Retina) 30" Apple Cinema HD Display. It's just a touch too tall.

I much prefer the mini. I was even thinking of getting two minis for my setup though one is getting the job done. Two would give me four monitors.

 

[gusping]

I much prefer the mini. I was even thinking of getting two minis for my setup though one is getting the job done. Two would give me four monitors.

Yea.. that's another downside if they 'just' leave the mini with the M2 and not an M2 Pro, just two monitors.

 

[sublunar]

Yea.. that's another downside if they 'just' leave the mini with the M2 and not an M2 Pro, just two monitors.

Just how many people are going to use three monitors with the cheapest Mac though? I think there's numerically more people going to be concerned about being limited to just one external screen who are using a MacBook Air M1/2 or MacBook Pro M1/2 (presumably because the internal screen counts as one).

For what it's worth, I use 2 external monitors hanging off a Thunderbolt dock so in fact I would be affected if I were to buy an Mx laptop. Obviously I wouldn't be if it were a Mac Mini but I'd probably not be too bothered if I were using a 6k Pro Display XDR or a 5k 27" screen (mind you, if I could afford monitors that good I'd be using a Mac Studio or 14" MacBook Pro).

My monitors are a pair of 1440p 25" ones which are fine for my purposes by the way.

 

[zebullon290276]

Yea.. that's another downside if they 'just' leave the mini with the M2 and not an M2 Pro, just two monitors.

yep, and as there was no M1 pro mini, I don't believe there will be an M2 pro mini.
I don't understand why the apple desktop range jump from M1 computer to M1 max computer. No iMac or mini with a pro chip.

 

[Peter_M]

Which is why I think the Mac Studio is (IMO) under-priced so as to make it more appealing to a larger potential market.

And that under-pricing I believe is making it difficult for Apple to slot an Mx Pro model Mac mini into the line-up at a price low enough that people would not be tempted to pay a (relatively) little more for a far more capable Mac Studio.

Mac Studio "is under-priced"? Eh, no...

 

[zebullon290276]

Mac Studio "is under-priced"? Eh, no...

Comparing to the mac mini, mac studio is under priced 😉
Mac mini With M1, 16GB and 1TB is 1480€ —> with potential 32GB (460€) + Mx pro (say 250€) : 2190€
The mac studio with same spec AND a M1 max is sold 2300€

So I think mac studio is not expensive comparing the mac mini (if not « under priced »)

And that is the reason (the price) I don’t believe we’ll see a Mx pro mac mini.
The bad is the whine problem of the mac studio, and rhis is the reason I don’t buy it and hope a Mx pro mac mini.

 

[sublunar]

Mac Studio "is under-priced"? Eh, no...

This is Apple we are talking about 😂

 

[sublunar]

Comparing to the mac mini, mac studio is under priced 😉
Mac mini With M1, 16GB and 1TB is 1480€ —> with potential 32GB (460€) + Mx pro (say 250€) : 2190€
The mac studio with same spec AND a M1 max is sold 2300€

So I think mac studio is not expensive comparing the mac mini (if not « under priced »)

And that is the reason (the price) I don’t believe we’ll see a Mx pro mac mini.
The bad is the whine problem of the mac studio, and rhis is the reason I don’t buy it and hope a Mx pro mac mini.

Coil whine has been noted as a mac studio issue but don’t forget the mini has well documented WiFi and Bluetooth radio issues too.

The pricing is set such that the mac studio looks an attractive upgrade for the people who can afford it.

 

[Boyd01]

Coil whine has been noted as a mac studio issue

Seems to me that people have complained about "coil whine" on almost all recent Macs. Here's a long thread about the 2018 Mini. That's one advantage of getting old, the tinnitus drowns it all out. 🤣

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2018-mac-mini-coil-whine.2153169/

 

[CWallace]

Mac Studio "is under-priced"? Eh, no...

Apple could have set the base configuration as an M1 Pro (8c/14g) with 16GB/512GB at $1499 and then charged $900 for the 32GB and M1 Max (10c/24g) BTO upgrades, which would have made it a $2399 machine instead of a $1999 machine.

 

[Peter_M]

Apple could have set the base configuration as an M1 Pro (8c/14g) with 16GB/512GB at $1499 and then charged $900 for the 32GB and M1 Max (10c/24g) BTO upgrades, which would have made it a $2399 machine instead of a $1999 machine.

Why? Any price is possible. When comparing it with MacBook Pro w/keyboard, trackpad, monitor etc., the price is pretty consistent - ie. already very expensive. Don't forget Apple has had several price hikes the last 6-7 years, more so than other electronics companies. Sorry, but this is way too much fanboying for me. Do you think Tim Cook is under-pricing Apple products, for his wonderful costumers? Come on...

Remember Apple uses their own chips (GPU, CPU etc.), quite frankly we didn't see the price drop with Apple silicone, that we could have.

 

[CWallace]

For the record, I am not saying the base Mac Studio is inexpensive. I am just saying Apple could have made it more expensive than it is (and in the process killed any space for a "Mac mini Pro").