The Intel mini may be here to stay for another year or two for compatibility reasons. Adding an M2 Pro now would further complicate the line.
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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
- Thread starter GabrieleR
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People seriously predicting an M2 Max Mac mini are few and far between.
Basically it comes down to people wanting a Mac mini line with M2 and M2 Pro, the latter possibly with a couple more ports than M2 but not as many ports as Mac Studio.
Regarding ports:
Mac mini M2 - 4 USB ports
Mac mini M2 Pro - 6 USB ports
Mac Studio - 8 USB ports + SD card reader
*Most but not all of those ports also handle Thunderbolt. In the case of Mac Studio, the Max gets front USB ports, whereas the Ultra gets front USB/TB ports.
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True, but they could take a similar path as the G5 during the PowerPC -->Intel transition. Back then they made a G5 model available for those who needed it, but didn't actually list it on the main page as it was effectively discontinued. I can't remember if that was the Xserve or the Power Mac G5 though. Anyone remember? It was basically just a fine print link to the old model in the corner of the page.
Does it matter? One has 256g and one has 512g storage. I went small. I know, surprised? Just use it for one purpose, and so far it's doing it extremely well.
My old one had a hardware problem and is being repaired.
Gurman: Apple Silicon Mac Pro Testing Ramping Up, New MacBook Pro and Mac Mini to Launch Within Months
Apple is planning to debut several new Macs over the next several months, including new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models, according to...
www.macrumors.com
While he does not expect the new Mac Pro to launch until 2023, Gurman said that he expects the next-generation MacBook Pro and Mac mini models to launch "within the coming months."
Beat me to it. Was just about to post that. Very vague as expected.Gurman: Apple Silicon Mac Pro Testing Ramping Up, New MacBook Pro and Mac Mini to Launch Within Months
Apple is planning to debut several new Macs over the next several months, including new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models, according to...
While he does not expect the new Mac Pro to launch until 2023, Gurman said that he expects the next-generation MacBook Pro and Mac mini models to launch "within the coming months."
Gurman: Apple Silicon Mac Pro Testing Ramping Up, New MacBook Pro and Mac Mini to Launch Within Months
Apple is planning to debut several new Macs over the next several months, including new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models, according to...
While he does not expect the new Mac Pro to launch until 2023, Gurman said that he expects the next-generation MacBook Pro and Mac mini models to launch "within the coming months."
But it's not earthshaking. Yes, eventually there WILL be a new Mac Pro, and it would be ridiculous not to base it on their new silicon. And he's celebrated for his overly obvious predictions? Okay...
Those machines are both $2,000 and the MBP comes with half the RAM, a binned Pro chip and less ports. It'd make zero sense to buy one to use exclusively in clamshell mode.
You didn't mention that he posted the exact specs of one of the machines being tested, including its 192 GB RAM.
Yeah, the guy is a genius. He spins words like others spin a wheel on a bicycle.
95% of the time anyone could say what he says, but occasionally he does say some interesting things. Key word being occasionally....
There was a time when an M1 Max CPU wasn't being optimised for in software - the word at the time appeared to suggest that M1 Max wasn't worth it. Obviously that may not be the case now we're a bit further down the line but the workloads that the.
Don't forget that the laptop can be picked up and taken to use on the move. I rarely use a Touch Bar when available - technically it's not even a novelty for me, some may decide that having a built in screen, battery, and keyboard is also a waste of time.
I think you are more thinking of the Ultra which had some issues due to being 2 separate chips, the binned Pro has 2 less performance cores which is a big drop plus it has half the memory bandwidth and a much smaller GPU.
Again the argument was to just buy a MBP to use as a desktop to save money over the Studio, which is complete nonsense as I pointed out you get less for the same amount of money. Of course if you do need a laptop it's a great machine, but that's not what is being discussed.
It's definitely the M1 Max I was talking about. It was all over the reviews of the MacBook Pros at the time and was largely put down to software not being properly optimised at the time (Davinci Resolve seemed to perform better than FCP in certain benchmarks for example). It's not mentioned as much now as I assume with a year of development time updates have been released for most common software.
Software optimisation aside, there does seem to be certain things that Apple's ARM CPUs seem to be disproportionately better at than the Intel stuff - the additional of various media engines, fast RAM, and efficiency cores make it difficult to compare directly with x86 stuff.
Thing is single core performance is the same across all M1 family CPUs so for regular operations users wouldn't feel any difference. For example, how many people are really going to make full use of the extra graphics cores in the M1 Max? How many users will need the parallel processing of extra CPU cores?
If you're video editing the on board media engine might take some of the strain off the CPU - making it a lot quieter than it could be under Intel - the M1 Pro is roughly the same when exporting h264 from ProRES in compressor than my 2018 15" MacBook Pro for instance - but it does it in silence without spinning up the fans. I'll probably add that GPU cores will make certain video editing tasks better too.
I wouldn't be surprised if an M2 machine (not M2 Pro) did the same export job in roughly the same time due to the media engine though.
I got a 14" MacBook Pro as I do have laptop use cases even though I'd love a permanently sited desktop purely because of the current value proposition. Even if you have no intention to move the laptop you have a secondary screen if you don't have to use clamshell mode
Putting the M2 Pro into a Mini would really torpedo the Mac Studio. As I mention before - the smarter move is to introduce the M2 Pro (full fat version) in as a base model Mac Studio. The port cut outs are already there. and Apple can force users to start with 32Gb RAM (max out the SoC) and 512Gb SSD rather than lower the bar considerably with a 16/512 SKU.
But don't forget Apple have been ok with that mid range gaping hole in the desktop lineup.
And also remember that with Mark Gurman suggesting the Mac mini not coming till next year (and little to no noise over the iMac 24) that the desktop family will get upgraded together with the Mac Pro.
Maybe They can't piecemeal this out as the pricing has to be in full alignment (imagine how much of a deal a Mac Studio would be if the prices have stayed the same in Europe whereas the Mac mini has just gone up price, or vice versa) - imagine professional users buying up M2 Pro Minis and (having spent their budget) ignoring long in the tooth iMac 24s, or hard to obtain Mac Studios.
The M2 Pro in a mini would not torpedo the Mac Studio too badly if it was just a base binned version. For example, instead of 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, it could have a 10-core CPU and/or 16-core GPU. The latter configuration would make it just a touch faster than last year's top end M1 Pro.
Current M1 Pro:
8-core CPU, 14-core GPU
10-core CPU, 14-core GPU
10-core CPU, 16-core GPU
I could see M2 Pro going something like this:
10-core CPU, 16-core GPU
12-core CPU, 16-core GPU
12-core CPU, 19-core GPU
Apple could limit the Mac mini to the M2 Pro 10/16 variant. It would run cooler too in that Mac mini chassis, and potentially could reduce costs a bit for cooling. Another key benefit here for M2 Pro is the RAM, maxing out at either 32 GB or 48 GB, although they could limit it to 24 GB like M2.
He didn't actually say that. He said that the M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros and the Mac mini would likely arrive in the coming months, but we don't know if that means November/December or February/March or whatever.
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Unless the primary thing a potential customer cares about is single-core CPU performance, I don't see an M2 mini Pro being a "clear and present danger" to the Mac Studio considering the Mac Studio has better multi-core performance, significantly better GPU performance, significantly better memory bandwidth, significantly more memory capacity, significantly more storage capacity and significantly more expansion capacity. And all for around a third more money (which translates to $500-600 in actual expenditure).
A M2 Pro Mac mini with a few upgrades would equal the cost of an entry-level Mn Max Mac Studio, thereby driving some to go ahead and step up to the Mac Studio...
So a M2 Pro Mac mini may just increase Mn Max Mac Studio sales...
But there is still a definite need for a Mn Pro headless desktop between the Mn Mac mini & the Mn Max Mac Studio...
So a M2 Pro Mac mini may just increase Mn Max Mac Studio sales...
But there is still a definite need for a Mn Pro headless desktop between the Mn Mac mini & the Mn Max Mac Studio...
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So what's up with M1 macs and HDMI output?
I turn the thing on (and the *BONG* sounds so pathetic) and if the TV is on first, it usually doesn't pop up on the it. Now if I turn the TV off and back on, it pops up immediately. Is that a 'known issue', or an 'unknown issue'?
I turn the thing on (and the *BONG* sounds so pathetic) and if the TV is on first, it usually doesn't pop up on the it. Now if I turn the TV off and back on, it pops up immediately. Is that a 'known issue', or an 'unknown issue'?
Sorry, but this is way too much wishful thinking going on - may as well go the whole hog and ask for all this to be $999 with a free iPhone thrown in.
That's not how Apple get people to upsell - the current Mini/Studio pricing model is logical enough to draw people to upgrade to the Studio. If you create a double binned M2 Pro Mini SKU and price it at the Mac mini side of the gap that'll cannibalise the Studio sales.
Apple are much more likely to take a full fat M2 Pro (worth $200 less than the binned M2 Max in the Studio with 32Gb RAM) and slot it into the Mac Studio side of things to get more people to buy either that or the M2 Max Studio over the folks who would have souped up an M2 Mini.
In fact, if I were speccing up a 'base model' Mac Studio I'd have it with M2 Pro, 16Gb RAM, and 1Tb SSD which I believe would come in at $400 less than the 32/512 M1 Max Studio - obviously that's never happening because that Studio comes with 512Gb SSD so it's more logical for Apple to start it with 32Gb RAM/512Gb SSD at a $200 discount from the binned M2 Max one.
We've already calculated that a double binned M1 Pro would be probably be a $200 uplift over an M1 Mini if Apple chose to go that way - the full fat versions would cost considerably more [see the 14" and 16" MacBook Pros].
Is a double binned version much more powerful than an M2 though? Apple probably wouldn't use it on that basis.
I don't think a general punter is going to care about single core performance. It's already easily sufficient power for them and that self same single core performance is a baseline for all SKUs in a CPU family which is great for casual users.
I'm sorry that some people are going to whine about lack of ports. Basically, Apple have another Mac for those folks who I don't think are numerous enough to matter to them - we know enough about the Mx chipset to understand it's a engineering limit - not some evil marketing plan by Apple.
Didn't we also already conclude that there's no room between the Mini and Mac Studio to slot in an M1/M2 Pro and have it still be logical? Mind you, Apple aren't as logical as they used to be.
The point of what I was saying was that if the M2 Pro and Max machines arrive before the Mac Pro there's a danger people with a budget in that range will snap those up and not bother with Mac Pro purchases. This is why I am surmising that desktop Macs might be delayed until they launch simultaneously with the Mac Pro. The most dangerous thing to do is for Apple to stick an M2 Max and Ultra into the Mac Studio without refreshing the Mac Pro.
I believe it's the way that the chipset only actively looks for a 'live' monitor for a few seconds before giving up - if the monitor doesn't 'handshake' to the Mac in good time the Mac gives up and you get the blank screen. By restarting the monitor you're re-initiating the handshake but it doesn't always work.
I saw the theory mentioned in Macrumors - it's not to be taken as fact but I would be onboard with that.
My 2012 mini does that so my solution was to always let it sleep rather than shut it down but even that didn't always work because waking from sleep is a thing with Minis as well.
It's why I would be up for getting a new Mac mini but I'm also looking to see if the outstanding issues are sorted.
Your argument makes no sense.Sorry, but this is way too much wishful thinking going on - may as well go the whole hog and ask for all this to be $999 with a free iPhone thrown in.
People have been talking about M2 Pro pricing for a 16 GB / 512 GB Mac mini for around $1399 to $1499. Whether or not that gets released I dunno, but from a pricing standpoint, that is very reasonable.
Making up numbers like $999, even in jest, is just a straw man.
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The "general punter" has been buying MacBook Airs for the last decade.
I don't believe there is room for a Mac mini with an M2 Pro, but then looking at how segmented the iPad lineup is now (six bloody models!) I would not put it past Apple to offer a Mac mini and a MacBook Air with M2 Pros just to get an extra $200 out of customers.
Mac Pro owners should be in a different league from any other Mac user. Some probably did find the Mac Studio with all the top-end BTO option boxes checked "good enough", but I expect a significant number of them are waiting for the Apple Silicon version to finally ship before they make their final choice on which way to drop.
Let me summarise my points again:
1. Apple may be looking at making the intel era mini enclosure smaller and cheaper to make [eg AppleTV 4k 3rd gen is cast reduced despite now including a newer CPU]. The rest of the next Mac mini cost be on a cost reduction to keep the price low. There is evidence of sorts of smaller designs out there and one upshot includes better wifi and bluetooth reception never mind the likely benefits of making the next mini lighter and less bulky for shipping reasons.
2. An M2 Pro Mac mini cannibalises the Mac Studio horribly - perhaps this year's Apple don't care but I suspect with world materials shortages that they'd rather be making more money from a higher average selling price SKU than mass produced lower price SKUs because there will be many reasons for unit sales to be lower - not least a recession in most major markets but also ongoing supply chain issues. Basically, I think Apple would rather sell you an M2 Pro inside a 14" or 16" MacBook Pro than a Mac mini.
3. The 'jokey' remark I think is aimed at the people who are only arguing based on their own needs and budget - making your remark about making up numbers (which I am obviously aping) hit home harder for certain folks in this thread - rather what Apple are likely to do.
Why else would Apple have left a giant hole in the desktop Mac lineup for years? Yes, if you add $200 to a 16/512 M1 mini you probably arrive at the likely price for an M2 Mac mini in the current case. That's $1399 by my calculation. Such a configuration will be highly popular with me for sure.
Let's think logically about where that leaves an M2 model though. The same $200 uplift would get you 24Gb RAM in an imaginary lower spec 24Gb/512Gb M2 Mini. Which one is the no brainer now?
24/512/M2 (6+2 CPU Cores, 10 GPU cores) - 2x USB 4 Ports (offering Thunderbolt 3)
16/512/M2 Pro (double binned 8+2 CPU cores, 16 GPU cores?) - at least 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports.
But then let's throw Geekbench at it - M2 single core figures will be virtually the same, the M2 Pro will have slightly better multi core performance (20% if you compare M1 and M1 Pro, 30% if you use the top binned M1 Pro) and substantially better GPU performance - more obviously with the M1 Max - but media encoding will be the same.
And where the M1 mini always had the 'full fat' 8 core GPU there's a binned 8 core one that has a $100 BTO price in the MacBook Air M2. That plus the 24Gb RAM ceiling tells me there's plenty of room in the lineup for beefing up an M2 mini (at a cost). I wouldn't put it past Apple to tie in 10 core variant GPUs with the 24Gb RAM upgrade, and don't forget the 10 Gig Ethernet as well for BTO.
Obviously the port fiends will be happy (like they've never heard of a USB hub), but can you see now that M2 makes more sense as the sole chip in the Mini? It makes substantial upgrades of an M2 Mini meaningless because you may as well have the M2 Pro. And you're putting a hotter chip inside a case which is reputed to have poorer performing wifi/bluetooth.
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At this point, we then start to think about Mac Nano containing just an M2 but that's creating another desktop which already sell a fraction of the numbers as laptops.
For me, the most modern thing Apple can do now is to offer an entry M2 Pro full fat CPU in a new entry SKU Mac Studio and find a way to cost reduce the Mac mini with just an M2. They could even keep the M1 going if they want to start the M2 with 512Gb storage - I don't blame them after the performance debacle.