It’s been almost a year and a half since Apple introduced two Mac Mini models with the M1 chip (reviewed here: M1 Mac Mini Review). The Mac Mini starts at $ 699 / £ 699 and offers the same processor and graphics options as the more expensive MacBook and iMac options. Of all the M1 Macs available from Apple, the Mac Mini is our favorite because we think it offers the best in terms of low priced glasses.
The M1 chip will be two years old by the fall of 2022, so the focus is now on the next generation of Apple Silicon – the M2 system on the chip. In this article we will look at what the M2 Mac Mini can offer and when it will launch.
Apple is apparently working on the new M2 Mac Mini. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is testing an M2 Mac Mini, codenamed J473, with eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. Gurman further hinted that Apple is testing a Mac Mini with an M1 Pro, codenamed J374 and an M1 Max Mac Mini, but it is possible that this model will not be shipped. We discuss M1 Pro Mac Mini separately, so if this is a Mac Mini upgrade then you are most interested to read: New Mac Mini 2022 with M1 Pro: Everything You Need to Know.
Mac Mini M2 release date
- An M2 Mac Mini 2022 – probably expected in October
Apple introduced the M1 chip on the Mac mini, MacBook Air and 13in MacBook Pro at another event on November 10, 2020. As the two-year anniversary of that launch draws to a close, the launch of the M2 chip in the fall of 2022 not only likely shows, it looks late.
But there are many reasons why Mac chip development is not happening as fast as we expected. For one, the past few years have been somewhat unusual and the epidemic has led to global material shortages and factory shutdowns.
Although we can wait until 2023. In March 2022, an unverified Twitter account for analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that a new Mac Mini would be shipped in 2023. He did not make a specific offer, but it is possible that this 2023 Mac Mini could be the M2 Mac Mini.
It is also possible that we will see the M2 Mac Mini and other M2 Macs at WWDC in June. In a February 2022 PowerOne newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated that “several new Macs” will be released at WWDC22 in June.e. The M2 Mac Mini could be among these new Macs.
Mac Mini M2: Design
The Mac Mini has had a similar square design since Apple introduced it in 2005. Over time, it has thinned, lost CD drives, and changed color. According to reports, the new Mac Mini could get a brand new look.
John Prosser again claimed in June 2021 that the next Mac Mini would shrink further, which could make it less than an inch long. The body can also change. Although the Mac Mini has an aluminum chassis since 2010, Apple is reportedly considering a “Plexiglass” top. That could mean Apple will bring a little pizza to the Mac Mini, which is currently limited to Silver and Space Gray.
The front page shared the news in the May 2021 edition of Front Page Tech, embedded below:
It should be noted that Prasar had made mistakes on several occasions before – he had some big hits, but his misses were so serious that he had to shave his eyebrows – so the information should be taken with a pinch of salt. AppleTrack currently gives him an accuracy rating of 74.2% (a score that changes all the time). Read more about Apple Liquor in our Round Up: Apple Liquor to follow.
Ian Jelbo Has created some images based on the search for expansion. Renders indicate that the new Mini 24in will come in silver and white instead of the new bright color options seen on the iMac. These renders are based on information from the source of the processor, but they can still give a good idea of what Apple might reveal.
The Mac Mini is said to have four Thunderbolt ports.
Rendered by Ian
Prosser is not only expected a new look Mac Mini. In August 2021, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the Mac Mini “will have an updated design and more ports than the current model.”
Finally, we see at the bottom of the 24-inch iMac stand that the round rubber pad underneath the new Mac Mini will be replaced with two horizontal strips.
However, there may be no redesign in the pipeline. In March 2022, analyst Ming-Cho Kuo claimed for a tweet from an account claiming that the 2023 Mac Mini would have the same form and design as the current model.
Mac Mini M2: Spec
The Mac Mini was among the first Macs to get the M1 processor, so that means it will be the first to get the follow-up M2 chip.
The M2 is likely to be based on the TSMC N4P extended 5nm process, similar to the A15 processor, according to a report in The Information. There are indications that production of N4P processes will not start until the second half of 2022. So M2 Macs may not be released before the fall of 2022
Read on to know more about M2 chip: Apple M2 chip: All you need to know.
Processor
The M1 chip offers eight CPU cores, including four high-performance cores and four high-performance cores. It is assumed that the M2 CPU will have the same eight CPU cores as the M1, divided equally in performance and efficiency.
In May 2021, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that the M2 (apparently codenamed Staten) would include the same eight cores as the M1 chip, but that it would run faster.
However, the N4P process that Apple is said to be using for the M2 could allow about six percent more transistor densities, which could enable Apple to integrate 10 CPU cores into the M2. These individual cores can also be clocked a little faster than the M1.
Another possibility is that Apple could adjust the number of high performance and high efficiency cores. The M1 has four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, while the M1 Pro and Max have twice the number of high-performance cores (eight), but less efficient cores (two). The next gen M2 could also increase the number of high-efficiency cores.
The M1 Mac Mini is faster, but the next model could be even faster.
Roman Loyola / IDG
Graphics
M2 offers 7 or 8 graphics cores. This may be set to increase: In the May 2021 report mentioned above, Gorman suggested that the M2 may offer 9 or 10-GPU cores.
A 10-core GPU would be twice the A15’s 5-core.
RAM and storage
The Mac Mini on the Mac Mini has only two RAM configurations — 88 GB and 16GB — although the Intel version that is still on sale is at a maximum of 64GB. The M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro machines, on the other hand, start at 16GB and top with 64GB of memory.
We would like to see an M2 Mac mini that can support up to 32GB of memory, but we think that such an option is more promising for the M1 Pro Mac mini, which we hope Apple will introduce at WWDC. It looks like the M2 Mac Mini will support 8GB of RAM as standard and 16GB as a build-to-order option. If you want more, hopefully the Mac Mini Pro will meet that demand.
Storage for the M2 model can start at 256GB, up to 4TB or more.
Port
The current Mac Mini model offers two USB-4 / Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, as well as Ethernet and a headphone port. It will probably carry through new iterations. The M1 Pro version of the Mac Mini can get two additional Thunderbolt / USB-C ports for a total of four.
Prosser says the new Mini probably won’t bring back the MacBook Pro and the SDXC card slot available at Mac Studio.
