It’s been almost a year and a half since Apple launched two new Mac Mini models with its own M1 chip (reviewed here: M1 Mac Mini Review). The Mac Mini starts at $ 699 / £ 699 and offers the same processor and graphics as the more expensive MacBook and iMac options. Of all Apple’s M1 Macs, the Mac Mini is our favorite because we think it offers the best in terms of low priced glasses.
Also another Mac Mini sold for $ 1,099 / 0 1,099 which still has an Intel processor. We had hoped that Apple would discontinue this model when it started selling Mac Studio, but Intel has not stopped selling Mac yet. It seems inevitable that it will.
Although we do not know the fate of Intel Mac Mini then it seems that M1 Mac Mini will get an M2 update in 2022, read on to know what is coming and when we will see the next Mac Mini.
New Mac Mini release date
Apple may have multiple new Mac Mini in its pipeline:
- We see a new M1 Pro version replacing the Intel powered model, probably with WWDC in June 2022.
- An M2 Mac Mini is also expected in 2022 – probably in October
There is some evidence that an update to the Mac Mini may be coming soon. In April 2022, developer Steven Trafton-Smith mentioned that the latest software update to Studio Display contained a reference to a Mac Mini that was not yet available. Troughton-Smith initially speculated that the “Macmini10,1” might be a Mac Mini with a new M2 processor, but later changed his mind to an M1 Pro and Max model.
New Mac Mini price
The Mac Mini starts at 699 / $ 699, another model with more storage comes at $ 899 / £ 899. Prices for the Intel variant start at $ 1,099 / £ 1,099 It’s possible that the price of this next model could go up if Apple gives it an M1 Pro – narrowing the gap between it and the M1 Max to $ 1,999 / £ 1,999 for Mac Studio.
If you want to buy one of the current Mac mini models you can do it directly from Apple, or, if you want to make a bargain, check out our roundup of the best Mac mini deals.
New Mac Mini design
In March 2022, Apple introduced the Mac Studio, which looks like a Mac Mini from the top, but only a few inches long. For a while there was a rumor of a redesign for the Mac Mini – what was it?
While there have been many rumors about new designs for the Mac Mini, only a few of them seem to have been fulfilled by the Mac Studio (which was rumored to have two or three Mac Mini piled on top of each other, and do).
If Apple updates the Mac Mini, which is currently powered by an Intel chip, that won’t change the case at all.
Other rumors suggest a much less pro-focused redesign. Apple Corps’ John Prosser unveiled details of a new design for the new Mac Mini model in June 2021, which he suggested would be significantly thinner than the current model and feature a “plexiglass-like” top.
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 rumors, but they can still give a good idea of what Apple might reveal.
The ports should be similar to the latest Intel models: four Thunderbolt / USB-C, two USB-A, Ethernet and HDMI.
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.
M2 Mac Mini Spec
We had hoped that Apple would introduce a replacement for the Intel-powered Mac Mini which is still on sale. It hasn’t done it yet, and we don’t know if it will. If it does, it may feature an M1 Pro. We wouldn’t expect to see M1 Max or M1 Ultra in it.
What we can be more sure about is that after 2022, or at least in 2023, we will see Apple launch an M2 version of the Mac Mini. If you are interested to know more about what M2 can offer then read this: Apple M2 Chip: Everything you need to know.
Processor
The M1 has 8 CPU cores, and rumors suggest it may be the same for the M2. In May 2021, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg 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 generation M2 could also increase the number of high-efficiency cores.
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.
RAM
Not likely to go above 16GB, but we would like to see a 32GB option offered for the high-end Mac Mini, possibly with an M2 Pro chip on offer.
Port and peripheral
Current Mac Mini models offer two USB04 / Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A ports and an HDMI 2.0 port, as well as Ethernet. It will probably carry through new iterations.
Apple does not send Mac mini with an Apple keyboard, at the moment you have to supply your own or buy one from Apple. This is unlikely to change, but we anticipate that Apple will launch a new Apple Keyboard offer with Touch ID as an upgrade for the Mac Mini, possibly in a silver finish that goes with the Silver iMac.
Learn about all the new products coming in 2022 here: Every new Apple product coming in 2022.