Sources: Apple plans a Mac mini in 2024 with M4 and M4 Pro options that is less than half the size of the current mini, its first major design change since 2010

- It's the first major design change to Mac mini since Jobs era — Entire Mac line to get updated with AI-focused M4 processors

Bloomberg 2024-08-09 Mark Gurman

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple had previously explored both an M2-based mini and a higher-end redesign, but this report ties the next chassis change to the M4 transition rather than another incremental refresh. It also fits reporting that M4 chips with AI and memory upgrades were nearing production for Macs.

The mini is positioned as part of an entire-Mac processor refresh. Later coverage of the smaller M4 Mac mini shipping from $599 shows how the reported design and chip split translated into a concrete product update.

First-order effects

Apple can differentiate the entry Mac mini through a substantially smaller enclosure while preserving a step-up path to M4 Pro.
Customers weighing a desktop Mac purchase gain a clearer choice between standard and Pro silicon, while the redesigned model may defer some near-term purchases until availability.

Second-order effects

A smaller desktop design raises the comparison pressure on compact-PC vendors: they must compete on footprint as well as processor tiers and ports.
The M4/M4 Pro split extends Apple’s chip segmentation into a low-cost desktop, making memory, connectivity and performance configuration more central to upsell decisions.

Third-order effects

If Apple applies the same cadence across the Mac line, industrial design changes may increasingly arrive alongside in-house silicon transitions rather than as separate product cycles.
The pattern points to desktop PCs being sold as differentiated local-compute endpoints; whether that becomes a broader market shift depends on how useful AI-focused silicon proves to buyers.

The trend: Apple is aligning Mac redesigns and product segmentation more tightly with its AI-focused, in-house silicon roadmap.

Discussion

@danack Dan Ackerman on threads
There a big audience out there that *loves* the Mac Mini, partly because its the least-expensive way to get into MacOS. The design hasn't really changed in 14 years, but still holds up — I'd be very interested in seeing a smaller, more puck-like version...
@stroughtonsmith … Steve Troughton-Smith on mastodon
“The device will be far smaller than its predecessor, approaching the size of an Apple TV” — Mac nano! — https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Apple's next Mac Mini could be as small as an Apple TV. The redesigned desktop Mac is expected to be released later this year with an M4 chip upgrade, and it'll be impressive if Apple squeezes this all into a tiny puck https://www.theverge.com/...
@upintheozone Jia on x
i'm actually so excited for this [image]
@appltrack @appltrack on x
The new Mac mini will be a major redesign, according to @markgurman 👀 📺 Much smaller design, similar to Apple TV 🪨 Aluminum housing 🏃‍♂️ Faster M4/M4 Pro chips ⚡️ 3x USB-C and 1x HDMI ports 🗓️ Releasing later in 2024 [image]
@brandonbutch Brandon Butch on x
This would be the first major Mac mini redesign since the Steve Jobs era (2010)
@classicii_mrmac Mr. Macintosh on x
YES! Imagine if the new M4 Mac mini was the same size as Apple TV...😳 [image]
@vadimyuryev Vadim Yuryev on x
FINALLY getting a Mac mini redesign! ✅Less than half the size ✅3+ Thunderbolt ports confirmed ✅Magnetic/braided power cable (from iMac) ✅External power brick with ethernet built-in ✅3x External Display Support ❓Space Black ❓USB-C Peripherals ❓SD Card Slot ❓$100 hike
@sadlyitsbradley Brad Lynch on x
All I can think about after reading this: I'm gonna turn this thing into a mobile XR compute puck as fast as I can https://www.macrumors.com/...
@jonfingas Jon Fingas on x
Love the thought of a Mac mini M4 that's as minuscule as an Apple TV. If you're going to do a non-gaming desktop these days, it shouldn't just be another tower. #apple #macmini https://www.techopedia.com/...
@andrew_osu Andrew O'Hara on x
Love this idea of this. It hasn't changed in size in years and with the improvements of Apple Silicon, it could definitely shrink. My only worry is about the power supply. Apple currently puts this in the Mac mini body and it takes up like 30% of the internal space.
@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
NEW: Apple readies revamped, ultra small Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro that's less than half the size of the current model as part of end-to-end Mac refresh. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
r/apple r on reddit
Apple's Mac Mini With M4 Chip Will Be Its Smallest Computer Ever
r/macmini r on reddit
[Bloomberg] Apple's Mac Mini With M4 Chip Will Be Its Smallest Computer Ever

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