In recent years, Apple has returned the Mac mini with 8th-gen Intel processors and the new M1 chip. However, according to Ming-Chi Kuo the noted Apple analyst, the company is reportedly looking to launch a new high-end Mac mini with better specs, higher price and more robust features.
This report highlights all the potential specs and features of the rumored new Mac mini and ultimately seeks to answer the question: Is it worth the splurge?
Kuo: New High-End Mac Mini Won’t Arrive Until Next Year
Rumors are circulating that Apple is releasing a new, high-end Mac mini sometime in 2021. This device is said to feature a much improved design and upgraded hardware including more powerful graphics, faster storage and higher RAM options. In addition, speculation suggests it may also be Apple’s first Mac mini to feature Thunderbolt connections.
The current Mac Mini line-up comprises three models: entry-level, mid-tier and server grade configurations. The new model is believed to fit between the mid and server grade machines, with hardware upgrades over the current mid-tier offerings but without the same expandability as the higher end server model.
If these rumors are correct, this could potentially mark a return of pro users to the Mac Mini lineup – allowing for more intense tasks such as video editing on systems sporting all the bells and whistles normally associated with larger machines.
For now, however, concrete details remain elusive, leaving many fans waiting impatiently for further news regarding this highly anticipated device.
Design
Mac Mini has consistently been one of the most iconic and well-designed desktop computers Apple has ever released. But now Apple is rumored to release a new, improved Mac Mini with a higher-end design.
According to a report by Ming-Chi Kuo, the new Mac Mini will have an all-new design, with a redesigned cooling system, faster processors and better GPUs. We’ll dive into the details of the rumored design in this section.
Expected changes in the design of the new Mac Mini
The Mac mini has experienced only subtle changes in design for the past several years. However, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo asserts that the upcoming version of the Mac mini could include drastic changes to its form and purpose. According to Kuo, the new Mac mini design is expected to include two or four Thunderbolt 3 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, and an aluminum alloy exterior that could come in three colors. All of these rumored changes suggest the new Mac Mini will be Apple’s way of introducing higher-end hardware in its signature small form factor package.
Kuo notes that users will most likely be offered more powerful configurations than previous versions. This could mean up to 32GB of RAM and Core i7 8th or 9th generation processors – a major increase from existing models’ current max 8GB RAM and 5th or 7th generation processors. It is also suggested that this new round of hardware upgrades combined with revised exterior design points toward this being a much more powerful version of the Mac Mini than what has previously been available on the market with comparable form factors. Thus, it appears clear that this new generation of Mac Mini will provide users with a high-end option for their desktops, laptops and even server computers – something we have never seen before from Apple’s small box machine range.
Performance
The new rumored Mac mini by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been reported to feature an upgrade to high-end performance. This would include increased processor specs, graphics processing power and memory expected to be on-par with a Mac Pro.
With this new Mac mini, users can expect better performance and productivity capabilities for everyday tasks.
What kind of performance can be expected from the new Mac Mini
According to rumored reports, the new Mac Mini will sport up to six-core Intel Core processors and a wide selection of ports and connectivity options. This could potentially provide a significant jump in performance for those who want their Mac Mini to do more than just basic computing tasks.
The ports and connectivities available could include USB-A, Thunderbolt 3 and RJ45 networking. This means that users can connect multiple external devices (such as hard drives, monitors, or external GPUs) or get multiple ethernet cables from different sources simultaneously. Including a T2 security chip could also allow for enhanced security features.
The amount of RAM and internal storage available in the new Mac Mini is also expected to significantly increase. This could lead to better performance and more reliable operation overall, especially when dealing with bigger workloads like playing games or running several programs simultaneously. In addition, reports have suggested that the Mac Mini may come with up to 64GB RAM and 8TB storage capacity — all of which would greatly enhance its capability compared to its predecessor models.
In conclusion, the rumored specs surrounding the new Mac Mini point towards a very capable machine that will significantly improve performance compared with previous models. The specifications surrounding connectivity options; RAM size, and available internal storage should provide an all-round boost for everyday use for most users’ needs.
Features
According to well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a new high-end Mac Mini is coming shortly. The rumors around the device suggest it will come with enhanced processing power, improved connectivity options and a new design.
Let’s take a closer look at the expected features of the new Mac Mini.
Possible new features of the Mac Mini
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities, Apple plans to release a new high-end Mac Mini this year. While the exact specifications and features are still unknown, there have been several rumors and reports blogged around what Apple could include on their upcoming Mac Mini. Here are some of the potential features that may be coming with the new release:
-Intel 8th Generation processor: If accurate, consumers would get more power and better energy efficiency when using their Mac Mini.
-Increased RAM: It’s rumored that Apple will increase the maximum amount of RAM from its current 16 GB up to 32 GB to meet both professional and consumer demands.
-SSD Storage Support : The new version is reportedly being production tested with options for SATA 3.0 or PCIe 3 x2 storage. While this doesn’t guarantee support for NVMe SSDs like those found on recent MacBook models, it’s a definite possibility.
-USB Type C Support: It would make transferring data faster and easier and could act as an charging port similar to current iPad Pro models.
Overall, the rumored specs of the Mac Mini sound like they would bring elevated performance while still maintaining cost efficiency compared to the other desktop computers from Apple, such as iMac or Mac Pro desktops. We’ll have to wait until official announcements are made before these features can be confirmed though!
Pricing
Rumors of a new and powerful Mac Mini from Apple have been circulating for some time now and investor Ming-Chi Kuo has added fuel to the fire with his speculation that the device would feature a high-end price tag.
Let’s examine what Kuo has reported about the device’s pricing and what that might mean for potential buyers.
What is the expected price range of the new Mac Mini
According to the highly-regarded Apple leaker, analyst and former KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming high-end Mac Mini will be available in two versions with a hefty price tag.
The rumored standard model is expected to sell for between $799 and $899. However, the top-of-the-line version will carry a hefty price tag of around $1,099.
These prices may seem steep to some potential buyers, but keep in mind that it’s the long awaited return of Apple’s popular mini computer, which has been dormant for several years. The higher price point should demand more from its components but will offer users great value for their money given its size, portability and performance.
At this time, no other details such as specifications have been leaked about these rumored models yet. However, we’ll update you on any new information as soon as it becomes available.
Conclusion
Analysts have speculated for months about the potential for Apple to release an updated version of the Mac Mini. Still, with the most recent predictions from reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, there is reason to believe that consumers could soon see a new high-end Mac Mini.
In this section, we will discuss our conclusion for the potential release of the new Mac Mini.
Summary of the rumored new Mac Mini
Kuo predicts that Apple will release a new high-end Mac mini in 2021. This would be the first significant update to the Mac mini since 2018.
The device is expected to have twice the speed with an eight-core processor, up to 128 gigabytes of RAM and up to 4 terabytes of storage. Additionally, Kuo states that the machine may utilize Apple’s proprietary T2 security chip, be equipped with more ports, and require less power than previous models.
Finally, the price tag is expected to come in somewhere between $799 and $1099, depending on which features it includes. Apple has not yet commented on this rumored product’s potential launch or feature details. However, if accurate, this new highly powered Mac mini could find popularity among resource hungry consumers looking for a computer upgrade at a fraction of the cost of most high end systems currently on the market.
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