Imagined Mac Mini Redesign Argues Apple Should Borrow From Mac Studio

[MacRumors]

With the Mac mini's current design dating back over a decade, one MacRumors forums user has imagined what a redesign could look like if Apple were to take hints from the Mac Studio.

The idea mainly comes from MacRumors forums user "Rickroller," who shared basic images of the concept earlier today. They suggest that a Mac Studio-like design could bring significant thermal improvements to the Mac mini to enable better performance, and even add some simple quality-of-life enhancements such as front-facing USB-C ports and an SDXC card reader.

Leaker Jon Prosser shared renders of a complete redesign for the Mac mini in early 2021, thought to be destined for an M1 Pro or M2-series model. The design depicted a smaller chassis with a "plexiglass-like" top, but did not emerge with the latest M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models last year.

The unibody design of the Mac mini, 2010-present.​

In 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that the next Mac mini models would have the same design as prior models. Looking to the future, Kuo again believes that the new Mac mini models in 2024 will have the exact same design as their predecessors.

The Mac mini currently features a silver aluminum unibody design that Apple introduced in 2010. It has used this design for every Mac mini, other than offering a Space Gray colorway in 2018. By the time the next-generation Mac mini models launch in 2024, this design will be 14 years old – becoming the longest continuously used Apple design in the company's history.

Proposed Mac mini redesign, rear.​

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently suggested that Apple has no plans to update the Mac Studio with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips in the near future. The main reason for the decision seems to be the change in direction of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, which will now have the M2 Ultra chip as a top-tier option and offer limited modularity. Apple may leave the Mac Studio without a hardware refresh for some time and could even discontinue the product line, similar to 2017's iMac Pro, which served as a stop-gap device until the release of the 2019 Mac Pro.

The M2 Pro Mac mini's rear and selection of ports.​

If the Mac Studio is indeed discontinued sometime in the next several years, a post-2024 Mac mini may be even more likely to adopt a Mac Studio-like design, since there would no longer be a risk of further cannibalizing the Mac Studio with a similar design. Apple often introduces new designs and features on its high-end devices before slowly trickling them down to other products in the lineup, such as the squared-off industrial design of the 2018 iPad Pro, which finally came to dominate the whole latest-generation iPad lineup upon the release of the 10th-generation iPad last year.

• Mac Mini vs. Mac Studio Buyer's Guide

What is in store for the Mac mini's design after 2024 is unclear and likely has not even have been firmly decided upon by Apple yet, but considering how long the company has stuck with the aluminum unibody design, a redesign sometime in 2025 or beyond is highly plausible.

Article Link: Imagined Mac Mini Redesign Argues Apple Should Borrow From Mac Studio

 

[4odomi]

No point in the Mac Studio, if they redesign the Mac mini.....it's a cheap powerful desk top and that's the way it should stay, why fix something that isn't broken?

 

[trip1ex]

Seems like a pointless exercise. Same difference.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

No point in the Mac Studio, if they redesign the Mac mini.....it's a cheap powerful desk top and that's the way it should stay, why fix something that isn't broken?

How else am I supposed to make a Mac Mini iTower?

 

[everlast3434]

This will never happen. Apple's great recycling program of everything looking the same as the pre gen continues!

 

[ascender]

Its very cool, but they've basically designed the Mac Studio (again)...

They suggest that a Mac Studio-like design could bring significant thermal improvements to the Mac mini to enable better performance, and even add some simple quality-of-life enhancements such as front-facing USB-C ports and an SDXC card reader.

 

[PauloSera]

Huh? The Mac mini is the right size for what it is. The Mac Studio is the right size for what it is. Why even post this?

 

[greenbreadmmm]

If they remove the ultra from the studio line, they could have this single machine that would handle the m3, pro and max.

 

[adamw]

I really like these images of a proposed new Mac Mini form factor redesign. Maybe they can eventually merge the Mac Studio and the Mac mini models together, when the M3 Apple Silicon chips come out with less heat. They can put the Ultra exclusively in the Mac Pro, and have the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max in this enhanced Mac mini case.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I really like these images of a proposed new Mac Mini form factor redesign. Maybe they can eventually merge the Mac Studio and the Mac Mini models together, when the M3 Apple Silicon chips come out with less heat. They can put the Ultra exclusively in the Mac Pro, and have the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max in this enhanced mini case.

Dont care much about the re-design. But it would have been nicer if it comes in a Jet Black or Midnight color.

 

[azentropy]

The Mac mini design is near perfect. They could improve it in two main ways though.
1) ports on the front like the Studio.
2) User upgradable internal storage similar to how you used to be able to upgrade the Ram easily.

 

[prime17569]

They’re probably keeping the size the same to keep their volume customers happy. Many companies buy large volumes of Mac minis to use for clusters, CI/CD (e.g. GitHub Runners), and so on. If they’re going to redesign it, they’re probably going to try and keep the dimensions the same even if they integrate elements from the Mac Studio.

The M2 and M2 Pro probably don’t support enough ports to have front USB ports like the Studio (with Max/Ultra chip) does; however, Apple could definitely easily make the two machines more consistent by putting the Mac Studio’s larger power LED on the mini. Currently, when placed side-by-side, they don’t match.

 

[kiranmk2]

Given the massive savings in space from apple Silicon I would have thought Apple could move to power the Mini via USB-C (enabling the removal of the internal PSU) and the Mini could fit into an Apple TV-size box! Might be a tight squeeze for the ports on the M2 Pro version, but should be ok for the M2 version (especially if USB-PD allowed to to be powered by the monitor)

 

[12soldier]

Just rebrand to call it the Mac Mini and the Mac Mini Pro. The Pro version with the Studio like features. I really like this idea. It could keep the cheaper MacMini lovers happy and appeal to upgrade to the this new style like for people like me. I don't need a Studio, but by the time I upgrade the inner workings of the Mini, then buy an external device for front ports I'm at Studio pricing. This just seems natural to me to make something like this.

 

[brandoman]

Mac mini, Mac mini Pro, Mac mini Ultra?

 

[WiiDSmoker]

I really like these images of a proposed new Mac Mini form factor redesign. Maybe they can eventually merge the Mac Studio and the Mac mini models together, when the M3 Apple Silicon chips come out with less heat. They can put the Ultra exclusively in the Mac Pro, and have the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max in this enhanced Mac mini case.

Would literally be the best. But my hunch tells me Apple does the upsell approach to the Studio only for a SD card slot.

 

[paradox00]

Makes zero sense. Why would you redesign the cheapest Mac to be more expensive?

 

[12soldier]

Mac mini, Mac mini Pro, Mac mini Ultra?

I say leave the Ultra for the MacPro, no need for an ultra in the Mini. The studio like design with front ports is all I need with the latest chip sets up to the Pro version. Making the mini with an Ultra just goes beyond necessity. If they update the Studio with the new chips then this is all a moot point.

I think each entry should leave off where the next begins. Mac Mini up to the Pro Chipset, then Studio starts at Pro and goes into Ultra, then the MacPro starts at higher capacity Pro or begins at Ultra and goes into whatever the next iteration will be (extreme? idk?).

But if the studio is gone as rumored, then the MacMini should pick up where it left off with front ports on the higher end version.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Makes zero sense. Why would you redesign the cheapest Mac to be more expensive?

Simple: get more ports and to improve thermal cooling. It doesn't need to be anywhere as big as the Mac Studio, since it will likely be limited to the M3 and M3 Pro SoC's.

 

[GMShadow]

Would literally be the best. But my hunch tells me Apple does the upsell approach to the Studio only for a SD card slot.

Yep, people paying $1400 premiums just for an SD card slot.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

It looks rad but I don’t think the thermals will need this much venting for M2 and M2 Pro (and future equivalent).

A simpler cooling system is likely all that it needs for unlimited sustained performance.

If they redesign it, I’d wager it’s going to have a smaller overall footprint and the I/O will shuffle around to condense a bit. Probably will add a touch of I/O on the front as well.

 

[sblemmy]

I've long wondered if Apple has stuck with the Mac mini design because the bulk of sales come from server farms, which have invested in racks that are built around the old design.

 

[Tagbert]

Simple: get more ports and to improve thermal cooling. It doesn't need to be anywhere as big as the Mac Studio, since it will likely be limited to the M3 and M3 Pro SoC's.

But there is no indication that the Mini needs more cooling. Ports on the front would be nice to have, though.

 

[paradox00]

Simple: get more ports and to improve thermal cooling. It doesn't need to be anywhere as big as the Mac Studio, since it will likely be limited to the M3 and M3 Pro SoC's.

You never actually addressed the question.

Edit: to be clear. That case design would be the end of the $599 ($499 for education) Mac mini. The current case design still offers the opportunity for better thermals than a MBP running a pro series chip.

 

[Tagbert]

"Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently suggested that Apple has no plans to update the Mac Studio with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips in the near future. The main reason for the decision seems to be the change in direction of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, which will now have the M2 Ultra chip as a top-tier option and offer limited modularity. Apple may leave the Mac Studio without a hardware refresh for some time and could even discontinue the product line,"

So, because the Mac Pro is failing to hit its performance targets, Apple should limit or eliminate the Mac Studio? That seems like an act of timidity. Have Apple painted themselves into another corner?