Apple 's Mac mini looks set to finally get a new design, but that may come with some compromises, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter.
As he notes, the upcoming M4 Mac mini will likely replace USB-A ports with a significantly reduced chassis size.
If recent rumors about the Mac mini M4 are true, different versions of the small desktop are expected, including the M4 Pro variant, which looks set to be the most premium Mac mini variant to date.
Read more: Apple: Is it increasing the RAM in the upcoming M4 Macs?
According to Gurman, this model could be released in October. Despite the absence of a USB-A port, it will feature five USB-C ports, as well as an ethernet port, HDMI port, and headphone jack.
That's impressive for a device that's rumored to be similar in size to an Apple TV. You won't need to carry around a separate power adapter either, as Gurman says it will have a built-in power supply.
With the iPhone 16 approaching, Gurman reports that neither the M4 nor the M4 Pro Mac mini will be announced at Apple's "It's Glowtime" event on September 9. Instead, they are expected to be revealed at least a month later, so we won't know anything until at least October.
It's been many years since the Mac Mini's design was last revamped. The devices we reviewed in our Apple Mac mini and Apple Mac mini (2023) reviews are nearly identical. As Gurman mentioned, the last major design refresh for the Mac mini was nearly 15 years ago.
While some users may find the lack of USB-A ports a shame, we think the change is worth it. If the M4 Mac mini does indeed have dimensions similar to those of an Apple TV, then it will be almost half the size of the 2023 model. In terms of dimensions, an Apple TV measures 93 x 93 x 31 mm (3.66 x 3.66 x 1.2 inches), while the M2 Mac mini measures 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm (7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches).
Additionally, USB-C has become the standard for all devices, and docking stations and hubs are easily accessible.
See more: Apple: What to expect from the iPhone 16 launch event?
So, don't worry if you're not ready to say goodbye to your USB-A keyboard or mouse just yet. As the world moves away from legacy USB ports, we wouldn't be surprised if the 2025 Mac Pro and Mac Studio don't feature these ports as well.
Source: techradar
