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New 'professional' Mac mini, low-cost MacBook refresh coming soon says report

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Apple appears poised to add a "professional" Mac mini to its product line later in 2018, and has a new low-cost MacBook in the works.

Low-cost MacBook

A new report from Bloomberg on Monday claims that a new low-cost MacBook will look similar to the MacBook Air, but have thinner bezels around a 13-inch display. The display on the unit is said to be a Retina model, but at a higher dot-per-inch count than other products.

This appears to be related to previous rumors about a resurrection of the MacBook Air, and the continuing rumors surrounding a new MacBook that have been circulating for most of 2018.

The MacBook was last refreshed on June 5, 2017. The MacBook Air got a minor, and mostly unheralded, spec increase at the 2017 WWDC as well.

Apple manufacturers Quanta and Foxconn are said to be tapped for manufacturing duties.

Mac mini

The report has little in the way of specifics on the rumored Mac mini refresh. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg says that it will be focused on "Pro" users like "app developers, those running home media centers, and server farm managers" and will make it more expensive than the versions currently available for sale.

Bloomberg expects the refresh to happen after a September iPhone launch event.

It has been very nearly four years since the Mac mini was updated, and six since the last well-regarded model that could be considered a "pro" model was released. The latest revision also has poor user drive upgradeability, and no option for user RAM expansion.



197 Comments

claire1 510 comments · 6 Years

Designed By Samsung

My goodness that thing is ugly! Or am I looking at it from the wrong angle?

bkkcanuck 864 comments · 9 Years

I have been expecting them to make a more 'pro' mac mini... I just hope this is actual reality rather than my fantasy in print :open_mouth: 

rogifan_new 4297 comments · 9 Years

So a lower cost MBA with retina screen? Not buying it. I could see a better screen than the current model. But a screen as good as the rMB or rMBP? And cheaper? No way. Also wouldn’t said product just make the rMB obsolete?

Mike Wuerthele 6906 comments · 8 Years

claire1 said:
Designed By Samsung

My goodness that thing is ugly! Or am I looking at it from the wrong angle?

What you are looking at, is the underside of a pair of Mac minis.

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

claire1 said:
Designed By Samsung

My goodness that thing is ugly! Or am I looking at it from the wrong angle?

Well... you are looking at its butt.