Redesigned Mac mini with M1 Pro & M1 Max set for spring Apple event

Apple's first special event of 2022 is rumored to have an upgraded Mac mini with M1 Pro and M1 Max chip options, a leaker claims.

Apple is anticipated to launch a number of new products at a spring Apple event, with strong candidates including an iPhone SE refresh with 5G and an iPad Air upgrade. Among the list of new arrivals could be the long-rumored redesigned Mac mini.

According to reliable leaker @Dylandkt on Twitter, Apple's spring event will feature "the Mac mini with M1 Pro and M1 Max." If true, this will offer consumers a pair of faster processor options, up from the M1 included in the initial release.

For the Apple Spring event, We will be receiving the Mac Mini with M1 Pro and M1 Max, a new 5G iPhone SE, and a new iPad Air. iMac Pro is still on track currently for a release in the spring. Yet, I have heard there are still concerns with regards to production.
— Dylan (@dylandkt) January 23, 2022

In a further clarification, Dylan confirms a "new design is coming" for the Mac mini. Previous leaks and rumors say the Mac mini will be redesigned to be thinner, have a polycarbonate top, an increase in ports at the back, and a magnetic power connection.

The leaker's tweet also said that the Mac mini isn't necessarily going to be the only Mac on display. That the iMac Pro revival is rumored to be "still on track" for a release in the spring, increasing the chance of it being included in the event.

However, some doubt is also cast by Dylan, offering that they have heard "concerns with regards to production."

On Sunday, Dylan tweeted that there would be a new M1 chip on the way, that would go beyond the M1 Pro and M1 Max in terms of performance, using a 12-core CPU. With a reference to the iMac in code relating to it, the chip is expected to be presented in an iMac Pro update.

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35 Comments

indieshack 336 comments · 9 Years

About 2 years ago

"Redesigned Mac mini with M1 Pro & M1 Max set for spring"

...a few months before the M2 Pro/Max is released.

StationGrey 38 comments · 5 Years

indieshack said:

"Redesigned Mac mini with M1 Pro & M1 Max set for spring"
...a few months before the M2 Pro/Max is released.

Why would the M2 Pro/Max be released in Spring? The M1 Pro/Max was released Oct '21, and with an 18-month cycle that would suggest April '23 for the M2 Pro/Max.

GG1 483 comments · 7 Years

StationGrey said:

indieshack said:

"Redesigned Mac mini with M1 Pro & M1 Max set for spring"
...a few months before the M2 Pro/Max is released.

Why would the M2 Pro/Max be released in Spring? The M1 Pro/Max was released Oct '21, and with an 18-month cycle that would suggest April '23 for the M2 Pro/Max.

The 18-month cycle makes sense, as laptop/desktop releases don't need to be yearly like the iPhone. The base Mx release goes into the wide consumer audience products (MacBook, iMac 24"), while enhanced Mx releases go into ever-exclusive products over the next 18 months (culminating in the Mac Pro). So a base M2 release this year makes sense but not M2 Pro/Max. A consistent 18 month cycle is far better than what Intel have given Apple lately.

I'm hoping for an Apple display release alongside this rumoured Mini M1 Max/Pro product for my next Mac.

9secondkox2 3148 comments · 8 Years

Just come out with the pro grade iMac already. Sheesh.

iPhone and iPhone pro coming out at the same time doesn’t hurt anything. Past years have shown that even SE models cause an up sell to the pro machine.

Nothing wrong with that a sale is a sale and the pro machines have more profit margin.

The thought behind waiting only makes sense for appearing to not stagnate. We already know Apple doesn’t stagnate. They develop until it’s ready d add ndi then launch. But much of this seems a bit forced.

Production issues? For what? The screen? Apple doesn’t manufacture that. Shouldn’t be an issue unless it’s 5.5-6k and the data connections require further engineering.

The SoC? Done.

The enclosure? Literally C&C a piece of aluminum Snd anodize it.

Supply chain issues I can understand. Production?

If true, hopefully it means that the pro machine is more than just a bigger iMac with a spec bump.

Otherwise it doesn’t make sense.

OutdoorAppDeveloper 1292 comments · 15 Years

There is still a strong need for a way to expand the SSD. A small slot in the back with the ability to insert and remove a M2 SSD module would do the trick nicely. Bonus points if it can be hot-swapped while the computer is on. SSDs are evolving rapidly in both speed and capacity. For a computer to have a 5 to 8 year life, you will want to upgrade the onboard storage. No external port, be it USB 4 or Thunderbolt, can get anywhere close to the speed of a M2 SSD. Even game consoles allow the SSD to be replaced with performance above 6 GB/s.