Tag Archives: Mac Mini

Mac Neo Concept Imagines a Cheaper, A18 Pro-powered Apple Desktop Built for the OpenClaw Era

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Apple’s MacBook Neo opened the door to a new kind of Mac, one that trades raw power for accessibility, color, and mass appeal. The A18 Pro chip powering it has already proven capable enough for a full laptop experience, which makes the logical next question an obvious one: what happens when that same formula moves to the desktop? The timing couldn’t be sharper. OpenClaw’s rise as a locally-run AI agent has sent Mac Mini demand into a frenzy, with high-memory units backordered for up to six weeks and stock selling out across multiple markets. People clearly want affordable Apple silicon desktops, and supply simply hasn’t caught up.

That gap is exactly where a Mac Neo would land. Sitting below the Mac Mini in price while carrying the same cheerful color identity as the MacBook Neo, it fills a slot in Apple’s lineup that currently doesn’t exist but arguably should. Students, first-time Mac buyers, and anyone running lightweight local AI workloads would have a natural home in the Mac Neo. Apple already has the MacBook Neo pulling switchers in from the laptop side, and a matching desktop completes the picture. It carries the MacBook Neo’s spirit forward into the living room, the dorm room, and the home office, completing a product family that right now feels one piece short.

Designer: Apple
Images Created Using AI

That Mac Mini silhouette in blush pink or citrus yellow feels like the iMac G3’s spiritual successor. The color makes it feel personal rather than utilitarian, which is exactly what Jobs and Ive were aiming for with the iMacs back in the pre-aluminium days. The color-matched aluminum shell mirrors the same four-finish palette as the MacBook Neo, which means Apple could market these as a set to schools and first-time buyers with minimal effort. What’s visually notable is the slim profile, noticeably thinner than the current Mac Mini, which tracks given the A18 Pro runs completely fanless in laptop form. A desktop chassis with even modest passive cooling could push that chip harder and longer than any laptop allows.

The A18 Pro ships with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process. In the MacBook Neo, it runs completely fanless through photo editing, streaming, and light AI inference. Drop it into a desktop with a real power brick and passive cooling, and the chip gains the thermal headroom to sustain performance a laptop chassis simply cannot hold. Apple’s own benchmarks show the A18 Pro outperforming Intel Core Ultra 5 PCs in the same class, and a desktop form factor with better cooling only reinforces that. Configure it with 16GB of unified memory and you have something that runs local model inference comfortably and covers the full Apple Intelligence feature set.

 

Apple’s current Mac lineup has no desktop entry below $599, leaving the budget switcher market completely unaddressed. A Mac Neo at $399 puts macOS in the same price bracket as Chromebooks, which have dominated education for over a decade largely because Apple never showed up at that price with a desktop. The OpenClaw surge sharpens the argument: Mac Mini shortages stretching six weeks on high-memory units confirm massive pent-up demand for affordable Apple silicon desktops. These buyers want local AI on hardware they own, and the Mac Mini’s $599 floor prices many of them out. A Mac Neo with 16GB unified memory, Apple Intelligence support, and a $399 starting price addresses all of that and does it in a package that actually looks like it belongs on a desk.

 

 

 

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This $170 Retro Dock Solves the Mac Mini M4’s Biggest Port + Connectivity Problem With Style

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Apple’s Mac mini M4 is absurdly powerful for its size, but connecting anything to it requires a patience-testing game of dongle Tetris. The Wokyis M5 fixes this the fun way, wrapping your diminutive desktop in a retro Macintosh shell that’s actually packed with ports and storage. Yes, the naming is confusing since there’s no Mac mini M5 yet, but the compatibility story is straightforward: this works with the M4, M2, and M1 Mac minis, plus any Mac with Thunderbolt 3/4/5 ports.

Inside that beige plastic homage to computing history, you’ll find legitimately fast 10Gbps connectivity on both USB-A and USB-C ports, card readers that hit 312MB/s with UHS-II cards, and a tool-free M.2 enclosure with included thermal pads for proper heat management. The 5-inch screen displaying “hello” works as a proper 720p panel for desktop widgets, music lyrics, photo frames, or system stats. Testing shows the SSD enclosure delivers around 900 MB/s with quality NVMe drives, which is respectable for a hub in this price range. The design lets you access the Mac mini’s own ports through a removable bottom panel, so nothing gets sacrificed in the name of aesthetics.

Designer: WOKYIS

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Photographers and video editors know the Mac mini M4’s port limitation intimately. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB-A ports sound adequate until your monitor claims one, your external SSD takes another, and you’re suddenly rationing connectivity like it’s a finite resource. The front panel of the M5 solves this with two USB-A 10Gbps ports, one USB-C 10Gbps port, and SD plus microSD slots that handle UHS-II speeds at 312MB/s. Offloading a 128GB card from a photo shoot takes minutes instead of the geological timescale you’d experience with slower readers. You do this without unplugging anything or performing cable gymnastics behind your monitor.

The M.2 enclosure accepts NVMe drives from 2230 to 2280 form factors and supports up to 8TB of storage. Pair it with a Samsung 990 EVO Plus and you’ll see read and write speeds hovering around 800 to 900 MB/s, which translates to genuinely usable performance for 4K editing timelines or RAW photo libraries. Wokyis ships two thermal pads in the box: a thicker one for single-sided SSDs and a thinner variant for double-sided drives. The passive cooling approach works because there’s actual thought behind the thermal management rather than hoping convection does all the heavy lifting. No fans means no noise, which matters when you’re recording voiceovers or working in a quiet space.

That 5-inch display hits 1280×720 resolution at roughly 290 PPI, putting it squarely in Retina territory for normal viewing distances. Text renders crisp, colors track accurately for casual use, and brightness handles typical indoor lighting without struggle. You can feed it content through the HDMI-in port or the USB-C host connection depending on your setup preferences. People are running Spotify controls on it, system monitoring dashboards, security camera feeds, even Slack notifications. The dedicated power button on the front means you can kill the screen when you don’t need it running, which beats having a perpetually glowing display burning into your peripheral vision at 2 AM.

Wokyis nailed the proportions by treating the original Macintosh as inspiration rather than a blueprint to slavishly recreate. The beige matches Apple’s classic off-white perfectly, the ventilation grills reference the original’s cooling design, and that rainbow stripe sits exactly where your brain expects it. The dimensions wrap the Mac mini M4 specifically, with a removable base plate that keeps every native port accessible. You’re adding capability on top of what Apple gave you rather than trading functionality for aesthetics. The Mac mini slides in, locks down, and you’ve suddenly got a setup that looks like it time-traveled from 1984 while performing like it’s from 2025.

Generic USB-C hubs from Anker or CalDigit run $80 to $150 and offer similar port counts with zero personality. None of them include an SSD enclosure or a display. The M5 at $169.99 lands in a weird value proposition where you’re paying a modest premium for design that actually makes you happy to look at your desk. The 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 version exists at $389 if you’re pushing enormous video files or running external GPUs, but that’s specialist territory. The 10Gbps model handles what 90% of users throw at it. Ships in two days direct from Wokyis or grab it from Amazon if you’ve got Prime and prefer that refund safety net. Either way, you’re getting a dock that makes the Mac mini M4 better at its job while looking fantastic doing it.

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This transparent Spigen shell turns your Mac mini into a tiny iMac G3 and I kind of love it

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Spigen just launched a plastic shell that turns your Mac mini into a time machine. The Classic C1 wraps Apple’s minimalist aluminum cube in translucent plastic inspired by the iMac G3, complete with Bondi Blue and Tangerine colorways that defined Apple’s most playful era. For $32.99, your desk gets an instant injection of late ’90s nostalgia without sacrificing any of the Mac mini’s modern functionality.

The case feels like Spigen asking “what if Apple never stopped being fun?” The iMac G3 saved the company in 1998 by proving computers could be joyful instead of boring beige boxes. Now that same translucent aesthetic wraps around Apple’s most compact desktop, creating a bridge between two completely different design philosophies. The Mac mini stays minimalist underneath while the C1 shell broadcasts personality loud enough to make your entire workspace smile.

Designer: Spigen

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You’d almost expect a $45 plastic accessory to feel like a cheap gimmick, but peeling back the layers reveals some genuinely clever engineering. The exploded view shows this is a multi-part assembly, not some flimsy snap-on lid. Its base is a precisely molded cradle with ventilation slots that align perfectly with the Mac mini’s own air intake. The whole thing is built from a sturdy blend of PMMA, acrylic, and PVC that gives it the authentic heft and feel of turn-of-the-millennium hardware. This isn’t just a costume; it’s a well-made suit of armor.

It’s the smaller, nerdier details that really sell the execution. The vertical grilles on the sides are a direct homage to the Power Mac G4 Cube, yet they also provide functional ventilation for a machine that can get surprisingly warm. That clear base also elevates the entire unit just enough to improve airflow from below, and the inclusion of a simple dust filter is a practical touch most companies would skip. This is what separates a thoughtful tribute from a lazy cash-grab, proving someone at Spigen actually did their homework on Apple’s golden age.

Let’s face it, the Mac mini is an incredibly boring-looking box. It’s a marvel of miniaturization, sure, but it has all the personality of a corporate paperweight. The C1 completely upends that sterile aesthetic, swapping the cold, professional feel of aluminum for the warm, inviting glow of colored plastic. It reminds you that technology can be approachable and even a little bit weird. It turns an appliance back into a companion, something with a presence that does more than just sit there and compute.

Ultimately, this little plastic shell is a rebellion against the sea of monotonous silver and gray (we even wrote about an iMac G3-inspired Apple Watch just yesterday!) Given CES is in another week or so, we’re prepared for an onslaught of sleek silver or black boxes that do a lot without having much character. But for thirty-three bucks, you get to reclaim a bit of that lost optimism as an existing (or prospective) Apple Mac mini owner. It’s a small, delightful declaration that our desktops don’t have to be so damn serious (aka boring) all the time.

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Custom Modded iMac G3 Has An M4 Chip And Runs Cyberpunk 2077 At 30 FPS

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Remember the Apple iMac G3? Those translucent, candy-colored bubble machines were everywhere in the late 90s and early 2000s. Steve Jobs and Jony Ive turned computing into something you’d actually want on your desk, and suddenly schools, offices, and homes were full of these things. For a lot of people, this was their first real computer.

But try using one today and you’ll understand why they’re mostly decorative now. The CRT screen hurts to look at, the processor moves like molasses, and those integrated speakers that seemed so premium back then sound absolutely terrible. That’s what makes Zac Builds’ recent project worth paying attention to. He took an iMac G3 shell and rebuilt it with current hardware, keeping everything that made the original iconic while fixing everything that makes it painful to actually use.

Designer: Zac Builds

The teardown shows just how strange these computers were. Apple used pressed-form RF shielding that looked genuinely sculptural, completely functional but designed to look cool even though nobody would ever see it. Then there’s the CRT, which can store lethal amounts of energy months after you unplug it. After carefully discharging the tube and pulling out all the original components, Zac had that famous shell and a whole lot of empty space to work with.

Removing everything created a structural problem. The case was basically held together with clips, so Zac 3D-scanned all the remaining parts to create precise digital models. He designed custom posts to properly connect the top and bottom halves, plus replacement clips where the old plastic had crumbled. He even tracked down the right 3D printing filament to match Apple’s original translucent plastic, testing physical color swatches until he found Bambu’s transparent PETG.

The core of the build is an M4 Mac Mini. Apple’s M-series chips have turned out to be legitimately good. They’re efficient, compact, and powerful enough for serious work without turning into space heaters. The base $599 model delivers solid performance, though Apple still charges obscene amounts for storage upgrades.

Zac addressed storage with three different solutions. First, he upgraded the internal NVMe drive. The Mac Mini’s storage isn’t soldered, which is unusual for Apple, though it uses a proprietary format and requires another Mac to restore the system via DFU mode. Apple’s documentation even gets it wrong, saying not to use a Thunderbolt cable when that’s actually what makes it work. Second, he added a UGREEN hub that plugs into the Mac Mini and has its own NVMe slot underneath, adding 2TB in about 15 seconds. Third, he connected a UGREEN NAS for bulk storage, supporting up to 60TB without subscription fees.

The display replacement required some creative problem-solving. Finding a modern screen that fits the G3’s curved opening while maintaining that retro 4:3 aspect ratio is basically impossible. Zac went with a 14-inch 4K OLED at 16:10, then designed a custom interposer frame to bridge the gap between the flat screen and the curved case. Getting that transparent frame to look right meant using CA glue without accelerator spray, which takes 8+ hours to cure but avoids the foamy expansion you’d see through clear plastic.

The audio system got a proper upgrade too. Zac installed Dayton Audio 1.5-inch full-range drivers in custom 3D-printed enclosures designed for optimal acoustic volume. A 200-watt digital amp boosts the signal from the Mac Mini’s headphone jack, and after some tweaking, the whole setup works like it’s factory-integrated and responds to software volume controls.

The power system is genuinely clever. Zac rewired the original power cord to feed automotive-grade junction terminals that distribute 120V AC to everything inside: the Mac Mini, the screen’s power supply, the amp’s transformer, and anything else that needs power. It’s live electricity, so there’s real risk if you’re careless, but the modular approach means one cord powers everything.

The IO panel mirrors the original’s placement while offering Thunderbolt, USB-C, dual USB-A, and Ethernet, all connected back to the Mac Mini through short cable extensions. Even the original power button works, thanks to some microscope-assisted soldering that extended the Mac Mini’s switch contacts to reach the front of the case.

The rebuilt machine runs Cyberpunk 2077 and handles 6K video editing smoothly. The upgraded internal drive shows 50% speed improvements, while the external NVMe delivers nearly 1GB/s transfers. Both options cost significantly less than Apple’s storage pricing.

Could you just buy a MacBook instead? Sure, and you’d get more portability. But you’d also pay nearly three times as much for comparable storage, and you’d miss the entire point. This project isn’t about building the most practical computer – it’s about preserving a design icon while making it genuinely usable. Like restoring a classic car, you’re trading pure practicality for the joy of bringing something meaningful back to life. Zac’s rebuilt iMac G3 delivers that early-2000s nostalgia without the painful slowness, eye-straining display, or terrible speakers, proving that sometimes the best way forward is to bring the past along with you.

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Mac mini M4 dock offers a stylish way to expand your ports and storage

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The popularity of the Mac mini has made small desktop computers quite the fad. Especially with small components getting more powerful, it’s now possible to have a decent desktop experience in a small box. What isn’t possible, however, is enjoying the same range and variety of ports available on towers, at least not without some outside help.

Docks for mini PCs aren’t new, but the Mac mini does present some very particular design challenges. How do you make a dock that isn’t just functional but also just as aesthetic as the Mac mini itself? That’s the puzzle that this new dock for the latest Apple mini computer tries to solve using a large number of ports, a hidden SSD enclosure, and a rather peculiar appearance.

Designer: RayCue

The Mac mini has always been designed to be discreet and subtle so it could be hidden from view while it does its job. Lately, however, the trend has been to actually show off the beautiful minimalism of these small boxes, though that also meant exposing hubs and docks that extend the modest port selection of the mini computer. Rather than those conventional long bars, hubs made specifically for the Mac mini are designed to sit beneath the computer, blending in as if part of Apple’s design itself.

RayCue’s hub and stand for the newest Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro follow that trend, adopting the same silver colorway as the Mac mini itself as well as its length and width. It sits below the Mac mini, leaving a slight gap in between for better airflow. A rather interesting design choice, however, is the raised fins radiating from the center of the dock, perhaps acting as passive cooling for the small yet powerful computer.

The RayCue Mac mini M4 dock expands the port selection with 10 different connectivity options, including an additional HDMI port for a dual display setup that doesn’t sacrifice a Thunderbolt port. Just like the Mac mini itself, it’s designed to have the most often accessed ports in the front, leaving the more “stationary” ones on the back.

Another trend in this product category is using the spacious dock for additional storage. The RayCue dock and stand supports a variety of M.2 NVMe SSD sizes up to 4TB in capacity, almost double the maximum Mac mini configuration available. Stylish and functional, it’s a perfect complement to the elegant Mac mini M4, one that will, however, cost you $99 without a $20 pre-order discount.

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The Mighty All-New Mac mini 2024 powered by M4: Smaller, Faster, and Now Carbon Neutral

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Apple has introduced its all-new Mac mini, focusing on speed, power, and a radical redesign. This Mac mini, powered by the M4 and M4 Pro chips, is a more capable machine under the hood. It’s smaller, more efficient, and built with a focus on sustainability. Let’s dig into how Apple redefined the look and feel of their mini desktop computer.

Designer: Apple

A Compact Powerhouse

The Mac mini has always been a compact machine, but this new version takes that concept to another level. Apple managed to shrink it down to a 5 by 5-inch footprint—a considerable reduction in size compared to the previous design. This makes the new Mac mini less than half the size of its predecessor, offering all the power of the M4 chips in a package that’s much easier to fit into any workspace.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4

This compact size makes the Mac mini a great option for users who need performance without the bulk. Whether it’s a small home office, a minimalist desk setup, or even a portable workspace that you take from one place to another, this new Mac mini is perfect for squeezing into the tightest spots while still delivering serious computing power. Apple focused on reducing the physical footprint while retaining control and performance.

Image: Apple Mac mini (2023) 7.75 by 7.75 inches vs Mac mini (2024) 5 by 5 inches

Improved Accessibility and Design Tweaks

One of the most noticeable changes to the new Mac mini is its connectivity. Apple has included front-facing ports for the first time, making it easier than ever to plug in devices. The front features two USB-C ports and a standard audio jack. This makes a big difference in everyday usability, especially for those who regularly need to plug in external drives, cameras, or headphones. No more reaching around to the back of the device—just plug and play.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4

The rear panel, however, hasn’t been left out. It comes packed with the essentials: the M4 version has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M4 Pro version gets a major boost with Thunderbolt 5. This upgraded Thunderbolt port allows for much faster data transfer, which is ideal for users working with high-resolution video or massive files. There’s also an Ethernet port (configurable up to 10Gb for those needing ultra-fast networking) and an HDMI port, which makes connecting to displays straightforward without requiring adapters.

Apple’s revision of port locations and connectivity options aims to deliver a user-friendly experience. By moving critical ports to the front, they make the Mac mini far easier to use without the hassle of managing cables blindly at the back—an issue that frustrated many users of the earlier models.

Innovative Thermal Design

Maintaining cool temperatures while delivering high performance could be a challenge for a smaller desktop, but Apple introduced a new approach with the thermal architecture. The cooling system now guides airflow to various levels of the Mac mini while all of the venting is directed through the bottom of the device. This innovative method allows for efficient cooling without increasing noise, even during high-demand tasks.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4

The redesign means users can push their Mac mini to its limits—like editing 4K video or running complex programs—without worrying about overheating. The revised venting and airflow management help make the system nearly silent, which is great news for those who work in quiet environments or want their workspace free from noise pollution.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4

The First Carbon Neutral Mac

A major highlight of this new Mac mini is that it’s Apple’s first carbon-neutral Mac. This is a big step in Apple’s effort to achieve its sustainability goals by 2030. The compact size is part of a larger push towards efficiency, reducing the materials and energy needed to make and run the machine. Over 50% of the materials used in this Mac mini are recycled—including 100% recycled aluminum for the casing and recycled gold and rare earth elements in the internal components.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4 – Carbon Neutral

Apple also shifted its shipping methods to prioritize lower-carbon modes, such as ocean freight. The packaging is now entirely fiber-based, helping the company move closer to its goal of eliminating plastic from all packaging by 2025. All these changes reduced the Mac mini’s carbon footprint by over 80%, and for any emissions that can’t be eliminated, Apple uses high-quality carbon credits.

Minimalistic, Functional, and Practical

Overall, the new Mac mini retains Apple’s signature minimalistic aesthetic. Its sleek, brushed aluminum enclosure is modern and unassuming, with rounded corners and clean lines. The smaller size and inclusion of front-facing ports give it a more streamlined and accessible look. Apple designed the Mac mini to be both visually appealing and highly practical, fitting seamlessly into any workspace without drawing unnecessary attention.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4

The new design focuses on making the Mac mini practical and easy to use. Front-facing ports make connecting devices convenient, and the compact size allows it to fit just about anywhere. Despite its simplicity, it offers a wide range of connectivity options suitable for demanding setups—whether it’s multiple displays, external drives, or high-resolution accessories.

Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4 accessories

With cutting-edge technology in the M4 and M4 Pro chips, thoughtful design elements like front ports, innovative cooling, and a reduced size, the new Mac mini is more versatile than ever. As the first carbon-neutral Mac, it represents a balance of performance, design efficiency, and sustainability, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users.

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Apple’s Blazing Fast Performing M4 Macs Are Coming on October 28!

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Apple is shaking things up next week with a series of announcements centered around its Mac lineup. Forget the grand on-stage unveilings this time—Apple is keeping it low-key, relying on press releases and possibly a few polished pre-recorded videos. The first wave of these announcements kicks off on Monday, October 28, 2024, and it promises to be an important moment for the company’s Mac product line. Here’s what to expect as Apple gears up to roll out its latest upgrades.

Designer: Apple

What’s Happening Next Week

Apple’s new approach avoids flashy keynotes or packed theaters. Instead, this time, as reported by Mark Gurman with Bloomberg, Apple will let its products do the talking through a week of releases, beginning with updates about its Mac lineup.

Following these initial reveals, Apple will host a hands-on experience session in Los Angeles on October 30, as confirmed by Gurman. This event will give select media and creators an exclusive first look. The news will be distributed online beforehand, allowing fans to quickly learn about the latest Mac offerings.

M4 Takes the Spotlight

At the heart of Apple’s upcoming announcements is its new M4 chip, which debuted in the iPad Pro earlier this year. Now, it’s time for the Mac lineup to receive the same power boost.

The M4 chip is expected to find its way into several new Macs, including the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini. This integration marks a significant performance step forward for Apple’s desktop and laptop offerings, bringing the same efficiency and power seen in the latest iPad Pro to its Mac devices.

MacBook Pro: Power in 14 and 16-inches

Apple plans to introduce new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, each equipped with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. These updates promise significant performance improvements, focusing on enhanced RAM capacity and additional Thunderbolt ports to support creative professionals and power users.

Visually, though, don’t expect any dramatic changes. These models appear to be focused on internal improvements rather than external redesigns. The emphasis is on delivering better multitasking capabilities and faster workflows for creative professionals who need that extra power.

iMac Refresh: Familiar Looks, New Guts

The 24-inch iMac is also in line for an upgrade, finally getting the M4 chip under the hood. The refresh could include improvements in RAM and CPU core counts.

However, no major design overhaul is expected here like the MacBook Pro. Expect Apple to stick with its current colorful aesthetic while improving what’s inside. The M4 chip will enhance the iMac’s ability to handle more intensive tasks, making it a solid choice for home and office users.

Mac mini: Smaller, Yet More Capable

Among the biggest shifts expected is a redesigned Mac mini. Apple seems ready to shake up this form factor, making it even more compact—rumors suggest a design inspired by the slim profile of an Apple TV.

The new Mac mini will get both the M4 and M4 Pro chips, and it’s likely to see some tweaks in port offerings, with more USB Type-C slots added to the mix. This redesign could make the Mac mini appealing for those looking for a powerful yet space-saving desktop solution.

How Does the M4 Compare to the M3?

The short answer is that the new Apple M4 chip performs significantly better than its predecessor, the M3 chip.

Performance Improvements

CPU Cores and Speed: The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU compared to the M3’s 8-core CPU. This increase in core count contributes to enhanced multitasking and better overall processing power. The M4 operates at a base frequency of 4.41 GHz, notably higher than the M3’s 4.05 GHz. This boost in clock speed means faster response times and improved efficiency, particularly in demanding applications.

Benchmark Scores: In Geekbench v6 tests, the M4 chip demonstrates a 27% increase in single-core performance and a 30.6% boost in multi-core performance compared to the M3. Specifically, the M4 scored 3864 in single-core and 15288 in multi-core tests, while the M3 scored 3048 and 11708, respectively. These gains are significant for users relying on raw processing power and effective multitasking capabilities.

Memory Bandwidth: The M4 chip supports quad-channel memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 120 GB/s, approximately 17% higher than the M3’s dual-channel support at 102.4 GB/s. This enhancement allows for quicker data access, which is particularly beneficial for tasks involving large datasets, video editing, and other high-bandwidth requirements.

GPU Performance: The integrated GPU in the M4 chip also delivers a significant upgrade, with a Metal score of 57603 compared to the M3’s 47414—indicating roughly a 20% improvement in graphics performance. This is particularly advantageous for graphics-intensive workflows, including video rendering, gaming, and creative applications.

Architectural Enhancements

Transistor Count: The M4 chip has 28 billion transistors, compared to the M3’s 25 billion. More transistors mean the M4 can manage more tasks simultaneously, resulting in smoother performance and better multitasking. This makes the M4 ideal for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and other creative work where efficiency is vital.

Fabrication Process: The M3 and M4 chips are made using a 3 nm process, but the M4 uses a second-generation version of this technology, which makes it slightly more efficient and powerful. The M4 also features ARMv9 architecture, while the M3 uses ARMv8. This updated architecture means the M4 can perform tasks faster, with less delay, and handle more complex workloads more easily.

Overall, the Apple M4 chip offers substantial upgrades over the M3, especially in processing speed, core count, memory bandwidth, and graphics performance. These improvements make it a powerful choice for users seeking enhanced performance for their creative and professional workflows.

What It Means for Apple’s Lineup

If you’re a MacBook Pro user, upgrading to the M4 Pro or M4 Max could mean a big boost in your daily workflow. Faster multitasking and a smoother experience overall are on the horizon. The new Mac mini, now even smaller but packed with more power, will be perfect for those who need a compact yet capable desktop. And for iMac fans, the new M4 chip means better performance without losing the classic look everyone loves.

Make sure to mark your calendar for October 28, and keep coming back for our coverage of all the exciting news. We’ll have everything you need as Apple reveals its latest updates.

The post Apple’s Blazing Fast Performing M4 Macs Are Coming on October 28! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple to launch NEW iPad Mini after 3 years, plus M4 MacBook, iMac, and Mac Mini at upcoming October event

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Although Apple just announced latest iterations of the iPhone, Watch, and AirPods, it seems like the company still has new products left to announce. Given that the iPad Pro got the M4 chip earlier this year, it only makes sense that Apple would bring the same flagship chip to their other products. Renowned analyst Mark Gurman announced that Apple has yet another event that’s due for sometime in October. The upcoming October 2024 event is expected to unveil a range of exciting new products, particularly in the Mac and iPad lineup. Among the anticipated announcements are the M4 MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, along with new iterations of the iPad mini (which hasn’t seen an update since 2021) and iPad 11. These product launches continue Apple’s trend of releasing updated models with each passing year, reflecting its commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, design, and user experience. This event is expected to mark the debut of the M4 chip series, following last year’s release of the M3-powered devices.

The MacBook Pro is expected to take center stage with updated 14-inch and 16-inch models featuring the new M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. Apple fans are likely to appreciate the continued refinement of performance, even though there are no expected changes to the external design of these laptops. The MacBook Pro last saw a significant redesign in 2021, and rumors suggest that an OLED display and thinner design may not appear until 2026. However, the anticipated internal improvements promise to elevate multitasking, graphics capabilities, and battery efficiency, catering to professionals and creative users alike. These updates should keep the MacBook Pro in contention as one of the most powerful and efficient laptops in the market.

In addition to the MacBook Pro, Apple is also planning to update the iMac with the M4 chip. While there has been speculation about potential design changes, the primary focus for the iMac appears to be performance enhancement. The Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad accessories are also rumored to switch from Lightning to USB-C, aligning with Apple’s gradual transition to USB-C across its product lines. This would provide a more uniform experience for users who own multiple Apple devices, offering a higher degree of flexibility and compatibility across accessories.

The Mac mini is another product expected to benefit from the M4 series, sort of leapfrogging from the M2 chip that it currently has from 2 years ago. The M4 and M4 Pro chips should deliver significant improvements in speed and efficiency. Notably, the Mac mini is rumored to undergo a physical redesign, potentially shrinking to a size closer to that of an Apple TV. This compact redesign is likely to appeal to users looking for a powerful yet space-efficient desktop solution. However, reports suggest that the new Mac mini may forgo USB-A ports, which could stir some debate among users who rely on legacy devices. Given this news, one could assume that the Mac Studio will get a similar M4 upgrade sometime early next year.

The iPad mini is also on the agenda for the October event, with the seventh-generation model expected to feature a faster chip (possibly the A18 that’s inside the flagship iPhones), upgraded cameras, and improved display performance to address the “jelly scrolling” issue that has affected portrait-mode usage. Additionally, the iPad mini is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, making it more future-proof in terms of wireless connectivity. For users seeking a more portable alternative to the full-sized iPad, the iPad mini continues to offer an excellent balance of power and portability. The introduction of new color options will also cater to those who prioritize personalization in their devices.

Lastly, Apple is expected to reveal new lower-end iPads, including the iPad 11 (which hasn’t been updated since 2022). These devices will likely focus on offering accessible entry points into Apple’s ecosystem while maintaining solid performance, making them ideal for education and general productivity purposes.

This October event is shaping up to be an important one for Apple’s computing division, with a strong focus on incremental improvements in performance, user experience, and design efficiency across its product lineup. The introduction of the M4 series will undoubtedly enhance the capabilities of the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini, while updates to the iPad lineup will maintain Apple’s leadership in the tablet market. It’s just been a week since Apple’s last keynote and the company’s still waiting for consumers to get their hands on the iPhone 16 and Watch 10 devices, so it doesn’t seem like Apple will announce for at least a few weeks. However, if the event’s due for October, we can expect Apple to either announce it formally at the end of the month or silently update devices like they’ve done in the past although the latter seems less likely.

The post Apple to launch NEW iPad Mini after 3 years, plus M4 MacBook, iMac, and Mac Mini at upcoming October event first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mac mini wooden organizer stand uses a mini tambour door to hide your stuff

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The Mac mini and its more powerful cousin, the Mac Studio, offer an Apple computing experience that prioritizes flexibility and your desk space over functionality you might not even need. Its compact form allows you to place it anywhere you want while also offering the freedom to connect any kind of monitor, keyboard, or peripheral you need to get done. At the same time, however, the mini PC form factor doesn’t have enough space to keep all these external devices always connected, and you will often find yourself repeatedly attaching and detaching bits and pieces as you work. Over time, these dongles, cards, and whatnot start to pile up and make a mess on your desk, which is where this handmade wooden organizer and riser comes in, offering a uniquely elegant solution to keep those tiny objects out of sight and out of mind.

Designer: Kostiantyn Andriiuk

Although Apple designed the Mac Mini and Mac Studio to stand on their own, there are some desk setups and designs that require elevating these minimalist boxes a bit higher. In fact, their small bodies make it easy to place them on top of anything, but that doesn’t mean they’ll look good on it unless that “thing” was specifically made for the mini Macs. This handcrafted riser is made to match the dimensions of the Mac mini and elevates the metal box not just in height but also in style.

Made from Cherry and Alder veneers, the wooden stand exudes a warmth that contrasts with the cold silver exterior of the Mac mini while also perfectly complementing it at the same time. Both pieces carry an air of elegance, despite their different materials and creation processes. While the Mac mini is mass-produced in a factory, each piece of this wooden riser was measured and crafted manually.

The most interesting part of the riser, however, is the drawer inside that’s hidden behind a tambour door. Unlike a simple organizer that exposes its container for everyone to see, you have to slide the row of vertical slats out of the way first before you can pull out the drawer. The mechanism offers functionality that doesn’t take away anything from the design’s aesthetics, a philosophy that is perfectly in line with Apple’s own approach to designing products.

The design for this unique and distinctive tambour organizer stand is fortunately available for everyone to follow, but the painstaking process will probably scare all but the most seasoned makers. That said, it could be a source of inspiration for other accessory makers to make their own spin on the idea, especially the brands that pay a lot of meticulous attention to details, materials, and finishes that would perfectly match an Apple product.

The post Mac mini wooden organizer stand uses a mini tambour door to hide your stuff first appeared on Yanko Design.