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 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.
Apple quietly announced the latest developments in their flagship M2 chip, revealing the M2 Pro and M2 Max. The Mac Mini got its first taste of the M2 ever since its M1 counterpart was released in November 2021. With both M2 and M2 Pro versions, the Mac Mini is the fastest and most power-packed Macintosh machine for its size and outshines most Windows desktops by being at least 5x faster than the best-selling Windows desktop configuration, and the M2 Pro being a whopping 14x faster than Apple’s own Intel-based Mac Mini.
The new Mac Mini’s design hasn’t really changed much since it was first launched, making it perhaps one of the only products that Apple’s kept the same over the years. The design of the compact device has stayed relatively the same since 2010 when Apple unveiled the 3rd Gen Mac Mini with an aluminum unibody and no optical drive. It’s a rare example of a form factor that has served the company exceptionally well, allowing them to focus on the thing that really matters – its performance.
The Mac Mini, which starts at just $599, now comes in M2 and M2 Pro variants. Both variants are exactly the same size, come with Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, and the only real discernible difference between the two is really the availability of ports on the rear. The M2 Pro, clearly designed for more heavy-duty use, comes with four Thunderbolt 4 ports as opposed to the M2’s two ports.
The M2 chipsets give the Mac Mini a bigger punch in the same size format, which Apple highlighted while describing the new Mac Mini as the perfect Mac for small businesses, allowing every aspect of a company’s operation to be run on a single Mac Mini. The hardware is well suited for photo and video editing thanks to the powerful GPU and Neural Engine but handles music production incredibly well too. Productivity remains a strong sell for the Mac Mini, although Apple even (rather surprisingly) highlighted the device’s gaming capabilities too. Something to think about? Is Apple working on expanding its Arcade to other devices? Or is this just the groundwork for the company’s eventual AR glasses reveal? Stay tuned to find out!
It walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, but it has a few feathers that are different from the flock.
The Mac mini has been around for almost two decades now, but the recent Apple M1 model definitely changed the game. It showcased the power of Apple’s first desktop silicon, butting heads with Intel chips. It also shrank the internals, though Apple has yet to take advantage of those space savings. More importantly, it vindicated the mini PC market as a viable computer for more than just content consumption or casual use, as long as you have the right hardware inside. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft is trying to catch up, announcing its first-ever Arm-based desktop computer. But while it immediately draws comparisons with the M1 Mac mini, there are a few things that set it apart in both good and bad ways.
This isn’t Microsoft’s first dance with using Arm chips similar to the Apple M1. In addition to 2-in-1 laptops made by its hardware partners, it also debuted the Surface Pro X with special versions of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets. Reception of these Arm-powered Windows devices has been mixed, bordering on the lukewarm, so it’s a bit surprising that Microsoft is again taking the plunge. Then again, Apple’s success in this territory means that Redmond has to face the music sooner or later.
Just like how the Mac mini became Apple’s developer kit for introducing its M1 processor to developers, Microsoft is similarly announcing Project Volterra as developers’ gateway to a new era of computing, at least as far as the company is concerned. Microsoft is giving the slim mini PC an AI-centric flavor, positioning it as the best way for developers to get started on the technologies that will power tomorrow’s experiences, particularly the ones that rely heavily on machine learning and AI. While Intel’s processors are also capable of pulling it off, Microsoft is banking heavily on Qualcomm’s dedicated chips for neural processing (NPUs) to stay ahead.
Desing-wise, Project Volterra is a bit intriguing, though it’s probably too early to draw conclusions from a video teaser. It looks incredibly thin, probably what the M1 Mac mini should have been from the get-go. It still has plenty of ports, though the selection is a bit odd as well. There is no HDMI port, for example, but there is at least a mini DisplayPort in addition to USB-C ports that could be used for video output. Microsoft’s teaser suggests that it can run two displays at once, though details have yet to be revealed. It has three USB-A ports, one more than the latest Mac mini, and an Ethernet port. Curiously, there is no sign of a headphone jack, which seems to imply that the computer is only for serious business.
Microsoft’s teaser mentions that Project Volterra is made from recycled ocean plastics, which definitely scores sustainability points no matter how small. The most interesting bit is how the mini computers have a stackable design that will make them more space-efficient when used in racks. Whether that actually has any performance advantage, like joining CPUs together, is unknown and probably wishful thinking. That said, Volterra is currently targeted at developers, and it is unknown if it will ever be made commercially available. If it does, it will probably go by a much different name under Microsoft’s Surface brand and hopefully also come with a more refined design and a complete set of ports.
This Frankenstein monster of a laptop basically attaches an iPad Mini onto an M1 Mac Mini, giving you a laptop with more ports and better performance than a MacBook Pro while still being a (theoretically) portable laptop. Obviously, I’m using the word laptop incredibly loosely here. Oh, it also has the added advantage of a touchscreen display with Apple Pencil input.
YouTuber Scott Yu-Jan hates laptops, as he so thoroughly expresses throughout his video (he even punches a hole through one for emphasis). Laptops, he posits, may be powerful, but a laptop never puts power above sleekness. Even the most top-of-the-line laptop today is still under an inch thick. Laptops were designed to be carried around everywhere, which means compact form and portability are a non-starter for manufacturers… but that’s where Scott voices his frustration. To him, the ideal laptop is just a desktop without wires. It should be portable, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be sleek. Hacked together to ironically (or not) prove his point, Scott’s MacMiniBook (or MacBook Mini if you’re pedantic) is the perfect solution for people who want a truly powerful zero-compromise laptop. Sure, it isn’t sleek, but it doesn’t pull punches. With an M1 chip on the inside that lifts well above its weight, Scott’s creation comfortably bridges the gap between the laptop and desktop experience. In fact, parts of the video above were even edited on Scott’s MacGyvered MacBook Mini.
Scott’s experiment started with just picking up a Mac Mini and wondering how to go from there… but where things really picked up is when he, just for kicks, placed his iPad Mini on top of the Mac Mini only to realize that they were exactly the same size. What were the odds, eh?! I guess Apple takes nomenclature pretty seriously.
Once the perfect CPU and Display combo were picked out, it was just a question of merging them together into a rather chunky looking laptop. Scott designed, modeled, and 3D printed his housing in multiple parts, complete with openings for ports and cables, and even a friction hinge that would let you adjust your iPad to any angle you wanted.
Scott’s solution is what the internet would call ‘thicc’. It isn’t elegant by a far stretch, but it’s job isn’t to look elegant, it’s to outperform every laptop out there – a claim that Scott was pretty confident about once his solution was ready.
To run his mad machine, the iPad would have to work as an external display, rather than a tablet. Scott’s app of choice was Duet, using it to create an external screen for his M1 Mac Mini. A USB-C cable both beamed video information to the iPad, while keeping it charged. The upper edge of the iPad would remain plastic-free, allowing Scott to still dock his Apple Pencil.
Scott’s creation is undeniably bonkers, but it is an incredibly powerful device on paper. The M1 chip handles complex tasks without consuming power or causing the cooling fans to go crazy. Scott demonstrated this by even editing a 2K video on it. Then again, his Frankenstein MacBook does have a few tiny flaws. For starters, it doesn’t have a built-in battery, which means you need to continuously stay connected to a power source to use your machine (unless you just want to use the iPad). Secondly, and in the same vein, there’s no keyboard or trackpad on this laptop, although Scott says he’s more than comfortable carrying a Magic Keyboard around with him as a tradeoff. Finally, using the machine takes a little getting used to. For starters, you need to separately switch the Mac Mini and iPad Mini on every time, and configure Duet too. While shutting your laptop down, you need to switch the Mac Mini off too, given that closing the lid doesn’t snooze this laptop. Even the webcam placement may bother a few, and finally, the presence of 2 cables that are a permanent fixture may irk a few people… especially the design team at Apple!
This Frankenstein monster of a laptop basically attaches an iPad Mini onto an M1 Mac Mini, giving you a laptop with more ports and better performance than a MacBook Pro while still being a (theoretically) portable laptop. Obviously, I’m using the word laptop incredibly loosely here. Oh, it also has the added advantage of a touchscreen display with Apple Pencil input.
YouTuber Scott Yu-Jan hates laptops, as he so thoroughly expresses throughout his video (he even punches a hole through one for emphasis). Laptops, he posits, may be powerful, but a laptop never puts power above sleekness. Even the most top-of-the-line laptop today is still under an inch thick. Laptops were designed to be carried around everywhere, which means compact form and portability are a non-starter for manufacturers… but that’s where Scott voices his frustration. To him, the ideal laptop is just a desktop without wires. It should be portable, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be sleek. Hacked together to ironically (or not) prove his point, Scott’s MacMiniBook (or MacBook Mini if you’re pedantic) is the perfect solution for people who want a truly powerful zero-compromise laptop. Sure, it isn’t sleek, but it doesn’t pull punches. With an M1 chip on the inside that lifts well above its weight, Scott’s creation comfortably bridges the gap between the laptop and desktop experience. In fact, parts of the video above were even edited on Scott’s MacGyvered MacBook Mini.
Scott’s experiment started with just picking up a Mac Mini and wondering how to go from there… but where things really picked up is when he, just for kicks, placed his iPad Mini on top of the Mac Mini only to realize that they were exactly the same size. What were the odds, eh?! I guess Apple takes nomenclature pretty seriously.
Once the perfect CPU and Display combo were picked out, it was just a question of merging them together into a rather chunky looking laptop. Scott designed, modeled, and 3D printed his housing in multiple parts, complete with openings for ports and cables, and even a friction hinge that would let you adjust your iPad to any angle you wanted.
Scott’s solution is what the internet would call ‘thicc’. It isn’t elegant by a far stretch, but it’s job isn’t to look elegant, it’s to outperform every laptop out there – a claim that Scott was pretty confident about once his solution was ready.
To run his mad machine, the iPad would have to work as an external display, rather than a tablet. Scott’s app of choice was Duet, using it to create an external screen for his M1 Mac Mini. A USB-C cable both beamed video information to the iPad, while keeping it charged. The upper edge of the iPad would remain plastic-free, allowing Scott to still dock his Apple Pencil.
Scott’s creation is undeniably bonkers, but it is an incredibly powerful device on paper. The M1 chip handles complex tasks without consuming power or causing the cooling fans to go crazy. Scott demonstrated this by even editing a 2K video on it. Then again, his Frankenstein MacBook does have a few tiny flaws. For starters, it doesn’t have a built-in battery, which means you need to continuously stay connected to a power source to use your machine (unless you just want to use the iPad). Secondly, and in the same vein, there’s no keyboard or trackpad on this laptop, although Scott says he’s more than comfortable carrying a Magic Keyboard around with him as a tradeoff. Finally, using the machine takes a little getting used to. For starters, you need to separately switch the Mac Mini and iPad Mini on every time, and configure Duet too. While shutting your laptop down, you need to switch the Mac Mini off too, given that closing the lid doesn’t snooze this laptop. Even the webcam placement may bother a few, and finally, the presence of 2 cables that are a permanent fixture may irk a few people… especially the design team at Apple!
Apple has announced an unexpected new member of its Mac family, and while the initial response has been mostly positive, it still raises one critical question: is it worth the upgrade or not?
Apple was expected to announce a refresh to its Mac lineup, but few probably expected it would be making such a big change. The Mac Studio isn’t just its most powerful Mac, threatening even the latest Mac Pro; it also shakes the lineup in a very fundamental way. In effect, Apple seems to be favoring a discrete computer that still needs its own display, slowly moving away from the all-in-one iMac. More importantly, the Mac Studio adds another option for buyers to consider, making it harder to make a decision on whether to opt for this rather pricey desktop computer or stick with your iMac or Mac Pro. We take a closer look at some of the Mac Studio’s most important factors to hopefully help you reach that decision, in case you need to make one really soon.
In one fell swoop, Apple almost put three of its existing product lines on notice, though one actually dodged the bullet. Although parallels will be drawn due to their relatively more diminutive sizes, the Mac Mini, even the one powered by an Apple M1 chip, serves a completely different purpose and audience. Though definitely powerful enough for basic image and video editing, the Mac Mini is geared towards more casual computing uses and entertainment applications, sometimes even serving as a home media center.
The gigantic Mac Pro is, of course, the easiest target. It’s almost like a David and Goliath scenario where you expect the smaller underdog to emerge victorious. After all, Apple is trying to wean itself off its dependence on Intel CPUs, so proving that bigger isn’t always better might be its ulterior motive. In most cases, the Mac Studio could definitely stand taller than the larger Mac Pro, unless you really need an Intel-based processor for compatibility and discrete graphics cards, in which case the Mac Pro still has no competition on Apple’s desktop lineup.
Instead, the Mac Studio might actually be gunning for the iMac, especially considering that the 27-inch iMac disappeared on the same day that the Mac Studio and Studio Display debuted. The 24-inch M1 iMac is still around, of course, but that might not last long as the overlap between its “Mini Macs” and its all-in-one iMacs narrow even further. All-in-one PCs seem to also be on the decline in general, so it might only be a matter of time before the venerable iMac brand either gets retired or hopefully reused somewhere else.
Performance
Along with the Mac Studio and Studio Display, the new M1 Ultra chip is undoubtedly the star of Apple’s March event. It makes bold claims about performance that threatens whatever is left of Intel’s hold in the Mac world. Its real-world performance does still need to be tested, but if Apple’s track record is any indication, interested buyers need not worry.
To say that the Mac Studio and the M1 Ultra go perfectly together would be an understatement. Admittedly, it has a higher starting price than the M1 Max configuration, but you will be getting the top specs from the get-go. For example, the two ports in front will be Thunderbolt 4 instead of USB-C, offering compatibility with even more devices and opening up more uses beyond just data transfer.
Except for the Mac Pro, none of Apple’s other computers can compete with the plethora of ports available on the Mac Studio. If the name weren’t already suggestive enough, this Apple mini desktop computer is a digital creative’s dream when it comes to connecting with other devices and equipment. Photographers and cinematographers might even be tickled pink by how the SD card slot sits right in the front for easy access, a clear indication that it was a priority rather than an afterthought.
If the Mac Studio could stand toe-to-toe with the Mac Pro in most ways, the one area where some buyers might worry about will be in the graphics arena. Some still need and swear by discrete graphics that are available only on the Intel-powered Mac Pro. Apple is definitely closing in on whatever advantages those might still have, and the Apple M1 Silicon’s graphics performance has been nothing but extraordinary since day one anyway. Even more so if Apple’s promises about the M1 Ultra’s prowess closely match reality.
These will be important metrics for what has been Apple’s most faithful audience from the very beginning: designers, artists, and creatives. Raw CPU power is no longer enough, and image and video processing, not to mention 3D rendering, need heavy-duty graphics silicon, too. With all that power, however, also comes the need for more advanced cooling systems, and Apple promises that the Mac Studio also delivers more with less, as we’ll get to later.
Design
Despite the novel name, the Mac Studio isn’t exactly ground-breaking in its aesthetic. It looks like a very tall Mac Mini with some of the Mac Pro’s grilles on the back and the base. The new mini computer’s design innovation, however, comes from the things you don’t see, especially when you don’t see the Mac Studio itself.
Freedom
Unlike the Mac Mini, the Mac Studio is too big to hide in small spaces, but it still has more flexibility in where you keep it compared to the bigger Mac Pro. You can hide the Mac Studio away from its monitor if you want to, though that means losing easy access to those ports. You at least have the freedom to place it where you want or even move it around places, something that’s not easily done with a traditional tower.
You also have the freedom to choose the monitor you prefer, though Apple will definitely prefer that you opt for the 27-inch Studio Display. These are almost made for each other, if their launch didn’t already make that obvious, with their designs and features complementing each other perfectly. You can, of course, choose differently and upgrade either separately. The same can’t be said for an all-in-one iMac solution where you really get what you pay for and nothing more.
The Mac Studio combines the power of the Mac Pro with the versatility of the Mac Mini without completely erasing the other two’s existence. It does almost make the iMac redundant and seemingly replaces the 27-inch iMac on Apple’s store. It gives people more freedom not only to choose which displays to go with it but also in how to design their workspaces without worrying about how it will take up space.
Sustainability
Apple also gives the new Mac Studio a stronger sustainability narrative than its older peers, one that could help appeal to more environment-conscious buyers. For some parts like magnets and soldering on the mainboard, it uses “100% recycled rare earth elements.” It also used recycled aluminum and plastic in other components. The chassis is built from a single aluminum extrusion that not only adds durability but also reduces the number of materials to keep the parts together.
The Mac Studio also boasts of a thermal management system that keeps the fans from running unless absolutely necessary. Not only does this reduce the noise coming from the Mac, but it also keeps its overall power consumption down. In fact, Apple says that the Mac Studio uses up to 1,000 kWh less energy than an equivalent high-end desktop PC, which is no small claim as far as energy efficiency goes.
Consumer electronics use a lot of non-sustainable materials, and high-end computers consume a lot more power than typical appliances, especially when running for hours with heavy workloads. Reducing their negative impact on the environment one Mac Studio at a time is a small but important step in changing the landscape for the better, something that Apple is strongly committed to doing in the next eight years.
Price
The Mac Studio definitely has a lot going for it, whether you aim for the M1 Max or the top-of-the-line M1 Ultra. As with most Apple products, however, many consumers will balk at Apple’s asking price. While it might sound pricey, it’s actually well within what you’d expect from a premium Apple product. In fact, it might actually be a sweeter deal, depending on how you look at it.
Considering the Mac Pro starts at $5,999, the fact that the Mac Studio starts at $1,999 is almost shocking. That’s for the lowest M1 Max configuration, though, and the M1 Ultra variant actually starts at $3,999. That’s still significantly lower for something that matches the power but surpasses the size of a Mac Pro.
The now-defunct 27-inch iMac started at $1,799, but it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison at this point, no pun intended. Admittedly, the Mac Studio doesn’t come with its own screen, and the Studio Display that Apple probably wants you to buy with it costs $1,599. If you already have a favorite and trusted monitor, though, that’s already one less worry off your back, but suffice it to say, the TCO of a Mac Studio is no laughing matter.
Verdict
So we finally come to the most important of this long piece, to find out whether the Mac Studio is truly worth it, especially for product designers and digital creatives that need a trustworthy partner in their quest for the ultimate render. Presuming you’re aiming for the better M1 Ultra model, here are some considerations to help you reach that answer.
If you’re actually just buying your first Mac in a few years, the answer is already a resounding yes. Short of budget constraints, there’s almost little reason to get a Mac Pro (more on it later) or even an M1 iMac if you’re really investing in a powerhouse. Sure, the iMac does let you keep your desk clean, but it makes sacrifices in power and flexibility, especially when it comes to ports.
If you’re upgrading from an M1 Mac Mini, the answer is also a yes. By now, you have probably been used to whatever limitations there might be in software compatibility, which isn’t that many by now. The most important tools of the trade are already compatible with Apple Silicon, so there’s not much reason to hold back at this point.
Perhaps the only reason to avoid the Mac Studio, other than the price, is if you really need a dedicated GPU like on the Mac Pro. At that point, however, you’ll need to save up even more, which sort of makes the price concern moot. The M1 iMac still does have a place if you’re willing to make compromises on performance for the sake of a neater work area. And there will always be room for a Mac Mini, even a whole rack of them, for certain applications that would be overkill, even for a $1,999 M1 Max Mac Studio.
These all presume that the M1 Ultra is all that it’s cut out to be, which we’ll really know after a few months only. Needless to say, the Apple Mac Studio is kicking up a storm on the Internet and is positioning itself to be Apple’s best desktop to date.
We generally fancy our laptops for the ease of portability and convenience. But if you’re someone like the YouTuber Scott Yu-Jan who despises a laptop; you’ll appreciate the Portable Mac Mini that lets you leave the laptop behind, yet travel light with a handy computer at your service when you may need it.
Apple’s in-house silicon – M1 chipset – made a significant upheaval in the market when it debuted in the new MacBooks. Beyond that, Apple chose to smartly update its existing products instead of launching all-new models; Mac Mini was one such device. The M1 Mac Mini then became a computing powerhouse. Without compromising its form or style, it became a reliable machine for anyone overlooking the power and portability of a M1 MacBook.
Designer: Scott Yu-Jan
If that’s not how you saw it, designer Scott Yu-Jan took to YouTube with an idea of a portable M1 Mac Mini, that paired with an iPad Mini, can be a MacBook alternative for the heavy-duty workaholics who would want to enjoy the power of M1 on the go without owning a MacBook. The DIYer, designer, and creator has made the Mac Mini really portable so that it would allow you to take your M1-powered workstation anywhere and use it conveniently as long as you can plug it into a socket.
Yeah, the portability of this mod is limited to the indoors for now, until Scott thinks of adding additional bulk of a battery to his creation. Till then, some 3D printed parts can be screwed together as a case to slide the Mac Mini in, and attach an iPad Mini to it to be used as the interactive display for it. The two gadgets can be connected via USB to a USB-C cable. The contraption comes complete with cable holders, a quick-release clasp (so that the two devices here can be used independently when you’re back home), and an Allen key (inconspicuously tucked away but usable for the quick tightening of screws as and when required).
If you were holding yourself from investing in a MacBook (for whatever reason) the portable Mac Mini mod is a good alternative to consider. You’d want Scott’s help to make this right, eventually, you can have a workstation that’ll want you to pair your iPad Mini and a favorite keyboard. If this is too much of a hassle; wait until Apple rolls out a large foldable – laptop/tablet hybrid – it reportedly has in the works.
This compact Mac mini for this year brings with it improvements from the previous model both in terms of power, heat dissipation and of looks dominated by the thin acrylic cover. The peppy colors of the latest Mac mini are reimagined in this cool concept.
The M1-powered Mac mini is a compact PC perfect for a modern lifestyle that’s dominated by frequent travel and flexible working regimes. The M1chip-powered supercomputer is unlike any other gadget on the market, and Apple has hit all the right notes in coming up with this magic box that’ll surprise you with its power and swiftness. While we are already basking in the success of the Mac mini 2020 model, a successor is on the cards. Yes, the Mac mini 2021 model is rumored to launch this fall and how it could look visually has piqued my interest.
An interesting concept design by Qocept Graphics gives us a purview of the Mac mini design for this year with very subtle modifications on the outside and some major improvements on the inside. The size on this one reduces the footprint a tad with dimensions of 13.5cm in width and length, and a 3cm thickness – making it the thinnest Mac thus far. To provide extra protection to the aluminum body, and a premium overall feel, the Mac mini concept gets a 2cm thin acrylic enclosure. This also raises the machine slightly above the work surface for active dissipation of heat.
The designer emphasizes the acrylic shell as it gives the Mac mini 2021 model a weightless feel and enhances airflow around the ventilation as the air is vented out through the rear opening. Going in line with the speculations of an increased number of ports, the concept adapts to the rumor mill predictions. It has more USB 4 and USB 3 ports. Also, there is a magnetic power connector akin to the iMac and the Gigabit Ethernet through the external power supply.
This Mac mini concept assumes the machine to get the same M1-powered guts but here I disagree. There’s substantial evidence of M1X chip-powered innards – giving the Mac mini more CPU and GPU cores to work with. On the exterior, the new Mac mini might get a refreshing boost of colors with red, blue, purple, yellow, orange sea green and the classic silver white option.
In the three months since its release, Apple's Mac Mini has seen a few discounts, but none more deep than the latest on Amazon. The tiny desktop is currently on sale for an all-time low price of $600 for the 256GB base model. To put that into per...