The Mac mini can be something of an overlooked classic when it come to having a majuscule platform on which to run macOS . No , it does n’t do with a display , keyboard , trackpad or mouse , but this is sometimes a feature not a bug , as it release you up to choose your own monitoring equipment and peripherals – or save money by using the ones you already own .
We have always loved the Mac mini and since Apple introduce the M1 powered edition in November 2021 , our admiration of it has increased even more . The M1 chip has given the flyspeck powerhouse a Modern letting of life history .
Just to perplex thing , presently Apple also has another Mac mini available to grease one’s palms . The 3.0GHz Intel Core i5 , 6 - nub Mac miniskirt with 512 GB SSD . This model costs more than the M1 Mac mini at £ 1,099 . It does pop the question a few thing that the M1 models lack , admit more port , support for 64 GB Aries the Ram , and reenforcement for up to three 4 1000 displays ( the M1 model supports two displays ) . It lacks the Apple - made organisation on chip though .
So the question of whether now is a good time to buy a unexampled Mac miniskirt depends first and first on which Mac mini you are think of . It also depend on whether you are seem to avoid buying a new model just before a newer one get , or if you are look to buy at the best fourth dimension to get the best discounts .
For more up to date selective information take : We bed the Mac mini but it ’s a terrible metre to buy one .
When will Apple update the Mac mini?
We ’ve all been there . rank a shiny Modern equipment , take it out of the box , then find oneself out that its replacement has just been released . To ward off this sinking feeling , it ’s always a good idea to check whether the product in question is due to be replaced .
As we explained above , there are two kinds of Mac mini on sale right now . The M1 model and the Intel good example . They were introduce at different time and we mistrust that they will be updated at different times .
When will Apple update the Intel Mac mini?
We opine that the first Mac mini to be update will be the remaining Intel - power model which was introduced back in 2018 .
It seems that Apple kept this model on to accommodate pro customer who need support for more RAM among other things . Now that the M1 Pro and M1 Max fleck are shipping with the 14 in MacBook Pro and 16 in MacBook Pro it is surely only a thing of time before those chip make their path into the pro - focussed varient of the Mac mini . A Mac mini Pro perhaps ?
On the other hand , it is possible that Apple will simply stop the 3.0GHz Mac miniskirt , but we think that is improbable given the popularity of this machine with high - end users , such as developer .
Bloomberg ’s Mark Gurman write in the summertime of 2021 that a Modern pro variant of the Mac miniskirt would found “ in the next several months ” , leading us to gestate a M1 Pro or Max Mac miniskirt alongside the14 in MacBook Pro 2021 with M1 Max and M1 Proand the larger16 in MacBook Pro 2021 with M1 Max and M1 Proin October .
Obviously no such model launched , but it is surely coming very soon . Perhaps at the spring of 2022 ?
The only thing that might delay it is if Apple intends to furnish it with an even honorable chip or plunge it alongside thesuccessor to the 27 in iMac .
Answer : We consider we will see a replacement for the Intel Mac mini exemplar in spring 2022 , or at least by the summer … If you could wait our advice is to do so .
When will Apple update the M1 Mac mini?
Apple introduced the M1 Mac miniskirt in November 2020 so it ’s now a twelvemonth on from the launch . Does that mean we can bear a M2 Mac mini shortly ? We do n’t call back so .
We expect we will be expect until at least the summer of 2022 before we see the M2 Mac mini , but we might have to await even longer . It may set up alongside thenew MacBook Air ( M2)and M2 13 in MacBook Pro ( which may actually be one machine called the MacBook ! ) In that case we will almost certainly be waiting until October 2022 before it launches – at least that ’s the rumour right now .
It might be deserving the waiting , technical school tipster Jon Prosser has leak item and render of anew aim for the Mac mini(as you may see from the double below ) .
The current worldwide chip shortage could detain the launching even more though , so if you ’re in penury of a Mac mini right on now , you ’ll still be getting an excellent machine which will keep you going for a few years . Just bear in mind that it may be espouse by the elevate version within the next four or five month .
To see the previous news on this , read ourNew Mac miniskirt rumoursguide .
resolve : We do n’t expect it to set up until autumn 2022 , so buy now , unless you figure the rumor new excogitation .
Should I wait for Mac mini discounts?
Black Friday is the weekend when most of the fully grown deduction are range out , so it ’s always a honorable idea to see what ’s on pass before you make a purchase . This year Black Friday fall on 25 November and you may see a roundups of thebest Apple Black Friday dealsandbest other Black Friday Mac mini deals .
To be honest though , it ’s not that often that we see really great sight on Apple products , specially current models rather than previous generations whose stock is being cleared . One topographic point that ’s always deserving observe an eye on though is theApple Refurbished Storeas this sells current product with reductions ( usually around 15 % ) all of which come with the same warranties as brand - raw item .
You could also consider refurbish poser from other respected retailers , as these can give you important rescue while still give up you to get your hands on the late technical school . take ourWhy you should buy a renovate Macfor more item .
Answer : Black Friday deals could let you to grab a bargain , but you should also regard refurbished models .
Should I buy an M1 Mac mini or Intel Mac mini?
The M1 good example has strike us very much with its performance , cost and quiet operation , as you may see from ourMac mini 2020 ( M1 ) reviewand from theMac mini 2020 ( M1 ) vs Mac mini 2018 ( Intel ) comparability .
There are a few things that the honest-to-god Intel mannikin has on its side , in that the Intel mini supports external GPUs while the M1 models does n’t . We have heard that a compatible GPU will arrive shortly , but at the time of committal to writing it remains the preserve of Intel twist .
The older one also can power three display , while the M1 maxes out at two . This plausibly wo n’t be much of an issue for most people , but if it is then the Intel gimmick could be a enticing proposal , at least until the M2 interpretation of the Mac mini arrives .
The other big disadvantage with the M1 Mac mini is that it can only support 16 GB RAM . If the M1 Pro is used in a new model you’re able to expect financial backing for 32 GB RAM , and if the M1 Max is used that will allow bread and butter for 64 GB RAM .
reply : Unless you need external GPUs , three display , or more RAM , the M1 powered Mac miniskirt is the much better twist .
Should I wait for the M1 Pro/M1 Max Mac mini?
The big reason to wait for Apple to introduce a M1 Pro or M1 Max power Mac mini , as we surmise it will , is if you need support for more Aries the Ram .
These fresh chips also offer much improved graphics , so if you are the kind of person who uses diagrammatically intensive apps then it ’s definitely worth waiting .
Answer : The M1 is a great platform , but the M1 Pro and M1 Max will make the Mac mini ideal as a pro machine . If that ’s what you need we recommend waiting – hopefully it wo n’t be long .
Should I wait for the M2 Mac mini?
We ’re anticipatinga fresh MacBook Air ( M2)that could appear in the summer or autumn of 2022 , so it ’s quite possible that Apple will announces a new M2 power Mac mini at the same metre , just as they did with the M1 version in November 2020 .
With the M1 being such a leap frontwards in term of performance , and Apple having hone its processor experience with the A - serial in the iPhone and iPad , it ’s likely that when the M2 come it will bring further refinements and power to the Mac miniskirt ’s public presentation . Do n’t await the M2 to be better than the M1 Pro or M1 Max , the M1 and M2 are point at universal exercise , so the feature we can expect will be design to be beneficial for that kind of body of work . So require shelling lifespan and energy use improvements rather than more read/write memory and art .
Answer : The M1 is a great weapons platform and make the existing Mac mini a powerful simple machine , but if you really want the good then you may want to hold out until the middle of 2022 for the M2 .
