Renders of the upcoming M1X Mac mini have been revealed, providing a clear look at all the design changes for Apple's next miniature computer. This latest version of the Mac mini is expected to release at some point in 2021, either during WWDC in June or at another event later this fall.
The most recent M1 Mac mini was released this past November. The main draw to the new machine was its Apple-designed M1 chipset, which provided an enormous performance boost compared to previous Intel models. Outside of the M1 chip, however, the rest of the hardware remained untouched. The M1 Mac mini of today features the exact same design that Apple introduced in 2018, with that already a minor evolution of the unibody design from 2010.
Apple is anticipated to release another update to the Mac mini in 2021, and along with a brand new M1X processor, it will also come with the biggest design revamp the series has ever seen. Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech recently shared high-res renders of the upcoming M1X Mac mini that provide a clear look at its all-new design. This comes shortly after Prosser also leaked designs for the Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel Watch, and M2 MacBook Air.
The M1X Mac mini Is Thinner & Has More Ports
Right off the bat, the renders indicate Apple is moving away from the unibody aluminum design. While the frame of the M1X Mac mini will still be aluminum, the top now features a plexiglass-like material. It gives the Mac mini an interesting two-tone look, which Prosser says could be used for new colors similar to the M1 iMac. The M1X Mac mini also appears to be substantially thinner than the M1 model, making it more mini than it's ever been before.
Taking a look at the back of the M1X Mac mini, things get even more interesting. Instead of the universal two-prong power cable, the new Mac mini will feature the same magnetic power connector introduced on the M1 iMac. Next to that are four USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, two full-size USB-A ports, an ethernet jack, and an HDMI port. The headphone jack, however, is missing. Apple fans will also notice that the cutout for the fan has been moved from the back frame to the bottom.
Overall, the design for the M1X Mac mini looks quite promising. There's nothing inherently bad about the current design, but if Apple can deliver a thinner footprint, two more USB-C ports, and the additional power of the M1X chipset, that all sounds like a recipe for success. Between this, the new iMac, and upcoming updates to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, Apple is positioning its 2021 computer lineup to be unstoppable.
Source: Front Page Tech