Apple to Launch Smaller Mac Mini, Powered by New M4 Chip

Apple is planning to release a new version of the Mac mini, which will be its smallest desktop computer to date and part of a broader overhaul of the Mac lineup focusing on AI-centric chips.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the new model is expected to launch later this year, marking the first significant design change for the Mac mini since its overhaul by Steve Jobs in 2010. The device is said to be significantly smaller than its predecessor, with a size comparable to the Apple TV set-top box.

The upgraded mini is one of several new Macs that will be introduced in the coming months. The company is also preparing to launch versions of the iMac desktop and MacBook Pro equipped with the M4 series chips, which could arrive as early as this year. The MacBook Air is currently in development and is expected to be released next spring, while the Mac Pro and Mac Studio models are planned for a mid-2025 launch.

The widespread upgrade to the M4 processor marks another milestone for Apple: this is the first time the company will use the same generation chip across all Mac models.

People involved in the development of the new Mac mini stated that the product is essentially an iPad Pro packed into a small box, a design that leverages the low-power benefits of the company's in-house chips. The current Mac mini starts at $599, and while the new model may have a lower manufacturing cost, it remains unclear whether the company will pass those savings on to consumers.

Reports indicate that Apple is preparing two versions of the new Mac mini, both codenamed J773. The first version will feature a basic configuration of the M4 chip, similar to the components inside the iPad Pro. There will also be a high-end Mac mini that uses the yet-to-be-released M4 Pro chip, which includes support for additional memory and enhanced graphics capabilities.

Apple suppliers are scheduled to begin shipping the standard M4 version this month, with the product launching later this year. The high-end model with the M4 Pro chip is expected to be available by October.

In the last quarter (Q3), Apple's Mac lineup generated approximately $7 billion in revenue, a 2.5% increase compared to the same period last year.