Has Apple abandoned the Mac mini redesign set for 2022?

09 May 2022 by Stefan Wyeth | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

We might have to wait until next year for the new Mac mini. · Source: Joey Banks / Unsplash

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Although there were rumours of an ongoing Mac mini redesign, it appears we won’t see it launched this year. According to the well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it will also continue with the same aluminium unibody design.

Back in November 2020, the entry-level Mac mini moved to Apple Silicon chips, along with a few other Mac models. Strangely enough, the top-spec Mac mini from 2018 is still Intel-based. So it makes logical sense that this machine would be a high priority on the updates list.

Why no Mac mini redesign?

As it turns out, we are likely to see updates to both the entry-level and top-spec Mac mini models. For the entry-level model, it will be equipped with the same new M2 chip as with the MacBook Air. The more high-end model will likely carry the M1 Pro series chips that have already been successful in the MacBook Pro range.

Although an M1 Pro Max version of the Mac Mini did go through the test build phase, it’s unlikely that we will see it on the market. The reason for this is due to the release of the powerful and expandable Mac Studio.

Meanwhile, at Bloomberg, Mark Gurman has said that the updated entry-level M2‌ chip will also have an eight-core CPU like the ‌M1‌. However, it will offer increased performance and efficiency. In addition to this, there will be a new higher-spec M2 model with a nine or ten core GPU.

When will we see a new Mac mini?

Expanding on the M1 Pro, it’s likely that the M2 Pro will feature the same 10-core CPU with a higher efficiency rating and an increased number of GPU cores. Pro-tools Expert reported last month that M2 testing is currently on the go. This claim was also backed up through developer logs from certain third-party apps and references in the most recent beta of macOS Monterey.

So, to sum things up, it’s unlikely we’ll see a new Mac mini this year according to Ming-Chi Kuo. In March, when Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus spoke about the progress of the move to Apple Silicon he said, “just one more product to go: ‌Mac Pro‌.” This means if you need a new Mac mini this year, the Mac Studio is your best bet.