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The Radical Redesign of Apple's Mac mini: Five USB — C Ports and No USB — A

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Apple enthusiasts, brace yourselves—there’s a storm of rumors swirling around the upcoming Mac mini Pro and other Apple products expected this fall. Renowned tech journalist Mark Gurman, often seen as Apple's unofficial spokesperson, dropped some tantalizing hints in his latest Power On newsletter.

A New Era for Mac mini

The most intriguing tidbit? The Mac mini is about to undergo its first major redesign since 2010, a move that will see the compact desktop shedding its legacy USB-A ports in favor of a sleek, USB-C-laden future.

According to Gurman, the entry-level Mac mini with Apple’s new M4 chip will start shipping from suppliers in China to global warehouses as early as September. But if you’re holding out for the beefier M4 Pro version, you’ll need to wait until October. Expect Apple to introduce this revamped Mac mini during an October event, which will likely follow the iPhone 16 launch in September. Photo via 9to5Mac // A concept image of what the upcoming Mac mini might look like. The new Mac mini is said to pack five USB-C ports—three on the back, two on the front—similar to the setup on the Mac Studio. The machine will retain an Ethernet port, an HDMI connector, and a headphone jack. However, say your goodbyes to the trusty USB-A ports. Whether USB-A’s demise will extend to future Mac Pro and Mac Studio updates remains to be seen.

Speculation on Size and Power

One of the more fascinating aspects of these rumors is the potential for the Mac mini to shrink down to a size comparable to an Apple TV—though slightly taller than today’s 1.4-inch model. The power supply is expected to be built into the chassis, eliminating the need for the cumbersome external power brick.

This internal power supply and compact form factor signal Apple’s intent to streamline the design while maintaining, or possibly improving, the performance that Mac mini users have come to expect. Gurman’s sources suggest that the use of shared components with the iPad Pro might also help cut manufacturing costs, though whether those savings will trickle down to consumers is still up in the air.

Photo via Andrea Copellino (YouTube) // The rumor mill is going crazy with Mac mini rumors this year.

New iPad Magic Keyboard on the Horizon

In addition to the Mac mini news, Gurman dropped hints about a new low-end iPad Magic Keyboard in development. Following the May release of an upgraded Magic Keyboard, which featured a metal palm rest, more durable design, larger trackpad, and function keys, Apple is reportedly working on a more affordable variant.

This forthcoming keyboard could be tailored for an entry-level iPad or possibly the next iteration of the iPad Air. While it will likely forego the premium metal palm rest, the new keyboard might introduce some fresh features, potentially including a function key row. If all goes according to plan, this accessory should hit the market by mid-2025.

Looking Ahead: Apple’s M4 Rollout

Gurman’s report suggests Apple is planning a full transition to M4 chips across its Mac lineup by the latter half of 2025. This includes updates to the iMac and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, expected to be announced alongside the Mac mini this fall.

As we edge closer to Apple’s September event, the buzz around these rumored products is only set to intensify. But with Google seemingly quiet this October after unveiling the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel Watch 3, Apple might just own the tech news cycle for the entire month.

In the meantime, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the rumor mill. Stay tuned—this could be a fall to remember for Apple fans.

Mark Gurman’s insights were featured in his Power On newsletter, providing a trusted source for these latest Apple rumors.

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Published to Apple Scoop on 4th September, 2024.