Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working on a high-end version of its Mac mini, which will boast a more powerful Apple Silicon-based chip, along with additional ports.
In a report where Gurman also discussed new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by an improved version of the M1 chip that could launch as early as this summer.
The more powerful version of the Mac mini will be positioned as a high-end version of the current M1 Mac mini. The new mini is expected to be powered by the same chip as the new MacBook Pro models.
The new chip is said to boast a 10-core CPU with eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, with 16-core or 32-core GPU options.
The high-end Mac mini will also likely feature four Thunderbolt ports on its backside, expanding from the current two ports on the M1 Mac mini.
Apple has also been working on a more powerful version of the Mac mini (code name J374) with the same chip as the next MacBook Pro. It’s expected to have four ports versus the pair available on the current low-end version and to sit above the current entry-level M1 Mac Mini. Apple could delay or cancel the new mini’s launch – as it has in the past – but eventually the company will likely replace the Intel-equipped version it now sells.
The new high-end Mac mini is expected to replace the current Intel-powered mini, which is still available. When the new mini is released, it will mean that the entire Mac mini lineup will have been transitioned to Apple Silicon.
