Apple’s Upcoming Mac Mini: A Sleek Design, But at What Cost?

Apple’s Mac mini might soon sport a fresh new look, but this redesign could come with a few notable trade-offs. According to Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, the highly anticipated M4 Mac mini is expected to undergo a significant design overhaul. However, this could mean saying goodbye to the trusty USB-A ports, as the new model is rumored to have a much smaller chassis.

If the speculations hold true, we could see multiple variants of the M4 Mac mini, including a top-tier M4 Pro version. This premium model is rumored to launch as early as October. Despite the absence of USB-A ports, it’s set to feature an impressive array of five USB-C ports, alongside an ethernet port, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack.

The compact design, which is said to be comparable to the size of an Apple TV, will also include an internal power supply, eliminating the need for an external power brick. This is a welcome change for users who prioritize portability and minimalism.

With the iPhone 16 reveal just around the corner, Gurman predicts that neither the M4 nor M4 Pro Mac mini will be announced at Apple’s September 9 ‘It’s Glowtime’ event. Instead, we’re likely looking at an October reveal, leaving us in suspense for just a little longer.

A Design Sacrifice Worth Making?

The Mac mini’s design has remained virtually unchanged for years – the 2012 and 2023 models are nearly indistinguishable. As Gurman notes, it’s been almost 15 years since we saw a significant design refresh for this device.

While the loss of USB-A ports might disappoint some users, we believe it’s a trade-off worth making. If the M4 Mac mini does indeed shrink to the size of an Apple TV, that would make it almost half the size of the current M2 model. For context, an Apple TV measures 93 x 93 x 31 mm (3.66 x 3.66 x 1.2 inches), whereas the M2 Mac mini comes in at 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm (7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches).

Moreover, USB-C has become the standard across modern devices, and there are plenty of docks and hubs available for those who still rely on USB-A peripherals like keyboards and mice. As the tech world continues to move away from older USB ports, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple’s 2025 Mac Pro and Mac Studio models also drop USB-A ports entirely.