Apple has recently unveiled its latest iPhone 16 lineup along with the Apple Watch Series 10, but the tech giant isn’t stopping there. In the coming weeks, Apple is set to roll out even more products, including new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models anticipated next month. Ahead of these updates, there’s a buzz around the imminent launch of an upgraded Mac mini, which Apple appears to have inadvertently leaked. This redesigned Mac mini is expected to feature an impressive five USB-C ports.
The new Mac mini is set to include an additional USB-C port at the expense of one fewer USB-A port. This change comes as Apple looks to broaden its latest systems with the upgraded M4 chip, which was first announced with the OLED iPad Pro models earlier this year. Now, it’s making its way to the Mac lineup, specifically the MacBook Pro range and the redesigned Mac mini. A contributor has uncovered a piece of Apple’s software code that confirms the new Mac mini will come with five USB-C ports.
According to the discovered code, this yet-to-be-released Mac mini will integrate a version of the M4 chip. Analyst Mark Gurman has previously highlighted similar details, noting that the ports will be divided with two at the front and three at the back, mirroring the layout found on the Mac Studio. The leak identifies the new model as “Apple silicon Mac mini (5 Port).”
From a technical perspective, at least one of these USB-C ports is likely to support Thunderbolt 4, ensuring fast data transfer speeds and high connectivity. Expectations are high that the new Mac mini will be even more compact than current models, featuring a thinner, low-profile design, possibly with a reduced footprint. The anticipated configurations will include the base M4 chip and a more powerful M4 Pro chip, which offers enhanced CPU and GPU capabilities.
With the inclusion of more USB-C ports, it’s logical to assume that the number of traditional USB-A ports will decrease. Nevertheless, the upcoming model is still expected to retain a variety of other ports such as HDMI, Ethernet, and a headphone jack.
Beyond the Mac mini, Apple’s next event is speculated to be the platform for announcing the iPad mini 7. While the exact timing of these releases remains unclear, an October or November release window would align with Apple’s typical launch schedule.
Apple continues to innovate and expand its product lineup, ensuring that users have access to the latest in tech advancements. Stay tuned as we await the official announcements and release dates for these exciting new gadgets.
