The M4 Mac mini could be Apple’s smallest computer to date

It could be in line for a major overhaul when the more powerful M4 model arrives. It is said to be the size of an Apple TV box, according to Mark Gurman of the . That would make it the smallest computer ever built. The M4 Mac mini is expected to appear later this year and, if the report is correct, this will also mark the first major overhaul of the system since 2010 – when it was last redesigned under Steve Jobs.

The next Mac mini may be 3.7 inches wide, which is less than half the size. But while its footprint may be smaller, the M4 Mac mini may be taller than the current 1.4-inch-high model. It is expected to still have an aluminum shell.

The report indicates that the next Mac mini may be equivalent to the iPad Pro, the latest model. It would be cheaper for Apple to produce than the current Mac mini but it’s unclear if that will lead to the company lowering the retail price, which remains at $599 for the powerful M2 model.

Apple is said to be testing two versions of the Mac mini, including the same iPad Pro and a more powerful setup with the M4 Pro chipset. According to Gurman, the company tested structures with three or more USB-C ports, a power socket and an HDMI port. It will be very interesting to see if the company goes beyond USB-A ports with the new Mac mini.

Elsewhere, we can see M4-powered iMacs and MacBook Pros this year as well. The next-generation MacBook Airs may not arrive until spring, while Gurman suggests the next Mac Pro and Mac Studio could debut in mid-2025.