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A new source suggests that the next version of the Mac mini will receive a significant upgrade: Apple's M2 line of Apple Silicon chips.
On Tuesday, Apple announced its new Mac Studio – a Mac mini-like tower computer aimed at creative professionals who can benefit from significantly more powerful hardware. The Mac Studio is the first in Apple’s lineup to receive the M1 Ultra, a brand new chip consisting of two M1 Max processors connected via an UltraFusion connector. A new report However, a report from 9to5Mac suggests that the Mac mini could be the first Mac to receive Apple's next lineup of Apple Silicon chips - the M2 and M2 Pro. According to the report, the M2 Mac mini (codenamed J473) will feature the next-generation M2 chip. The M2 chip will be based on the A15 chip and will reportedly have the same eight-core CPU as the M1 but will be equipped with a more powerful 10-core GPU.
New Mac mini with two Apple Silicon chip options
The M2 Pro Mac mini (codenamed J474) will feature the M2 Pro chip. Reportedly, this chip will have four efficiency cores and eight performance cores - making for a 12-core CPU. For comparison, the current M1 Pro has a 10-core CPU. While this is the first report to definitively say the Mac mini will have an M2 chip, it's also an obvious addition for the next generation. The existing late-2020 Mac mini has the M1. Given the heat the Mac Studio appears to generate, the lower end of the M2 lineup makes sense for the next generation. Other additions to the lineup that have already been rumored include more Thunderbolt ports, the possible use of a magnetic power cable like the M1 iMac, and possibly a smaller chassis. (Photo by hadrian / Bigstockphoto)
