Apple to offer a next-generation Mac mini with Apple M2 and M2 Pro SoCs
The Mac Studio has left the current Mac mini out in the cold somewhat, what with its availability as an M1 Max and M1 Ultra-powered mini-PC. In comparison, the Mac mini is only available with the M1, a competent SoC but one that offers significantly less power than the M1 Max and M1 Ultra. Reportedly, Apple will equip a next-generation Mac mini with second-generation Apple silicon, not the M1X or M1 Max as previous rumours suggested.
Citing unspecified sources, 9to5Mac claims that Apple is prototyping two models, J473 and J474. Supposedly, Apple has paired the former with the Apple M2, an SoC codenamed 'Staten'. 9to5Mac adds that Apple has based the Apple M2 on the A15 Bionic, mirroring the Apple M1. As such, the Apple M2 has four 'Avalanche' performance cores, and four 'Blizzard' efficiency cores mated to a 10-core GPU. By contrast, the Apple M1 peaks at 8 GPU cores.
On the other hand, J474 is said to feature the M2 Pro, an SoC with 12 CPU cores that could deliver twice the processing performance of the Apple M2. 9to5Mac asserts that Apple has arranged the M2 Pro with eight performance cores and four efficiency cores; details on its GPU configuration remain unknown at this stage. Allegedly, Apple could debut the next Mac mini at WWDC 2022, which should occur in June. Apple has already confirmed that it has a next-generation Mac Pro in the pipeline though, unlike a new Mac mini.
Source(s)
9to5Mac, Jon Prosser & Ian Zelbo - Image credit
