The first Apple Silicon-based Mac mini is out the door.
Over at Apple’s “One More Thing” event, the company introduced the desktop, complete with the 8-core M1 chip, which is cited as offering up to three times the CPU performance and six times the graphics performance compared to the previous four-core Intel version.
Apple says that the new Apple Silicon Mac mini can compile code in Xcode up to three times faster, render a complex timeline in Final Cut Pro up to 6 times faster, and play graphics-intensive games like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” with up to 4 times higher frame rates. ML workloads are seeing likely the most significant boost, and will be up to 15 times faster.
The new Mac mini sports two USB 4 ports and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which allow users to run up to two Pro Display XDR monitors at full 6K resolution. Other features includes Wi-Fi 6 support and a new thermal design with a fan that allows it to sustain performance while keeping cool and quiet.
In comparison with the Intel-based Mac mini, there are now only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which has been pared down from the previous four Thunderbolt 3 ports found on the Intel model, and 10-gigabit Ethernet is no longer available as an upgrade option.
Apple’s M1 Mac mini starts at $699, while an upgrade to 16GB of unified memory retails for $200. The 256GB model can be upgraded to 512GB for $200, 1TB for $400, and 2TB for $800.
The new Mac mini is currently available via the Apple Store’s web site and will be available via retail on November 17th.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider