Next Mac mini will have M2 and M2 Pro Apple Silicon chip options
A new source suggests that Apple's next iteration of the Mac mini will get a significant upgrade: Apple's M2 lineup of Apple Silicon chips.

On Tuesday, Apple announced its brand new Mac Studio -- a Mac mini-like desktop geared toward creative professionals who could benefit from significantly powerful hardware. The Mac Studio is the first of Apple's lineup to get the M1 Ultra, a brand new chip comprised of two M1 Max processors connected by an UltraFusion connector.
However, a new report by 9to5Mac suggests that the Mac mini may be the first Mac to see Apple's following lineup of Apple Silicon chips -- the M2 and M2 Pro.
According to the report, the M2 Mac mini (codenamed J473) will be powered by the next-gen entry-level M2 chip. The M2 chip will be based on the A15 chip and will allegedly feature the same eight-core CPU of the M1 but boast a more powerful 10-core GPU.
The M2 Pro Mac mini (codenamed J474) will feature the M2 Pro chip. Allegedly, this chip will feature four efficiency cores and eight performance cores -- making for a 12-core CPU. For comparison, the current M1 Pro features a 10-core CPU.
While this is the first report definitively saying that the Mac mini will have an M2 chip, it's also an obvious addition for the next generation. The existing Mac mini from the end of 2020 has the M1, and given the heat that the Mac Studio apparently generates, the lower-end of the M2 line makes sense for the next iteration.
Other additions to the line previously rumored are more Thunderbolt ports, the possible use of a magnetic power cable like the M1 iMac uses, and potentially a smaller enclosure.
Read on AppleInsider

On Tuesday, Apple announced its brand new Mac Studio -- a Mac mini-like desktop geared toward creative professionals who could benefit from significantly powerful hardware. The Mac Studio is the first of Apple's lineup to get the M1 Ultra, a brand new chip comprised of two M1 Max processors connected by an UltraFusion connector.
However, a new report by 9to5Mac suggests that the Mac mini may be the first Mac to see Apple's following lineup of Apple Silicon chips -- the M2 and M2 Pro.
According to the report, the M2 Mac mini (codenamed J473) will be powered by the next-gen entry-level M2 chip. The M2 chip will be based on the A15 chip and will allegedly feature the same eight-core CPU of the M1 but boast a more powerful 10-core GPU.
The M2 Pro Mac mini (codenamed J474) will feature the M2 Pro chip. Allegedly, this chip will feature four efficiency cores and eight performance cores -- making for a 12-core CPU. For comparison, the current M1 Pro features a 10-core CPU.
While this is the first report definitively saying that the Mac mini will have an M2 chip, it's also an obvious addition for the next generation. The existing Mac mini from the end of 2020 has the M1, and given the heat that the Mac Studio apparently generates, the lower-end of the M2 line makes sense for the next iteration.
Other additions to the line previously rumored are more Thunderbolt ports, the possible use of a magnetic power cable like the M1 iMac uses, and potentially a smaller enclosure.
Read on AppleInsider

Comments
https://i.imgur.com/Ssns07U.jpeg
Currently M1 Pro, Max & Ultra seem to be all the same die, sliced and assembled while the M1 is a standalone production.
For x=1 to 10:
Mac Mini gets Mx
MacBook gets Mx Pro/Max
Mac Studio gets Mx Ultra
Mac Pro gets Mx Quad
end loop
And it's probably not just one M2 Mac mini, there are probably different chips of different capabilities at different TDPs. Same with the Apple Silicon 27" iMac Pro which Apple management killed off.
As for this microphone thing, I'm sure Apple has included microphones in their prototypes. Apple should have a GOOD idea of where most of their Mac mini units end up and I'm guessing data centers is a substantial destination.
I've owned a Mac mini since 2010 and I don't recall ever missing a built-in microphone. After all, I can just plug in a USB webcam or pair Bluetooth earphones (like the AirPods Pro). Hell, I think I can just plug in those wired iPhone earpods.
Marginal product desires isn't going to sway Apple's product design decisions. They have demonstrated that for decades.
Let's not forget that Apple is a publicly traded corporation and they will do what they can to increase shareholder value. They really don't care what any given individual thinks about the product design if it results in better gross margins.
My Mac mini 2018 has a built-in PSU. Same with my 2010 Mac mini.
(I still don't get why anyone would expect a desktop cpu -- other than an AIO-- to include a microphone).
Sure, Apple could come up with their own proprietary power supply solution (putting more power capacity in the monitor's power system) but then if you plug the new Mac Studio into a monitor that doesn't have that capability, you'd be stuck with an external power source.
Does it make sense to build extra power delivery (above and beyond the industry norm) in the monitor (which may not be used) or to put it in the device that actually needs it?
Apple has sold Mac desktops for a long time and they have a good idea how the user base will welcome a desktop Mac that requires a power brick.
I was suggesting that a new Mac mini might be powered with the 96W available from the Studio Display.
Also, the new 24" iMac has a power brick, so there's that. Not that I'm a big fan of external power bricks, but there is recent precedent.
Editing to add another point — if you’re right, it’s probably ready to go and the only reason we didn’t see it introduced with the Studio Display is because it’s M2. If I had to bet, I’d go Mac Pro with dual M1 Max/Ultra and an improved Pro Display XDR at WWDC, along with features in macOS and Xcode designed for dual-CPU computing. The terminology for that escapes me at the moment, but it’s a thing — I saw an interesting comment somewhere from someone pointing out that there are use cases for the Studio where buying two $1999 M1 Max would be better than getting one $3999 M1 Ultra.
Then, like last year, a double event in September-October. The M2 event would introduce the redesigned M2 Air (colors), the redesigned M2 Mini, the refreshed M2 iMac (18 months after its release, in line with that prediction). The M2 iPad Pro would work at either event, with the Macs, or with the A16 iPhones.
Also, the smaller volumes of the M chips mean that Apple could maybe sometimes roll out new core designs and new TSMC processes in the M chips first. So we might one day see Apple introduce an M chip with a new core design and process in the spring, followed by an A chip with that core design and process in the Fall.
So, one of these must be true (listed from least likely to most likely):
1. Apple uses the Ultra in the Mac Pro, either as-is or clocked a little higher, and the only advantage of the Mac Pro is some degree of user-upgradability. I'd say this is highly unlikely.
2. Apple uses two (or more) Ultras in the Mac Pro. I think this is also highly unlikely, given Apple's repeated and enthusiastic statements about unified memory, consistent programming model, etc. I just can't see Apple going NUMA after all of that.
3. Apple creates a different line of chips for the Mac Pro that aren't part of the M family. Unlikely, but not totally crazy. The small volume of the Mac Pro might make it *seem* totally crazy, but keep in mind that there are other very small volume chips out there -- the key is, you have to be able to charge enough for them to make the economics work. Maybe Apple could do that. Or maybe the volume isn't as small as it seems -- maybe Apple has plans for a Mac Pro that would also show up in an HPC cloud context.
4. The Mac Pro will be based on a chip from the M2 family, probably connecting 4 M2 Max chips. Seems most likely *by far*.