Apple introduces new Apple Silicon Mac mini with $699 price tag
At Apple's "one more thing" event, the company debuted a new Mac mini equipped with the company's M1 Apple Silicon, and it starts at $699.

Credit: Apple
The M1 Apple-designed chipset features an eight-core CPU and an eight-core GPU, bringing the Mac mini 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.
Compared to the top-selling PC desktop in the same price range, the M1 Mac mini is one-tenth the size but is up to five times faster. That is, it's worth noting, compared to a Intel Core i5-based PC with Intel UHD Graphics 630.
The new Mac mini now features two USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, allowing users to run up to two Pro Display XDR monitors at full 6K resolution. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6 and features a new thermal design with a fan that allows it to sustain performance while keeping cool and quiet.
There are some differences compared to the Intel-based Mac mini. There are now only two Thunderbolt ports, down from four Thunderbolt 3 ports on the previous model, and 10-gigabit Ethernet is no longer available as an upgrade option.
The M1 Mac mini starts at $699, $100 cheaper than the previous Intel-based desktop. An upgrade to 16GB of unified memory costs $200. The model with 256GB of storage can be upgraded to 512GB for $200, 1TB for $400, and 2TB for $800.

Credit: Apple
The M1 Apple-designed chipset features an eight-core CPU and an eight-core GPU, bringing the Mac mini 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.
Compared to the top-selling PC desktop in the same price range, the M1 Mac mini is one-tenth the size but is up to five times faster. That is, it's worth noting, compared to a Intel Core i5-based PC with Intel UHD Graphics 630.
The new Mac mini now features two USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, allowing users to run up to two Pro Display XDR monitors at full 6K resolution. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6 and features a new thermal design with a fan that allows it to sustain performance while keeping cool and quiet.
There are some differences compared to the Intel-based Mac mini. There are now only two Thunderbolt ports, down from four Thunderbolt 3 ports on the previous model, and 10-gigabit Ethernet is no longer available as an upgrade option.
The M1 Mac mini starts at $699, $100 cheaper than the previous Intel-based desktop. An upgrade to 16GB of unified memory costs $200. The model with 256GB of storage can be upgraded to 512GB for $200, 1TB for $400, and 2TB for $800.
Comments
I guess I was right, in my posts on this website. The Mac Mini would be one of the first Apple Silicon Macs. I don't recall anyone else predicting that. Yay me!
So, I’m assuming the M1 will run Windows via Parallels “x” times faster?
speeds “UP TO”
prices “FROM”
and the ultimate intelligence buster... $x99
Previous version was up to 64 GB.
FD: I am likely to buy one of these once the dust settles. At least I get to keep it this time.
The price point is definitely not a put off for many potential users.
We'll have to see how things play out with regards to what hasn't been said though and over the coming weeks that information will seep out.
Was my guess as well. Simply because of the DTK. But I also assumed they would release a different SoC for the mini. It seems they're going a different route; allowing the SoC to run at full speed as long as possible with the active cooling. The Air's performance will probably drop after so many seconds to keep the heat down. Which is a fair trade off.
WoA? Microsoft hasn't made WoA available for anyone other than certain OEMs.
Wintel? Parallels is virtualization, not emulation. Will need to wait for X64 hardware emulators. (see QEMU)
Glad you got an update. I'm underwhelmed by lack of new designs and new features. "Speed" isn't a new feature.
The ending was epic though!
I thought it was in the bag and had the credit card out to order... Ah well. It does look tremendous though. All three products look really special. One of the great days for the Mac. And almost one for me...
All of nine posts. How much you wanna bet all trolls.