Apple has introduced a new Mac Mini. It runs Apple’s first custom chipset specifically designed for Mac computers. The M1 comes with an Arm-based chip, and it comes with one-tenth its size and yet it’s up to five times faster. The M1 features four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. It uses a 5nm process. There are eight GPU cores with 128 execution units, which should lead to peak performance of 2.6 teraflops. There is also Apple’s neural engine for machine learning tasks.
According to Apple, the new Mac Mini is up to three times faster than the previous model when it comes to CPU performance. As for GPU performance, it is up to six times faster. ML acceleration is also up to 15 times faster.
Julie Broms, Hardware Engineering Senior Manager said, “If you compare a Mac Mini to the top-selling desktop in this price range, the Mini is one-tenth its size and yet it’s up to five times faster.”
At the back of the device, users will find an Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt/USB4 ports that support a 6K display, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB A ports and a 3.5mm headphone port.
Pricing starts at $699 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Users can upgrade to 16GB of RAM for another $200. Going from 256GB of storage to 512GB, 1TB and 2TB of storage costs $200 for each incremental step. Pre-orders have started and the new Mac Mini will be available next week.
