Apple could soon eliminate USB-A ports in the upcoming Mac mini, according to a report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.
M4 Mac mini with five USB-C ports
Gurman suggests that the redesign will see Apple removing USB-A ports entirely, replacing them with five USB-C ports — two on the front and three on the back. While this change may disappoint users who rely on USB-A for certain accessories, it aligns with Apple’s strategy to phase out USB-A across its devices.
If the reports are accurate, the new Mac mini will be the first model to feature front-facing ports. It remains unclear whether the base model will have the same port configuration as the M4 Pro version, as Apple often provides fewer ports on entry-level models.
The new Mac mini will continue to support Ethernet, HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, and will retain an internal power supply, addressing user concerns.
The current M2 Mac mini includes two USB-C and two USB-A ports, while the M2 Pro version has four USB-C and two USB-A ports. The M4 Pro version is expected to feature five USB-C ports and no USB-A ports but will keep Ethernet, HDMI, and audio ports.
M4 Mac mini design change
Gurman notes that the next-generation Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips will mark the first major design update since 2010, representing one of the most significant changes in 14 years.
The new model is expected to be slightly taller than its 1.4-inch height and resemble an Apple TV in size, described by developers as “essentially an iPad Pro in a small box.”
Launch date
Suppliers in China are scheduled to begin shipping the M4 Mac mini in early September, with the M4 Pro model expected to follow in October.
This will be the first instance of Apple using a single chip generation across its entire Mac lineup, with the M4 chip set to be introduced in models such as the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro within the coming year.