Apple’s Will Remove All USB-A Inputs From The M4 Mac mini, Will Only Ship It With USB-C Ports As Part Of Its Redesign

The M4 Mac mini was previously reported to feature a redesign, with Apple aiming to make it the most compact computer that it has ever shipped. The machine was said to maintain the same size as an Apple TV while being a tad bit taller to accommodate the extra hardware. However, the aesthetics makeover will be accompanied by a change in the I/O, with a new report claiming that the M4 Mac mini is expected to forego all USB-A ports in favor of an all-USB-C configuration.

Other ports, such as HDMI, Ethernet will not be removed from the M4 Mac mini, so not a whole of compromises will be made

In total, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the M4 Mac mini will feature five USB-C ports, with three of them found on the back and two present at the front. It is unconfirmed how many would support the Thunderbolt 4 standard, but here is something to keep in mind. Apple’s M4 was previously reported to feature four Thunderbolt controllers, making it twice the number present on the M3. In short, this means that Apple can incorporate several Thunderbolt ports without a bandwidth limitation coming into play. The rest of the details are provided below:

“As I’ve been reporting for several months now, the Mac is in for a big transition to M4 chips — starting around the end of this year and extending into the first half or so of 2025. Apple plans to kick things off soon with a new Mac mini, iMac and MacBook Pro. Of those models, the Mac mini will get the most dramatic new design, its first major overhaul since 2010. Just to put that in perspective: The last time there was a Mac mini redesign, preorders of the iPhone 4 had just began.

I already reported on this fresh look, but now I have some additional details. First, suppliers are scheduled to begin shipping Mac mini units from China — with the standard M4 chip — to warehouses globally in early September. The higher-end version, with an M4 Pro, won’t begin shipping until October. That probably means neither will be announced until about a month after the iPhone unveiling. I’ve also been told that the computer’s power supply will be internal, so don’t expect to need to lug around a separate brick.”

Despite the smaller factor, we were pleasantly surprised to hear that the M4 Mac mini’s supply will be present inside the chassis, so users do not have to carry around an external unit at all times, and all that is required to power on the compact machine is a vacant power outlet. Those who will truly miss the USB-A ports and still want to use the M4 Mac mini with their older peripherals must purchase dongles separately to ensure compatibility.