- Apple might be removing USB-A ports in the next M4 Mac mini.
- The new design could include five USB-C ports instead.
- A possible design refresh may make the Mac mini resemble an Apple TV.
Apple is venturing forward with a significant upgrade, according to the recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company may decide to discontinue with the traditional USB-A ports in the upcoming M4 Mac mini.
That’s the bigger plan that Apple has to gradually cease the use of such older forms of ports and replace them with the USB-C which is already incorporated on many of the company’s other devices.
That would be a massive possible update for those who enjoy employing Mac minis, and an affair with a lot of USB-A Accessories.
Apple M4 Mac mini May Eliminate USB-A Ports
The next M4 Mac mini could be the first in the series line to cut all physical connections relating to USB-A completely.
For many years, these have been some of the standard plugs in most computers, being one of the interfaces through which different devices and accessories are connected to the computers.
There’s a shift from the ancient technologies and people prefer USB-C for data transfer speeds faster, more watts of power delivery, and because it has a reversible end.
If the reports are true, this new Mac mini features five USB-C ports, with two ports placed at the front of the device and three at the rear.
A design shift in that regard would make it feel modern aligning with Apple’s product portfolio that has transitioned mostly from USB-A.
What are Apple’s gains or profits from doing this?
That’s in line with the trend of the last couple of years: Apple has been slowly phasing out USB-A ports from its products with the increase in USB-C ports.
Indeed, going at full speed in the direction of USB-C appears to be the best strategy concerning the extension of the potentialities of Macs’ ports in terms of charging, data transfer, and whatnot.
Likely, the M4 Mac mini will adopt the same considerably slimmer, and even more future-oriented design.
That is a rather dramatic change for most of you. If you are using USB-A devices at the moment, you’ll most probably have to buy some adapters or switch to USB-C accessories.
But it may also be the road to the Mac mini becoming an even smaller and yet more potent machine with superior connectivity.
Mac mini – A Design Refresh
But taken in conjunction with the rumors of the redesignation of types of ports, this new Mac mini might be in for a minor design refresh: if rumors must be credited then it could reduce to a size smaller than Apple TV now in its current state.
That would be the first major change to the Mac mini design since 2010 while vastly improving the appearance to match its internal upgrade.
What it means for you If you are planning to buy a new M4 Mac mini here is what you have to look forward to will start to make the transition to USB-C.
That means you will most certainly be in for a world of replacing or upgrading any existing USB-A accessories.
Or it can simply be the case that switching to USB-C is the door to everything being faster and better.
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This may very well be the giant leap forward any Mac mini enthusiast could dream of, to bring this favorite device up to par with the current trends in technology.
Such possibilities of rebuilding its design, even more, placed the Mac mini as one of the interesting options for powerful small form factor computers.
The changes planned for the M4 Mac mini, allegedly indicate a complete about-face in Apple’s strategy when it comes to its desktop line.
Coming to the now relatively diminutive body of the computer, Apple goes further into the future, dumping USB-A ports entirely for the USB-C.
That is going to be quite inconvenient for those who still have older accessories, but it is also another step to the outcomes of versatility and performance.
Of course, more subtle changes can be expected as the M4 Mac mini approaches the market, still, there are no official reports on the characteristics, prices, and availability of the M4 Mac mini.