Apple App Store Injunction Largely Upheld as Appeals Court Rules on Epic Games Case 
MetaX IPO Soars as China’s AI Chip Stocks Ignite Investor Frenzy 
SK Hynix Considers U.S. ADR Listing to Boost Shareholder Value Amid Rising AI Chip Demand 
China Adds Domestic AI Chips to Government Procurement List as U.S. Considers Easing Nvidia Export Curbs 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Biren Technology Targets Hong Kong IPO to Raise $300 Million Amid China’s AI Chip Push 
noyb Files GDPR Complaints Against TikTok, Grindr, and AppsFlyer Over Alleged Illegal Data Tracking. 
Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools Raises U.S. National Security Concerns 
Apple Explores India for iPhone Chip Assembly as Manufacturing Push Accelerates 
EU Court Cuts Intel Antitrust Fine to €237 Million Amid Long-Running AMD Dispute 
Microsoft Unveils Massive Global AI Investments, Prioritizing India’s Rapidly Growing Digital Market 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Establish National AI Regulation Standard 
EssilorLuxottica Bets on AI-Powered Smart Glasses as Competition Intensifies 
SoftBank Shares Slide as Oracle’s AI Spending Plans Fuel Market Jitters 
SpaceX Insider Share Sale Values Company Near $800 Billion Amid IPO Speculation 
OpenAI Explores Massive Funding Round at $750 Billion Valuation 
Recent reports have suggested that Apple has some big plans for its Mac lineup, and that appears to include a Mac mini refresh. Aside from a more powerful Apple Silicon, the desktop computer is also reportedly getting some design changes.
Well-known Apple leaker Jon Prosser said in the latest Front Page Tech video that he received schematics of the 2021 Mac mini, which he then used as the basis for the renders he presented. The images created by Ian Zelbo suggest that Apple’s next desktop computer will have a more compact design.
Mac mini is back - in collaboration with @jon_prosser pic.twitter.com/Gn02Jc2asX
— Ian Zelbo (@RendersbyIan) May 25, 2021
However, the slightly thinner form factor does not mean Apple fans are losing ports. The same source reported that the next Mac mini is actually getting two additional Thunderbolt ports compared to the current model’s two. The magnetic power port will also be simplified with just a round connector, while there will still be two USB-A ports.
The next Mac mini will still have a dedicated Ethernet port, but the renders do not show a 3.5mm headphone jack. Considering Apple’s previous design decisions, it would not be surprising if the upcoming desktop computer becomes another product that compels customers to switch to wireless headphones.
Luckily, Apple is not removing the HDMI port as it did in the past on MacBook Pro. But media professionals might be disappointed to know that the 2021 Mac mini renders are not showing an SD card slot.
At the bottom of the upcoming Mac mini, the round rubber that prevents the device from slipping is also reportedly being changed to two long rubber strips. The cooling grille that is currently placed alongside the ports is also said to be moving to the bottom of the desktop computer.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported that the Mac mini refresh will be powered with the same SoC planned for the next MacBook Pro refresh. The follow-up Apple Silicon often referred to as M1X, will reportedly have 10 processing cores (8 for performance and 2 for energy efficiency).
However, both reports did not mention anything about the next Mac mini’s release date. Bloomberg even floated the possibility that Apple might decide to “delay or cancel” its next desktop computer.
Photo by Joey Banks on Unsplash
