Apple software leaks new Mac mini with five USB-C ports ahead of rumored event
Apple's newest iPhones and Apple Watches don't come out until later this week, but rumors suggest Apple is planning an October event to announce updates to products not mentioned at the iPhone event. Apple followed a similar schedule last year, revealing iPhones in September and releasing M3 Macs around Halloween.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes this event will focus on the first wave of Macs with M4 processors, following the M4's introduction in the iPad Pro earlier this year. Gurman expects new MacBook Pro models with M4 and "pro-level M4 chip options," likely the M4 Pro and M4 Max. He also expects a new M4 version of the 24-inch iMac.
The most intriguing new Mac might be the redesigned Mac mini, which hasn't yet seen an M3 update and has used the same external design since 2010. This new Mac mini is rumored to be closer in size to the Apple TV but will still use an internal power supply, so users won’t have to deal with a power brick. Some of the current model’s ports will likely be replaced by USB-C or Thunderbolt ports. Earlier today, MacRumors apparently confirmed this when they found a reference to an "Apple silicon Mac mini (5 ports)" in an Apple software update. Some of those ports may even be on the front of the device, a design upgrade similar to the Mac Studio that would be a welcome addition to the Mac mini.
The "five port" reference also suggests there may be multiple models, with either more or fewer ports. Apple used a similar naming scheme for its MacBook Pro models with two- and four-port versions in the Intel era. Currently, M2 Mac mini models have fewer ports than those with the M2 Pro chip, as the more powerful chip offers more I/O capabilities. If Apple releases a Mac mini with an M4 chip and an upgraded model with an M4 Pro, it’s expected the Pro version will have more ports.
Gurman also notes that other Mac models, including the Mac Studio, Mac Pro, and MacBook Air, will receive M4 updates throughout 2025. Of these, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro have been using M2 chips the longest and are due for an update.
Additionally, Apple is expected to announce new lower-end iPads at the October event. Macs and iPads have often been released together in late-fall events like this one. The iPad 10, priced at $349, and the iPad mini have gone over a year without a hardware update. Both are likely to receive updated chips, though significant design changes are not expected.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes this event will focus on the first wave of Macs with M4 processors, following the M4's introduction in the iPad Pro earlier this year. Gurman expects new MacBook Pro models with M4 and "pro-level M4 chip options," likely the M4 Pro and M4 Max. He also expects a new M4 version of the 24-inch iMac.
The most intriguing new Mac might be the redesigned Mac mini, which hasn't yet seen an M3 update and has used the same external design since 2010. This new Mac mini is rumored to be closer in size to the Apple TV but will still use an internal power supply, so users won’t have to deal with a power brick. Some of the current model’s ports will likely be replaced by USB-C or Thunderbolt ports. Earlier today, MacRumors apparently confirmed this when they found a reference to an "Apple silicon Mac mini (5 ports)" in an Apple software update. Some of those ports may even be on the front of the device, a design upgrade similar to the Mac Studio that would be a welcome addition to the Mac mini.
The "five port" reference also suggests there may be multiple models, with either more or fewer ports. Apple used a similar naming scheme for its MacBook Pro models with two- and four-port versions in the Intel era. Currently, M2 Mac mini models have fewer ports than those with the M2 Pro chip, as the more powerful chip offers more I/O capabilities. If Apple releases a Mac mini with an M4 chip and an upgraded model with an M4 Pro, it’s expected the Pro version will have more ports.
Gurman also notes that other Mac models, including the Mac Studio, Mac Pro, and MacBook Air, will receive M4 updates throughout 2025. Of these, the Mac Studio and Mac Pro have been using M2 chips the longest and are due for an update.
Additionally, Apple is expected to announce new lower-end iPads at the October event. Macs and iPads have often been released together in late-fall events like this one. The iPad 10, priced at $349, and the iPad mini have gone over a year without a hardware update. Both are likely to receive updated chips, though significant design changes are not expected.