Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Apple may have stealthily confirmed the new Mac mini

By Monica J. White Published September 18, 2024

The Mac mini on a wooden table. — Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

With the Apple iPhone event now behind us, we are still waiting for official news about new Macs. We recently reported on the slew of Macs that are most likely on the way, but Apple’s been silent on the matter — until now. A stealthy line of code in the new macOS Sequoia update reveals that a new Mac mini might be in the works, and the confirmation fits right in with previous reports.

Let’s start with some context. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is readying a new Mac mini with the M4 and the M4 Pro chip. Aside from the chip upgrade, the 2024 Mac mini is said to be redesigned to be smaller than ever before, marking the first major change in the design of the mini PC in many years. It’s said to be around the same size as an Apple TV set-top box. To that end, we’ve heard that Apple might remove all of the USB-A ports on the Mac mini in an effort to make the PC even thinner.

Recommended Videos

What’s coming instead of those removed USB-A ports? USB-C ports, and a whole lot of them, too. Reports pointed to the new Mac mini sporting five USB-C ports in total, and that number ties perfectly to the confirmation found in macOS Sequoia.

Apple has confirmed that a new Mac mini is coming and it will come with 5 USB-C ports as reported by @markgurman pic.twitter.com/p5QBQmQkfk

— Aaron (@aaronp613) September 16, 2024

As noted by Aaronp613 on X (formerly Twitter), there’s a short line of code in macOS Sequoia that directly refers to the new PC, mentioning an “Apple silicon Mac mini (5 Port).” Although there’s no mention of the M4 chip, the reference to using five ports is promising. Sure, it’s not the same as an official Apple announcement, but few sources are more solid than code found in Apple’s latest operating system for the Mac.

This could mean that some of the other reports will also prove to be true. Apple is said to be doing a lot in the way of both desktops and laptops, including a refresh for the entire MacBook Pro lineup. We’re expecting to see an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M4 chip, as well as two premium MacBook Pros, one 14-inch and one 16-inch, with the M4 Pro and the M4 Max. Apple is also said to be working on a new iMac.

It’s all up in the air until Apple actually unveils all of these rumored products, but until then, this hidden confirmation is as good as it gets. Apple is likely to host an event in October, this time focused on the Mac and the iPad, so stay tuned — we’ll keep you posted as soon as we learn more.

Monica J. White

Former Computing Writer

Monica is a computing writer at Digital Trends, focusing on PC hardware. Since joining the team in 2021, Monica has written…

Topics

Computing

Shopping for a Back-to-school laptop? These are the laptops I’d recommend

Whether it's lectures, late-night assignments, or streaming after class, these laptops are built to make the next few years a little easier.

Best laptops for back to school 2026 featuring Apple 2026 MacBook Neo

A laptop is probably the one purchase that'll have the biggest impact on the school year. It'll be there for lectures, late-night assignments, group projects, Netflix binges, and everything in between. The trick is finding one that fits both the workload and the budget. After narrowing down the options, these are the five laptops I'd actually recommend for Back-to-School, whether the priority is getting the most value, joining the Apple ecosystem, or investing in a machine that'll comfortably last through graduation.

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

Computing

These are the compact printers I’d actually recommend for back-to-school

From dorm room paperwork to instant selfie prints, there's a tiny printer for every need.

Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware

Everything is digital until the one professor who still wants a printed essay, or the lease you need to sign in ink, or the photo you want to stick on your dorm room’s wall. That's usually the exact moment you remember you don't own a printer anymore, and the nearest one is a library machine with a line out the door.

I looked at four compact printers that solve that problem without taking over your desk and breaking the bank. Two are built for documents, one is a proper all-in-one for actual home office work, and one has nothing to do with homework and everything to do with turning your camera roll into something you can hold.

Computing

Shopping for back-to-school? These are the webcam lights I’d actually turn on before a Zoom call

From a budget clip light to a proper desk setup, there's a webcam light here for every price.

Head, Person, Face

Between online classes, group project calls, and the occasional job interview over Zoom, your webcam will be doing a lot more heavy lifting in school than it ever did at home. The problem is that most laptop cameras are bad in low light, and a single overhead bulb or a window behind you turns every call into a game of "wait, can you see me okay?"

A good webcam light fixes that faster than moving your whole desk around. I picked five, starting with the most affordable and working up to the one that's genuinely overkill for a Zoom call but still worth knowing about.