An Apple M1 Mac mini was successfully modified by a certain user to become 78% smaller. The mini-M1 Mac mini was also packed with a MagSafe in a unique DIY project.
Apple M1 Mac Mini's Unified Memory System: Smaller and More Thermally Efficient
According to the story by MacRumors, the project reportedly highlighted the iterative approach of Apple when it comes to the current Mac mini entry-level devices ahead of the upcoming launch of another redesigned high-end Apple model.
Apple's unibody design incorporated the Intel processors and hardware for the last 12 years and has proven to be suitable for thin and "passively cooled MacBook Air." With that, modern components like the M1 chip and Apple's unified memory system are really small and even more thermally efficient.
YouTuber Shrank the Size of the M1 Mac Mini Through Shifting Different Internals in a New Case
YouTuber Quinn Nelson on the Snazzy Labs channel showed how they were able to shrink the M1 Mac Mini by shifting out different internals and even engineering a brand new case. In addition, due to most of the internal space of the Mac mini being filled by the 150W power supply, Nelson had to replace it with a different external 65W Microsoft Surface power supply that had a retrofilled MagSafe 2 connector.
The external 65W Microsoft Surface power supply is directly connected to a particular DC voltage regulator, leading to the Mac mini's logic board. To add, Nelson also made a much smaller enclosure for the Mac mini through resin 3D printing.
Modified Device Resulted in 28% of Original Mac Mini's Internal Original Volume
Nelson decided to relocate certain parts like the power button and antennae towards a different enclosure and even remove the fan of the Mac mini. Overall, the modified device was just 28% of the original Mac mini's original volume internally.
Aside from the logic board being smaller and without a fan, Nelson noted that there was "virtually no change in performance," with the benchmark performing just as well compared to the original M1 Mac mini machine.
Nelson Shares 'Build Guide' on the Modified M1 Mac Mini Project
Nelson also created a detailed "build guide" for those skilled individuals who want to try out the project for themselves and uploaded it on YouTube. The Apple Mac mini is expected to get a "significant overhaul" sometime this year which would also feature M1 Pro and M1 Max chips coming from MacBook Pro with a more updated all-new design.
As per Jon Prosser, the leaker that shared certain renders of the alleged Mac mini design in 2021, the brand new Mac mini is expected to retain a much similar form factor towards the current Mac mini but along with an overall size reduction.
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Written by Urian B.
