The current M1 Mac mini is like Apple putting a hot-rod engine in a family sedan. What happens when the bodywork matches the engine?

In the fall of 2020, Apple launched three Macs featuring its new M1 system-on-a-chip (SoC). The M1 proved to be an overnight sensation. It was vastly faster than all but the most advanced Intel chips it replaced, while its iPhone heritage allowed it to stay cool without a fan and last for days on a single charge.

But while the Apple Silicon powering these Macs was a game-changer, the enclosures they shipped in were nearly identical to the Intel models they replaced. The first full M1-era redesign was the M1 iMac, a sleek wonder that also reintroduced color to the Mac. This fall, we’re expecting Apple to do the same for the MacBook Pro, and now—rumors say—we can expect a redesigned Mac mini, too.

The next Mac mini will almost certainly use the next iteration of Apple’s M-series SoC, colloquially known as the M1X. Still, the current Mac mini is no slouch. It’s fast, can connect to dual external displays, and has a pair of Thunderbolt ports on the back for further expansion—say, via a Thunderbolt dock. But it does have some drawbacks.