Apple plans low cost display with new Mac mini – analyst

Apple’s Power Mac G4 Cube was over priced and underpowered. The M-series version could do much better.

Apple may introduce a lower cost external display at its Peek Performance event March 8, speculates fabled but rarely seen Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo.

An affordable Mac mini display

A Tweet purporting to emanate from the seemingly well-connected purveyor of usually accurate Apple rumors claims Apple will introduce a more powerful Mac mini and a lower cost external display at its event.

The short note promises a 27-inch display without mini-LED. It also breaks a few hearts when it says Apple won’t introduce M-powered models of its Mac Pro and iMac Pro until 2023. As this data is shared in a Tweet, no additional context is available. You can see the message below.

Expanding the display business

Apple currently offers the absolutely superb 32-inch Pro Display XDR. That system integrates the kind of reference quality monitor technology that once cost upwards of $30,000 to purchase, which is why the $4,999 price tag Apple applies to the product is hugely reasonable.

However, not everyone needs a display at that quality, and nor can they stretch to that price. I have used one. It is fantastic for professionals in the music, art, design, and film/video space, but probably a little over-powered for desperate, ink-stained bloggers.

And Apple seems to know it – hence the plan for a 27-inch lower cost display aimed at Mac mini purchasers and macOS notebook users seeking to remain stoutly in Cupertino’s shining design path.

We don’t know the price, of course, but given Apple does have certain economies of scale when it comes to sourcing display production, there’s the slight possibility it won’t be eye-wateringly expensive when compared to other excellent displays.

However, there is one spoiler to this story. Mark Gurman predicts Apple will introduce a new 7K display at the event, and I doubt that will be sold as a more affordable display.

Syncing both speculations it’s hard not to imagine Apple plans to introduce a family of displays, possibly featuring an entry-level 27-inch model, segueing through a slightly updated Pro Display XDR and maxing out with the XDR Max Plus (or whatever) 7K screem at the high end. Maybe. We’ll find out tomorrow.

Predictions for Apple's new desktop products:
1. 2022: More powerful Mac mini and more affordable external display (27-inch without mini-LED).
2. 2023: Mac Pro and iMac Pro.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 6, 2022

What else do we expect?

Kuo anticipates the debut of the much-discussed Mac mini-Pro system, featuring new designs, faster processor, more interconnects and potentially sold as Mac Studio. Explore more information concerning new Macs here. The Apple Silicon transition continues to yield great results for Macs.

The iPhone SE with 5G will be available in 64GB/128GB/256GB configurations. Powered by an A15 chip with 5G support and a home button, the device will ship in white, black and red.

The iPad Air will continue to be the reference standard for all iPads. It will hold a TFT-LCD screen, though it was for a while thought it might shift to OLED, but changed the plan. Powered by an A15 chip, expect 5G, a 12MP front-facing camera and Center Stage support. You’ll also get new colors.

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