Apple is working on two new versions of the Mac mini: one with the M2 processor and one with the M2 Pro chip.

This week, Apple released the Mac Studio, which is based on the Mac mini but has far more powerful hardware – but it doesn't imply that the Mac mini is going away. According to 9to5Mac's sources, Apple is working on two new versions of the Mac mini: one with the M2 processor and one with the M2 Pro chip.

Mac mini with M2

Apple's next Mac mini, codenamed J473, will be powered by the next-generation entry-level M2 processor for Macs and iPads. M2 will be the first significant improvement to Apple's "M" family of CPUs since the M1 was introduced in 2020.

According to the report, M2 is internally referred to as "Staten," and it is based on the current A15 chip, whereas M1 is based on the A14 Bionic. M2 will, like M1, have an eight-core CPU (four performance cores and four efficiency cores), but with a more powerful 10-core GPU. The new performance cores have been codenamed "Avalanche," while the efficiency cores have been codenamed "Blizzard."

Mac mini M2 development is coming to a close, and the company expects to announce a release date for the device later this year.

Also a Pro version with a Pro chip

The M1 Pro and M1 Max chips were originally intended for high-end versions of the current Mac mini, according to 9to5Mac's sources, but they were most likely scrapped in order to make way for the Mac Studio, which was announced earlier this year.

Apple has also been working on another new Mac mini (codenamed J474), which will include the M2 Pro chip – a variant with eight performance cores and four efficiency cores, for a total of a 12-core CPU, as opposed to the current M1 Pro's 10-core CPU.Apple has stated that it has no plans to release a version of the iPhone that includes the M2 Max or Ultra chips. Before then, the Intel Mac mini is likely to remain in the lineup, at least for the time being.

Last month, a Bloomberg report revealed that Apple may introduce new Apple Silicon Macs in June at WWDC 2022 – so perhaps the new entry-level Mac mini will be one of them.