Neither all USB-C ports nor none at all is ideal.

Under strong pressure from the European Union, Apple finally and reluctantly equipped the iPhone 15 series with USB-C ports last year, ending the era of relying on the Lightning interface and MFi certification to generate revenue. However, while Apple has been relatively conservative in transitioning interfaces in the mobile phone sector, it seems to be more aggressive in the computer sector.

According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is set to launch a new generation of Mac mini devices equipped with M4 and M4 Pro chips. Specifically, the Mac mini with M4 Pro has confirmed that it will drop USB-A interfaces and instead feature five USB-C ports, similar in design to the Mac Studio, with two USB-C ports on the front and three on the back. It will also retain Ethernet, HDMI, and 3.5mm headphone jacks.

(Image source: Apple)

Although USB-C is gradually becoming the mainstream interface in the consumer electronics market, the removal of USB-A ports from the new Mac mini is bound to cause inconvenience for users in certain scenarios. Without sufficient ecosystem support, the abrupt removal of USB-A ports may also reduce consumers' purchase intentions.

But why is Apple eager to remove USB-A ports despite the current market situation? Isn't it afraid of affecting Mac mini sales?

A world where only iPhones are suffering

USB-C, also known as USB Type-C, is a standard published by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and finalized in August 2014. In November of the same year, Nokia's N1 tablet was the first to commercialize the USB-C interface.

Less well-known is that Apple is actually one of the main developers and promoters of the USB-C interface. In 2015, it launched its first MacBook equipped with a USB-C interface, and the 2016 MacBook Pro was the first to feature an all-USB-C design.

Subsequently, Apple's iPad Pro and iPad also switched to USB-C interfaces, but only the iPhone has remained with the Lightning interface. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, profit: iPhone revenue has long accounted for over 50% of Apple's total revenue. While Apple allows users to purchase third-party Lightning cables to charge their iPhones, these cables must be MFi-certified, allowing Apple to profit handsomely.

(Image source: Apple)

After switching to USB-C, Apple recommends users to use MFi-certified USB-C cables to charge their iPhones, but it cannot prevent users from using ordinary cables. Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Industry, has warned Apple that devices not complying with the unified charger requirement will not be allowed into the EU market if they restrict charger interoperability.

Secondly, Apple positions its Mac, iPad, and iPhone devices differently. The iPhone is a communication tool, with information transmission possible through AirDrop, while the iPad is an entertainment device suitable for light office work and USB-C facilitates connections to external displays. The Mac, on the other hand, is an office device where USB-C offers advantages over Apple's own MagSafe and Lightning interfaces, as well as the more common USB-A interface on computers, in terms of bandwidth, transmission speed, and power supply capabilities.

(Image source: Apple)

Removing USB-A ports from the Mac mini helps improve integration and reduce size. Mark Gurman revealed that the new Mac mini is slightly taller than the previous model but significantly smaller overall, easily fitting into a coat pocket. Unlike the performance-oriented Mac Studio and Mac Pro, the Mac mini is more like a portable high-performance desktop that can be easily connected to a display, keyboard, mouse, and power supply for office work.

However, the removal of USB-A ports has both advantages and disadvantages. While it improves integration, reduces size, and enhances portability, it also affects user experience and may make docking stations or adapters a standard accessory for the Mac mini.

Docking stations may become a standard accessory for Mac mini users

Despite USB-C's advantages such as higher bandwidth and transmission speed, it has not yet replaced USB-A in the computer industry. This is because, in addition to mobile office work, we often use keyboards and mice with our computers, and most 2.4G wireless keyboard and mouse receivers with low latency are USB-A interfaces, as are many USB flash drives.

Moreover, USB 3.0 offers a transmission speed of up to 5Gbps, which is sufficient for most users' data transfer needs. Therefore, Lei Tech believes that mini PCs or laptops should retain at least two USB-A ports to facilitate the connection of keyboards, mice, and USB flash drives.

(Image source: Apple)

With the MacBook Pro and iMac having already phased out USB-A ports, the Mac mini is now following suit, and future Mac Studio and Mac Pro devices may also do the same. For users who rely on USB-A ports, docking stations and adapters may become necessities.

The cost of docking stations is a minor issue, but after USB-A ports are completely removed, users may face inconvenience when encountering scenarios requiring USB-A devices without a docking station. Carrying a docking station all the time negates the portability gained by improving Mac mini integration. And for fixed workstations, does the size of the Mac mini really matter that much?

Moreover, Apple's eagerness to change the Mac mini design may be driven by competitive pressure. In recent years, mini PCs have gained popularity, with manufacturers such as ASUS, Zero Client, Hasee, MECHREVO, Lenovo, AOC, Acer, and KONKA entering the market and launching a large number of products. These include entry-level models with N100 and N5095 chips suitable for light office work, as well as high-end models equipped with AMD Ryzen and Intel Core processors that balance office work and light gaming.

(Image source: JD.com)

Compared to the Mac mini, Windows-based mini PCs offer a price advantage, with entry-level models costing less than 1,000 yuan and high-end models typically priced around 3,000 yuan. They also offer larger memory and storage capacities and more convenient hardware expansion options. Furthermore, Windows-based mini PCs provide a richer application ecosystem to meet users' diverse needs.

Under the competition from Windows-based mini PCs, the Mac mini's position is precarious. By removing USB-A ports, Apple may be aiming to create a product that differs from traditional mini PCs and is more suitable for cross-location office work in companies, homes, and on business trips.

As for whether the interfaces can meet consumer needs, Windows PC users may find it inconvenient, but since Apple's MacBook Air/Pro and iMac devices have already phased out USB-A ports, docking stations have almost become a necessity. Existing users should easily adapt to the new Mac mini. Increasingly, monitors support USB-C pass-through and can function as docking stations, partially alleviating the lack of USB-A ports.

The concern is whether the new Mac mini will encourage other mini PC manufacturers to follow suit and remove USB-A ports in favor of USB-C ports.

Abandoning USB-A is not the general trend

Objectively speaking, while Windows-based mini PCs have added USB-C ports for convenience in connecting displays, they have not sacrificed USB-A ports. At this stage, no Windows-based mini PC dares to remove USB-A ports altogether, as the current computer accessory ecosystem is still dominated by USB-A interfaces, and abruptly removing them would undoubtedly cause inconvenience.

From a business office perspective, Lei Tech believes that mini PCs should not only retain USB-A ports but also consider providing HDMI, DP, SD card, and TF card interfaces to facilitate interaction with other hardware, rather than relying solely on docking stations.

(Image source: JD.com)

The prerequisite for phasing out USB-A ports is a complete shift towards USB-C in the computer accessory ecosystem. However, designing all-USB-C interface products requires cost, and the transmission speed of USB-A is sufficient for many applications, so there may not be much motivation for related companies to make the transition.

While Apple has indeed led the industry in the mobile phone and computer sectors in the past, this does not necessarily mean that all of its designs are correct or advanced. Microsoft, AMD, Intel, and other OEM manufacturers have never stopped technological research and development and are now largely in a mutual learning phase with Apple. Relying on its influence and long-cultivated user habits, the removal of USB-A ports from the Mac mini is unlikely to provoke much opposition within the Apple computer user community. However, users accustomed to Windows computers may find it harder to accept the new Mac mini.

Nevertheless, many small and lightweight laptops on the Windows platform have also gradually removed USB-A ports. If consumers gradually accept the need for docking stations or adapters with computers, it is possible that USB-A ports may be phased out in future Windows-based mini PCs. Ultimately, it remains to be seen how the industry and consumers will choose, pending market and time validation.

Source: Lei Tech