Seems reasonable. They still sell the Intel Mac mini, despite having an M1 powered Mac mini already. The Intel one uses the old “black aluminum means pro” design language of the iMac Pro. Feels like they are keeping it as a placeholder in their line up and will end up with two Apple silicon powered Mac mini’s, One consumer and one pro
I doubt that we'll see a really powerful Mac Mini anytime soon. Why? Because it would cannibalize the MacBook Pro when combined with an iPad (sidecar).
Most professionals needing pro laptops use the portability to move between studio environments or sets (e.g home and work). The Mini is still portable enough to be carried in a backpack, and the iPad can do enough on it's own to be viable for lighter coffee shop based work.
Not many would do highend production work outside a studio or set without additional periphery, meaning that highend performance of the new MBP isn't needed for very mobile situations.
A powerful mini and an iPad would therefore be the much better logical choice vs. a highend MacBook Pro. There where you need the power there's most likely a power outlet and room for a Mini.
For myself, my iPad Pro actually covers all use cases that I would need a laptop for, so my current Macbook Pro is just in clamshell mode on my desk 100% of the time. That's why I would love to replace it with an M1 Max Mac Mini.
iPad + keyboard has a battery and can be enough for most tasks you'd do outside an office, set or studio environment when away from your other pro periphery. You wouldn't cut movies on the trackpad within a coffe shop if you're used to doing it with a mouse and other tools inside a studio. That's what I mean.
There were rumors that it was supposed to be today. Given that it wasn't, I now expect it to be quite a while before they do. I was really looking forward to it.
