M1 Mac mini quietly updated with optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet port

Even the M1 Mac mini got some love today.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a small update to the M1 Mac mini.
• Buyers can now choose an optional configuration with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port.

Apple has released an optional update to its new M1 Mac mini.

Spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple now sells the M1 Mac mini with a new optional configuration: a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port. The option, which was previously only available on the Intel Mac mini, will cost an additional $100.

When customizing a M1 Mac mini on Apple's online store, customers can now order the computer with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, which is faster than the traditional Gigabit Ethernet port. This option was first unavailable for Mac mini models with the M1 chip.

The upgrade costs an additional $100 to the price of the Mac mini, which starts at $699 in the US. Interestingly enough, this configuration actually leaked into an internal Apple Authorized Service Providers system shortly after Apple introduced the M1 Mac mini in November of last year. It seems that these models just didn't get ready in time to be announced in 2020.

Today's news confirms a report from back in November of 2020 where it was discovered that Apple had listed a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port for an M1 Mac mini in a service document. It was unclear at the time if Apple would release the configuration, and it obviously has.

While the boards are available to order (in limited quantities), it is unclear why at this point. There are several possibilities, including that Apple listed the parts mistakenly or before it decided against offering a 10 Gigabit Ethernet option. The logic boards could also be designated for special circumstances, such as enterprise use. Apple could also choose to release an M1-based Mac mini with 10 Gigabit Ethernet at a later time.

Besides the update to the Mac mini, Apple also released a completely redesigned iMac with M1 processor today.

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