Apple killed the Mac mini’s best hidden feature [Video]

Apple’s new Mac mini removes the user-replaceable SSD that previously let buyers extend the device’s lifespan and cut storage costs, turning a once high-value desktop into a more expensive, less flexible endpoint. For IT leaders, the shift increases total cost of ownership, reduces repairability and post-purchase customization, and strengthens Apple’s control over hardware upgrades—making procurement, refresh planning, and support models more rigid. Organizations that standardized on the Mac mini for cost-effective deployment should now weigh external Thunderbolt storage, higher upfront config purchases, or alternative hardware choices to preserve manageability and budget predictability.