In early February, Apple sent to the developers who received Mac Mini Dtk in 2020, a letter in which they needed to return the Mac Mini prototype back, which application creators used to test universal programs for Apple Silicon. Although the developers had a few months to work with this computer, Apple decided to minimize the program with DTK earlier, offering a gift code in return to any Mac on M1 in the amount of $ 200. However, this offer was not met too warm in the developers community, given that they paid for the Mac Mini prototype of $ 500 each.
What is Mac Mini Dtk
Last year, the developers could apply for early access to the first Apple equipment on the ARM in the form of Mac Mini with the A12Z Bionic chip, as well as special technical resources for developers who helped them quickly provide compatibility of their applications with a new platform. Participation in this program cost 500 dollars, and it was assumed that the DTK equipment would need to return as soon as Apple starts to sell real Mac computers with ARM chips (M1).
Externally, DTK is identical to Mac Mini 2018, and in addition to it, in addition to the Apple A12Z Bionic chip, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. To this, you can add two USB-C ports (10 Gbps), two USB-A ports (5 Gb / s), HDMI port 2.0 and connector for connecting to gigabit ethernet.
Not all applications were satisfied - all the same developers gave access to confidential information and then still secret software. Therefore, the number of places were limited. The program was taken primarily of those who have already had applications in the Mac App Store. And those whose applications in the Mac App Store are not yet, but they are known on Mac and other platforms and are interested in Apple.
It was assumed that the developers will receive computers in long-term rent for 1 year. However, Apple's offer with compensation in the amount of 200 dollars caused bewilderment in some developers, especially since the validity of the gift code expires at the end of May. It turned out that many devices from the DTK program were not included for several months for technical reasons, which means that the developers could not use the computer for which they paid. Moreover, many expected the Apple will leave the test Mac Mini coming, because Apple itself created such a precedent in the early 2000s, when he decided to translate Mac with PowerPC on Intel. Then Apple exchanged all participants a test computer program on Intel for $ 999 to a new IMAC from a new line for $ 999.
Apple will return money for Mac Mini Dtk
Appares, Apple heard the requests of the developers or read their twitters and now increased the amount of monetary compensation. Now all program participants will receive a gift code in the amount of $ 500, when the test Mac mini DTK returns back to Apple. This code will be valid until the end of the year - so developers who look after, for example, to the upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro with Arm architecture, will also be able to use it.
Apple also stated that developers who already have Mac on the M1 will be able to use the money to buy any Apple equipment. Obviously, such a step by the company will leave more pleasant impressions from developers than the exchange of $ 500 paid $ 200. In essence, Apple will completely return to them the amount that the developers paid for Mac Mini DTK, and rent will be free. The company itself will also remain in winnings, since they will spend the remaining amount in any case on Mac with M1 (or newer computers with M1x or M2) or other Apple devices. It is not clear only why the company was originally not accepted. It would be avoided by noise noise and discontent. Or was it originally such a plan? Tell me in our chat in Telegram, what you think about it.