Apple Introduces New Mac Mini With Faster Processors and Quad-Core Option

MacRumors · Oct 23, 2012

Apple updated its Mac mini line of desktop computers at its media event today.

The updated Mac mini models have new processors, including quad-core chips on the high end, as well as new build-to-order RAM options of up to 16 GB. Pricing remains the same as the prior generation Mac Mini models, starting at $599. There are two standard configuration and a server configuration:

- $599, 2.5 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD
- $799, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 4GB RAM, 1TB HD
- $999, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 4GB RAM, 2TB HD, Includes Mountain Lion Server

High-end Mac mini models can now also be configured with Apple's new Fusion Drive technology, which seamlessly integrates a traditional 1 TB hard drive with 128 GB of fast flash storage for both speed and capacity. System files and frequently used apps and data are automatically placed in flash storage to optimize speed, while other data is housed on the slower traditional hard drive.

The Mac mini was last updated in July of 2011, marking some 460 days since the last update and the new models are available starting today.

Article Link: Apple Introduces New Mac Mini With Faster Processors and Quad-Core Option

winston1236 · Oct 23, 2012

Is this the mac pro replacement?

jwsmiths · Oct 23, 2012

winston1236 said:
Is this the mac pro replacement?

No.

What's with the server not having an i7 standard?

milo · Oct 23, 2012

I assume i5 means no hyperthreading? If not, what's the difference?

I guess it's nice to see quad, but without HT it's a big step down from the "real" quad cpus.

jwsmiths · Oct 23, 2012

milo said:
I assume i5 means no hyperthreading? If not, what's the difference?

I guess it's nice to see quad, but without HT it's a big step down from the "real" quad cpus.

i5s have HT.

Westyfield2 · Oct 23, 2012

So have we lost the discrete graphics?

Spanky Deluxe · Oct 23, 2012

jwsmiths said:
No.

What's with the server not having an i7 standard?

I think that's a typo. There are no quad core i5 mobile processors. It looks like the top end and server models come with Core i7 3610QM processors.

milo · Oct 23, 2012

jwsmiths said:
i5s have HT.

So what's the difference between i5 quad and i7 quad?

MacSignal · Oct 23, 2012

winston1236 said:
Is this the mac pro replacement?

No.

Is this a viable alternative to an iMac in combination with a ACD or TBD? That is the question I look forward to answering with the next TBD update.

JG271 · Oct 23, 2012

Any news on the graphics cards? Would be a step backward to loose the discrete graphics.

Spanky Deluxe · Oct 23, 2012

JG271 said:
Any news on the graphics cards? Would be a step backward to loose the discrete graphics.

No discrete graphics chips anymore. Downgraded to Intel graphics across the board. Weak.

I just realised that the new 13" Retina MacBook Pro doesn't even have discreet graphics. I'm not sure how they can get away with driving that many pixels with only a weak integrated graphics chip. The whole lineup looks quite poor at the moment in my opinion. The 13" rMBP and Mac Mini are hindered by poor graphics and the iMac's missing the retina display that everyone knows is due at some point. I see no reason to upgrade from my ageing tech at the moment.

andyjam · Oct 23, 2012

I don't want to say I'm disappointed, but losing dedicated graphics (even just the half-useless chip they used before) makes this is a downgrade IMO.

Now I just don't know what to do...

arkmannj · Oct 23, 2012

Westyfield2 said:
So have we lost the discrete graphics?

looks like it

every model is Intel HD Graphics 4000 now.

mdriftmeyer · Oct 23, 2012

Waste of time manufacturing this out.

It's nothing but a door stop and a use for surfing the web and email. Too bad. You put in more ram, hybrid drives and you can't manage a 7 series Mobile from AMD or a 6 series mobile from Nvidia. Pathetic.

famerdave · Oct 23, 2012

No more graphic cards? What?! I was waiting on buying one for the refresh. I know on the old models, you could play Battlefield 3 with low graphics, how about on this one?

Westyfield2 · Oct 23, 2012

Nooooooooo

. Where did the AMD Radeon HD 6630M go?!

Googlyhead · Oct 23, 2012

Will have to see if there's much difference between these and the old ones. With discrete gfx, the previous gen might actually have some advantages.

Anyone know how the 4000 stacks up?

eklof · Oct 23, 2012

I am guessing HD4000 should be more than sufficient for HTPC use?

CWallace · Oct 23, 2012

jwsmiths said:
What's with the server not having an i7 standard?

It does. The 2.3GHz QC part is an i7 per the specs page on Apple's site.

Spanky Deluxe said:
I think that's a typo.

Yup.

milo said:
So what's the difference between i5 quad and i7 quad?

In the mobile space, I believe it's L2 cache size and clockspeed.

golf1410 · Oct 23, 2012

No new Apple display. What the heck?

Westyfield2 · Oct 23, 2012

eklof said:
I am guessing HD4000 should be more than sufficient for HTPC use?

Didn't the old HD 3000 model have problems? 23.976 IIRC.

Spanky Deluxe · Oct 23, 2012

Googlyhead said:
Anyone know how the 4000 stacks up?

It's about 50% slower than the discrete 6630M from what I can tell.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5865/laptop-graphics-face-off-diablo-iii-performance/3

ValSalva · Oct 23, 2012

Can't mix an SSD and a HDD on the server model? Why?

famerdave · Oct 23, 2012

This Intel HD 4000 does have 512MB of graphic power though, so I would imagine, you might be surprised.

eklof · Oct 23, 2012

Ths SSD option was a bit steep. How hard is it to replace HD in these newer minis? A 120GB 120 dollar SSD is good enough for me.

Apple Introduces New Mac Mini With Faster Processors and Quad-Core Option

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