2012 MM i7 2.6Ghz - is it worth of extra $230 over 2.3Ghz?

[ServiceTag]

Being big fan of Mac Minis I was looking to replace my main MM 2009 2.6Ghz for something more current. Well after 2014 release I have doubts about 2014 MM values anymore therefore I decided to snatch 2012 i7 2.6ghz for $839 before they are gone forever...
However I still can get i7 2.3ghz version for much less, $230 be exact.
My main question I need to help - is 2.6Ghz BTO version really worth of extra $230?

I'm not sure if heat/noise between those two can be any deciding factor besides the price.

My another MM 2011 i5 feeding 55" TV screen flawlessly is used for HT only.
Loaded with 16Gb & 500Gb SSD is most likely overkill for streaming so I'm going to swap memory with either 2012 model for sure.

Obviously 2014 is not cost effective for me since for similar 2014 MM i7 16gb SSD I would have to pay much more.
TIA for any help.

 

[philipma1957]

Being big fan of Mac Minis I was looking to replace my main MM 2009 2.6Ghz for something more current. Well after 2014 release I have doubts about 2014 MM values anymore therefore I decided to snatch 2012 i7 2.6ghz for $839 before they are gone forever...
However I still can get i7 2.3ghz version for much less, $230 be exact.
My main question I need to help - is 2.6Ghz BTO version really worth of extra $230?

I'm not sure if heat/noise between those two can be any deciding factor besides the price.

My another MM 2011 i5 feeding 55" TV screen flawlessly is used for HT only.
Loaded with 16Gb & 500Gb SSD is most likely overkill for streaming so I'm going to swap memory with either 2012 model for sure.

Obviously 2014 is not cost effective for me since for similar 2014 MM i7 16gb SSD I would have to pay much more.
TIA for any help.

get the 2.3 quad and buy an external booter for that 230 think of it as a great monitor that you keep and swap pc's


buy this

http://www.macmall.com/p/LaCie-External-Hard-Drives/product~dpno~9714541~pdp.iddacag


put an ssd in it.

put the drive in this

http://www.macmall.com/p/Eagle-Tech-Computers-Docking-Stations/product~dpno~9970336~pdp.ifidbff



cost 220 or so .

go out and buy a killer ssd put it in the lacie.

these pieces move from mac to mac to mac. this is how I deal with apple's f you attitude about up grading gear.

 

[SoCalReviews]

If your cost is $839 for a new 2012 i7 2.6Ghz quad core then that is a really good price. I am running the 2.3Ghz quad and it's great. It's obviously not going to be a night and day difference. If you feel you will need or want a bit more power out of the machine and you don't mind spending the extra money for it then I would say go for the 2.6Ghz model. You should be happy either way with a 2012 i7 quad.

 

[cinealta]

... I decided to snatch 2012 i7 2.6ghz for $839 before they are gone forever...However I still can get i7 2.3ghz version for much less, $230 be exact.

$230 for a 13% difference in clock speed. You won't notice the difference. Put that money into more RAM or you could buy an SSD for that! Not worth it.

 

[Crosscreek]

2012 2.3 quad.

 

[SoCalReviews]

$230 for a 13% difference in clock speed. You won't notice the difference. Put that money into more RAM or you could buy an SSD for that! Not worth it.

If you don't mind spending the extra money... plan on upgrading RAM and drive anyway... and you want the fastest i7 Mac Mini on the planet then it's worth it.

----------

2012 2.3 quad.

Besides the cost one theoretical upside to the 2.3 quad is that it should have slightly lower thermals. If you are not a serious power user the 2.3 is still a great choice. Since I have become such a Mini enthusiast in that last few years I'm kind of wishing I had purchased a 2.6 quad just to have it.

 

[Crosscreek]

If you don't mind spending the extra money... plan on upgrading RAM and drive anyway... and you want the fastest i7 Mac Mini on the planet then it's worth it.

----------



Besides the cost one theoretical upside to the 2.3 quad is that it should have slightly lower thermals. If you are not a serious power user the 2.3 is still a great choice. Since I have become such a Mini enthusiast in that last few years I'm kind of wishing I had purchased a 2.6 quad just to have it.

Yeh, great bragging rights at 1200 multicore and big heat.

Oh and while your at it Raid 0 a couple of SSDs at 1100 read/write speeds like some of the 2.6s I have seen on here. Who needs PCIe.

 

[ServiceTag]

$230 for a 13% difference in clock speed. You won't notice the difference. Put that money into more RAM or you could buy an SSD for that! Not worth it.

The beauty of staying with 2012 MM is flexibility. I will move 16GB memory from MM 2011 i5 to 2012 model and take 4Gb from 2012 back to 2011 i5.
I think for streaming I shouldn't see the difference. Am I correct?

SSD I don't need either since I was planning to replace my MM2009 Intel X25-M160Gb SSD with spare Samsung 500GB EVO. But I was postponing installation till 2014 MM release.

So overall zero cost for upgrades. Therefore I can afford to keep 2.6Ghz but I'm not sure if I ever notice the difference.
It's funny after 5y MM2009 2.6Ghz will be replaced with same speed MM2012 2.6Ghz....

 

[BJonson]

Where are you finding a new 2.3ghz quad for $609? And by the way, the 2.6ghz is no hotter than the 2.3ghz.

 

[loud0g40oz]

2012 MM i7 2.6Ghz - is it worth of extra $230 over 2.3Ghz?

Buy the 2.3 and a 512gb mx100 or a 256 mx100 and 16gb ram upgrade.

 

[psymac]

Where are you finding a new 2.3ghz quad for $609?

Refurb $589 at Apple (gotta be quick though, use refurb.me and refurbtracker.com) or some Best Buy's are selling open box for various prices.

 

[BJonson]

Stick with the 2.6ghz. Thats what I bought. Its the fastest the mac mini will ever be. Whats a couple hundred bucks for bragging rights. Besides, that mini will be a coveted collectors item in a few years. The 2.6ghz models went in 30 minutes on B&H Photo but the 2.3ghz is still there. Says something.

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Refurb $589 at Apple (gotta be quick though, use refurb.me and refurbtracker.com) or some Best Buy's are selling open box for various prices.

Yeah but refurb? Ewww. I like FRESH!

 

[psymac]

Stick with the 2.6ghz. Thats what I bought. Its the fastest the mac mini will ever be. Whats a couple hundred bucks for bragging rights. Besides, that mini will be a coveted collectors item in a few years. The 2.6ghz models went in 30 minutes on B&H Photo but the 2.3ghz is still there. Says something.

----------



Yeah but refurb? Ewww. I like FRESH!

Chances are they are fresh, just reboxed from returned stock.

 

[BJonson]

Chances are they are fresh, just reboxed from returned stock.

Still, someone touched them. I like to pretend robots make my computers and are never seen by humans until I open the box. LOL. So on an apple refurb to they clean it or give a new case or what?

 

[psymac]

Still, someone touched them. I like to pretend robots make my computers and are never seen by humans until I open the box. LOL. So on an apple refurb to they clean it or give a new case or what?

Well, I'm sure it was touched by human fingers when first manufactured, LOL. The data on refurb is apparently another one of Apple's big secrets, but some has said that all external fixtures are replaced with new after internals are diagnostically checked out. Other guesses are that many refurbs are completely new, just reboxed to clear old inventory. Most, if anyone, can tell new from refurbished.

Either way, the warranty is the same.

 

[BJonson]

Well, I'm sure it was touched by human fingers when first manufactured, LOL. The data on refurb is apparently another one of Apple's big secrets, but some has said that all external fixtures are replaced with new after internals are diagnostically checked out. Other guesses are that many refurbs are completely new, just reboxed to clear old inventory. Most, if anyone, can tell new from refurbished.

Either way, the warranty is the same.

Hmm. I bought a Powermac 8600 refurb once. Came in perfect working condition and was flawless except for one thing, the serial number had a new sticker over it with a new serial number. That killed my resale value. I couldn't give it away.

 

[psymac]

Hmm. I bought a Powermac 8600 refurb once. Came in perfect working condition and was flawless except for one thing, the serial number had a new sticker over it with a new serial number. That killed my resale value. I couldn't give it away.

I'm having one delivered on Friday, I'll get back with you if I see it with a serial number sticker. Most likely it will just have a normal looking laser engraved number that signifies a refurb internal to Apple.

 

[BJonson]

I'm having one delivered on Friday, I'll get back with you if I see it with a serial number sticker. Most likely it will just have a normal looking laser engraved number that signifies a refurb internal to Apple.

Yeah, but even then if it shows up on apples site as a refurb you have to disclose it when selling it. Just means less resale value and if you are going to keep it forever who cares. Let me know though how it looks and works. Would love if you could post some pics of the box it comes in and everything.

 

[philipma1957]

Still, someone touched them. I like to pretend robots make my computers and are never seen by humans until I open the box. LOL. So on an apple refurb to they clean it or give a new case or what?

I have purchased hundreds of minis. refurbs can be new and reboxed.

In fact I got a 'new fresh' 2014 base 499 model from apple store came direct from apples china factory. came with a visible nick.

I can tell as a volume buyer of minis refurbs can be as good as new sealed minis. New sealed minis can come with a dent or a mark.

 

[BJonson]

I have purchased hundreds of minis. refurbs can be new and reboxed.

In fact I got a 'new fresh' 2014 base 499 model from apple store came direct from apples china factory. came with a visible nick.

I can tell as a volume buyer of minis refurbs can be as good as new sealed minis. New sealed minis can come with a dent or a mark.

A nick on a new one? Clumsy robot. Nice to know the refurbs are solid. Thanks for the post.

 

[ServiceTag]

Where are you finding a new 2.3ghz quad for $609? And by the way, the 2.6ghz is no hotter than the 2.3ghz.

Refurb $589 at Apple (gotta be quick though, use refurb.me and refurbtracker.com) or some Best Buy's are selling open box for various prices.

Yes, either Apple refurb or new at BB after PM and some coupon&rewards.

 

[ServiceTag]

get the 2.3 quad and buy an external booter for that 230 think of it as a great monitor that you keep and swap pc's


buy this

http://www.macmall.com/p/LaCie-External-Hard-Drives/product~dpno~9714541~pdp.iddacag


put an ssd in it.

put the drive in this

http://www.macmall.com/p/Eagle-Tech-Computers-Docking-Stations/product~dpno~9970336~pdp.ifidbff



cost 220 or so .

go out and buy a killer ssd put it in the lacie.

these pieces move from mac to mac to mac. this is how I deal with apple's f you attitude about up grading gear.

I like your idea. I already have two LaCie Rugged USB3/128Gb SSD - USB 3.0 /Thunderbolt so I can load either one with Samy EVO500Gb or 840Pro SSD. That should work too, correct?

 

[philipma1957]

I like your idea. I already have two LaCie Rugged USB3/128Gb SSD - USB 3.0 /Thunderbolt so I can load either one with Samy EVO500Gb or 840Pro SSD. That should work too, correct?

yes that works. solves the stupidly slow buried spinning hdd in the new models pretty well. I use the internal as a cloned backup (SuperDuper) of my external booting ssd. Like I said when I get the new mini I just move the ssd to the new one.