Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

2018 Mac Mini Concepts

P

Po Dameron

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 10, 2017
14
10
I'm going to start this thread. Post your concepts for 2018. I think the mac mini will be reincarnated to suit a different demographic. Not so much for switchers anymore but for prosumer computing. Apple wants to push low end computer users towards iPads.

I call it the MacPod:


macx-jpg.742380


Size-wise, its halfway between a HomePod and the Mac Pro with intel and AMD's new integrated CPU/GPU.
 

Attachments

  • macx.jpg
    macx.jpg
    58.4 KB · Views: 13,512
  • Like
Reactions: koulmj, EightyTwenty and Pecktime
Po Dameron said:
I'm going to start this thread. Post your concepts for 2018. I think the mac mini will be reincarnated to suit a different demographic. Not so much for switchers anymore but for prosumer computing. Apple wants to push low end computer users towards iPads.

I call it the MacPod:


macx-jpg.742380


Size-wise, its halfway between a HomePod and the Mac Pro with intel and AMD's new integrated CPU/GPU.
Click to expand...

Give it up...the Mini isn’t coming back.

“He’s dead, Jim”.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crosscreek and opeter
While I do believe the mac mini will still come, unfortunately I have my doubts how much, if at all, will be user accessible for upgrades/replacement of parts. So I doubt we will see something even approaching the Mac Pro design.
With the general fetish of everything must be smaller, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the size of one or two 2.5" external hard drives, with a shape to go with.
 
1. Keep ENet, HDMI, USB3, Thunderbolt, Audio in/out JACKS, SD card, 1 TB HD with 250GB Flash D, Cup Holder.
Po Dameron said:
I'm going to start this thread. Post your concepts for 2018. I think the mac mini will be reincarnated to suit a different demographic. Not so much for switchers anymore but for prosumer computing. Apple wants to push low end computer users towards iPads.

I call it the MacPod:


macx-jpg.742380


Size-wise, its halfway between a HomePod and the Mac Pro with intel and AMD's new integrated CPU/GPU.
Click to expand...

1075429"]I'm going to start this thread. Post your concepts for 2018. I think the mac mini will be reincarnated to suit a different demographic. Not so much for switchers anymore but for prosumer computing. Apple wants to push low end computer users towards iPads.

I call it the MacPod:


macx-jpg.742380


Size-wise, its halfway between a HomePod and the Mac Pro with intel and AMD's new integrated CPU/GPU.[/QUOTE]
 
Given the amount of time since the last update, I'm assuming there will be more that a simple internal update.

I speculate a new smaller model still targeting low end computing efficient in both heat and power. I believe the last vestiges of internal upgradeability will be gone with both RAM and storage chips soldered directly to the logic board, and no 2.5" drive bay which also means no HDD options. I think the CPU will be Intel mobile processor like always, but now that I've seen Microsoft launch ARM PCs that run x86 software, I admit to the distinct possibility of an ARM Mini.

What I would love to see is the 2014 with updated architecture and the return of memory slots and quad cores like the 2012, but I doubt that will happen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kaibob
They have to update the Mini. It is a mainstay for developers who don't do their work in a covfefe shop or some awful "find some open surface" work-share space... The iMac Pro doesn't cut it either, since many of us prefer a wider screen, and already have one. The LCD panel is just a waste of money and an inconvenience.

Please don't put it in an R2D2 case. Please don't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Martyimac
jtara said:
They have to update the Mini. It is a mainstay for developers who don't do their work in a covfefe shop or some awful "find some open surface" work-share space... The iMac Pro doesn't cut it either, since many of us prefer a wider screen, and already have one. The LCD panel is just a waste of money and an inconvenience.

Please don't put it in an R2D2 case. Please don't.
Click to expand...

A tall case might be good news for wifi antenna though. That's why the last Time Capsules and Airport Extreme went that way.

And they'll get decent airflow movement if they allow air to escape from the top as with the 2013 "new" Mac Pro.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Yvan256
The one thing I like about an AIO is that it's AIO. What I really don't like is that if one part of the AIO dies or is no longer meeting your needs you can be stuck with replacing the whole thing (good for Apple, bad for you). I'd like to see a Mini designed to use, and come with the necessary hardware for, a standard VESA mount. You could then bolt it to the back of a wide range of monitors and have a modular AIO. Apple can make a monitor to go with this if it wants to, or just let the market do it for them.

I'd also like the CPU box (the Mini part of this beast) to be open and DIY upgrade-friendly. And I'd also like free beer for the rest of my life.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trusteft
No more wire hangers! (Spinning Disks)
I really don't care what it looks like!
8GB RAM Standard in $500 model with 128GB SSD, Latest i3.
Fully customizable BTO:
i5 + ~$150 / i7 + ~$300
16GB RAM + ~$100 / 24GB + ~$150 / 32GB + ~$200
256GB SSD + ~$100 / 512GB + ~$200 / 1TB + ~$400
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U, Martyimac, opeter and 1 other person
krause734 said:
No more wire hangers! (Spinning Disks)
I really don't care what it looks like!
8GB RAM Standard in $500 model with 128GB SSD, Latest i3.
Fully customizable BTO:
i5 + ~$150 / i7 + ~$300
16GB RAM + ~$100 / 24GB + ~$150 / 32GB + ~$200
256GB SSD + ~$100 / 512GB + ~$200 / 1TB + ~$400
Click to expand...

i3 mini could be my 1st Mac mini purchase
 
My guess is an Apple TV sized mini designed to move from place to place and you simply AirPlay content onto whatever screen is available. Maybe even use an iPad or iPhone as an external keyboard / mouse.

Can’t make a concept though so just think of Apple TV. I’d actually buy that. Suits my needs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: George Dawes and Donfor39
How about a base i3 desktop 4/4 mac mini. 8100 and 8350k.

8gb ram starting all SSD. Hopefully lets us upgrade it ourselves but this is Apple. Two cpu options with mobile dGPU options. Similar ports to what the imac has got it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: opeter and Donfor39
I'd like something nice enough to draw me back from my recently acquired Lenovo habit.
Even though it works great, and does almost everything I want as good or better than a Mac, it feels odd giving up on Apple after having stuck with them since 1978.
If they want to be a phone company, so be it. I'll move on. Android rocks anyway. But they did make a decent computer or two back in the day.
There's no excuse for less than a 500gB SSD or 16gB ram anymore. 4CPUs is low end acceptable.
Be nice if it didn't dump everything I do to the cloud, or listen in on everything I say too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blake2 and George Dawes
A graphics card option might be nice. I'd love to play a few games but I don't want Windows. I'd like to see it get even smaller like an Apple TV, NUC, or Chromebox. Mac OS on a USB stick would be pretty cool too but that might be a ways away.
 
ivnj said:
Mac mini is not dead yet.

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/19/tim-cook-mac-mini-important-product/

"MacRumors reader Krar decided to email Apple CEO Tim Cook to get an update on the Mac mini and he received a response. Cook said it was "not time to share any details," but he confirmed that the Mac mini will be an important part of the company's product lineup in the future."
Click to expand...

Cook said it was "not time to share any details," .... it's been 4 damn long years Tim Cook ... when WILL it be time to share any details?! WTF and he got paid a bonus?!

[RANT]Apple should be criminally charged, and customers that bought a 2014 Mac Mini since 2014 until the updated Mac Mini gets shipped or in store SHOULD be paid in full for refund or an automatic no fee trade in[/RANT]

Ridiculous!
 
DeepIn2U said:
Cook said it was "not time to share any details," .... it's been 4 damn long years Tim Cook ... when WILL it be time to share any details?! WTF and he got paid a bonus?!

[RANT]Apple should be criminally charged, and customers that bought a 2014 Mac Mini since 2014 until the updated Mac Mini gets shipped or in store SHOULD be paid in full for refund or an automatic no fee trade in[/RANT]

Ridiculous!
Click to expand...

Anyone who buys an outdated mini at this point, should have their head examined. If there is any hope of an update, people need to stop buying it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: janitor3 and MysticCow
bopajuice said:
Anyone who buys an outdated mini at this point, should have their head examined. If there is any hope of an update, people need to stop buying it.
Click to expand...

Agreed but most mac users are not as 'technically' savy when it comes to parts or processors. If the sales rep sells based on user needs and pricing the mac mini will get the budget users money. Maybe parents now will purchase a Macbook for a 14yr old or younger student or an ipad but if their a buddy programmer?
 
  • Like
Reactions: opeter and bopajuice
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back