5 Reasons to Get Excited About the New Mac Mini

[Paddle1]

That will soon not be the case, USB-A is dead. Do I have/use USB-A? Sure, still do but I also understand that progress is progress and USB-A is a legacy port that was replaced by USB-C.

This conversation reminds me the removal of audio jack on the iPhone 7. Everyone whined and look at it now. We all use wireless except few that use adapters etc.

In few years, I doubt there will be any new product with USB-A. There simply is no reason for it

I don't know about soon. There are many products that come with USB-A to USB-C cables which show omitting C was an intentional decision. For portable devices C is here but for stationary devices like TVs, computers and gaming consoles and their accessories A is still dominant by far.

They are effectively concurrently supported as far as I'm concerned with exclusive Type C only being used when space is limited.

 

[godorowski]

Base model: 16gb ram, 64gb ssd

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I would consider a Studio if they'd include a user accessible NVMe slot

I do not want my "desktop computer" to need dongles, adapters, USB or TB external drives

It's just such a regression on aesthetics and efficiency and the opposite of what I want for desktop computing.

Just think: the apparent reason for this "shrinkage" is empty space inside the existing design. Imagine if they did what many Mac Mini-like PC Makers do and filled that space with a couple of m.2 slots. Then, one could add upwards of maybe 16TB of INTERNAL storage at market competitive prices vs. 3X-5X market rates and limited to up to 8TB only from Apple.

This "smallest & lightest" Mac ever is a moment in time, "ooooooooh, ahhhhhhhhh" thing... like getting a new tattoo. Once your friends have seen it ONCE and did their "ooooooooooh, ahhhhhhhh", we just live with it thereafter. In this case, Mini becomes Micro but then the cables & storage to add some storage will likely end up taking more desk space than whatever is being saved by going to Micro size. How cute*!!!

If I was interested in a new Mini, I'd much prefer keeping the existing design and adding a few m.2 slots in the freed-up space than shrinking it for the one-time effect of "new form factor" recognition. Tangible, long-term consumer utility over "gee whiz- look how small it is!" one time. But that's just me. Those who think it's fantastic, good for you.

*except for all that surrounding clutter & cables

 

[citysnaps]

Removing USB-A is a good move. EU mandates all to be USB-C so why keeping such an old port around? Everything will be USB-C soon enough and if you need USB-A then just get an adapter.

Don't keep legacy ports (or systems) around just because someone might need it. That mentality has to die.

Otherwise we would still have DVDs and thick notebooks because some people still need DVDs (even now).

Please, get on with times

But what if I want to plug in a SCSI disk someday?

Wah....

 

[Gloor]

Do you still use:
floppy disk?
dvd drive?
firewire 800?
Serial Port?
VGA port?
SVGA port?
etc. etc. etc.


Technology moves forward. You can laugh all you want but the companies and products need to start somewhere. USB-C is replacing USB-A whether you like it or not.
Will it take time? Sure it will and some people will moan about it but the change is inevitable.
What EU does makes sense. We don't need zillion cables. We just need one and right now that is USB-C and will be for a long time until another standard comes along that will change that. (or not and all will be wireless).

You can laugh all you want but in the end you will be the one disappointed.

Apple is rumoured to update all their accessories to USB-C too so in few months or so there will be nothing from Apple thats on USB-A.

But sure, 'lol' away

lol

 

[Joshuaorange]

"essentially an iPad Pro in a small box."

That means it’s going to essentially be useless.

 

[Mick-Mac]

This might be a game changer for me. I've always had a laptop that spends pretty much most of it's life permanently plugged in with an external monitor. I also have an iPad Pro. Whenever I travel I'm always stuck wondering if I should take my iPad or laptop - both is kind of a drag and I invariably end up taking the laptop because there's just way more I can do on that platform.

If the mini ends up being the same size as an AppleTV then I can take that, a BlueTooth keyboard and the iPad Pro and have the best of both worlds. I kind of like that - especially if the iPad can function as an external monitor wirelessly.

EDIT - Thought I'd provide a powerful counterargument to my own post. The above scenario undermines working in macOS without a power cord. Never mind...

 

[AppleTO]

I see no point in removing ports or making the Mac mini smaller. It's a desktop computer. Last thing I need is it sliding off the desk. If there is empty room inside, how amount adding an M.2 port or two for NVMe?

 

[9081094]

I’ll get excited if it’s a decent upgrade for the same price. If it’s smaller in with but higher, it will probably have the same volume. In that case I prefer the classic Mac mini because there are lots of accessories that mimic the same dimensions and are stackable. If it’s smaller in with and higher I don’t see the benefits at all.

 

[Isengardtom]

I'm interested to get one. What would be a good monitor to pair with it? (other than a Studio Display)

Preferable a monitor I can also use my Windows work laptop with and also do some minor gaming

 

[j26]

Do you still use:
floppy disk?
dvd drive?
firewire 800?
Serial Port?
VGA port?
SVGA port?
etc. etc. etc.


Technology moves forward. You can laugh all you want but the companies and products need to start somewhere. USB-C is replacing USB-A whether you like it or not.
Will it take time? Sure it will and some people will moan about it but the change is inevitable.
What EU does makes sense. We don't need zillion cables. We just need one and right now that is USB-C and will be for a long time until another standard comes along that will change that. (or not and all will be wireless).

You can laugh all you want but in the end you will be the one disappointed.

Apple is rumoured to update all their accessories to USB-C too so in few months or so there will be nothing from Apple thats on USB-A.

But sure, 'lol' away

I still use dvd’s sometimes 😀

And worse, my external dvd drive uses…. USB-A!!!

 

[Logamaniac]

All this whining about usb and I’m just here for news on tb5.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I see no point in removing ports or making the Mac mini smaller. It's a desktop computer. Last thing I need is it sliding off the desk. If there is empty room inside, how amount adding an M.2 port or two for NVMe?

The only entity it will benefit is Apple with some small amount of savings on materials and shipping costs or something

They don't do anything that primarily benefits customers anymore

It's depressing

 

[CharlesShaw]

I'm guessing that many of the comments about size and fear of losing ports are coming from the part of our brains that talked us into buying the overly complicated Swiss Army Knife that was too big to carry, so it lives, ironically, in the tool box. I'm looking forward to a smaller Mac Mini, since mine is merely a server and shares a space with a few small devices on a shelf that is running out of space.

 

[Gloor]

I don't think you understand the Mini is a product and its place in the product line.

Its not targeted for people that will do m.2 slots options etc. Its an entry level box for basic needs whilst the Pro chip allows for 'mini tower' style.

Apple doesn't really cater what you are describing with mini (or even studio). Apple only caters the needs with the Mac Pro. Always has, and always will.

Would be nice to have more customisable systems? For sure it would but Apple went another way.

I still remember my 2008 Mac Pro - amazing machine and amazing price tag. Probably the best value thing Apple/Intel did.

Anyway, Mini needs to slim down to again fill the spot that was designed to be. Amazing product with small footprint for entry level system (with the added bonus of Pro chip that take it to midrange)

Just think: the apparent reason for this "shrinkage" is empty space inside the existing design. Imagine if they did what many Mac Mini-like PC Makers do and filled that space with a couple of m.2 slots. Then, one could add upwards of maybe 16TB of INTERNAL storage at market competitive prices vs. 3X-5X market rates and limited to up to 8TB only from Apple.

This "smaller & lightest" Mac ever thing is a moment in time, "ooooooooh, ahhhhhhhhh" thing... like getting a new tattoo. Once your friends have seen it ONCE and did their "ooooooooooh, ahhhhhhhh", we just live with it thereafter. In this case, Mini becomes Micro but then the cables & storage to add some storage will likely end up taking more desk space than whatever is being saved by going to Micro size. How cute*!!!

If I was interested in a new Mini, I'd much prefer keeping the existing design and adding a few m.2 slots in the freed-up space than shrinking it for the one-time effect of "new form factor" recognition. Tangible, long-term consumer utility over "gee whiz- look how small it is!" one time. But that's just me. Those who think it's fantastic, good for you.

*except for all that surrounding clutter & cables

 

[DarthDon]

Removing USB-A is a good move. EU mandates all to be USB-C so why keeping such an old port around? Everything will be USB-C soon enough and if you need USB-A then just get an adapter.

Don't keep legacy ports (or systems) around just because someone might need it. That mentality has to die.

Otherwise we would still have DVDs and thick notebooks because some people still need DVDs (even now).

Please, get on with times

Many users still have a lot of usb-a-stuff. Iphone-cables, printers, keyboard-chargers etc. A mix of ports is still a good idea.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’ll get excited if it’s a decent upgrade for the same price. If it’s smaller in with but higher, it will probably have the same volume. In that case I prefer the classic Mac mini because there are lots of accessories that mimic the same dimensions and are stackable. If it’s smaller in with and higher I don’t see the benefits at all.

You don't want to buy all new accessories and adapters?
What's wrong with you?

Why are you against helping make "number go up"?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Would be nice to have more customisable systems?

Sure would!

 

[Gloor]

if you use dvds would you still want dvd's in laptops or do you like what Apple did with the laptop line?

I still use dvd’s sometimes 😀

And worse, my external dvd drive uses…. USB-A!!!

 

[Razorpit]

Sounds like what you need is a Mac Studio, and not a Mini. There are absolutely use cases for micro computers, and just because yours doesn't seem to be one, doesn't me "we" don't need it.

So you're OK with it sliding off the desk when cables and such are plugged in to the ports? 😄

 

[Gloor]

I do too but I also understand that the switch needs to happen otherwise it never will.

Adapters are short term solution till everything is switched. Easy peasy

Many users still have a lot of usb-a-stuff. Iphone-cables, printers, keyboard-chargers etc. A mix of ports is still a good idea.

 

[turbineseaplane]

So you're OK with it sliding off the desk when cables and such are plugged in to the ports? 😄

I can't imagine this won't be an issue .. even with my Apple TV's I end up having to zip tie them down, and that only has a power, ethernet and HDMI cable going to it

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Price point, needs to remain the same.

...says a consumer.

Meanwhile, at Apple HQ: "if we made it smaller & cuter, how much more could we charge for it? Our shareholders need to be able to feed their families." 💰💰💰

Big reveal: "Introducing..." blah-blah-blah- thinnest & lightest Mac ever-blah-blah" "Only $X99 available today" which is a hundred or two (or three) higher than the old price.

Interested consumers: gripe about price hike, gripe-gripe-gripe.

Perpetual defenders: <lots of spin about how it is worth it with fuzzy math like upping the RAM to 16GB automatically should justify a $200 price hike because that's what the upgrade used to cost, etc.>

Interested consumer: gripe-gripe-gripe... then they buy and gush about the greatness of their new Mini

Apple at next quarterly reporting: "another record quarter..."

On to the next product update to repeat the cycle.

 

[asdfjkl;]

So you're OK with it sliding off the desk when cables and such are plugged in to the ports? 😄

My current Mini slides around when I mess with the ports. So ...

 

[turbineseaplane]

My current Mini slides around when I mess with the ports. So ...

So.. make it smaller and lighter and the problem even worse?

lol