Apple Announces New Space Gray Mac mini With 4-Core or 6-Core Intel Processor and Up to 64GB RAM, Starting at $799
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LogicalVue
macrumors regular
Yes, it is obvious they are SO-DIMMs, but I guess I should have been clearer. I want to know how practical it is to get in there and swap them out. The iMac Pro also uses DIMMs, but getting at the RAM is not easy, although it sure does seem like the Mac mini would be a much easier thing to work on. I have high hopes, but I'm still waiting for a teardown.
ruka.snow
macrumors 68000
You can also get a 512 GB 5200 HDD for much less, but like the Samsung 970 Pro it would not be an Apples to Apples comparison.
gctwnl
macrumors regular
I'd be interested as well, but AFAIK the iMac has better performing graphics (GPU) than the integrated stuff in the Mac mini. I think the Mac mini's IRIS UHD 630 scores 22k on the OpenCL benchmark while the current 2017 iMac scores about 5 times as much (as fas as I have neen able to ascertain). So, not everything will be an upgrade.
I got this from you saying that you were making an assumption based on taking apart an old machine and looking at a picture of the new one. It's not rocket science.
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He was giving an iMac pro as an example of a Mac pro. Just pointing out it's not, nothing more.
Sabelonada
macrumors 6502
There is a bit of irony that the new Mac mini can be configured with more SSD than the current Mac Pro.
IG88
macrumors 65816
You think Apple's SSD is worth double what a 970 Pro is worth? Do you have any numbers to back that up?
StellarVixen
macrumors 68040
Does anyone know if that wallpaper will come with the Mini? It is gorgeous, that is probably Milky Way over the Mojave desert.
Apple announced a brand new Mac mini with a space gray finish at its "There's more in the making" media event held in Brooklyn, New York today.
The new space gray Mac mini comes with quad- and 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core processors with Turbo Boost Speeds up to 4.6GHz, making it 5 times faster than the previous generation, and up to 64GB of 2,666MHz RAM.
Storage wise, all Mac minis now have all-flash storage up to 2 TB that's 4 times faster than previous storage drives, while also coming with Intel UHD graphics, Apple's new T2 security chip, a Gigabit Ethernet, 4x Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and two USB-A ports, along with a 10Gb Ethernet option.
The new Mac mini can connect to high speed storage as well as 4K and 5K Thunderbolt displays, and can output video in three formats. There's also a brand new quiet thermal system with double the airflow installed.
The T2 chip features an SSD controller with on-the-fly data encryption, so everything stored on the SSD is automatically encrypted. The Secure Enclave in T2 ensures that software loaded during the boot process has not been tampered with. T2 also features HEVC video transcoding that's up to 30 times faster, enabling pro users to work more quickly with higher resolution video throughout their workflow.
For the new space gray finish, every new Mac mini enclosure uses an Apple-designed aluminum alloy made from 100 percent recycled aluminum for the first time, which has the same strength, durability, and finish as the aluminum in all Apple products.
The Mac mini starts at $799 with the base level model offering 8GB of RAM, a 3.6GHz Intel quad-core Core i3 processor, and 128GB of storage. Orders for the new Mac mini start today, with availability from next week, November 7.
Article Link: Apple Announces New Space Gray Mac mini With 4-Core or 6-Core Intel Processor and Up to 64GB RAM, Starting at $799
Upgrader
macrumors 6502
SSD is soldered to the motherboard. RAM is upgradeable but replacing it in the first year yourself will void the warranty.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
I think the new Blackmagic eGPU Prowould be a great fit. Vega 56, not bad. But together with a 5K display, the MacMini costs probably as much as an iMacPro.
Like all things, it depends. Just for illustrative purposes, I configured a Mac mini as close to the base iMac Pro as can be permitted, using Apple's BTO options, because the iMac Pro is limited to BTO options.
I readily concede that the 32GB of DRAM can be purchased cheaper, but I wanted to demonstrate that anyone considering a Mac mini because it is cheaper should think hard before jumping in and take a look at the base iMac Pro.
EDIT: I added a "Roll Your Own" configuration just for **
PS - For everyone - PC Part Picker comparison shopping is not necessary, nor is it desired. Pointing out that I can save money by getting a smaller SSD on the mini or a 4K display instead is missing the point, and completely self-evident to everyone reading the post. This comparison is meant to be as Apples to Apples as possible with the available BTO options from Apple for anyone thinking that a mini is a better deal in the long run. Instead, seriously consider buying the iMac Pro. You can at least have an Authorized Service Center add more DRAM later and after AppleCare runs out, upgrading the CPU to a higher core count Xeon may extend its life. Spring for the BTO Vega 64, if you possibly can afford to do so. Yes, the eGPU is more flexible, provided you buy the most expensive one out of the gate to support the power requirements of future GPUs and even that is not an absolute guarantee.
2018 iMac Pro (Base model; no BTO options)
- Xeon W 8c/16t
- 32GB DDR ECC DRAM
- 1TB SSD
- Vega 56 8GB
- 10Gbps Ethernet
Total - $4999.00
2018 Mac mini (BTO)
- Core i7 6c/12t
- 32GB DDR4 DRAM
- 1TB SSD
- 10Gbps Ethernet - $2599.00
- EDIT: Magic Keyboard w/Numeric Keypad and Magic Mouse - $248.00
- BlackMagic eGPU Pro (Apple Store, DUH!)- $1199.00
- LG UltraFine 5K Display (Apple Store) - $1299.00
Total - $5345.00 ($2599+$1199+$1299+$248)
Difference - Mac mini 2018 BTO +$346.00
2018 Mac mini (Roll your own)
- Core i7 6c/12t
- 32GB DDR4 DRAM - (OWC) $329.00
- 1TB SSD
- 10Gbps Ethernet - $1999.00
- EDIT: Magic Keyboard w/Numeric Keypad and Magic Mouse - $248.00
- Sapphire Tech Nitro+ Vega 56 and Sonnet Technology eGFX Breakaway Box 650 (Amazon) - $898.00
- LG UltraFine 5K Display (Apple Store) - $1299.00
Total - $4773.00 ($2328+$898+$1299+$248)
Difference - Mac min 2018 Roll Your Own -$228.00
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Sabelonada
macrumors 6502
Yes, what's your point?
Apple charges a lot for upgrades. I think we can all see that. I don't think consumers are particularly thrilled about it but many will still buy Apple products.
However all the complaints don't seem to account for the fact that Apple actually offers a great degree of flexibility in configuration.
Since one cannot use a 970 Pro in the new Mac mini the price of the 970 isn't really relevant. If one wants the storage to be part of the Mac mini, one has to pay Apple. The prices are high. However SSD prices have fallen recently due to a glut in production so perhaps the BTO prices will fall. Even then Apple will charge more than a comparable commodity SSD.
Due to the design of the new Mac line, commodity SSD prices don't really compare. Commodity parts won't work.
This is not a change I am particularly thrilled with. However there is little I can do about it. Whining about it on this board is not productive and is not likely to change anything.
I know Apple charges a premium for their devices. I know this comes with a loss of freedom to upgrade on my part. I still am very much considering buying this new Mac mini.
You forgot to add the cost of a keyboard and mouse to the Mac mini.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
I was conflicted, but just added in the Magic Keyboard w/Num Keypad and Magic Mouse II to make it equal to what the iMac Pro ships with currently. The Mac mini is an even worse deal at this point, IMHO.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
Exactly what I've been saying throughout this thread, but some people, even when presented with the numbers are unable to understand and / or accept the truth.
Outside of arguing about Apple's SSD pricing – which isn't going to change unless there is a drastic drop in SSD chip prices, and even then – what is a good, reliable, outboard, NVMe capable SSD enclosure that works with USB 3 or Thunderbolt 3 and preserves the 3.3Gb read speeds? It is the cost of such an enclosure PLUS a NVMe SSD card that folks will have to shell out to expand the Mini's base storage. Any such enclosure that doesn't provide near native speeds doesn't count.
Hell, I'd like such an enclosure to expand my USB-C MBP's storage, forget about the mini.
Hell, I'd like such an enclosure to expand my USB-C MBP's storage, forget about the mini.
HBX
macrumors member
Interesting seems that the Core i3 should suit my needs and has a rather performance boost over my 2012 Mac Mini with it's i5. https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-3210M-vs-Intel-Core-i3-8100/2719vs3942
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
I would encourage you to look at AngelBird SSDs - https://ww.angelbird.com - specifically, the SSD2Go PKT XT - https://www.angelbird.com/prod/ssd2go-pkt-xt-1731/?category=2
USB-C Gen2 support, TRIM (not all external USB support TRIM), made to Professional standards and priced accordingly.
If you desire Thunderbolt 3, you would want to look at the Sonnet Tech Fusion TB3 - https://www.sonnettech.com/product/fusiontb3pcieflashdrive.html
or the OWC ThunderBlade - https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderblade
or the Akitio with Intel 905p - https://www.akitio.com/expansion/node-lite-intel-optane-ssd
or potentially rolling your own - https://www.anandtech.com/show/1303...-with-the-tekq-rapide-and-sandisk-extreme-pro
Personally, I would get the Akitio or the AngelBird. You cannot beat the Intel 905p PCIe card, but it is pricey, but Optane!
Good luck!
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As long as you are good with 4 cores/4threads...the clock speed is set at 3.6GHz, NO Turbo Boost. Just wanted to make you aware. Yes, a performance boost for sure.
HBX
macrumors member
Hmm....would you think that the Turbo boost make that much of a difference. I noticed the 2012 Mini does 2.5 and turbo boost to 3.1....hmmm....
Thanks! I will look closely at these. I did notice that the angelbird model only supports up to 1GB/s read so that's less desirable though in real world usage it might not make that much of a difference.
But the fact that such outboard options are not exactly cheap does mean that low 3rd party NVMe SSD prices are somewhat moot because once you buy an enclosure, you have lost the initially perceived savings (but have gained other benefits from a portable or non-portable SSD enclosure).
Juggar
macrumors member
Turbo does not matter, the benchmark you linked earlier already took that into account.
You are comparing a dual core 3rd gen i5 laptop CPU to an 8th generation quad core desktop class i3-8100. Of course the 8th gen quad core i3 stomps that chip.
In fact, the quad core i3 8100 would typically be called an i5 part (i5-7500), but intel shifted everything up a notch due to competitive pressure from AMD.
Zdigital2015
macrumors 601
It all depends on your workload. Do you really need more than 4 cores? If you do and you can afford to do so, I would consider getting the Core i5 model (8/256) and call it a day. Six cores, better single core and multicore performance, without hyper-threading - so a bit of protection from Spectre/Meltdown side channel attacks and probably runs a bit cooler in the enclosure with the 3.0GHz base clock, plus 4.1GHz Turbo Boost, which may be worth it if your workload is mostly single core/dual core. If the $300 is too much of a stretch, its not like the Core i3 is garbage, it's a darn good CPU, so you're not losing out too badly unless you really need the two extra cores for audio or transcoding/exporting video. Besides, you can save $300 to spend in the future on an eGPU enclosure (eGFX 550) and then equip it with a Radeon 570, Radeon 580 or Radeon 590, if it ever gets a released date. Just my 2¢.
HBX
macrumors member
Thanks for that info. Did not know that. Yea you're right in regards to numbers but was just curious seeing as those numbers aren't specific to MacOS....but you're right most likely.
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I'm going to be starting a Swift/iOS dev class soon so I guess I'll be mostly using XCode and just using it for Dev work....Currently my 2012 Mini is still running fine on 2 cores but 4 cores would be a welcome change. I definitely want a Macbook but with the new T2 chip in it whenever they release them so most likely that will be when I start that class in the meantime I'll do some of my own research into Swift/iOS programming on the new Mini....Plus I'd like a new 4k TV/Screen with that nice larger resolution....
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Sabelonada
macrumors 6502
Also consider that an i5 8400 out performs an i7 7700 and it's frustrating that the iMac line didn't receive the generational update. The i5 is a great processor and the i3 is no slouch neither.
I know it would require at least a chipset upgrade as well because the 8th generation isn't just a drop in replacement.