Apple CEO Tim Cook: Mac Mini Will Be 'Important Part' of Future Product Lineup

[DevNull0]

I think you need to examine the chart again.

Yep. Says "Consumer (iOS)" "Pro (MacOS)" right on the chart.

So to repeat my previous post:

You think pro = macOS and Cosumer = iOS?

You're already living in a different world from Apple *and* the majority of their customers.

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He didn't say an upgradable or powerful Mac Mini ... it'll be very small with the internals of a MacBook. Maybe 2 USB-C ports and 1 HDMI port. No Ethernet.

What we want is something with the internals of a 15" MBP, upgradable RAM and SSD. The only way we get this is if we're okay with paying $1500+.

There's always an Intel NUC. Several times the CPU power of a 15" MBP. Smaller than a Mac Mini even with socketed RAM and SSD socket, $600 price.

The mini you describe should be no more than the mid-range mini is now.

 

[Abazigal]

The Mac mini's role is quite clear and Steve Jobs described it as such when he introduced it: it's supposed to be a low-cost, BYODKM machine for people who want to try to move away from Windows.

And that role is now no longer needed. At least from Apple’s perspective.

The future of the Mac is probably as some high-end AR/VR/App content creation machine. You are not going to be using a low-end Mac mini for that. For everything else, the iPad is going to get better until it suffices as a general-purpose computer for the masses.

Apple is clearly positioning the iPad as a Mac alternative.

It’s the same with the Mac Pro. Apple likely never had any intention of updating it, and were planning on the iMac Pro taking its place. They walked back their position only upon seeing the massive backlash in forums like this.

Maybe we will see the Mac mini live on spiritually as some entry-level option of the Mac Pro, but as far as Apple is concerned, it has no place in their grand vision of things. Which I believe is as follows:

1) Release an Apple Watch that is fully independent of iPhone.
2) Position Apple Watch to handle more tasks currently given to iPhone.
3) Release accessories that complement Apple's expanding wearables strategy.
4) Position iPhone as an AR navigation device.
5) Position iPad as a genuine Mac alternative.
6) Position Mac as a VR/AR content creation machine.

https://www.aboveavalon.com/notes/2017/10/18/apples-grand-vision

None of which specifically calls for a Mac mini.

 

[Abazigal]

Yep. Says "Consumer (iOS)" "Pro (MacOS)" right on the chart.

Apologies. I must be more tired than I thought. I somehow saw the order as reversed.

https://www.aboveavalon.com/notes/2017/10/18/apples-grand-vision

I would recommend that everyone read the article I linked above. It’s not official, of course, being just one man’s take on things, but I find this guy has been fairly spot on when it comes to getting a pulse on what Apple’s long term product strategies and motivations are.

In short, Apple wants to make technology more personal, and the answer to that is found in iOS devices and wearables, not Macs.

So when Apple speaks of positioning the iPad as their vision of personal computing, I don’t think it’s an idle boast or marketing fluff. They really believe in this, and have every intention of (eventually) making it a reality.

 

[LordVic]

Stop using laptop CPUs in desktop computers. They have a worst power-to-price ratio than desktop CPUs. Keep the same footprint but make the Mac mini taller, it sits on your desk it doesn't matter if it's 3cm tall or 12cm tall.

needs to be repeated.

The ULV dual core parts Apple chose to use, are ultrabook laptop CPU's. As you go lower in the power draw, while you get a better CPU power to energy consumption number, you lose on CPU power to cost. The CPU isn't low end, But it's a CPU designed for mobile applications.

The 2 core CPU's cost MORE to use than the 4 core mobile that was in it before. And the 4 core mobile that was in it before, actually costs MORE than a desktop grade part!

The trade off is energy usage and heat. important when you're on mobile, or ultra mobile. But not for a computer that sits on your desk, plugged in, with room for a proper cooling solution. The Mac Mini could easily handle a desktop class 65w CPU. And a little better thermal engineering could fit a 95w part. (I'd say anything higher would be right out though).

the choices APple made with the Mac Mini in 2014 did not stem from anything customer focused. It was purely a way of providing bulk purchasing for them, while locking down via soldered parts to us.

There was absolutely ZERO technical reason for the shift in parts in 2014. NONE. Apple just decided for us, that a lower powered CPU, that is limited in it's power and Expansion was in HIS best interest. not ours.

They recognized that a 2012 4 core desktop had a longer lifespan due to diminishing returns on CPU power, and replaceable memory / hard drives. Apple didn't want that. They WANTED you to replace your 2 year old machine with newer ones regularly. It backfired, and it appears that the 2014 model went so undersold that Apple just figured nobody wants a computer and forgot about it.

 

[amegicfox]

Apple is the "pipeline" company

Cars are in the pipeline, movies in the pipeline, VR in the pipeline, AI in the pipeline, TV in the pipeline and the 4 year old Mac Pro and Mac mini in the pipeline

 

[LordVic]

Apple is the "pipeline" company

Cars are in the pipeline, movies in the pipeline, VR in the pipeline, AI in the pipeline, TV in the pipeline etc.

quick, Someone get Apple some extra fibre!

 

[Abazigal]

Apple is the "pipeline" company

Cars are in the pipeline, movies in the pipeline, VR in the pipeline, AI in the pipeline, TV in the pipeline and the 4 year old Mac Pro and Mac mini in the pipeline

Just wanted to reply to your signature.

"Visionless Tim Cook doesn't understand technology. MacBooks with wooden keyboards, no ports, removal of magsafe, soldered ram and 5,200rpm on desktops. Stop this insanity."

What if it's the people here who don't understand Apple, and they are the ones refusing to accept the fact that they simply have no place in this new world order that Apple seeks to usher in?

 

[stevenaaus]

I have the itching feeling that the next Mac Mini will see a custom Apple chip.

Hmmm - It'd be interesting alright, and may-be what's behind the delay and Tim's slightly cryptic comments, but i still doubt it. Too big a step i reckon. I can't see them transitioning a desktop mac away from Intel.

 

[Leguna24]

make it one sooner than later, thanks

 

[Val-kyrie]

Well. Nice to see we got a response

Verbally only. It's time for Apple to put up or shut up.

 

[Chatran]

Stop using laptop CPUs in desktop computers. They have a worst power-to-price ratio than desktop CPUs. Keep the same footprint but make the Mac mini taller, it sits on your desk it doesn't matter if it's 3cm tall or 12cm tall.

To me, if they didn't use mobile CPUs in Mac Mini, I wouldn't buy it in this first place. If they are going to change to use desktop class CPUs, I don't see a point to buy anymore.

 

[navaira]

To me, if they didn't use mobile CPUs in Mac Mini, I wouldn't buy it in this first place. If they are going to change to use desktop class CPUs, I don't see a point to buy anymore.

Why? It would be too fast for your needs?

 

[eVolcre]

I’m going to take some flack for this but I’ll put it out there. Personally I could use an ultra mobile , thinner, lower footprint, maybe less powerful mini. I travel a lot. But it’s not a few nights in a hotel room and then back to home base. It’s 6 months onsite in a different country. A laptop doesn’t really do it for me, the screen is too small. Now if we had some sort of an Apple TV sized Mac mini it’s almost perfect. A trackpad and magic keyboard can be packed easily. When I get to where I’m going I just buy a cheap monitor or worse case attach it to a tv that most furnished flats come with.

If I could use an iPad screen as a monitor for the above mini Mac mini it becomes even more useful. Actually I guess I can right now using duet display.

The Mac Pro is too much computer, iMac not portable and the laptops .. why pay extra when it’s going to be in clamshell mode anyway. Just give me the guts in the smallest package

The doesn’t negate the need for an actual desktop Mac mini like a lot of you want hopefully then can coexist. For my own use what I described above would be perfect.

 

[Lankyman]

This is undeniably truth that the Mac mini is almost certainly coming.

Keep hope alive people!

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let's see the goods not the promise of 'jam tomorrow'.
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For the last 3 years it’s been people like me saying it (realistically for 1-2 years given the refresh cycle), now you have the news from the CEO of Apple and you still don’t believe it?

His name is Tim Cook not 'Abraham'. Let's wait for the product, though hopefully not a totally sealed unit.

 

[wizard]

This guy got lucky to get a response. Several of my colleagues have tried several times to no avail. Maybe the new Mac mini is coming? ...

It is completely possible that Cook took this opportunity to prime the market so to speak. That is you start to get the marketing machine warmed up prior to the point you are ready to release.

 

[Appleaker]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let's see the goods not the promise of 'jam tomorrow'.
[doublepost=1508583668][/doublepost]

His name is Tim Cook not 'Abraham'. Let's wait for the product, though hopefully not a totally sealed unit.

He is the CEO of the company that make the product. Not to mention I can confirm a new Mac mini is in the works. I don't know about their plans regarding upgradeability, but I really hope they do what the customers want, at least easy access to the RAM.

 

[chilinux]

Happy Birthday, Mac MIni 2012 model!

Obvious next major milestones for the Mac Mini:

• February 2018: The Mac MIni will have gone over 1200 days without being refreshed thus beating the Mac Pro's previous lengthy update drought.
  
  
• March 2018: Two year anniversary of Phil Schiller offering the iPad Pro as the solution to him being sad that over 600 million PCs in use are over five years old.
  
  
• June 2018: Fourth WWDC since the Mac Mini was last refreshed. Xcode version 10 with support for Swift 5 will be announced. No demonstrations/talks will be performed using a Mac Mini.
  
  
• September 2018: Fourth new iPhone launch since the Mac Mini was last refreshed. The new phone with an A12 processor will provide a Geekbench score five times higher than a newly purchased i7 Mac Mini.
  
  
• October 2018: Mac Mini 2012 model's 4th Birthday. AppleCare will have expired for everyone that bought a 2012 model during its first year of production.
  
  
• The future of the Apple Mac Mini is explained in more detail in this video:

 

[convergent]

It is completely possible that Cook took this opportunity to prime the market so to speak. That is you start to get the marketing machine warmed up prior to the point you are ready to release.

Prime the market? It was primed about 2 years ago. At this point many consumers such as myself have moved on. It's somewhat offensive for him to act like this statement is OK. He should have started with an apology for letting much of the Mac line be neglected and explain how he is going to turn that around. Otherwise I would expect some lame product to satisfy the complainers and then back to the iOS or bust strategy they have clearly established.

 

[LordVic]

To me, if they didn't use mobile CPUs in Mac Mini, I wouldn't buy it in this first place. If they are going to change to use desktop class CPUs, I don't see a point to buy anymore.

Why?

it makes no sense. You'd rather pay more for a slower CPU that offers no benefit additional use case benefits? i'm genuinely curious why you'd willingly pay the same for a slower machine than get the best performance you can?

 

[Bacillus]

Ask Gil Amelio and Performa will be a great part of the future...
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This is what HP did in a similar form factor (HP Z2 Mini):

Think Apple will do any better?

Please mail this to Tim and ask him what the Thermonuclear War delivered ?

 

[Roadstar]

Not sure or not to be worried that he didn’t use the “pipeline” in his response...

Apparently there’s quite a blockage in the Mac oriented product pipeline coming out of Apple.

Apparently they let Jony design the pipeline and it became too thin to allow anything meaningful through.

 

[Aldaris]

Apparently they let Jony design the pipeline and it became too thin to allow anything meaningful through.

We need a “hah ha” button!

 

[Bacillus]

Apparently they let Jony design the pipeline and it became too thin to allow anything meaningful through.

Ah !
I feared the overabundance of ports made him reconnect the output to the input - but your version leaves some hope...
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He is the CEO of the company that make the product. Not to mention I can confirm a new Mac mini is in the works. I don't know about their plans regarding upgradeability, but I really hope they do what the customers want, at least easy access to the RAM.

I guess they are studying the HP Z2 minibox for 5 years to see if that matured enough - and then essentially sell you a pot of glue to impede upgrades and conceal how outdated everything is.
But the more, I am looking forward to the cardboard that is expected to be excellent and environment-friendly.
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1) Release an Apple Watch that is fully independent of iPhone.
2) Position Apple Watch to handle more tasks currently given to iPhone.
3) Release accessories that complement Apple's expanding wearables strategy.
4) Position iPhone as an AR navigation device.
5) Position iPad as a genuine Mac alternative.
6) Position Mac as a VR/AR content creation machine.
https://www.aboveavalon.com/notes/2017/10/18/apples-grand-vision
None of which specifically calls for a Mac mini.

That can't be far from reality.
But apparently, someone hidden deep inside the 200.000 employee squad with a marketing bachelors (possibly recognized by two others) still seems to realize that a CEO can't always disappoint his customers so they devised The Pipeline.
With the AppleCar, AppleTV and a viable all-in-one health solution further away than ever, MacMini might get in it's top20.
May I suggest that we unite ourselves in prayer tonight - in our most solitary moments ?
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Another comment -- I'm awfully damned tired of hearing Wayne Gretzky's comment about "skating to where the puck is going" as an excuse to do.....

Agree. This rather is a sur-place where the puck once was, as the ice melted away over time.
Sadly, Wayne Gretzky never considered mental artritis.

 

[Lankyman]

He is the CEO of the company that make the product.

Exactly, which is what's been holding Apple back from innovating the last 6 years.

 

[jeremysteele]

I’m sure your joking but I’ll take you seriously

Not at all doable in the current form factor. You’ve pretty much described a MacPro.

The Mac mini is energy efficient and fanless, and uses CPUs designed for mobile. Intel doesn’t make an 8 or 16 core cpu in a 15W TDP, only quad core. Those parts, just released in 3Q2017, only support 16 GB of LPDDR3 (must be soldered) or 32 GB of DDR4.

A current Intel 8 core (a desktop chip) dissipates 140W and their 16 core—a $1700 part—has a 165W TDP.

btw, don’t forget your 250W GTX 1080 ti

PS Keep your eye out for the new iMac Pro, you’ll love it! Or if you really don’t want a built in screen, the upcoming Mac Pro should float your boat

I'm glad you picked up on my sarcasm/jokingness there . I would agree the current form wouldn't cut it, if they changed the form factor it would be doable, but we all know that'll never happen. We can dream though, eh?

I used to have a late 2012 i7 mini which was truly a beast, at the time building a comparable full-sized windows desktop for that price was a difficult task. Those days are long gone I'm afraid.

Unfortunately my mini bit the dust about 2 years ago, and I've since switched full windows. At some point I may grab a macbook pro since let's face it, their notebooks kick butt...

Unfortunately their desktops leave a lot to be desired

Who knows though, maybe when they finally get around to updating the dang mini in 2021 there be an 8-core mobile processor