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Are there any particular reason Apple won't update MM?

and 4096 others like this

and 4096 others like this

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 26, 2018
142
183
Hi,

Recently I though a lot about buying iMac 21" or 27". I want to use macOS Mojave. Because Apple didn't fixed dust problem since 2012, I decided not to buy iMac. I don't play games (well, only Starcraft 1 Remastered), so Mac mini would be ok for me. As we all know, hardware of Mac mini is old, very old, so old it could be found in prehistoric amber, like insects in Jurassic Park...

But again, I can buy Mac mini for $700 (i5 2,6 GHz, 8 GB ram and 1 TB HDD). I already have very fast SSD, so I can change it without buying it at Apple Online Store.

The thing I just can't get and understand is WHY Apple won't change hardware or just simple remove it from their store. I mean... Even if you are not so familiar with hardware, you know it is very old device... I don't think Apple have a lot of profits from this device. They may think - no one buy it so let's ignore hardware update, but the reason no-one buys it, is lack of updates ;/

How much would hardware change cost them? Design may be same as now, 8 GB for base model - ok for lot of users, GPU - no reason, integrated graphic from CPU is good enough, HDD? As long as users can change disc by themselves - it's ok (ok, maybe not ok, just throw this ancient 5400 rpm hdd and put at least Fusion Drive in base model). The only thing they need to change is CPU... With CPU you have better performance and better graphics.

So, is there any reason, ANY... why Apple didn't change Mac mini yet? I hope they update Mac mini this year or discontinue it, because of this people could buy better product or buy 2014 Mac mini in regular shops with lower than ever price...
 
I believe they do that to push customers toward iMacs and laptops because they are more profitable.

It's Apple's way of doing a 2 for the price of 1, if you get both the computer and the screen they give you modern hardware! Else you're stuck with 4-5 year old hardware.
 
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Well, I would go for iMac, but look how many users have problem with dust in screen. I want to buy iMac for next 4-5 years, not for 2 years warranty and then sell it, because it can get dust inside the screen ;/
 
Glmnet1 said:
I believe they do that to push customers toward iMacs and laptops because they are more profitable.
Click to expand...

I also bet that this is the case. It comes down to money.

I think the profit margins are much lower on Mac Mini when compared to iMacs. Apple probably views sales of the Mac Mini as potential cannibalization of iMac sales.

That's is why they typically have underwhelming specs on the Minis.

When Apple released decent Minis, they were then replaced with the 2014's, which many people consider the 2014 Mac Mini a downgrade compared to the previous model.
 
vertical smile said:
When Apple released decent Minis, they were then replaced with the 2014's, which many people consider the 2014 Mac Mini a downgrade compared to the previous model.
Click to expand...

Very true. I saw some statistics and high end version of MM2012 was better than high end version of MM2014.

If its all about money, we might never see new version of Mac mini
 
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and 4096 others like this said:
Hi,

Recently I though a lot about buying iMac 21" or 27". I want to use macOS Mojave. Because Apple didn't fixed dust problem since 2012, I decided not to buy iMac. I don't play games (well, only Starcraft 1 Remastered), so Mac mini would be ok for me. As we all know, hardware of Mac mini is old, very old, so old it could be found in prehistoric amber, like insects in Jurassic Park...

But again, I can buy Mac mini for $700 (i5 2,6 GHz, 8 GB ram and 1 TB HDD). I already have very fast SSD, so I can change it without buying it at Apple Online Store.

The thing I just can't get and understand is WHY Apple won't change hardware or just simple remove it from their store. I mean... Even if you are not so familiar with hardware, you know it is very old device... I don't think Apple have a lot of profits from this device. They may think - no one buy it so let's ignore hardware update, but the reason no-one buys it, is lack of updates ;/

How much would hardware change cost them? Design may be same as now, 8 GB for base model - ok for lot of users, GPU - no reason, integrated graphic from CPU is good enough, HDD? As long as users can change disc by themselves - it's ok (ok, maybe not ok, just throw this ancient 5400 rpm hdd and put at least Fusion Drive in base model). The only thing they need to change is CPU... With CPU you have better performance and better graphics.

So, is there any reason, ANY... why Apple didn't change Mac mini yet? I hope they update Mac mini this year or discontinue it, because of this people could buy better product or buy 2014 Mac mini in regular shops with lower than ever price...
Click to expand...
Imac 2017 is over price, if they sell same specification like base line imac 2017,nobody want to buy it. Even so, a lot of people would suggest 27 " for future expansion of ram. I own mac mini 2014 base line before , it totally horrible. Integerated Graphic is good for normal user and long live life.

My Suggestion if required wait till year end event and i8 proc.Fusion Drive should be obsolete at first place.
 
and 4096 others like this said:
Very true. I saw some statistics and high end version of MM2012 was better than high end version of MM2014.
Click to expand...

A couple years ago I had to choose between the top 2014 model (3ghz dual core/16gb/256gb SSD) and top 2012 (2.6ghz quad core/16/gb/256gb SSD). I got the 2012 from MacSales, a company that sells used computers with a 90 day warranty. It was about $150 cheaper than the 2014 Mini and it's about 50% faster. I use this system for audio and video editing, so a fast CPU saves a lot of rendering time.

However there would have been advantages to the 2014 also: better graphics chip, two thunderbolt 2 ports, faster SSD, 802.11ac wifi and of course a full year warranty. These features might be more important to some people. But I'm glad I got the 2012 quad since speed was my biggest priority.
 
I want to buy Mac Mini but I’ve got feeling, that it may get update this year. On the other hand Apple may not update it till march Keynote as well. I don’t think they want to remove it for good...
 
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"It’s all just a theory, but I like it a lot. How about you?"

IMO that is just wishful thinking, like some of the posts in the big thread about the Mini. Hope he is right, but I seriously doubt it.
 
I want a new mac at work, my current 2012 Mac Mini is on it's last legs, reboots randomly due to video/overheating. Might have to settle for an iMac, 27" mid-tier, then add 3rd party ram and an external SSD. I really wish the Mini was still being updated.
 
dogslobber said:
Here's a new perspective on it.

https://www.macobserver.com/columns-opinions/editorial/apple-new-mac-mini-mac-pro/
Click to expand...

I read this article yesterday, but honestly I think there is no way Apple would do something like this.

The Pro always was for more powerful devices or at least with more features.

iPad Pro is better than regular iPad, MacBook Pro I better that regular MacBook or Air, Mac Pro is better than mini, and iMac Pro is better than regular iMac. Pro devices cost (obviously) more than regular (ok, 12" MacBook is the one exception in term of price).

Author of quoted article wrote, that new modular Mac Pro may cost even thousands of dollars, but you may be able to upgrade it in the future because of modular conception. And here is what doesn't make sense for me.

If Mac Pro will be one of the most powerful devices Apple delivers, it would also cost a lot of money. Even base configurations of Pro models are expensive. Look at base Mac Pro (current) at the launch day, or iMac Pro - you can triple price of base model easily. So my point is - Mac Pro, modular or not, will be VERY EXPENSIVE machine, even for base model. Base model will be also powerful, because of "PRO" name on in. Can you imagine base model will be like 1.4 GHz i5 ultra low voltage? Well, I thought so.

Look at how much cost base model of Mac mini - $500. It's impossible Apple would sell Mac Pro in range from $500 to $18 000. It makes no sense. Everyone would buy cheap one and upgrade it by themselves. Ok, let's say base model will be not for upgrade, therefor it wouldn't be powerful, but with "PRO" name on it?

I think there are 2 options - Apple will upgrade mini with 7th gen Intel CPU and that's all or they will discontinue it very soon. I really believe they will do silent upgrade or just mention it at October or March Keynote, because of what Tim Cook said. I don't think they want to remove it.
 
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