Difference in Processors in newer MacMinis

[iabm]

Hey all,

Just a general question really. I have a 2017 MBP which has an i5 processor yet my newer MacMini (2018) has an i3 processor. I just wonder if anyone knows why the newer Mac Mini doesn't have an i5 processor? Not a massive issue for me but I did wonder why my Zoom background was better when using my laptop. I suspect my even newer MBP bought earlier last month, will also have a better processor that my MacMini.

Any thoughts welcome, just a curious question.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[casperes1996]

The i numbers are not directly correlated to how good the processor is. The i3 in the Mini is a “desktop“ i3, not a “laptop” i3. Also it goes without saying that a 2010 i7 is not as good as a 2020 i5.
Without knowing which MBP you have I feel fairly confident in saying the mini’s CPU is either as good or a bit better than the laptops actually, when comparing just CPU. But the laptop could have a better GPU. Not entirely sure what you mean by your “Zoom background” - CPU usage while it’s not the active app?

 

[iabm]

The i numbers are not directly correlated to how good the processor is. The i3 in the Mini is a “desktop“ i3, not a “laptop” i3. Also it goes without saying that a 2010 i7 is not as good as a 2020 i5.
Without knowing which MBP you have I feel fairly confident in saying the mini’s CPU is either as good or a bit better than the laptops actually, when comparing just CPU. But the laptop could have a better GPU. Not entirely sure what you mean by your “Zoom background” - CPU usage while it’s not the active app?

Thanks for the reply. I'm not a massive Techie so I could have confused myself and the question.

My MBP is a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) and my MacMini is MacMini (2018). My Older laptop has a Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and my Mini is a Quad-Core Intel Core i3. In terms of the zoom background, to get a virtual background to work better, it suggests i4 or above for them to work well. I just wondered why a newer MacMini wouldn't have this but a slightly older MacBook does.

As I say, just a question that popped into my head.

Thanks for the response

 

[MacCheetah3]

I just wonder if anyone knows why the newer Mac Mini doesn't have an i5 processor?

I’m not sure what you mean by this?p. By newer Mac, do you mean the model released this month? If so, that model features the M1, Apple’s own chip with their naming scheme. If you mean the current Mac mini lineup in general, there’s still a:Core i5 model available.

As @casperes1996 mentioned in part, referencing Intel CPUs simply by Core i3, i5, i7, i9 isn’t very helpful because Intel has been using those series indicators for both mobile and desktop focused configuratipons as well as for a decade or more. This is indeed a problem in traditional system requirement listings. Some companies try to compensate by stating the iteration, such as “6th generation Core i5 or better” but that’s not useful to many consumers as they don’t pay attention or otherwise are unaware of which gen CPU their computer has.

Does that make sense?

 

[opeter]

A simple logic behind this is: the bigger the number, the bigger the performance.

However, you must know, that there were some changes, like since the 8 generation CPUs, the Core-i3 have got 4 real cores, that means, that they are as fast as the former 7-gen i5s.

 

[IowaLynn]

I bought the 2020 mini and that has i5, with 512GB. The i3. Would have sufficed but wanted future proof and hoping it would not use fans.

If you just bought a 2018 was it new?

You could if bought through Apple return it, easily. Also an m1 with 16GB would it sounds like have faster system - cpu, memory, storage.

 

[Reflej0]

Hello, a little of what has already been commented. A laptop processor is not the same as a desktop processor. Previously, 2014 Mac Mini had 4xxxU series notebook processors, so performance could be a bit poor. But the 2018/2020 Mac Minis have desktop processors.
In other words, the 8100B (Mac Mini i3) is better than most of the 2017 Macbook Pro processors.

From that list, only processors ending with HQ have similar performance to the 8100B. The B means it is a soldered processor.

 

[Yoshyirld]

am starting my App and programming developer career and I would like to know should I get the Apple M1 Mac mini or the 3.0-GHz Intel Core i5 6-core processor with intel UHD Graphics 630 Mac mini? Which one will last longer and it is better for my initial needs. If you can help I will appreciate?

 

[MacCheetah3]

@Yoshyirld The M1 as Xcode is already optimized

The M1-powered MacBook Air can build apps in Xcode quicker than iMac Pro

Apple's M1-powered MacBook Air is beating out some pretty beefy machines in all kinds of tests.

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