Going to buy a Mac Mini and eGPU... Am I blowing it by not waiting?

[spaceballl]

I need a computer... The WiFi on my MacBook Pro has finally gone out. I'm thinking of getting a max'd out Mac Mini with an eGPU. I have this weird desk called a OneLessDesk... I have about 4" of clearance built into the desk, and I was going to put a Mac Mini in there and a small eGPU for a lower power GPU... Am I crazy for not waiting until WWDC to see if there's a Mac Pro of my dreams? I'm just thinking that the low profile Mac Mini + low profile eGPU would be a nice, elegant, powerful solution. I don't need the best graphics in the world. But I certainly can't deal with those integrated Intel graphics...

If the Mac Pro comes out and it's huge, I won't feel like I missed out because it won't fit inside my desk, but if somehow their mac pro is like a 2x height mac mini, then i'll be bummed.

SO... do I pull the trigger? Or Wait it out?

 

[wkw]

Buy a usb wifi adapter for your MBP and wait

 

[Boil]

Agreed, wait it out...

And the eGPU route is more costly than being able to plug a GPU into a PCIe slot, with lower performance...

I am in need (okay, want...) of a new computer & really want to see what the new Mac Pro brings us...

 

[spaceballl]

Sigh...

I have listened to your voices of reason. Just ordered an adapter on Amazon... Well, I haven't looked forward to a Mac event for a new computer for years... so this is exciting, at least!

 

[spacedcadet]

What are you going to be using it for? Apparently eGPUs may well be useless in some cases. Eg: Photoshop and Lightroom.

https://macperformanceguide.com/blog-2019-03.html#20190324_1106-ReaderComment-eGPU

 

[frou]

IMHO if someone is optimising for small case size for a static workstation then their head is not screwed on right.

This is the one remaining area of computing where we get to cast off those shackles! Take advantage of it!

 

[StellarVixen]

What are you going to be using it for? Apparently eGPUs may well be useless in some cases. Eg: Photoshop and Lightroom.

https://macperformanceguide.com/blog-2019-03.html#20190324_1106-ReaderComment-eGPU

From the article you shared:

"An eGPU is 100% useless for Photoshop and LR unless it is driving main screen."


Mac Mini can work with output from eGPU.

 

[bsbeamer]

If you are using authentic PS/LR software, make you voice heard here:
https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

Adobe has been working on implementing a lot of features on the macOS side lately and they do (eventually) listen to feedback. Unfortunately, so much in PS is not Metal accelerated so this may be a longer-term implementation for what you actually want.

 

[spaceballl]

IMHO if someone is optimising for small case size for a static workstation then their head is not screwed on right.
This is the one remaining area of computing where we get to cast off those shackles! Take advantage of it!

It's possible that my head is not screwed on right. Another possibility is that I live in a small apartment with two young kids. A small form factor PC allows me to not only keep it out of sight from guests, but also to have it tucked away in a place where my 1 year old and 3 year old won't grab it. Note the grated metal area above the keyboard / mouse section.

 

[MarkC426]

Don’t count on the modular macpro at wwdc.
If it does even get a mention, there is no guarantee it will be available before the end of the year (as much as I would love it to be).
It all depends how desperate you are......

 

[Quicksilver867]

Short answer: Yes