How long after an event till you can order?

[FlyingTexan]

Im going to be ordering the Mac mini the second it’s available. I know some are going to say “but you don’t even know what it has in it”!!!! But to a degree I do.

No matter what processor it comes with it’s a giant step up from the 22nm last one that could only do 4k@30hz. Absolute worst case (looking at the weakest processor) it can still do 4k@60@10 bit. It’s 40% faster than the 2014 with hardware decoding! So as long as it has a SSD, 8gb memory, Wireless AC 5ghz (all of which it will) I’m set to have my favorite HTPC back up and running streaming content on my 4k TV.

So after the reveal does Apple generally let you order right away? I just checked their website and the store is still up and running unlike before the last event.

 

[Nermal]

Macs are usually available to order the same day.

 

[SnacksGU]

Macs - the website wont go down until the event or just right after the event if I remember from past Mac releases.

 

[kaibob]

I would like to order first thing tomorrow morning, but a big factor for me is whether the memory is upgradeable. Where does this information come from? Perhaps the users manual will be available at time of order.

 

[FlyingTexan]

I would like to order first thing tomorrow morning, but a big factor for me is whether the memory is upgradeable. Where does this information come from? Perhaps the users manual will be available at time of order.

People always say this, and I’m not saying you don’t have your reasons, but I never get it. I always bought something that could be upgradable only to realize that by the time that became an issue I could just as easily buy a more modern setup that has newer abilities. IE they could have made the 2014 Mac mini upgradeable but even with 64GB ram in it the output would still be limited to 4k@30hz.


There always seems to be big technological leaps that simply make the hardware obsolete before the performance actually degrades. I’m going to do some reading now though on memory usage with the new OS.

 

[redheeler]

People always say this, and I’m not saying you don’t have your reasons, but I never get it. I always bought something that could be upgradable only to realize that by the time that became an issue I could just as easily buy a more modern setup that has newer abilities. IE they could have made the 2014 Mac mini upgradeable but even with 64GB ram in it the output would still be limited to 4k@30hz.


There always seems to be big technological leaps that simply make the hardware obsolete before the performance actually degrades. I’m going to do some reading now though on memory usage with the new OS.

The 4K@30 Hz is a limitation of the GPU, which has never been upgradable on the Mac minis. Though with a 2018 Mac mini, Thunderbolt 3 eGPU should effectively make it upgradable.

 

[kaibob]

People always say this, and I’m not saying you don’t have your reasons, but I never get it. I always bought something that could be upgradable only to realize that by the time that became an issue I could just as easily buy a more modern setup that has newer abilities. IE they could have made the 2014 Mac mini upgradeable but even with 64GB ram in it the output would still be limited to 4k@30hz.


There always seems to be big technological leaps that simply make the hardware obsolete before the performance actually degrades. I’m going to do some reading now though on memory usage with the new OS.

I didn't explain properly. If the ram is upgradeable, then I'll buy the mini with minimum memory and almost immediately add what I want. That's what I did with my 2012 mini. If it's not upgradeable, then I'll buy the mini with 16GB and even more if I can afford it. So, I'm buying a new mini--I just want to save a few dollars if I can.

 

[FlyingTexan]

The 4K@30 Hz is a limitation of the GPU, which has never been upgradable on the Mac minis. Though with a 2018 Mac mini, Thunderbolt 3 eGPU should effectively make it upgradable.

There is no dedicated gpu. Its what’s on the processor. That was my point. The worst you’d see is the Intel hdu 620 which still supports 4k@60. If they went with Ryzen the lowest is on their 2200u apu that would still blow 4k out of the water. My point being that even if this thing has the crappiest components it will still be capable to do what I’d like it to do which the older couldn’t.
[doublepost=1540875090][/doublepost]Ah

I didn't explain properly. If the ram is upgradeable, then I'll buy the mini with minimum memory and almost immediately add what I want. That's what I did with my 2012 mini. If it's not upgradeable, then I'll buy the mini with 16GB and even more if I can afford it. So, I'm buying a new mini--I just want to save a few dollars if I can.

ahh I’ll 100% be there with you. I doubt it because there’s the risk of stability if you open it up to anyone adding anything they want but yea I’d junk whatever it came
With and add 32GB just because I never know the future but honestly I think with this 8GB will last a loooong time. 16 surely will. I had the 4GB one that eventually showed it’s age but can’t see any difference between the 8 and 16gb MacBooks

 

[redheeler]

There is no dedicated gpu. Its what’s on the processor. That was my point. The worst you’d see is the Intel hdu 620 which still supports 4k@60. If they went with Ryzen the lowest is on their 2200u apu that would still blow 4k out of the water. My point being that even if this thing has the crappiest components it will still be capable to do what I’d like it to do which the older couldn’t.

Right, but you seem to be arguing that upgrading is pointless when you can simply buy new hardware. In actuality, buying new hardware is only necessary because the GPU cannot be upgraded.

eGPU enclosures now bring the possibility of aftermarket GPU upgrades to a future Mac mini, which is a big deal when thinking about upgradability / longevity. The 8-year-old Mac Pro 5,1 remains useful in 2018 largely because of the simple fact it can accept a modern PCIe GPU.

 

[EightyTwenty]

People always say this, and I’m not saying you don’t have your reasons, but I never get it. I always bought something that could be upgradable only to realize that by the time that became an issue I could just as easily buy a more modern setup that has newer abilities. IE they could have made the 2014 Mac mini upgradeable but even with 64GB ram in it the output would still be limited to 4k@30hz.


There always seems to be big technological leaps that simply make the hardware obsolete before the performance actually degrades. I’m going to do some reading now though on memory usage with the new OS.

People used to upgrade the RAM in the Mini on the day of purchase, as it was significantly cheaper compared to what Apple charged for RAM. Ditto for swapping out the spinner for an SSD.

And if you are buying a computer with 8 GB of RAM today, it is highly likely you are going to want the option to upgrade to at least 16 GB within the next few years.

 

[FlyingTexan]

Right, but you seem to be arguing that upgrading is pointless when you can simply buy new hardware. In actuality, buying new hardware is only necessary because the GPU cannot be upgraded.

eGPU enclosures now bring the possibility of aftermarket GPU upgrades to a future Mac mini, which is a big deal when thinking about upgradability / longevity. The 8-year-old Mac Pro 5,1 remains useful in 2018 largely because of the simple fact it can accept a modern PCIe GPU.

Not entirely. I’m not talking a newer game where a little more gfx power is needed but completely new standards. Things like hdmi 1.4 not being able to compete with hdmi 2.0. You’re going to buy an egpu and a gfx card instead of just getting a new machine that will already perform to the new specs for the same price and offer a slew of new features? You mention one item but the whole thing becomes obsolete. What about new WiFi standards and abilities, Bluetooth 5.0 upgrades, video and audio hardware abilities, hardware security updates, and any number of other upgrades like biometric scanners?

My point was it’s generational. You spec a system for what you need now. If you don’t need 32GB then don’t bother (it’s such a massive gap you know if you do). But everyone wants to be a “prepper” and act like they want to keep it for 10yrs when the reality is then R&D department will pump out something new most people will want. How many people here have an iPhone 5s like my mother? “It still makes calls” and “it still gets on the internet” but people that paid for the highest end model probably still ditched it for a new gen because all the sudden there’s water proofing, far better cameras with image stabilization, complete new designs, and complete new functionality.

The biggest joke out there is people fooling themselves into “future proofing” their machines. The base next gen model will outperform your future proofed specs and you’ll be in at a cheaper price point but with much better functionality. Buy for what you need now. When that doesn’t cut it, sell it, and buy the latest gen. You’ll always come out ahead.

 

[redheeler]

Not entirely. I’m not talking a newer game where a little more gfx power is needed but completely new standards. Things like hdmi 1.4 not being able to compete with hdmi 2.0. You’re going to buy an egpu and a gfx card instead of just getting a new machine that will already perform to the new specs for the same price and offer a slew of new features? You mention one item but the whole thing becomes obsolete. What about new WiFi standards and abilities, Bluetooth 5.0 upgrades, video and audio hardware abilities, hardware security updates, and any number of other upgrades like biometric scanners?

Older standards aren't immediately obsolete when newer standards become available. And the Mac Pro 5,1 can be upgraded to have modern standards like HDMI 2.0, 802.11ac, USB-C, and even NVMe SSD for much less than the cost of a new Mac Pro.

But since this is the Mac mini we're talking about, things are a bit different when you're looking at four years of improvements to inexpensive and non-upgradable hardware, and a lighter use case like yours. Though it depends how inexpensive - not sure it'd look as appealing to you at $799 or higher, which is likely if truly pro-focused as rumored - but we should see in a matter of hours.
[doublepost=1540907713][/doublepost]I use a 2012 Mac mini as a HTPC (connected to a 1080p setup), and have no reason to upgrade despite the years of improvements and newer standards. It still does everything I need.