i3 or i5 “2020” mini?

[steve217]

I don't think the 10gb ethernet is worth paying extra for, but that's just me.

I came to the same conclusion.

Do I want to update my home network for 10gb? The cost made me balk.

 

[Boyd01]

I didn't want 10gb either, but after waiting more than a month I came to the conclusion that a 2tb/64gb i7 with gigabit would never never appear in the refurb store, so I got one with 10gb ethernet.

 

[monkeybongo]

I made the upgrade a few months ago from the 2012 i7 to the 2018 i5 and I don't regret it. But if you are planning to go factory upgrades, I would just wait for the ARM processors to make your decision later this year in Oct/Nov unless you need Boot Camp. I'm assuming that Intel processors will be a second class citizens in the future and Mac OS will be tuned specifically for ARM.

 

[opeter]

Anyway, the i3 Mini CPU has about the same geekbench rating as your 2012 quad mini, but there are many other improvements that will enhance performance and offer other advantages.

Well, PassMark has the following numbers:

Mac mini 2012, i7, 4-core/8 threads
Intel Core i7-3615QM @ 2.30GHz - 5028

Intel Core i7-3615QM Benchmark

www.cpubenchmark.net

Mac mini 2018, i3, 4-core/4 threads
Intel Core i3-8100B @ 3.60GHz - 6907

Intel Core i3-8100B Benchmark

www.cpubenchmark.net

My colleague still uses an Core-i7 2.6GHz, but to be honest, the overall experience with Adobe Creative Cloude is not smooth enough. The i3 in that regard is much smoother. And the overall experience with different tasks (Youtube, etc.) is better. Maybe to this contributes the "better" integrated GPU too? I don't know...

But also consider, you're using an 8-year old computer. How long do you think it will last? Would it be better to upgrade now and be all set for another 8 years?

No debate here.

 

[Hessel89]

Do not do it. Your 2012 i7 is more than enough until new ARM mac minis appear. It's unwise to buy 2018 now, IMHO. They are too hot and have wifi/bluetooth problems.

if ARM Mac mini's are really coming soon that's actually a reason to go pick one up today!

 

[Wotcher]

I came from a Late 2013 15" MacBook Pro (i7 2.6GHz) and the speed difference is maybe not night and day, but very noticeable. I bought a refurbished mini (i7/512GB/16GB-->64GB) to buy me time between now and the right time comes for me to buy an Apple silicon Mac.

 

[76Nico]

I bought an i7, 32GB, 1TB from the refurb store today. It's slightly higher spec than I was initially going for (i5, 32GB, 512GB) but I can't complain at being £80 more.

 

[Jro29]

I bought an i7, 32GB, 1TB from the refurb store today. It's slightly higher spec than I was initially going for (i5, 32GB, 512GB) but I can't complain at being £80 more.

I got this exact computer from the refurb store. It arrived today. I am amazed at how many people will tell you how dumb you are for not upgrading the RAM yourself, despite giving clear reasons why this isn’t your preference.
I went back and forth on whether to get the i7 or the i5. I don’t need the i7, but the refurb store so rarely had 32 GB RAM with the i5. And since a new i5 is more expensive than the refurb i7, I figured what could it hurt?
Enjoy your computer.

 

[76Nico]

I went back and forth on whether to get the i7 or the i5. I don’t need the i7, but the refurb store so rarely had 32 GB RAM with the i5. And since a new i5 is more expensive than the refurb i7, I figured what could it hurt?

This was me today!

 

[timidpimpin]