Late 2014 Mac Mini Benchmarks Indicate Decreased Multi-Core Performance

[alvindarkness]

The only thing worse than a Mac that under-delivers on value AND specs, is a hackintosh... that's no solution, that's an invitation to stress and time wasting. If you're going to do *that*, you may as well just suck it up and (re)-learn Windows - you'll have support, which is critical, at least.

I have 3 hackintoshes in the house, 2 used as htpc's, one as my primary machine, and they are all working perfectly fine, with no hassles. I have multiple iOS devices that work fine, but only one Apple computer (15" 2011 MBP), which has had the GPU die for a second time. Of course Apple never acknowledged the 2011 manufacturing/design flaw, as it would probably cost them too much.

Now they are releasing products that I have no interest in. Hackintosh is looking far more viable than ever before. But you are right, perhaps it is time to move away from the Apple ecosystem entirely for many of us.

 

[DaveN]

That's 2009, and you're showing me iMac when we are talking about the Mac mini... are you struggling with counting and product naming?

Okay. You win - knock yourself out - message me when it's released in 2015, and I'll pay for HALF of it.

We are talking about Apple updating their computers. Any updates will make the Macrumors news. You aren't worth my time to send a personal notification of an update.

 

[Moto G]

I have 3 hackintoshes in the house, 2 used as htpc's, one as my primary machine, and they are all working perfectly fine, with no hassles. I have multiple iOS devices that work fine, but only one Apple computer (15" 2011 MBP), which has had the GPU die for a second time. Of course Apple never acknowledged the 2011 manufacturing/design flaw, as it would probably cost them too much.

Now they are releasing products that I have no interest in. Hackintosh is looking far more viable than ever before. But you are right, perhaps it is time to move away from the Apple ecosystem entirely for many of us.

Windows 10 is a beauty

Windows PC: GPU dies, RMA it and get a new card (~£20-100) or buy a cheap one.

Mac: GPU dies, fight to get Apple to replace the WHOLE MACHINE, repair it at a silly price, or toss it.

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We are talking about Apple updating their computers. Any updates will make the Macrumors news. You aren't worth my time to send a personal notification of an update.

Please don't get back to me and get a half price 2015 Mac mini then - I'll be glad to save the ££

 

[cocky jeremy]

Who wished for a downgrade?

Downgrade? No one. Update? A lot of people.

 

[BJonson]

Drank the Kool Aid and went with 2014 mini 2.3Ghz 8GB 1TB HDD at Macmall with no tax and free shipping.

Looking forward to faster graphics, single core speed, wifi, and TB (at essentially the same price as refurb 2012 2.3Ghz i7).

Tim Cook is pointing at this post and laughing saying "see guys, I told you they would buy it if it had an apple logo on it, hahaha!".

Congrats. You're the reason apple gets away with this crap.

 

[shadowcatz23]

Most people are going to be using their computer for web browsing, working on word documents and maybe some powerpoint, and listening to music. That's not going to take multiple cores. Even IF the other things people will end up using their Minis for will take multiple cores, the benefits of having 4 cores over 2 will be negligible for most, especially compared to the benefits of a Fusion Drive/PCIe Flash, newer processors, and enhanced iGPUs.

I use both a PC and a Mac, both are good. But saying something like this is completely, I am looking for a better word the ignorant. What you think other people use their computer for or what you use your computer for don't really matter. Some people use the Mini for everything they need, wither it is video editing or whatever high end uses they have. Could they buy something better, you bet. Should they have the choice to build a custom mini, you bet. I personally use the mini because I don't want to pay for a pro and I don't like all in one machines. Does that mean I think Apple shouldn't sell imacs no it doesn't. So please tell me who are you to make some soft of judgement about how people use their machines and what their choices should or should not be.

Those of you saying the sodering of the RAM is not a big deal, yes it is.8 GB is by far the standard for just about everything now. Adding RAM can easily extend the life a computer 1 or 2 years.

 

[Aluminum213]

Stop crying, apple did exactly what you all wanted


Gave you an updated Mac mini

 

[crazzapple]

Most people are going to be using their computer for web browsing, working on word documents and maybe some powerpoint, and listening to music. That's not going to take multiple cores. Even IF the other things people will end up using their Minis for will take multiple cores, the benefits of having 4 cores over 2 will be negligible for most, especially compared to the benefits of a Fusion Drive/PCIe Flash, newer processors, and enhanced iGPUs.

All those things you list can be done on a $200 android tablet. Anyone I know that buys computers these days is buying to do work or needs the processing power. Software these days is designed to use multiple cores, and has been for years.

 

[Moto G]

I use both a PC and a Mac, both are good. But saying something like this is completely, I am looking for a better word the ignorant. What you think other people use their computer for or what you use your computer for don't really matter. Some people use the Mini for everything they need, wither it is video editing or whatever high end uses they have. Could they buy something better, you bet. Should they have the choice to build a custom mini, you bet. I personally use the mini because I don't want to pay for a pro and I don't like all in one machines. Does that mean I think Apple shouldn't sell imacs no it doesn't. So please tell me who are you to make some soft of judgement about how people use their machines and what their choices should or should not be.

Those of you saying the sodering of the RAM is not a big deal, yes it is.8 GB is by far the standard for just about everything now. Adding RAM can easily extend the life a computer 1 or 2 years.

Offended? Moi?

Take it easy... breathe deeply... it's just ascii.

 

[crazzapple]

Why did Apple even bother releasing this?

No update at all would've been better than this. Then you could at least still get the quad-core and servers.

 

[Balok]

Meh, people seem to be overreacting. In the past year I was looking to build a mini pc that could do some light gaming and maybe do some hackintoshing. Initially I was looking at an Intel NUC. At least here in OZ, they aren't all that competitive and actually in line with the new baseline mac mini when fully decked out.

(again bare in mind these are Australian prices)

http://www.scorptec.com.au/systems/scorptec/15/244

In the Australian Apple store the base mini, with 16gig RAM and 1TB fusion drive will set you back AU$1,279. The only advantage that I can see with the NUC is that it has an SSD - for an extra $200. CPU is comparable @ 1.3ghz 4250U.

In the end I ended building a mini AMD system (with their new APU), but still cost me close to $1,000 (especially since I needed extremely fast RAM to feed the APU) - it is effectively a steambox.

If you have a quad core machine from 2012, obviously no need to upgrade, but seems to me there are not all that many competitive options out there to begin with if you are in the market for a new, small machine.


My 2cents.

 

[Moto G]

The next Mac mini "update" will be Cloud OS X - all "your" software, rented to you ($$$) monthly, with the added bonus (for Apple) of selling you a physical box you an croon and coo over, as you stroke it and marvel at the wonders of machined aluminium (unibody silver is a bit tired now, Apple - how about some EXCITING COLOURS, like the Lumia phone range?).

You won't have to "worry" about installing software - it will all be "on da clowd" - and you won't have to consider any likely problems, as the internet never, ever goes down... honest.

 

[billystlyes]

These arent even real scores. They are estimated. How retarded is MR to post this as fact?

 

[Poisonivy326]

Thing about the new mac mini is, it's not even thin.

 

[mandoman]

No update at all would've been better than this. Then you could at least still get the quad-core and servers.

Sorry, I disagree. 723 days since last update, Apple needed to do something. Not the best update, it is what it is. I'd rather they provide this update then let the mini languish, or worse, kill it off completely...

 

[Moto G]

Thing about the new mac mini is, it's not even thin.

In what universe does "thin" for a TINY DESKTOP computer, bear any relevance? It's not like you have to put it in ya pocket

 

[maclove4life]

Meh, people seem to be overreacting. In the past year I was looking to build a mini pc that could do some light gaming and maybe do some hackintoshing. Initially I was looking at an Intel NUC. At least here in OZ, they aren't all that competitive and actually in line with the new baseline mac mini when fully decked out.

(again bare in mind these are Australian prices)

http://www.scorptec.com.au/systems/scorptec/15/244

In the Australian Apple store the base mini, with 16gig RAM and 1TB fusion drive will set you back AU$1,279. The only advantage that I can see with the NUC is that it has an SSD - for an extra $200. CPU is comparable @ 1.3ghz 4250U.

In the end I ended building a mini AMD system (with their new APU), but still cost me close to $1,000 (especially since I needed extremely fast RAM to feed the APU) - it is effectively a steambox.

If you have a quad core machine from 2012, obviously no need to upgrade, but seems to me there are not all that many competitive options out there to begin with if you are in the market for a new, small machine.


My 2cents.

i hear you...but i think this updating concept is becoming more serious every time they release something. The quality of the apple products are not what it used to be...i'm all for changes, but the specs or any sort of features or whatever...there's gotta be improvement. For example, iPad mini 3...what the heck is that? using a7 chip? that was last year thing.

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You're right - it's not going to need many cores... or even Apple products

you got me there..LOL.

 

[crazzapple]

Thing about the new mac mini is, it's not even thin.

Yep, zero benefit to the consumer taking away upgradeable ram and halving the number of cores in the mid tier. It can't even drive a 4k monitor at a reasonable refresh rate!

 

[512ke]

It's supposed to be slower. It's a design feature.

/S

 

[alvindarkness]

Thing about the new mac mini is, it's not even thin.

Brilliant!

 

[Balok]

i hear you...but i think this updating concept is becoming more serious every time they release something. The quality of the apple products are not what it used to be...i'm all for changes, but the specs or any sort of features or whatever...there's gotta be improvement. For example, iPad mini 3...what the heck is that? using a7 chip? that was last year thing.

No argument here , especially with the mini a7 (sidenote, I ended up going for an air 2, first iPad ever very excited for that. Was initially about to go for a mini).

 

[DaveN]

The next Mac mini "update" will be Cloud OS X - all "your" software, rented to you ($$$) monthly, with the added bonus (for Apple) of selling you a physical box you an croon and coo over, as you stroke it and marvel at the wonders of machined aluminium (unibody silver is a bit tired now, Apple - how about some EXCITING COLOURS, like the Lumia phone range?).

You won't have to "worry" about installing software - it will all be "on da clowd" - and you won't have to consider any likely problems, as the internet never, ever goes down... honest.

Why do you care? You made it clear that you are in love with Windows 10! By the way, you are confusing Google's Chrome with Apple's OS X.

 

[maclove4life]

No argument here , especially with the mini a7 (sidenote, I ended up going for an air 2, first iPad ever very excited for that. Was initially about to go for a mini).

it's time for consumers to stand up and fight with feedbacks!

 

[crazzapple]

I'm not sure that people realize this, but the i7 quad-core mini was not even a BTO option, it was the *second* tier product.

The 2014 will have you pay an extra $300 for the i7 and not even give you quad-core!

 

[Xenc]

Confused that my 2012 Mac Mini is still the better device two years later. My wallet is happy though!

What happened Apple?