Mac mini 2018 Reviews Roundup: Long-Awaited Update Should Impress Fans and Pro Users, But Upgrade Options Can Get Pricey

[ChrisMoBro]

Prove it will throttle. Point me to a review that shows it throttling.

The old mac minis used to throttle (temps up to 90 degrees). There isn't enough cooling in these tiny machines. It's basic engineering. The iMac Pro has far more advanced cooling and that has throttling issues. Apple just need to add an AIO cooler and it would solve these issues but they prefer to have quiet fans instead so the design isn't compromised.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/17/12/29/video-does-the-imac-pro-get-too-hot-when-under-load (read the last paragraph)
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7068280

 

[Ethosik]

In the lifetime the processor will be useful, the GPU will have been surpassed at least 3 times even if it was a top of the line RTX. The system with the minimal GPU needed to get it up with the fastest CPU they can shove in the space is the best use of the space. This way you can get a 580 and I can get a Vega 56 for instance. No compromises.

Plus. We are truly starting to shift to an external world. I this eGPUs get around 80% of the performance. TB4 will make things much better.

 

[bigfatipod]

Don't get me wrong, I've using macOS since I was 16 and I value it more than any other OS. I almost went down the Hackingtosh route!

I was in the same boat. I didn't realize how much value there was in not having to worry about an officially supported OS/computer. I didn't mind a decade ago, but I don't have time to mess around with (fun) things like that. Any time missed with family/hobbies on a supporting a computer is just not worth it to me anymore.

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Just in time for the ARM switch... the final nail in the coffin.
I'll just be sticking with my 2013 MBA until its last breath, then PC it is.

Yeah, it'll be REALLY hilarious to see how many circles that Apple's 64-core A15x ARM will run around Intel's 8 core i10 when that happens...

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

Apple has become tone deaf to the Mac community. We wanted a BUDGET computer, not including graphics card is fine IF the price was not 80% of the way towards a VR gaming rig. Because right now it is a crippled desktop machine with no dedicated graphics card costing $300 USD more than last ye....sorry, 2014 model. Which wasn't faster on some tests than the 2012 model.

We are getting less relative bang for buck than we were 4-6 years ago. These deltas get worse every release (I use 'release' as 'year' isn't really applicable to the Apple line up any more)

 

[Spectrum]

Unless I'm mistaken, if you look at this Macworld review - towards the end of the video 8 minutes in, it looks like the RAM isn't easily replaceable as the previous models without taking the CPU fan out. That sucks.

https://www.macworld.com/article/3318501/macs/799-mac-mini-review.html#tk.rss_all

That sucks indeed...I'm suddenly a bit less impressed by this little guy...

 

[archer75]

The old mac minis used to throttle (temps up to 90 degrees). There isn't enough cooling in these tiny machines. It's basic engineering. The iMac Pro has far more advanced cooling and that has throttling issues. Apple just need to add an AIO cooler and it would solve these issues but they prefer to have quiet fans instead so the design isn't compromised.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/17/12/29/video-does-the-imac-pro-get-too-hot-when-under-load (read the last paragraph)
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7068280

Old review and not on the new mini so it's pointless. Toms hardware review says the new mini runs cool under load. Cooling has been improved quite a bit and it's a much more efficient CPU. It will be fine.
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That sucks indeed...I'm suddenly a bit less impressed by this little guy...

So take the fan out. Not a big deal.

 

[Stephen.R]

This shows what Apples think of their customer, no respect.

It shows what Intel products are available. Intel desktop CPU's don't have much in the way of integrated graphics, because in a traditional desktop they have very little use.

Apple chose full power desktop CPU and minimal integrated graphics, over a mobile CPU and slightly more powerful graphics.

Given that there are already two "Pro" and a consumer mac desktop all with dedicated GPU built in, it's nice to have one focussed just on CPU for those of us who don't need a dedicated GPU.

From Marco Arment's review (https://marco.org/2018/11/06/mac-mini-2018-review):

Geekbench results are very strong. The i7 Mac Mini scored better on single-core performance than every other Mac today (!) at 5912, and its multi-core score of nearly 24,740 beats every Mac to date except the iMac Pro and the old 12-core 2013 Mac Pro.

 

[droog]

I was hoping they’d use the intel+Vega chip, the 8705G, or some maybe some updated version of it.

That would take sales away from imacs

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Old review and not on the new mini so it's pointless. Toms hardware review says the new mini runs cool under load. Cooling has been improved quite a bit and it's a much more efficient CPU. It will be fine.

Wait you're telling me that a tiny machine can handle the temps better than an iMac Pro? ALL Apple computers suffer from thermal throttling. It's simple engineering.

 

[Stephen.R]

If Apple does have ports, then people complain about hooking stuff up to them is "too messy".

You forgot, the ports are also the "wrong kind". It's better to have more USB ports for.. printers and stuff... because nobody needs more than 2 TB3 ports (paraphrasing yes, but that was basically the claim someone else made) and TB3 breakout boxes are messy.. unlike printers and monitors and what not, which are tiny.

 

[chinito77]

Ok, time to upgrade my 2012 Mini for a 6 core with stock RAM and SSD but I will add the 10GB ethernet option. RAM I can get from OWC unless someone says otherwise? Anyone recommend a good external SSD (Not NAS) solution for this? I do lots of video editing with 4K content and I torrent Japanese shows/specials at 4k for later viewing (I live in Japan) and stream them to my TV.

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

so long apple. this machine, fully spec'd is MORE than my i9 9900 beast Hackintosh/Windows 10 Pro machine, including a 27" monitor. I'll plan on keeping my 2014 iMac around for nostalgia. **** storage space options, T2 lock down chips and other stuff. Bye.

Seeya!

 

[Sabelonada]

Does anyone know if this Mac mini supports DisplayPort 1.2 daisy chaining? Or am I going to have to drive one of my 3 monitors with HDMI? It would work, but a single TB3 port can handle the resolutions I am driving, 2 @ 1920x1200 and 1 @ 2560x1440.

If not, it's a disappointment.

 

[vmachiel]

Where is a $499/$599 configuration for the casual users and Windows switchers??

Those hardly exist anymore. People are switching to tablets now.

 

[archer75]

Wait you're telling me that a tiny machine can handle the temps better than an iMac Pro? ALL Apple computers suffer from thermal throttling. It's simple engineering.

I don't know the temps of the imac pro. But the review said it hit 85c under load where the macbook pro hit 95 and other small form factor PC's were even higher.
And the engineering is different on this mini. The cooling system has changed, the CPU is more efficient. Cooling has improved. The only question is how much.

 

[citysnaps]

Wait you're telling me that a tiny machine can handle the temps better than an iMac Pro? ALL Apple computers suffer from thermal throttling. It's simple engineering.

My 2015 4 GHz i7 5K iMac doesn't.


"It's simple engineering."

No...it's outstanding engineering.

 

[Sabelonada]

It takes nearly half a YEAR to go through all the Agency Approvals in ALL the countries and get all the logistics and supply-lines and internal sign-offs on case-design, anodizing color, etc etc ET CETERA.

If you'd ever designed an electronic product, like I have, you'd know this.

It's a LOT more than just throwing together a schematic and PCB layout and calling it a day.

A LOT.

Color? Really? I want to be surprised but I guess deep down, I'm not.

 

[hypertoast]

Congrats If Windows and the missing security is your cup of tea, it‘s a nice deal!

care to elaborate on missing security? Do not make blanket statements. IOS/ MacOS has its own share of vulnerabilities.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

My 2015 5K iMac doesn't.


"It's simple engineering."

No...it's outstanding engineering.

No, it's form over function. Apple limit the fans so they don't get too loud, which is why all Macs suffer from this if they're pushed ever so slightly.
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I don't know the temps of the imac pro. But the review said it hit 85c under load where the macbook pro hit 95 and other small form factor PC's were even higher.
And the engineering is different on this mini. The cooling system has changed, the CPU is more efficient. Cooling has improved. The only question is how much.

The cooling may have improved and the chips may be more efficient but under a full load, quiet little fans can't cool properly.

 

[fat jez]

USB-C and Thunberbolt 3 are the same thing.

Not really, they share the same connector. You can carry USB signals over Thunderbolt but USB-C can be used standalone. I have USB-C ports on my PC and my phone and neither support Thunderbolt.

 

[nylonsteel]

My 2012 mac mini has been trouble free all these years. And still using as my main desktop.
My purchase has been so long ago I forgot the specs.
It's the one with the first "fusion drive" and I think it was RAM user upgradeable.
So quiet and no heating problems. Never had to open it up.
Sorta amazing...
I've been waiting years for this new mini and almost gave up hope on an upgrade
So here we are
Part that sucks is the high end version I want is mucho expensive.

 

[citysnaps]

No, it's form over function. Apple limit the fans so they don't get too loud, which is why all Macs suffer from this if they're pushed ever so slightly.

You just said: ALL Apple computers suffer from thermal throttling.

Which is not true, as represented by Apple's 2015 4GHz i7 5K iMac, a computer I own and use. If you were an engineer, you'd understand that really is outstanding engineering.

 

[Sabelonada]

USB-C and Thunberbolt 3 are the same thing.

No, Thunderbolt3 uses the same physical connection but is a much more powerful protocol.

 

[compete12]

The good news is they reported to have spent $14 million on R & D this past year, so, after the Mac Mini Update, they still have $13,999,994 left for R & D for the rest of their products.

I'm curious to see how long it'll take to capsize a trillion dollar company.