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New 2016 Mac mini specs?

OLDCODGER said:
As rare as hen's teeth, unfortunately. Our market is too small to support a decent level of refurbs.

I am still kicking myself for not buying one at the time - my 2009 was still the ant's pants back then.
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I checked another store this morning and found this one. It is a base mode 2012 i5 with 4GB and a spinner for 100% of the original list price (?). These folks are in Tampa, Florida. Has anyone used them before?

http://www.macofalltrades.com/Refurbished-Used-Apple-Mac-Minis-s/299.htm
 
I wouldn't mind if the new Mac Mini was something along the line of the Zotac Pico Pi330.
Fully fanless, ablity to run headless properly and start up and shut down remotely.

With an appropriate price tag of course, something along the line of $300-350
 
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dogslobber said:
will it be

Fanless
Use core-m processor
Usb-c only

I fear it will be a MacBook in a slime line case. If you ain't got a 2012 now then grab one before it's too late.
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These sound pretty reasonable. Though I wouldn't use the word "fear" but it's completely a matter of perspective. I'd also like to add that I think the mini will get redesigned to be the form factor of the new Apple TV. It may have just one or two USB C ports but I think there will still be an HDMI and Thunderbolt port. But yea, I wouldn't be surprised if standard USB ports were completely eliminated.
 
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What's the point of "eliminating" the standard ports?
Simply to downsize?
The lion's share of peripherals out there today -USE- standard sized USB ports.

Apple got rid of standard ports on the 12" Macbook to make it thinner.

But a Mac Mini is intended to be a "desktop" computer. A compact one perhaps, but still a desktop.

Before the Mini loses standard USB ports, we'll see the inclusion of -one- USBC port and the removal of one (of the existing two) thunderbolt ports...
 
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Fishrrman said:
What's the point of "eliminating" the standard ports?
Simply to downsize?
The lion's share of peripherals out there today -USE- standard sized USB ports.

Apple got rid of standard ports on the 12" Macbook to make it thinner.

But a Mac Mini is intended to be a "desktop" computer. A compact one perhaps, but still a desktop.

Before the Mini loses standard USB ports, we'll see the inclusion of -one- USBC port and the removal of one (of the existing two) thunderbolt ports...
Click to expand...

In 10 years time you'll need an adapter to use your USB-C device on your 2012 Mini. I believe the other advantage for USB-C is that the plug can go in either way so it reduced support costs for Apple where a customer tries to insert the USB plug but puts it in upside down. Customer sees it doesn't fit so takes their computer to Apple to say it's broken. Or they ram it in upside down and it gets stuck by breaking the USB port.
 
dogslobber said:
I only empty the bins.
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Well read the plans in the waste basket!

OK here is what Apple will do.

1. Like the refresh of the iMacs, Apple will do the minimum to accommodate the new chips.

2. Not quad core to avoid taking customers away from big macs.

3. Keep the fan because the new chips redesign the logic but not the silicon process so they have pretty much the same thermal output as the old.

4. Whatever is the latest usb but not -c because too many people use the mini in a home theater for which they already have equipment.

5. Same aluminum.
 
Fishrrman said:
What's the point of "eliminating" the standard ports?
Simply to downsize?
The lion's share of peripherals out there today -USE- standard sized USB ports.

Apple got rid of standard ports on the 12" Macbook to make it thinner.

But a Mac Mini is intended to be a "desktop" computer. A compact one perhaps, but still a desktop.

Before the Mini loses standard USB ports, we'll see the inclusion of -one- USBC port and the removal of one (of the existing two) thunderbolt ports...
Click to expand...

Didn't stop Apple from downsizing the Mac mini to make it thinner, smaller and lighter (in 2010). But it's intended to be a desktop computer.

Didn't stop Apple from downsizing the iMac to make it thinner, smaller and lighter. But it's intended to be a desktop computer.

Didn't stop Apple from downsizing the Mac Pro to make it thinner, smaller and lighter. But it's intended to be a desktop computer.

I hope you can see the pattern here. There is no distinction between laptop and desktop machines when it comes to Apple's relentless, undying philosophy of continuously downsizing their machines. Call it obsession or whatever you'd like, but that's been at the heart of Apple for the last two decades and I don't see it fading anytime soon.
 
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dogslobber said:
will it be

Fanless
Use core-m processor
Click to expand...

Wow, what's one of the most depressing first posts I've read in a thread for ages 🙁.

I've become somewhat resigned to the possibility the Mac Mini may be headed in that direction. Fortunately, I've got a maxed 2012 which I recently installed a 1tb Samsung Evo Pro SSD in, runs like an absolute dream for what I use it for. Hope to get a couple more years out of it at least. I did have the idea that it'd become my HTPC in my lounge when it's retired from major computing duties, but unlikely really given the lack of 4K. Not fussed about 4K yet, but I will be in 2017 or thereabouts.

Going forward, I see maybe a 2017 iMac in my future. I almost bought one a short while ago before bunging that SSD in, but I'm still put off by the iMacs chin. My TBD is distinctly low res and old hat compared to the new iMacs, but despite being thicker it looks a whole better when it's switched off imo, heh! Rather than the iMac going ever thinner, I'd rather they keep the girth and lose the chin.

When I bought a 15" rMBP I thought, uh-oh, my old TBD will be like sandpaper to the eyes but it's still a good display, helped by the distance I sit from it methinks.



OLDCODGER said:
I am still kicking myself for not buying one at the time - my 2009 was still the ant's pants back then.
Click to expand...

Commiserations 🙁. It did make me chuckle though, I was in the same situation at the time and thought, what the hell, I'll treat myself. So glad I did, blimey.
 
yegon said:
Wow, what's one of the most depressing first posts I've read in a thread for ages 🙁.

I've become somewhat resigned to the possibility the Mac Mini may be headed in that direction. Fortunately, I've got a maxed 2012 which I recently installed a 1tb Samsung Evo Pro SSD in, runs like an absolute dream for what I use it for. Hope to get a couple more years out of it at least. I did have the idea that it'd become my HTPC in my lounge when it's retired from major computing duties, but unlikely really given the lack of 4K. Not fussed about 4K yet, but I will be in 2017 or thereabouts.
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Well the point to ask about the Mini is when was the last time you were impressed by a Mini update? They are probably only a handful I can think: the original Mini, the first Intel Mini, 2010 Mini redesign, 4 core Mini. I still have a thumb free :-(
 
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dogslobber said:
Well the point to ask about the Mini is when was the last time you were impressed by a Mini update? They are probably only a handful I can think: the original Mini, the first Intel Mini, 2010 Mini redesign, 4 core Mini. I still have a thumb free :-(
Click to expand...

I'd add the 2011 Mini when they added the discrete GPU. Showed willingness not to compromise.

Now if they would just release the Broadwell quad-core minis....
 
dogslobber said:
Well the point to ask about the Mini is when was the last time you were impressed by a Mini update? They are probably only a handful I can think: the original Mini, the first Intel Mini, 2010 Mini redesign, 4 core Mini. I still have a thumb free :-(
Click to expand...


Just to be clear (for my own sake tbh), I am in complete agreement with you 🙂.
 
there will be probably an m core fanless just how it is now the dual core in the mac mini and base 21.5" imac
but being a desktop i think we can aspect for the top dual core i5 with the latest igpu from i5
i hope they will go i7 with gte4 because it is a beast of igpu, on par with 950M
 
Black Belt said:
Give me a Mid-Range Mac independent of a Monitor. I don't want an iMac. I want multiple monitors. I don't need a Xeon. Give me an i7 Quad. Don't make me build my own.
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Whilst there at it can it come with some internal expansion, say a couple of PCI-E slots for for decent gpu cards. Space for some 2.5" disks, and a standard M.2 connector. Can it also use standard UEFI rather then Apples non-standard implementation, so can work with more GPU cards instead of needing non-standard ones.

If Apple did launch the much asked for xMac would make so many people happy but I suspect the support lines would get a lot busier as well.
 
Apple will only build computers that appeal to the greatest mass of people. The Mini will remain the redheaded step child with only mobile low TDP processors and few BTO options and high automation assembly and low labor costs.

Since Jobs lost guiding vision Apple has turned their back on the Mac side of the business except for iMac and laptops.

The profit center is IOS and mobil devices.

OS X is still in my opinion the best operating system but is not what makes the money.

If you want a power system that is not an AOI you probably have to move on.
 
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