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Purchase advice - which Mac mini?

G

Gstott

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 20, 2011
10
10
Dear all,

About to purchase a Mac mini to replace an aging iMac (we have monitor/keyboard/mouse already so think a Mac mini is probably way to go?) and am just wanting advice on which machine to buy? It’s mainly for office applications and general computing nothing out of the ordinary....

In the UK seems like the 4 possible options I have are -

3.6 GHz Quad Core i3 256Gb SSD £800
3.2 GHz 6 Core i7 256Gb SSD £1100
3.0GHz 6 Core i5 512Gb SSD £1100
3.2GHz 6 Core i7 512Gb SSD £1300

which one would people recommend? We’re not in the habit of changing our machines very often so a bit of longevity would be good and I’m ignoring memory as I’ll upgrade that myself,

Thanks,

Gareth
 
Since you will be using it for a while, better get the i7 512gb more future proof. 2nd choice would be i7 256gb you can always plug an external drive. Last is i5. I won't go with the i3
 
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If 256 GB is enough for you the base model i3 is the best choice (value for money). Upgrades are very expensive and only worth it if you are sure you need it. If you want an i7/16GB RAM/1 TB SSD or something like that, you are looking at 2000€ (or nearly as much in £). Just not worth it, for that money you can nearly get an iMac with a gorgeous display on top or a new Macbook Pro 13''. Don't forget with the Mac Mini you need a keyboard, mouse, display and webcam on top, driving up the total even more ...
 
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What is driving your current upgrade? If the answer is "Too old to run Catalina" or "We want the newer USB-C ports" or similar then I'd suggest the i5-512GB.

The i3-256GB would probably also hold up for light office work and is a good value choice if you either need much less than 256GB of storage or so much more that external storage is a must regardless. However if 512GB is optimal then go ahead and that for the storage convenience and drop the extra £100 for 6-cores.
 
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3.6 GHz Quad Core i3 256Gb SSD £800 gets my vote if you're on a budget. I'm not sure what your "general computing" is but if it's just browsing the web and opening MS word then it'll be more than enough computer.

The next option up that would make sense would be the 3.0GHz 6 Core i5 512Gb SSD £1100. For $300 this would give you a decent a CPU and SSD upgrade. The i5 is a big step from the i3 and the extra 256 GB can come in handy in the future.

The i7 not as much of an upgrade and would offer significantly diminishing returns so unless you have a hole in your wallet.
 
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If you go to the Apple UK website, select 'Mac mini' and then select 'Buy', you can then play around with various configuration costs.

For example, an entry-level £800 Mac mini could be upgraded with an additional 8Gb memory for an additional £200 (unless you are competent at 'tinkering under the hood' or can rely on someone who is, in which case it is possible to add your own memory later and at less than £200). In that particular scenario, you could instead upgrade to, say, i5 CPU now and then still add memory later.

However, I would guess that your usage description of 'office applications and general computing' means the entry-level machine would be fine for your needs. Mine too, in fact. Because I don't accumulate hundreds of photos or a massive iTunes library, my storage (starting with 40 Mb in the 1990s, through to 120 Gb currently) has never been truly challenged, thus 256 Gb would be more than adequate for me and, perhaps, for you. I don't do any video or photo editing and the like, either, so nothing to worry about there in respect of the CPU and video capabilities of the entry-level mini.

Possibly the best (most sensible) option from a financial point of view would be to go the entry-level route at £800 now. It is by all accounts a very capable machine. You'll get a good few years from it, and thus you'll have 'saved' a few hundred pounds (on your purchase) with which to 'offset' the cost of your next machine. Of course, it's very tempting to add 'bells and whistles' yet functionality is really all one is after. I've always found Macs' entry-level capabilities to be totally satisfactory and with good longevity. If you further found that your £800 Mac mini performed fine and didn't eventually need a memory boost (and other than back in the 90s, I've never experienced problems that way) then again that's money saved.

While I am not in the market for a new Mac yet – my MacBook Airs are 'only' five and six years old! – should Apple release a new Mac mini with more up to date CPU etc, I imagine that I'd be sorely tempted. I wouldn't need one, though and would try hard to resist!

Best of luck with your choice of Mac mini.
 
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I forgot to mention that if you upgrade the RAM on your Mac mini be careful and don't rush! While it is a very simple task there are points where if you're not careful you can damage the motherboard. If you do this you'll have to find a third party repair shop to fix it because I don't think Apple will touch anything that's been damaged in an attempted repair. Someone please correct me if this is wrong. I did this upgrade to my mini after I watched the video several times and had it playing at each step. If you've worked on laptops you should be fine. If I remember correctly you need a few different Torx screwdrivers, tweezers, and a spudger. There are a couple of videos on YouTube on how to do it.
 
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Be sure to check the refurb store, Apple brings these machines up to "like new" specs and offers the same warranty as new. Typically, the cost is 15% less than a new computer. Here in the US, there have been quite a lot of Mini's of all types appearing in the refurb store daily. Things change quickly, so if you see one you like be prepared to buy it immediately. Otherwise, just keep checking regularly, eventually they will probably have one you like. This link works here in the US, and I assume it would also work for the refurb store in your region

www.apple.com

Refurbished Mac - Mac mini

Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac mini. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.
www.apple.com
 
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I'd pick the i7.
Whether you wish to spend an extra £200 on the 512gb SSD... is up to you.

If Apple offers Apple-refurbished Minis there, you might buy one of them.
I bought an Apple-refurb 2018 Mini -- very happy with the purchase.
 
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Just another vote for a refurb, basically a ~14% discount with no downside (well, other than having to wait till your preferred config shows up).

I'd go more CPU over more storage, in terms of price allocation. Storage is easy to expand, and if you storage needs are high demand, you'll probably wind up going external at some point anyway. RAM is a little tricky, it is upgradable after the fact, you can DIY, go to an Apple auth'd shop, there's possible some warranty implications, but at least in terms of the hardware itself, you're not stuck with what you buy.

Of your choices, I'd do that i7/256 for £1100, but just to confirm, the i5 is pretty stout, but there's not a mix of i5 + 256GB storage? That seems like it would be a really solid value (that combo is available here in the US).
 
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Thanks for everyone’s input. i5 256Gb doesn’t seem to be an option on UK Apple store. Seems like the i7 256Gb might be the sweet spot. Just going to watch a RAM upgrade video to convince myself that I don’t want to get the extra memory preinstalled at initial purchase time as well. Presume 16Gb is essential...

Gareth
 
Gstott said:
Thanks for everyone’s input. i5 256Gb doesn’t seem to be an option on UK Apple store. Seems like the i7 256Gb might be the sweet spot. Just going to watch a RAM upgrade video to convince myself that I don’t want to get the extra memory preinstalled at initial purchase time as well. Presume 16Gb is essential...

Gareth
Click to expand...

The i5 256GB is only available as a refurb now. I bought one last month and it’s the best value in my opinion. I believe I paid £750 which is phenomenal.
 
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