Quick Takes: Mac Mini Turning 3.5 Years Old, But Unlike Mac Pro, Apple Remains Silent About Future Updates

[Macinto$h]

I think all wishing for a new Mac mini are really wishing for a 'desktop' type system instead of an iMac. Even if apple releases a new one it will be slow and non-upgradeable. Apple wants you to buy the iMac high end or iMac pro. Its a shame apple discounts peoples desire for an affordable desktop. Its pathetic you have to spend $3-4k just to get a decent Mac, shame on apple, wish I could run on a windows pc instead which gives you all the options in the world

Oh, so much in agreement what what you posted. I would never buy an "all-in-one" computer such as the iMac or winderz machine. You lose your screen, well, out for service it goes and you can't get what you need done. Sure, you can connect an separate external monitor, but you still need to have the internal screen replaced at some point. If the Mac Mini isn't refreshed with proper performance/user upgradeable parts/memory/etc., I'll have to get the next best thing, the Mac Pro which is over-powered for my needs. I just hope it's not over priced as many of the higher end Macs. Just hoping Apple will think of their loyal customer base for a change!

 

[bigtomato]

They won't release a Mac mini it will take away from sales of other things especially if it has thunderbolt three, people will just buy an external graphics a lot cheaper than an iMac so Mac min in my opinion is dead in the water.

 

[jasnw]

The only reason to not provide a full range of headless desktop options is to **** over your customer base to please investors (or fashionistas). There is a different customer base for headless systems than for AIO systems, with some overlap by people who can live with either (or can use both, as I do). I am sure that if Apple did provide a full range of headless systems it would eat away at some of the iMac sales, but it would better serve its customers. It might also not lose Apple as much as they might by dropping any headless systems that overlap (in performance) the iMac line, which could lead to a lot of current customers (me, for instance) giving up and going back to some other OS. Offering a good headless lineup might also result in more sales of those systems than the loss in sales of iMacs.

In short, I think this whole "a decent Mac Mini won't happen because iMac" argument doesn't hold water UNLESS Apple is really, deep-down, buried-to-the-eyeballs in greed/stupid.

 

[bigtomato]

Apple always needs to justify the high price hence the iMac lineup. They have always been snotty about their customer base moving forward with what they think people needs as opposed to what they need. I surveyed 5 people an all agreed with me in frustration how apple has moved away from user needs. The only reason people buy iMacs is because they got no other choice to obtain performance from a. Mac computer. With so much better options for monitors nowadays apple is basically stating that 27 inches is good enough for everyone.

At the end of the day they are a monopoly and nothing users can do about it not even you.

 

[jasnw]

Well, we should have a good idea of what Apple's view of this market is by 2020. If they are solely driven by greed (and/or stupid) we will continue to see non-support of the headless desktop line. I do not expect to be able to do anything about this, I'm just trying to figure out what they might do so I can act in MY best interest. The cost to me of switching back to Linux is enough that I don't want to do it unless all hope of Apple coming to its senses is lost.

 

[bigtomato]

I'm not alone on my stance...see link below...

http://macdailynews.com/2018/04/10/why-cant-apple-keep-their-products-up-to-date/

 

[gctwnl]

And the 2014 Mac Mini was a lobotomy. So it’s more accurate to say “not improved on any way since 2012.”

Apple really has a moral obligation to keep supporting older minis until the new one is there. The 2014 mini is not an option (nor was it ever a decent option for me)
[doublepost=1523393261][/doublepost]

I'd guess that more people are waiting for an updated Mac mini than are waiting for an updated Mac Pro. But it's apparently still not a priority for Apple. They haven't called the Mac mini a "hobby" but sometimes it seems like it.

I think they called Apple TV a hobby in the past, but not the mini.

 

[Tozovac]

I think all wishing for a new Mac mini are really wishing for a 'desktop' type system instead of an iMac. Even if apple releases a new one it will be slow and non-upgradeable. Apple wants you to buy the iMac high end or iMac pro. Its a shame apple discounts peoples desire for an affordable desktop. Its pathetic you have to spend $3-4k just to get a decent Mac, shame on apple, wish I could run on a windows pc instead which gives you all the options in the world

Apple is lost here with current leader. Idevices may be sucessful, but overall....meh.

What's everyone's take here, is this tough-love relationship that Apple has with consumers sustainable? Is the inertia of being so embedded in the Apple ecosystem enough to keep many of us as Apple keeps ignoring obvious "needs" and wants by customers for computer...as Apple keeps making their devices "sleeker" yet harder to use. Once you step back from any dazzling from the marketing, and you look at how their computers and phones are tasked to do more and more while Apple keeps pulling away the things that make those devices easy to use (upgradeability, less buttons, less ports, less intuitive cues in their software)... This has to have the makings of biting Apple in the rear eventually, on this current path, no?

 

[pat500000]

What's everyone's take here, is this tough-love relationship that Apple has with consumers sustainable? Is the inertia of being so embedded in the Apple ecosystem enough to keep many of us as Apple keeps ignoring obvious "needs" and wants by customers for computer...as Apple keeps making their devices "sleeker" yet harder to use. Once you step back from any dazzling from the marketing, and you look at how their computers and phones are tasked to do more and more while Apple keeps pulling away the things that make those devices easy to use (upgradeability, less buttons, less ports, less intuitive cues in their software)... This has to have the makings of biting Apple in the rear eventually, on this current path, no?

What do you know about film editing fcpx?

 

[Tozovac]

What do you know about film editing fcpx?

Nothing, I have not worked with final cut yet.

 

[Jethro!]

Making the Mini a successful machine is really not that hard:
- Add a couple of the latest ports (USB3?)
- Quit soldering crap to the logic board that should be user upgradable
- Lift the silly 16 GB RAM cap -- enable us to go up to 64, at least 32.

Do that and I'd buy a bunch of them to use as farm machines for heavy virtual instrument music production.

 

[bigtomato]

The mini doesn't make sense any longer and doubt apple will continue to develop it, its not going to give you performance or any value current to what they already offer in laptops since they will use the same components.

 

[JGIGS]

I don't see how an Apple TV is even close to a Mac mini. AFAIK, it can't run any productivity apps (calendar, messages, notes etc).

Please read a post properly before quoting said post. Best part is two other people liking your post without reading either.

 

[Tozovac]

The mini doesn't make sense any longer and doubt apple will continue to develop it, its not going to give you performance or any value current to what they already offer in laptops since they will use the same components.

Your logic doesn't make any sense. (respectfully) I would more than happily pay $800 for a powerful mini that had some expandability for stay-at-home use, to complement my laptop which I might not want to daily bring out & dock & connect to my monitors which I still consider very valuable to use. A standalone mini to replace my 2005 Mac Pro would be very welcome but not if it's an unexpandable throwaway commodity after 5 years of use. Apple is missing the boat for those who don't want a laptop nor a computer anchored to a large monitor.

 

[bigtomato]

Good luck finding a mini for $800 this coming June. Even if apple comes out with an update you can bet it will be expensive around $1500 or so would be my guess.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Good luck finding a mini for $800 this coming June. Even if apple comes out with an update you can bet it will be expensive around $1500 or so would be my guess.

Exactly.

And if Apple performs the miracle of finally releasing an updated Mac Mini... it will be soldered, locked-down, and otherwise a rehash of the 2014 Mac Mini.

Another sealed box!

 

[bigtomato]

The money you pay for a mini might as well get a MacBook Air, similar specs.

I really don't see this product in the pipeline because if its good enough people will not buy iMacs or others.

 

[saulinpa]

The money you pay for a mini might as well get a MacBook Air, similar specs.

I really don't see this product in the pipeline because if its good enough people will not buy iMacs or others.

Most desktop users don't want a laptop and most laptop users don't want a desktop.

When Apple displays a mini next to a monitor the iMac buyers don't even stop. They don't want to buy a separate monitor. Those that already have a monitor (Windows users) would still be the target market. Same marketing strategy since day 1 for the mini.

 

[tech3475]

The money you pay for a mini might as well get a MacBook Air, similar specs.

I really don't see this product in the pipeline because if its good enough people will not buy iMacs or others.

Have you actually looked it up? A base MBA costs nearly double the price of the base MM.

With matched SSD and Ram sizes it's still hundreds of dollars more for an MBA which not everyone may want/need or find inadequate for other reasons e.g. lacking I/O, space, etc.

 

[jasnw]

Those that already have a monitor (Windows users) would still be the target market. Same marketing strategy since day 1 for the mini.

And if Apple views these folks as the ONLY target market for an updated Mini they need to do some rethinking. I don't use Windows, I have monitors, I also have an aging Mini (and an iMac and a laptop) and I will want to buy a new Mini when (if) it comes out, and if it's not another 2014 Mini debacle.

What I really want to see is a serious headless desktop line from Apple, from a "teaser" low-end Mini through a really good top-of-the-line Pro system. I think that this would take some people out of buying new iMacs, but that "loss" (which really isn't, because Apple gets the money one way or the other) would be more than balanced by people NOT leaving Apple for Linux (or Windows) because they want headless desktop options. If Apple's worried about having left-over iMac inventory in this scenario, well aren't there things called "business plans" that can deal with this? Or maybe Apple doesn't know where it's going any more than its customer base does.

 

[Macinto$h]

And if Apple views these folks as the ONLY target market for an updated Mini they need to do some rethinking. I don't use Windows, I have monitors, I also have an aging Mini (and an iMac and a laptop) and I will want to buy a new Mini when (if) it comes out, and if it's not another 2014 Mini debacle.

What I really want to see is a serious headless desktop line from Apple, from a "teaser" low-end Mini through a really good top-of-the-line Pro system. I think that this would take some people out of buying new iMacs, but that "loss" (which really isn't, because Apple gets the money one way or the other) would be more than balanced by people NOT leaving Apple for Linux (or Windows) because they want headless desktop options. If Apple's worried about having left-over iMac inventory in this scenario, well aren't there things called "business plans" that can deal with this? Or maybe Apple doesn't know where it's going any more than it's customer base does.

So true! As a buyer of the original 1984 512K "Fat Mac" to present Apple user, I could not agree more. I really liked the "pizza" box PPC 6100/66 system I bought, but hated the computer only $3,500 price tag. Monitor, keyboard, and modem were all separate purchases. At least you could upgrade most of internals i.e. hard drive, memory, etc. to keep from getting gouged more and more, and use your computer longer. Really, how much money does Apple really need? As an aside, Apple should really keep out of politics and just concentrate on "making things work" in the technology space. (just my $00.02¢)

 

[tubular]

What I really want to see is a serious headless desktop line from Apple, from a "teaser" low-end Mini through a really good top-of-the-line Pro system.

Exactamundo.

 

[saulinpa]

And if Apple views these folks as the ONLY target market for an updated Mini they need to do some rethinking.

BINGO! Apple currently has no marketing vision. They've tried explaining the "Pro" side but it is like a 5 year giving out financial advice.

 

[HowieIsaacks]

If / when the Mac Mini is updated I bet they will use soldered high speed PCIe flash storage like the latest MacBooks and MacBook Pros. This would enable a much smaller form factor.

This will certainly make it perform better. I miss the late 2012 model. I had one from Feb 2013 until July last year. I loved it. I installed 16GB of RAM, and I installed a dual drive kit from iFixit. I left in the original 500GB hard drive, and added an SSD. That Mac mini was a serious work horse. I replaced it with a 27-inch 2017 iMac. Though the iMac is really awesome, I still miss that Mac mini.

 

[mosmoe]

Apple should take the basis of this... and make it run MacOS.

Maybe put the innards in a sleek aluminum case. But the hard work is already done. By Intel. Yes, that Intel.

Apple will never put this much IO on a mini. Therefore, I've already preordered my NUC8i7HVK to replace my Mid 2011 Mac mini. Now, to see about modding that cheesy RGB skull into an Apple logo . . .
[doublepost=1524595964][/doublepost]

This will certainly make it perform better. I miss the late 2012 model. I had one from Feb 2013 until July last year. I loved it. I installed 16GB of RAM, and I installed a dual drive kit from iFixit. I left in the original 500GB hard drive, and added an SSD. That Mac mini was a serious work horse. I replaced it with a 27-inch 2017 iMac. Though the iMac is really awesome, I still miss that Mac mini.

I still have my Mid 2011 i5 mini. Similar upgrades: 16gb RAM, dual drive kit, 1tb SSD boot drive and 2tb additional internal. Currently driving my 43" LG 4K monitor through Thunderbolt/DisplayPort (4K only at 30 Hz unfortunately, but I'm kind of surprised it can even pull that off).