I'm usually not much for speculation threads, but there is seemingly no dedicated discussion here on this sub-forum about the future of the Mac mini and what is potentially on the horizon. There is an older thread that is dated two years back and is rather inactive, and it wasn't created in terms of what we are working with today. I have seen mentions, but there doesn't seem to be a dedicated thread as to what any future redesign or refresh will bring (or if it will be removed entirely). I really enjoy using this product line, as it enabled me, as someone with all of their own computer peripherals already, to own a capable Mac desktop unit while keeping the wallet in mind. I have (and use daily) a 2012 dual-core i5 Mac mini, and after snatching this up new for $500 before the refresh of the line in 2014, I have no interest in ever using anything else as a desktop computer. The Mac Pro is wonderful but terribly expensive, and the Mac mini allows me to use what I have and not pay for anything that I do not need to be buying.
I will start off by sharing my opinion that this product line has a firm place in the Mac lineup. If you are not counting clamshell notebooks, your only other traditional desktop options are the iMac and the Mac Pro, which start at $1,099 and $2,999 respectively. I do and I don't think that it is fair to include the iMac in comparison, as it is an all-in-one as opposed to a traditional "tower" or "box" style computer, but it is a desktop computer nevertheless. I don't know if the Mac mini will exist as we all know it today in the Mac lineup forever, but it doesn't hurt to have a traditional desktop option (where you aren't paying for the hardware of an all-in-one; in other words you have your own peripherals) that doesn't start anywhere near a few thousand dollars. The Mac mini is perfect for this niche spot, and Apple seems to recognize this by keeping it around for all of this time so far. In my opinion, it makes a wonderful buy for the typical Windows fence sitter.
I can't offer much speculation in terms of a redesign other than the typical "lighter and thinner" agenda, but I can possibly see fanless designs approaching, much like that in the rMB, utilizing Core M CPUs, even though it runs of of AC power, just to further its stance of "the world's most energy efficient desktop" as Apple claims. I am not suggesting this will be effective or not, but I can definitely see it happening in this small form-factor desktop. I, for one, think the design is fine as it is, and it does not need any sort of major overhaul beyond simple spec bumps and updated ports as time progresses. I would love to see expandability brought back to the Mac mini. I absolutely dislike what was done with the 2014 "redesign" where the RAM was soldered, and trying to upgrade the unit in any way is a no-go. I also, like most, am disappointed that the quad-core CPU options were removed, and that only the dual-core options remain. While I use a dual-core Mac mini at the moment, as I stated I have no desire to mess with any other desktop in the future, but I may have to if quad-core CPUs aren't brought back in these units in the coming years.
My hopes are that in mid to late 2016, we will have new Mac minis to choose from that have restored upgradability as well as expandability, updated hardware and ports (to be expected) including quad-core CPU options once again, and for the design to be left alone if it is to be altered at the cost of slower, fanless CPUs. What are your thoughts, MacRumors? I would really like to hear any and all opinions.
I will start off by sharing my opinion that this product line has a firm place in the Mac lineup. If you are not counting clamshell notebooks, your only other traditional desktop options are the iMac and the Mac Pro, which start at $1,099 and $2,999 respectively. I do and I don't think that it is fair to include the iMac in comparison, as it is an all-in-one as opposed to a traditional "tower" or "box" style computer, but it is a desktop computer nevertheless. I don't know if the Mac mini will exist as we all know it today in the Mac lineup forever, but it doesn't hurt to have a traditional desktop option (where you aren't paying for the hardware of an all-in-one; in other words you have your own peripherals) that doesn't start anywhere near a few thousand dollars. The Mac mini is perfect for this niche spot, and Apple seems to recognize this by keeping it around for all of this time so far. In my opinion, it makes a wonderful buy for the typical Windows fence sitter.
I can't offer much speculation in terms of a redesign other than the typical "lighter and thinner" agenda, but I can possibly see fanless designs approaching, much like that in the rMB, utilizing Core M CPUs, even though it runs of of AC power, just to further its stance of "the world's most energy efficient desktop" as Apple claims. I am not suggesting this will be effective or not, but I can definitely see it happening in this small form-factor desktop. I, for one, think the design is fine as it is, and it does not need any sort of major overhaul beyond simple spec bumps and updated ports as time progresses. I would love to see expandability brought back to the Mac mini. I absolutely dislike what was done with the 2014 "redesign" where the RAM was soldered, and trying to upgrade the unit in any way is a no-go. I also, like most, am disappointed that the quad-core CPU options were removed, and that only the dual-core options remain. While I use a dual-core Mac mini at the moment, as I stated I have no desire to mess with any other desktop in the future, but I may have to if quad-core CPUs aren't brought back in these units in the coming years.
My hopes are that in mid to late 2016, we will have new Mac minis to choose from that have restored upgradability as well as expandability, updated hardware and ports (to be expected) including quad-core CPU options once again, and for the design to be left alone if it is to be altered at the cost of slower, fanless CPUs. What are your thoughts, MacRumors? I would really like to hear any and all opinions.