The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming, but the question is if anyone will still care by then?
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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
- Thread starter GabrieleR
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I'd love a new Mac Mini with TB3, fast SSD that is user replaceable (one can dream!) and a reasonable price... but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon and my 2010 iMac is getting a bit long in the tooth so I'll be jumping on the 2015 iMac and calling it a day.
Okay, but I wasn't replying to you...
You could probably just use any computer made in the past 8 years to do what you want. No idea why you're even on a tech forum given what you've said.
Yes, hence the out of protocol interview where Apple assured their users about the Mac Pro redesign after they couldn't ignore those middle fingers going up like lanterns on Chinese New Year post the trash can release. They'll listen when the voices get loud.
Maybe I'm missing something, but there has to be enough of a market for a range of desktop non-AIO, DIY upgradable, computers that would cover needs from Mini-level to Pro-level to support a line of Apple computers of this type. It could be done with either two form-factors (mini and cheese-grater or equivalent), or with some innovative modular system that provides the flexibility needed to span from a mini-like system to a pro-like system. This seems so much like a no-brainer to me that I just do not understand why Apple is so hesitant to do this. If I were head of Apple I'd send out a memo to the various "leaders" within the company, ask what they thought of this idea, and fire everyone who thought it was a bad idea.
Maybe this modular thing that Craig mentioned some months back will turn out to be aimed at this sweet spot. Maybe pigs will fly and poop gold pig-flop on us all.
Maybe this modular thing that Craig mentioned some months back will turn out to be aimed at this sweet spot. Maybe pigs will fly and poop gold pig-flop on us all.
The modular thing is the iMac pro with added ports for display and array options.
The iMac Pro is the new Mac Pro. They may have something else in mind a few years down the road.
A dismal expectation - I'm sure derived from a dismal show of concern for those who want upgrade-ability, function, affordability and those who have grown accustomed to having a sensible solution for a HTPC - and lets not forget Apple is trying to automate the home where the Mini would clearly excel at every task as well as being ergonomically fit for the job.
Got to admit though ... the external GPU capability is telling -there may not be a MacPro in the near-term but I would have to hope the 1K desktop hole gets filled.
It's an outrage - 5K for a computer is an outrage - throwing away working technology is an outrage - the discontinuance of features across the platform through upgrades is depressing at best (think Facetime iOS6 to iOS7). All these issues point to a change in emphasis, whereas control was given in the past it is cleverly being removed in order to obsolete your investment.
Thus I'm working on changing my emphasis.
Got to admit though ... the external GPU capability is telling -there may not be a MacPro in the near-term but I would have to hope the 1K desktop hole gets filled.
It's an outrage - 5K for a computer is an outrage - throwing away working technology is an outrage - the discontinuance of features across the platform through upgrades is depressing at best (think Facetime iOS6 to iOS7). All these issues point to a change in emphasis, whereas control was given in the past it is cleverly being removed in order to obsolete your investment.
Thus I'm working on changing my emphasis.
That article is on point.
As much as I appreciate Apple using parts that deliver the best performance, I miss the days where we could go out and buy a 800 euro MacBook. We still have and use one of those around the house, almost 7 years later. And it still gets to see High Sierra. Talk about great value...
Here in the US we can get the 8gb/128gb MacBook Air for $899 (even less on sale). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128909-REG/apple_z0rh_mjve1_13_3_macbook_air_notebook.html
$899.00 is €798.48 at current exchange rates. How much more expensive are they in the EU?
Without the desktop, the ergonomics, the economics and the ecosystem my iPhone is just another phone instead of the portal that accesses my abode and netverse.
http://epaper.coop.ch/P06_A1_id_basic_d/blaetterkatalog/index.html#page_1
Switzerland only has 8% VAT. Germany has 19% VAT.
In the US we have sales tax on the state and city level and it can vary a lot... some states like Delaware have no tax. New York City has state and city taxes that add up to almost 9%, so you end up paying $979 for the $899 MacBook Air if you buy it there. Taxes are not included in the advertised price here in the US.
Here in the Netherlands, add 21% to that price. We generally don't advertise with VAT-less prices in the EU. The entry level 12" MacBook is 1500€, which is about 1690$.
That computer would cost $1305 with tax in New York City from a discount store like B&H Photo but it would cost $1414 with tax if you bought it in the Apple Store.
OTOH, I suspect you get a number of benefits from your VAT (like healthcare?) that we have to pay extra for in the US, so you may come out ahead in the end.
But if *anything* goes wrong on a MBA, it's done. Over.
And no chance to 'grow' the machine over time.
The previous MacBooks could swap out most bits pretty easily. Hence the longevity.
It was disappointing to see no new mini at WWDC, but not surprising. Some sort of new mac mini will almost certainly be coming in the future, perhaps not until there is a new Mac Pro next year. In the meantime, there were a few encouraging signs. Adding native support in High Sierra for external cpu's is one. A mini with Thunderbolt 3 could now run an external gpu if needed or desired. It's not as good as an integrated solution, but it is definitely a step forward. Apple's apparent desire to get into the VR race means they will have to do things like this, and a side benefit for people who want to game on Macs is that it may become more feasible if this trend continues. Also, the inclusion of a Vega card in the iMac Pro means a cutting edge gpu in a Mac, not seen for quite some time. I hope High Sierra will turn out to be the tuning/cleanup that many think MacOS needs. I don't know if these moves will turn into a new direction for Apple's computer line, but I hope so. In the meantime, the 2012 mini is cooking along, nice and silent.
There are an amazing array of PCs to be had, from $500 - $2000 that allow for anything from tiny and silent, to beefy graphics, upgradeable parts, that curb stomp the Mac Pro. Machines that don't require you to throw away a perfectly good monitor to upgrade. Machines that grow WITH you.
The last machine Apple produced, that intersected with this class of computer, was the 2012 Mac Mini. Since then, Apple has abandoned this entire segment. Apple "redesigned" the Mac Mini in 2014 with ONLY $$$ in mind, and it shows. Because of this and the trash can pro, Apple has really pissed off a lot of fans.
But even with Apple's new commitment to pros, they will screw the whole thing up again, because of $$$ and arrogance. The mini will remain gimped to the Max, and the redesigned Mac Pro will still start at $3K+ for something that I'm sure you will be able to buy on the PC side for at least $1K less, minus a snazzy Apple case.
So in the end, Apple is choosing to turn it's back on the core fans who kept the company propped up in the leanest of years and have historically been the loudest Apple evangelists. All for a couple of shekels.
As I have posted on another thread; I have a MM(Late 2012) 2.5GHz,16GB Ram,500GB HD and a MM(Late 2014) 2.8GHz, 8GB Ram, 256SSD but where do I go within the next year or two??
I guess I should start putting some "coins" aside for a new or refurbished IMac sometime next year??
I guess I should start putting some "coins" aside for a new or refurbished IMac sometime next year??
Apple has hooked me in with the new top level 27" iMac. As soon as I can afford it, I will get it. While it would be nice if the Mac mini does get an update, Apple finally has my attention with the specs of the iMacs.
The retina iMac 21.5" no longer has integrated graphics and the top level 27" has 8 GB of VRAM standard. Also, 512 GB of flash is only $200 as an option.
I hope Coffee Lake makes flash as standard for all iMacs.
The retina iMac 21.5" no longer has integrated graphics and the top level 27" has 8 GB of VRAM standard. Also, 512 GB of flash is only $200 as an option.
I hope Coffee Lake makes flash as standard for all iMacs.
It doesn't make much sense to me.
The kind of people who would be willing and able to spend more than $5000 on a Xeon-based machine with ECC RAM almost certainly will not buy an all-in-one with a single screen option.
Many of these machines end up doing crunch'n'serve work remotely (ie. headless).
It's beyond me why you'd want to have to replace such a beautiful and expensive screen when the time comes to update your internals.
Apple not understanding the customer base. First the trash can Pro, the. The glued in Mini, and now the thermally limited non-serviceable $5k+ iMac Pro.
And they wonder why people aren't buying in droves?!?!