The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[jasnw]

Blasphemy - I cannot, for the life of me, conceive how one thinks the world should proceed without desktops. I thought you were going to suggest they open up MacOS so that it can run on Windows or Linux but instead it seems you're suggesting they abandon the whole OS. It would be courageous to abandon desktops and open up the OS - it would be foolish to abandon it altogether. The moment Apple abandons desktops or the OS my iPhone will be silenced.

I think abandoning the desktop is a really bad idea, I'm simply suggesting that's where Apple may be headed. Management doesn't show much interest in desktop Macs unless forced to, and if the focus is on fashion and ROI for investors they might be looking for a route to get rid of what they seem to view as an annoying side business.

 

[Altis]

I think abandoning the desktop is a really bad idea, I'm simply suggesting that's where Apple may be headed. Management doesn't show much interest in desktop Macs unless forced to, and if the focus is on fashion and ROI for investors they might be looking for a route to get rid of what they seem to view as an annoying side business.

I like desktops in terms of power and flexibility, though I can certainly see why most people would be best suited with a dockable laptop, especially as a work computer. They're portable and more than powerful enough these days for what most employees and casual users do.

Having said that, I think a docking station is essential. I like the idea of the single-cable dock that's becoming more common these days.

However, I find that the 180-degree laptops ("convertibles") are so much better for docking since they can be used as a second monitor without taking up and desk space, especially when used vertically. Of course, Apple doesn't do that and the iPad isn't dockable at all.
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My Apple Store finally removed the Mac mini in the last 2 days and no longer carries it in store, you have to order it now. One of the employees said it's likely done, it does not sell very well at all.

That's certainly not a promising sign. Maybe if they updated it, it would sell better. Who knows.

 

[jdillings]

My Apple Store finally removed the Mac mini in the last 2 days and no longer carries it in store, you have to order it now.

They are just clearing the shelves to make room for the new Mac Mini that will be announced next month.

 

[Mago]

Macintosh Mini:

custom AMD APU : 4-8 zen cores Plus Vega 11 GPU 2-4 GB HBM on board.

Storage NVMe 512GB-2TB BTO, 2 9mm 2.5" spinners upto 6TB BTO

Mini-server available again macOS Server re-launch, with new tricks/services like most NAS, including virtualization and headless modes.

Almost unchanged form factor, 2 TB3 ports 4 USB3 1 HDMI 2.

check the name: Macintosh likely to return.

 

[Boyd01]

I think abandoning the desktop is a really bad idea, I'm simply suggesting that's where Apple may be headed.

Where do you get that idea? They are about to roll out their most powerful desktop ever, the iMac Pro and that will be followed by the new MacPro next year. If they discontinue the Mini, it doesn't mean they are abandoning the "desktop". They just may not offer the exact "flavor" you prefer.

 

[leo-tech]

Where do you get that idea? They are about to roll out their most powerful desktop ever, the iMac Pro and that will be followed by the new MacPro next year. If they discontinue the Mini, it doesn't mean they are abandoning the "desktop". They just may not offer the exact "flavor" you prefer.

I don't think it has much to do with "exact flavor"—it's more like Apple is forgetting the important rule "The customer is always right", they increasingly disrespect their customers and all that—so, no reason to be surprised if customers in turn increasingly disrespect them back.

 

[Boyd01]

Apple is forgetting the important rule "The customer is always right", they increasingly disrespect their customers

Well that is another issue. But I am still happy with the Mac and don't feel "disrespected" by Apple. I have bought 3 mini's since 2013. If Apple discontinues it, I'll just buy whatever other Mac meets my needs when I'm ready to upgrade.

As far as the customer being right, look at some of the posts on the previous page where Apple Stores are removing the Mini because customers aren't buying them. Or look at the MacBook Air, which most people thought would be discontinued some time ago. But Apple keeps it around because it is still popular with customers.

So I think it's more an issue that some people want an up-to-date computer in the Mini form factor - which is perfectly reasonable - but Apple doesn't see enough of a market for such a product.

 

[masterbaron]

it's more like Apple is forgetting the important rule "The customer is always right"

Well honestly, it was more like "Steve is always right" and Steve's ideals were more in-line with our ideals. Apple has the presence of mind that "they" are always right and know what we need ... more than we do. Increasingly, static desktop computing is being viewed as "special application" whereas the world is in motion and those that aren't have been relegated to some arcane functionality in a dimly lit room in the sub-basement.

Apple should be praised for systematizing all of our devices and entry-points - this is the hook that's compelling for me. The foray into the new MacPro design (trashcan) actually stalled their headless desktop line-up because it was too far away from the next lower tier - the Mini ... no pathway between them and the MacPro too pricey for the average consumer. I think that strategy ruined it for everyone here. When a computer approaches the cost of a car it becomes impractical for the average person - add to that obsolescence and it's a done deal because you can drive your old car over new roads but you can't drive your G5 with new software.

 

[Cape Dave]

And they are having supply/manufacturing issues with the new iPhone X. I mean what do these "10 million" (I do not know the exact number of employees. But it is many.) employees DO every day? They sure are not making a new mini, that is for sure.

This alone, plus the weird "notch" are making me look at Google Pixel 2 on the 4th.

And then Fonzi jumps over a shark while water skiing.

The End.

 

[masterbaron]

plus the weird "notch" are making me look at Google Pixel 2 on the 4th.

Now that's funny... I'm surprised @Cape Dave ... you have to know the removal or obscuring of that notch will be the discerning upgrade for the next model - so don't jump just yet .

 

[fischersd]

So many people LOATH android and are disillusioned with Apple. You really have to wonder how hard it would be to get venture funding to kick off a new ecosystem based on FreeBSD.

(and do the set-top box and mac mini alternatives in a way that they complement each other).

Massive undertaking, but as we've seen so many lawsuits (that failed) prove, you can't patent "look and feel"

There's a massive gap here for the next trillion $ company to fill. Amazon has the deep pockets...they should think about it.

 

[Crosscreek]

And they are having supply/manufacturing issues with the new iPhone X. I mean what do these "10 million" (I do not know the exact number of employees. But it is many.) employees DO every day? They sure are not making a new mini, that is for sure.

This alone, plus the weird "notch" are making me look at Google Pixel 2 on the 4th.

And then Fonzi jumps over a shark while water skiing.

The End.

I'm looking at several options other than iPhone including Pixel, Moto X Z Force and LG among others. The iPad will stay and my wife still prefers her iPhone 6 at this point.
I'm still maintaining my Hackintosh but mostly using Windows 10 and Linux.
Today is my first day back using my hack SSD in over a month and that is only because I'm downloading and archiving 12.6 and High Sierra for future use.

 

[fischersd]

...and funny enough, after the iCloud screen they actually had a graphic of the mini doing the little check boxes, during High Sierra setup. (see, someone at Apple does still love the mini) - just they don't have enough clout to do something about it.

 

[navaira]

they actually had a graphic of the mini doing the little check boxes, during High Sierra setup

See? Mini is still good for SOMETHING! (Checking boxes, I suppose...)

 

[Altis]

... I mean what do these "10 million" (I do not know the exact number of employees. But it is many.) employees DO every day? They sure are not making a new mini, that is for sure...

Part of it is the Pareto effect/principle...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

Probably >80% of the employees accomplish next to nothing of importance.

It still boggles the mind how Apple can't even be bothered to keep their lineup up to date when companies that are 1/1000 their size manage to do so without issue and with much lower margins and revenues.

 

[Cape Dave]

Part of it is the Pareto effect/principle...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

Probably >80% of the employees accomplish next to nothing of importance.

It still boggles the mind how Apple can't even be bothered to keep their lineup up to date when companies that are 1/1000 their size manage to do so without issue and with much lower margins and revenues.

Very interesting. Reminds me in a way of "Peter Principle" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle

I agree 100%. Such a simple thing as reasonable yearly updates not getting done is very telling. Pretty much every other computer company in existence seems to manage that quite nicely. Even Dell is getting faster at that sort of update

 

[Altis]

Very interesting. Reminds me in a way of "Peter Principle" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle

I agree 100%. Such a simple thing as reasonable yearly updates not getting done is very telling. Pretty much every other computer company in existence seems to manage that quite nicely. Even Dell is getting faster at that sort of update

Dell is selling even their Inspiron lineup with 8th gen Intel CPUs already. i5 8250, i7 8550 quad-core ultra-low power CPUs in their reasonably priced units.

There's simply no excuse given that Apple have more resources and power in the industry than anybody.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Part of it is the Pareto effect/principle...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle

Probably >80% of the employees accomplish next to nothing of importance.

It still boggles the mind how Apple can't even be bothered to keep their lineup up to date when companies that are 1/1000 their size manage to do so without issue and with much lower margins and revenues.

I honestly question whether the issue is Apple’s inability to update or their intentional choice to do what they are doing. The whole ‘this would never happen under Steve’ thing notwithstanding, Tim Cook is working hard at making Apple less significant in the industry. Schiller’s “can’t innovate, my a$$” observation at the trash can Mac unveiling seems like a bad joke (or a nightmare) at this point.

 

[Boyd01]

I honestly question whether the issue is Apple’s inability to update or their intentional choice to do what they are doing.

Seems very obvious to me. With their resources, they can update whatever they like as often as they like. They just aren't interested in the Mini anymore, but apparently aren't willing to kill it yet either.

 

[Cape Dave]

I honestly question whether the issue is Apple’s inability to update or their intentional choice to do what they are doing. The whole ‘this would never happen under Steve’ thing notwithstanding, Tim Cook is working hard at making Apple less significant in the industry. Schiller’s “can’t innovate, my a$$” observation at the trash can Mac unveiling seems like a bad joke (or a nightmare) at this point.

Thank you for a much needed laugh! So true.
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Dell is selling even their Inspiron lineup with 8th gen Intel CPUs already. i5 8250, i7 8550 quad-core ultra-low power CPUs in their reasonably priced units.

There's simply no excuse given that Apple have more resources and power in the industry than anybody.

It boggles the mind.

 

[twalk]

I honestly question whether the issue is Apple’s inability to update or their intentional choice to do what they are doing. The whole ‘this would never happen under Steve’ thing notwithstanding, Tim Cook is working hard at making Apple less significant in the industry. Schiller’s “can’t innovate, my a$$” observation at the trash can Mac unveiling seems like a bad joke (or a nightmare) at this point.

I'd vote for it being an intentional choice. Make an iphone/ipad docking station and activate KB/mouse/windows support for iOS (which shares code with MacOS) and what have you got? You've got the post-PC computing platform. After that, the Mac gets put into the niche of only being for corporations that depend on it, IOW, the really high end

The Mini doesn't compete with the iMac. It competes with the future iPhone

 

[Matintosh]

I'd vote for it being an intentional choice. Make an iphone/ipad docking station and activate KB/mouse/windows support for iOS (which shares code with MacOS) and what have you got? You've got the post-PC computing platform. After that, the Mac gets put into the niche of only being for corporations that depend on it, IOW, the really high end

The Mini doesn't compete with the iMac. It competes with the future iPhone

Some work will always be best done sat at a desk with big screens. If the future is a dockable iPad/iPhone with external monitors then I'm OK with that, as long as it provides all the functionality that my desktop provides.

Apple is embracing eGPUs for macOS and this is an excellent way forward for docking laptops - perhaps this is the solution for getting more umph when docking iOS devices.

All I want is a desktop solution using my own monitors that I can edit-photos/movies/write-code and play decent games on - that runs some flavour of Unix and doesn't cost a kidney to buy.

 

[EnesM]

My Apple Store finally removed the Mac mini in the last 2 days and no longer carries it in store, you have to order it now. One of the employees said it's likely done, it does not sell very well at all.

A 4 year old IT product at the same price level as at release date doesn't sell very well. That's strange

 

[Micky Do]

From monday the two major Apple suppliers in Italy are suddenly and completely out of stock of minis. I know that this happen from time to time, but the timing is no coincidence.

My Apple Store finally removed the Mac mini in the last 2 days and no longer carries it in store, you have to order it now.

As we were, more or less, and no one's any wiser.

 

[jpietrzak8]

All I want is a desktop solution using my own monitors that I can edit-photos/movies/write-code and play decent games on - that runs some flavour of Unix and doesn't cost a kidney to buy.

Man, you really ought to check out Linux then. Run it on a standard, inexpensive tower PC. Plug your own monitors into it, using whatever graphics card you prefer. You can Gimp photos, use something like VLC for all your streaming media, play with some of the best and most powerful coding environments available, and of course run many of the latest AAA games using Steam...