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https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rtainly-coming.1681773/page-451#post-25577330
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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
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https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rtainly-coming.1681773/page-451#post-25577330
While the die hard Mac users hate to admit it, the ability to dual boot is a big selling point. Until the ARM windows experience is not sub-par, I think it’s a bridge too far.
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And how is that working out for Microsoft?
You’re right, I should’ve been more precise: So far that expected price cuts are for a (potential) new MacBook Air, according to some report recently featured here on MR.
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I think it’s less about dual boot, but more about the ability to run Windows software when needed. Yes, it may be a psychological advantage to be able to dual boot, but the question is, how many percent of Mac customers actually really do it on a regular basis? Similar question as the option to do internal hardware upgrades yourself: Enthusiasts want it (and be it only for peace of mind that they could if they wanted to), but the majority of average users never even think of it.
Unless we’re talking of gaming (which is questionable in the first place, due to the mediocre GPU’s and poor cooling of Macs for these use cases), an emulator usually is sufficient for the majority of Windows software needs of a Mac customer. Be it VMware, Parallels or VirtualPC. Plus, unlike dual booting, with an emulator you could still run macOS applications in parallel and switch immediately at will.
So, as long as Apple manages to have one or more of the mentioned emulators run on an Arm-equipped Mac in due time, the loss of native x86 compatibility on a consumer machine like a MBA is a minor issue imho. Perhaps Apple could even pull off something WINE-like to continue to offer Windows-compatibility out of the box.
Perhaps native x86 will even become a significant distinction between consumer & “Pro” Macs in the future.
I agree Neodym, but I don't think this non x86 windows furture is quite here yet. Last year, I would have said 5 years away, now I think it's more like 1 year out. But I don't see it happening in 2018. At least not without A LOT of growing pains.
Hoping to see a new Mac Mini this year, possibly they use this platform to test their ARM processors? And a new Apple monitor to boot.
Apple has proven several times that they are not afraid to change direction before general consensus is that the time would be right. Think of the headphone jack or USB-C only on recent MacBook(Pro)'s.
And they are willing to bear the growing pains (think e.g. Apple Watch). Even though I somewhat doubt that the growing pains would be that big for the majority of consumer customers to begin with.
On the other hand, I think x86 is here to stay for many years to come - just not necessarily in (Mac) consumer devices.
That's why I'd consider a Mac mini or MacBook Air perfect candidates to test the waters: The rumored lower prices could entice people to try and live without native dual boot, while Apple would not need to sacrifice its margins (too much) for this test balloon (assuming significant cost advantages for Ax over x86).
Demanding customers could be referred to the "Pro" devices for the time being.
Official Intel photo of Kaby Lake G NUC PCB.
We probably shouldn't put any significance into the fact that it is photographed next to a Mac keyboard ...
We probably shouldn't put any significance into the fact that it is photographed next to a Mac keyboard ...
Hades Canyon uses either a 100W Core i7-8809G or 65 W i7-8705G and the power supply is 230W so unlikely Apple will put this into a Mac Mini unchanged. However, Apple could cherry-pick some of the tech for an updated Mac Mini. The onboard Radeon™ RX Vega M GH is said to be around a GTX 1060 and the lower-power RX Vega M GL is said to be around a GTX 1050 in performance so a significant boost over the iGPUs of past.
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I'm confident we'll see a new Mac Mini this year. It feels like a make or break year for the machine. And I really don't see them discontinuing it.
I'd like to see a smaller form factor (though not really that important honestly) and Fusion as a standard hard drive for the base model.
I'd like to see a smaller form factor (though not really that important honestly) and Fusion as a standard hard drive for the base model.
Considering that Apple reduced the Flash part of Fusion to a mere 24GB on the 1TB option, I think a full Flash storage option on the base model would be better...
Seeing the Mini in an Apple store recently made me realize that it looks bulky and quite out of date compared to the rest of Apple's products. It's surprisingly large for a product called the "Mini". A redesign is definitely in order. Would like to see it smaller and space grey color.
I don't understand the desire for a smaller mini. I have something plugged into every port on my 2012 quad, the main reason I got it was the ports which weren't available on my laptop. It's a mess with all those wires hanging off the back and would certainly be out of place at an Apple Store, but I couldn't care less. I use it for video editing, not home decoration. 
Nevertheless, you may be right about Apple's direction (if there even is a new mini). But count me out if it's a little sealed puck with only one or two ports.
Nevertheless, you may be right about Apple's direction (if there even is a new mini). But count me out if it's a little sealed puck with only one or two ports.
Remember the existing Mac Mini was designed to cope with a 45w TDP CPU. Neither of the Kaby Lake G packages would fit in the existing Mac Mini case in terms of heat profile and remain quiet and cheap. A 100w version of the Hades Canyon could threaten a MacBook Pro in terms of horsepower despite the fact that Apple are more likely to use the 65w version.
The current case has been clearly repurposed for the 2014 range which only includes 28w CPUs at best. The case also holds the PSU and HD/SSD where relevant.
Apple would need to seriously invest in the Mini to retool the case going forward. If they don't feel motivated to do that we'd be left with a variety of CPU choices starting with the i5-8250U which is a 15w 4 core CPU.
If they are motivated to make a smaller Mini the clues are evident.
1. Get rid of internal PSU by using USB-C charging connected to (an Apple branded) monitor able to provide power. A smaller case can then be powered by a external brick optionally as the G4 and Intel Core and Core 2 machines were.
2. Get rid of internal 2.5" spinner. This and the fact that this body shell was designed for a 2.5" SSD rather than PCIe M.2 sticks which are now popular.
3. A tall case would be better for Wifi reception (see Time Capsule).
4. Current case designed for 45w TDP - it's bigger than it could be. See what happens when Jony Ive gets the green light to have at it!
The argument for keeping the current case is:
1. PCIe SSD runs hotter than more leisurely 2.5" SATA ones
2. A redesigned internal cooling solution could make the Mini even quieter.
3. Cost, of course, why spend development money which will take even longer to recoup?
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Keeping the ports is a must. Pray to God they don't go the Macbook line route and make it one port and tell you to use dongles or a hub.I don't understand the desire for a smaller mini. I have something plugged into every port on my 2012 quad, the main reason I got it was the ports which weren't available on my laptop. It's a mess with all those wires hanging off the back and would certainly be out of place at an Apple Store, but I couldn't care less. I use it for video editing, not home decoration.
Nevertheless, you may be right about Apple's direction (if there even is a new mini). But count me out if it's a little sealed puck with only one or two ports.
But yeah it just feels time to make it a bit more modern. But honestly I just want them to update it. If they make it smaller/sleeker that's great too. But far less important of course.
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Only one USB-C port is a problem for a laptop because you need to carry (multiple) dongles and/or a hub with you, which defeats the point of a small and thin laptop. It's contradictory.
Only one USB-C port for a new Mac mini would also be a problem but having dongles and hubs on the desk is not as much of a problem since it's not a laptop. Even better, if you need to carry your Mac mini around and have permanent setups in two or more places, you only need to connect/disconnect one cable every time.
If Apple were smart:
- Design a single motherboard to be used in both the new "Mac mini" and the new "MacBook Air" (whatever the new names may be) to lower their design and manufacturing costs.
- Only two CPU and RAM options, linked together
- Only two motherboards to make (good CPU with 8GB, better CPU with 16GB)
- Only make two low-end M.2 SSD for both computers (in 128GB and 256GB). I say low-end M.2 SSD because anything would be better than a mechanical HDD.
- Keep the SDXC card reader but please use a better socket that won't have the write-enable switch crap out after a year or two. It's only a few cents of difference in cost.
Another idea: make the whole computer motherboard + M.2 SSD into a block of some kind, so you can buy a "Mac mini shell" or a "MacBook Air" shell and use the same computer at home or on the go.
Bought the low-end block? Upgrade by buying a new block! Need to become mobile? Buy a laptop shell! Want to upgrade next year? Buy the new even faster block! You can also imagine how low the repairs and replacement costs would become for Apple, too.
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Yvan wrote:
"Only one USB-C port for a new Mac mini would also be a problem but having dongles and hubs on the desk is not as much of a problem since it's not a laptop"
A "desktop" computer without ports makes absolutely no sense at all.
NONE.
The primary reason I would prefer a desktop computer is that it HAS all the ports I need for easy connectivity, without "dongles" or adapters, such as:
USB-a (which remains the dominant type of USB connector)
USB-c (with thunderbolt, but thunderbolt is destined to be a "niche" technology, as was firewire before it)
HDMI 2.0
Audio out
... at the very least.
I believe the vast majority of those who would be interested in the Mini have the same needs.
A "new Mini" with only one or two USB-c ports?
Nothing I would want to buy.
"Only one USB-C port for a new Mac mini would also be a problem but having dongles and hubs on the desk is not as much of a problem since it's not a laptop"
A "desktop" computer without ports makes absolutely no sense at all.
NONE.
The primary reason I would prefer a desktop computer is that it HAS all the ports I need for easy connectivity, without "dongles" or adapters, such as:
USB-a (which remains the dominant type of USB connector)
USB-c (with thunderbolt, but thunderbolt is destined to be a "niche" technology, as was firewire before it)
HDMI 2.0
Audio out
... at the very least.
I believe the vast majority of those who would be interested in the Mini have the same needs.
A "new Mini" with only one or two USB-c ports?
Nothing I would want to buy.
Official Intel photo of Kaby Lake G NUC PCB.
We probably shouldn't put any significance into the fact that it is photographed next to a Mac keyboard ...
Source: https://newsroom.intel.com/news/the-smallest-vr-gaming-rig-intels-newest-nuc/
Keep in mind that NUC version is their largest designed for the gamers so would not be applicable to a Mac mini replacement (high power, 4C/8T). The smaller, low power versions are supposed to come out the second half of the year.
I agree. However, some people around here get all excited by the idea of a "modular" computer. So, I suppose Apple could make a basic Mini with only one port, then a dock that you could plug in for people who need more.
Seeing that even keyboards and mice become increasingly available in wireless flavours (and are quite usable even for gaming), a bigger number of physical ports is indeed not as mandatory for a stationary computer as it has been a couple of years ago.
Besides power, it’s display and external storage. So 2 or 3 TB3/USB-C Ports as only physical interfaces could be sufficient for an entry level computer these days. Not for everyone (especially not for many of those active here), but for Joe average user.
Besides power, it’s display and external storage. So 2 or 3 TB3/USB-C Ports as only physical interfaces could be sufficient for an entry level computer these days. Not for everyone (especially not for many of those active here), but for Joe average user.
Actually, Apple has shown that zero ports are sufficient for an entry level computer - look at the MacBook.