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It would definitely be a disappointment if they go with a dual-core i3 8109U for the base model and don't offer hex-core for the higher-end models. But it's hard to expect any better for the Mac mini following this period of neglect.

I've said it before, I would love an i3 Mac Mini as my 1st mini device.
That's when I could consider a decent monitor, keyboard+mouse.
 
So I dropped out of this thread last April; the shear magnitude of the glass-completely-empty negativity in this thread was not conducive to my happiness nor contributing positively to my life in any way :)

Did you guys ever figure out why we so obviously can expect 32GB of socketed DDR4 in the mini update (assuming there is an update) instead of the LPDDR3 laptop memory used by the 2014 mini?

Just wondering, because up until I left the thread it didn’t seem like anyone else had figured it out—and it’s plain as day.
 
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I've been speculating for a while, that if and when they release an updated mini, that's also going to be when we see another Apple-branded display, which we know they're working on alongside the new new Mac Pro ... because they said so.

But, considering there aren't the same kind of time constraints in releasing a decent display (whatever updated iMac display minus the computer, basically — I know it's a bit more than that, but not like a new Mac Pro), it could be ready way in advance of a Pro.

And — and this is key in my mind — I cannot imagine them releasing a 2018 mini after nearly four years and no display to sell alongside it. They're not going to show it off with the LG UltraFine, are they? This presents a pretty lousy situation for Marketing, not to mention the upselling potential on the trillions (if the level of whining in forums is to be taken as an indicator) of new mini purchases coming when they release one.

Keep in mind they still have the discontinued Thunderbolt Display shown here — kinda weird:
https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/
 
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I've been speculating for a while, that if and when they release an updated mini, that's also going to be when we see another Apple-branded display, which we know they're working on alongside the new new Mac Pro ... because they said so.

But, considering there aren't the same kind of time constraints in releasing a decent display (whatever updated iMac display minus the computer, basically — I know it's a bit more than that, but not like a new Mac Pro), it could be ready way in advance of a Pro.

And — and this is key in my mind — I cannot imagine them releasing a 2018 mini after nearly four years and no display to sell alongside it. They're not going to show it off with the LG UltraFine, are they? This presents a pretty lousy situation for Marketing, not to mention the upselling potential on the trillions (if the level of whining in forums is to be taken as an indicator) of new mini purchases coming when they release one.

Keep in mind they still have the discontinued Thunderbolt Display shown here — kinda weird:
https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

Supposedly one is coming with the new Mac Pro.
 
Sadly, I absolutely believe that whatever Timmy gives us in a new Mac Mini, it's us almost sure to underwhelm.
It depends on your definition of underwhelm. Here’s what I expect; if this is underwhelming, then underwhelmed you may very well be:
  • Same form factor
  • Intel’s current dual-core 28W CPUs
  • Quad core options (the new Coffee Lake 28W quads)
  • User upgradable, socketed RAM—32 GB maximum
  • 4K@60Hz HDMI port
  • two USB-C 3.1 Gen 2/Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • four USB 3 ports
  • Gb Ethernet
  • 802.11ac/Bluetooth 4.2
  • SDXC slot, headphone jack
  • Priced $300-500 below a 13” MBP in an equivalent configuration, i.e. not exactly inexpensive
 
All I care about is 4k @ 60hz. I don't actually need a beast of a computer, but I do need 4k for the workspace.

My only complaint with my 2012 quad-core is that I am limited to 1440p.

They could literally ad thunderbolt 3 to the 2014 Mac mini, and I would buy day one.
 
It depends on your definition of underwhelm. Here’s what I expect; if this is underwhelming, then underwhelmed you may very well be:
  • Same form factor
  • Intel’s current dual-core 28W CPUs
  • Quad core options (the new Coffee Lake 28W quads)
  • User upgradable, socketed RAM—32 GB maximum
  • 4K@60Hz HDMI port
  • two USB-C 3.1 Gen 2/Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • four USB 3 ports
  • Gb Ethernet
  • 802.11ac/Bluetooth 4.2
  • SDXC slot, headphone jack
  • Priced $300-500 below a 13” MBP in an equivalent configuration, i.e. not exactly inexpensive

I’ve been viewing 2012 2.ghz 8 g ram 500hd via eBay-300 uk pounds refurbished
Honestly have to disagree that any 2018/2019 Mac mini could be 300-500 be it dollars or pounds.
Any refresh is going to be extortionate.
 
I’ve been viewing 2012 2.ghz 8 g ram 500hd via eBay-300 uk pounds refurbished
Honestly have to disagree that any 2018/2019 Mac mini could be 300-500 be it dollars or pounds.
Any refresh is going to be extortionate.
No, not a $300-500 mini lol... a mini priced $300-500 below a similarly configured 13” MacBook Pro.

So if a certain CPU/RAM/SSD configuration of the 13” MBP were $2,500, that config in a mini would be priced at about $2,000.

In other words, how much does a display/battery/keyboard cost? So a $1,299 13” MBP turns into a $899 mini.
 
No, not a $300-500 mini lol... a mini priced $300-500 below a similarly configured 13” MacBook Pro.

So if a certain CPU/RAM/SSD configuration of the 13” MBP were $2,500, that config in a mini would be priced at about $2,000.

In other words, how much does a display/battery/keyboard cost? So a $1,299 13” MBP turns into a $899 mini.

My error ha
2k that’s more like it
 
I would love to say F apple F apple F apple.
I moved on to the lenovo m700 and m710 tiny as they are good machines.
I7 6700 t in the m700 I7 7700t in the 710 both machines can use 32gb ram and both machine have an m2 slot and a sata slot. micron makes a good 2tb ssd . So my goto little machines that do some real work are the lenovo machines.

My 1 dead 2011 mac mini sits in a box. I will give it away for parts if you are in the usa and pay me 25 usd to ship.

I do have 2 2012 mac minis with 2tb micron ssds attached via usb3 they have 16gb ram they blog on macrumors bitcointalk and are used to shop on the net along with some banking. And they have some bitcoin wallets as they are easy to back up.
I also have a 2014 base mac mini that internet blogs.


So a few days after I write this.

Just when you think you are out they reel you back in.

.

the same size and shape are fine. Maybe in Black not silver
It would be nice to see them make a 32 gb ram with a decent cpu option
they can go m.2 sata only and fit up to 2 of them inside.
i7 8550u is good enough.

would be nice gear and top out over 2k

if it had 2 sticks of 32gb ram

the i7 8550u

and 2 m2 satas

I would buy one. Which is sad considering the post I quoted less then a week ago.
 
What is the value of guessing when you should have the benefit of planning.
Well, exactly.

  • Same form factor
  • Intel’s current dual-core 28W CPUs
  • Quad core options (the new Coffee Lake 28W quads)
  • User upgradable, socketed RAM—32 GB maximum
  • 4K@60Hz HDMI port
  • two USB-C 3.1 Gen 2/Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • four USB 3 ports
  • Gb Ethernet
  • 802.11ac/Bluetooth 4.2
  • SDXC slot, headphone jack
  • Priced $300-500 below a 13” MBP in an equivalent configuration, i.e. not exactly inexpensive
Add in sticking to industry standard drive forms, and it looks good to me.

All I want is an updated version of my 2012 quad.

So a few days after I write this.

Just when you think you are out they reel you back in.
It had to happen to somebody. You just draw the short straw this time. o_O

Though might be best to wait a bit to see what Apple actually deliver, before deciding if you got done over. Still might have been a good choice. :cool:
 
Sorry, i've heard nothing at all, other than it will actually be modular (for some reason people are misinterpreting this term). But that makes the reveal even more exciting. It's possible that we'll see a reveal at the October event but I think WWDC 19 is more likely.

If they're going to be doing a bunch of Mac stuff at a fall event it makes it more likely we'd get a sneak peek at the Mac Pro before it ships next year. But it very much depends when in 2019 it's scheduled.
 
If they're going to be doing a bunch of Mac stuff at a fall event it makes it more likely we'd get a sneak peek at the Mac Pro before it ships next year. But it very much depends when in 2019 it's scheduled.
I agree, and with the MacBook Pros out of the way, they will have more time. The other new MacBooks may be released before an event as well, possibly in September, leaving room for just desktop Macs (maybe paired with iPads if they're not announced in September, but I think they will be)
 
My Mac museum is becoming a reality - should things move along according to rumors I'll be able to retire my first fully functional Mac (2009 Mini) and spare-up one of the 2012's - continue with the other 2012 and buy a new Mini. Maybe I should restore the non-working Apple IIGS, Quadra and Power Mac G5.
 
Seems a lot of Macs to update at the same time.
I hope engineering, software and manufacturing have been given the resources to not do a mediocre job of it.
Not that Apple would ever make something thinner, take away a few ports, and call it a revolution in computer technology.
My hopes are not high.
 
It depends on your definition of underwhelm. Here’s what I expect; if this is underwhelming, then underwhelmed you may very well be:

I fully expect it to be under-spec'ed compared to the rest of the Mac line... it will be overpriced, given the specs, and per the current state of Apple, it will be absolutely locked down in terms of upgrades... everything will be glued down or soldered in. Like I said, underwhelming.
 
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I fully expect it to be under-spec'ed compared to the rest of the Mac line...

... and thus choice and continuance of the product-line. Your future may include the mMacPro where power and connectivity will more than likely survive and possibly thrive. Like everything else it will cost more and retaining the same margin on benefits will be hard to come by. Long-term quality (upgrade ability) and accessibility is replaced with the ingenuity of making more profit for Apple in some form or another - more and more products will get "locked down" that's the new paradigm.

Moore's Law did not address profit margins and the cost of R&D.
 
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I fully expect it to be under-spec'ed compared to the rest of the Mac line...
Yes, it's looking seriously unlikely that we'll ever see a 2018 Mac mini with a hex-core i5 at the $799 price point, or an i7-8850H at the $999 price point, which is a reasonable ask. Quad-core with a base model that is dual-core, as if it's still 2012, to prevent a $999 mini from performing comparably to a $2,799 MacBook Pro. What a shame.
 
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... and thus choice and continuance of the product-line. Your future may include the mMacPro where power and connectivity will more than likely survive and possibly thrive. Like everything else it will cost more and retaining the same margin on benefits will be hard to come by. Long-term quality (upgrade ability) and accessibility is replaced with the ingenuity of making more profit for Apple in some form or another - more and more products will get "locked down" that's the new paradigm.

Moore's Law did not address profit margins and the cost of R&D.

Nor does it address the obscene profit margins on antiquated technology... and, clearly, Apple is not a proponent of Moore's Law.
 
Yes, it's looking seriously unlikely that we'll ever see a 2018 Mac mini with a hex-core i5 at the $799 price point, or an i7-8850H at the $999 price point, which is a reasonable ask. Quad-core with a base model that is dual-core, as if it's still 2012, to prevent a $999 mini from performing comparably to a $2,799 MacBook Pro. What a shame.

I don't see 6-core i5s at $799 price points that also include SSDs.

More broadly, especially with a low volume machine it makes far more sense to buy the same chips as the MBPs.

There's also a schism here between people who want the Mini to get smaller and become more like a NUC versus the people who want it to remain large and be a headless iMac, and one way or another one of those groups is going to be unhappy if they update.
 
I don't see 6-core i5s at $799 price points that also include SSDs.
Fair enough, how's this:
  • Core i7-8850H (Intel UHD Graphics 630 built-in, eGPU as a separate option)
  • 256 GB NVMe SSD
  • 8 GB upgradable 2400 MHz DDR4 (max 32 GB)
  • 2014 design in Silver or Space Gray, with the 2012 twist-off bottom for upgrading RAM
  • 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports in place of the 2x Thunderbolt 2
  • $1099 price tag
Yes, even at $1099, this is truly the ferocious 2018 Mac mini Apple would be afraid to make available.
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There's also a schism here between people who want the Mini to get smaller and become more like a NUC versus the people who want it to remain large and be a headless iMac, and one way or another one of those groups is going to be unhappy if they update.
With the 2014 refresh, Apple managed to make both groups unhappy. So just one group unhappy would definitely be an improvement.
 
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A lot of you are going to be disappointed. User-Upgradable ram in the Mac-Mini? Quad Core options? Certain therapists are going to see a spike in calls once the Mini gets announced.
 
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