The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[Miat]

I used to get plenty of dates (xxxxy) with my iPhone

What goes on between a man and his iPhone in private, should stay there.

 

[Cape Dave]

Sorry, but I can't let this one stand.

The specs on the $499 2014 model are a joke, and the last time I checked $499 isn't a cheap computer. It's a cheap Mac-yes-but still pricey for a computer.

A 5400rpm hard drive and 1.4ghz processor for that price is absolutely inexcusable. It's even more inexcusable that for that price, it comes with far too little RAM for a computer in 2018 WITH NO WAY TO UGPRADE IT.

There's a reason why 2012 Minis are still in demand. In particular, the quads are legitimate light duty workstations for folks who don't need/want/can't afford a Mac Pro but for whom a dual core isn't enough. A 2012 Quad is as expensive if not more so used than a base model 2014.

Aside from that, if Apple is going to continue to be adamant about spinners in Minis, they should at least be running 7200rpm drives. There are good reasons to not use 7200rpm drives in laptops(I've had a few over the years in different computers, and am happy to leave the heat, power consumption, and vibration behind in favor of SSDs in a laptop) but there's no excuse for not using one at a minimum in a desktop.

7200 just prolongs the agony. They are not THAT much faster. We do not want a faster dinosaur.

 

[masterbaron]

What goes on between a man and his iPhone in private, should stay there.

I always employ protection ... not to worry!

 

[philipma1957]

Difficult to engage in a discussion with someone who imperiously asserts a narrow point of view, to the exclusion of any other.

Yes, I feel that on a laptop SSD is the way to go for one reason and another, and medium to high end laptops have gone one that way. It makes sense. But even so, HDD is still an option in laptops for the most budget minded, offensive though it may be to some.

Yes, for your high end desktop destined to be used for use in video production and the like, or simply for bragging rights to having the hottest machine in the neighbourhood, nobody is denying SSD is the way to go.

But to insist that SSD be the only option at this point in time on a modest desktop such as the Mac Mini is arrant nonsense, given different users have different priorities. Some want more snappy performance, while others are more interested in more cost effective performance. Apple and other manufacturers realise that thus offer you, the consumer, a choice. What is so offensive about that?

I am not against using SSDs. My laptop has an SSD which suits my purposes for it. My desktop has a HDD, thus is not as snappy in opening apps and pages, which I can live with. Once open, from my point of view there is little significant difference in use between the two. Another user with a different use pattern may have a different point of view.

If this offends you, so be it..... do what you will about it
[doublepost=1533079367][/doublepost]
If the specs of the currently available $499 Mac Mini don't suit your requirements, don't get one. It is not the only option.

Well I am typing on my base model 2014 mini. I use an external t-bolt from lacie as the booter and a cloned backup..

The internal 500gb is a secondary backup. this pc is mostly netflix on a 1080p tv screen and blogging.
If I want it to be faster I would put a 2tb micron ssd into a t-bolt case from black magic holds 4 2.5 ssd's and I use it if I need more speed.

was this 463 dollar (on a sale ) pos mac mini worth 463 when I got it not really. did I get 463 worth of use from it yes.

Frankly I have a lot of love hate with apple mostly due to not needing mobile gear and not needing a 27 inch screen on the iMac . I need a desktop. mac pro = too strong with stuff I don't need and iMac has a screen too small for a tv set. apple knows this and plays with us. thus the hate part of my love hate with apple.

 

[throAU]

I’m not sure there is anything “elitist” about SSD’s versus HDD’s.

I would hope the new base Mini and iMac models would at least have a fusion drive or a SSD at no additional cost.

Apple is meant to be premium hardware. At least not base model crap. They should all include a decently sized SSD.

I bought a 256 GB SSD here in Australia 2 years ago for under $100 australian. RETAIL cost. Just the other month i bought a 1 TB Samsung Evo (SATA - but still way better than a hard drive) for $380 Australian.

WTF apple?

Yes, you normally use high end PCIe SSDs in your Macbook Pros, and iMacs. But still - they aren't that much more expensive. The non-PCIe SSD option should be a big SATA SSD. Maybe fusion drive as an option using a hard drive if the user wants > 1 TB of storage.

The Mac mini should come standard with a 256 GB (even SATA) SSD to justify its place as a premium machine.

There should be nothing using only a mechanical drive in Apple's lineup in 2018. Christ, they should have been SSD only or Fusion if you need the option of massive amounts of space since about 2015. Apple aren't a freaking netbook manufacturer... and the user experience degradation going from SSD to spinner is just WAY too big to contemplate on a premium machine. IMHO.

Putting a hard drive (only) in a machine built in the last 5 years is totally and utterly crippling the responsiveness of the machine. You'd be far better spending you money on something 3-5 years old with an SSD, than buying a new machine with a spinner only.

 

[Micky Do]

For a balance of price, capacity and performance before pure SSD becomes cost-effective, there is Fusion drive. Asking for a Fusion drive is still asking for an SSD, and MacOS performance is reasonable compared to the HDD-only systems Apple sells now.

Fusion drive absolutely needs to completely replace the remaining HDD-only Macs in Apple's lineup, no matter the price point. Though I would still go for the optional 256 GB SSD as the internal drive instead, and use separate external or network storage drives as needed.

Choose what you feel is cost effective and appropriate for your situation..... But why absolutely dictate what is appropriate for others?

Thankfully the choice remains in the iMac and Mac Mini range, and HDD will almost certainly remain available in the lower order models for a couple more generations at least of the Mac Mini that is almost certainly coming...... albeit offensive to the up-market pretensions of some for the humblest option in the Mac line-up

I have a foot in both camps.... SSD suits my portable needs (Air), but I'll be sticking with HDD for my desktop (Mini) for the time being.

 

[A.Goldberg]

Apple is meant to be premium hardware. At least not base model crap. They should all include a decently sized SSD.

I bought a 256 GB SSD here in Australia 2 years ago for under $100 australian. RETAIL cost. Just the other month i bought a 1 TB Samsung Evo (SATA - but still way better than a hard drive) for $380 Australian.

WTF apple?

Yes, you normally use high end PCIe SSDs in your Macbook Pros, and iMacs. But still - they aren't that much more expensive. The non-PCIe SSD option should be a big SATA SSD. Maybe fusion drive as an option using a hard drive if the user wants > 1 TB of storage.

The Mac mini should come standard with a 256 GB (even SATA) SSD to justify its place as a premium machine.

There should be nothing using only a mechanical drive in Apple's lineup in 2018. Christ, they should have been SSD only or Fusion if you need the option of massive amounts of space since about 2015. Apple aren't a freaking netbook manufacturer... and the user experience degradation going from SSD to spinner is just WAY too big to contemplate on a premium machine. IMHO.

Putting a hard drive (only) in a machine built in the last 5 years is totally and utterly crippling the responsiveness of the machine. You'd be far better spending you money on something 3-5 years old with an SSD, than buying a new machine with a spinner only.

I’d say even the base models are premium hardware. The entry level Mini is still pretty expensive as far as computers go.

 

[bunnspecial]

Putting a hard drive (only) in a machine built in the last 5 years is totally and utterly crippling the responsiveness of the machine. You'd be far better spending you money on something 3-5 years old with an SSD, than buying a new machine with a spinner only.

I use a mid-2012 15" MBP(non-retina). I lose track of time-maybe a year and a half ago or so-I put a 1tb Samsung EVO 850 in it. It TOTALLY transformed the machine and made me realize I didn't NEED a new computer.

I'm actually getting ready to put a spinner back in it-but in the form of a 2tb storage drive and not as a boot drive. The non-Retina machines give you this flexibility, but I can't imagine going back to a spinner as my operating drive.

I also run my Mac Pro(5,1) off PCIe SSDs scavenged from other Macs. I need to put Windows on it, and since I run OS X off my PCIe drives I'm going to put a smallish SATA SSD in it for that. I have a 4tb WD Green spinner for storage, but that's all it does. At the same time, that's the advantage of Mac Pro cases-you can just keep piling drives in them(the 1,1-3,1 are actually capable of running 8 if you ditch the optical drives and put IDE drives on the optical bus, although things get a bit snug doing that-since the 4,1/5,1 eliminate IDE you go down to 6 drives with onboard controllers).

All of that aside, I need to order a few more SSDs, and Newegg is running 500gb Evo 860s for around $120 now. That's what I'm going to order-that's almost mindlessly cheap. You can get 500gb drives for under $100 if you go with discount brands, although given how cheap good brands are I think it's a false economy.
[doublepost=1533091863][/doublepost]

I’d say even the base models are premium hardware. The entry level Mini is still pretty expensive as far as computers go.

It's a premium price, certainly, but a computer with a dual core 1.4ghz i5, 4gb of soldered RAM, and a 5400 rpm laptop hard drive is not what I'd call premium hardware.

 

[RumorConsumer]

This thread is hilarious.

 

[masterbaron]

The entry level Mini is still pretty expensive as far as computers go.

The hardware without the software is useless so that premium transcends while the value diminishes.
[doublepost=1533095606][/doublepost]It should be interesting to see what Apple thinks is the "state of the art" while Microsoft toys with locking Windows down for all ... the industry is begging for something breathtaking in lieu of that "bait and switch", "hold em fold em" and generally confuse the hell out us while taking our money.

The direction and thrust we're all looking for may be obscured by lack of innovation and sluggish sales relative to the mobile platform in which case I can expect to see warmed over soup repackaged.

 

[A.Goldberg]

It's a premium price, certainly, but a computer with a dual core 1.4ghz i5, 4gb of soldered RAM, and a 5400 rpm laptop hard drive is not what I'd call premium hardware

Yes, that’s a better way of putting it. You’re definitely paying a premium for Apple.

The way I see it buying a Mac Mini or iMac with an HDD is like buying a high bandwidth internet service, but using a modem or router that only supports a fraction of that bandwidth. In fact that’s what my parents were doing up until a year or two ago. They were paying for 150mbps internet service but their DOCSIS 2.0 model only supported up to 38mbps, WRT54g router 54mbps, and some of their cables were CAT5- which only do 100mbps.

Using a HDD in place of a SSD or Fusion fails to provide the full capabailities of the given hardware and software. Offering USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt is almost seems silly when paired to a 5400 rpm hard drive.

Most entry level consumers don’t have 500gb of data. Things we’re a lttle different before the advent of Netflix and streaming audio. It’s interesting, most average users used hard space these days isn’t much larger than the used space on their iPhone. I think way young people compute now is very different than how many of us pre-streaming era people compute.

 

[bunnspecial]

Using a HDD in place of a SSD or Fusion fails to provide the full capabailities of the given hardware and software. Offering USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt is almost seems silly when paired to a 5400 rpm hard drive.

Exactly. The one redeeming thing about it is that you at least have an external PCIe port so you CAN use fast PCIe storage if you wan, but that's an expensive route.

As I said, I consider the 2014 line as a whole to be a downgrade from the 2012s. The only redeeming quality is the $100 lower cost of entry for the base model, but at all other price points you got a LOT more bang for your buck in the 2012. It's why-if I were in the market for a Mini-I'd get a 2012 Quad(something not even available now) for about the same ~$500 as a 2014 base model, then go to 16gb of RAM, a dual HDD kit, put a 250 or 500gb Evo in as the boot drive, and a 2-4tb spinner for storage. If it weren't for the need for native Snow Leopard compatibility and the fact that I like and can use 12 cores, I might be using that in place of my Mac Pro.

 

[rrl]

My dream machine:

 

[A.Goldberg]

Exactly. The one redeeming thing about it is that you at least have an external PCIe port so you CAN use fast PCIe storage if you wan, but that's an expensive route.

As I said, I consider the 2014 line as a whole to be a downgrade from the 2012s. The only redeeming quality is the $100 lower cost of entry for the base model, but at all other price points you got a LOT more bang for your buck in the 2012. It's why-if I were in the market for a Mini-I'd get a 2012 Quad(something not even available now) for about the same ~$500 as a 2014 base model, then go to 16gb of RAM, a dual HDD kit, put a 250 or 500gb Evo in as the boot drive, and a 2-4tb spinner for storage. If it weren't for the need for native Snow Leopard compatibility and the fact that I like and can use 12 cores, I might be using that in place of my Mac Pro.

I still wish Apple would make a reasonably easily upgradable, stand alone (non-AIO) Mac between the Mini and Pro, especially considering what they’ve turned the Mini into. Bringing back monitors again would be nice too, except this time more competitively priced.
[doublepost=1533098053][/doublepost]

The hardware without the software is useless so that premium transcends while the value diminishes.

That wasn’t really my point, but I don’t disagree. I would much rather pay more for Apple and get what periceive as a better OS and reliability. For $500 in 2018 the computer should come with an SSD or Fusion Drive. Honestly, Apple would probably be better off spending the extra few dollars on an SSD to improve the customer’s experience via speed and reliability.

I don’t want to sound like a Steve Jobs cult member, but ever since his death, Apples innovation has evidently died too. So has their software quality- iTunes being a prime examples. Microsoft is definitely far more innovative with things like the Surface Pro, but their execution and software leaves much to be desired. Apple could take some cues from MS.

 

[for this]

My dream machine:

View attachment 773854

(I think I know what you mean but...)

$1899.95 New
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-...GHz-12GB-256GB-SSD-Thunderbolt-2/352399849020

 

[Neodym]

As I said, I consider the 2014 line as a whole to be a downgrade from the 2012s. The only redeeming quality is the $100 lower cost of entry for the base model, but at all other price points you got a LOT more bang for your buck in the 2012.

I was thinking similarly for quite some time. But in 2018, the better iGPU and dual Thunderbolt ports in the 2014 have gained some weight. Unfortunately Apple chose to couple those improvements with the known downgrades, so I can't see myself going for a 2014 mini now, even if my 2012 mini would die.

I don’t want to sound like a Steve Jobs cult member, but ever since his death, Apples innovation has evidently died too. So has their software quality- iTunes being a prime examples.

I beg to disagree. The innovation has only shifted to other fields. Regarding software quality: older engineers have left or retired, leaving younger engineers with big code bases, difficult to understand and even more difficult to maintain. Just look at the flak Apple got when they tried to go for a new code base with Final Cut Pro (X).

Plus - SJ was lucky to have achieved multiple industry shakeups (as he admitted himself), by taking chances and newly available technologies. But you can't plan those, just work towards them. And I have the impression that Apple is working towards another shakeup, probably in the wearable sector.

They already established the Watch and AirPods in the market and continue to develop the Watch, so it can be the future wearable hub, increasingly replacing the Smartphone. Once technology is ready, there will be Apple glasses with integrated virtual monitors that completely trample the pathetic micro displays on today's smartphones (even the 6.x" ones!) into the dust.

Microsoft is definitely far more innovative with things like the Surface Pro, but their execution and software leaves much to be desired. Apple could take some cues from MS.

Not sure how innovative the Surface really is. It's unconventional, but obviously not wildly successful. In my eyes, it really only combines two worlds (traditional notebook and finger-oriented tablet), without showing real innovation.

Going AR/VR/Wearables, however, to me _is_ innovative. And that's exactly what Apple is doing. It's a long way to go, though, until technology is really there. Apple better don't neglect the traditional segments too much in the meantime, lest they eventually fail to finance the trip.

 

[anthorumor]

MacMini 2018
Intel Core i5 8600 or i7 8700 (6-cores, coz why settle for 4?)
8GB / 16GB DDR4 RAM (user upgrade-able to 32GB)
256GB / 512GB SSD (m.2 PCI-E user upgrade-able)
Nvidia GeForce 1160 (upcoming)
4x TB3
BT 5.0 and wireless
SHXC card slot

Powered by USB-C and Unicorn Tears.

 

[masterbaron]

Going AR/VR/Wearables, however, to me _is_ innovative.

At the application point it's an interesting technology - applying it as a wearable for the right application is also promising such as military, medical or entertainment - however, I doubt adoption will be there for the workstream. Further to the point the iPhone has made disruption and lack of outerworld concentration a major issue.

At this point just getting what we're all asking for would be innovative - value!

 

[Joe The Dragon]

My dream machine:

View attachment 773854

getting ripped big time
about 1 year got a server 1u with more ram and better cpu for about the same price.
[doublepost=1533171834][/doublepost]

MacMini 2018
Intel Core i5 8600 or i7 8700 (6-cores, coz why settle for 4?)
8GB / 16GB DDR4 RAM (user upgrade-able to 32GB)
256GB / 512GB SSD (m.2 PCI-E user upgrade-able)
Nvidia GeForce 1160 (upcoming)
4x TB3
BT 5.0 and wireless
SHXC card slot

Powered by USB-C and Unicorn Tears.

Unicorn Tears refills are $49.99/gal at the apple store.

 

[throAU]

I’d say even the base models are premium hardware. The entry level Mini is still pretty expensive as far as computers go.

That's what i was implying.

A non-premium Mac Mini equivalent would be an ASROCK BEEBOX, which is available much, much cheaper and is actually expandable.
[doublepost=1533188995][/doublepost]

My dream machine:

View attachment 773854

You're nuts, if that's your dream deal.

That spec should be about 1/2 that price.

 

[rrl]

You're nuts, if that's your dream deal.

That spec should be about 1/2 that price.

Sorry, I thought the wimpy CPU and the ridiculous price would've made my sarcasm obvious. Unlike Apple, I'll try and do better in the future.

 

[throAU]

Sorry, I thought the wimpy CPU and the ridiculous price would've made my sarcasm obvious. Unlike Apple, I'll try and do better in the future.

Remember where you are... there are plenty of one-eyed apple people here would would pay 2-3x that for the apple logo. especially if they made it glow.

 

[TomOSeven]

Unlike Apple, I'll try and do better in the future.

Wrecked.
[doublepost=1533198267][/doublepost]I bought the 2014 Mac Mini with an "upgraded" CPU and 8 GB of RAM for 550 the other day and I sent it back after two days.

Spinning HDDs are pure torture. I didn't realise how terrible they were because I've been using SSDs for a couple of years now. But it's just ridiculous.

 

[throAU]

Put it this way, even the iPod abandoned hard drives (with the death of the iPod classic) in 2014.

 

[masterbaron]

At this point an SSD is perhaps even cheaper to manufacture than HDD but because of what a SSD enables and to differentiate a product-line they want to continue to offer HDD ... in the music and entertainment field the progression from vinyl - 4/8-Track - cassette and CD never really represented a savings to the consumer but did offer improved "quality", access and storage - in terms of a computer where data is data those driving cost factors are strictly capacity and capability. This makes me believe the Apple logic for continuing to offer a HDD is clearly to differentiate the product-line. To give the Mini a hierarchy and to stay below the next level desktops they need to spin-down the Mini ... with a spinner. I guess the illusion is you've got so much to grow when the only real application for a Mini with a spinner is maybe an iTunes server that stays on all the time.