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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
- Thread starter GabrieleR
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LeeW
macrumors 601
Expectation: New form factor, 4/8 Kaby Lake, at least upgradeable to dGPU as well as having some user upgradeability.
Reality: Same form factor as before, 4/8 Kaby Lake, everything else the same.
Reality: Same form factor as before, 4/8 Kaby Lake, everything else the same.
The 28w CPUs would be great for the top 2 SKUs - at a probable cost of a lower cost SKU.
At this point I would expect to see a discounted Kaby Lake Refresh CPU (i5-8250U) but with dGPU options for a higher SKU where used in desktop options. A single motherboard solution.
In the Mini - for example -
Lower SKU - There to meet a price point
Middle SKU - The one with the dGPU (eg AMD Radeon Pro 550X) - moderate storage expansion options
Top SKU - No dGPU but the best storage options - optional dGPU.
This would also work when put into an iMac 21.5" with a more powerful dGPU to run the 4k screen.
As far as the Xeons are concerned, the 'custom' CPUs are probably lower clocked parts that Apple either made got to meet their cooling requirements for the iMac Pro or on a substantial discount because they didn't meet the standard for the regular parts - or both.
LeeW
macrumors 601
iZac
macrumors 68040
Don't worry, it was on my mind too, I never really investigated hackintoshes, but I'm casually thinking about it. the NUC may not be the best option, the forum I was skimming mentioned GPU incompatibilities among other things.
I just want something small but with grunt that can sit under my TV and run macOS
I know you wrote LIKE, but let’s be realistic. Mini is the entry level Mac, desktop and server configurations alike. I fully expect the “modular” Mac Pro to utilise eGPU, so Mini will not. dGPU seems unlikely in a modern Mini.
Apple is all about eeking the most performance from the least hardware at this level. The last Mini refresh was less powerful than its predecessor, no quad core, and the next Mini could go that way… or with Apple’s recommitment to Mac, it could go 6 core and dispense with dGPU for Mini.
My biggest fear is One USB-C port and nothing else on a puck like gen 2 and 3 Apple TV. Thunderbolt 2 at best, but I can hang quite a bit off my 2015 MacBook with a good dock, so USB-C may suffice. As long as it can run as a server without thermal throttling, that might be where Apple goes this year.
dirtylilhobo
macrumors demi-god
AZhappyjack
Suspended
My biggest fear is that there WILL be a new Mini this fall, but one that underwhelms us all in a major way.
Partron22
macrumors 68030
On bright side, they've announced no plans to move Xcode over to iOS devices yet.*
So they have to keep making new Macs.
Although they are trying to push Devs into the evil software rental model.
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*Thus proving that the iPad is not ready for prime time, no matter what they say.
So they have to keep making new Macs.
Although they are trying to push Devs into the evil software rental model.
---------
*Thus proving that the iPad is not ready for prime time, no matter what they say.
Tim Cook takes new Mac Mini out of a matchbox: single core!
masterbaron
macrumors 6502
Pray for clarity ... should Apple dick around or discontinue the Mini - we'll need to set our budget straight. If they falter with the new MacPro, delay or set the bar so high that only an AIO or laptop will do then the consequence of leaving MacOS will be at hand.
This is perhaps a turning point we can only wait so long- getting real with a trajectory for the next 10-years ... either way it should present some measure of clarity as in which camp we belong.
This is perhaps a turning point we can only wait so long- getting real with a trajectory for the next 10-years ... either way it should present some measure of clarity as in which camp we belong.
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jasnw
macrumors 65816
Xcode on iOS is not the canary-in-the-cave to be watching, it's Xcode on Linux.
My biggest fear about mini is, that it will not get an update before new MP is out for good.
And how does that story go?
"Headless mac division" has about 8 guys working on new MP. ("We needed to keep the team small, so that all signatures would fit inside the new mini's case.") Due to some amazingly imaginery aesthetic design decision, they will have to postpone announcing date from next spring to fall. The division gets doubled for the time they put the band aid to new great MP. Hopefully the keyboard isn't soldered to the motherboard. After the crisis, the team gets halved to just 4 guys, who now design even smaller mini, because only 4 signatures are needed inside the case. This will go on for the most part of 2020.
And how does that story go?
"Headless mac division" has about 8 guys working on new MP. ("We needed to keep the team small, so that all signatures would fit inside the new mini's case.") Due to some amazingly imaginery aesthetic design decision, they will have to postpone announcing date from next spring to fall. The division gets doubled for the time they put the band aid to new great MP. Hopefully the keyboard isn't soldered to the motherboard. After the crisis, the team gets halved to just 4 guys, who now design even smaller mini, because only 4 signatures are needed inside the case. This will go on for the most part of 2020.
Martyimac
macrumors 68030
If can't do a mini like this, then they have truly lost their mojo, https://www.pcmag.com/news/363106/intels-core-i7-bean-canyon-nuc-costs-499
arkitect
macrumors G3
Nice machine. Butt ugly though — but I'll just shove it below my desk. 🙂
Problem is, I think Apple are definitely capable of doing this and with better looks… they just don't want to it seems.
Hell of a shame on them.
Martyimac
macrumors 68030
I don't keep my mini on my desk, it's under it, my PC's are under the desk, personally I like them under the desk and my nMP would be there but ran out of room, LOL. And i agree, shame on if they can't do this.
You’re suggesting Apple will release Xcode for Linux?!?
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It’s not about “can’t” - of course they can. They just choose not to.
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Of course they can if they wanted to. They choose not to.
And it’s an odd suggestion that Apple - who are becoming more and more successful all the time - have “lost their mojo” if they don’t release a new Mac mini, which is a niche segment of a niche market that few people really care about. Some could argue the exact opposite - that they would be wasting their time and resources if they were to focus on the Mac mini instead of bigger opportunities (which is, actually, exactly what they have been doing).
jasnw
macrumors 65816
No, I'm hoping they don't. I'm saying that if Apple releases Xcode for Linux that could indicate the end of the line for desktop Macs other than an ever-thinner, non-upgradable, iMac appliance computer and maybe a Mini-ATV mash-up. If the iOS apps developer base can develop apps on a non-Apple platform, I see that as game over for the sort of computers most of us on this thread want to see from Apple.
Ah, okay. I think it is extremely unlikely that Apple would do that - feels like there would be more downside than upside.
masterbaron
macrumors 6502
The home entertainment / automation segment is also a "big" opportunity - a segment where the Mini fits perfectly. To suggest producing a "full product-line" as extraordinary focus is sad in the very least. Computing needs to be flexible with the capability to suit many needs -- considering the "Accessibility" options built into MacOS one would expect a Mini to be quite suitable for those solutions that are not "off-the-shelf".
In my home setup below there are 3 Mini's, you cannot even detect a computer, it's important to maintain this aspect.
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jasnw
macrumors 65816
I really see no downside from their perspective if Apple management has decided to limit the future of the desktop computer line to AIO sealed boxes and maybe a media box of some kind. Get rid of the pesky developer and DIY geeks (like most of us) and focus on the corporate money maker, mobile hardware. Put those eight or nine macOS developers and six MP and Mini hardware engineers on the Apple iJalopy and call it a day. That's why I watch for the porting of Xcode to a non-macOS platform as a hard piece of evidence of Apple's intentions. Bog knows they won't tell us what their intentions are - never have, never will.