The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[ElectronGuru]

My thoughts exactly. They used to build 'em like that, only a few years ago. What strange new law of physics makes it so frickin' impossible now? It would be an auto-buy for me.

Most companies have product departments, people who fight for specific products and products categories. Apple seems to use role departments. This offers advantages but does mean there isn’t an official groups of humans fighting for the Mini.

So what’s the overall conclusion at this point? Are we saying that the new Mac mini is almost certainly coming?

Rumors have two parts, what and when. What is frequent and easy to calculate, just look at goals and supply chains. When is much harder. Apple is rumored to be working on specific mini goals including htpc, but that could still be this fall or next spring or next fall.

 

[jasnw]

Presumably this will satisfy those who were upset that Apple was offering a lower performing base mini for a lower base price.

I think many on this list are much less interested in the low-end Mini than in the Mini as the only non-Pro (as in “not obscenely expensive”) headless desktop Mac. The need for Apple to have a cheap gateway system to lure Windows users is pretty much gone now, but the need for a range of headless desktop systems is still there (as evidenced from this and other similar threads on MR). I don’t care overmuch if the low-end Mini (or whatever replaces it) is just barely sub-$1000 as long as it’s reasonably equipped and DIY upgradeable. The arguments about “how low can they go” on pricing is, to me, a waste of everyone’s time. The only useful really-inexpensive system would be one with neither memory nor storage which would be great, but Apple will never do that.

 

[Helpfixit]

I would not expect to see anything spectacular if a new Mac Mini is announced. And IF, Apple releases a new Mac Mini, then the trend most likely will be that all available configurations will have soldered flash storage, soldered ram, dual core and purposely gimped to stop you attaching an external GPU. Heck, I would not be one bit surprised if they soldered the bottom cover to the Mac Mini housing.

Maybe after this event the 2014 Mac Mini's ( last models with removable storage? ) will become desirable and will sell at a premium on eBay.

Don't think a Mac Mini announcement is anything to get excited about at this coming event.

 

[roguefury]

I'll bring the pitchforks!

I'll bring a cauldron of dongles to hurl over the fence

 

[EightyTwenty]

Maybe after this event the 2014 Mac Mini's ( last models with removable storage? ) will become desirable and will sell at a premium on eBay.

Not a chance. They suck.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I think many on this list are much less interested in the low-end Mini than in the Mini as the only non-Pro (as in “not obscenely expensive”) headless desktop Mac. The need for Apple to have a cheap gateway system to lure Windows users is pretty much gone now, but the need for a range of headless desktop systems is still there (as evidenced from this and other similar threads on MR). I don’t care overmuch if the low-end Mini (or whatever replaces it) is just barely sub-$1000 as long as it’s reasonably equipped and DIY upgradeable. The arguments about “how low can they go” on pricing is, to me, a waste of everyone’s time. The only useful really-inexpensive system would be one with neither memory nor storage which would be great, but Apple will never do that.

No doubt there’s some demand for a non-Mac Pro headless system, but it’s very small. Like the Mac Pro, Apple is continuing both because they fill what would otherwise be a hole in the lineup, even though they sell at quantities that would get any other product cancelled.

The Mac Pro is more important in this regard, and it’s been badly mis-handled from a product management standpoint. When the refreshed design is released next year, hopefully Apple will update the GPU approximately yearly, or at least as often as new generation graphics cards give meaningful performance improvements. CPU is probably a two-three year upgrade cycle, but obviously it depends on Intel.

I think the mini will be on a two-three year upgrade cycle; I can’t imagine Apple refreshing the entire lineup for a yearly 5-10% CPU bump. After this month’s models, the next release will be 2020 or 2021, depending on when Intel brings Ice Lake or whatever 10nm Lake provides a meaningful increase in performance.

 

[BarbaricCo]

When I have depressing days I always come to this thread.

Soon it'll be 5 years since OP started it not knowing that it will finish on Universities studying the decline and transformation of civilization from engineering one to dreams society.

 

[rrl]

Hell, I would not be one bit surprised if they soldered the bottom cover to the Mac Mini housing.

I'm guessing that would get a -1/10 over at iFixit.

 

[grad]

When I have depressing days I always come to this thread.

Soon it'll be 5 years since OP started it not knowing that it will finish on Universities studying the decline and transformation of civilization from engineering one to dreams society.

Many of us couldn't even grow a moustache when this thread started.

 

[kevink2]

I'm a mix of skeptical and hopeful.

If they produce another solderblock, I may hold off upgrading until I have more of an idea what the story is on the next Mac Pro -- I've never bought a desktop machine without socketed memory and I don't think I could bring myself to do it now, and if the entry price on the Mac Pro isn't too extortionate, and the platform is really flexible and future-proof-able in the way a solderblock Mac mini wouldn't be, then it's a real option.

For what my use case is, 16GB would probably be sufficient. I had been using a higher end Hackintosh as a desktop mac that held photos, music, etc, and also could handle VMs for Linux and Windows. I finally decided it was too much of a issue keeping things working (USB3 broke with an update). I still have this Skylake computer currently running Windows, so a Mac Mini that can share a 4K monitor would work well for me. And without virtualization, 16GB is plenty.

When I bought my Mac Pro back in 2008, RAM was so expensive that I took advantage of the sockets. Starting with the minimal amount offered, and going third party until I got to 26GB before retiring the computer.

 

[Miat]

No doubt there’s some demand for a non-Mac Pro headless system, but it’s very small. Like the Mac Pro, Apple is continuing both because they fill what would otherwise be a hole in the lineup, even though they sell at quantities that would get any other product cancelled.

Revenue from Apple's headless range is only small in comparison to Apple's huge total revenue. It is still a substantial business on its own.

The Mac Pro is more important in this regard, and it’s been badly mis-handled from a product management standpoint.

I still have trouble wrapping my head around how they treated their serious pro users.

 

[FlyingTexan]

I would not expect to see anything spectacular if a new Mac Mini is announced. And IF, Apple releases a new Mac Mini, then the trend most likely will be that all available configurations will have soldered flash storage, soldered ram, dual core and purposely gimped to stop you attaching an external GPU. Heck, I would not be one bit surprised if they soldered the bottom cover to the Mac Mini housing.

Maybe after this event the 2014 Mac Mini's ( last models with removable storage? ) will become desirable and will sell at a premium on eBay.

Don't think a Mac Mini announcement is anything to get excited about at this coming event.

This isn't very reasonable considering what's in the market place. You've seen drastic improvements in the processor lines. If anything you're going to see quad/six core cpus and hopefully with Vega M graphics. They have the thermals to match the older systems with twice the performance for the CPUs and like 10 times the graphical performance. We're talking 4k@60+hz with 10 to 12bit and probably bluetooth 5.0. They'd actually have to spend time and money designing these things OUT of the system to get what you're talking about. These things already exist and do so with plenty low TDP to easily work. Hell look at how powerful the MacBook Pro is and it's like 1/4" thick.

 

[Easttime]

https://www.apple.com/apple-events/ The new mini is almost certainly coming 30 Oct.

 

[mrex]

and all we get it is Photoshop for ipads ”Special event (with Adobe)”

why is it in NY? there are lot of designers...

 

[Moonjumper]

why is it in NY?

Big Apple? Meaning a new Mac Pro. Hopefully there will also be a little Apple.

 

[opeter]

Not a chance. They suck.

You remember, when Apple released the 2014 models and they were slower (except the graphics part), than the old real quad-core variants?

Now, let's imagine, they release a new Mac mini 2018, that will be CPU-wise even slower than the 2014 model and it will be fully soldered, not upgrade options. That would be a real surprise, right?

 

[MandiMac]

https://www.apple.com/apple-events/ The new mini is almost certainly coming 30 Oct.

View attachment 796775

Imagine the hopes and dreams of this thread. This has gone on since 2013! The relief of everyone will send powerful waves of the Force throughout the known universe

 

[Count Blah]

Most companies have product departments, people who fight for specific products and products categories. Apple seems to use role departments. This offers advantages but does mean there isn’t an official groups of humans fighting for the Mini.

It doesn’t take but 5 minutes to review all the Mac offerings on the Apple site. I’d guess that upper management has spent orders of magnitude more time debating the margins on the various BTO options on the MBP, than even THINKING about the Mac Mini. To me, that is pure negligence. Which is what we’ve been experiencing for years and years.

I doubt the higher ups even go to Apple.com, and only see the screen mock ups of specific offerings, before they go live.

They live in a bubble world, where certain parts of their own company, just don’t exist to them.

Negligence, pure disdain or ignorance - take your pick. Because it HAS to be one of those three options.

 

[satchmo]

So if it's not updated this year, how many of you will go and riot at Apple HQ? I'll bring the pitchforks!

Waiting for some invitee to shout out, "Tim, where's the f***in' Mac mini you promised!"

 

[fastlanephil]

The venue location and Apple art work tease point more towards an iPad Pro dominat event for sure. Apple seems to be a reluctant desktop computer vendor these days so hope for the best but have some patience. What are your options?

 

[Boyd01]

If they keep this up, I'll happily give their new units a pass.

But you'll keep coming around here to complain anyway.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Those hoping for upgradable macs prepare to be disappointed. Apple know it’s better (for them) to make us pay for it upfront then have to upgrade when it’s no longer a big enough machine.

Think about it like this.
Samsung allow you to upgrade your phones memory. Apple do not.
Which company is making the most from their cell phones?

 

[Martyimac]

But you'll keep coming around here to complain anyway.

As will I.

The Mini hype at the announcement of an Oct 30 special event was distinctly underwhelming.
Apple appears embarrassed to have to serve this particular part of its customer base.
If they keep this up, I'll happily give their new units a pass.

Me too.

 

[fokmik]

You remember, when Apple released the 2014 models and they were slower (except the graphics part), than the old real quad-core variants?

Now, let's imagine, they release a new Mac mini 2018, that will be CPU-wise even slower than the 2014 model and it will be fully soldered, not upgrade options. That would be a real surprise, right?

still that wasn't with a 4 year difference...now even the lowest 15W cpu can almost double the performance of 2014 model
Also the iGPU, and also usbC/Tb3
[doublepost=1540055529][/doublepost]i think the mac mini will have the biggest performance improved over the last model of any product that Apple will launch at the event

 

[Partron22]

But you'll keep coming around here to complain anyway.

I've still got 6 of the things, and have no plans to decommission.
So there's plenty of reason to stick around, even if Apple continues to take wrong turns.