The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[iFitzgerald]

The new nac mini is almost certainly coming.

IF we get a new Mac Mini this year, I'd say we are about 3 or 3+1/2 months away from getting it. If not...well 2015 has Tuesdays as well 😀

I can think of 4 reasons why it hasn't been updated yet:

1 - It's still selling well enough that they don't feel the need to update if (although the price cuts in here Europe might suggest that it might be declining here);

2 - There's a new form factor and/or architecture (ARM) being tested;

3 - They don't want do make it powerful enough to be a threat to the iMac, which means they need new processors to come out;

4 - It's getting killed off.

I personally think they are working in a new form factor, and I think it will not be as upgradable as the current one, or even upgradable at all, which is a shame really. But then again, I don't work at Apple and I'm just guessing like everyone else 🙂

 

[SoCalReviews]

2015 sounds about right. It is supposed to be released in systems at the end of this year and by early next year Intel will be ramping up Broadwell production.

 

[strwrsfrk]

1 - It's still selling well enough that they don't feel the need to update if (although the price cuts in here Europe might suggest that it might be declining here);

2 - There's a new form factor and/or architecture (ARM) being tested;

3 - They don't want do make it powerful enough to be a threat to the iMac, which means they need new processors to come out;

4 - It's getting killed off.

I'm inclined to believe that we will not have a "real" update until Broadwell is released. However, to address your comments:

1 - With the recent changes to the iMac, I would not be surprised (and would in fact be pleased) if the Mini line saw a similar update: drop to a 1.4GHz i5, 2GB RAM included, 500GB 5400RPM HDD, and drop the price to like $499 (or, even better, $449). This would push the Mini into low-cost markets in a whole new way, even while current models sell well.

2 - I'm more inclined to believe a new form factor is in the works than a full shift to ARM. ARM makes the most sense in a mobile package where battery life is crucial. Also, it would be very surprising if Apple had a fully-prepared OSX platform ready for the ARM architecture. Many applications would suddenly be incompatible (think MS Office). Anyone virtualizing ARM on x86 knows how inefficient it is, and that's from a relatively robust architecture to a simpler one. Going in the reverse - particularly on a platform that is supposed to be low-power and efficient- would be an exercise in maddening frustration.

3 - Though the iMac and Mac Mini have similar internals, the iMac will probably remain the best choice for an all-in-one Apple solution. It includes an excellent IPS display, Keyboard, and Mouse, all of which would cost at least $300 on their own (more if you wanted a quality 21.5" IPS display). Not to mention the technically disinclined who would value the no-setup quality of the iMac.

4 - Dear God I hope not. Great little boxes, not to mention all of the micro-industries cropping up around their existence.

 

[fuchsdh]

I'm inclined to believe that we will not have a "real" update until Broadwell is released. However, to address your comments:

1 - With the recent changes to the iMac, I would not be surprised (and would in fact be pleased) if the Mini line saw a similar update: drop to a 1.4GHz i5, 2GB RAM included, 500GB 5400RPM HDD, and drop the price to like $499 (or, even better, $449). This would push the Mini into low-cost markets in a whole new way, even while current models sell well.

2 - I'm more inclined to believe a new form factor is in the works than a full shift to ARM. ARM makes the most sense in a mobile package where battery life is crucial. Also, it would be very surprising if Apple had a fully-prepared OSX platform ready for the ARM architecture. Many applications would suddenly be incompatible (think MS Office). Anyone virtualizing ARM on x86 knows how inefficient it is, and that's from a relatively robust architecture to a simpler one. Going in the reverse - particularly on a platform that is supposed to be low-power and efficient- would be an exercise in maddening frustration.

3 - Though the iMac and Mac Mini have similar internals, the iMac will probably remain the best choice for an all-in-one Apple solution. It includes an excellent IPS display, Keyboard, and Mouse, all of which would cost at least $300 on their own (more if you wanted a quality 21.5" IPS display). Not to mention the technically disinclined who would value the no-setup quality of the iMac.

4 - Dear God I hope not. Great little boxes, not to mention all of the micro-industries cropping up around their existence.

No way they ship a mini with 2GB RAM. They haven't shipped a new Mac SKU with 2GB since 2011, and even with Mavericks impressive RAM management 4GB is pretty much the limit for smooth everyday operation.

 

[strwrsfrk]

No way they ship a mini with 2GB RAM. They haven't shipped a new Mac SKU with 2GB since 2011, and even with Mavericks impressive RAM management 4GB is pretty much the limit for smooth everyday operation.

That's a good point. I'm just not sure we'd see a $100 price reduction with only a CPU drop and HDD quality decrease. Then again, as long as it's not soldered, it might actually make sense. I see something like this as marketed to public school systems and/or developing markets where 2GB might actually be enough.

Of course, it all hinges on the release of a cheaper Mini, for which there have been no rumors... just hopeful speculation based on the iMac.

 

[fuchsdh]

That's a good point. I'm just not sure we'd see a $100 price reduction with only a CPU drop and HDD quality decrease. Then again, as long as it's not soldered, it might actually make sense. I see something like this as marketed to public school systems and/or developing markets where 2GB might actually be enough.

Of course, it all hinges on the release of a cheaper Mini, for which there have been no rumors... just hopeful speculation based on the iMac.

I think iMacs will always be the go-to option for schools just because they want something that works, is easy to set up and doesn't take up much room. An iMac fits the bill better than having to get separate displays, etc, and lock up and secure more separate hardware.

Whatever market the Mac mini serves I'd say it orients more towards certain breeds of switchers, hobbyists, and server-minded individuals than the .edu market.

Since I'm in the market for a MP rather than a mini at this stage I haven't been paying attention to Broadwell--but it seems feasible they could make a successor to the entry-level model at $499 with tinkering. Probably better off underwhelming with the CPU to get a flash drive in there and most people won't miss the horsepower.

 

[Cape Dave]

I'm inclined to believe that we will not have a "real" update until Broadwell is released. However, to address your comments:

1 - With the recent changes to the iMac, I would not be surprised (and would in fact be pleased) if the Mini line saw a similar update: drop to a 1.4GHz i5, 2GB RAM included, 500GB 5400RPM HDD, and drop the price to like $499 (or, even better, $449). This would push the Mini into low-cost markets in a whole new way, even while current models sell well.

2 - I'm more inclined to believe a new form factor is in the works than a full shift to ARM. ARM makes the most sense in a mobile package where battery life is crucial. Also, it would be very surprising if Apple had a fully-prepared OSX platform ready for the ARM architecture. Many applications would suddenly be incompatible (think MS Office). Anyone virtualizing ARM on x86 knows how inefficient it is, and that's from a relatively robust architecture to a simpler one. Going in the reverse - particularly on a platform that is supposed to be low-power and efficient- would be an exercise in maddening frustration.

3 - Though the iMac and Mac Mini have similar internals, the iMac will probably remain the best choice for an all-in-one Apple solution. It includes an excellent IPS display, Keyboard, and Mouse, all of which would cost at least $300 on their own (more if you wanted a quality 21.5" IPS display). Not to mention the technically disinclined who would value the no-setup quality of the iMac.

4 - Dear God I hope not. Great little boxes, not to mention all of the micro-industries cropping up around their existence.

I would not pay more than $349 for that low end crap config. Heck, I would never buy it at any price. But even their target mrket should not pay more than $349 for that.

 

[DesertSurfer]

I wonder how many fall events Apple will have this year. iPhone 6 models, iPad, iOS 8, iWatch, perhaps some other iOS-based hardware and software, would be a lot for one event. Yosemite, 12" retina MacBook Air (maybe), and we hope some other new hardware including the jaw-dropingly awesome new Mac mini (one can hope). All in one event, or two, or three? How many announcement events will there be, and when will they be likely to happen?

 

[Crosscreek]

I wonder how many fall events Apple will have this year. iPhone 6 models, iPad, iOS 8, iWatch, perhaps some other iOS-based hardware and software, would be a lot for one event. Yosemite, 12" retina MacBook Air (maybe), and we hope some other new hardware including the jaw-dropingly awesome new Mac mini (one can hope). All in one event, or two, or three? How many announcement events will there be, and when will they be likely to happen?

IPhone in September and Mac's September-October.

IWatch AppleTV ?

 

[Oracle1729]

I would not pay more than $349 for that low end crap config. Heck, I would never buy it at any price. But even their target mrket should not pay more than $349 for that.

It seems likely Apple will go that way but without lowering the price a cent fro the current minis. Apple as a computer company no longer exists. They're an iToy company now. Between their hardware updates recently, iWork, and now Aperture, how much more will it take to convince people they don't want to be in the computer business anymore.

 

[Cape Dave]

It seems likely Apple will go that way but without lowering the price a cent fro the current minis. Apple as a computer company no longer exists. They're an iToy company now. Between their hardware updates recently, iWork, and now Aperture, how much more will it take to convince people they don't want to be in the computer business anymore.

The New Mac Pro would seem to go against your argument.

 

[Crosscreek]

I might argue that the nanometer technology is getting harder and harder to make happen in a cost effective production environment and that the year to year chip development is slipping and thus the problem with Broadwell and future technology.
You can't keep refreshing the computer lineup with the same chips.

 

[scottsjack]

The New Mac Pro would seem to go against your argument.

Not at all. The Mac Pro is an anomaly. Sure there is $2,999.00 model but one with the equipment to do real work is up past $4,000.00.

Considering all the products and features that enthusiast/power/pro users have lost Apple's intentions are clear. Each one of those items was lost in the name of thinnest, cuteness and/or throwing away existing technology for something new.

 

[Cape Dave]

Not at all. The Mac Pro is an anomaly. Sure there is $2,999.00 model but one with the equipment to do real work is up past $4,000.00.

Considering all the products and features that enthusiast/power/pro users have lost Apple's intentions are clear. Each one of those items was lost in the name of thinnest, cuteness and/or throwing away existing technology for something new.

But it is still a computer. Albeit a high priced one, and not a consumer level computer. So they "hate the computer business" and "never want to sell any more computers" is just not entirely accurate.

I think this is more a matter of semantics than anything else, so I will bow out gracefully.

And continue my wait for the new mini. Which will be coming and will be a complete surprise. Which, these days, is quite a feat by itself.

 

[Oracle1729]

The New Mac Pro would seem to go against your argument.

How so? First there's no longer any decent Apple software to run on it, so why would you buy an MP over a comparable windows machine? For the convergence features with iOS?🙄 Even OS X is turning into a dedicated dock for iOS.

Second, it's a mediocre workstation processor with a huge premium that is grossly overpriced and forces you to get high-end graphics processors so if you do anything but video rendering, you're paying insane money to have 2 idle video cards. What brilliant innovation.

Third, it is clearly a niche product for a very, very small minority of computer users. To say that indicate apple still supports people who want a computer not an iToy sounds like you're drinking too much kool-aid.

 

[Crosscreek]

Never Fear.

“Later this year, we've got the best product pipeline that I've seen in my 25 years at Apple," Cue said at the Code Conference.

 

[philipma1957]

How so? First there's no longer any decent Apple software to run on it, so why would you buy an MP over a comparable windows machine? For the convergence features with iOS?🙄 Even OS X is turning into a dedicated dock for iOS.

Second, it's a mediocre workstation processor with a huge premium that is grossly overpriced and forces you to get high-end graphics processors so if you do anything but video rendering, you're paying insane money to have 2 idle video cards. What brilliant innovation.

Third, it is clearly a niche product for a very, very small minority of computer users. To say that indicate apple still supports people who want a computer not an iToy sounds like you're drinking too much kool-aid.

Well they support people that want a high end video rendering pc.>>>> mac pro

And the support people that want a decent all in one machine. >>>>>>>top of the line iMax



They don't support some one that wants a big screen 4k capable pc. Been this way for a long time.

Socks a lot but what can you do?

I have a windows pc with an i7 4790 cpu ,16gb ram ,an r290 gpu, a 1tb samsung ssd.

I also have a 2012 quad macmini 16gb ram with a samsung 1tb ssd.

Both attached to a 50 inch sony.

I don't need the mini to be updated.

My mini upgrade business is dead. I hardly come to macrumors I use to post 100 times a week no more.

The iPhone is too small for my 57 year old eyes. I have a samsung.

I am tech savvy but apple is going in a different direction then I need or want.

 

[DesertSurfer]

The new low-end imac seems to have inspired a lot of angst, with its MacBook Air processor and soldered ram. I'm not (yet) convinced that this signals the beginning of the end. The soldered ram seems irrelevant to me. Who would buy that computer planning to tear off the screen to put in more ram? Go ahead and solder it down, it doesn't matter. Let's see what happens to the mini and the iMac. If it's all soldered down, there will be plenty of time then for the rending of clothes and gnashing of teeth.

 

[fastlanephil]

Never Fear.

“Later this year, we've got the best product pipeline that I've seen in my 25 years at Apple," Cue said at the Code Conference.

We hope at least one of those products will actually be a computer.

 

[thekev]

incorrect, a Ghz is a Ghz! I made no mention of performance. I am aware that a Haswell CPU completely destroys a CPU from 2004 or 2006. Apple has halved the cores, halves the Ghz and reduced the GPU from last years model iMac.

That isn't even entirely true. The quad i5 imacs have disabled hyperthreading. The cpu in this one has it enabled. It obviously doesn't make up for 2 physical cores, but anyway the other thing is that modern cpus aren't statically clocked (not sure how to better word that, the term dynamically clocked would be slightly misleading here). Take a look at typical benchmarks if you like, but you can't just compare base clock to base clock to draw any kind of performance conclusions.

 

[Cape Dave]

How so? First there's no longer any decent Apple software to run on it, so why would you buy an MP over a comparable windows machine? For the convergence features with iOS?🙄 Even OS X is turning into a dedicated dock for iOS.

Second, it's a mediocre workstation processor with a huge premium that is grossly overpriced and forces you to get high-end graphics processors so if you do anything but video rendering, you're paying insane money to have 2 idle video cards. What brilliant innovation.

Third, it is clearly a niche product for a very, very small minority of computer users. To say that indicate apple still supports people who want a computer not an iToy sounds like you're drinking too much kool-aid.

Yeah, I do not get it either. Seemed like a weird computer right off the bat to me. But I know a CEO in LA that was going to buy a whole bunch of them and seemed very happy about it.

I have my eye on something else if the new Mac mini does not pan out.

I am not in the club that thinks just because some RAM is soldered that that turns a powerful computer into a toy. especially if it is ENOUGH Ram 🙂 I wold be more upset if I could not upgrade the SSD. But even still, if it is a reliable, robust, FAST machine that gets me where I need to go, then I do not have as big an issue with that as many on this thread. And yet I also get why they hate that so much.

But it is VERY interesting, from a business point of view, that this long wait seems to be "forcing" many to rethink and start eyeing a Windows machine.

I would think that would bother the hell out of Apple, as it is like 100 times easier to sell more Mac, Apple and IOS products to someone that is "in the fold" as opposed to someone outside "the family".

So, I'll say it again, Apple, do not wait too long.

It is like when Mad Men or Breaking Bad waits too long between seasons. It just becomes to damn hard to care, no matter how good the show is. The damn Sopranos started that absurd idea, then Breaking Bad ran with it, and now Mad Me has caught the insanity.

Netflix understands, publishing the entire season at once. And they seem to be doing about as well as a company can be doing.

 

[philipma1957]

Yeah, I do not get it either. Seemed like a weird computer right off the bat to me. But I know a CEO in LA that was going to buy a whole bunch of them and seemed very happy about it.

I have my eye on something else if the new Mac mini does not pan out.

I am not in the club that thinks just because some RAM is soldered that that turns a powerful computer into a toy. especially if it is ENOUGH Ram 🙂 I wold be more upset if I could not upgrade the SSD. But even still, if it is a reliable, robust, FAST machine that gets me where I need to go, then I do not have as big an issue with that as many on this thread. And yet I also get why they hate that so much.
But it is VERY interesting, from a business point of view, that this long wait seems to be "forcing" many to rethink and start eyeing a Windows machine.

I would think that would bother the hell out of Apple, as it is like 100 times easier to sell more Mac, Apple and IOS products to someone that is "in the fold" as opposed to someone outside "the family".

So, I'll say it again, Apple, do not wait too long.

It is like when Mad Men or Breaking Bad waits too long between seasons. It just becomes to damn hard to care, no matter how good the show is. The damn Sopranos started that absurd idea, then Breaking Bad ran with it, and now Mad Me has caught the insanity.

Netflix understands, publishing the entire season at once. And they seem to be doing about as well as a company can be doing.

I waited until the Sopranos final season started until I watched it on Netflix.

Was a nice way to watch it. I wait for thr first four season of both Dexter and True Blood. Also nice way to start watching a tv show. Weeds 4 maybe 3 years before I started.
Mad Men I just started a week ago.


Waiting for the mini who cares anymore.

Well I do but hey I will pop in here one or two times a day write 1 or 2 posts. Just to see if we get this up to 2500 or more.

 

[Crosscreek]

I waited until the Sopranos final season started until I watched it on Netflix.

Waiting for the mini who cares anymore.

Well I do but hey I will pop in here one or two times a day write 1 or 2 posts. Just to see if we get this up to 2500 or more.

I never cared much for Italian mob bosses. Had to live around too many. But I did love Italian women. 🙂

I for one am in no hurry for the Mini but if it isn't good when it comes the NUC and BRIX will offer fine alternatives with Broadwell or Skylake. I can always stay in the Apple eco system with my present Mini and IPad. 😎

 

[haravikk]

Not at all. The Mac Pro is an anomaly. Sure there is $2,999.00 model but one with the equipment to do real work is up past $4,000.00.

Considering all the products and features that enthusiast/power/pro users have lost Apple's intentions are clear. Each one of those items was lost in the name of thinnest, cuteness and/or throwing away existing technology for something new.

I couldn't disagree more, to me Apple has shown it is clearly still dedicated to the desktop market.

The new Mac Pro is the perfect example; until it came out the Mac Pro had been languishing with a huge tower form factor that it has never been super competitive in. When it came down to it there have always been more affordable or more flexible workstations, which meant the main reasons to get a Mac Pro was really because you wanted to get your work done in OS X rather than Windows. What we had was the same situation as the XServe, where software was the main distinguishing feature, but really there were better options for the majority of professionals.

Apple could easily have done what they did to the XServe and simply discontinued the Mac Pro, but instead they decided to create a new form factor; they've effectively planted the Mac Pro in between a high end consumer desktop and a workstation, in something more approaching a professional desktop. Apple customers have always been fine with paying extra for a bit of form over function, but even so the new Mac Pro fits a lot of power into such a small machine; it's an OpenCL workhorse and IMO it's only going to get better as more high end software adopts OpenCL support.

Essentially Apple have taken the old Mac Pro, a product that was destined to be discontinued otherwise, and re-imagined it into something that may well represent the future of professional desktops.


Yosemite is the other big indicator, as Continuity is a big step for iOS integration, but not in the form of making OS X more iOS-like. This suggests Apple still very much wants to drive Mac sales with the iOS halo effect.


When you consider the rest of Apple's lineup, they are still a leader in desirable laptops, same with the iMac as an all-in-one; there are other good products out there, but none that (in my opinion) match the sleek looks of Apple products, or the attention to detail.

The Mac Mini is the main question mark right now; with NUCs and similar it's not such a small desktop anymore, but at the same time it still looks far better than any NUCs I've seen, plus it doesn't make the same kind of trade offs that NUCs are forced to in terms of being very noisy, running slow to keep heat down, regressing to external power supplies or some mixture of these compromises. Hopefully Apple sees this as well, and isn't going to try to simply compete with the NUC form factor, but keep the Mac Mini in its own class, i.e - small enough to save space and look great, but also powerful enough and quiet enough to actually be a fully featured small desktop.

 

[Crosscreek]

The Mac Mini is the main question mark right now; with NUCs and similar it's not such a small desktop anymore, but at the same time it still looks far better than any NUCs I've seen, plus it doesn't make the same kind of trade offs that NUCs are forced to in terms of being very noisy, running slow to keep heat down, regressing to external power supplies or some mixture of these compromises. Hopefully Apple sees this as well, and isn't going to try to simply compete with the NUC form factor, but keep the Mac Mini in its own class, i.e - small enough to save space and look great, but also powerful enough and quiet enough to actually be a fully featured small desktop.

All the heat issues with NUC and Brix will be resolved with Broadwell.

Apple IMO will make a better alternative to the competitors with Broadwell but it may lag in its introduction due to getting the Macbook and IMac the first chips.