What's your dream "high end" Mac Mini rumored for 2021?

[trevpimp]

High-End Mac Mini Said to Feature Thinner Design With 'Plexiglass' Top, Magnetic Power Port

Last week, Bloomberg reported that Apple is working on a high-end version of the Mac mini with additional ports and featuring the same Apple silicon chip expected to debut in the upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro. Now, new renders from Apple leaker Jon Prosser have potentially given us our first...

forums.macrumors.com

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My Specs:
MX1 Silicon - 12/16 Core - 12/16 Core GPU
RAM - 16/32/64GB
SSD - 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB

Pricing:
$1,999/$2,399/$2,799
Compared to MX1 16" MBP

$1,999
MX1 Silicon - 12 Core/12 Core GPU
RAM - 16GB
SSD - 256GB

$2,399
MX1 Silicon - 16 Core/12 Core GPU
Ram - 16GB
SSD - 256GB

$2,799
MX1 Silicon - 16 Core/ 16 Core GPU
RAM - 16GB
SSD - 256GB


Note: I'm a huge newbie at keeping up with current trends of hardware specs but to me this is a great selling point to ask for. Let me know what your guys dream specs for the incoming Mac Mini (Pro) "high end" rumors

 

[Soondae]

Your projected pricing is way off base. I have no idea how you came up with that. You do realize that a Mac Mini doesn't come with a display, keyboard or mouse / trackpad? Your pricing is in the iMac region.

I would like to see ports equivalent to my 2018 Mac Mini with Mx processor, 16Gb ram and 512 SSD at around $799.

 

[katewes]

For a while, I had been contemplating moving to Windows PC because of processing power needed for my work, but with the promise of faster M chips, I would like a Mac Mini that can match this PC spec:

- AMD 5900X
- Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU
- 64GB RAM memory

This is a typical specification that content creators or serious gamers would use.

I am irritated that Apple has regarded the Mac Mini as an entry level device intended to lure iPhone users into the Mac ecosystem.

I think the Mac Mini is Apple's only desktop Mac, sitting beneath the professional level Mac Pro.

The Mac Mini - or even a Mac Mini Pro -- should aspire to offer an equivalent to a custom PC that costs around USD$4,500.

Someone who wants that level of power should not be forced to take an all-in-one iMac, since some people want a desktop that can used external monitors.

 

[Jorbanead]

I think your prices are way too high. The M1 mac mini replaced the i3 mini and was even $100 cheaper. Even if Apple raises the prices of the high-end mini, it'll still start around $1,199.

Here is my prediction:

High-End Mac Mini (Starting at $1,099)
10 Core CPU // 32 Core GPU
Up to 64Gb RAM
Up to 8TB SSD
4 Thunderbolt/USB 4
2 USB A
HDMI 2.1
10gbit Ethernet

 

[katewes]

I think your prices are way too high. The M1 mac mini replaced the i3 mini and was even $100 cheaper. Even if Apple raises the prices of the high-end mini, it'll still start around $1,199.

Here is my prediction:

High-End Mac Mini (Starting at $1,099)
10 Core CPU // 32 Core GPU
Up to 64Gb RAM
Up to 8TB SSD
4 Thunderbolt/USB 4
2 USB A
HDMI 2.1
10gbit Ethernet

I'm not saying I want the Mac Mini to cost USD$4,500, but I want a Mini that can match the CPU and particularly the GPU performance of a Windows PC that costs $4,500.

 

[BootLoxes]

For a while, I had been contemplating moving to Windows PC because of processing power needed for my work, but with the promise of faster M chips, I would like a Mac Mini that can match this PC spec:

- AMD 5900X
- Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU
- 64GB RAM memory

This is a typical specification that content creators or serious gamers would use.

I am irritated that Apple has regarded the Mac Mini as an entry level device intended to lure iPhone users into the Mac ecosystem.

I think the Mac Mini is Apple's only desktop Mac, sitting beneath the professional level Mac Pro.

The Mac Mini - or even a Mac Mini Pro -- should aspire to offer an equivalent to a custom PC that costs around USD$4,500.

Someone who wants that level of power should not be forced to take an all-in-one iMac, since some people want a desktop that can used external monitors.

I think its going to be a while for that. I can see it coming close to 3060 after switching to 3-4nm, ddr5 ram, and updating to the new arm v9 (i think thats the new version) but 3080 just doesnt seem like it will be possible any time soon in a mini. I would love to be wrong though lol

Due to the difficulty of getting graphics cards, I have started to consider moving my 3d work over to macs in a few years.

In the meantime I am waiting for a mac mini (or possibly pro) that supports at least 3 monitors, ddr5, hdmi 2.1, thunderbolt 4, 3060 level graphics (3080ti if pro), and 64gb ram. So hopefully the 2023 mini. For now my m1 air will get me by.

 

[Jorbanead]

I'm not saying I want the Mac Mini to cost USD$4,500, but I want a Mini that can match the CPU and particularly the GPU performance of a Windows PC that costs $4,500.

My comment was replying to OP. But to respond to your comment - Why would you expect Apple to sell a $4,500 computer at a cheaper price? I understand M1 is great, but you seem to be asking for the moon here.

The high-end Mac mini is not going to compete with an RTX 3080. That’s just unrealistic even by Apple silicon standards.

 

[gusping]

For a while, I had been contemplating moving to Windows PC because of processing power needed for my work, but with the promise of faster M chips, I would like a Mac Mini that can match this PC spec:

- AMD 5900X
- Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU
- 64GB RAM memory

This is a typical specification that content creators or serious gamers would use.

I am irritated that Apple has regarded the Mac Mini as an entry level device intended to lure iPhone users into the Mac ecosystem.

I think the Mac Mini is Apple's only desktop Mac, sitting beneath the professional level Mac Pro.

The Mac Mini - or even a Mac Mini Pro -- should aspire to offer an equivalent to a custom PC that costs around USD$4,500.

Someone who wants that level of power should not be forced to take an all-in-one iMac, since some people want a desktop that can used external monitors.

Haha, that would be nice. I don't think Apple are at that level yet, at least on the GPU side. Perhaps for the new Mac Pro though.

 

[weaztek]

I feel I have enough ports on my 2018 Mini (although I run three USB hubs), but I'd want a minimum of 32GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD.

With benchmark performance I'd like to see Geekbench scores of at least: 2,000 single core, 9,000 multi core, and a Metal/OpenCL score of 45,000+.

 

[CC88]

I would like to be able to install 64gb of ram, same amount as the one I have in my intel mini and also same amount of tb ports.

A GPU that can compete with a Vega64 would be nice.

 

[opeter]

I am more modest... 16GB standard, more would be nice. CPU min. 8 core, GPU performance should be similar to the desktop class Geforce 1660 or Radeon 5500. Oh and 512 GB SSD standard size.

Everything, that would be more is welcomed, but only if the price is right.

 

[SRQrws]

A Mini that wakes up from sleep properly, doesn't suffer from Bluetooth interference problems and doesn't have pixel shift issues with LG Ultrafine displays would be nice.

 

[marklcfc]

Something as powerful as the 2019 i9 laptop that will also run music related plugins which still seem a long time off being compatible with M1 but doesn't look like Intel is going to be used anymore.

 

[PeterJP]

I think your prices are way too high. The M1 mac mini replaced the i3 mini and was even $100 cheaper. Even if Apple raises the prices of the high-end mini, it'll still start around $1,199.

Here is my prediction:

High-End Mac Mini (Starting at $1,099)
10 Core CPU // 32 Core GPU
Up to 64Gb RAM
Up to 8TB SSD
4 Thunderbolt/USB 4
2 USB A
HDMI 2.1
10gbit Ethernet

It's possible they give it 16/512GB as base to promote it as a higher end machine, but then they could also do 8/256 to sell it to users who don't need the higher specs but want the ports. For 8/256 your 1099 with a M1X/M2 chip sounds high. Maybe 999 USD? Upgrade to 16/512 would be 500 in USD I guess? €460 over here. So 1499-ish USD (or €1600) for the 16/512 base model. Upgrade to 32GB another €460, etc. I'd pick that up in a heartbeat, combine it with a good screen, webcam, mechanical keyboard and mouse and save over €1K over a 16” MBP.

 

[Jorbanead]

It's possible they give it 16/512GB as base to promote it as a higher end machine, but then they could also do 8/256 to sell it to users who don't need the higher specs but want the ports. For 8/256 your 1099 with a M1X/M2 chip sounds high. Maybe 999 USD? Upgrade to 16/512 would be 500 in USD I guess? €460 over here. So 1499-ish USD (or €1600) for the 16/512 base model. Upgrade to 32GB another €460, etc. I'd pick that up in a heartbeat, combine it with a good screen, webcam, mechanical keyboard and mouse and save over €1K over a 16” MBP.

My $1099 was for the 16/512 base model version. At the least they would do 8/512 - I’m basing this off of their current high-end models and prices. M1 mostly just replaced the Intel chip for these macs but everything else stayed the same. The only real reason they took 2 TB ports away for the low-end mini was because of M1 limitations.

 

[archimacpro]

64Gb
RTX 3080 equivalent
4TB SSD
no power brick
Black top to distinguish min from pro mini. Charger for iphone built in to top.
Black full size keyboard BT & wired.
ethernet, 4 thunderbolt / USB C, at least 2 USB A style for dongles. headphone / mic socket
is a built in handle too much to ask for? - probabley -and it would kill the design anyhow.

 

[Jorbanead]

RTX 3080 equivalent

Why are people making these predictions? Yes M1 is good, and they’ll only improve with the new chips. But there’s no reason to think Apple is going to get 3080 graphics (a 320 watt GPU) at this point in time on a Mac mini. For the Mac Pro - sure.

 

[archimacpro]

Not a prediction - a request / dream. My 3080 / AMD something flies compared to my treashcan. But I'd still get several mac mini pros in a blink of an eye. I was all lined up to get a couple of new macbook pros this morning.. so maybe in a month or two. Hope they last that long.

 

[CrazyNurse]

During lockdown last year I helped my kids build a pretty modest gaming PC for fun. We wanted to be able to run modern PC games, specifically FS 2020 at 1440p without melting.

AMD 3700x
32 GB DDR4
M.2 NVME drive, Multiple SSDs
2070 Super

I'm hoping the rumored MM Pro is at least as powerful because I'm really jealous of the kids machine now. Although all the current RGB customization is fun it can be pretty tacky.

 

[Jorbanead]

During lockdown last year I helped my kids build a pretty modest gaming PC for fun. We wanted to be able to run modern PC games, specifically FS 2020 at 1440p without melting.

AMD 3700x
32 GB DDR4
M.2 NVME drive, Multiple SSDs
2070 Super

I think it’s safe to say the processor will certainly be better. The M1 is already close to the AMD 3700x in multi core and of course much better in ST workloads. 32GB is a given imo as I see no reasonable evidence to suggest they’d limit ram to 16 on a higher end chip. SSD will be fine. The biggest wildcard right now is just the GPU.

If the MM really does come with 32 GPU cores I could see it being pretty close to a 2070. Dave 2D even suggested it would match mobile 3070 performance.

 

[1madman1]

Removable, replaceable internal storage is the only must. I ordered almost every generation of the Mac mini since the original announcement in 2005 up until 2014 when that stopped.

64GB+ of RAM config options, eGPU support, and plenty of IO would be nice.

 

[weaztek]

Removable, replaceable internal storage is the only must. I ordered almost every generation of the Mac mini since the original announcement in 2005 up until 2014 when that stopped.

I don't think we'll ever see removable or replaceable storage or memory from Apple ever again. Too much profit in marking up the hardware, etc.

 

[agregson]

Bluetooth working reliably and wake from sleep i can depend on would be high on list.
Tried two m1 mini - after launch and a month ago. Epic fails. Tried Intel mini several years ago. Same problem.
I am committed mad user but my gigabyte Brix i7 with 32gb and 1tb with Windows 10 is flawless with same peripherals. it also cost way less than 32/1000 mini and I can open it, change components and fix it - a novelty!
so for me a mini that works and one I can upgrade and repair? Some chance.

 

[pshufd]

12/16 core
16 GPU cores
32 GB RAM
3x4K monitor support (4x4K would be fantastic but I just don't see it happening)
Internal NVMe user-serviceable slot (I can dream)
Changing Color Apple Logo on the top (my Windows desktop has the changing colors thing)

 

[macdos]

M2
16 cores
128 GB RAM
5 TB ports

Base price $700 (8 GB)