Will New 2018 mini get TB3

[AlicePA1979]

I was wondering if anyone has heard any rumors about the new Mac mini whenever it may be released. I know Apple says it’s still important to them and everything, so I know they’re not discontinuing it. So I’m wondering if they do do a refresh on the Mac Mini will have thunderbolt 3 ports. So as of now, has anyone heard rumors on this possibility?

 

[chabig]

I think they will skip to a combination of Thunderbolt 4 and USB-D ports.

 

[AlicePA1979]

I think they will skip to a combination of Thunderbolt 4 and USB-D ports.

I haven’t heard about thunderbolt 4 coming out. I was thinking if I got a high end i7 Mac mini with thunderbolt 3, I could later get a thunderbolt 3 eGPU to make it a capable gaming machine.

 

[chabig]

All anyone can do is speculate, so I was kidding about TB4 and USB-D. I would expect a new Mini to have Thunderbolt 3 if the Intel CPU supports it.

 

[Miat]

Hope so, but not a deal breaker for me. I only want 4K @ 60Hz video out, which TB 2 covers.

 

[Lammers]

I was wondering if anyone has heard any rumors about the new Mac mini whenever it may be released. I know Apple says it’s still important to them and everything, so I know they’re not discontinuing it. So I’m wondering if they do do a refresh on the Mac Mini will have thunderbolt 3 ports. So as of now, has anyone heard rumors on this possibility?

Actions speak louder than words. And despite Apple’s claim that the Mac mini is still important to them, their actions clearly indicate otherwise.

It could probably be argued that the two most likely outcomes are that they do nothing and leave it as it is, or that they discontinue it.

 

[Fishrrman]

No one knows yet if there's going to be a 2018 Mini, or if there's going to be a new Mini at all.

If there is one, however, it should have thunderbolt 3 via USB-c.
Plus a few USB3.1 (type a) ports, as well.

 

[SnarkyBear]

No one knows yet if there's going to be a 2018 Mini, or if there's going to be a new Mini at all.

If there is one, however, it should have thunderbolt 3 via USB-c.
Plus a few USB3.1 (type a) ports, as well.

I picture Apple putting 2 TB3 ports...and one of them will be for power (similar to the MacBook).

 

[Neodym]

Depends on how Apple wants to position a potential 2018 mini. As demonstrated by the 12“ MacBook, there is an option to only offer USB-C, without Thunderbolt.

So to prevent the mini from stealing the thunder from more professional machines, it could come w/o TB at all (or with TB only be offered as BTO in the mid and/or high tier).

 

[mcnallym]

I personally wouldn’t mind losing the tb3 and just having USB ports.
For iTunes/ Dvr then do not need tb3.

Would like to keep hdmi port though.

 

[QuietGamer]

I think they will skip to a combination of Thunderbolt 4 and USB-D ports.

LOLOLOL I thought I had went to the Tacoma World forum by accident where sarcasm is not only tolerated but graded!!!! Nice

 

[Micky Do]

I was wondering if anyone has heard any rumors about the new Mac mini whenever it may be released. I know Apple says it’s still important to them and everything, so I know they’re not discontinuing it. So I’m wondering if they do do a refresh on the Mac Mini will have thunderbolt 3 ports. So as of now, has anyone heard rumors on this possibility?

Check out what's on the back of an iMac..... The new Mac Mini will almost certainly have the same i/o ports.

 

[Lammers]

I picture Apple putting 2 TB3 ports...and one of them will be for power (similar to the MacBook).

I think that’s too much of a big change for a device that Apple doesn’t really seem to care much about, and not sure what the value would be of doing that anyway.
[doublepost=1533883367][/doublepost]

Check out what's on the back of an iMac..... The new Mac Mini will almost certainly have the same i/o ports.

View attachment 775230

Okay - on what basis do you draw the conclusion that the new Mac mini will almost certainly have the same ports as an iMac?

I think the more likely outcome is that a new Mac mini (if there is such a thing) will have.... the same ports it has now, or with only very minor changes.

 

[Micky Do]

I think that’s too much of a big change for a device that Apple doesn’t really seem to care much about, and not sure what the value would be of doing that anyway.
[doublepost=1533883367][/doublepost]
Okay - on what basis do you draw the conclusion that the new Mac mini will almost certainly have the same ports as an iMac?

I think the more likely outcome is that a new Mac mini (if there is such a thing) will have.... the same ports it has now, or with only very minor changes.

OK, on what basis do you think the more likely outcome is that a new Mac Mini (which is almost certainly coming) will have the same ports as now.

....... Which was an update on the 2012 Mac Mini.... Firewire 800 was dropped and the single Thunderbolt port was upgraded to two Thunderbolt 2 ports for 2014.

I should have said "look to iMac as a guide", rather than being the same....

For the Mac Mini there will be an upgrade to Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C, in keeping with updates across the Mac range.

In keeping with the iMac, USB 3 will be retained, as will Ethernet and likely the SD card slot.

The 3.5 mm audio out will remain, but the audio in port may be dropped, as has been the case across the Mac range. Audio in can be handled using a USB-C hub.

HDMI will be retained as the current standard for connecting to a monitor or TV, as befits a consumer oriented machine. Yeah, yeah, the iMac doesn't have HDMI, but Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C can handle a dual display set-up.

 

[twalk]

OK, on what basis do you think the more likely outcome is that a new Mac Mini (which is almost certainly coming) will have the same ports as now.

View attachment 775251

....... Which was an update on the 2012 Mac Mini.... Firewire 800 was dropped and the single Thunderbolt port was upgraded to two Thunderbolt 2 ports for 2014.

I should have said "look to iMac as a guide", rather than being the same....

For the Mac Mini there will be an upgrade to Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C, in keeping with updates across the Mac range.

In keeping with the iMac, USB 3 will be retained, as will Ethernet and likely the SD card slot.

The 3.5 mm audio out will remain, but the audio in port may be dropped, as has been the case across the Mac range. Audio in can be handled using a USB-C hub.

HDMI will be retained as the current standard for connecting to a monitor or TV, as befits a consumer oriented machine. Yeah, yeah, the iMac doesn't have HDMI, but Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C can handle a dual display set-up.

TB3: While possible, I find it unlikely. TB3 requires an extra chip, so that's more design and more $$$ for the part. Also, usb-c can already handle everything "consumer" level, including 4K 60Hz screens and high speed storage

HDMI: I find this more likely to be included, but also having a good chance of being left out. Apple has moved to ripping out HDMI in all of their other Macs, leaving only the Mini. A usb-c -> HDMI 2.0 converter is only $20, so that's not the issue it used to be. In addition, more monitors and even TVs are supporting usb-c