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Your Mac Mini Build/Order

D

dyzfnctional

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 6, 2008
310
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Which one did you all order and what will you use your Mac mini for?
For me, I'm thinking just as a Plex server to watch movies with.

  • i7
  • 16gb 2666MHz DDR4
  • 1TB SSD
Probably overkill to what i need.... price tag @ $2099
 
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i5/256 SSD/16 ram... $1299... perfect for what I need it for which is mostly as an AV server (plex, dvr, etc) and a file server. will also be my daily personal driver.

I was going to buy an intel NUC but this is only 200 more similarly specc'ed and i can run windows on it if I desire (which i don't at the moment).
 
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i7/256 SSD/8gb ram for $1299.

Wanted the best processor I could get, and since the ram is upgrade able I will add more if I need it. Since I have a NAS that I store all of my files on, the 256 seemed right for me.

I am upgrading from a mac pro 5,1 with an upgraded Radeon 7950 card powering two 4K screens. Still a beast of a computer. Hoping this Mac Mini will carry the flag and hold up after 8-9 years like the 5,1 has.
 
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Waiting to see the teardown next week to see what is upgradable. I am fairly certain with the pictures and the way the presentation went, the memory is upgradable. If the SSD is also upgradable like the 2014 model: The base I7 model.

Otherwise, the base I7 model with a 512 GB SSD.
 
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D.T. said:
It's not, this has been discussed at length in several threads, with copious amount of evidence pointing to it being user upgradable (per 2012 models ...).
Click to expand...

Dang... that is so unlike Apple ... leaving all that money on the table... hope it turns out to be true... could be a sign of things too come... or wishful thinking... or a mix.
 
I am replacing my 2011 i7 Mac mini iTunes server
  • i7
  • 16 gb ram
  • 512 gb ssd
512 ssd is probably very much overkill for me, but since it can't be replaced, I might as well play it safe. $1699

I just replaced an old RAID device with a new Thunderbolt 3 unit with four 2 TB SSD drives, so I am ready for the new Mac mini!
 
dwfaust said:
Dang... that is so unlike Apple ... leaving all that money on the table... hope it turns out to be true... could be a sign of things too come... or wishful thinking... or a mix.
Click to expand...

It's kind of an interesting reversal from the previous model (the semi-infamous 2014 "update"), but I think they understand the Mini fits into a kind of hobby/hands-on pro-sumer.
 
Wont be ordering as I have 2014 mini. Or I can trade in but not worth much probably. But my 14 is still good enough.
 
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If I sell my MBP, I'll go with a $1499 config: max CPU, 512GB storage, then I'll upgrade the RAM from 8GB to 32GB myself with 3rd party RAM, and then later very likely add an eGPU (580 or Vega 64).

FWIW, I'm a software developer/writer/architect, run some VMs, a few Docker containers, lots of opensource codework (significant time in text editors + terminal), XCode, use Bootcamp (Win10) frequently - and all my "general computing",writing, photo organization, music/services management, is on MacOS.
 
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I7, 8GB memory, 128GB or 256GB storage. Will upgrade memory myself and use external hard drive for bulk storage.

This is all dependent on iFixIt's tear down to confirm memory is upgradeable.
 
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Jozone said:
No point in the 1TB.. save the money, and do a USB-C enclosure with SSD (tucked away in cabinet).
Click to expand...

True... i wonder if i would sacrife speed when i write or stream to/from the external SSD? Since its USB-C maybe minimal or not at all?
 
Waiting for a tear down myself. It’ll be for the wife (photographer) but for sure I’ll be getting her the i7, 8GB(since it’s user upgradeable as I can see) and either 256GB or 512GB. For those who do an external SSD how do you do it and how does it work? I’m kind of new at this so if you can point me in the right direction it will be great if I can get the lowest SSD and expand it with an external one. Thanks!
 
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Thinking about getting one. Just worried about the storage options. I currently rock an SSD/HD combo and I like it. Lots of space for big files while still having the OS and apps load fast. It appears to only support Apple's PCI SSDs.
 
LaloG said:
For those who do an external SSD how do you do it and how does it work? I’m kind of new at this so if you can point me in the right direction it will be great if I can get the lowest SSD and expand it with an external one. Thanks!
Click to expand...
You get a box that matches the drive you have/want. For HDD shaped SSD, a box like this will do
https://www.amazon.com/MiniPro-USB-C-External-Aluminum-Enclosure/dp/B01N52Z26D/

this works with cheaper SSD like these
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/ssd/series/MX500

There are also faster pcie SSD with their own cases (and price levels)
 
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Jozone said:
No point in the 1TB.. save the money, and do a USB-C enclosure with SSD (tucked away in cabinet).
Click to expand...

That would be a lot cheaper wouldn’t it? But wouldn’t an external SSD be slower than the internal one? For every day thing I wouldn’t notice but I think it would be noticeable for more intensive things.
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dyzfnctional said:
True... i wonder if i would sacrife speed when i write or stream to/from the external SSD? Since its USB-C maybe minimal or not at all?
Click to expand...

I’m wondering about the speed difference as well.
 
Jozone said:
No point in the 1TB.. save the money, and do a USB-C enclosure with SSD (tucked away in cabinet).
Click to expand...

I have the enclosure on order now, and I'll just reconfigure my Windows box to free up a 1TB SSD SATA drive for it.
 
Just pulled the Trigger.....

Capture.PNG
 
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Just browsed to best buy and they have it posted l, gives you the option to configure but you can’t...hmm
 
I'm confused as to what parts I can use from my old 2011 Mini. Can anyone advise me here:
To connect my old 24" VGA/ DVI monitor:
Can I use my existing monitor cable or do I need an adapter?

For connecting my USB printer, external drives etc, do I need:
1) A new USB 3 hub?
2) New cables to connect my devices to the USB-C ports?
3) or USB to USB-C adapters?

Thanks!
 
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