2012 mac mini models?

[grouch]

i haven't seen any information myself but i was wondering if anyone else had.

i own three mac minis right now and i'd like to replace two of them but am waiting for the next revision. anyone have an idea when a 2012 model might appear?

 

[Snips]

Mac Mini updates have been somewhat erratic,

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#Mac_Mini

...but I would hope for at least a processor speed bump sometime in the second half of the year.

If they drop the Mac Pro, it would be great if they introduced a really beefy Mac Mini Pro above the current top end... but that's just wishing thinking on my part

 

[grouch]

i never thought i'd sy this but i wish they'd go back to the external power supply design so there's more room inside of the case for cooling and other components.

the 2011 i7 model tends to spin up the fan very often and it's quite loud. this happens to me during every day tasks like playing a video and is evident on both my desktop and server editions. ambient temperature is great though!

anyway, i think the model could really use a bump to take care of heat issues and improve the gpu speeds.

 

[Lesser Evets]

Could happen anytime, depending on processors being released.

Most likely it will happen in 2012 and most likely in mid-Summer.

No guarantees. I'm waiting for the next revision as well.

 

[Confuzzzed]

With the casing redesign and the mobile processors installed with Sandy bridge currently in situ, all set up to be released at the same time as the new MBA which given timelines of Ivy bridge release would probably imply a release some time in the summer or autumn. Personally, I would be surprised if it wasn't released in May/June. July at the very latest

 

[Fishrrman]

"i never thought i'd sy this but i wish they'd go back to the external power supply design so there's more room inside of the case for cooling and other components."

I think this would be a very good idea. Less heat, more room inside. I'd like to see the Mini case made "more accessible" all around.

In fact, considering the rising number of complaints regarding the discoloration of iMac displays (which may be due to excessive heat behind the display panels), I think Apple ought to consider the possibility of an iMac with an EXTERNAL power supply, to reduce heat inside the iMac casing. And possibly "slim down" the case size, as well.

I had an LG 26" tv which failed in less than two years due to a bad power supply (more specifically, a bad voltage regulator which isn't readily available as a replacement part). Seems to me that more than a few "failures" of LCD tv's are due to failed internal power supplies, an expensive replacement. Why not "offload" the power supply to an external unit. Or, in lieu of that, why not add a simple "external power in" jack to a tv? That way, if the internal power supply failed, it would be a trivial matter to plug in an external power source and keep the tv running....

Just some thoughts....

 

[philipma1957]

i never thought i'd sy this but i wish they'd go back to the external power supply design so there's more room inside of the case for cooling and other components.

the 2011 i7 model tends to spin up the fan very often and it's quite loud. this happens to me during every day tasks like playing a video and is evident on both my desktop and server editions. ambient temperature is great though!

anyway, i think the model could really use a bump to take care of heat issues and improve the gpu speeds.

thank you for crossing to my side

"i never thought i'd sy this but i wish they'd go back to the external power supply design so there's more room inside of the case for cooling and other components."

I think this would be a very good idea. Less heat, more room inside. I'd like to see the Mini case made "more accessible" all around.

In fact, considering the rising number of complaints regarding the discoloration of iMac displays (which may be due to excessive heat behind the display panels), I think Apple ought to consider the possibility of an iMac with an EXTERNAL power supply, to reduce heat inside the iMac casing. And possibly "slim down" the case size, as well.

I had an LG 26" tv which failed in less than two years due to a bad power supply (more specifically, a bad voltage regulator which isn't readily available as a replacement part). Seems to me that more than a few "failures" of LCD tv's are due to failed internal power supplies, an expensive replacement. Why not "offload" the power supply to an external unit. Or, in lieu of that, why not add a simple "external power in" jack to a tv? That way, if the internal power supply failed, it would be a trivial matter to plug in an external power source and keep the tv running....

Just some thoughts....

also thanks to you. my threads on this



https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1191667/


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1204124/


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1293308/

 

[Westyfield2]

No one knows what Apple are going to do.

Me personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple don't touch the Mini at all this year.

 

[philipma1957]

No one knows what Apple are going to do.

Me personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple don't touch the Mini at all this year.

Ivy bridge has lower power mobile cpus and intel 4000 graphics. I think they are going to do this in late spring or early summer. the cpu's are coming out soon. so in 90 days or so we will be hot with rumors

 

[Ice Dragon]

New Mini models would be nice but if not, I will just update my current Mini to 16 GB of RAM.

 

[tom vilsack]

ill take a shot at what i think next model will be like...

-ssd default,ivy=no big hd,and cool running ivy= fair amount smaller (perhaps apple tv size)

 

[camardelle]

It seems like upgrading is always a good option on the mini if nothing comes out that tickles yoru fancy. I'm really jonesing for a mini but their upgradabililty makes the prices remain high for the used ones on ebay. I'm watching constantly....

 

[philipma1957]

ill take a shot at what i think next model will be like...

-ssd default,ivy=no big hd,and cool running ivy= fair amount smaller (perhaps apple tv size)

smaller? maybe in a few years.


ssd default?

I must have an ssd or can I get an hdd as a cto? This is not going to be true in 2012 but down the road yeah.



your mobile chips

Core i5-3320M 2 4 2.6 GHz 3.3 GHz 3 MB 35 Watt May 2012

Core i5-3360M 2 4 2.8 GHz 3.5 GHz 3 MB 35 Watt May 2012

Core i5-3427U 2 4 1.8 GHz 2.8 GHz 3 MB 17 Watt May 2012

Core i7-3520M 2 4 2.9 GHz 3.6 GHz 4 MB 35 Watt May 2012

Core i7-3667U 2 4 2 GHz 3.2 GHz 4 MB 17 Watt May 2012


Core i7-3720QM 4 8 2.6 GHz 3.6 GHz 6 MB 45 Watt April 2012 MAYBE THE NEXT SERVER CPU


Core i7-3820QM 4 8 2.7 GHz 3.7 GHz 8 MB 45 Watt April 2012

Core i7-3920XM 4 8 2.9 GHz 3.8 GHz 8 MB 55 Watt April 2012

 

[MJL]

The 17 Watt TDP are likely imho (close to what the 2010 TDP were) in the base model and will bring temperature down. Here's is to hoping (don't need the large number crunching) Server - don't know, depends how much Apple wants to encroach on the iMac / Mac Pro models. After all the mini is supposed to be an entry model for "switchers" and give them a "taste for more".

 

[jdryyz]

Does Ivy Bridge allow for discrete graphics?

 

[philipma1957]

Does Ivy Bridge allow for discrete graphics?

yes the new mini should have intel 4000 graphics as integrated and depending on chip set of the custom mobo some discrete gpu .

heres to a 17 watt cpu with a decent gpu like a 6750m .

better yet maybe the intel 4000 is as good as claimed.

 

[paulrbeers]

Does Ivy Bridge allow for discrete graphics?

If Apple uses the exact same enclosure for the 2012 Mac Mini's, then you can expect again that the max TDP between the processor and GPU needs to stay at or under 45 watts. In the server mini of 2011, Apple chose a 45 watt TDP processor and didn't pair it with a discrete GPU. However, in the mid-mini, Apple choose a 35 watt TDP chip and paired with with a relatively medocre GPU. Unfortunately I can't find the TDP of the 6630 but I'm assuming it is at or around 10 watts TDB based on a table on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_AMD_graphics_processing_units#Radeon_HD_6xxxM_Series (Other entry level 500/800mhz GPU's are using around 7 TDP so assuming that the 6630 released a bit more heat due to being a more powerful over all GPU, I think it is safe to assume it uses roughly 10 watts). That again brings the TDP total to roughly 45 watts TDP between the GPU and processor.

Based on the info provided by philipma, I think we can safely assume that any discrete GPU based Mac Mini will probably use either the Core i5-3320M or Core i5-3360M with a "high end option" of the Core i7-3520M. I don't forsee Apple using the low power Core i5-3427U or Core i7-3667U in order to cram a faster GPU into their next Mac Mini's. Something tells me they will reserve those only for their Macbook Airs.

What GPU they will include is a tough one, maybe the AMD 7730M or the 7750M? Or maybe Nvidia? I am not sure what the TDP ratings on the above GPU's are so it's hard to say and it also depends on the benchmarks of the Intell HD4000. It may be that the 7730M isn't all that much faster than the HD4000 (who really knows and I haven't gone looking for benchmarks yet). If there isn't any value added by going with a medocre discrete GPU vs the HD4000, maybe Apple will drop the discrete Mac Mini altogether. Until the 2011 Mac Mini's, apple hadn't had a discrete GPU in the Mac Mini since the G4 days...

 

[Ayemerica]

I don't think the 2012 mac mini's will be anything ground breaking like the transition from C2D to i5,i7.

 

[jdryyz]

Thanks for the info. I had my eyes on the mid-entry 2011 Mini but with discovery of less power consuming CPUs on the way, I may just wait and see if Apple has an update this year.

 

[philipma1957]

If Apple uses the exact same enclosure for the 2012 Mac Mini's, then you can expect again that the max TDP between the processor and GPU needs to stay at or under 45 watts. In the server mini of 2011, Apple chose a 45 watt TDP processor and didn't pair it with a discrete GPU. However, in the mid-mini, Apple choose a 35 watt TDP chip and paired with with a relatively medocre GPU. Unfortunately I can't find the TDP of the 6630 but I'm assuming it is at or around 10 watts TDB based on a table on this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_AMD_graphics_processing_units#Radeon_HD_6xxxM_Series (Other entry level 500/800mhz GPU's are using around 7 TDP so assuming that the 6630 released a bit more heat due to being a more powerful over all GPU, I think it is safe to assume it uses roughly 10 watts). That again brings the TDP total to roughly 45 watts TDP between the GPU and processor.

Based on the info provided by philipma, I think we can safely assume that any discrete GPU based Mac Mini will probably use either the Core i5-3320M or Core i5-3360M with a "high end option" of the Core i7-3520M. I don't forsee Apple using the low power Core i5-3427U or Core i7-3667U in order to cram a faster GPU into their next Mac Mini's. Something tells me they will reserve those only for their Macbook Airs.

What GPU they will include is a tough one, maybe the AMD 7730M or the 7750M? Or maybe Nvidia? I am not sure what the TDP ratings on the above GPU's are so it's hard to say and it also depends on the benchmarks of the Intell HD4000. It may be that the 7730M isn't all that much faster than the HD4000 (who really knows and I haven't gone looking for benchmarks yet). If there isn't any value added by going with a medocre discrete GPU vs the HD4000, maybe Apple will drop the discrete Mac Mini altogether. Until the 2011 Mac Mini's, apple hadn't had a discrete GPU in the Mac Mini since the G4 days...

I got rid of the discrete gpu minis I had as the fans ramp up and the minis were too loud too often.

I have 2 2.4 2010 minis a base 2.3 2011 and the server 2.0 quad 2012. I am hoping the intel 4000 really is a 60 percent improvement as claimed.

 

[paulrbeers]

I got rid of the discrete gpu minis I had as the fans ramp up and the minis were too loud too often.

I have 2 2.4 2010 minis a base 2.3 2011 and the server 2.0 quad 2012. I am hoping the intel 4000 really is a 60 percent improvement as claimed.

As stated, the HD4000 might truly be fast enough that an entry level/mediocre GPU isn't necessary. It might be the first Integrated GPU by Intel that is actually competitive with entry to mid level discrete GPU's. Then again, we've all heard that before so I'm not holding my breath!

 

[MJL]

The mid 2011 Mac mini (i5 - 2.5Ghz) produces almost as much heat as the server. The only reason the server stays cooler is that it has the fan running at 2300 rpm versus the i5 at 1800 rpm.

I am running windows 7 and manually set the minimum fan speed using MacFan_065 to 2300rpm and it keeps the temperatures and speeding up of the fan under control.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=14312945&#post14312945

 

[iamthedudeman]

smaller? maybe in a few years.


ssd default?

I must have an ssd or can I get an hdd as a cto? This is not going to be true in 2012 but down the road yeah.



your mobile chips

Core i5-3320M 2 4 2.6 GHz 3.3 GHz 3 MB 35 Watt May 2012

Core i5-3360M 2 4 2.8 GHz 3.5 GHz 3 MB 35 Watt May 2012

Core i5-3427U 2 4 1.8 GHz 2.8 GHz 3 MB 17 Watt May 2012

Core i7-3520M 2 4 2.9 GHz 3.6 GHz 4 MB 35 Watt May 2012

Core i7-3667U 2 4 2 GHz 3.2 GHz 4 MB 17 Watt May 2012


Core i7-3720QM 4 8 2.6 GHz 3.6 GHz 6 MB 45 Watt April 2012 MAYBE THE NEXT SERVER CPU


Core i7-3820QM 4 8 2.7 GHz 3.7 GHz 8 MB 45 Watt April 2012

Core i7-3920XM 4 8 2.9 GHz 3.8 GHz 8 MB 55 Watt April
2012

You're missing a few. Namely the Core i7-3612QM quad core OEM processor. Which is a 35W part, which is the same as the dual core i7. We may see a i7 35W quad core in the high end non server mini with a discrete GPU. As this is a OEM only processor, this has a good chance of being in the next Mini.

http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-s-core-i7-3612qm-verified-as-35w-part/14229.html

 

[mdgm]

Philip, I think it could be longer than first thought before 2012 Minis arrive.

See https://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/1...ty-of-ivy-bridge-processors-until-after-june/

Looks like late 2012 is more realistic now.

 

[philipma1957]

You're missing a few. Namely the Core i7-3612QM quad core OEM processor. Which is a 35W part, which is the same as the dual core i7. We may see a i7 35W quad core in the high end non server mini with a discrete GPU. As this is a OEM only processor, this has a good chance of being in the next Mini.

http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-s-core-i7-3612qm-verified-as-35w-part/14229.html

you are correct in that my list was partial. I new the 35w quad was on a site and was unable to find it. thanks

Philip, I think it could be longer than first thought before 2012 Minis arrive.

See https://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/1...ty-of-ivy-bridge-processors-until-after-june/

Looks like late 2012 is more realistic now.

that s(you)cks! <this should get past censors thanks for that info. I read the article and it may be an attempt to sell off all the old sandies