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2018 Mini Spec/Price Predictions/Hopes

krause734

krause734

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 30, 2010
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I was surprised to hear Mini rumors and very curious what it and the Mac Pro will look like so they don't step on eachother's toes:

My guess (I know I'm dreaming):

$500 8th Gen i3, 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM

$700 i5, 250GB SSD, 8GB RAM

$1000 i7, 250GB SSD, 8GB RAM

I would imagine SSD's offered up to 2TB and RAM to 32GB

Hope they offer latest 2 X HDMI and 4 X USB, and a MICROPHONE. I'd like to see Siri built in for HTPCs.
 
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My guess, same form factor with spec updates, with the stock lineup something like this:

$499: Either 7th gen i5 or 8th gen i3 (dual core) with Iris Plus Graphics, 500GB Hard Drive, 8GB RAM
$699: 8th gen i5 (quad core) with Iris Plus Graphics, 1TB Hard Drive, 8GB RAM
$999: 8th gen i5 (slightly higher clock speeds than $699 version) with Iris Plus Graphics, 1TB Fusion Drive, 8GB RAM

I also expect that custom configurations with an i7, RAM up to 16GB and SSDs up to 2TB will be available on certain models.
 
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krause734 said:
I was surprised to hear Mini rumors and very curious what it and the Mac Pro will look like so they don't step on eachother's toes:

My guess (I know I'm dreaming):

$500 8th Gen i3, 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM-Sold! Immediate Purchase

$700 i5, 250GB SSD, 8GB RAM-Nice mini-over my budget

$1000 i7, 250GB SSD, 8GB RAM-OTT for me

I would imagine SSD's offered up to 2TB and RAM to 16, maybe 32GB

Hope they offer latest HDMI and multiple USB, and a MICROPHONE. I'd like to see Siri built in for HTPCs.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the entry mac mini i3-I wish I could purchase@£500 Uk pounds
 
Apple had previously talked about the possibility of making the mini bigger. So I am personally hoping for the upcoming 8 core i7 (which should also be in the next iMac). Intel GPU would be OK because of eGPUs and non upgradable memory would also be OK with me.

But based on what the have done before, I would expect the same motherboard as the latest MBP, so 6core i7/32GB/Intel GPU.

I have been buying Mac laptops for the last 20 years and generally been paying £2000 each time (which because of inflation actually means I have been paying less as time goes on). But I just can't get my head around paying £3000 for one of the current MBP, which is the spec I would need to make it worth upgrading from my current MBP (since I need at least 1TB). So tempted to get a mini this time (assuming it is good) and just keep my MBP running for a few more years.
 
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hvfsl said:
I would expect the same motherboard as the latest MBP
Click to expand...
This would be the logical step, then it depends on which line they base it on. I'm hoping for a reprise of 2012 where the mini was more in line with the 15-inch, in which case we might get 6-core processors; but I'm expecting processors from the 13-inch, which would be 4-core max.

Depending on the performance improvement over the 2012 i7 model I might get it (and add an eGPU solution) but otherwise I will probably go down the hackintosh route...
 
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Just bring out the new iMac, make the Mini a headless version of the 4k version and start the prices at less than £500 WITH a RAM door! That would be a good place to start from.
 
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My predictions:

0. Three tiers of Mac mini with additional configuration options

1. I think there is 0% chance for non-soldered RAM (Mac mini is cheapest Mac, so upgrade option would be too easy to make this computer better, without paying Apple)

2. Every Mac mini model will have 8 GB RAM with option to upgrade it to 16 GB (tier 1, 2 and 3) or 32 GB (tier 2 and 3)

3. Only integrated graphics HD 615 or 620 for base model (tier 1), Iris Plus 640 or 650 (tier 2 or/and tier 3) and Iris Plus 650 (tier 3 model)

4. CPU

- i5 7Y54 1,2 GHz (boost 3,2 GHz) or i5 7200U 2,5 GHz (boost 3,1 GHz) - tier 1
- i5 7267U 2,2 GHz (boost 3,4 GHz) or i5 7260U 3,1 GHz (boost 3,5 GHz) - tier 2
- i5 7287U 3,3 GHz (boost 3,7 GHz) - tier

All have 2 cores, but I think tear 2 and 3 will have option to upgrade to i5/i7 4 cores.

5. Apple Fusion Drive 1 TB for tier 1, 2 TB Fusion Drive for tier 2 and 256 GB SSD for tier 3. All tiers have upgrade options.

6. Because of Fusion Drive, there still will be option to update it alone, without paying Apple
 
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My ideal max spec Mini... 6-core, 32GB RAM, Radeon 560 graphics. Similar specs to the 2018 MBP. Include TB3, USB-C, and USB 3.0 ports. Upgradeable NVMe drives would be all I would require. Would LOVE to replace my aging cMP with this machine while I save for the mMP.

Probably won't happen...
 
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I just want an updated 2012 quad core.

Same form. Current or previous gen chips. Max RAM 32GB (preferably user upgradable). Enough iGPU grunt to run two 4K @ 60Hz monitors. Same ports as 2014 model, except bump to TB3. At least one SATA bay.

Beewdiful. :)
 
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It's a low cost machine. Even at top range it is likely to be somewhat restricted to prevent those waiting for a Mac Pro from thinking that it will do.

Personally, I want to see full 4K support, TB3 ports, ability to increase memory to 32GB (but will it be soldered on?) and a decent quad core processor. That would do it for me, though I know that the internal SSDs would be hideously expensive if we had to get them from Apple.
 
The mini would be a perfect platform to bring an Ax CPU to the market. I’m aware that the rumors expect it not before 2020, so maybe it will still be Intel one more time.

Never heard of the rumors about wanting to make the mini bigger. Rather expect a shrink tbh. Biggest heat source could be externalized these days (eGPU) and technology has progressed since the current housing had been conceived. Could be the size of an AppleTV, esp. if it shared its technological platform with the 12” MacBook.
 
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Already posted this in the other thread, but makes sense to leave it here as well. Here’s a practical, powerful, sensible Mac mini lineup we probably won't see from Apple:

$549 Mac mini 8,1:
  • Intel Core i3-8109U (2 cores, base 3 GHz, turbo 3.6 GHz)
  • Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
  • 500 GB Fusion drive (32 GB SSD portion) or 128 GB pure SSD (+$50 for the SSD)

$799 Mac mini 8,1:
  • Intel Core i5-8259U (4 cores, base 2.3 GHz, turbo 3.8 GHz)
  • Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
  • 1 TB Fusion drive (128 GB SSD portion) or 256 GB pure SSD

$1,099 Mac mini 8,2:
  • Intel Core i7-8850H (6 cores, base 2.6 GHz, turbo 4.3 GHz)
  • AMD Radeon 550 (2 GB GDDR5)
  • 1 TB Fusion drive (128 GB SSD portion) or 256 GB pure SSD

All models:
  • 8 GB user-upgradable 2400 MHz DDR4
  • 2014 design with the 2012 twist-off bottom for upgrading RAM
  • 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports in place of the 2x Thunderbolt 2
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Available in Space Gray or Silver

The base model is still priced low-enough and performs adequately for light-use budget-conscious buyers, while every subsequent tier brings a decent performance bump making it worth the extra money.

Edit: Corrected the $549 model's iGPU; added processor clock speeds, links to processor spec sheets.
 
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redheeler said:
Already posted this in the other thread, but makes sense to leave it here as well. Here’s a practical, powerful, sensible Mac mini lineup we probably won't see from Apple:

$549 Mac mini 8,1:
  • Intel Core i3-8109U, Intel UHD Graphics 655 (2 cores)
  • 500 GB Fusion drive (32 GB SSD portion) or 128 GB pure SSD (+$50 for the SSD)

$799 Mac mini 8,1:
  • Intel Core i5-8259U, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 (4 cores)
  • 1 TB Fusion drive (128 GB SSD portion) or 256 GB pure SSD

$1,099 Mac mini 8,2:
  • Intel $1,099, AMD Radeon 550 (6 cores)
  • 1 TB Fusion drive (128 GB SSD portion) or 256 GB pure SSD

All models:
  • 8 GB user-upgradable 2400 MHz DDR4
  • 2014 design with the 2012 twist-off bottom for upgrading RAM
  • 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports in place of the 2x Thunderbolt 2
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Available in Space Gray or Silver

The base model is still priced low-enough and performs adequately for light-use budget-conscious buyers, while every subsequent tier brings a decent performance bump making it worth the extra money.
Click to expand...

I would buy that $1,099 model in a heartbeat.
 
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ElectronGuru said:
I would pay £1000 Uk pounds for the same config if it meant not paying $15k/yr for healthcare. Some things are just better other places.
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Everything else except healthcare is dirt cheap in America, it's almost criminal (especially cars and electronics). It balances out.
[doublepost=1531654107][/doublepost]The new Mini's can't be dual core, otherwise it will be DOA to most folks. I would love a 6 core, but will settle with a high-end quad core (8 thread) CPU, top end iGPU, 8 or 16gb ram and a 256gb nvme SSD. All that for £1,200 and i'll buy it to replace my 2014 15" MBP. Then time to build a monster rig.
 
If they follow the same pattern as the MacBook Air, they would just bump the speed of the 1.4 ghz i5 model to 1.6ghz, make 8gb the base memory, keep the price the same and not change anything else. ;)
 
Due to eGPUs, there isn't a need for major graphic horsepower. You want that, you can get an external, and that's likely how Apple is thinking.

So a high end mini with discrete graphics is silly now. That can be made. So what we neeeeeeeeed is other under the hood stuff, like the processor and RAM.

Adding an additional iDevice processor on top of Intel is my bet on a new mini.
 
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redheeler said:
Already posted this in the other thread, but makes sense to leave it here as well. Here’s a practical, powerful, sensible Mac mini lineup we probably won't see from Apple:

$549 Mac mini 8,1:
  • Intel Core i3-8109U (2 cores, base 3 GHz, turbo 3.6 GHz)
  • Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
  • 500 GB Fusion drive (32 GB SSD portion) or 128 GB pure SSD (+$50 for the SSD)

$799 Mac mini 8,1:
  • Intel Core i5-8259U (4 cores, base 2.3 GHz, turbo 3.8 GHz)
  • Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
  • 1 TB Fusion drive (128 GB SSD portion) or 256 GB pure SSD

$1,099 Mac mini 8,2:
  • Intel Core i7-8850H (6 cores, base 2.6 GHz, turbo 4.3 GHz)
  • AMD Radeon 550 (2 GB GDDR5)
  • 1 TB Fusion drive (128 GB SSD portion) or 256 GB pure SSD

All models:
  • 8 GB user-upgradable 2400 MHz DDR4
  • 2014 design with the 2012 twist-off bottom for upgrading RAM
  • 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports in place of the 2x Thunderbolt 2
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Available in Space Gray or Silver

The base model is still priced low-enough and performs adequately for light-use budget-conscious buyers, while every subsequent tier brings a decent performance bump making it worth the extra money.

Edit: Corrected the $549 model's iGPU; added processor clock speeds, links to processor spec sheets.
Click to expand...

More likely they'd put the (max) 15W TDP i3-8130U in a base model.
 
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