2018 Mini Spec/Price Predictions/Hopes

[Miat]

You'd think Apple would have learned their lesson after the thermal issues with the nMP.

I can understand why they would want to push thermal envelopes on mobile devices, but not on desktops where space and weight are not at a premium.

 

[ondert]

I still dream about a Mini with Kaby Lake G processors. In any case with the arrival of thunderbolt 3, an egpu setup will be feasible for Mini.

 

[enc0re]

I still dream about a Mini with Kaby Lake G processors. In any case with the arrival of thunderbolt 3, an egpu setup will be feasible for Mini.

Next thing we know, they keep Thunderbolt 3 off the Mini so that you can't eGPU.

I'm joking! I hope...

 

[youdontsay]

What I'd ilke :

• I don't care about the form factor
  
• 32GB DDR4 memory
  
• 2.7GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
• 256GB SSD Storage
• Wifi AC
• Bluetooth 5
• I/O : Jack/optical and4 thunderbolt 3 ports

1499$

Won't happen

 

[nutmac]

What I'd ilke :

• I don't care about the form factor
  
• 32GB DDR4 memory
  
• 2.7GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
• 256GB SSD Storage
• Wifi AC
• Bluetooth 5
• I/O : Jack/optical and4 thunderbolt 3 ports

1499$

Won't happen

Apple charges $200 for upgrading from 8 GB to 16 GB, and $400 for upgrading from 16 GB to 32 GB. Using the current mid-spec Mac mini ($699) as an example, upgrading to 32 GB RAM (if capable) and 256 GB SSD would bring the grand total to $1,499.

New Mac mini could adopt the same CPU from the new 13" MBP, so I think Mac mini with 2.3 GHz 8th gen i5 for $1,499 is certainly a possibility. 2.7 GHz would probably add another $300. I am less certain about 32 GB RAM capacity.

 

[redheeler]

Hope you get what you want - I would like the same thing. But that implies that Apple would significantly lower their prices as well as greatly improve performance. That sure isn't what happened in 2014.

The cheapest i7 2014 mini is $1200 with 8gb and your choice of either a 1tb fusion drive or a 256gb SSD. And if I was spending that much, I'd go another $200 and get 16gb of RAM, since it can't be upgraded. If Apple goes back to user-upgradeable RAM, that would be great but it seems very un-apple like to me.

Right, that isn't what happened in 2014. So it all depends on how much Apple cares about offering a decent Mac mini in 2018...

Yeah, we're probably screwed. More likely no hex-core + dGPU high-end option, no upgradable RAM (8 GB LPDDR3 soldered to the board, $200 more for 16 GB), no Fusion drive for the base model dual-core i3, and of course no Space Gray color option.

 

[gusping]

Right, that isn't what happened in 2014. So it all depends on how much Apple cares about offering a decent Mac mini in 2018...

Yeah, we're probably screwed. More likely no hex-core + dGPU high-end option, no upgradable RAM (8 GB LPDDR3 soldered to the board, $200 more for 16 GB), no Fusion drive for the base model dual-core i3, and of course no Space Gray color option.

LPDDR3 ram is not sufficient in 2018. Even full fat DDR3 is horrendous in 2018. If it has ram with specs that low, count me out.

 

[redheeler]

LPDDR3 ram is not sufficient in 2018. Even full fat DDR3 is horrendous in 2018. If it has ram with specs that low, count me out.

It would be great to see upgradable DDR4 RAM. But given Apple's treatment of the Mac mini since 2013, I'm not sure what to actually expect at this point.

 

[ipos]

when's the next release date for mac mini ?

 

[Boyd01]

LOL, there is none. No guarantee there will ever be another mini, there is just an unconfirmed rumor that suggests it might happen in October.

 

[ipos]

wonder if i should bite the bullet and get a mac mini with the following specs:

• 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
• 8GB memory
• 1TB Fusion Drive

 

[Boyd01]

I would get 16gb, since it can never be upgraded. Do you need it right away? If not, then you might as well wait and see what happens in October.

 

[gigatoaster]

Hello

I would love to see a new Mac mini as it was a perfect source for my hifi system (Rotel RA-12 & KEF Q700)
.
I would like to see:

- new processor & GPU & proper HDMI capable to play 4K files on 4K TV
- smaller form factor with the same space gray color than my 2018 MacBook Pro
- 512 GB SSD
- Microphone & T2 chip to say "Hey, Siri"
- USB type-A to connect a DAC

Wait & see...

I am delaying my purchase of speakers (probably KEF R300) because of the Mac mini.

 

[gusping]

It would be great to see upgradable DDR4 RAM. But given Apple's treatment of the Mac mini since 2013, I'm not sure what to actually expect at this point.

I don’t think it will get full fat DDR4, and if not at least the low power version, i will not bother. I might just have to get a base iMac instead, then build a crazy PC. Apple hardware is becoming more and more laughable.

 

[MRrainer]

There's no way Apple is going to update the Mini before the iMac - and very likely not before the MacPro.
There's also the 12" MB that has to be updated.
If there is a version that is faster than the 2012 i7, it will cost 1700 USD.

 

[Miat]

T2 chip to say "Hey, Siri"

Only if it is optional hardware, or has a physical off switch.

 

[HalfNelson]

I doubt they will give the Mini 6 cores.

That 6 core cpu is the same 45W i7 cpu that comes in the 2018 15” MBP. In 2012, for $899 you could get a 45W i7 cpu that was the same unit that went in the 2012 15” MBP which sold for $2799. It was the first time a Mac Mini ever had a quad core, and it was hands down, the best Mini Apple has ever made.

To simply repeat what they did in 2012, we would get the following for $899:

- 45W 2.6GHz i7
- user upgradeable RAM (32GB max)
- removable internal storage (with connections for dual drives. SATA would work, but 2 x M.2 would be ideal)
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 4 x USB 3.1 Type A ports (type C wouldn’t bother me though)
- GPU capable of 4K @ 60Hz on two screens

 

[Miat]

Oh they certainly could put a hex in it. Just doubt they will.

I'd be happy with a quad. Current gen are offering plenty of grunt for my needs. Check the performance of the quads in the new MBP 13". Well ahead of the 2012 Mini on GeekBenchmark.

Also wouldn't mind if they made it one SATA bay, and one blade bay. That could be a good transition combo to all blade form in 3-4 years.

And no gouging on RAM.

Otherwise, yeah, your list looks good to me.

 

[redheeler]

That 6 core cpu is the same 45W i7 cpu that comes in the 2018 15” MBP. In 2012, for $899 you could get a 45W i7 cpu that was the same unit that went in the 2012 15” MBP which sold for $2799. It was the first time a Mac Mini ever had a quad core, and it was hands down, the best Mini Apple has ever made.

To simply repeat what they did in 2012, we would get the following for $899:

- 45W 2.6GHz i7
- user upgradeable RAM (32GB max)
- removable internal storage (with connections for dual drives. SATA would work, but 2 x M.2 would be ideal)
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 4 x USB 3.1 Type A ports (type C wouldn’t bother me though)
- GPU capable of 4K @ 60Hz on two screens

Right, but the $2,799 rMBP had a dGPU and SSD, while the $899 Mac mini didn't. In 2018, to avoid the higher-end model having worse integrated graphics, Apple would have no choice but to put in a dGPU.

So with those items taken into consideration, I would expect this model to cost $1,099 rather than $899, and be the third tier in the lineup I proposed earlier in this thread.

But to be honest, I don't think Apple will release a hex-core mini at all, as much as many of us here would like to see one. The Mac mini isn't as much of a priority for Apple in 2018 as it was in 2012.

At least the quad-core 2018 Mac mini will finally beat the performance of one from six years ago, provided the rumored refresh actually happens.

 

[HalfNelson]

Right, but the $2,799 rMBP had a dGPU and SSD, while the $899 Mac mini didn't. In 2018, to avoid the higher-end model having worse integrated graphics, Apple would have no choice but to put in a dGPU.

So with those items taken into consideration, I would expect this model to cost $1,099 rather than $899, and be the third tier in the lineup I proposed earlier in this thread.

But to be honest, I don't think Apple will release a hex-core mini at all, as much as many of us here would like to see one. The Mac mini isn't as much of a priority for Apple in 2018 as it was in 2012.

At least the quad-core 2018 Mac mini will finally beat the performance of one from six years ago, provided the rumored refresh actually happens.

Once again, let’s go back to 2012 for a minute. It was the first time Apple ever put 4 cores in a Mini AND it only had an iGPU which was a step down from the dGPU of the previous years model. It being the first Mini with Thunderbolt probably had something to do with that. 6 years later, and we’ve now got Thunderbolt 3 which is capable of providing eGPU options well beyond what could ever fit into a Mini. Most likely, anyone needing/wanting more performance, than the iGPU in the 8850H CPU is capable of, will be going the eGPU anyway.

All that being said, of course Apple will have my money day 1 if they put another quad core in it. Even if it is only a 28W CPU.

 

[redheeler]

Once again, let’s go back to 2012 for a minute. It was the first time Apple ever put 4 cores in a Mini AND it only had an iGPU which was a step down from the dGPU of the previous years model. It being the first Mini with Thunderbolt probably had something to do with that. 6 years later, and we’ve now got Thunderbolt 3 which is capable of providing eGPU options well beyond what could ever fit into a Mini. Most likely, anyone needing/wanting more performance, than the iGPU in the 8850H CPU is capable of, will be going the eGPU anyway.

All that being said, of course Apple will have my money day 1 if they put another quad core in it. Even if it is only a 28W CPU.

Apple can't assume Mac mini buyers will also buy an eGPU that costs half again as much as the mini itself. Most will not, and won't want to pay more money for a weaker GPU.

 

[Boyd01]

Once again, let’s go back to 2012 for a minute. It was the first time Apple ever put 4 cores in a Mini

Sorry, but I think you need to go back to 2011 for that. https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i7-2.0-mid-2011-server-specs.html

 

[Miat]

All that being said, of course Apple will have my money day 1 if they put another quad core in it. Even if it is only a 28W CPU.

A 28w quad is fine by me. It is what the new MBP 13" is using, and it is getting single and multi core Geekbench results around 50% better than the 2012 Mini quads.

2018 quad 13" MBP

2012 quad Mini

Easily meets my needs.

 

[HalfNelson]

Apple can't assume Mac mini buyers will also buy an eGPU that costs half again as much as the mini itself. Most will not, and won't want to pay more money for a weaker GPU.

They did in 2012. What changed? Those who hunger for GPU performance aren’t going to have a problem paying for that performance. As long as the iGPU is able to handle 4K output @ 60Hz it will be fine for the majority of people. It doesn’t matter if the top speed of a car drops from 155mph to 145mph if most people aren’t breaking 100mph, and the few that will be exceeding 145mph are also not going to want to stop at 155mph but go well past 200mph.

I would much rather have a 6-core with a low tier iGPU, over a 4-core with a low tier dGPU.

 

[gusping]

They did in 2012. What changed? Those who hunger for GPU performance aren’t going to have a problem paying for that performance. As long as the iGPU is able to handle 4K output @ 60Hz it will be fine for the majority of people. It doesn’t matter if the top speed of a car drops from 155mph to 145mph if most people aren’t breaking 100mph, and the few that will be exceeding 145mph are also not going to want to stop at 155mph but go well past 200mph.

I would much rather have a 6-core with a low tier iGPU, over a 4-core with a low tier dGPU.

Can a low end iGPU even support a smooth 4K60 output? That’s the bit I’m worried about. A quad coer is fine for my needs but a terrible iGPU will most likely push me to an iMac 5K.