3 options: update - buy - wait

[slu]

I couldn't wait anymore. I just pulled the trigger on a refurb base model 2.3 GHz i7 mini for $679 plus tax. I am in the same situation as you except I have an early 2008 White Macbook that can't even run ML let alone Mavericks. I do all of the things you do with your machine, but I also edit video and record music with GarageBand. I really would like more horsepower and the ability to run the modern OS.

My plan is to bump the mini up to 16 GB of RAM in a month or two. And eventually upgrade the HDD to either a dual HDD setup with an SSD or with Hybrid type drive. But I am going to hold off on all upgrades and from selling my Macbook right away in the event an upgraded mini comes out in the next couple of weeks. If it does (and the upgrade is compelling), I will return this and order a new one. If not, then I start with the upgrades and drop in the RAM. If a new mini comes in Jan or Feb, it will have to real compelling for me to sell the one I just ordered and get a new one.

I don't think I would have done this with out the refurb being such a good deal at $679. That is a good price in my opinion. In all honesty, I also looked into similar form factor Windows 8 PCs, but they don't really exist. Anything like a mini is woefully underpowered. So I ended up back at a mini.

 

[Elho]

Hmm let me know how it performs, even how the graphics perform.

I'm curious how much better the HD 4000 performs compairing with my 256mb chipset.

Maybe, for my graphical needs, i will never use the graphic capabilities of the haswel chip...and is it just overkill.

Besides that, the i7 maybe cheaper than the entry level Mac mini 2014...

 

[Yamcha]

Yeah I have the same dilemma, I was planning on buying the newly refreshed Mac Mini, but looks like there was no refresh.

Makes you wonder If the delay is due to a redesign, which might be scary, because lately Apple is making there products non upgradable or serviceable. I really hope we don't loose the ability to upgrade the memory and hard drive..

 

[halfapie]

My speculation is that Apple will update the mini with a "silent" update much like the 2013 iMac. However, I don't really see any real benefit to an upgraded mini unless they pop in Iris graphics and make Fusion drive standard. HD 5000 is not bad but not enough to buy it over a 2012 model, and if they stay with 5200rpm drives what's the point?

The REAL benefit of a 2013 Mac Mini is the clearance sales on the 2012 models!

In my mind, Apple would update the mini just for cross-product consistency. They left the 13 inch macbook pro non-retina untouched but it is pretty clear that Apple just wants to phase those out.

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Even though Apple has moved many products towards the non-upgradable designs I don't think they are doing it just for the sake of doing it.

Case in point, the new Time Capsule is easier to disassemble and upgrade compared to the last generation. Also, the Unibody MacMini was easier to upgrade than the original MacMini.

The MacMini has no LCD panels or batteries to glue down so I'd think it will remain user serviceable even in the new design. If it was redesigned to look like a shorter cousin of the Mac Pro I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Even the new Mac Pro retains user upgradable RAM and SSD. With Intel's chipsets changing with their processors user upgradable processors are not as future proof as they used to be anyway.

Yeah I have the same dilemma, I was planning on buying the newly refreshed Mac Mini, but looks like there was no refresh.

Makes you wonder If the delay is due to a redesign, which might be scary, because lately Apple is making there products non upgradable or serviceable. I really hope we don't loose the ability to upgrade the memory and hard drive..

 

[jmhart]

There was no 2008 Mini. There have been very long wait times been product updates for the Mini in the past. It is not unprecedented.

I see what you mean. I had forgotten about this 'hole' in the Mini release cycles. That was the year I got impatient and bought a 13" Macbook (aluminum unibody) instead of waiting for the Mini refresh as I really wanted the NVidia chipset. I never really needed a laptop especially after the iPad was released and I bought into it on day 1, though the Macbook has proved handy a few times.

I won't make that mistake this time--must hold out for what I know really makes sense for me! I need USB 3.0 at least, I really want to future-proof with 802.11AC & TB2, and the read/write speeds of the PCIe SSDs are drool worthy and overly expensive to build into a PC still.

 

[Elho]

Hmm if i stumble upon a sweet deal on a i7 Mac mini 2012 (refurbished, second handed) before the launch of the new mini i think i'll buy it.

With Apple you always wait forever and 12 months later you are again outdated. Same with my 1st gen ipad retina, iphone 5,...

Don't need Graphical power anyways. And if you look up some video's on youtube showing off the HD 4000 it doesnt seem that bad!!