The last time they did that on a mini, it was still quite limited. The 6630 might have allowed for a bit of gaming, but the ram wasn't sufficient for programs that leverage the gpu for computation, so it was somewhat limited.
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Haswell graphics and what could go in the mini
- Thread starter Ice Dragon
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The last time they did that on a mini, it was still quite limited. The 6630 might have allowed for a bit of gaming, but the ram wasn't sufficient for programs that leverage the gpu for computation, so it was somewhat limited.
Just to throw it out there.... I seem to remember a quote from Tim Cook, "Our core philosophy is to never fear cannibalization. If we dont do it, someone else will...."
No. He's saying there's no reason why Apple doesn't produce a Mini with the same specs as a top of the line iMac. They might cannibalize their iMac line by doing this, but according to Cook, they don't care.
Yet despite this claim, they haven't made a powerful, full featured Mac Mini yet. If you want good amount of mid-higher end power out of your machine, you have to get an iMac. The Mini is and likely always will be the cheaper, far less capable alternative.
Ah I understand now. At any rate, I am confident in the move upwards with integrated graphics though hopefully discrete graphics go down in power that one can fit in a small box without heat concerns.
Size and heat dissipation aren't that big of a deal anymore. Apple could easily make a machine about as powerful as the rMBP and stuff it inside a Mac Mini chassis.
But they won't.
Of course it would cost the same as a rMBP and not include a display.
By the way, I must compliment you on your avatar. Huge Castlevania fan.
Knowing Apple? Probably. Realistically, they could charge $1200 for the thing and still make a ton of cash.
There are quite a few people out there who want a powerful Mac, but don't want to spend $2000+ for one. The Mini could be the perfect computer for them. A nice machine without any extra frills. No large, color calibrated IPS screen like the iMac. No on the go portability in a super sleek package like the rMBP. It's just the hardware, with everything else being BYO.
While I doubt it'd set the world on fire, it'd still sell well enough to justify its existence. All Apple has to do is make the damn thing.
Why thank you. I think you're the only person around here who knows what my avatar even is. Everyone else is like "what is that, some kinda pixel art heart on a plate"?
NO, DAMNIT! NO! How could anyone not know what nutritious and delicious secret wall chicken looks like? What the hell are they teaching kids in school these days, anyway? That's like basic knowledge!
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Right now, I don't see them meeting. Hopefully you are correct, but history says otherwise.
About the Tim Cook quote, I just threw it out there, don't think Apple will ever bite. I'm going to make the pretty good bet that Apple would only "cannibalize" their own product line if it made sense to do so.
I just would love a Mac Mini, but will probably get driven to a Macbook Pro and some type of docking solution. I don't need major mobility and/or coffee shop mobility, just need to be able to work in different permanent locations. I'll use the iPad for the coffee shop.
So, I'll jump (of course they have to hurry up).... If the next gen Mac Mini has HD5000 GPU or HD4600+dedicated GPU, i7 CPU option, maintains two bays, user replaceable RAM, and improved thermals.
I just would love a Mac Mini, but will probably get driven to a Macbook Pro and some type of docking solution. I don't need major mobility and/or coffee shop mobility, just need to be able to work in different permanent locations. I'll use the iPad for the coffee shop.
So, I'll jump (of course they have to hurry up).... If the next gen Mac Mini has HD5000 GPU or HD4600+dedicated GPU, i7 CPU option, maintains two bays, user replaceable RAM, and improved thermals.
I'm due simply for a $799 Mac mini with a quad-core processor and HD4600 (GT2) graphics with an SSD (hopefully 512 GB).
If things are not suitable enough, I may try an iMac.
If things are not suitable enough, I may try an iMac.
And that admission makes Apple marketing smile from ear to ear. Thanks for proving the point that proactively limiting the capabilities of the mini forces one to look to step up.
Sorry to double post but I want to reiterate something I have posted before (or maybe that was on another Mac board) and it concerns an old game but an arcade version of something I really love, Gauntlet Legends/Dark Legacy.
Now I can pick up a PS2 along with the game for a lot less, but I want to play the arcade version on my Mac mini via MAME and I want to play it well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yewc80KOV3U
Now it does not run well on a 2011 dual-core Mac mini with the Intel HD 3000 graphics. Might it run better with the 2011 mini with the AMD Radeon chip? Perhaps. Might it have been suitable if I went with the 2.0 GHz Sandy Bridge quad-core? Perhaps again. Could the Ivy Bridge quad-core mini have run it well? That is also a possibility.
I am confident the 2012 iMacs can run it including the base model. Maybe even the 2011 iMacs could have ran it. The point is, I'm not going to waste the cash just for that one simple purpose.
I would rather bide my time and wait for things to happen. A quad-core Haswell mini with GT2 graphics should allow me to run things comfortably. It should also allow me to play other games at reasonable settings as well and better than Ivy Bridge.
This should negate the need for an iMac since they do not even offer flash storage until you get to the 27" models and I hate mechanical storage ever since I bought a Samsung 470. Also, despite what others may say, I am staying away from the Fusion drive.
Now I can pick up a PS2 along with the game for a lot less, but I want to play the arcade version on my Mac mini via MAME and I want to play it well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yewc80KOV3U
Now it does not run well on a 2011 dual-core Mac mini with the Intel HD 3000 graphics. Might it run better with the 2011 mini with the AMD Radeon chip? Perhaps. Might it have been suitable if I went with the 2.0 GHz Sandy Bridge quad-core? Perhaps again. Could the Ivy Bridge quad-core mini have run it well? That is also a possibility.
I am confident the 2012 iMacs can run it including the base model. Maybe even the 2011 iMacs could have ran it. The point is, I'm not going to waste the cash just for that one simple purpose.
I would rather bide my time and wait for things to happen. A quad-core Haswell mini with GT2 graphics should allow me to run things comfortably. It should also allow me to play other games at reasonable settings as well and better than Ivy Bridge.
This should negate the need for an iMac since they do not even offer flash storage until you get to the 27" models and I hate mechanical storage ever since I bought a Samsung 470. Also, despite what others may say, I am staying away from the Fusion drive.
Here's the thing. I don't think anyone is asking for the best. A BTO option for better than integrated graphics but somewhere lower and middle of the road for dedicated GPU.
Most defending apple say it can't be done, for some strange reason, or that Apple would be silly to do it because Macs are not gaming machines. Great, so don't put it in the base models. That's fine. Make it a BTO, and satisfy BOTH groups of people here. Oh that's right, you said it yourself, Apple is pushing those who want dedicated GPUs towards the more expensive iMacs and MBPs.
I would like to believe the quad-core mini and HD4600 will be good enough for me. I am not an iMac fan (or a fan of all in one machines in general for that matter) so I can't see myself getting one. If someone gave me one as a gift, I would definitely appreciate it though.
I honestly feel my moderate gaming uses will be enough for the mini and 16 GB of RAM. We're talking about a game that is a decade old and I am playing through MAME. Other than that, I am do for an upgrade from my old machine anyway because I've felt I've had it for long enough.
I honestly feel my moderate gaming uses will be enough for the mini and 16 GB of RAM. We're talking about a game that is a decade old and I am playing through MAME. Other than that, I am do for an upgrade from my old machine anyway because I've felt I've had it for long enough.
2.3 GHz Intel core i5 Sandy Bridge
8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz memory
Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB
128 GB Samsung 470 SSD