If it has decent internal specs and can drive three 4k displays I will be ordering one on day 1.
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If a new mini is released, who is left to buy one?
- Thread starter saulinpa
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I'd think there's a very large market for Mac minis. I want one with updated resolution and refresh rate outputs to use as a HTPC again. I'd put my gaming/htpc rig in the back office, or sell it. Not sure.
I also use my 2012 Mac mini as a HTPC, but connected to an older 1080p setup. One of the biggest issues I see with transitioning over to 4K is content availability; Apple has been pushing the Apple TV as a HTPC replacement for some years now, to the point of not even bothering to negotiate bringing 4K content over to iTunes on the Mac. Same goes for 4K streaming on Netflix, the only product Apple sells that supports it out of the box is the Apple TV.
So Apple really doesn't expect or want customers to get a Mac mini over an Apple TV to use as a HTPC anymore.
I hope it is quiet. I love my minis with ssd, silent. When I need my PC on, fans galore and noisy! PS4 Pro noisy as well! If I got another laptop it would be a MacBook, no fan 
If a new one comes out I'd like to get one, there is only one small problem. My 2012 does everything I need right now (headless server, running plex etc) and unless that changes I can't see myself needing a new one anytime soon. Even my first Mini, a 2006 is still running 24/7 as a simple ssh/file/proxy server.
Then again it would be nice to move the 2012 to the TV and use a new 2018 Mini as my main desktop...
Then again it would be nice to move the 2012 to the TV and use a new 2018 Mini as my main desktop...
I'd definitely consider getting one if the price and specs are right. High end processor, at least 16GB RAM but preferably 32GB, NVMe SSD, etc. I don't really care so much about the GPU but a mid range one would be nice for when I get the gaming bug.
I still like having a desktop PC and have been using Windows for about 6 years now; I used to game a lot, hence Windows, but I don't do that very much anymore and having MacOS again on my main machine would be nice. I have no interest in an iMac (already have good monitors and I don't really like all-in-ones anyway), don't need a laptop (I use an iPad Pro when I travel), and have no interest in going back to hackintoshes. A new Mini could be perfect.
I still like having a desktop PC and have been using Windows for about 6 years now; I used to game a lot, hence Windows, but I don't do that very much anymore and having MacOS again on my main machine would be nice. I have no interest in an iMac (already have good monitors and I don't really like all-in-ones anyway), don't need a laptop (I use an iPad Pro when I travel), and have no interest in going back to hackintoshes. A new Mini could be perfect.
Streaming content is one thing but actual 4k output is another. The HiDPI on a 4k TV looks amazing and makes it a great daily driver desktop. Playing video just scales as needed and still looks great. 4k TV is an actual joke since the human eye can't see it without walking up and squinting anyway. Just look at the bitrate on demo videos to get all you need from it. All they do is jack up the quality of the video. I can put a bluray in and it smokes all 1080p content that streams simply because it's a much higher bitrate picture. Plus the mini sells for like 4 times the price of the Apple TV 4k so I don't think they'll mind.
I gave up waiting once the Coffee Lake chips came out. I built a 6-core i7 with a Mini-ITX board hackintosh. Genuine Apple Wifi/BT card so it's working great. The only "down side" is that the case has 4x the volume of a mini. But then again, I have a 512 GB m.2 SSD, a 4 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM hard drive and 4K Blu-ray drive in it!
Seems like you're wanting to cross the line from HTPC to a general-purpose / daily-driver desktop. For a general-purpose desktop, the Apple TV is clearly not a replacement for a Mac mini.
My 2012 Mac mini is being used as a true HTPC rather than a general-purpose desktop, and it's nice to have a full desktop UI, media playback apps and keyboard, as well as Screen Sharing and remote shutdown. Though if I ever upgrade the setup to 4K, and the 4K content availability on Mac hasn't improved, I will probably end up replacing it with an Apple TV, provided the VLC app can handle playing content over the network (which it seems to be able to do on iOS).
Were you living under the rock for the past several years? Are you reading the forum threads?
Basically, the Mac Mini is one of the most anticipated Apple products recently, and Apple has been under heavy criticism several times in the past few years for not updating it.
I have decided that I want to buy the Mac Mini since I realized that for more than a year I have settled on using my MBP in clamshell mode. For the past year, I have disconnected it from my monitor maybe 4-5 times. So, spending several thousand dollars on MBP was not an option at all, it would be a waste of money for me.
The Mac Mini is perfect in this regard. It is what I always needed, and I really hoped that Apple will release the one soon, I am not gonna buy the 4 year hardware priced as much as new. Seems that my prayers have been answered.
I know there is the market out there for Mini, especially if they do it very well. I also wonder why the heck they didn't update it earlier, but seeing how much they are focused on mobile products right now, it is somewhat understandable.
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Me. If it is affordable, sigh. My refurb 2014 Mini is still going strong as my primary desktop. I had to buy it in 2016 when my 2011 iMac died, so a 2018 mini refresh is out of sync for my buying cycle, another sigh. Hopefully a 2018 Mini will be specked to last a decade. Another bigger sigh.
Does anyone actually use a HTCP anymore as there are now so many other easier options.
Some years ago I tried to use a mini as HTPC (with a FireWire-attached Box) for LiveTV. Besides the negative WAF, I had constant audio micro-stutters (both with a 2010 and a 2011). So eventually caved and went back to a dedicated Satellite receiver.
I'm interested in a new mini only for desktop / server duty, as the 2012 gives constant troubles with the TB-connected monitor not waking up. Let alone 4K is not possible even on one monitor. Ideally the idle power would be less than on the 2012 (for 24/7 server use).
I'm interested in a new mini only for desktop / server duty, as the 2012 gives constant troubles with the TB-connected monitor not waking up. Let alone 4K is not possible even on one monitor. Ideally the idle power would be less than on the 2012 (for 24/7 server use).
I’m a PC person. Back when I met my husband in 2003 he got one of those eyeball macs with integrated screen. He loved it. I didn’t understand why anyone would risk an integrated screen where if the lcd goes bad, it costs an arm and leg to replace the specialty item. Fast forward to 2016 when my husband’s 3 year old imac 27” lcd craps the bed. Either $550 for a new 2500x1600 lcd without warranty or a $50 ASUS monitor to put in front of the imac. We still have the monitor and hubby is saying “nope” no more integrated. He is waiting for a decent mac mini to replace his home and work imacs. Decent means replaceable memory/ssd, 4k or 5k, quad cpu no more than $1000-$1500. It’s all we ask for.
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Theoretically I would be in the market for a new Apple desktop but it's hard to imagine them coming out with a reasonably priced machine that leaves some room for upgrades.
My money is on an all-glued-together and welded shut box that costs silly money in any configuration other than the entry level trap. Only the mention of a 'pro' focus gives me hope that it might be something else. Well at least that's the hint it won't be cheap!
(typing this from a 2012 mini)
My money is on an all-glued-together and welded shut box that costs silly money in any configuration other than the entry level trap. Only the mention of a 'pro' focus gives me hope that it might be something else. Well at least that's the hint it won't be cheap!
(typing this from a 2012 mini)
Me. I have been waiting for a Mac Mini to use with a hi res screen. Can't wait.
I was thinking a bit more about this and I wonder how interesting a used trashcan mac would be to replace the mini (should a new version turn out to be too limited and locked-down).
Something like the 3.5 Ghz 6-core D500 model can be had on the used market here for a bit over 2k which is probably competitive compared to any new high end mini but - I assume - still superior performance-wise with a much higher RAM ceiling and I saw that it's possible to swap out the factory SSD for something current and large.
I heard it's a silent running machine which would tick my boxes. Does it have any major downsides or eat electricity for lunch?
Something like the 3.5 Ghz 6-core D500 model can be had on the used market here for a bit over 2k which is probably competitive compared to any new high end mini but - I assume - still superior performance-wise with a much higher RAM ceiling and I saw that it's possible to swap out the factory SSD for something current and large.
I heard it's a silent running machine which would tick my boxes. Does it have any major downsides or eat electricity for lunch?
I have a functioning 15” iMac G4 that I’m planning to gut to put in an NUC and install Mojave. The most challenging aspect will be the rewiring of the VGA display. But aesthetically, I think the lampshade iMac was Apple’s best design.
From what I hear, Apple is working on a pro Mini. That means they'll jack up the price on it like they've done with the MacBook Pros. I paid about $500 for my i7 mono and it's still running today, I only use it for an iTunes server and to browse the net when I'm in that room.
I've got a feeling I probably won't be buying the new one. I bought a Rizen Dell desktop back in February and although I've barely used it in all this time, I'm planning on putting an SSD in it soon and using that as my daily. I even got a 4K display for it but for now, it's just slow with the hard drive the computer came with. It had all the parts I ever never and Apple is into taking those away.
I've got a feeling I probably won't be buying the new one. I bought a Rizen Dell desktop back in February and although I've barely used it in all this time, I'm planning on putting an SSD in it soon and using that as my daily. I even got a 4K display for it but for now, it's just slow with the hard drive the computer came with. It had all the parts I ever never and Apple is into taking those away.
Folks wanting a modestly specced desktop running MacOS, who have the peripherals they need/prefer, thus don't want an all in one will surely be interested in buying a new Mac Mini. I'll buy one when the Mac Mini I have now packs a sad..... Nearly 10 years old and still on the original HDD, replacement would likely be a better option than repair.
Folks wanting MacOS with more power should look elsewhere in the line up.
Folks wanting MacOS with more power should look elsewhere in the line up.