If the new Mac mini is still not coming, I'm getting the Skull Canyon!

[EnesM]

Skylake i7
DDR4
M.2

The only thing bad I can think of is lack of 2.5" drive support. 1-2TB M.2 is still super expensive to replace the cheap data storage of a 2.5"... why Intel... why....

Cause Intel want to sell their own super expensive M.2 drives to you

 

[amegicfox]

We bought 5 skull candy 2 months ago. They are super fast and virtually silent. A dream come true.

That's what the mac mini should have been if Apple was run by the Intel CEO. so SAD.

 

[phrehdd]

We bought 5 skull candy 2 months ago. They are super fast and virtually silent. A dream come true.

That's what the mac mini should have been if Apple was run by the Intel CEO. so SAD.

Well alas, I admit I was* a huge Mac Mini fan up to the quad model. When they decided to pass off anemic and castrated tiny computers in a Mini case, I opted not to buy any more Mac Minis until they do a real upgrade or at least I will end up with a small footprint PC (most likely build one).

 

[richpjr]

After a lot of debate, I bit the bullet and picked up a Skull Canyon NUC (32 GB RAM, 512 GB NVME). It's a great little device. Love the footprint and it works great with the new Viewsonic 4K monitor I picked up at the same time. I still slightly prefer OS X, but have used Windows at work forever and Windows 10 is finally a viable alternative to it (something I could not have said about previous versions).

 

[hawkeye_a]

Been debating whether or not to get a NUC myself. While the Mini *was* a great little computer (my parents' ol G4 is still going strong), the NUCs are smaller, more powerful, more upgradable and cheaper(give-or-take).

On the software side, OSX has become a bloated blimp since the days of Snow Leopard. And WindowsX seems to be more streamlined and efficient than its predecessor. (Believe me, as an Apple fanboy that isnt easy to admit). The only question is whether WindowsX is better than Sierra, which isnt as objective as one would think.

Microsoft is obviously fully committed to the Windows Operating System, as a part of their core business. I wonder if Apple still considers MacOS and the Mac an important, meaningful core business.

 

[MRrainer]

Apparently, there's also the STX form-factor:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10404/asrock-deskmini-110-ministx-pc-review
Looks like if you go all PCIe on this, it's almost without cables (except for FAN + USB stuff, probably).

Priced it with a i7-6700, 2*16GB RAM, 512 GB M.2-PCIe-SSD + Intel PCIe-WLAN/BT module, I still come up at only 900 CHF. That's below 1000 USD with tax.
No OS X (or rather macOS, these days), unfortunately.
Would be an awesome Linux box, though. If all components were supported....
AFAIK, BT and (to a lesser degree) WLAN are still sore points with Linux, same as Intel GPUs.

However, it would remain to be seen just how silent such a thing would be, if one actually maxed out CPU, RAM, storage and drove two 4K displays with it.

German c't magazine tested it and got it pretty silent by tweaking the BIOS - with an i3 or i5.

 

[bobpensik]

I've been waiting to upgrade my 2011 Mac Mini Server for a long time now, and since it seems that Apple has abandoned their desktop users (well everyone except iMac users), I am seriously considering a Skull Canyon since it looks like a sweet little machine.

Does anyone know if it will work with my Apple Thunderbolt display? It looks like it has a Mini DisplayPort, so would that be able to transmit video via the TB cable? I know I would probably loose other functions, but if I can keep my monitor that will make my life a lot easier.

To those that have transitioned, how do you like Windows 10 compared to MacOS?

 

[Crosscreek]

To those that have transitioned, how do you like Windows 10 compared to MacOS?

Works fine for me but I have used Windows 10 along side OS X for 2 years prior. I have my computer hacked to macOS on a separate drive but I hardly go there and don't miss it any.

 

[phrehdd]

Time to be creative if you go to the NUC and get this look with a OSX "pack on your Win10 OS.

http://windowsable.com/get-mac-os-x-el-capitan-theme-windows-10/

This is just an example. There are others out there but thought it was amusing.

 

[cynics]

Why do PC manufacturers always insist on making their cases look like their designed to appeal to pre-pubescent male teens?

edit: now I come to think about it - probably because they're designed to appeal to pre-pubescent male teens!

Hahah thats pretty funny. Usually I would 100% agree with you.

However for me I always liked Intels use of the Skull. There is something about a big company like Intel using something so dark that I really like.

My first encounter with it was when my father built a PC when I was younger and the mother board (hidden in its case) just had a big skull on it. Maybe thats why I'm partial to it. In his old age he told me "Never get old", I've been doing my best to accomplish that so being labeled as a pre-pubescent teen isn't so bad.
[doublepost=1480181881][/doublepost]Imagine if the Mac Mini was on par with that beast? That would be a dream come true for me. Why is Apple so resistant to taking my money?! Seriously jam a quality CPU into the Mini and let me give you thousand(s) of dollars for it!

Wasnt the initial purpose of the mini to grab PC/Windows converts? Bring your own monitor, mouse and keyboard? So why offer such a lackluster option for those people? Who wants to switch to a Mac if its an obvious hardware downgrade from current PC offerings?

Apples Mac market is small and agile enough to take risk like these. Limit production and see how it pans out. I think worst case they will only get SLIGHTLY more rich.

Just to verify a NUC can NOT be made into a hackintosh? Is that correct? I never liked the idea of a hackintosh (for my use) but the outdated Mac Pro is the only solution Apple currently offers for my needs/wants. And its outdated and way to expensive, plus its technically overkill on a couple aspects for me.

 

[jnachbar]

Anybody tempted buy the new Intel NUC 7th generation, especially it 7i7...instead of continuing to wait for a new mac mini? My 2011 MacMini has had a few hiccups on start up so I'm not sure how much life is left.

How about experience with ubuntu 16.4.2 on this or other NUC? I really don't want a windows 10 system. I've spent only the last couple of days playing with ubuntu on my MacBook Air and it seems pretty doable. I tried to put ubuntu on my Mini, but I have the model with a Radeon Graphics Chip and just couldn't get it to install and run on the mini, longer story...but no problem setting up a dual boot on MBA.

I'll keep messing around with ubuntu to get more first hand, but was wondering about other people's experience. Are there many serious cons or things I simply won't be able to do with ubuntu. I'm a long time mac guy, but geez this apple mac desktop hardware situation seems ridiculous.

Any thoughts?

 

[jpietrzak8]

Are there many serious cons or things I simply won't be able to do with ubuntu. I'm a long time mac guy, but geez this apple mac desktop hardware situation seems ridiculous.

Any thoughts?

I'm a long-time Unix guy, so I might not be the best person to respond to this; I actually enjoy using the terminal to get work done. But then, that's what drew me to OS X in the first place -- the perfect blend of Unix power with Apple user-friendliness.

I've been playing around with Ubuntu again lately, and I have to admit, it's a whole lot more user-friendly than Linux was back when I switched to OS X (ten years ago now). The standard complaints against Linux are that it (a) has no commercial applications and (b) has a terrible GUI. These are still problems, but much less so. I've been surprised to see how much commercial software is now available on Linux; not everything you can find on Windows or the Mac, but plenty of options are now available. Moreover, I've discovered that you can actually install, set-up, use, and maintain an Ubuntu installation without ever opening a terminal. Which, for me, is kinda sad, but does show that the GUI environment has improved by leaps and bounds.

So, if you've got a particular commercial software title that you absolutely must be able to run, check first to make sure it supports Linux. And, be prepared for a GUI that is never going to be as beautiful or as polished as OS X is. But otherwise, I think this is a fine time to try out Linux as your main desktop OS.

 

[treekram]

Anybody tempted buy the new Intel NUC 7th generation, especially it 7i7...instead of continuing to wait for a new mac mini? My 2011 MacMini has had a few hiccups on start up so I'm not sure how much life is left.

How about experience with ubuntu 16.4.2 on this or other NUC? I really don't want a windows 10 system. I've spent only the last couple of days playing with ubuntu on my MacBook Air and it seems pretty doable. I tried to put ubuntu on my Mini, but I have the model with a Radeon Graphics Chip and just couldn't get it to install and run on the mini, longer story...but no problem setting up a dual boot on MBA.

I'll keep messing around with ubuntu to get more first hand, but was wondering about other people's experience. Are there many serious cons or things I simply won't be able to do with ubuntu. I'm a long time mac guy, but geez this apple mac desktop hardware situation seems ridiculous.

Any thoughts?

The NUC7i7BNH is the only i7 Kaby Lake NUC available and it uses a dual-core (hyper-threading) CPU with Iris Plus Graphics 650. If dual-core is OK with you, I think that would be the fastest choice among the Intel Kaby Lake NUC's. If you're looking for a quad-core, I think it's unlikely that Intel will come out with a Kaby Lake quad-core NUC. I've stopped waiting for either Apple or Intel and have ordered a Skull Canyon. I'll try the Hackintosh route (not for the faint of heart) but if that doesn't work out, I'll switch it to Linux and move over some of my applications - database, Java-based apps, web-browsing, media viewer; where I'm pretty certain it'll work out. I can't move entirely to Linux as I use Xcode. I have no recent experience to base it on, but I think there are other apps that I use on the Mac that I won't be happy with what's on Linux (I have Fedora on a PC but haven't done application hunting recently).

UPDATE. After I wrote my post I went through the first page of posts (from last year) and see that M2 NVMe SSD pricing was an issue. On Amazon, right now, a 500GB Evo 850 (SATA) is $180, I got a 500 GB Evo 960 for under $250, a great price considering the performance difference and what Apple would charge (although the 850 has a 5-year warranty, the 960 a 3-year warranty).

 

[iccb]

Here's reviews of 7i7 NUC and also other NUCs.
http://nucblog.net
Maybe they help U to make decision...

 

[Crosscreek]

The NUC7i7BNH is the only i7 Kaby Lake NUC available and it uses a dual-core (hyper-threading) CPU with Iris Plus Graphics 650. If dual-core is OK with you, I think that would be the fastest choice among the Intel Kaby Lake NUC's. If you're looking for a quad-core, I think it's unlikely that Intel will come out with a Kaby Lake quad-core NUC. I've stopped waiting for either Apple or Intel and have ordered a Skull Canyon. I'll try the Hackintosh route (not for the faint of heart) but if that doesn't work out, I'll switch it to Linux and move over some of my applications - database, Java-based apps, web-browsing, media viewer; where I'm pretty certain it'll work out. I can't move entirely to Linux as I use Xcode. I have no recent experience to base it on, but I think there are other apps that I use on the Mac that I won't be happy with what's on Linux (I have Fedora on a PC but haven't done application hunting recently).

UPDATE. After I wrote my post I went through the first page of posts (from last year) and see that M2 NVMe SSD pricing was an issue. On Amazon, right now, a 500GB Evo 850 (SATA) is $180, I got a 500 GB Evo 960 for under $250, a great price considering the performance difference and what Apple would charge (although the 850 has a 5-year warranty, the 960 a 3-year warranty).

You probably won't be happy with the Hackintosh route on the Skull Canyon. While it is somewhat doable and people have taken great effort in making it so, it requires a lot of work to make it work.
Again I say anyone that wants a Mini Hackintosh, NUCs are not the best choice. A mini or micro ITX build with components chosen from TonymacX86 will give you an easy successful Hackintosh. You only need a Philips head screwdriver for tools and from there it's plug and play.

 

[Rigby]

I'll keep messing around with ubuntu to get more first hand, but was wondering about other people's experience. Are there many serious cons or things I simply won't be able to do with ubuntu. I'm a long time mac guy, but geez this apple mac desktop hardware situation seems ridiculous.

I use Linux a lot for work, but only as a server OS and to host Docker containers. It has made progress as a desktop OS as well in recent years, but you should take a close look at the applications you are using now and check if there are good Linux equivalents. Productivity apps, for example, are not up to par compared to Windows or MacOS (Libre Office is ok, but honestly doesn't hold a candle to MS Office, and things like PDF Editors are lacking compared to apps like Acrobat or even PDF Expert on the Mac). You will obviously not have access to things in the Apple ecosystem like Facetime, iMessage, iCloud Drive, iTunes etc. Also, if you are using peripherals such as webcams, scanners, printers etc. check if they are supported by Linux.

You will have to use the shell sooner or later. On the plus side, you can dig in and solve most problems yourself with some effort, and the community support is excellent.

 

[dogslobber]

I use Linux a lot for work, but only as a server OS and to host Docker containers. It has made progress as a desktop OS as well in recent years, but you should take a close look at the applications you are using now and check if there are good Linux equivalents. Productivity apps, for example, are not up to par compared to Windows or MacOS (Libre Office is ok, but honestly doesn't hold a candle to MS Office, and things like PDF Editors are lacking compared to apps like Acrobat or even PDF Expert on the Mac). You will obviously not have access to things in the Apple ecosystem like Facetime, iMessage, iCloud Drive, iTunes etc. Also, if you are using peripherals such as webcams, scanners, printers etc. check if they are supported by Linux.

You will have to use the shell sooner or later. On the plus side, you can dig in and solve most problems yourself with some effort, and the community support is excellent.

I think for the web you have Chrome and Firefox available for Linux. For spreadsheets you have Gnumeric which is really nice and AbiWord is also available, but LibreOffice or Google Docs are just as usable as M$ Office for most people. I think that covers 75% of the the population in that the law of diminishing returns starts to apply as you move into other areas of computer usage.

Really, the underlying OS matters naught for most folks.

 

[Boyd01]

Really, the underlying OS matters naught for most folks.

But the Macintosh is the "computer for the rest of us".

 

[cube]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=lenovo+thinkcentre+tiny

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=elitedesk+mini

 

[Rigby]

I think for the web you have Chrome and Firefox available for Linux.

Web browsers are not an issue.

For spreadsheets you have Gnumeric which is really nice and AbiWord is also available, but LibreOffice or Google Docs are just as usable as M$ Office for most people. I think that covers 75% of the the population in that the law of diminishing returns starts to apply as you move into other areas of computer usage.

I don't know if the 75% number is true or not, but I'm pretty sure that those that don't do much else than browsing and occasionally working with simple documents (without having to share or collaborate with others) are the same people that don't want to deal with shell commands and arcane configuration files, which they will have to do at least occasionally when using Linux. There are reasons why Linux hasn't really succeeded on the desktop.

 

[Boyd01]

I'm pretty sure that those that don't do much else than browsing and occasionally working with simple documents (without having to share or collaborate with others) are the same people that don't want to deal with shell commands

Those may also be the same people who could replace their computer with an iPad Pro, like Tim Cook wants.

 

[jnachbar]

Thanks, this is very helpful information and feedback. Personally, I don't mind messing around in terminal and doing some command line stuff as long as I can find help and instructions...I did start my personal computer experience with dos, so you can tell I'm a little old...I think I got a D+ in Fortran in college, back then they let you use computer language to meet foreign language requirements!

Regarding the review that iccb posted,

http://nucblog.net

It says,
Linux
Due to the latest Intel GPU and the WiFi chip you’ll need a fairly recent kernel. I’m mainly a Ubuntu-man so I did install the Ubuntu 16.10 on the NUC. The kernel on the long-term supported 16.04 version does not fully support Kaby Lake.

Does that mean the LTS version of ubuntu 16.04.2 doesn't work and I should install a different version, their newest one?

 

[Rigby]

Due to the latest Intel GPU and the WiFi chip you’ll need a fairly recent kernel. I’m mainly a Ubuntu-man so I did install the Ubuntu 16.10 on the NUC. The kernel on the long-term supported 16.04 version does not fully support Kaby Lake.

Does that mean the LTS version of ubuntu 16.04.2 doesn't work and I should install a different version, their newest one?

16.04.2 is now on kernel 4.8. It should work on Kaby Lake, although you may not get the optimal performance for a few things. They'll update to 4.10 or newer in August, which has some additional optimizations for Kaby Lake.

 

[treekram]

This thread had no activity for 5 months and then ... boom ... quite a bit of interest - which just happened to coincide with my order of the Skull Canyon NUC. For people considering it, it's important to consider the following:

1) Know your hardware. It's amazing how many people on this site buy Macs only to find out that the hardware wasn't what they expected it to be. This simply won't do if you buy a SC NUC. For a hackintosh NUC, I pretty sure there's still issues with the built-in WiFi. I think there's a working solution for Bluetooth, but since I don't need either, I don't pay much attention to it. I have not seen anybody who was not able to get a Samsung PCIe SSD working, but this does require work.

2) If you want to do a hackintosh SC NUC, you need access to a Mac - and really one that can run at least El Capitan.

3) There's a certain level of computer expertise required to build a hackintosh on the SC NUC. It's a bit difficult to quantify it without a fairly long post. If you are considering a hackintosh SC NUC and if you are unsure if you have the necessary skillset, I think a good idea would be to go through the instructions and try building the USB installer. This you can do before buying the SC NUC. If you go through these steps and have difficulty, a hackintosh is probably not for you. If you can build the installer, go through the rest of the thread (it's a long one). It will give you an idea of what's involved in building and maintaining a SC NUC hackintosh.
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...g-clover-uefi-nuc6i5syk-nuc6i7kyk-etc.207848/

4) If you want a hackintosh SC NUC, have a fallback plan in case it doesn't work out. For me, it's Linux and I'm comfortable with that.

With all this in mind,

You probably won't be happy with the Hackintosh route on the Skull Canyon. While it is somewhat doable and people have taken great effort in making it so, it requires a lot of work to make it work.
Again I say anyone that wants a Mini Hackintosh, NUCs are not the best choice. A mini or micro ITX build with components chosen from TonymacX86 will give you an easy successful Hackintosh. You only need a Philips head screwdriver for tools and from there it's plug and play.

I've done my homework - I've developed an aversion to building my own PC's, going through the process of having one break recently and trying to fix it just reinforced the aversion. For my particular set of needs and wants, I like the Skull Canyon NUC.

 

[Crosscreek]

It says,
Linux
Due to the latest Intel GPU and the WiFi chip you’ll need a fairly recent kernel. I’m mainly a Ubuntu-man so I did install the Ubuntu 16.10 on the NUC. The kernel on the long-term supported 16.04 version does not fully support Kaby Lake.

Does that mean the LTS version of ubuntu 16.04.2 doesn't work and I should install a different version, their newest one?

This app for Linux will tell you which kernel is available in Ubuntu. I use it in Mint and presently on kernel 4.10.12 which have full support for Kaby Lake.

Ukuu
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/upgrade-kernel-ukuu-ubuntu/

[doublepost=1493497753][/doublepost]

I've done my homework - I've developed an aversion to building my own PC's, going through the process of having one break recently and trying to fix it just reinforced the aversion. For my particular set of needs and wants, I like the Skull Canyon NUC.

That is all that is important. No worries.