It occurred to me that I can't be the only one who gave up waiting for Apple to update the Mini and bought an alternative. So if you gave up waiting, what did you end up getting as an alternative? I ended up with a refurb 17" Macbook Pro, and I love it.
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If you gave up waiting, what else did you get?
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I simply went for the quad 2.3 SSD and 16G. If it gets updated with the iMacs, I'll return it and get the new one.
Its my first non-Hackintosh Mac, and I'm totally happy with it so if there isn't an update I'm fine with that.
It is purely for xCode so the graphics are fine for my usage.
Its my first non-Hackintosh Mac, and I'm totally happy with it so if there isn't an update I'm fine with that.
It is purely for xCode so the graphics are fine for my usage.
I Gave up on waiting
I built a custom desktop with
16gb ram
128gb ssd
1tb hdd
2gb Video card
Its costing me the same price as a new mac-mini from the apple store in AUS
and its better.
I built a custom desktop with
16gb ram
128gb ssd
1tb hdd
2gb Video card
Its costing me the same price as a new mac-mini from the apple store in AUS
and its better.
I got the base model mini, which is really all I need since I'm using it as an iTunes server. The only reason I was hoping for a new model was the hope that it would cause the current base model to drop in price. 
It really is an awesome computer even though it may be a bit dated. With an SSD (every computer should have one) it is quite the speed demon as well
I may get something like this if it does not come soon.
http://cooltechpc.com/fanless/streacom-fc8
Interesting SILENT computer!
http://cooltechpc.com/fanless/streacom-fc8
Interesting SILENT computer!
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Built a Win 8.1 desktop for about the same price as the high end Mini, but that is several fold faster according to Geekbench.
Would I have preferred a Mac? Yeah, if they made a high end, current mini. But given the mini that's available, I don't regret my decision one bit and am actually finding that I like Windows more than I thought I would.
Would I have preferred a Mac? Yeah, if they made a high end, current mini. But given the mini that's available, I don't regret my decision one bit and am actually finding that I like Windows more than I thought I would.
The key to Windows 8.1 is setting it up properly. So that it behaves more like Win 7. And then keeping it virii free. That done, I actually like Win a little bit better due to more modern interface. I like OSX better due to less popup/update crap!
I have found from using OSX for the last almost year that I can do anything on both that I need to do.It is great being able to pick and choose parts for a Win machine. Good bang for the buck that way.
I was seriously considering buying a Mac Mini, but my needs have changed and I'm very close to buying a 13" MacBook Air. Just waiting for the right configuration to pop up on the refurb store. Maybe someday in the future I'll have a reason to buy a Mac Mini.
I would get this Intel Barbone NUC and slide in a SSD and 8GB of RAM,
very nice machine for the price, other than that it's extremly small, look at the pic below!
new generation hyper threading i5 and HD5000
What I really like about Intel, they convert the currency to real prices, this NUC costs me 336€ on amazon, not like apple just change the icon and leave the numbers.
http://www.metafore.ca/Product/Defa...fPN=BOXD54250WYKH2&MfID=283&AltCatID=10010103
overpriced in my opinion,
get one of these: http://www.amazon.de/Sedatech-Mini-PC-gekühlt-Desktop-PC-i5-4250U/dp/B00KIUJNKU/
or with powerful i7 quad core desktop cpu: /ref=pd_sim_sbs_computers_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RC63KV486HGFF8WPKAC
right now only aviable in germany, maybe they expand for us market soon
very nice machine for the price, other than that it's extremly small, look at the pic below!
new generation hyper threading i5 and HD5000
What I really like about Intel, they convert the currency to real prices, this NUC costs me 336€ on amazon, not like apple just change the icon and leave the numbers.
http://www.metafore.ca/Product/Defa...fPN=BOXD54250WYKH2&MfID=283&AltCatID=10010103
overpriced in my opinion,
get one of these: http://www.amazon.de/Sedatech-Mini-PC-gekühlt-Desktop-PC-i5-4250U/dp/B00KIUJNKU/
or with powerful i7 quad core desktop cpu: /ref=pd_sim_sbs_computers_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RC63KV486HGFF8WPKAC
right now only aviable in germany, maybe they expand for us market soon
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I ended up buying a current mac mini on craigslist but I also picked this up. I know its not a mac but I am really enjoying this computer and its speed and it only cost me $1000 on amazon brand new.
Thinkpad W530: 2.4Ghz i7, 8gb ram, 240gb SSD, 2gb Nvidia K1000M graphics card.
Thinkpad W530: 2.4Ghz i7, 8gb ram, 240gb SSD, 2gb Nvidia K1000M graphics card.
What is the price of a Windows license? Also, you should take into account that your desktop probably need more energy and occupies a lot of space on your desk (or at the floor).
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Congratulations, and you can install up to 32GB of ram on it.
Recently on eBay I scored a used late 2009 Mini server and upgraded it to 8 GB RAM, a 240 GB SSD and a 1 TB 7200 rpm drive. Realised that this should suite me fine for at least the next couple years so no need for the new Mini when it comes out.
i7-4770k
Asus Z87-PRO
16 gig ram
GeForce 770
AData SX900 256 gig SSD
2x WD Black 4TB HDD
Case/PS/KB/Mouse.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Total, ~$1800.
Apple is clearly not the company it was just a few years ago. Killing off Aperture now? Based on what we've heard of OS 10.10, I'll be a lot happier with the switch to windows 7.
I have zero interest in iToys which means Apple now has zero appeal for me.
For what it's worth, I've mainly used macs since my powerbook G3 in 1998. I'm not officially done with Apple (I say that as I type this on my 2011 MBP which is probably the best machine I've ever owned, so I can't describe how disappointed I am with Timmy's Apple). The MBP is actually my newest Mac, and I averaged a new mac every 18 months from 1998 to 2011. There is just nothing in Apple's lineup I'd even consider buying today.
Asus Z87-PRO
16 gig ram
GeForce 770
AData SX900 256 gig SSD
2x WD Black 4TB HDD
Case/PS/KB/Mouse.
Windows 7 Home Premium
Total, ~$1800.
Apple is clearly not the company it was just a few years ago. Killing off Aperture now? Based on what we've heard of OS 10.10, I'll be a lot happier with the switch to windows 7.
I have zero interest in iToys which means Apple now has zero appeal for me.
For what it's worth, I've mainly used macs since my powerbook G3 in 1998. I'm not officially done with Apple (I say that as I type this on my 2011 MBP which is probably the best machine I've ever owned, so I can't describe how disappointed I am with Timmy's Apple). The MBP is actually my newest Mac, and I averaged a new mac every 18 months from 1998 to 2011. There is just nothing in Apple's lineup I'd even consider buying today.
If mow you have the computer you feel you need, or deserve, (though frankly all the bits listed mean little to me, or probably most average Apple users) and can live with Windows, cool, but .
Just what are your needs? Why the need for the bits specified?
How long will the beast remain cutting edge? Why the need to have the latest?
Why the need to change your Macs so often?
9 years a Mac owner, and I cannot see myself replacing my second, and current Mini soon, new Mini or not. Replacement won't be until it becomes more cost effective to replace my present Mini than repair, or upgrade it. My guess is that an SSD, mate more RAM and Yosemite will come first.
Fair questions. First I didn't really change my mac so often. I typically have 3 computers in regular use, a laptop, a desktop, and a media centre so the machines would get a good 5 years or so of solid use.
My needs are mostly photo-editing, the MBP is pretty slow at batch processing the raws, this machine flies through them. 8 TB of internal storage and the speed of an SSD is pretty nice to have too. The video card is for some gaming, and I'm hoping to get a 3D TV to play some games in 3D on it.
I don't really need the latest, but the extra I paid between this and a step down wasn't that much, and I imagine this will stay nice for a while the way tech is at a plateau now.
As far as what you said about keeping your mini going. My mbp has 16 gig of ram, a 256 gig SSD, and a 1 TB HDD in the optibay. My 2009 mini has 8 gig ram/ 640 gig HDD. All aftermarket upgrades. So I'm very much on the same page as you in that respect. The current laptops can't be upgraded which is why I will not buy one.
alternative
have had a 2006, 2009, 2010 Mac mini and currently have both the 2011 and 2012 base models, both with two SSD' s internally.
No longer prepared to wait I've ordered the PcFit computer - has a 5 year warranty plus it is fanless.
http://www.fit-pc.com/web/products/ipc2/
have had a 2006, 2009, 2010 Mac mini and currently have both the 2011 and 2012 base models, both with two SSD' s internally.
No longer prepared to wait I've ordered the PcFit computer - has a 5 year warranty plus it is fanless.
http://www.fit-pc.com/web/products/ipc2/
I'd get an user mid-2011 MacMini with discrete graphics (HD 6630M). It basically performs the same as an Intel HD 4000, but is cheaper. With the money savings I'd buy a big SATAIII SSD and 16GB of ram. No doubt it would be a better machine than a base 2012 Mini.
I just landed a 2012 Mini with quad core i7, 8GB RAM and a DIY 256GB SSD/1TB HDD Fusion Drive on MacRumors Marketplace for $600. Great little machine that is snappy and doesn't need the power savings offered by Haswell. Also picked up an 2011 Mini with dual core i5, 8GB RAM and 500GB HDD for $470 for my kids.
Holding out for a new 2014 Mini is pointless IMHO.
Holding out for a new 2014 Mini is pointless IMHO.
I bought the asus chromebox (base model) a couple months back.For only $199 it's literally the best value for $ I've ever spent on a computer. If apple ever does make a new mini I will probably still buy it,but this chromebox will stay as a killer internet computer!
Given Apple's abandonment of Aperture and their lack of interest in the mini I suspect my next machine will be running Windows. Probably either a small form factor desktop with discrete graphics or an Ultrabook with enough oomph to be used docked as a home machine. My current mini has a good few years left in it yet, but I'm struggling to see myself buying a Macbook Pro given the price, or an iMac given that I already own a screen.