Mac mini 2014 edition possible or not?

[Xanix]

Hello to all and Happy Easter to you and you're family.


There's a lot of rumors and questions on my mind right now…
Currently, I've a 2010 Mac Pro and a MacBook Air from 2012. They're serving me well.

On the other day, I was on an Apple retail store and they have the New Mac Pro. I was astunised with the size and power of that "animal"! The problem is, I can't justify the purchase of another Mac Pro right now!

Then the mini comes to the rescue. i7 at 2.6 GHz (4 real cores and 4 virtual cores) + 16 GB ram + 265 SSD makes it like a mini Pro. The problem is, of corse, the graphic card. I just hate that integrated GPU option. Why don't they add a Ati or Nvidia card to it?

Mac mini

i7 2,6 GHz
16 GB SDRAM
256 GB SDD
Intel HD 4000
*1.458,99€


Mac Pro

Xeon 3,7 GHz
12 GB ECC RAM
256 GB SDD
2 x FirePro D300
*3.099,00€

- Will they redesign the case, to look like a mini Mac Pro?
- Will it be possible to BTO a dedicated card with at least 1024 GB of ram?
*Like the Clash one; "Should I stay or should I go?"

My main use from my Macs is, Work on OS X and some Gaming on Windows.
Heavy games; DCS simulation collection, ARMA III, Elite Dangerous, Star Citizen...

This design is interesting!
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1725027/ (mojolicious)

Kind regards to all,
Xanix

 

[Micky Do]

You might find out on Tuesday.

Anybody care to guess how long this thread will ramble on?

 

[simonmet]

If Apple don't give the mini a MAJOR upgrade and redesign this year I have serious concerns about the Apple board and Tim Cook.

Having said that, Apple have been moving away from "off the shelf" components like 2.5" drives that contain too much wasted space in favour of stripping out the bare essential memory chips and putting these onto the motherboards, allowing them to both slim down their products and create radical new designs.

The Mini already lost its optical drive so if Apple moves the Mini to SSD-only it gives them scope to play with or abandon the square brick design the mini has had its entire life.

With fast PCI SSD and Iris graphics (optional Iris Pro!) the mini could become competitive again. I don't think Apple will ever put discreet graphics in the Mini though. Not even the 13" rMBP has a discreet graphics card.

A circular design would be cool!

 

[Donoban]

Mac Pro Mini. That would be so cool!

Agree with your points. I don't think there has been a compelling reason for Apple to upgrade the mini to date. Like you pointed out, the top end specs are still quite impressive.

I think we'll see a new version this year. A Mac Pro inspired design might raise interest and the profile of the Mini.

We'll just have to wait and see.

I hope this thread gets at least 10 pages of random posts.

 

[iMacFarlane]

Here's my dream for the Mini...

(At WWDC):
Phil Schiller: "You asked for an updated Mac Mini. We watched the trends and as your technology leader, realized an incremental upgrade or repackaging of old ideas wasn't good for you or for us. We built a smaller, better, sleeker Mini that can outperform it's predecessors, while simultaneously launching a new market for Apple and our major new affiliate. Please welcome our special guest to tell you more"

Out walks Gabe Newell.

 

[dasx]

I currently own a 2012 Mini with a 2.6GHz i7, 16GB of custom installed RAM, Apple's (Samsung's) 256GB SSD and a custom installed 1TB WD Blue.

It's been serving me incredibly well until a couple of months ago, when I started to work with Final Cut Pro. Damn, process and render times are quite large for 60fps 1080p footage... not to mention 2.7K or 4K...

I'm guessing we will see a new Mini in 2014, I just don't know whether or not to upgrade. My 2010 Mini sold quite good, so I'll definitely consider the possibility.

 

[imageWIS]

The next mini doesn't need discrete graphics, just an Iris Pro option, as well as user-upgradable RAM.

 

[mojolicious]

"We built a smaller, better, sleeker Mini"

Nah. I'd be disappointed if it was ensleekified. Firstly because it'll be an excuse to make it as non-user-serviceable as a modern iMac, and secondly because the current Mini sports Apple's most handsome case since the white polycarbonate iMacs.

 

[iZac]

Here's my dream for the Mini...

(At WWDC):
Phil Schiller: "You asked for an updated Mac Mini. We watched the trends and as your technology leader, realized an incremental upgrade or repackaging of old ideas wasn't good for you or for us. We built a smaller, better, sleeker Mini that can outperform it's predecessors, while simultaneously launching a new market for Apple and our major new affiliate. Please welcome our special guest to tell you more"

Out walks Gabe Newell.

*mind blown*

 

[Q-Dog]

That little donut shaped Mini idea probably will not happen. Heat rises, and the tall design of the Pro helps to cool the internals. A short version of this would be a design without a function, and that's not the way Apple does things. The only way a short version works is with a fan.