Mac Mini 2018 dream configuration

[Boil]

Socketed CPU - 9th Gen i5 thru i9 CPU options
Four RAM slots - up to 64GB RAM
Three M.2 NVMe SSD slots - up to 6TB storage
MXM-based GPU - Vega 56 w/8GB & Vega 64 w/16GB options

 

[Zorori]

* A decent processor 8th/9th gen, though something ARM based would be interesting...
* 4 slots of user upgradable ram upto 32GB, but I expect it will be be soldered.
* TB3 USB-C ports (of course, HMDI, USB3, audio in, and headphones would be nice!)
* NVMe SSDs

I'd be happy with the MBP15's internals though, HP Z2 Mini looks cool too.

I don't want an discrete graphics card. I am a developer, so I just want CPU performance. For a small unit an eGPU/external enclosure would be a better option.

 

[opeter]

After Apple will switch to ARM, the new Macs will be refreshed yearly. 😉

They could do that already, but didn't do. So no excuse for them.

 

[Smeaton1724]

Same size as the Apple TV 4/4K, single USB-C port, dual core, 8GB RAM soldered and 128GB PCIe storage base configuration, starting price 799.

On a serious note I would love this:
Configurations - Base, Mid, Max.
Processor - Dual, Quad, Hex.
Ram - 8, 16, 32.
Storage - 256, 1000, 2000.
Ports - x3 USB-C (1 for power), x2 USB-A, x1 HDMI, x1 ethernet, x1 SDXC on all configs.
Appearance - Same as existing case but different back plate for the ports.
Price - 499, 749, 999.

 

[Bearxor]

Socketed CPU - 9th Gen i5 thru i9 CPU options
Four RAM slots - up to 64GB RAM
Three M.2 NVMe SSD slots - up to 6TB storage
MXM-based GPU - Vega 56 w/8GB & Vega 64 w/16GB options

Thanks, I really needed that laugh today.

 

[brdeveloper]

Hexa-core, up to 64GB of RAM.

 

[Phlashman_]

I've been thinking about the new Mac Mini as I've got 2 27" thunderbolt monitor (one in an iMac) so a new iMac would be excessive spending. But the rumour of a Mac Mini Pro that "isn't that mini anymore" made me think...

What if Apple recycled the Mac Pro Trashcan design? It's small, it has 4 user upgradable RAM slots, the 1 NVMe slot on top of one of the graphics cards could be expanded to 2 (or maybe more) when they drop the secondary GPU. Put a desktop level GPU instead of an (old) workstation one and switch to i3,i5,i7,i9 z390 chipset. Thunderbolt 3 + USBCs all over the place for eGPU support. I'd buy it in a second.

Maybe they do this as a Mac Mini Pro, and then a low price one that has a design like the current Mac Mini?

 

[Boil]

I've been thinking about the new Mac Mini as I've got 2 27" thunderbolt monitor (one in an iMac) so a new iMac would be excessive spending. But the rumour of a Mac Mini Pro that "isn't that mini anymore" made me think...

What if Apple recycled the Mac Pro Trashcan design? It's small, it has 4 user upgradable RAM slots, the 1 NVMe slot on top of one of the graphics cards could be expanded to 2 (or maybe more) when they drop the secondary GPU. Put a desktop level GPU instead of an (old) workstation one and switch to i3,i5,i7,i9 z390 chipset. Thunderbolt 3 + USBCs all over the place for eGPU support. I'd buy it in a second.

Maybe they do this as a Mac Mini Pro, and then a low price one that has a design like the current Mac Mini?

No, nope, uh-uh...

 

[Never mind]

Being more realistic ......

i5 and i7
16 / 32 GB ram
Fast SSD 64 / 128 / 256
intel Graphic / upgrade to discrete graphic
Full size card reader
$ 749.00 > $ 849.00 max

 

[StellarVixen]

Apple doesn't do future proofing.

No, but you do, by buying the maxed out option.

With that, it is guaranteed that your device will be pretty immune to the tooth of time for at least 5 years.

 

[Boil]

Being more realistic ......

i5 and i7
16 / 32 GB ram
Fast SSD 64 / 128 / 256
intel Graphic / upgrade to discrete graphic
Full size card reader
$ 749.00 > $ 849.00 max

I seriously doubt Apple is going to go with a 64GB or a 128GB SSD for the low end of the new Mac Mini...

The lowest end MacBook Air & 13" MacBook Pro offer 128GB SSD options, but everything else in the Apple macOS computer lineup is 256GB or better...

I feel, here in 2018, with macOS Mojave, one needs at least a 256GB SSD...

 

[gusping]

Being more realistic ......

i5 and i7
16 / 32 GB ram
Fast SSD 64 / 128 / 256
intel Graphic / upgrade to discrete graphic
Full size card reader
$ 749.00 > $ 849.00 max

Prices are way too low for the high end option imo. I’d love a discrete GPU, but Apple hate them so I don’t think we’ll get one, even as an option.

 

[Tobias Funke]

As log as I can put the RAM and SSD out of my 2011 MacBook Pro I will be happy.

 

[Zackmd1]

The Mac variant of the Intel hades canyon nuc...

8th gen quad core
16gb ram upgradable
Removable SSD
AMD Vega M (similar to desktop rx 570)
Thunderbolt 3
Space grey

All in the same form factor and under $1k....

Seeings how that is not going to happen, Intel graphics it is....

 

[Boil]

Prices are way too low for the high end option imo. I’d love a discrete GPU, but Apple hate them so I don’t think we’ll get one, even as an option.

Which is why I could see the Kaby Lake G lineup as a viable option for a 'pro-focused' Mac Mini...

If Apple goes with a newer gen of Intel CPUs (Kaby Lake is 7th gen), like the 8th gen Coffee Lakes or the new 9th gen Coffee Lake refresh CPUs, then I would figure they would ensure that end-users can add an eGPU for discrete graphics...

As log as I can put the RAM and SSD out of my 2011 MacBook Pro I will be happy.

I would REALLY hope you cannot, as your MacBook Pro is using DDR3 RAM, modern systems are now using DDR4 RAM...

 

[ondert]

even just a Kaby Lake-G cpu option will be shocking for me.

 

[natallica]

Not soldered RAM & SSD. I'd love to see it be a bit more modular for upgrade/repair if they really are targeting the "pro" user -- although with the iMac Pro that seems to mean less upgradeable than the standard iMac!