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Mac Mini 2018 dream configuration

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
 
* 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.
 
Last edited:
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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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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Phlashman_ said:
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?
Click to expand...

No, nope, uh-uh...
 
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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
 
Never mind said:
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
Click to expand...

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...
 
Never mind said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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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....
 
gusping said:
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.
Click to expand...

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...

Tobias Funke said:
As log as I can put the RAM and SSD out of my 2011 MacBook Pro I will be happy.
Click to expand...

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