Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MAC MINI (NEW) UNDERWHELMING
- Thread starter HappyDude20
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Very silly to think underwhelming. This is a solid strategic update. Potential imac buyers will probably buy new mac mini, that is why no imac. I will be selling my 8-core trash can to buy mac mini. When I attach my Node pro egpu with vega 64 and old thunderbolt display this little box will all things a 2013 mac pro will do plus more. This setup will be just as powerful as any new fully spec'd iMac.
Indeed, this seems to be the only really shortcoming of the new Mac mini. For the rest it feels like a solid upgrade. The price gouging on storage however is ridiculous.
I think once you've chosen to upgrade the RAM yourself you'll be able to offset some of that gouging and it will only be feel moderately overpriced at the end of the day.
I just stated that it's a great update, because it is a great update.
Last edited by a moderator:
I just don't buy into this mantra of 'you can just add external storage'. All you end up with is a load of cables and a less secure and reliable method of storage. I much prefer my current option on my self build windows PC i.e. 500 gig SSD and room to add at least another 4 HDDs and about 4 SSDs should I wish that.
Oh, and I can upgrade to the latest and greatest processor any time I wish. The Mini could have offered so much but yet again Apple builds a 'disposable' PC.
[doublepost=1540978566][/doublepost]Having just priced up the Mini I'm shocked at the prices.
Going with the i5 3.0GHz with 16 gigs of RAM and a 500 gig SSD runs out at £1460. That's an eye watering amount of money when you consider you then need a lot more external storage and if you haven't already got them a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse.
When I look at what I have built for around £650 pounds the Mini is a gouge of epic proportions. I would much rather have larger form factor and larger bank balance than smaller form factor and smaller bank balance.
wow - no one sees your sarcasm
Well played!Who are you? Please teach me your craft.
I didn't expect upgradeable SSD since Apple has already gone that way on the MacBook line.
Mac Mini looks like another stop gap or maybe better a stepping stone to the Mac Pro modular format. You could never order this much power in a mac Mini before afaik, it clearly has been repositioned to cater for all budgets and use cases.
I suggested back in this 2017 thread - 2018 Modular Mac Pro might take lead from Mac Mini
What I saw with today's Mac Mini update makes me believe this is even more the case. Pun intended! Think about it, Mac Mini Pro - x2.5 time taller x1000 modular
- user accessible disk array now on top
- space do allow extra thermal cooling.
That's all Apple have to do is go up!
The case is a great format already. Taller would easily allow more user configurable options and thermal cooling in still a neat and stable foot print, Pro's don't really want it smaller afaict. In real world apps you get a light laptop for that, a nice robust box (yes getting back toward the original Next computer) would be completely tolerated once it could be racked with more power.
It is also in line with Apple product design vernacular - like their wireless router time capsules, which have vertically enclosed HD's.
I suggested back in this 2017 thread - 2018 Modular Mac Pro might take lead from Mac Mini
What I saw with today's Mac Mini update makes me believe this is even more the case. Pun intended! Think about it, Mac Mini Pro - x2.5 time taller x1000 modular
- user accessible disk array now on top
- space do allow extra thermal cooling.
That's all Apple have to do is go up!
The case is a great format already. Taller would easily allow more user configurable options and thermal cooling in still a neat and stable foot print, Pro's don't really want it smaller afaict. In real world apps you get a light laptop for that, a nice robust box (yes getting back toward the original Next computer) would be completely tolerated once it could be racked with more power.
It is also in line with Apple product design vernacular - like their wireless router time capsules, which have vertically enclosed HD's.
Mac Mini looks like another stop gap or maybe better a stepping stone to the Mac Pro modular format. You could never order this much power in a mac Mini before afaik, it clearly has been repositioned to cater for all budgets and use cases.
I suggested back in this 2017 thread - 2018 Modular Mac Pro might take lead from Mac Mini
What I saw with today's Mac Mini update makes me believe this is even more the case. Pun intended! Think about it, Mac Mini Pro - x2.5 time taller x1000 modular
- user accessible disk array now on top
- space do allow extra thermal cooling.
That's all Apple have to do is go up!
The case is a great format already. Taller would easily allow more user configurable options and thermal cooling in still a neat and stable foot print, Pro's don't really want it smaller afaict. In real world apps you get a light laptop for that, a nice robust box (yes getting back toward the original Next computer) would be completely tolerated once it could be racked with more power.
It is also in line with Apple product design vernacular - like their wireless router time capsules, which have vertically enclosed HD's.
How would you install a WX9100, RTX 2080, or even a RX-580 in such a case?
@HappyDude20, so what made you disappointed? You posted your complaint and now 87 posts later you haven't backed up your complaints. I will admit that I'm not in the market for a mini but it does look like a solid update. What were you expecting?
No. You can pau $1099 for an i7 if you dont need the extra gb in the ssd which i dont
You could but it's annoying and for ultimate reliability I would suggest a TB3 SSD (which are way too expensive unfortunately) over a USB 3 version...
I'm not sure about Mojave, but OSX still hasn't adopted TRIM over USB whilst Windows has had it for years now.... TRIM does work over TB3 on MacOS though...
Yea video cards (I think Apples hates them) but that's where modular kicks in or eGPU I guess.
Modular - When I hear the term Modular, I never think of internal components as being modular, so it's a question of what your base line is for modular.
When I first outlined this idea someone linked to the HP Eltie Slice and rightly so. I wasn't aware of it but it demonstrated the simple concept. I mean it was even suggested by Apple designs of the past like the time capsule same format taking it's lead from the mac mini, they could have expanded on this more agreesivley, a white plastic mac mini modular concept for semi-pro's. Then provide a Pro aluminium version.
Apple established as far as I am aware, this form ahead of the industry which then followed, but Apple didn't follow through on it's natural evolution. The HP elite slice demonstrates the potential evolution of the MM today. I think Apple might consider this approach to a point and only have to reference their previous designs for acknowledgement without having to admit paying homage to the more recent competition.
What I outlined and envisioned was the CPU as a base unit direct from the Mac Mini from, as it presented the ideal existing design, increase the height a couple inches or centimetres taller and you have a base Mac Mini Pro unit in a familiar and estbalished format - from this you can addition case modules i.e. Stacked!
Right now the MM looks like it's a bit closer to going in a base unit direction or role. Apple have put desktop CPU's in there if I'm not mistaken instead of mobile. That's a real change.
What's to stop a 8/12 core or higher core CPU or dual CPU going in there? Well ,maybe space. A few inches on that wouldn't bother too many pro's, nor destroy the aesthetic, especially if it allowed user accessible drive bays, even two might suffice in a base. A few more inches and we're into NEXT Cube computing territory again!
Maybe PRO users who really need GFX power might be able to pick a CPU MMP base and spend the money on GFX stack, for single or multi GFX card array. That housing might even have it's own independent cooling architecture putting no strain on the base unit.
Then there are those who might favour more storage, buy a decent base that fits and then addition a storage array expansion, a passive cooling architecture might work here again, putting no strain on the base unit. Integrated GFX is fine here because this is a headless machine that's for Data so why waste money here.
Of course none of this might fit into Apple bold new T2 world and so the point is moot.
Example pricing.
A BASE Unit MMP 6 Core/256 SSD/16GB €999
- There could be many base units configs, 8/12/16 core CPU's, x2 drive array (max)
Modular Case options (empty & guesstimate prices for illustrative purposes only)
B1 GFX ARRAY x2 Cards $499
B2 GFX ARRAY x4 Cards $699
C1 Storage Array x4 $399
C2 Storage Array x8 $499
D1 Memory Array x 24 modules $299
D2 Memory Array x 48 modules $399
Say you want 16 drives on a headless, you buy x2 C2
A + C1x2 = $1997 - you have a function base computer ready to take 16 SSD's of your choosing.
If you want apple to fill those slots maybe $50,000!!!
That's my take on modular. I can see Mac Pro users exercising bragging rights as to who MMP is bigger/taller without falling over!
I can also see a fine after market trade in modular units. I can see nice margins for Apple on modular units.
Let the Pro user decided the hardware and components configuration they desire rather than having to buy stuff that isn't utilised in a one box fits all applications, yea different spec ordered is the OLD modular way but this is case modular.
It might cost the usual Apple price, at least in this scenario your money is actually better spent and specifically builds the machine you want with future expansion baked in or always available at fixed cost, not simply install the component in the one-size fits all box.
Instead of settling for compromises. Peopel might buy more than one MMP in alternative fongisue for different work, they might buy top spec base unit for sheer CPU farming. Who knows.
Extra note: The HP elite Slice uses USB-C connectivity to connect the modular stacks, I had imagined TB when I was thinking about it so the idea is proven in simple terms.
/Or/
Apple will just give you a refined chess grater traditional desktop BOX with better use of materials and layout to maximise components and airflow for cutting edge stacks.
You realize the picture you posted SHOWS the removeable/upgradeable RAM. LOL
Overall, this is a solid update to the Mac Mini.
I just don't buy into this mantra of 'you can just add external storage'. All you end up with is a load of cables and a less secure and reliable method of storage. I much prefer my current option on my self build windows PC i.e. 500 gig SSD and room to add at least another 4 HDDs and about 4 SSDs should I wish that.
Oh, and I can upgrade to the latest and greatest processor any time I wish. The Mini could have offered so much but yet again Apple builds a 'disposable' PC.
[doublepost=1540978566][/doublepost]Having just priced up the Mini I'm shocked at the prices.
Going with the i5 3.0GHz with 16 gigs of RAM and a 500 gig SSD runs out at £1460. That's an eye watering amount of money when you consider you then need a lot more external storage and if you haven't already got them a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse.
When I look at what I have built for around £650 pounds the Mini is a gouge of epic proportions. I would much rather have larger form factor and larger bank balance than smaller form factor and smaller bank balance.
I think the sweet spot is the base i5 config. If you need more RAM, get it second hand (assuming user replacement is allowed, as it looks like its doable). If you need more than 256 GB storage, find a decent DAS enclosure. I am certainly not thrilled about the storage options and prices, but the bump to 256 and an i5 is not an absurd upgrade price for Apple. The issue is at $1050 after education discount is a decent overpay (especially considering it doesn't come with keyboard/mouse or monitor). Also, upgrades after that point though are pretty nuts; tacking on another $400 just to make it 16GB/500GB is a #@$& deal....
I was hoping to replace an old 2011 MBP that was now basically functioning as the 'shared home PC' for the wife and young kids with the Mini or maybe some other computer Apple announced yesterday, but the prices on the mini and disjointed laptop lineup are giving me pause. I don't really need the horse power of the 6 core i5, but its nearly free after the 256 GB upgrade which I think is more or less essential. And at $1050 for just the box, its definitely not in the simple home pc price range I was hoping for. So, does that mean I just go for the Air? Which could offer similar specs, but include a portable keyboard and monitor for ~$300 more? I might wait to see what the hell happens with the iMac line, which I can't imagine is going to remain slower than the Mac Mini line for long.
It's actually excellent for the subset of the cost conscious crowd that actually doesn't need graphics to a high degree.
Think of this:
With the 2013 Mac Pro, the only way to get the CPU power it provided was to also pay for two workstation class graphics cards, whether you actually needed them or not.
Today you can buy a macOS machine with outstanding disk I/O capability, nice amounts of CPU power and a "good enough" amount of RAM for a lot of realistic use cases, and you don't pay at all for a GPU unless you need it. If you do need one, you've got your Apple-supported choice of either an RX580 or a Vega 64, and either can be "upgraded" down the road by replacing just the eGPU and not the entire machine.
Too bad Apple didn't at least offer the Iris Plus variants on the 4 core models as an olive leaf for those who are willing to lose 2 cores for more GPU. AFAIK, there's no 6 core variants of coffee lake with Iris plus...
Yea this is really sad.
I'm very hesitated to grab one because of this.
I'm currently using a 13in MBP with Iris Plus 650 - which is already struggling driving my monitor setup. And the 630 is much worse than 650 (50% of the pipelines).
I guess Apple want people to get eGPUs but they are pretty much as expensive as a mid-range Mac Mini.
I do have a GTX 1080 around but no official nVidia card support from Apple is another huge let down.
I would have preferred more USB-a style ports vis-a-vis USB-c ports.
I'm also wary of the t2 chip.
I understand there is a preference setting to partially disable it, but I'm wondering if there are other methods to completely bypass it? Or at least disable drive encryption?
The LAST THING I want on my personal Mini is for the drive to be encrypted.
I WANT it to be "easy to get to". I realize some folks may not understand that, but that's what I want.
Other than that, it looks good.
I've had a 2012 Mini since January 2013, probably the best Mac I've ever owned.
But I'll need to replace it with either a 2018 Mini or a 2017 (or possibly 2019) iMac before the end of next summer, because I want a Mac that will run 32-bit software "into the future" (and any Macs starting with OS 10.15 in the fall of 2019 WON'T be able to run it any more).
I'm also wary of the t2 chip.
I understand there is a preference setting to partially disable it, but I'm wondering if there are other methods to completely bypass it? Or at least disable drive encryption?
The LAST THING I want on my personal Mini is for the drive to be encrypted.
I WANT it to be "easy to get to". I realize some folks may not understand that, but that's what I want.
Other than that, it looks good.
I've had a 2012 Mini since January 2013, probably the best Mac I've ever owned.
But I'll need to replace it with either a 2018 Mini or a 2017 (or possibly 2019) iMac before the end of next summer, because I want a Mac that will run 32-bit software "into the future" (and any Macs starting with OS 10.15 in the fall of 2019 WON'T be able to run it any more).
Likewise.. I have nothing that uses USB-C/Thunderbolt.. but have more than two USB 2.0/3.0 devices. That and the T2 chip is tied into the SSD apparently. Sure would be nice if they kept the 2.5" HDD option so one could swap it out with a SSD instead of a surface mount one.
Perhaps after reading every single of these replies I’m seeing the preciousnessof the new security updated features.
Yesterday a part of me was considering buying an older Mac Mini and upgrading that myself but obviously shelling out a few more hundred bucks for yesterday’s new Mac Mini would be best. However, I have a perfectly well running iMac 2013 w/ 16GB and a 1TB of HDD space.
I thought this was going to be a personal decision between the new Mac Mini, old Mac Mini or the 13’ Mac Pro. I’ve been trying my darndest to not think about their portable line
I just want the most future proof machine I can think of. The Mac Pro isn’t slow by any means but it’s sad to think it’ll be seen as the unwanted forgotten child in a few years. Personally I think the Mac Pro is freaking beautiful. The Mac Mini is more beautiful on the inside.
Yesterday a part of me was considering buying an older Mac Mini and upgrading that myself but obviously shelling out a few more hundred bucks for yesterday’s new Mac Mini would be best. However, I have a perfectly well running iMac 2013 w/ 16GB and a 1TB of HDD space.
I thought this was going to be a personal decision between the new Mac Mini, old Mac Mini or the 13’ Mac Pro. I’ve been trying my darndest to not think about their portable line
I just want the most future proof machine I can think of. The Mac Pro isn’t slow by any means but it’s sad to think it’ll be seen as the unwanted forgotten child in a few years. Personally I think the Mac Pro is freaking beautiful. The Mac Mini is more beautiful on the inside.