Quad-core or discrete GPU?

[anjoh]

The 2011 Mac mini, with the Intel HD 3000 inside, does not support the OpenCL framework. In other word, they do not support the "greatest and most advanced" Apple's "technical innovation".
The Apple is "shy" on this subject, they even mentioned it, but you must be aware of this problem, like an "informed consumer".

Ok, I find this mentioned in several discussions. But could someone please explain what it means in practice if you don't have OpenCL support? Which type of Mac uses it will be disadvantegous for - perhaps gaming, HD editing, programming..?

 

[beginner17]

I guess Aperture uses OpenCL and most of work will be on the graphic card. No OpenCL, all the work is up to the CPU.

 

[cragmr]

Heat arises from the power consumed. The difference between the amount of heat from a 35w dual-core and that from 45w quad-core should be negligible. Because a quad-core consumes 10 W more power than a dual-core, not sufficient power within the safety margin is left to drive a dedicated graphical card. Note that other components also consumes power. This also explains why Apple discourages a second HDD in the dedicated graphical card model by not providing a BTO option for two HDDs.

But Apple COULD have made it happen. They just decided the costs required to redesign a PSU and/or case didn't offer enough profit potential. Perfectly fine business decision, but it sucks as consumer who wants the quad+discrete option.

 

[anjoh]

I guess Aperture uses OpenCL and most of work will be on the graphic card. No OpenCL, all the work is up to the CPU.

Ok, thanks. So is it currently only Aperture or are there some other?

 

[xheathen]

I don't honestly think the extra $100 is money not well spent. People are pitting the $100 against RAM or even SDD's. But with the dual core i7, it's a 10% boost. 10% is still 10%. So once you've got 8gb of ram, and even SSD, you might actually kick yourself for not getting the i7 for that little bump.

I think I'd purchase the i7 if it was Amazon, but the $760 price point for the i5 w/ no tax just makes it far too sweet. The apple store at $799+$100+tax makes it tough to swallow.

 

[Ice Dragon]

What would you suppose they put in the Quad mini as the discrete option? The 6490M with 256MB as with the base 15" MBP? Would that hurt sales of the 15" MBP?

 

[Mojo1]

Barefeats MacMini Speed Tests

http://barefeats.com/mini11_01.html

 

[Xcallibur]

What would you suppose they put in the Quad mini as the discrete option? The 6490M with 256MB as with the base 15" MBP? Would that hurt sales of the 15" MBP?

The 6490M offers little gain in graphical power than the integrated solution.