I don't understand your defending of Apple on this one as buying a new or refurb 2012 today gets you the same iWork suite. Also with a 2014, you're being forced to pay weeks pay now to get extra ram with no option to upgrade later and Aperture runs much faster with quad core when working with larger RAW files than a similarly equipped dual core that Apple likes to charge us the same for as yesteryears quad.
Not really defending Apple; more taking a neutral position.
RAM needs of some software have gone up exponentially over recent years, but maybe that has started to level off. Apple claims that Yosemite is makes more efficient use of RAM than it's predecessor. In the end the usefulness of computer is the sum of its parts, not the power of any one component.
Faster running Aperture and raw files with quad core may be of benefit to a professional photographer, or even an avid amateur, but that is neither me, nor many others I know.
I enjoy photography, especially taking action shots of sports, which others seem to appreciate in the local newspaper and on websites. I use a little Fujifilm X10, which has RAW, but it is not compatible with OS X (that came with the X20). Nothing fancy I know, but it fitted my budget. Easily carried on a motorcycle or bicycle, it suits my style.
For the most part iPhoto works OK, but Aperture could be of some benefit in editing. It would be nice to have, but not a must have, with a consequent need to have hardware to maximise its potential.
Are you able to get the refurbished Mini's in Thailand? The 2012 quad's are worth looking into if you can get one. I see your point about computers still getting cheaper over time but for Macrumors posters cheaper isn't worth bragging about. People want to talk about how fast they can run Handbrake and Geekbench.
My question is why did Apple bother updating the Mini if the performance hasn't been improved? Why not just leave it as it was for another year?
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My question too.
On reflection, although there has been no improvement in maximum performance, there has been no decline in day to day usability for the average Joe or Jill. The 2014 Mini, and Yosemite, come with some connectivity improvements that are likely to be of benefit to many in day to day use, especially those who have both OS X and iOS devices (I don't).
Refurbished Mini's in Thailand……?There is neither much of a 2nd hand market for anything here, nor the desperate need for annual updates. People tend to own things until they are no longer useful, or repair is no longer worthwhile.
I just had the engine overhauled on my 1997 motorcycle; it should be good for a few more years. Likewise, I'll probably pop in a SSD in my 2009 Mini and maybe a bit more RAM, and it will soldier on for a good while more.
The trend to a lack of repairability and upgradeability does instinctively bother me. On the other hand, with more reliable components, and more efficient software coming, maybe the need is now reduced. Time will tell.
The only windows computer I have is a VM running in osx. However, as a functioning human with a brain, I am not ruling out building a Windows 10 pc.
Really that is great you like the crippled mini, glad it works for you, but why defend apple's choice to limit it for the rest of us with their half cores, half the hdd space, soldered ram design?
Way to miss the point.
You were superhumanly quick to remove your signature, revealing that you don't own a Mac, just some hot rod PC and the odd iOS device.
You may enjoy bragging rights to having the fastest computer on the block, and tweaking it to take on all comers.
Who cares?
The humble Mac Mini is all the computer many need for their real world, and they have little interest in yours.
That sounds about right. When I first got my 2010 Mac Pro I had been using a late 2009 mini with a 7200RPM HDD. For fiddling around on the Net or writing something using Word I couldn't see much difference.
Later the mini was replaced with a 2012 2.3 quad. Both machines seemed like the same thing. They both used the same display, Apple full-sized keyboards and Mighty Mouse(s?). It was really hard to know which machine I was using until I opened Photoshop, Aperture or played a video.
The 2014 mini should be just fine for regular computing as long as one does not buy that cheapie ripoff version with 4GB RAM.
Welcome to the real world…… in which even the cheapie 4 GB Mini probably has a place.
), i guess that the quad will be faster
