So, no Mini

[saulinpa]

The mini is a laptop without a screen or keyboard. It has always been limited compared to a real desktop in terms of CPU, memory, and storage. If they keep that approach then the mini can keep on going as long as Apple has an interest. It doesn't have to advance, just be up to date to continue. If it is not making money then it does need to advance.

I did like the idea of mounting a mini on the back of a cinema display and calling it a modular iMac.

The real question is where the mini fits in Apple's lineup. It's still there but they no longer push the BYODKM model to win over Windows users so what is the mini's target market now?

 

[masterbaron]

"so what is the mini's target market now?"


... those seeking a "used computer"!

 

[Manatlt]

Lol, thank God I was born a Windows guy (and I'll forever stay a Windows guy). Love Windows 10 and personally it's better than Sierra.

However I do have a low-end 2014 Mac mini with an SSD modification. It's now used a Kodi box most of these days. I sort of regret upgrading to Sierra as it made my mini a bit slower. Never again I'll be upgrading on it.

 

[SoCalReviews]

I sort of regret upgrading to Sierra as it made my mini a bit slower. Never again I'll be upgrading on it.

High Sierra 10.13 shouldn't be any more resource intensive than Sierra and it might actually show improved performance with the move in 10.13 toward the new APFS file system which is suppose to offer built in TRIM and improved performance for SSDs. What you should do is after High Sierra is released in the Fall read the message boards regarding what people are saying about it's efficiency and compatibility with Macs using upgraded SSDs and then decide whether or not to upgrade.

 

[Lankyman]

Ultimately, for the time being, this is the world we live in ... I've been on Mac juice at home since the Centris and always used PC's at work. A hybrid solution is the best of both worlds while keeping fluid in both architectures. A NUC is economical enough over 3 years to be worth it as a viable interim solution until Apple gets it together and if not a gradual segue to Windows at home which I'm betting won't be necessary. The Apple ecosystem itself is now irreplaceable as long as I hold on to an iPhone.

Well the obvious answer is ditch the iPhone. I ditched mine a couple of years back for Android and discovered what a great world it is outside the Apple ecosystem. I have now built a new PC using Windows 10 with specs at a price the average Apple user can only dream about.

My only Apple device left is an ageing ATV 2 and that won't be replaced either. The money I have saved ditching my Apple devices is phenomenal. All this secrecy business has me in tucks of laughter. Make no mistake, if the authorities want to check your browsing habits they will secure a court order to find out via your ISP.

 

[LeeW]

I have now built a new PC using Windows 10 with specs at a price the average Apple user can only dream about.

I am an average Apple user, oddly I don't dream about having a spec I will never need. I pay more, sure, but I get what I want.

 

[McScooby]

I am an average Apple user, oddly I don't dream about having a spec I will never need. I pay more, sure, but I get what I want.

Point being until they are updated to Skylake or later they aren't capable of HEVC in High Sierra, maybe have seen the error of their ways & will launch the new TV as a new mini, then again not!!

 

[Micky Do]

I have now built a new PC using Windows 10 with specs at a price the average Apple user can only dream about.

My only Apple device left is an ageing ATV 2 and that won't be replaced either. The money I have saved ditching my Apple devices is phenomenal. All this secrecy business has me in tucks of laughter.

Yeah, yeah, but does anybody who doesn't give a hoot about Windows 10 give a hoot?

The only IT device I have is an ageing 2009 Mac Mini, with adequate specs for my humble needs, and the money and hassle I have saved (compared to colleagues) by not having to repair or replace smartphones, tablets and PCs is phenomenal. All this bragging rights nonsense has me in tucks of laughter.

 

[masterbaron]

Well the obvious answer is ditch the iPhone. I ditched mine a couple of years back for Android and discovered what a great world it is outside the Apple ecosystem. I have now built a new PC using Windows 10 with specs at a price the average Apple user can only dream about.

My only Apple device left is an ageing ATV 2 and that won't be replaced either. The money I have saved ditching my Apple devices is phenomenal. All this secrecy business has me in tucks of laughter. Make no mistake, if the authorities want to check your browsing habits they will secure a court order to find out via your ISP.

Actually, if I wanted to silo some aspects of my life or if I had a "secure" requirement that stands outside of connectivity to my home net and all its devices I would consider such a phone for that effort but I have a deep appreciation for having full access across all devices to all content and a well-served suite of apps that further extend those capabilities - this is the sole criteria that keeps me in the "wait" for Apple.

 

[Count Blah]

I am an average Apple user, oddly I don't dream about having a spec I will never need. I pay more, sure, but I get what I want.

I am an average Apple user. Apple no longer offers what I want. I am willing to pay more AND encourage friends and family to stick with Apple, but that darn part about "Apple no longer offers what I want". And the things I want, are what sold the rest of my friends and family, and have kept them happy Apple users for years.

VVVVV Oh well, just as my sig says VVVVV

 

[Altis]

The only IT device I have is an ageing 2009 Mac Mini, with adequate specs for my humble needs, and the money and hassle I have saved (compared to colleagues) by not having to repair or replace smartphones, tablets and PCs is phenomenal. All this bragging rights nonsense has me in tucks of laughter.

If I had a nickel for every post you mentioned "humble" needs, I could buy a 'brand new' 2014 Mini.

I do agree that a lot of people sure seem to blow a lot of money on computer stuff that doesn't actually accomplish much -- especially when I see how much money people blow on iPad Apps just to do the most basic stuff that any computer could do... without spending hundreds on an Apps for every task, and three more for every work-around.

I'm sure you'd be as humbled as I am by my 2010 17" MBP that has years of use still left in it.

 

[EmlynDewar]

My 2008 Macbook Pro with 8600GT (I'm amazed it still works) meets all my needs, but it's always more pleasant to use the speedier NUC.
Definitely agree with the above on trying to fit your life/work IT requirements to a specific device. Taking a streamlined process and making it worse to justify the shinier equipment!

 

[nebo1ss]

I bit the bullet a couple of years ago and bought the best mini available a used 2012 Quad core server.
It satisfies all of my existing requirements. It came with two 1 TB drives and i upgraded one of them to an 500 Gig SSD.

A better GPU would be nice but It does what i want at the moment.

 

[Lankyman]

I am an average Apple user, oddly I don't dream about having a spec I will never need. I pay more, sure, but I get what I want.

So have I and at a price way below what I was previously paying Apple. The old OS X is better than Windows is a long dead argument as they both do the same job. You then have to question is it worth paying a shed load of money extra for no gain.
[doublepost=1499342095][/doublepost]

Actually, if I wanted to silo some aspects of my life or if I had a "secure" requirement that stands outside of connectivity to my home net and all its devices I would consider such a phone for that effort but I have a deep appreciation for having full access across all devices to all content and a well-served suite of apps that further extend those capabilities - this is the sole criteria that keeps me in the "wait" for Apple.

You've also just described Android and for that matter Windows. Doesn't matter where in the world I am I can connect with my home NAS or any other device I own.
[doublepost=1499342181][/doublepost]

Yeah, yeah, but does anybody who doesn't give a hoot about Windows 10 give a hoot?

The only IT device I have is an ageing 2009 Mac Mini, with adequate specs for my humble needs, and the money and hassle I have saved (compared to colleagues) by not having to repair or replace smartphones, tablets and PCs is phenomenal. All this bragging rights nonsense has me in tucks of laughter.

Which makes one wonder why you are a contributor on a 'tech site'?

 

[Micky Do]

The old OS X is better than Windows is a long dead argument as they both do the same job. You then have to question is it worth paying a shed load of money extra for no gain.
[doublepost=1499342095][/doublepost]

Which makes one wonder why you are a contributor on an MacOS / Apple site.

As a not particularly tech savvy average Joe, I find OS X / Mac OS a lot easier to deal with than the alternatives. I can just do stuff with minimal hassle, without having to know much…. The generally reliable hardware and OS represents reasonable value, from my point of view.

If I had a nickel for every post you mentioned "humble" needs, I could buy a 'brand new' 2014 Mini.

Just by way of countering so many here who seem to see themselves as power users with special needs….. methinks, in truth, nothing more than bragging rights for many.

 

[LeeW]

The old OS X is better than Windows is a long dead argument as they both do the same job. You then have to question is it worth paying a shed load of money extra for no gain.

I have never said OS X is better than Windows, I certainly find it more useful and productive than Windows for what I do. It has its faults as everything does. I have often said that Windows 10 is their best version for a long time and if I had a need for it would have no hesitation using it for the right task.

You say no gain but I disagree, there is much gain, again that is my view.

 

[Altis]

Just by way of countering so many here who seem to see themselves as power users with special needs….. methinks, in truth, nothing more than bragging rights for many.

Bragging to whom? I don't think "many" people would spend their hard-earned money on specs that nobody even knows about but them just so they can brag about said specs to people who couldn't possibly care any less.

Not to mention they could just say they have it and it's not like anybody will care enough to want proof.

 

[masterbaron]

"people who couldn't possibly care any less."

Actually, those type of folks don't visit forums. I beg to differ - I've lurked for years and have learned from the vast differences in people, applications and solutions. Often I read posts which I have no practical interest in until I read them. I've gained from understandings and misunderstandings. What's most illuminating in all of this is the "human condition" our perceptions and actions!

and this ..

"I don't think "many" people would spend their hard-earned money on specs that nobody even knows about but them"

See that's interesting ... because since you wrote it - it registered with you ...

next question - why is it no one knows about those specs (if that's even true)?

Again, some people watch soap operas ... others may spend time thinking, asking questions ... finding answers.

It's all good! - even your comments!

 

[Lankyman]

I have never said OS X is better than Windows, I certainly find it more useful and productive than Windows for what I do. It has its faults as everything does. I have often said that Windows 10 is their best version for a long time and if I had a need for it would have no hesitation using it for the right task.

You say no gain but I disagree, there is much gain, again that is my view.

So can you list the gains then perhaps we could discuss the merits of these? I was talking to a friend of mine the other night who works in TV production and he was quite candid with his thoughts on this subject.

He really is what one might call a 'power user' who moved over to Windows quite some time ago now as did most of the studio. Reason - there's no longer a case for using a Mac as there isn't anything that a Mac can do that Windows can't do also, but the cost is much less in the Windows environment.

His take on forums such as this is - simply kids and bragging rights. Now I doubt many of us will be testing our computers to the same extent as they do in a pre and post-production studio environment and for me this puts these arguments/debates into perspective.

 

[LeeW]

So can you list the gains then perhaps we could discuss the merits of these?

Indeed I could, however, it's what is important to me, not you or anyone else. I really don't see why I need to justify my preferences. Like I said, my view, you may disagree but that's really not important.

 

[masterbaron]

"His take on forums such as this is - simply kids and bragging rights. Now I doubt many of us will be testing our computers to the same extent as they do in a pre and post-production studio environment and for me this puts these arguments/debates into perspective."

Wow - so basically ... there's more resident power in the existing technology than we will ever intelligently or needfully use to the point of ever having a meaningful conversation ... so to speak.
How about the "art of technology" ... how do you critique art or the appreciation of it. I don't game but if I was a gamer and the Mac was actually in the game of gaming - I'm sure this thread would be larger by orders of magnitude dude - discussing every nuance of wringing an extra cycle out of their processors some of which I'd find interesting.

... and whether children or not discussing 4K-8K and HVEC has opened my interest - without this forum I'd be clueless!

... how many times I've come here for one thing and learned something else.

 

[saulinpa]

Yes, it is all perspective. You could say anyone not scheduling time at a supercomputer center is obviously not a power user.

It still amazes me that there is more raw computing power and storage in a Mac mini than what was used to reach the moon. (someone please fact check that if I am wrong)

 

[Lankyman]

Indeed I could, however, it's what is important to me, not you or anyone else. I really don't see why I need to justify my preferences. Like I said, my view, you may disagree but that's really not important.

So what you are really saying is these are perceived/imaginary gains rather than anything tangible?

I get it I really do - there was a survey in the paper only a couple of weeks ago regarding the iPhone. Apparently this survey questioned x number of people as to why they chose an iPhone over other brands. Apart from brand recognition not one person could point to things the iPhone could do that other brands can't. Most of those questioned said they bought the phone because family and friends had them or because they thought it made them cool.
[doublepost=1499463780][/doublepost]

"His take on forums such as this is - simply kids and bragging rights. Now I doubt many of us will be testing our computers to the same extent as they do in a pre and post-production studio environment and for me this puts these arguments/debates into perspective."

Wow - so basically ... there's more resident power in the existing technology than we will ever intelligently or needfully use to the point of ever having a meaningful conversation ... so to speak.
How about the "art of technology" ... how do you critique art or the appreciation of it. I don't game but if I was a gamer and the Mac was actually in the game of gaming - I'm sure this thread would be larger by orders of magnitude dude - discussing every nuance of wringing an extra cycle out of their processors some of which I'd find interesting.

... and whether children or not discussing 4K-8K and HVEC has opened my interest - without this forum I'd be clueless!

... how many times I've come here for one thing and learned something else.

I haven't the first clue what it is you're trying to say?

 

[LeeW]

So what you are really saying is these are perceived/imaginary gains rather than anything tangible?

Not really sure what your hang up is, we know from your posts how it will go so let me do the whole conversation for you on why I prefer Apple.

Me: I prefer my Apple products and OS X because of a,b and c.

You: Windows can do a, b and c for less money and better hardware.

Me: wow, ok, I never knew that., you win....

Happy now? And that saved a lot of hassle.

Most of those questioned said they bought the phone because family and friends had them or because they thought it made them cool.

Perhaps, so what? Your point is? As long as it does what they want and they are happy with it why should there be an issue? Buying on recommendation is hardly anything new for all products in life. You point is not even relevant.

 

[masterbaron]

Lankyman" ... put another way:

The angst that non-pro users and pro-users experience with Apple cannot be tolerated in a "production environment" where thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars are invested in interoperability, standardization, published architecture, upgrade paths and software - that frame of reference doesn't work well with non-standard form-factors and the inability to swap and upgrade internals - thus Apple appears as a nuanced or niche product-line. I would expect nothing less in a production studio. Bragging rights aren't just relegated to "kids" since every sales pitch contains bragging rights.

... further anything that makes me feel like a kid in terms of enthusiasm or energy is probably a good thing!