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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

If something is announced this Tuesday I would definitely consider exchanging the 2012 version I just received a few days ago. However, I just don't see it happening and this computer is way more serviceable than people want to admit. I mean this thing is FAST! I think the new one (whenever it comes) will have soldered RAM and that just kills it for me. Who cares about a minuscule Haswell bump....not me.
 
If Apple solders the ram and puts non-upgradable SSD in the mini, I'll probably buy a Mac Pro eventually but not until about 2018 after I can no longer live with my current 2011 mini with its discrete graphics, 16GB of ram and dual drives. By 2018 maybe I could afford a Mac Pro. It would be my only choice.
 
I've had a Devil's Canyon hack Mini build sitting in my newegg cart for weeks. I know that as soon as I pull the trigger, a new Mini will be released the next day...

At this point, I don't see a reason for a refresh to anything less than Broadwell. So even if there is a 2014 Mini announcement, I will begrudgingly buy it and immediately begin waiting for the next refresh.

determined-fumanchu-computer-stare.png
 
It can happen now

Gave up and put the mini money toward a new 15 inch rMBP. Enjoy your minis this Tuesday. I'll be out of the market for a long time now.
 
To recap what hardware is available as of today for a Mid-2014 Mini

1) Best option: 1999$ 15" rMBP guts (47W quad core mobile Haswell)

2) Middle option: 1299$ 13" rMBP guts (28W dual core mobile Haswell)

3) Backwards option: 1099$ 13" MBP guts (35W dual core mobile Ivy Bridge)

4) Downgrade option: 1099$ iMac guts (15W ULV Air-grade dual core ultramobile Haswell)

5) Weird thinking-out-of-the-box option: 4.5W Broadwell-M x86 OSX hockey puck device
 
giggles said:
To recap what hardware is available as of today

1) Best option: 1999$ 15" rMBP guts (47W quad core mobile Haswell)

2) Middle option: 1299$ 13" rMBP guts (28W dual core mobile Haswell)

3) Backwards option: 1099$ 13" MBP guts (35W dual core mobile Ivy Bridge)

4) Downgrade option: 1099$ iMac guts (15W ULV Air-grade dual core ultramobile Haswell)

5) Weird thinking-out-of-the-box option: 4.5W Broadwell-M x86 OSX hockey puck device
Click to expand...

you are most likely to get #5
 
It should be noted that Broadwell-M is being FABBED now (according to chinese rumors), doesn't mean there's enough time to reach "ready to ship" status, to be shipped to Apple and to end up in early August Minis.

If they're going to go "low profile press release", it's supposed to read "Apple unveils XXXXXXXXXXX, available TODAY". Can't have that with Broadwell-M next tuesday, probably.
 
giggles said:
It should be noted that Broadwell-M is being FABBED now (according to chinese rumors), doesn't mean there's enough time to reach "ready to ship" status, to be shipped to Apple and to end up in early August Minis.

If they're going to go "low profile press release", it's supposed to read "Apple unveils XXXXXXXXXXX, available TODAY". Can't have that with Broadwell-M next tuesday, probably.
Click to expand...

about November :) I think they will lower the price to $499.
--------
Next year Apple will probably add U series I5 and I7.
All just another opinion.
 
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a "hockey puck" computer would not be a "Mac mini" anymore ... As I see it, the purpose of the Mac mini never was to make a computer as small as possible, but to make a powerful small computer that's capable of delivering big performance!

2012 the i7 mini shared most internals with the 2012-MBP. if the MID 2014 Mac mini leaves that route, and doesn't get quad core and much better graphics, they could as well rename it the "low end Mac".

let's hope the release of the low-end iMac was a one-time black out at APPLE! (although the iPhone 5c would also qualify for this section).
 
"this thing is FAST!"

justinTlME said:
... this thing is FAST!
Click to expand...

Thank you justinTime!

You expressed my take on this entire update/solder/cancel [mini]drama in four simple words. I do some video and plenty of still photography but little else that can tax this i7/8Gb/1.12Tb Fusion drive Mac mini. When I use Handbrake or other video software, this 2012 mini sometimes heats up and starts humming but otherwise it never breaks a sweat. Now when I use Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software to process my DSLR images I strain to remember what s l o w felt like with the Windows version of the program. Whether processing RAW files or their smaller JPEG twins, DPP seldom pauses and I love the sensation of power. I will be happy for you folks when (if) Apple finally updates the Mac mini but next Tuesday I will be satisfied with what I have regardless of the news on the Internet.
 
gto55 said:
mac mini to be announced today with broadwell CPU? :p
Some informations about the upcoming GPU




Image
Click to expand...

Interesting articles and I can see the Mini getting a Broadwell Y series coming this fall with U series coming next year.
Skylake will introduce the best new features though with DDR4 and improve PCI and wireless charging.
 
Crosscreek said:
Interesting articles and I can see the Mini getting a Broadwell Y series coming this fall with U series coming next year.
Skylake will introduce the best new features though with DDR4 and improve PCI and wireless charging.
Click to expand...

Broadwell-Y Version targets tablets platforms, the U version seems to more suitable for a mini IMHO ;)

BGA package:
Broadwell-Y: System-on-chip (SoC); 4.5 W and 3.5 W TDP classes, for tablets and certain ultrabook-class implementations. GT2 GPU will be used, while maximum supported memory is 8 GB of LPDDR3-1600.[7] These will be the first chips to roll out, and are expected for Q3/Q4 2014. At Computex 2014, Intel announced that these chips will be branded as Core-M.[8]

Broadwell-U: SoC; two TDP classes – 15 W for 2+2 and 2+3 configurations (two cores with a GT2 or GT3 GPU),[9] and 28 W for the 2+3 configuration (two cores with a GT3 GPU). Designed to be used on motherboards with the PCH-LP chipset for Intel's ultrabook and NUC platforms. Maximum supported memory is either 16 GB of DDR3L-1600, or 8 GB of LPDDR3-1600. The 2+2 configuration is scheduled for Q4 2014, while the 2+3 is estimated for Q1 2015.[6]

Broadwell-H: 37 W and 47 W TDP classes, for motherboards with HM86, HM87, QM87 and the new HM97 chipsets for "all-in-one" systems, mini-ITX form-factor motherboards, and other small footprint formats. It may come in two different variants, as single and dual chips; the dual chips (4 cores, 8 threads) will have GT3e and GT2 GPU, while a single chip (SoC; 2 cores, 4 threads) will have GT3e GPU. Maximum supported memory is 32 GB of DDR3L-1600.[7] These are scheduled for Q2 2015.[6]
 
gto55 said:
Broadwell-Y Version targets tablets platforms, the U version seems to more suitable for a mini IMHO ;)

BGA package:
Broadwell-Y: System-on-chip (SoC); 4.5 W and 3.5 W TDP classes, for tablets and certain ultrabook-class implementations. GT2 GPU will be used, while maximum supported memory is 8 GB of LPDDR3-1600.[7] These will be the first chips to roll out, and are expected for Q3/Q4 2014. At Computex 2014, Intel announced that these chips will be branded as Core-M.[8]

Broadwell-U: SoC; two TDP classes – 15 W for 2+2 and 2+3 configurations (two cores with a GT2 or GT3 GPU),[9] and 28 W for the 2+3 configuration (two cores with a GT3 GPU). Designed to be used on motherboards with the PCH-LP chipset for Intel's ultrabook and NUC platforms. Maximum supported memory is either 16 GB of DDR3L-1600, or 8 GB of LPDDR3-1600. The 2+2 configuration is scheduled for Q4 2014, while the 2+3 is estimated for Q1 2015.[6]

Broadwell-H: 37 W and 47 W TDP classes, for motherboards with HM86, HM87, QM87 and the new HM97 chipsets for "all-in-one" systems, mini-ITX form-factor motherboards, and other small footprint formats. It may come in two different variants, as single and dual chips; the dual chips (4 cores, 8 threads) will have GT3e and GT2 GPU, while a single chip (SoC; 2 cores, 4 threads) will have GT3e GPU. Maximum supported memory is 32 GB of DDR3L-1600.[7] These are scheduled for Q2 2015.[6]
Click to expand...

I agree with you only I think Apple will introduce a lower price Mini with the Y chip for $499 and then next year when the U chips are ready they will offer the I5 and I7 at normal prices. Just my OP.
 
Crosscreek said:
I agree with you only I think Apple will introduce a lower price Mini with the Y chip for $499 and then next year when the U chips are ready they will offer the I5 and I7 at normal prices. Just my OP.
Click to expand...
Both of these would be good outcomes although would Apple realy introduce a Mini with 8GB ram max (Broadwell-Y comments by gto55)?
 
Jambalaya said:
Both of these would be good outcomes although would Apple realy introduce a Mini with 8GB ram max (Broadwell-Y comments by gto55)?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure of the Y specs but it seems gto55 has max RAM at 8 which would be fine for a Y series as it is the least powerful of Broadwell.

I use 8gb in my 2012 Mini and use a RAM scrubber so when RAM reaches 50mb
the ram is scubed and replenished so it never writes to the HD.

Apple would provide 16 gb for I5 and I7 Broadwell.
 
So would the current quad core be better than a new mini with y or u chips discounting any graphics advantages?
 
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I'm sure the announcement will fall upon the tuesday immediately following the end of my 15-day return window for my refurb 2.6 i7.
 
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