The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[dudedude]

The mini is in a weird place right now. Looking at the options like the new Zotac and the Brix Pro (with Iris graphics) they sound powerful but according to early reviews the only machine that doesn't sound like a jet plane is the i5 brix pro (which is red which is annoying) since during normal tasks it doesn't rev up. Some are saying the i7 brix pro is dealing with heat issues. It sounds the same for the Zotac machine...fans are constantly on.

The current mini is bigger than these machines but at 35 and 45 watts they seem to generate less heat than the full on 65 watt processors found in these other models. The problem is we aren't getting the updated graphics (yet) in the mini.

On the other end of the spectrum you have the newer intel Nucs and Brix computers like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164007

These have newer processors and use very little power but in terms of performance don't seem to offer a benefit over the current processors with only a marginal bump in graphics. A quick comparison at CPU Boss declares no winner although I wonder about the lower clock speed on the brix. If you read the full comparison it sounds like the Mini wins out.

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4200U-vs-Intel-Core-i5-3210M

The one advantage the lesser brix has is it's size as it's actually much smaller than a mini. The question though does apple want to shrink the device and sacrifice some oomph or wait to do it when Broadwell releases and they can get a new design and a spec bump at the same time?

I'm actually considering a little i5 brix now with the i5 4200U but again with reviews reports seem mixed. Some say it's loud some say it's silent.

I really want to wait it out until Apple releases something but I'm starting to wonder if they will wait it out.

 

[kissmo]

Looking forward for an update

I am also on the edge - although I will have no choice but to buy the one available.

I have a friend going to US during the last week of this month.
i am praying for the updated mini to come out till then because prices in US are way lower than in E. Europe

I always buy something and soon an update comes along. This is how it was always happening but it's nothing I can control.

It would be nice though to get at least this time something new.

For me - in the beginning - I would use the mini for server purposes - then I would like to go forward towards some photo editing - but Apple Cinema displays are ridiculously priced in stores here....
I think I will go for an i5, and do RAM and SSD upgrade myself.

 

[squirrrl]

The one advantage the lesser brix has is it's size as it's actually much smaller than a mini. The question though does apple want to shrink the device and sacrifice some oomph or wait to do it when Broadwell releases and they can get a new design and a spec bump at the same time?

I'm actually considering a little i5 brix now with the i5 4200U but again with reviews reports seem mixed. Some say it's loud some say it's silent.

I really want to wait it out until Apple releases something but I'm starting to wonder if they will wait it out.

You are not taking into account the power brick in the size of the brix. Mac mini has the power brick INSIDE the mac mini so the power cord is just that, a cord. With the Brix and other small form factor computers, the power brick is attached to the power cable. It's not that these other makes have made their computers smaller, they have just chosen to put one component outside the main box while apple has chosen a cleaner form factor. If this doesn't matter to you, then that's fine, but for me, I like that when I want to travel with my mac mini, I don't have to carry a bulky power cord with me.

 

[dudedude]

You are not taking into account the power brick in the size of the brix. Mac mini has the power brick INSIDE the mac mini so the power cord is just that, a cord. With the Brix and other small form factor computers, the power brick is attached to the power cable. It's not that these other makes have made their computers smaller, they have just chosen to put one component outside the main box while apple has chosen a cleaner form factor. If this doesn't matter to you, then that's fine, but for me, I like that when I want to travel with my mac mini, I don't have to carry a bulky power cord with me.

No that's a good point, I always forget that.

 

[Schnort]

I personally like the power brick configuration. It keeps the waste heat of the power supply out of the system and makes thermal management easier.

 

[mvmanolov]

You are not taking into account the power brick in the size of the brix. Mac mini has the power brick INSIDE the mac mini so the power cord is just that, a cord. With the Brix and other small form factor computers, the power brick is attached to the power cable. It's not that these other makes have made their computers smaller, they have just chosen to put one component outside the main box while apple has chosen a cleaner form factor. If this doesn't matter to you, then that's fine, but for me, I like that when I want to travel with my mac mini, I don't have to carry a bulky power cord with me.

ditto on this, internal power also means much cleaner look as a htpc, and much less clutter... especially with LED TVs being mounted on walls with minimal "desktop" space around them, its nice to be able to just tuck the power cord in the cable boot. (my personal setup)

 

[Truthfulie]

You are not taking into account the power brick in the size of the brix. Mac mini has the power brick INSIDE the mac mini so the power cord is just that, a cord. With the Brix and other small form factor computers, the power brick is attached to the power cable. It's not that these other makes have made their computers smaller, they have just chosen to put one component outside the main box while apple has chosen a cleaner form factor. If this doesn't matter to you, then that's fine, but for me, I like that when I want to travel with my mac mini, I don't have to carry a bulky power cord with me.

Power brick for Brix/NUC rather small. Is it not? It's about size of a laptop charger. Once everything is plugged in and cables tugged away under your desk, I don't think it's all that bad in terms of cleanness. You won't even see it most of the time. Sure, it is much more elegant solution to include PSU inside, so nothing dangles off of the cable. But I do want to point out that you are not considering the fact that most Brix models do not offer 2.5" drive option which means they ARE smaller computer with or without PSU built in.

 

[dudedude]

Power brick for Brix/NUC rather small. Is it not? It's about size of a laptop charger. Once everything is plugged in and cables tugged away under your desk, I don't think it's all that bad in terms of cleanness. You won't even see it most of the time. Sure, it is much more elegant solution to include PSU inside, so nothing dangles off of the cable. But I do want to point out that you are not considering the fact that most Brix models do not offer 2.5" drive option which means they ARE smaller computer with or without PSU built in.

Yeah after watching a quick unboxing vid you are right the power supply is pretty small, I think the brix pro one is larger than the non Retina Brix probably because it needs more juice.

Ah what to do what to do.

 

[Crosscreek]

I still vote for a Broadwell Mini. It solves 2 problems. IGPU will be enhanced and Thermals will be greatly reduced.

 

[Cape Dave]

The mini is in a weird place right now. Looking at the options like the new Zotac and the Brix Pro (with Iris graphics) they sound powerful but according to early reviews the only machine that doesn't sound like a jet plane is the i5 brix pro (which is red which is annoying) since during normal tasks it doesn't rev up. Some are saying the i7 brix pro is dealing with heat issues. It sounds the same for the Zotac machine...fans are constantly on.

The current mini is bigger than these machines but at 35 and 45 watts they seem to generate less heat than the full on 65 watt processors found in these other models. The problem is we aren't getting the updated graphics (yet) in the mini.

On the other end of the spectrum you have the newer intel Nucs and Brix computers like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164007

These have newer processors and use very little power but in terms of performance don't seem to offer a benefit over the current processors with only a marginal bump in graphics. A quick comparison at CPU Boss declares no winner although I wonder about the lower clock speed on the brix. If you read the full comparison it sounds like the Mini wins out.

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4200U-vs-Intel-Core-i5-3210M

The one advantage the lesser brix has is it's size as it's actually much smaller than a mini. The question though does apple want to shrink the device and sacrifice some oomph or wait to do it when Broadwell releases and they can get a new design and a spec bump at the same time?

I'm actually considering a little i5 brix now with the i5 4200U but again with reviews reports seem mixed. Some say it's loud some say it's silent.

I really want to wait it out until Apple releases something but I'm starting to wonder if they will wait it out.

I must have silent. The Brix is very interesting, but needs to be silent.

 

[dudedude]

I must have silent. The Brix is very interesting, but needs to be silent.

I would love silent as well. It's so strange how you get these tablets that are quiet devices and then you get the desktop shrinking more and more...you have to wonder when they'll finally collide.

 

[MrGuder]

Can you give me your opinions:

Dell
Intel Core i5 (Quad Core, 3.20GHz Turbo, 6MB, w/ HD Graphics 4600)
Windows 7 Prof (will be supported till 2020)
8 GB Ram
Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 8490, 1GB DDR3, LP, 1 DP 1 DVI
500GB 3.5inch SATA (7.200 RPM)
Price comes with 3 yr service contract
Total Price: $850.10 (this is 30% off price)

OR

Mac Mini
Intel Core i7 (Quad Core, 2.3 GHz Turbo, 6MB
Mavericks
8 GB Ram
Intel HD Graphics 4000
256 GB SSD
Apple Protection Plan $149.00
Superdrive $79.00
Total Price: $1,327.00

I need to do something soon as XP won't be supported next month. First time Mac user and waffling between another windows system or Mac. I want to be able to keep it for least 4 yrs and work well. I think even though the mac is priced a bit higher and has less HD space and less video graphics that the overall experience will be more stable with the mac? I know there will be a learning curve as well since I never owned a Mac.

 

[Crosscreek]

Can you give me your opinions:



I need to do something soon as XP won't be supported next month. First time Mac user and waffling between another windows system or Mac. I want to be able to keep it for least 4 yrs and work well. I think even though the mac is priced a bit higher and has less HD space and less video graphics that the overall experience will be more stable with the mac? I know there will be a learning curve as well since I never owned a Mac.

There is very little learning curve. Couple of hours and you will realize it is just like your XP only more organized and sensible.

Go for the Mini.

 

[dudedude]

Can you give me your opinions:

Dell
Intel Core i5 (Quad Core, 3.20GHz Turbo, 6MB, w/ HD Graphics 4600)
Windows 7 Prof (will be supported till 2020)
8 GB Ram
Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 8490, 1GB DDR3, LP, 1 DP 1 DVI
500GB 3.5inch SATA (7.200 RPM)
Price comes with 3 yr service contract
Total Price: $850.10 (this is 30% off price)

OR

Mac Mini
Intel Core i7 (Quad Core, 2.3 GHz Turbo, 6MB
Mavericks
8 GB Ram
Intel HD Graphics 4000
256 GB SSD
Apple Protection Plan $149.00
Superdrive $79.00
Total Price: $1,327.00

I need to do something soon as XP won't be supported next month. First time Mac user and waffling between another windows system or Mac. I want to be able to keep it for least 4 yrs and work well. I think even though the mac is priced a bit higher and has less HD space and less video graphics that the overall experience will be more stable with the mac? I know there will be a learning curve as well since I never owned a Mac.

Well the Dell on paper is the more powerful machine especially with the extra dedicated graphics card but this is really the same question everyone asks themselves when comparing apple to a PC.

It all comes down to what you want to do with the machine and the software you are using. If it's light office stuff either machine would be more than enough.

The RAM upgrade can be done yourself on the mini. The SSD too as well if you don't mind working a little more to do it which would get that cost down.

In day to day usage the SSD would make the mini feel faster as opposed to the 7200rpm drive on the Dell.

I'm currently leaning more towards mac these days for home use.

 

[cypriot]

Can you give me your opinions:

Dell
Intel Core i5 (Quad Core, 3.20GHz Turbo, 6MB, w/ HD Graphics 4600)
Windows 7 Prof (will be supported till 2020)
8 GB Ram
Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 8490, 1GB DDR3, LP, 1 DP 1 DVI
500GB 3.5inch SATA (7.200 RPM)
Price comes with 3 yr service contract
Total Price: $850.10 (this is 30% off price)

OR

Mac Mini
Intel Core i7 (Quad Core, 2.3 GHz Turbo, 6MB
Mavericks
8 GB Ram
Intel HD Graphics 4000
256 GB SSD
Apple Protection Plan $149.00
Superdrive $79.00
Total Price: $1,327.00

I need to do something soon as XP won't be supported next month. First time Mac user and waffling between another windows system or Mac. I want to be able to keep it for least 4 yrs and work well. I think even though the mac is priced a bit higher and has less HD space and less video graphics that the overall experience will be more stable with the mac? I know there will be a learning curve as well since I never owned a Mac.

The question could be osx vs win 7 because although dell seems more powerful osx uses resources more efficiently. I used a top of the line hp laptop and it broke 6 times in 2 years. I bought a macbook in 2008 and the thing is brand new still. I will never look back and even if i had to change, i would choose ubuntu. I say if you get mini you wont regret. However if you are a gamer, thats another story. Windows rules in gaming. For that i would prefer ps3 or other consoles.

 

[MrGuder]

If I use Outlook Express for mail, would I need to buy the Office for Mac software or could I use Apple's Email program already on Mavericks for a Comcast email. I know this is probably a stupid question. I don't do gaming, just for light home use the word, some excel, usual photos, music (huge itunes library) web surfing etc..

 

[Crosscreek]

If I use Outlook Express for mail, would I need to buy the Office for Mac software or could I use Apple's Email program already on Mavericks for a Comcast email. I know this is probably a stupid question. I don't do gaming, just for light home use the word, some excel, usual photos, music (huge itunes library) web surfing etc..

Just use the Mac Mail app also just get the I5 you don't need 4 cores. You have a year to decide about Apple Care. I personally don't think you need it with a mini.
8gb ram is enough.

 

[gregorsamsa]

I think, the Mac Mini is dead.

Unlikely in the extreme. Too many reasons to mention (other than I love it). For example, only last month Tim Cook said:

"And we haven’t given up on the Mac. A lot of people are throwing in the towel right now on the PC. We’re still spending an enormous amount on really great talent and people on the Macs of the future. And we have some really cool things coming out there. Because we believe as people walk away from the PC, it becomes clear that the Mac is what you want if you want a PC."

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/02/07/apple-still-a-growth-company-cook-says-in-journal-interview/

What's the best way to keep growing the Mac user-base, including attracting many more switchers from PC? Alongside improving your line-up of higher-level Macs, you also improve the headless Mini. Latter remains an excellent choice for those who already own all peripherals.

IMO, the Mini should be with us for many years to come, notwithstanding further evolution.

 

[cypriot]

If I use Outlook Express for mail, would I need to buy the Office for Mac software or could I use Apple's Email program already on Mavericks for a Comcast email. I know this is probably a stupid question. I don't do gaming, just for light home use the word, some excel, usual photos, music (huge itunes library) web surfing etc..

You can get along with mac mail, calendar and contacts but for me excel word and ppt were important. Apple's office suite cannot replace ms office. So i got ms office for mac. I can say now that its even better with a mac. If you don't need cross compatibility may be iwork can be enough for you. You can try and decide.

 

[Schnort]

I know this is probably a stupid question. I don't do gaming, just for light home use the word, some excel, usual photos, music (huge itunes library) web surfing etc..

If that's all you do, you're way overspending on either the mac mini or the dell.

 

[Stella]

I find it hard to believe that Apple still ship Mac Mini with 4GB in its default configuration…

Can't do much with 4GB these days.

Apple could make the Mac Mini with a very small footprint after replacing HDD with SSD, and newer mobile processor. The next Mac Mini should be a refreshed look.

 

[squirrrl]

I find it hard to believe that Apple still ship Mac Mini with 4GB in its default configuration…

Can't do much with 4GB these days.

Apple could make the Mac Mini with a very small footprint after replacing HDD with SSD, and newer mobile processor. The next Mac Mini should be a refreshed look.

I was hoping for a refreshed look... perhaps like the airport extreme if they can pull it off.

Also, in 2012, the increased the base RAM to 4GB from 2GB. If they did increase it to 8GB standard, i'm sure they would offer 16GB, but 32GB? seems overkill for whatever you would do with a Mac Mini.

 

[Stella]

I was hoping for a refreshed look... perhaps like the airport extreme if they can pull it off.

Also, in 2012, the increased the base RAM to 4GB from 2GB. If they did increase it to 8GB standard, i'm sure they would offer 16GB, but 32GB? seems overkill for whatever you would do with a Mac Mini.

The Mac Mini is a great all round machine, perfect machine for MS Office / iWork, email, web browsing, software development ( 16GB is better ) etc, given enough RAM in the machine. I wouldn't want to play games on it. I've never tried running 4GB on Mavericks, and wouldn't want to - 8GB minimum.

 

[talmy]

I find it hard to believe that Apple still ship Mac Mini with 4GB in its default configuration…

Can't do much with 4GB these days.

I've use Mac minis with 4GB + Mavericks as entertainment centers, and another one with 4GB+Mavericks upgraded with an SSD for documentation and software development. It even runs a virtual machine. Memory Pressure is always in the Green. My wife has a 3 year old Macbook Air with 2GB of RAM and Mavericks used for browsing, office apps, and iPhoto with no problems. Mavericks will always use all the RAM you have for something but accommodates small systems just fine.

 

[grandM]

I've use Mac minis with 4GB + Mavericks as entertainment centers, and another one with 4GB+Mavericks upgraded with an SSD for documentation and software development. It even runs a virtual machine. Memory Pressure is always in the Green. My wife has a 3 year old Macbook Air with 2GB of RAM and Mavericks used for browsing, office apps, and iPhoto with no problems. Mavericks will always use all the RAM you have for something but accommodates small systems just fine.

I've just ordered this system:
Mac Mini
Intel Core i7 (Quad Core, 2.3 GHz Turbo, 6MB)
Mavericks
4 GB Ram
Intel HD Graphics 4000

I intended to add a ssd but apple store said I didn't need it for Xcode, webbrowsing, word processing and movie watching. Actually they even said the i5 would be sufficient but I decided on the i7. They really helped me out! I will put in more ram (apple store suggested 8, but I'm going for 16). I'm also grateful for all the tips received on the forum