The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[tibas92013]

Another "Mac Happy Camper" here with my purchase of a Refurbished i5 MM(Late 2014), 2.8GHz,8GB Ram,256 SSD that I purchased from the Apple On-Line Store last year.

Why??; well mainly the simplicity of use of the Mac OS X System

 

[sleconte]

We've sunk into 'what we have is good enough' mode.

I wish there was a refurbished option on the Apple site locally. The above purchase costs about 38,000 baht, or about $1086 USD (tax included). I can wait a few more months. New mini surely comes before the end of that time? I will make a purchase around then - of something.

 

[cynics]

Your point is probably lost on geeks who look at the specs of the 2014 Mac Mini and other lower order Macs with contempt. They are way below their own perceived or imagined needs, or simply desires. Truth is that, as you have discovered, for many, something more modest is more than adequate.

Your point is not lost on those who have 2014 Mac Minis, or other computers with less than maxed out specs.

I agree with you but only when price isn't factored in.

If I feel I'm paying quad core prices it doesn't matter whether I need it or not, it's to be expected.

Only reason I'm sticking with an iMac is because of the amount of video encoding I do (not editing) and how valuable quad core is (preferably higher).

I guess that is what Apple would prefer though so it starts to make sense.

I have no contempt toward the 2014 Mini or new MBPs with dual core. I would own a Mini if it wasn't for my work load. I just wish they'd at least offer the option, which is why I asked btw.

 

[masterbaron]

From what little I know, Apple's desire for content kept ATV from being a Mini and kept a Mini from becoming an ATV - that restriction must have blinded Apple not realizing their other dominion is the Living-Room / Media Room - how Apple missed this boat (Games, Movies, Home-automation, security, Face-Time, Siri, AI) when they were always obliged to conquer the Entertainment industry is unbelievable - and as we all know the Mini SFF rocks this boat. The world is mobile but my media room is not. So the sadness has always been there for me.

The single-button mouse for so long was scary too!

 

[essiw]

courage and dongles....

But do they have enough courage to end the next keynote with "one more th... dongle"?

 

[Crosscreek]

But do they have enough courage to end the next keynote with "one more th... dongle"?

Dongles are what makes Apple magical because they are the only computer manufacturer that requires them to operate their systems.

 

[bse5150]

iPad Pro is the answer to everything.....courage is the moto.

Down with the Mac... Long live the iPad Pro!!!

 

[Boyd01]

Your point is probably lost on geeks who look at the specs of the 2014 Mac Mini and other lower order Macs with contempt.

And you have contempt for the "geeks" who want a more powerful machine….

Why does this have to be binary? If the base model meets your needs and budget, that's great, go for it. In fact, I bought base mini last month to use as an iTunes server. But why can't the "geeks" still have a competitive top of the line model? We had one in 2012.

I previously used a base model 2012 Mini as an iTunes server. When I decided to dedicate a machine to video editing, the best short term solution was to upgrade the 2012 Mini to 16gb - which cost me $65. Now I paid $550 for the 2012 machine, and I paid $500 for the 2014 Mini. I think I got a lot more bang for my buck in 2012. The 2014 machine will never be anything more than it is today.

The 2014 Mini has lower benchmarks, although not a lot, but for some reason it just feels much less responsive than the 2012. And I'm just talking about using the Finder or System Preferences, not video encoding or anything. Maybe this is due to differences between Mavericks on the 2012 and El Capitan on the 2014?

I'd like to get a fast mini someday to replace the 2012 for video (working with a lot of legacy SD footage now, so I can wait). I don't see why that is incompatible with those who want an entry level Mini. When I was shopping last month, was surprised to see all the flavors of Mini. B&H has 22 different combinations of CPU and storage for example. Surely that variety could meet many different needs. I was considering the 3ghz 16gb/256gb SSD version, but just couldn't pull the trigger on a $1300 machine that's only marginally faster than my MacBook Air.

What bothers me is that they "cut off the head" of the Mini in 2014. The top of the line 2012 Mini had a 50% higher geekbench score than the top 2014 model. How can you defend that?

 

[Cape Dave]

I wish I knew. I have been into our computers for many years, many times with no problems. I followed all the instructions but it was black screen when I fired it up. Expensive consultations later with an authorized dealer and I gave up. It is sitting in my shop now, an interesting curio.

A bad part or static would do that.

 

[Lankyman]

Your point is probably lost on geeks who look at the specs of the 2014 Mac Mini and other lower order Macs with contempt. They are way below their own perceived or imagined needs, or simply desires. Truth is that, as you have discovered, for many, something more modest is more than adequate.

And perhaps the point is also lost on those blinded by anything that sports an Apple logo.

 

[robotica]

I think we can all agree what apple did in 2014 to the mini was a bad move for everyday consumers looking for bang for buck with realistic chances of decent and cheap aftermarket upgradability.

A real shame indeed.

I hope they will realise this was a mistake and make the mini easily user upgradable again. If they put the same effort into giving us a nice upgrade as they did into making it near impossible to upgrade I will be happy.

At 751 days since the last update, I sure hope that the Mac mini is almost certainly coming.

 

[jpietrzak8]

I hope they will release this was a mistake and make the mini easily user upgradable again. If they put the same effort into giving us a nice upgrade as they did into making it near impossible to upgrade I will be happy.

It's pretty obvious that this was no mistake. They've put no effort at all into advertising the Mini (even for its supposed role as a way to lure PC users into the Mac ecosystem), they've only updated the Mini once in the last four+ years, and that one update soldered the RAM to the motherboard and locked the drives down with security screws.

In short, they have relegated the Mini to a bottom-of-the-barrel entry-level role, and made moves to ensure that end-users cannot modify it for use in any other role.

At the same time, they've worked to bring down the price of the entry-level iMac, and have continued to advertise and update that model. On the other side, they've worked hard to make the ATV a real product.

My guess is that at some point in the near future, there is going to be an event where Apple will bring out a sub-$1000 iMac and a powerful souped-up ATV. And with these devices aimed at the low-end Mac and HTPC markets, they will finally see no need for a Mini, and drop it entirely...

 

[Partron22]

that one update soldered the RAM to the motherboard and locked the drives down with security screws.

The very first Mac ('84) was locked down with torx screws in such deep holes you had to build a special bit holder out of copper tubing to get the things out. Updating RAM from 128K to 512K voided the warranty.
Later versions became more user friendly.
That could happen again.

 

[jpietrzak8]

The very first Mac ('84) was locked down with torx screws in such deep holes you had to build a special bit holder out of copper tubing to get the things out. Updating RAM from 128K to 512K voided the warranty.

True! I myself passed on the whole Mac thing until they brought in OS X and created the Mini; I didn't really see much point in using a Mac before that. I guess folks like me are being phased out now as Apple is moving back towards its roots...

 

[Crosscreek]

The very first Mac ('84) was locked down with torx screws in such deep holes you had to build a special bit holder out of copper tubing to get the things out. Updating RAM from 128K to 512K voided the warranty.
Later versions became more user friendly.
That could happen again.

Only if Tim and Jony are not involved.

There is also a reason they solder that Ram in and that's because Apple uses that low voltage ram they use in the MacBooks. Not that they have to because it's a desktop but because it's easier to solder it and there is no labor involved for assembly.

They will do anything to eliminate labor.

 

[DesertSurfer]

Mini musings:

1 - Upgrading is fun.

On a recent trip to visit relatives, they mentioned that their mini was awfully slow. I checked and found that it (a 2011 base model) had 2 gb of ram. I didn't have much time, and couldn't find compatible 4 gb memory modules, so I bought two used 2 gb sticks for $15 and doubled their ram. They are pretty happy. Next time, I'll put in two 4 gb modules I now have after upgrading my 2011 13" MacBook Pro (the only Mac I've owned) to 16 gb. Am I depriving Apple of a sale? No, my relatives are in no position to buy a new computer, they have to keep the old one going. And I will be happy to buy a new, gorgeously redesigned and not-too-crippled mac mini when it almost certainly arrives even though my MacBook, now that it also has an SSD, is doing fine right now.

2 - What if the mini is dumped?

Almost certainly not, but if it is.. IF I decide to stay in the Apple ecosystem in that case, I guess I would look at a new laptop, or a hackintosh. Some of the new sff machines are looking pretty good for the latter move. The laptops are nice, but very pricey. If I really used a laptop as a portable device, it would make sense, but my current laptop is in clamshell mode for about 350 days of the year. So, let's have the new mac mini reasonably soon. I think (hope) I can wait until spring 2017 as long as the good old 2011 holds up. But I'm ready to buy a good new mac mini when it arrives. Probably it will be announced next Tuesday when nothing else is happening.

 

[Partron22]

Only if Tim and Jony are not involved.

You say that as if it would be a bad thing.

 

[Crosscreek]

You say that as if it would be a bad thing.

It would be a good thing IMO. Fresh execs, fresh engineers and designers.

 

[masterbaron]

I for one seriously need "The new Mac mini is certainly coming" because I have a 19th Century Dentist chair that I plan on turning into an ergonomic workstation with dual monitors where the cpu is hidden under the chid-step - this requires a SFF which is obviously going to be this new Mini.

Certainly!!

 

[xmlninja]

New Macmini removes all ports and includes 1 usb-c. For. Power.

 

[Micky Do]

Your many previous posts especially in this thread concerning Mac's clearly demonstrate your Apple fanboism and an unwillingness and inability to accept that another OS might be just as good and possibly better than the one you use.

I run MacOS and Windows and I very much doubt if put on the spot you would be able to argue your case as to why Windows is a pain and MacOS is so much better. I can only hope that you are not employed in any teaching capacity on the campus given teachers are supposed to teach 'open your mind to a world of possibilities'. Clearly that message hasn't as yet got through to you.

Yes, I am employed as a teacher, opening student's minds to a world of possibilities. Perhaps you should open your mind to the possibility that others have opinions formed by different experiences of the world than you.

Fanboi…..? With an Apple ecosystem consisting of one early 2009 base model Mac Mini (running Mountain Lion), and a more recently acquired wired Apple keyboard, hardly.

My Mac Mini has been serviced twice since I got it. In that time colleagues have replaced their HP/Toshiba/whatever at least a couple of times, all up spending more than me. Incentive to replace the Mini with another when the time comes in a year or two or so, by which time a new generation or so of Mac Mini will almost certainly have come.

My observation is that the Windows 10 computers at work are a hassle to use, often requiring the attention of the office geek, or a tech from the IT department. I do use them occasionally, but do most of my work outside class at home where my Mac is. Word and Excel may have more features (than I require), but Pages and Numbers are easier to use (and have all the features I need). Macs now come with iWork already installed, along with most of the other apps I use, such as iPhoto (now Photos).

Arguing the case for MacOS or Windows is pointless, though true geeks may enjoy the debate. Reviews seem to be pretty much six of one, half a dozen the other. In the end it comes down to what a user prefers. Mac works, hassle free, for my humble needs.

Make more snide comments if that's how you get your jollies. It may make your day and even endear you to your fellow malcontents here, but I don't really give a hoot.

 

[klaklash]

Yes, I am employed as a teacher, opening student's minds to a world of possibilities. Perhaps you should open your mind to the possibility that others have opinions formed by different experiences of the world than you.

Fanboi…..? With an Apple ecosystem consisting of one early 2009 base model Mac Mini (running Mountain Lion), and a more recently acquired wired Apple keyboard, hardly.

My Mac Mini has been serviced twice since I got it. In that time colleagues have replaced their HP/Toshiba/whatever at least a couple of times, all up spending more than me. Incentive to replace the Mini with another when the time comes in a year or two or so, by which time a new generation or so of Mac Mini will almost certainly have come.

My observation is that the Windows 10 computers at work are a hassle to use, often requiring the attention of the office geek, or a tech from the IT department. I do use them occasionally, but do most of my work outside class at home where my Mac is. Word and Excel may have more features (than I require), but Pages and Numbers are easier to use (and have all the features I need). Macs now come with iWork already installed, along with most of the other apps I use, such as iPhoto (now Photos).

Arguing the case for MacOS or Windows is pointless, though true geeks may enjoy the debate. Reviews seem to be pretty much six of one, half a dozen the other. In the end it comes down to what a user prefers. Mac works, hassle free, for my humble needs.

Make more snide comments if that's how you get your jollies. It may make your day and even endear you to your fellow malcontents here, but I don't really give a hoot.

Your observations may be correct in your case. However, go back and read your own posts. You frequently use words with negative connotations to label those who disagree with your perspective.

Your last line is another one: snide, jollies, malcontents. How do you want people to respond to you?

And yes, my mini does do most of what I want. Wasn't adequate for doing time lapses, though, so I began to transition away. I see the phrase "not adequate for content creators" quite frequently and would have to agree, even for my basic use.

 

[Altis]

Yes, I am employed as a teacher, opening student's minds to a world of possibilities....

What you should do is run Linux and teach those kids a thing or two about computing.

 

[jpietrzak8]

What you should do is run Linux and teach those kids a thing or two about computing.

Hey, the great thing about OS X is that under the hood it is a fairly standard BSD distribution! Pretty much everything that runs on Linux will also run on Darwin (with maybe a little bit of tweaking).

But yeah, it's getting harder and harder to get OS X into the hands of kids to teach them about computing, as there are fewer and fewer machines appropriate for that use being produced by Apple any more. A long time ago Apple seemed to be interested in getting their hardware into schools; not so much today...

 

[Altis]

Hey, the great thing about OS X is that under the hood it is a fairly standard BSD distribution! Pretty much everything that runs on Linux will also run on Darwin (with maybe a little bit of tweaking).

But yeah, it's getting harder and harder to get OS X into the hands of kids to teach them about computing, as there are fewer and fewer machines appropriate for that use being produced by Apple any more. A long time ago Apple seemed to be interested in getting their hardware into schools; not so much today...

That's a good point. They used to keep special models in production specifically for schools, and for a while those were Minis.

I suppose the best thing to do now might be Raspberry Pi type computers. Super cheap, tiny, expandable with IO boards, Linux... all the joys of computing.

While OS X is Unix-based, I don't think kids can really appreciate computing until they're yelling at the computer asking why it won't just work like a normal machine.