Intel claims 40% improvement in IGPU over Hasswell.
Broadwell IS the Toc of Haswell architecture.
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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
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Intel claims 40% improvement in IGPU over Hasswell.
Broadwell IS the Toc of Haswell architecture.
I think it also depends if there is a redesign in store. If they have redesigned it and are just waiting for updated Haswell sets, then I think they will announce the new mini before June. Most of the Broadwell chips that will finally be available early in 2015 will probably be used in Apple's macbook lines and we'll see a second mini refresh a year after they announce this years mini refresh.
Totally wrong.
The biggest knock on the 5200 Iris Pro IGPU is that it throttles back considerably with thermal load. The die shrink of the Broadwell will greatly improve thermal characteristics, netting a substantial increase in IGPU performance under load. [Edit: this is the 40% mentioned in the post above...]
That said, I personally would buy 2 i7-4850 based minis immediately if they were available. The 4860 is too expensive to be a real option for the mini, the 4850 is much more likely IMHO.
Even though the Broadwell chip will be better for graphics, the current Iris Pro is a substantial boost over the HD4000.
My opinion, worth exactly nothing, is that they will not wait all the way to Broadwell to refresh the mini. The mini typically trails in performance, so to wait for a Broadwell refresh for the other lines and then a subsequent Broadwell refresh for the mini puts it out too far. I am hoping that the next mid level mini (NOT the base model) is i7-4850, ac wifi, and Thunderbolt2. A guy can wish, can't he?
-JimJ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Tick-Tock
I think Broadwell is a dieshrink of Haswell, a tick. I know that power consumption will be much lower than Haswell, but haven't heard anything about IGPU.
Edit:
Okay, that does make sense I guess. Improved thermal results in better IGPU performance.
I just came back from a Apple reseller here in Poland. We are a very small market and usually if production is cut (or ceased) we get to be hit first. However, as I expressed my concerns about ordering a 2012 Mini while the 2014 may be in sight, they said all their BTO orders are accepted and they are on a steady supply. This allegedly points out that a 2014 model is still several weeks, if not months, away.
I hope this is not the case, but...
I hope this is not the case, but...
So adding the facts together is it plausible that:
1. Mini update has gone longer than the avg. and didn't update when the macbooks did.
Points to phasing out non-retina pro and a re-designed mini?
2. New Intel Processors in Q2 2014.
Points to possible upgrade path for the mini.
3. Mac Pro was re-designed.
Gives the design team a new project to hop to the mini?
Maybe June launch at WWDC?
Maybe apple is just busy with the iwatch, itv, and iworldtakeovergenerator and don't have time for the mini.
1. Mini update has gone longer than the avg. and didn't update when the macbooks did.
Points to phasing out non-retina pro and a re-designed mini?
2. New Intel Processors in Q2 2014.
Points to possible upgrade path for the mini.
3. Mac Pro was re-designed.
Gives the design team a new project to hop to the mini?
Maybe June launch at WWDC?
Maybe apple is just busy with the iwatch, itv, and iworldtakeovergenerator and don't have time for the mini.
Looking at the current intel chips and using that to try to predict what will be next...
i5 was $225 at launch
i7s were $378
2 sockets between the 3
i5 35W i7s 45W
all 3 were launched Q2 2012 before they were in late 2012 minis
leads me to believe the following...
Haswell i5 chips that would fit this model weren't launched until Q4 '13 while the i7s have been out since Q2 '13... there's reason for the delay to Q2 2014 mini refresh
the 3 chips that will be available in the mini refresh are
i5-4300M
i7-4700MQ
i7-4800MQ
all have the same socket and HD Graphics 4600, follow the same rules as far as price and power consumption.
They'll be able to bump the speeds listed by 100MHz across the board, which is what they did with the early 2013 rMBP refresh.
EDIT: chip comparisons http://ark.intel.com/compare/76347,75117,75128,67355,64900,64891
i5 was $225 at launch
i7s were $378
2 sockets between the 3
i5 35W i7s 45W
all 3 were launched Q2 2012 before they were in late 2012 minis
leads me to believe the following...
Haswell i5 chips that would fit this model weren't launched until Q4 '13 while the i7s have been out since Q2 '13... there's reason for the delay to Q2 2014 mini refresh
the 3 chips that will be available in the mini refresh are
i5-4300M
i7-4700MQ
i7-4800MQ
all have the same socket and HD Graphics 4600, follow the same rules as far as price and power consumption.
They'll be able to bump the speeds listed by 100MHz across the board, which is what they did with the early 2013 rMBP refresh.
EDIT: chip comparisons http://ark.intel.com/compare/76347,75117,75128,67355,64900,64891
You, sir, are my hero.Love it!
I defer to MrGuder. I only expanded on what he said.
I would like a black one when they surface.
I went to the dark side tonight and ordered a Asus chromebook $179...will use until the new mini comes out and then resell. (note: on mini G4 so anything is major upgrade for me)
A redesign will be inevitable, if the iMacs get redesigned this year.
Apple might change the entire design line up to match the MacPro and Apple TV. They could also leave the Pro as the only black and completely redesigned Mac.
If the Mini doesn't reduce in dimensions this year, it will definitely do so in the next revision. If it changes shape will have to be seen. They could make it a cube or a can or a "tower" like the AirPort. It could also flatten out even more to become half-height.
I read the review on that it it sounds like a good machine to use until a new mini comes out. Very reasonable price and should be easy to sell. Good Luck.
A redesign is only possible, if they remove a lot of ports and if they use more efficient processors with a lower TDP. Otherwise it is impossible that they reduce the size of the power supply and the size of the cooling surface.
There is no asus chromebook yet.
Do you mean the Acer C720?
It's a very good and inexpensive netbook, just keep it.
Selling a $179 notebook doesn't makes to much sense,
you can install ubuntu on it and make it a very powerful backup machine
Today a 128gb SSD for my c720 arrived, going to install it,
love this notebook!
Thank you to those who provided a great discussion on the chip options.
I have been itching (and twitching) to get a mini for the last year. I don't know if I can make it to June.
I hope 4/1 is the date with shipping soon after or I am going to go crazy and build a mini-ITX with a graphics card. I would prefer to see a cool mini update like the nMP, maybe a black round aluminum case.
But the more I read and the longer I watch Apple, the more it looks like I will have to build it myself.
I have been itching (and twitching) to get a mini for the last year. I don't know if I can make it to June.
I hope 4/1 is the date with shipping soon after or I am going to go crazy and build a mini-ITX with a graphics card. I would prefer to see a cool mini update like the nMP, maybe a black round aluminum case.
But the more I read and the longer I watch Apple, the more it looks like I will have to build it myself.
There is no asus chromebook yet.
Do you mean the Acer C720?
It's a very good and inexpensive netbook, just keep it.
Selling a $179 notebook doesn't makes to much sense,
you can install ubuntu on it and make it a very powerful backup machine
Today a 128gb SSD for my c720 arrived, going to install it,
love this notebook!
Ya it's here.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7850/asus-chromebox-review
You can put Linux on it.
This is the chromeBOX.
He was talking about a Chromebook,
Maybe it was just a clerical and he means the box.
Asus is going to release new Chromebooks according to news reports, but they are not for pre order yet. A rumor says the 13" version will have a i3 with HD4400.
Chrome devices are really becoming a good alternative to Apple products.
They are more stable and bug free than let's say windows and not very expensive.
Sadly you can't use it with Apple products, there should be an itunes app for Chrome OS.
Chrome OS is not yet a full OS, but it's possible that in a few years it will be an alternative to windows, osx or ubuntu.
@BTT:
I really hope that we see something new before WWDC.
These haswell cpu's with HD4600 make no sense, even the nearly one year old MBA have better gpu. I think we see at least the HD5000 with entry level mac mini and for the more expensive there will be Iris/Iris Pro
Hopefully it will be not smaller than the Apple TV and with everything soldered together,
Apple won't kill the server version for sure, but maybe it will be only available for businesses, so we either have to buy the smaller, soldered version or ask friends that run a business.