The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[SSD-GUY]

These past few days have really got me feeling rejuvenated about the Mac in general. I was beginning to lose hope:

• Mac Pro's were far too expensive, and even if I did save up and get one, the lack of upgradability and non-user replaceable parts was just a no from me
• The iMac - me personally, I'm just not a fan of a all in one design. I like running multiple screens and the only screen that somewhat matched the iMac was the thunderbolt display which was severely outdated, expensive and couldn't connect to other peripherals like console, set-top box etc
• The Mac Mini - Woefully under powered and more of an entry level machine that left a large chunk of Mac users wanting more.

Now I know many of you could say that people like me should've just bought a MacBook Pro and hooked it up to multiple displays, but even that seemed like a waste of money, purely because I couldn't carry this heavy rMBP 15 everywhere with me, which meant I would need a MBA/12" rMB in addition to the rMBP 15.

So instead, I built a Hackintosh, and whilst it has given me years of low price Mac-fun, unfortunately as I am no longer a student, I have neither the time or patience to build another rig, deal with its problems, worry about something 'breaking' when I just upgrade from 10.12.1 to 10.12.2, or even just the lack of support compared to my MacBook, where if it had a problem, I could just take it into an Apple store, even outside of warranty.

Therefore to conclude, if Apple is reading this, why not make the Mac Mini just as powerful as your iMac? Sure you would lose sales of the iMac, but I promise you, you would win a lot of the Hackintosh community back, especially those that have done it for years now and just want a stable Apple system that is powerful, and perhaps even has the added benefit of eGPUs or something.

Here's to wishing anyway.

 

[Count Blah]

These past few days have really got me feeling rejuvenated about the Mac in general. I was beginning to lose hope:

• Mac Pro's were far too expensive, and even if I did save up and get one, the lack of upgradability and non-user replaceable parts was just a no from me
• The iMac - me personally, I'm just not a fan of a all in one design. I like running multiple screens and the only screen that somewhat matched the iMac was the thunderbolt display which was severely outdated, expensive and couldn't connect to other peripherals like console, set-top box etc
• The Mac Mini - Woefully under powered and more of an entry level machine that left a large chunk of Mac users wanting more.

NONE of this is going to change. The Mac Pro will still be SUPER expensive, compared to PCs. The iMac will still have the unwanted monitor attached to it. And the Mini will still be underpowered, to encourage consumers to move on up to the MBP, iMac or Mac Pro.

A tiger does not change its stripes. And Apple is still Apple, at it's core.

 

[SSD-GUY]

NONE of this is going to change. The Mac Pro will still be SUPER expensive, compared to PCs. The iMac will still have the unwanted monitor attached to it. And the Mini will still be underpowered, to encourage consumers to move on up to the MBP, iMac or Mac Pro.

A tiger does not change its stripes. And an Apple is still an Apple, at it's core.

I somewhat agree. Yes, Apple will never lose it's premium price tag, and secondly, the iMac will still have the AIO design.

However, I really do feel that the Mac Mini could be made into a headless iMac. Don't get me wrong, with the iMac now gaining super top end options with Xeon processors, we've seen how the iMac can technically eat into Mac Pro territory, so why could we not theoretically see the same with the Mac Mini?

I'm not saying the Mini will become a powerhouse, but I see it becoming a lot more powerful than it is today, especially since we've now seen the rumour about the top end version being bigger. If the top end Mac Mini could gain the power of the mid-end (and hopefully top-end) iMac, I'm sure a lot of Hackintoshers like me (and trust me, there are now a lot of us, especially compared to when I started around 8 years ago) would come back to Apple's offerings.

 

[Count Blah]

I somewhat agree. Yes, Apple will never lose it's premium price tag, and secondly, the iMac will still have the AIO design.

However, I really do feel that the Mac Mini could be made into a headless iMac. Don't get me wrong, with the iMac now gaining super top end options with Xeon processors, we've seen how the iMac can technically eat into Mac Pro territory, so why could we not theoretically see the same with the Mac Mini?

I'm not saying the Mini will become a powerhouse, but I see it becoming a lot more powerful than it is today, especially since we've now seen the rumour about the top end version being bigger. If the top end Mac Mini could gain the power of the mid-end (and hopefully top-end) iMac, I'm sure a lot of Hackintoshers like me (and trust me, there are now a lot of us, especially compared to when I started around 8 years ago) would come back to Apple's offerings.

I hope you are correct. But Apple Leadership made a conscience decision to underpower and glue in the 2014 mini, to end competition with the higher priced Apple options.

 

[SSD-GUY]

I hope you are correct. But Apple Leadership made a conscience decision to underpower and glue in the 2014 mini, to end competition with the higher priced Apple options.

Yup, and that angered a lot of us. I'm sure Mac Mini sales, as low as they were, also declined.

But call me an optimist, but Apple this week seems like that they've pivoted. It's like they're going back to their roots. Who would've thought the Mac Pro would go back to a modular system that is user-upgradable once Apple launched the nMP?

The waiting is going to be crazy, but I think the ultimate question is, will it be worth it?

 

[toddzrx]

But call me an optimist, but Apple this week seems like that they've pivoted. It's like they're going back to their roots. Who would've thought the Mac Pro would go back to a modular system that is user-upgradable once Apple launched the nMP?

Agreed.

This announcement is one of the most unique events I've seen from Apple. While the focus was obviously on the Mac Pro, I got the feeling that Schiller et al were confessing their sins about the whole computer lineup and that's it's suffered under the popularity of iToys. Here's to hoping there's renewed vigor in the Mac division at Apple, from the top on down. I'm looking forward to seeing what gets released over the next year (finally).

 

[Crosscreek]

Since the Mac team was decimated months ago I find it hard to believe they are just now starting on a new coarse with the desktop line while still working on their highest selling MacBooks.
Where did they find all these Mac engineers to build new Mac Pros, iMacs and Minis if major design changes are coming unless it's more of the same.
They would need prototypes finished, validation testing done, supply, tooling and manufacturing built with late summer or very early fall for October delivery.
Possibly it's all been sitting in Jony's white room for a while.

 

[Boyd01]

Where did they find all these Mac engineers to build new Mac Pros, iMacs and Minis if major design changes are coming unless it's more of the same.
They would need prototypes finished, validation testing done, supply, tooling and manufacturing built with late summer or very early fall for October delivery.

That is not what this article says at all: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/06/mac-pro-may-not-ship-until-2019/

According to the article, they just decided on a new course and nothing is expected as soon as October, it could take years. And I don't see any mention of the Mini at all (aside from a cryptic comment on some blog), so I wouldn't get too excited yet...
______________

"The decision to move ahead with a modular Mac Pro replacement was made "in recent months" with development starting "only a few weeks ago," suggesting it's going to be a long wait. Given a rough estimate of the length of time it normally takes to develop a project, it could be late 2018 or even 2019 before we see the machine."

 

[Crosscreek]

That is not what this article says at all: https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/06/mac-pro-may-not-ship-until-2019/

According to the article, they just decided on a new course and nothing is expected as soon as October, it could take years. And I don't see any mention of the Mini at all (aside from a cyptic comment on some blog), so I wouldn't get too excited yet...
______________

"The decision to move ahead with a modular Mac Pro replacement was made "in recent months" with development starting "only a few weeks ago," suggesting it's going to be a long wait. Given a rough estimate of the length of time it normally takes to develop a project, it could be late 2018 or even 2019 before we see the machine."

So in other words "we will get around to it when we build a new team and come up with a plan and thanks for hanging around for the bull crap".

 

[Altis]

The "new" Mac Mini will be a second-hand MBP with a broken screen picked up for a good price.

 

[now i see it]

So in other words...

thanks for the chuckle

 

[DesertSurfer]

So in other words "we will get around to it when we build a new team and come up with a plan and thanks for hanging around for the bull crap".

Apparently it has finally dawned on the people responsible for ruining the computer business for Apple that they may have ruined the computer business for Apple. We shall see if the response is any better than too little too late. I'm agnostic on that, but of course the new Mac Mini is almost certainly coming.

 

[Miat]

However, I really do feel that the Mac Mini could be made into a headless iMac. Don't get me wrong, with the iMac now gaining super top end options with Xeon processors, we've seen how the iMac can technically eat into Mac Pro territory, so why could we not theoretically see the same with the Mac Mini?

I'm not saying the Mini will become a powerhouse, but I see it becoming a lot more powerful than it is today, especially since we've now seen the rumour about the top end version being bigger. If the top end Mac Mini could gain the power of the mid-end (and hopefully top-end) iMac, I'm sure a lot of Hackintoshers like me (and trust me, there are now a lot of us, especially compared to when I started around 8 years ago) would come back to Apple's offerings.

I agree. There is no good reason why Apple can't seriously bump the performance of the entire desktop range, and still retain the relative performance rankings of the Pro, iMac, and Mini, and so protect the two higher end models from being eaten away from below.

They only have to cripple the Mini if the other two are sub-par.

I'd also be okay if the Mini is given the current Pro form. Only problem with that form is that they squeezed too much into the 'Pro' version and ran into its thermal envelope. But for Mini level performance it should work very well.

iToys

Cruel, but fair.

 

[MRrainer]

Since the Mac team was decimated months ago I find it hard to believe they are just now starting on a new coarse with the desktop line while still working on their highest selling MacBooks.
Where did they find all these Mac engineers to build new Mac Pros, iMacs and Minis if major design changes are coming unless it's more of the same.
They would need prototypes finished, validation testing done, supply, tooling and manufacturing built with late summer or very early fall for October delivery.
Possibly it's all been sitting in Jony's white room for a while.

I would imagine there's quite some talent available on the market. After all, HP is always laying of people. And Dell, too.

The tooling, manufacturing - they'll wake up a dormitory of Chinese engineers early and give them a cookie and a cup of tea, remember?
;-)
That should give 'em a head-start...

 

[fischersd]

I see the upcoming line of pro displays from Apple as a sign that there may be new life breathed into the Mini. The Mini is their "gateway drug" - you can take the investment in that 32" 8k display over to the pro, preserving your investment in the display. (heh, that there may actually be a GPU powerful enough to drive a pro display in the Mini might be pushing our luck a little) Apple actually producing a line of 8k displays would certainly have everyone salivating just a wee bit. (we can dream, right?)

 

[now i see it]

A Mac Mini driving an 8k display is at least 10 years out. If ever.

 

[robotica]

It would be a good idea for Apple to make the next mini drive and 8k display as they said that's what they are working on.

 

[now i see it]

they said they'll be making "a display" for the next MacPro. That's it. There was no mention at that meeting of any 8k display. And they didn't want to talk about the Mac Mini at all except to say "its important".

Well I can tell you that trimming my toe nails every once in a while is "important" too.
Ever notice that Apple NEVER will talk about the Mac Mini? Never. Even when it gets updated, they'll spend 5 minutes at most explaining the changes, then the topic changes to something else.

They DO NOT want people to get excited about the mini. It exists as a tossed crust of bread for the poor people (as apple sees it).

 

[Andres Cantu]

they said they'll be making "a display" for the next MacPro. That's it. There was no mention at that meeting of any 8k display. And they didn't want to talk about the Mac Mini at all except to say "its important".

Well I can tell you that trimming my toe nails every once in a while is "important" too.
Ever notice that Apple NEVER will talk about the Mac Mini? Never. Even when it gets updated, they'll spend 5 minutes at most explaining the changes, then the topic changes to something else.

They DO NOT want people to get excited about the mini. It exists as a tossed crust of bread for the poor people (as apple sees it).

That's very true. The only redesign it has ever gotten was not even mentioned by Apple.

 

[dogslobber]

A Mac Mini driving an 8k display is at least 10 years out. If ever.

But an affordable 8K display won't show until the turn of the decade.

Here's what Uncle Anand said:

"From 2013 to 2016, the prices of UHD monitors fell from $3500-$5000 to $350-$500. Extrapolating this, users wanting an 8K panel on their desk in a more comfortable price bracket might have to wait until 2020 or so to get one. By then, 16K might exist, back at the $5000 price point. Maybe."

http://www.anandtech.com/show/11220/dells-32-inch-8k-up3218k-display-now-for-sale

 

[now i see it]

Since the Mac team was decimated months ago...

That's not the story.
The story was the MAC OS team now works together with the iOS team. And for all we know, that's a BS rumor anyway. There's no substantiating evidence to verify it. That story was from "a little anonymous bird". It has little credibility. Maybe there's something to it, but almost certainly the real story (facts) are somewhat different.

This website (MacRumors) is filled with 95% hearsay. Whatever is posted here in the form of "a good source has revealed" should be taken with a large dose of skepticism.

 

[Micky Do]

This website (MacRumors) is filled with 95% hearsay. Whatever is posted here in the form of "a good source has revealed" should be taken with a large dose of skepticism.

Well, it is MacRumors, not MacFacts….. though sometimes I feel it is MacMockers, MacScoffers, or MacCynics.

Despite the predictions of some doom merchants, it can now be said with a fair amount of certainty that the new Mac Mini is almost certainly coming.

 

[toke lahti]

But an affordable 8K display won't show until the turn of the decade.

Here's what Uncle Anand said:

"From 2013 to 2016, the prices of UHD monitors fell from $3500-$5000 to $350-$500. Extrapolating this, users wanting an 8K panel on their desk in a more comfortable price bracket might have to wait until 2020 or so to get one. By then, 16K might exist, back at the $5000 price point. Maybe."

http://www.anandtech.com/show/11220/dells-32-inch-8k-up3218k-display-now-for-sale

What was the price point of 30" 2560x1600 before Apple made theirs?
If the new Apple display is only for pros, it might be expensive, but if they want expand the market wider, there might be a new price class.

The new thing might be just 5k or 8k or anything between, but it might also have eGPU inside, if Apple wants to keep eGPU solutions "only from Apple".

Anyway, if it's still the double glassed glossy mirror, I don't care...

 

[dogslobber]

These past few days have really got me feeling rejuvenated about the Mac in general. I was beginning to lose hope:

Phil Schiller is our friend and will look after us by delivering a Mini we can be proud of and want to buy.

 

[Santabean2000]

Phil Schiller is our friend and will look after us by delivering a Mini we can be proud of and want to buy.

Here's hoping to have a more 'pro' iMac and more 'iMac' mini.

Bring back the quad core mini, damn it!