The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[squirrrl]

t sounds more like a beafed up AppleTV to me. and for more heavy duty tasks, they now have Mac Pros. as an entertainment center, a new sealed mac mini / AppleTV would make sense. for iOS programming, MBA serves just fine.

I'm sorry but this statement is crazy. I think we can all agree just by looking at Apple's cash reserves that they make a lot of money. The mini is clearly a very small percentage of their income, but do you think they would shrink their customer base on the mini product from someone who wants a headless mac to the small percentage of those people who are just going to use it for an entertainment center?

Apple TV costs $100, Roku 3 costs $100, Amazon Fire TV costs $100, and smaller USB type things from Roku and google costs less. How many people on this board looking for a Mac mini do you think want to pay $500 (five times as much) for a computer that will primarily be used as an entertainment center. Apple may not be the friendliest company to user upgrades, but they wouldn't shoot themselves in the foot by offering a product that already has a comparative low market share to people who are even a subset of that market.

Now I can see perhaps they add Apple TV functionality in addition to everything else a mac mini does as a personal computer, but to say they are going to market a new mac mini as an entertainment center is daft.

 

[barkmonster]

I'm sorry but this statement is crazy. I think we can all agree just by looking at Apple's cash reserves that they make a lot of money. The mini is clearly a very small percentage of their income, but do you think they would shrink their customer base on the mini product from someone who wants a headless mac to the small percentage of those people who are just going to use it for an entertainment center?

Apple TV costs $100, Roku 3 costs $100, Amazon Fire TV costs $100, and smaller USB type things from Roku and google costs less. How many people on this board looking for a Mac mini do you think want to pay $500 (five times as much) for a computer that will primarily be used as an entertainment center. Apple may not be the friendliest company to user upgrades, but they wouldn't shoot themselves in the foot by offering a product that already has a comparative low market share to people who are even a subset of that market.

Now I can see perhaps they add Apple TV functionality in addition to everything else a mac mini does as a personal computer, but to say they are going to market a new mac mini as an entertainment center is daft.

I agree. Particularly with no Front Row for some time now, low cost Apple TV/Alternatives and plenty of features OS-wide or in iTunes to share your media library.

If they're going to do anything drastic it will be to move to PCIe SSD, Thunderbolt 2 and Iris Pro GPUs and add the option of larger drives in the server model as well as larger Fusion configurations by using 1.5 and 2Tb 9.5mm drives.

 

[Crosscreek]

I agree. Particularly with no Front Row for some time now, low cost Apple TV/Alternatives and plenty of features OS-wide or in iTunes to share your media library.

If they're going to do anything drastic it will be to move to PCIe SSD, Thunderbolt 2 and Iris Pro GPUs and add the option of larger drives in the server model as well as larger Fusion configurations by using 1.5 and 2Tb 9.5mm drives.

you are the optimist

 

[phositadc]

….. and I don't give a hoot.



I'll get a new Mac Mini when I need one, not when another generation is released.

Some of us don't like paying the same price for 2012 hardware in 2014 as we would have paid in 2012. Wish it didn't bother me, but I just can't shake the feeling that I'm getting ripped off. I mean, Apple dropped the price on the MBA last week while simultaneously giving a small spec bump. If Apple refuses to update the mini, is it too much to ask for a price drop on 2 year old hardware?

 

[ross7777]

Some of us don't like paying the same price for 2012 hardware in 2014 as we would have paid in 2012. Wish it didn't bother me, but I just can't shake the feeling that I'm getting ripped off. I mean, Apple dropped the price on the MBA last week while simultaneously giving a small spec bump. If Apple refuses to update the mini, is it too much to ask for a price drop on 2 year old hardware?

Exactly. This is why I refuse to buy one at this point. Even the refurb price is absurd. It's old tech. The margin on these must be quite good.

 

[phositadc]

Exactly. This is why I refuse to buy one at this point. Even the refurb price is absurd. It's old tech. The margin on these must be quite good.

I actually put my money where my mouth is and built an alternative win 8.1 PC a couple of weeks ago. To be honest, it works just as well as my old Mac mini and is multiple times faster. No regrets. That said, whenever the new mini comes out, I will certainly consider returning to OSX if it's a compelling machine

 

[leftyMac]

I'm sorry but this statement is crazy. I think we can all agree just by looking at Apple's cash reserves that they make a lot of money. The mini is clearly a very small percentage of their income, but do you think they would shrink their customer base on the mini product from someone who wants a headless mac to the small percentage of those people who are just going to use it for an entertainment center?

Apple TV costs $100, Roku 3 costs $100, Amazon Fire TV costs $100, and smaller USB type things from Roku and google costs less. How many people on this board looking for a Mac mini do you think want to pay $500 (five times as much) for a computer that will primarily be used as an entertainment center. Apple may not be the friendliest company to user upgrades, but they wouldn't shoot themselves in the foot by offering a product that already has a comparative low market share to people who are even a subset of that market.

Now I can see perhaps they add Apple TV functionality in addition to everything else a mac mini does as a personal computer, but to say they are going to market a new mac mini as an entertainment center is daft.

not really though. by not updating mac mini, you are forced to 1) move on to PC, 2) get a Mac Pro (for those who need serious horse power), 3) get an updated slightly more expensive new Apple TV as an entertainment center that integrates iOS (playing iOS games on TV and stuff, eventually). dare I say iPod TV!!!

and for those wanting an entry level mac, there's a basic MBA already or the said cheaper iMac that's supposed to come out soon.

a new more powerful mac mini would steal potential Mac Pro buyers. so why would Apple actually give you what you want, instead of telling you what you can get?

to keep the price of a mac mini low, the specs need to be shi-tty as well. in that case, there's already iPad that can do most basic tasks. if you need a computer, then there's a MBA that's cheap and comes with OSX. and if you want a powerful desktop, they want you to buy a Mac Pro. and of course there are a bunch of options in between (beafed up MBA, MBP, rMBP).

 

[majkom]

not really though. by not updating mac mini, you are forced to 1) move on to PC, 2) get a Mac Pro (for those who need serious horse power), 3) get an updated slightly more expensive new Apple TV as an entertainment center that integrates iOS (playing iOS games on TV and stuff, eventually). dare I say iPod TV!!!

and for those wanting an entry level mac, there's a basic MBA already or the said cheaper iMac that's supposed to come out soon.

a new more powerful mac mini would steal potential Mac Pro buyers. so why would Apple actually give you what you want, instead of telling you what you can get?

to keep the price of a mac mini low, the specs need to be shi-tty as well. in that case, there's already iPad that can do most basic tasks. if you need a computer, then there's a MBA that's cheap and comes with OSX. and if you want a powerful desktop, they want you to buy a Mac Pro. and of course there are a bunch of options in between (beafed up MBA, MBP, rMBP).

Dont see significant number of buyers that can/would substitute nMP by nMMini and vice versa...

 

[satchmo]

Frankly, I'm surprised Apple has been so quiet with product announcements.

We're already 5 months into the year and still a month out from WWDC and all they've released is an arguably 'faster' MBA.

I'm not a fan of how in recent years, everything but the kitchen sink has been unveiled at the end of the year.

 

[squirrrl]

Frankly, I'm surprised Apple has been so quiet with product announcements.

We're already 5 months into the year and still a month out from WWDC and all they've released is an arguably 'faster' MBA.

I'm not a fan of how in recent years, everything but the kitchen sink has been unveiled at the end of the year.

I think in this case, it's the availability of processors that has slowed down some of the announcements. The second iteration Haswell processors were only recently available and broadwell won't be available till the end of the year since they have seen delays in manufacturing. So in terms of the laptops/desktops, I think that's the reason for the middle/end of the year refresh for these.

I don't think it's a vast conspiracy to piss you off

 

[Cape Dave]

Frankly, I'm surprised Apple has been so quiet with product announcements.

We're already 5 months into the year and still a month out from WWDC and all they've released is an arguably 'faster' MBA.

I'm not a fan of how in recent years, everything but the kitchen sink has been unveiled at the end of the year.

ME NEITHER. I think it is corporately irresponsible. And, now seeing post above, seems to be Intel's fault. Intel is starting to suck too

All that said, I am feeling good because I think we know what day is coming soon!!!!!!!

 

[Crosscreek]

I think the Mini is not on Apples short upgrade list. If it was called IMini Mac then maybe.

 

[toddzrx]

I'm not a fan of how in recent years, everything but the kitchen sink has been unveiled at the end of the year.

+1.

Some of this is out of their control due to supplier issues, but still, I think a lot of it has to do with Apple trying to milk the Christmas shopping season.

I wish we saw new/refreshed computers showing up in the summer, showcased at WWDC. iPod/iPhone can stay in the fall. And then keep the iPad in the spring. If nothing else, it'd give most people an excuse to stroll through the store more frequently. I haven't been to one in months; there's nothing new to look at.

 

[satchmo]

I don't think it's a vast conspiracy to piss you off

+1.

Some of this is out of their control due to supplier issues, but still, I think a lot of it has to do with Apple trying to milk the Christmas shopping season.

I wish we saw new/refreshed computers showing up in the summer, showcased at WWDC. iPod/iPhone can stay in the fall. And then keep the iPad in the spring. If nothing else, it'd give most people an excuse to stroll through the store more frequently. I haven't been to one in months; there's nothing new to look at.

Perhaps not a conspiracy, and I realize probably only Apple could get away with not doing anything for 5 months and still be on the minds of many.

Despite a new Samsung watch and Amazon TV streaming box, everyone's waiting to see what Apple has up it's sleeves. The only danger is that more times than not, expectations exceed announcements. And then we get, 'the sky is falling' or that Apple can't innovate anymore.

The longer the wait (yes, third party suppliers are part to blame), the more pent up demand and expectation that Apple will deliver something big. That's a heck of a lot of pressure and no small feat to best recent accomplishments of the iPhone and iPad.

I'm sure human resources are also likely strained in getting iOS 8 and Mac OS 10.xx.x out. But maybe they could throw us a frickin' bone. Give us a new 27" 4K monitor. That at least will get myself and others back into an Apple retail store to drool over something.

 

[squirrrl]

We're talking a Mac mini here. I don't need to drool. I just want a couple thunderbolt 2 ports, a few USB 3s, standard SSD, and a more current chip.

 

[Oracle1729]

a new more powerful mac mini would steal potential Mac Pro buyers. so why would Apple actually give you what you want, instead of telling you what you can get?

I don't see how you can think that.

Why would someone who's interested in a decently powered consumer-grade desktop computer in the $600-1000 price range spring for a $3000+ render-optimized workstation that will give them zero performance benefit?

The two markets are night and day different and so are the price ranges.

The Chevy Malibu steals very little business from GM's Cadillac division. And Nikon's $100 point and shoots cost them very few D4s sales.

In this case, I also put together a windows machine recently because I'm tired of waiting for a mini. I spent around $1000, so the MP was not even a remote consideration. At this point, I wouldn't even want a Haswell mini if it came out today. Haswell is too stale to buy in mid 2014.

I might consider a Broadwell mini if it comes out when the chips are still fresh. But given Apple's recent track record, I'm not holding my breath. I don't feel I'm leaving Apple, I feel Apple left me.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Dont see significant number of buyers that can/would substitute nMP by nMMini and vice versa...

When the nMP form factor landed, I was ready to jump ship from my Mini plans, but when the dual video cards hit the entry price, I had to bail. If a less 'true' Mac Pro were available or an xMac, substitutions would be more common. But it's more about value than price. A dual GPU nMP is the price of 3 minis. A single GPU nMP would only be 1/3rd less at 2 minis, but there would be less wasted dollars*. It also works the opposite: a higher spec mini would draw people away from faster iMacs, etc.

* GPUs seem to be the future but if you don't need them as GPUs, that's much cash tied up until currently CPU focused software changes to take advantage. What's the point of spending an extra $K for hardware that's obsolete before you can take advantage (the software catches up)?

I might consider a Broadwell mini if it comes out when the chips are still fresh. But given Apple's recent track record, I'm not holding my breath. I don't feel I'm leaving Apple, I feel Apple left me.

It's the curse of perfectionism. We are drawn to apple for what they create but sometimes the price for that creation is fewer price adjustments and longer release intervals. Other companies are imperfectionists™ and don't go to this design level and dont make wow and don't get our dollars (except when apple really makes us wait - and even then, only temporarily).

 

[opeter]

The Mac mini should always be updated parallel with the MacBook (Pro/Retina) hardware. Don't know, why Apple won't do that.

It is simply silly.

 

[squirrrl]

Not trying to be sacrilegious or anything, but do you think that there's a Christian group somewhere doing the same thing as us but on Sundays....

"this week is got to be the week Jesus is coming..."

"c'mon, it's been almost 2000 years!"

 

[G4er?]

Not trying to be sacrilegious or anything, but do you think that there's a Christian group somewhere doing the same thing as us but on Sundays....

"this week is got to be the week Jesus is coming..."

"c'mon, it's been almost 2000 years!"

At least they have a press release (Bible) that says Jesus is going to show up. That's more than we have from Apple.

 

[scottsjack]

For Mac enthusiasts Apple does not seem as fun anymore as it once was. It used to be that there was an element of excitement, innovation and "happening" surrounding Apple. Currently it is boring Tim, grumpy Jony, same old phones and giant holes in the product line. So sad.

 

[philipma1957]

not really though. by not updating mac mini, you are forced to 1) move on to PC, 2) get a Mac Pro (for those who need serious horse power), 3) get an updated slightly more expensive new Apple TV as an entertainment center that integrates iOS (playing iOS games on TV and stuff, eventually). dare I say iPod TV!!!

and for those wanting an entry level mac, there's a basic MBA already or the said cheaper iMac that's supposed to come out soon.

a new more powerful mac mini would steal potential Mac Pro buyers. so why would Apple actually give you what you want, instead of telling you what you can get?

to keep the price of a mac mini low, the specs need to be shi-tty as well. in that case, there's already iPad that can do most basic tasks. if you need a computer, then there's a MBA that's cheap and comes with OSX. and if you want a powerful desktop, they want you to buy a Mac Pro. and of course there are a bunch of options in between (beafed up MBA, MBP, rMBP).

well apple has just about lost me. I was a power buyer 50 to 100 mm's a year kept 3 or 4 in house and then cherried out the rest to sell on ebay.

once the mini got to be 8-9 months old sales slowed as people so the gear as old tech. So I no longer have the mini upgrade business on ebay. I don't need a 27 inch iMac .

I USE MY MINIS ON 1080 P TVS.

I AM TYPING ON A 46 INCH SONY RIGHT NOW.

Why did I type in caps. I am 57 years old and I have had double cataract surgery. It was successful but I did the option to have really good far vision. Plus decent middle vision.
Basically this shuts be out of small font lc's. The 27 inch iMac does not work for my eyes very well. 11 and 12 inch macbook air and macbook pros are next to worth less. And iPhones are a joke.

So I keep my 3 minis and pop over to this site 3 to 5 times a week vs 5 to 10 times a day. I built some very nice pc's and I put windows on my minis just so they can talk to my pc's

Apple basically forced me back to the windows world due to there pig headed stubbornness over a decent headless pc at a fair price.

Now the mini still is good enough for my 1080p screens but it stops me from buying a 4k tv. I would need to buy a mac pro to drive it correctly .

Oh well

 

[pirateyarrr]

I still love the beginning of this thread:

Trust me, a new mini is coming next week, or at least we have solid evidence to believe it.

from December 7, 2013.

I trust you, GabrieleR. In fact, I trust you exactly as far as I trust every other opinion in the MacRumors forums, posted by all the experts that like to post here. They're all so knowledgeable.

 

[Crosscreek]

For Mac enthusiasts Apple does not seem as fun anymore as it once was. It used to be that there was an element of excitement, innovation and "happening" surrounding Apple. Currently it is boring Tim, grumpy Jony, same old phones and giant holes in the product line. So sad.

I don't hold much hope for WWDC but if it is about OSX it may point towards some MAC upgrades although Intel is holding back and there is not much you can do with 2gen Haswell that hasn't been done.

I agree that Apple is in the doldrums without anything exciting going on.

A lot of tech people are saying that Apple might drop out of the top 10 tech companies by 2020 because of no new innovative products in the pipeline.

Tech is going cloud, wearable's and mobiles.

Desktops are a dying industry relegated to professionals that need workstations.

I think Apple will continue to concentrate on the IMac line with a yearly refresh but the Mini will go to 3 year refresh if they don't phase it out.

I don't think they sell enough Mini's to take a interest in it any longer.

 

[Cape Dave]

Not trying to be sacrilegious or anything, but do you think that there's a Christian group somewhere doing the same thing as us but on Sundays....

"this week is got to be the week Jesus is coming..."

"c'mon, it's been almost 2000 years!"

Um... all of them?