The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[goatghost]

I've been a Mac user since the mid 1990s (I had a Commodore Amiga before that). My current machine is a PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0, which I bought like 9 years ago and paid $2999 (I know you're thinking, "how the hell can he still use THAT?").

Anyway, I've been waiting since last spring for a new Mac Mini and it's starting to get to be crunch time. I don't mind if Apple goes the soldered RAM route (I will fork over the additional $300 for 16GB). The next Mini definitely needs to have Iris or better graphics (I want a machine which will buy me at least a couple of years of game playing before needing to upgrade). I have mixed feelings about the SSD. On one hand, it's definitely a major speed increase. But, on the other hand, they aren't cheap, they don't have as large a capacity, and, with all the writing/re-writing, they don't last forever.

All this talk about 4K graphics...I doubt Apple will roll that into any new Mini before being an option on any of the higher-end models. Personally, I don't see the whole purpose, unless you are in the graphics business (and, if you were in the graphics business, you should be buying a Mac Pro). Yeah, a retina-quality 3840x2048 display would be nice but, unless I'm doing high-end graphics, I don't see how Apple could ever roll that in and keep the current price point. At this point in time, I can't imagine it being an option on the lowest-end mac...especially, before any of the other machines have it.

As far as just going with an iMac, instead...I think an iMac is a plug-in-and-go computer for grandma (or, for someone who wants "simple"). Plus, I already bought a 24" Dell 1920x1200 display to pair with an eventual Mac Mini.

I don't need portability, so I can't see spending $1600 (with 16GB RAM) on a rMB...especially, with only dual cores (when you can get a 4-core i7 on the current $799 mid-range Mini).

Apparently, Apple doesn't make much money on the Mini and, in the grand scheme of things, it's low on their "to do" list. I will say, if Apple discontinues the Mini, I will probably be bailing. I'm not going to spend $3000 on a home computer...been there, done that (probably still paying for it, too...lol). I'm not going to spend $1700 on a dork all-in-one computer. And, I'm not going to spend $1600 on an underpowered laptop to function as a desktop machine.

So, that's my two cents. It's been over a year of no news, whatsoever. No credible rumors...only a bogus Belgian retailer "leak" and some wild speculation about Intel's processor roadmap and how it fits into Apple's product line.

I'll see what happens at WWDC, if anything. In just a few weeks, the Mini will have exceeded its longest refresh wait EVER.

Knowing my luck, I'll wait until November, just to find out that Apple is discontinuing the Mini line...LOL

 

[mojolicious]

if Apple discontinues the Mini, I will probably be bailing. I'm not going to spend $3000 on a home computer...been there, done that (probably still paying for it, too...lol). I'm not going to spend $1700 on a dork all-in-one computer. And, I'm not going to spend $1600 on an underpowered laptop to function as a desktop machine.

I pretty much agree with this, less the 'dork' and the 'underpowered', but I think the current quadcore i7 will be a perfectly adequate computer for at least the next five years. I might bail from buying new Apple computers, but I'd continue to buy second hand.

 

[Fishrrman]

Re goatghost's post #1401 above:

The i7 Mac Mini would probably suit your needs, CPU-wise and graphics-wise right now.

In January 2012 I moved from a PowerMac g4 tower (which, like you, I had been using for 9 years) to a Mini i7/2.6ghz, connected an external SSD for my booter, and it was a BIG step UP from the g4 tower.

I would not expect a new Mini until the Broadwell chips arrive in the "right configurations" for a Mini revamp. Looks like summer-to-fall at the earliest, and that's IF there's going to be a new Mini at all. There has been speculation that the current Mini could become the end-of-the-line for the design...

 

[Cape Dave]

I really want PCI SSD. So, my next computer will have it. One way or another.

And, like above, it will not be a dorky all in one nor a $3K computer.

Time will tell.

If no new mini, then the HP ProDesk mini is looking good to me. I can deal with 8.1.

 

[G4er?]

If no new mini, then the HP ProDesk mini is looking good to me.

Why would you want a computer where they put things on the front where you can reach them?

 

[Cape Dave]

Why would you want a computer where they put things on the front where you can reach them?

I am not sure I could handle it, but am willing to give it a try

 

[Crosscreek]

I am not sure I could handle it, but am willing to give it a try

If you stick things in the front it will be too easy to see what you are doing

 

[Roadking714]

All I know if apple discontinues the Mac mini I'll be buying me another one just in case but will suck if it does

 

[hleewell]

Keep the thread going ...and going, people !!!
Never stop !! Ever!!

 

[dalupus]

All this talk about 4K graphics...I doubt Apple will roll that into any new Mini before being an option on any of the higher-end models. Personally, I don't see the whole purpose, unless you are in the graphics business (and, if you were in the graphics business, you should be buying a Mac Pro). Yeah, a retina-quality 3840x2048 display would be nice but, unless I'm doing high-end graphics, I don't see how Apple could ever roll that in and keep the current price point. At this point in time, I can't imagine it being an option on the lowest-end mac...especially, before any of the other machines have it.

What are you talking about? All they would have to do is include thunderbolt 2, which will almost certainly be included in the refresh model.

And 4k is not just about high end graphics. I do 0 graphics work and after using my rMBP would never buy a non-retina laptop or monitor again. For me it reduces eye strain significantly due to the clearer text.

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I really want PCI SSD. So, my next computer will have it. One way or another.

And, like above, it will not be a dorky all in one nor a $3K computer.

Time will tell.

If no new mini, then the HP ProDesk mini is looking good to me. I can deal with 8.1.

we have probably seen the last macs that don't have SSD, so you should be fine. I personally would never buy another spinner again. May as well be powering your mini with a hand crank.

 

[squirrrl]

we have probably seen the last macs that don't have SSD, so you should be fine. I personally would never buy another spinner again. May as well be powering your mini with a hand crank.

I really think they'll keep the fusion drive (1TB + 128GB SSD). Probably that and the 250GB SSD as the standard base models. People still want high capacity drives in their desktops to store all their media and high capacity SSDs are still much more expensive than the old spinners.

 

[dalupus]

I really think they'll keep the fusion drive (1TB + 128GB SSD). Probably that and the 250GB SSD as the standard base models. People still want high capacity drives in their desktops to store all their media and high capacity SSDs are still much more expensive than the old spinners.

time will tell.

 

[Crosscreek]

Now that delivery times for Mac Pro have come down to 2 weeks maybe Timmy,
Johny and Jimmy the soon to be new creative consultant can create us a new Mini.

 

[now i see it]

It has been 9 long years since the Mini was first introduced. Sometimes we forget what Apple originally designed it for.

Here is a link down memory lane:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJpZGeihy0s

 

[mojolicious]

It has been 9 long years since the Mini was first introduced. Sometimes we forget what Apple originally designed it for.

Are you suggesting that before Apple deign to sell someone a Mini they should been to prove that they're either a) a switcher, or b) already owner of at least one other Mac computer?

The original Mini was priced from $499 at a time when you could buy a Power Mac G5 for $1499. With the cheapest Mac Pro now double that price, I think we – the BYODKMers – need the Mini more than ever.

 

[Jambalaya]

Apple spend 3 billion dollars on a headphone company who make a product which is only really suited to a narrow range of base heavy music and yet the Mini get's no refresh. Poor prioritisation IMO.

 

[phrehdd]

Apple spend 3 billion dollars on a headphone company who make a product which is only really suited to a narrow range of base heavy music and yet the Mini get's no refresh. Poor prioritisation IMO.

While I tend to agree with your sentiments, there is a logic to getting the "Beats" company which has both a trade name headphone and a music subscription service. Beats to me is kid stuff for bassheads and most of their line is not designed for fidelity that one may want with better recordings. However, again it is about what sells and not what is "good."

As for the Mini, for those that continue to say it doesn't sell all that well might be right but the reasons may not be as one would imagine - it isn't really priced to go these days as an introduction system. It costs more than a typical smallish PC with similar "power." It also is not marketed to compete with other Apple computers and thus just sits quietly in the Apple Stores while hooplah is made over the iMacs and then the Mac Pro as well as the top sellers - the laptop division.

In short, Apple keeps the Mini in a niche market by design and by doing such, it reduces potential sales. I admit the more time goes on the less I'll put up with Apple's marketing model (meaning jump ship like some others are doing out of frustration).

 

[Jambalaya]

Interesting @phedd. I wonder if they move OSX closer to iOS (inc using ARM chips) and then do a really budget Mini / super-ATV ? I suppose the danger there for those of us who want something a bit higher up the food chain and upgradable find there is no offering. That wold be a scenario which @crosscreek has spoken of.

Anyway we wait and we love this thread ...

 

[Cape Dave]

Apple spend 3 billion dollars on a headphone company who make a product which is only really suited to a narrow range of base heavy music and yet the Mini get's no refresh. Poor prioritisation IMO.

You heard it here first. This will be a FIASCO. Along the lines of eBay and SKYPE, AOL and Time Warner, and HP and whatever company they bought for ELEVEN BILLION dollars. (and then took an 8 BILLION loss against)

Bottom line, Beats could fall of the face of the earth and not a damn person would care. Not a good play Apple, but this is simply what happens when companies have too much money. They turn into complete idiots.

You can do better Apple, and starting by rewarding your LOYAL customers with a refreshed mini would be a good place to start

Seems to me these companies should negotiate a lot harder when buying companies. 19 BILLION for a texting company, Facebook? REALLY???

 

[Crosscreek]

You heard it here first. This will be a FIASCO. Along the lines of eBay and SKYPE, AOL and Time Warner, and HP and whatever company they bought for ELEVEN BILLION dollars. (and then took an 8 BILLION loss against)

Bottom line, Beats could fall of the face of the earth and not a damn person would care. Not a good play Apple, but this is simply what happens when companies have too much money. They turn into complete idiots.

You can do better Apple, and starting by rewarding your LOYAL customers with a refreshed mini would be a good place to start

Seems to me these companies should negotiate a lot harder when buying companies. 19 BILLION for a texting company, Facebook? REALLY???

It's easier to buy technology and a streaming service than to design your own.

I think this is the future of Apple. Sort of like Google. Acquire, acquire, acquire.

Innovate others innovation.

 

[Cape Dave]

It's easier to buy technology and a streaming service than to design your own.

I think this is the future of Apple. Sort of like Google. Acquire, acquire, acquire.

Innovate others innovation.

Which is fine when done intelligently. But although this is a brand name they are buying, the underlying product is crap. And I may be way way out of touch with the younger set and whatever music is hip, but I am quite sure that whatever streaming music crap Beats has very RECENTLY come up with is not worth 3.2 billion yet.

Unfortunately, Apple has so much money that it simply does not matter what they do. Which it too bad really. It lessens the edge they might otherwise have when figuring out what purchases to make. A Catch 22 if you will

I am all for spending and acquiring, I just really wonder about this particular deal. I believe that there are far better opportunities out there.

One thing for sure... IT WILL BE AN AWESOME DAY FOR DR. DRE! I want to party with him!

A better idea might be to buy Neil Young's technology and actually give us BETTER music

 

[Crosscreek]

Which is fine when done intelligently. But although this is a brand name they are buying, the underlying product is crap. And I may be way way out of touch with the younger set and whatever music is hip, but I am quite sure that whatever streaming music crap Beats has very RECENTLY come up with is not worth 3.2 billion yet.

Unfortunately, Apple has so much money that it simply does not matter what they do. Which it too bad really. It lessens the edge they might otherwise have when figuring out what purchases to make. A Catch 22 if you will

I am all for spending and acquiring, I just really wonder about this particular deal. I believe that there are far better opportunities out there.

One thing for sure... IT WILL BE AN AWESOME DAY FOR DR. DRE! I want to party with him!

I guess what a lot of the tech analyst are saying is that they sell a Billion worth of headphones a year so it's like getting the business for free.

I don't know but I'm too old for that stuff also. Blues and classic rock is my preference.

 

[fastlanephil]

Getting back to the original thoughts for this thread I think that maybe the Mac Mini doesn't fit in with Apple's near future products. With the release of the 2013 Mac Pro Apple has created a very top tier line that only makes sense for graphic professionals and a few others.

The alternative desktop is the iMac which is a some what compromised desktop computer stuck with two display options. If Apple were to come out with a upscaled Mac Mini or a scaled down Mac Pro and also additional display options I would think they would tap a market that the current line up is missing out on.

The rumored cheaper iMac doesn't sound like a replacement for anything but just speculation based on past markets and not future trends. It could be just a price adjustment of the current models.

 

[Jambalaya]

I guess what a lot of the tech analyst are saying is that they sell a Billion worth of headphones a year so it's like getting the business for free.

I don't know but I'm too old for that crap also. Blues and classic rock is my preference.

In the old days companies would be bought and sold based upon a multiple of profits not sales or worst still "registered users". Even with $1bn in sales (so what a couple 100 of profits max) Apple are paying 10x profits for a company with a brand and no unique technology.

It's all quite depressing when the R&D for a new Mini would have cost what $2-3m max ?

----------

Getting back to the original thoughts for this thread

If we did that we would never have kept it going for 1400 posts

 

[talmy]

It's all quite depressing when the R&D for a new Mini would have cost what $2-3m max ?

And there are plenty of people here, in this thread, who would gladly do the design for FREE.