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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

You guys clearly have never used smaller form factor machines. Going somewhat smaller would not at all mean reducing the number of ports. Much of the back of the Mac mini is just empty space.

I am not saying they will go smaller, because the existence of the Mac Studio argues against that, but the reason there aren't more ports is because of Apple's marketing team. Remember, the Mac mini M1 actually has more ports than the entry-level iMac, despite the fact that the iMac has a HUGE back panel in comparison.
 
EugW said:
You guys clearly have never used smaller form factor machines. Going somewhat smaller would not at all mean reducing the number of ports. Much of the back of the Mac mini is just empty space.

I am not saying they will go smaller, because the existence of the Mac Studio argues against that, but the reason there aren't more ports is because of Apple's marketing team. Remember, the Mac mini M1 actually has more ports than the entry-level iMac, despite the fact that the iMac has a HUGE back panel in comparison.
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I’m thinking of the remaining Intel Mac Mini. Yes, the M1 Mini already has fewer ports because of limitations of the M1. i would hope that Apple can work beyond that and support a decent selection of ports on the next Mini.
 
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EugW said:
If your 2018 died tomorrow, you'd buy another 2018 model in 2022?
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I think the M1 mini is a good machine, but not enough for me. The Intel mini is still the most powerful one, barring the release of an M1 Pro mini.

If I knew for sure that there wouldn’t never be an Mx Pro mini, then Ikd go for the Studio. But we won’t really know that before November, I think.
 
tubular said:
I think the M1 mini is a good machine, but not enough for me. The Intel mini is still the most powerful one, barring the release of an M1 Pro mini.

If I knew for sure that there wouldn’t never be an Mx Pro mini, then Ikd go for the Studio. But we won’t really know that before November, I think.
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I have both machines. I prefer the M1 16gb. I'm not sure why you see the Intel mini as more powerful--certainly not in the tests or benchmarks that I've seen (not even the i7). When it comes to CPU , the M1 is better, and when it comes to integrated graphics, again the M1 is better. If you need bootcamp for something though, that's where I go to the Intel machine over emulation.
 
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EugW said:
You guys clearly have never used smaller form factor machines. Going somewhat smaller would not at all mean reducing the number of ports. Much of the back of the Mac mini is just empty space.

I am not saying they will go smaller, because the existence of the Mac Studio argues against that, but the reason there aren't more ports is because of Apple's marketing team. Remember, the Mac mini M1 actually has more ports than the entry-level iMac, despite the fact that the iMac has a HUGE back panel in comparison.
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I have used the old Intel Mac mini and there wasn't much "empty space":
sp659_mac_mini-late2012-connections.jpg

By contrast there is a bunch of "empty space" on the M1 Mini:
M1 Mini.png

From what I have seen of the M1 Macs the M1 itself limits the number of USB+Thunderbolt ports to four. Though I don't understand why Apple has only two Thunderbolt ports (no USB 3) ports on the bare bones 24" M1 (8-Core CPU 7-Core GPU) - the barebones M1 Mini shows you could easily have the 2 USB A + 2 Thunderbolt ports combo and I don't think 1 less core in the GPU is reason to lose USB A.
 
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My problem is that the M1 easily meets my power needs, but not my RAM needs. The way I work needs a pile of stuff open at the same time, all day.

The Studio is serious overkill for me just to get that extra RAM.

I am hoping the M2 offers 32GB RAM. But if so, then I expect Apple will price it so it is a smallish step from a 32GB Mini to the base Studio. That is, overprice the extra RAM in the Mini.

OTOH, SSDs have long lives nowadays, and fast access times, so a 16GB M1 with a large SSD (for access speed and wear spreading), might be enough to cover the extra RAM, for me.

You know, a first world problem. 😬
 
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Miat said:
My problem is that the M1 easily meets my power needs, but not my RAM needs. The way I work needs a pile of stuff open at the same time, all day.

The Studio is serious overkill for me just to get that extra RAM.

I am hoping the M2 offers 32GB RAM. But if so, then I expect Apple will price it so it is a smallish step from a 32GB Mini to the base Studio. That is, overprice the extra RAM in the Mini.

OTOH, SSDs have long lives nowadays, and fast access times, so a 16GB M1 with a large SSD (for access speed and wear spreading), might be enough to cover the extra RAM, for me.

You know, a first world problem. 😬
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I don't think the base M2 will offer a 32GB RAM option. Heck, Apple could, in theory, put a Mx Pro in the Mini right now and have a 32GB RAM option for the Mini. I doubt we will have anything to replace the existing 3.0GHz Intel Core i5 Mini as Apple had i7 minis but didn't keep those as "new" minis.

In terms of base RAM and SSD size (8GB unified memory 512GB SSD storage) an M1 is cheaper than the i5 (by $200)
 
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Would be interesting if Apple decided to finally replace the upper SKU Intel mini with an M1 Pro. It would be the kind of machine that devs would go for. They could leave the existing M1 on sale till October before M2 macs go on general sale.
 
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EugW said:
If your 2018 died tomorrow, you'd buy another 2018 model in 2022?
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At the moment, yes. Here is my real world scenario. My 2018 mini (i7, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is at my local Apple store waiting for parts to test if I have a bad logic board or bad RAM. When the repair tech told me it wouldn't be in my best interest to replace the RAM if it is bad ($600... since my Apple Care has expired) and probably not worth the logic board either ($450), I told him I have a lot of money invested in that machine and I wanted to have it fixed. I have an eGPU which was an additional cost (twice over, since I upgraded to a better model some years ago) and have upgraded the GPU in the eGPU multiple times as well (latest upgrade, an RX 6800 XT has yet to be fully utilized). All additional costs, but they would all amount to huge losses if I went with an AS mini.

So, to me, the 2018 mini is a sweet spot of performance and upgradability.
 
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Kinda odd situation where the 2018 Mini is oldest Mini supported by macOS Ventura and they're still selling it brand new.
 
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At least we know roughly what holding out will get you.

As much as I love the Mac Studio it is serious overkill for me, but a 24GB M2 Mac Mini would probably be perfect at a lower price (still would like some more ports though)
 
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reallynotnick said:
At least we know roughly what holding out will get you.

As much as I love the Mac Studio it is serious overkill for me, but a 24GB M2 Mac Mini would probably be perfect at a lower price (still would like some more ports though)
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Yes. While I knew 24 GB would be theoretically possible, I wasn’t convinced it’d be available in sufficient volume, but clearly it is. A new Mac mini with M2 and 24 GB RAM would satisfy a lot of people.

I’m still a little worried about the number of USB ports though.

Perhaps they’d release the M2 as the high end model with more ports while keeping the M1 at the low end.
 
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EugW said:
Yes. While I knew 24 GB would be theoretically possible, I wasn’t convinced it’d be available in sufficient volume, but clearly it is. A new Mac mini with M2 and 24 GB RAM would satisfy a lot of people.

I’m still a little worried about the number of USB ports though.
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Yeah sorry probably should have quoted my own post, I originally was writing up something last night about vendors but then got distracted and MacRumors saved that quote and I was just excited to post (Samsung was the only one I could find doing 12GB LPDDR4X in my quick research)

The new one should be using LPDDR5 based on the memory bandwidth, not sure who all is making that yet.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
They could "silent update" at any time... but next best bet is prob September-October.
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Yeah, I was thinking historically. Like if some could say a certain model or update of a model was released x months after an event. The Macbook Air says available next month, so doubtful it would be then because, why not announce it. Looks like Sep. - Oct. at the earliest.
 
My guess is that we will see the 24" iMac and a revised Mac mini that matches the various mockups released at a fall Mac event.

I do think this revised Mac mini will be the only model since 24GB will address the "RAM ceiling" for more customers and if you have to have 32GB, "there is a Mac Studio for that" (even if it is $500 more).

* - I expect an M2 Mac mini with 24GB and 512GB and the new chassis to run $1499.
 
I'm now in the market for a Mac Mini! I'm sure the M1 would be enough for me but I'm in no rush. I can wait for the M2 update.

I'll probably go for 16GB/512GB but might be tempted to go for 24GB/1TB 😊

My current PC has 32GB/2.25TB but that's only because I use it for gaming. 16GB RAM would enough for day to day use and some light photo/video editing. My 2TB SSD is purely for games and I won't be gaming on the Mac Mini lol. My 250GB boot drive I still have 160GB free after Windows + my programs so a 512GB is more than enough for me.

I'd only go with 24GB + 1TB to "future proof" and if the price is right.
 
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