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What I think Apple will do to the Mac Mini in 2016

Z

Zackmd1

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 3, 2010
815
487
Maryland US
So while there has not been any specific rumors on a new mac mini I do think we will see a major redesign this year. With Apple moving to the new U variant processors, soldered ram, and m.2 SSDs I think we will see a much smaller mini redesign. Think Intel NUC. All aluminum casing just like before but with an approximate size of a 5" or less square.

Because I have been into hackintoshs of late I have designed a case for the Intel NUCs. In my personal opinion I think it is as close to the "new" 2016 Mac Mini as I can get.

Please know that this is just MY opinion and not based on any information or rumors.
 

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Looks really nice, but the whole shiny metallic look on the side is not something I see Apple doing.
 
Saphiria Veneficia said:
Looks really nice, but the whole shiny metallic look on the side is not something I see Apple doing.
Click to expand...

Well the render is not 100% accurate. I can't get a anodized aluminum finish looking right with my current software. So the sides are suppose to be anodized aluminum. I think it will be offered in the standard 3 colors of space grey, sliver, and gold.
 
Zackmd1 said:
Well the render is not 100% accurate. I can't get a anodized aluminum finish looking right with my current software. So the sides are suppose to be anodized aluminum. I think it will be offered in the standard 3 colors of space grey, sliver, and gold.
Click to expand...
I agree. I can see Apple doing those three colors, and possibly rose gold.
 
Zackmd1 said:
So while there has not been any specific rumors on a new mac mini I do think we will see a major redesign this year. With Apple moving to the new U variant processors, soldered ram, and m.2 SSDs I think we will see a much smaller mini redesign. Think Intel NUC. All aluminum casing just like before but with an approximate size of a 5" or less square.

Because I have been into hackintoshs of late I have designed a case for the Intel NUCs. In my personal opinion I think it is as close to the "new" 2016 Mac Mini as I can get.

Please know that this is just MY opinion and not based on any information or rumors.
Click to expand...

The footprint of the Mac Mini is to some extent determined by the size of the power supply. The original form (2005 - 2010) had an external power supply and a smaller footprint. When the power supply came on board, the Mini lost a little height but increased in other dimensions.

I prefer the dimensions of the original form (and am still using an early 2009). However, using the Mini as an occasionally transportable as I do, it seems a worthwhile trade off to eliminate the power supply brick. Just that I am in no hurry to replace my 2009 Mini. It still does what I ask of it, and will probably continue to do so for another couple or three years.

The Intel NUC requires an external power supply.

Screen Shot 2016-02-08 at 6.14.20 PM.png
 
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Micky Do said:
The footprint of the Mac Mini is to some extent determined by the size of the power supply. The original form (2005 - 2010) had an external power supply and a smaller footprint. When the power supply came on board, the Mini lost a little height but increased in other dimensions.

I prefer the dimensions of the original form (and am still using an early 2009). However, using the Mini as an occasionally transportable as I do, it seems a worthwhile trade off to eliminate the power supply brick. Just that I am in no hurry to replace my 2009 Mini. It still does what I ask of it, and will probably continue to do so for another couple or three years.

The Intel NUC requires an external power supply.

View attachment 614932
Click to expand...

While this is all true I think apple could do one of two things. NUCs require a 65 watt external power brick, Apples MacBook power supplies range from 60 watts to 85 watts. They could simply use one of them or internalize the power supply and still maintain a footprint of 5" or less. Just look at how small the 12" MacBooks logic board is.

( this is all assuming apple uses 15 watt or less processors)
 
I like the idea of moving back to chrome. It hasn't been stylish in stereo setups since what, the late 70's?
The brushed aluminum thing was nice, as was the bulbous plastic thing before it, but the OP is probably right; it is time to move on.
 
I do not know what they will do, but I know what I want.

What I suspect:
  • Modified form factor
  • Skylake-u processors, soldered.
  • RAM of 8, 16 or 32, DDR3, soldered.
  • iGPU
  • USB 3.1
  • HD options unchanged from current lineup.
  • I doubt but would not be shocked if the i5 was the only chip option.
  • If not debuted by April, then a Summer Appearance for Back-to-School.
What I want:
  • Skylake desktop processors, soldered or not
  • RAM of 16 or 32, DDR4
  • Discrete GPU
  • USB 3.1 A and C
  • M.2 Options
 
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Zackmd1 said:
So while there has not been any specific rumors on a new mac mini I do think we will see a major redesign this year. With Apple moving to the new U variant processors, soldered ram, and m.2 SSDs I think we will see a much smaller mini redesign. Think Intel NUC. All aluminum casing just like before but with an approximate size of a 5" or less square.

Because I have been into hackintoshs of late I have designed a case for the Intel NUCs. In my personal opinion I think it is as close to the "new" 2016 Mac Mini as I can get.

Please know that this is just MY opinion and not based on any information or rumors.
Click to expand...

You won't be able to tell an Apple TV box from the new Mac Mini box IMO. Grab your 2014 Mini while you still can!
 
imanidiot said:
Apple will pull the plug on the Mini. The proverbial handwriting is on the wall. Speculation on the "New" Mini is simply wish fulfillment.
Click to expand...

I don't think they will remove the mini. They need a desktop besides the expensive Mac Pro and the all in one iMac. I think they know this which is why the mini is still around.
 
I like the idea of sticking a Retina Macbook motherboard inside a keyboard, because it's nostalgic. But considering Apple's keyboards are terrible, I think I'll pass on that and just hope for a tiny rMB desktop.
 
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Apple's use of the Mac Mini is perverse. I would imagine it is the most profitable machine the company makes because the gouging which takes place for the RAM or SSD upgrades is astonishingly expensive.

I am waiting on the Skylake iteration of the Mac Mini where at the very least they should be replacing the Thunderbolt ports with USB-type C ports which support Thunderbolt 3.

I hope i'm wrong but I imagine the consumer will never see a new Quad core Mac Mini. I imagine we'll never see a new Mac Mini which is user upgradeable. Apple has become totally profit driven and wants to control the user experience so you are forced to buy a new Mac rather than upgrade an old one. This strategy is profitable now but no-one knows if it will back fire in the future.

Depending on the release of the Skylake Mac Mini machines I will either buy
2016 Mac Mini Skylake 1TB PCI-e and 16GB RAM
or go to eBay or similar and buy
2012 Mac Mini and use my current 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM.
I know the second option is going to be far cheaper. How much of a performance upgrade do you think the 2016 Mac Mini would have over the 2012 in processor terms? Surely not enough to spend $1,000 on it.
 
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I don't see any impending doom for the Mini. It is currently the number 8 (2.6) and 12 (1.4) on the Amazon best selling desktops. Since Apple hasn't suffered a decline in Mini sales there really isn't any motivation to put a quad core in a low powered energy efficient desktop.
The next iteration will be more of the same IMHO.
 
People complain about iMacs no longer being user upgradeable. This is fair and annoying for those of us who wish to upgrade, but remember that people on this forum are not representative of Apple users as a whole, and most people will never upgrade their computer. The vast majority of Apple users will happily trade-off upgradeability for a prettier or thinner computer.
 
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r6mile said:
People complain about iMacs no longer being user upgradeable. This is fair and annoying for those of us who wish to upgrade, but remember that people on this forum are not representative of Apple users as a whole, and most people will never upgrade their computer. The vast majority of Apple users will happily trade-off upgradeability for a prettier or thinner computer.
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"User Upgradeable" and "hobbyist upgradeable" are also two different things. A user can upgrade the RAM on a 27" iMac. It takes someone with dedication and desire (the hobbyist) to upgrade a HDD on iMacs since the 17" plastic ones. I did it once, and have no desire to do it again.

The mac mini, though, was user upgradeable, and not just for the dedicated hobbyist. It's a shame that's gone.

I'm looking to upgrade my 2009 Macbook Pro, and think I want a desktop for several reasons. This whole thing has got me looking at PCs!! Something I haven't done since 2007.
 
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