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They will keep the mini to serve as an entry point to new developers.
Lessen of course they finally decide that Apple now makes all the Apps that anyone would ever want.
They might do that. It'd be a mistake, but Apple is going through one of their confused epochs again.
We'll likely end up with a mini-watch hybrid with attachable superdrive (SCSI) and no bluetooth support.
 
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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.

I am seriously considering building a PC with Ubuntu, with WINE for a few applications... My hesitancy is iPhone and my wife's iPad.

...And I have not considered a Non-Mac since 1995.
 
The Mac mini serves many different users, there are kids using it for home work, also is used as server at office and one if it most common uses is as htpc or media center, mini's as server require Thunderbolt or a huge internal hdd and a ps with enough juice for a range of cpu from very basic task to heavy server load (mini used as server use to be connected to big external disk arrays), so the current form factor could be slimmed slightly but am internal ps is a must for many users and enough storage too (when Apple ditch spinners hdd maybe a new mini form factor will arrive).
 
or go to eBay or similar and buy
2012 Mac Mini and use my current 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM.

Still a viable option, for now.

But there is not an inexhaustible supply of 2nd hand quad-core 2012 Minis, nor parts for them. Currently only 5 listed on eBay for my country (Australia), and one of them is priced so high it is not worth it. Often there is none listed (for Australia).


Not to mention that they are increasingly 'used' machines, with reduced remaining lifespan, and an iGPU that is falling further and further behind current standards.
 
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I'm thinking that they might put the core m in the Mac mini. And put the money saved into a m.2 ssd. Creating a much smaller Mac mini.
 
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I'm thinking that they might put the core m in the Mac mini. And put the money saved into a m.2 ssd. Creating a much smaller Mac mini.
The mini late `14 actually includes an Pcie SSD just not an m.2 form factor but same tech, this year could see an minor update on using NVMe SSD on this Same blade non m.2 compatible.

Also I don't think Apple would ditch the 2.5" spinner they need it either as basic storage options and for Fusion drive for power users and Mini Servers.

From the update to Skylake as the mini uses to incorporate the same cpu options as the rMBP 13, we could expect dual core i7 as top cpu ddr4 iris pro 580 and more important Thunderbolt 3 which would allow an external gpu, don't Strange somebody to offer an external gpu stackable over the Mac mini just like few storage expansion, also this mini could drive an 5K display @30hz or an 4K display 60hz.

I don't see an new form factor for the mini, but I'll love it to replicate the Airport Extreme timecapsule or an mini Mac Pro lookalike.
 
Apple just need to ditch the spinner-only configuration in all their desktops, and make fusion the base model, even if it drives prices up. It's disingenuous to sell to unknowing customers a computer that will be slow from the get-go, and is not easily upgradeable.
 
Apple just need to ditch the spinner-only configuration in all their desktops, and make fusion the base model, even if it drives prices up. It's disingenuous to sell to unknowing customers a computer that will be slow from the get-go, and is not easily upgradeable.

I could not agree any more! It is criminal what they do. You could not pay me enough to use a base mini. That thing is garbage. SSD's should be the standard. Even my external drive is a SSD. I mean, Tim Cook is not exactly using a horse and buggy to get to work! This is 2016. Time is money.
 
I could not agree any more! It is criminal what they do. You could not pay me enough to use a base mini. That thing is garbage. SSD's should be the standard. Even my external drive is a SSD. I mean, Tim Cook is not exactly using a horse and buggy to get to work! This is 2016. Time is money.

That's probably what Apple Marketing said - time is $$$. So pony up them $$$$ to save your time!
 
I don't think Intel is using the 580Igu on dual core are they?
Sorry the rMBP13 will receive the iris pro 550, the iris pro 580 may arrive on the -H series same cpu to be used on Intel's Skull Canyon, since no rMBP15 cpu has been on the mini, we could only expect that Iris Pro 550/i7-6567U 2c4t@ 3.4ghz.
 
Hateful things, those Chiclets style keyboards.
They increase my error rate by at least a factor of two!

Aye, the best part about them is that they're quiet so when you're surrounded by them in an office, it's not super loud.

I mostly use Topre keyboards (Happy Hacking Pro 2 and Realforce 87U) which are terrific but they're bloody expensive for what they are.
 
Apple just need to ditch the spinner-only configuration in all their desktops, and make fusion the base model, even if it drives prices up. It's disingenuous to sell to unknowing customers a computer that will be slow from the get-go, and is not easily upgradeable.

I could not agree any more! It is criminal what they do. You could not pay me enough to use a base mini. That thing is garbage. SSD's should be the standard. Even my external drive is a SSD. I mean, Tim Cook is not exactly using a horse and buggy to get to work! This is 2016. Time is money.

Why should Apple ditch HDD configurations?

HDD is slower than SSD for writing and retrieving data, but it is still more cost effective for storing large amounts.

OK, your priority may be blazing performance in the speed stakes, and you are prepared to pay for that (though in some cases, not without a bit of whinging). Others have different priorities and different budgets. The options are there for folks to make their choice. That should be based on their own needs and situation, not the desires of some opinionated geek.
 
Why should Apple ditch HDD configurations?

HDD is slower than SSD for writing and retrieving data, but it is still more cost effective for storing large amounts.

OK, your priority may be blazing performance in the speed stakes, and you are prepared to pay for that (though in some cases, not without a bit of whinging). Others have different priorities and different budgets. The options are there for folks to make their choice. That should be based on their own needs and situation, not the desires of some opinionated geek.

I consider spinners inside of a computer antiquated SLOW technology. That is my opinion. Outside, for large storage needs, fine. SSD's are not that much more $$$ depending on the size/quality/type. Apple could make the switch, not charge any more, and still do just fine :)
 
Why should Apple ditch HDD configurations?

HDD is slower than SSD for writing and retrieving data, but it is still more cost effective for storing large amounts.

OK, your priority may be blazing performance in the speed stakes, and you are prepared to pay for that (though in some cases, not without a bit of whinging). Others have different priorities and different budgets. The options are there for folks to make their choice. That should be based on their own needs and situation, not the desires of some opinionated geek.
It would be fairly low-cost for Apple to add a small-capacity SSD to make a Fusion drive, and it will benefit almost anyone buying a new Mac, even for basic tasks. It's not about "blazing performance", rather what is now reasonable performance to expect from new hardware.
 
I consider spinners inside of a computer antiquated SLOW technology. That is my opinion. Outside, for large storage needs, fine. SSD's are not that much more $$$ depending on the size/quality/type. Apple could make the switch, not charge any more, and still do just fine :)

It would be fairly low-cost for Apple to add a small-capacity SSD to make a Fusion drive, and it will benefit almost anyone buying a new Mac, even for basic tasks. It's not about "blazing performance", rather what is now reasonable performance to expect from new hardware.

My point is that, as it stands, folks have a choice; HDD, Fusion, or SSD. What you desire, consider, or whatever, may not fit other folks' needs or budget.

Don't want a computer with a HDD? Don't buy one, but don't whinge about other options being available.

The low capacity SSD Fusion Drive has arrived in recently updated Macs. Chances are it will make it to the next generation of the Mac Mini. Good for many, but your opinion does not represent "almost everyone".
 
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People on this forum are not representative of Mac users at large. Many people buying Macs will not know the difference between HDD, SSD, or Fusion. They will expect that a Mac that they are shelling out quite a bit of money for will feel speedy and last them a while. Especially given the difficulty of upgrading the hard drive (or the expense of getting a professional to do it) IMO it is unfair to sell such a computer with a spinner.

It's great that the low-capacity Fusion has arrived, but they need to make it standard. At the moment, all of 3 basic 21.5 iMac configurations (as in, the ones you can buy off the shelf) have a 1TB spinner as standard, as do the 3 basic Mac Mini configurations. I personally think this is unfair to unknowing Mac users. Of course this allows Apple to say that Mac Minis start at £399, and iMacs at £899, but I just disagree.
 
People on this forum are not representative of Mac users at large. Many people buying Macs will not know the difference between HDD, SSD, or Fusion. They will expect that a Mac that they are shelling out quite a bit of money for will feel speedy and last them a while. Especially given the difficulty of upgrading the hard drive (or the expense of getting a professional to do it) IMO it is unfair to sell such a computer with a spinner.

It's great that the low-capacity Fusion has arrived, but they need to make it standard. At the moment, all of 3 basic 21.5 iMac configurations (as in, the ones you can buy off the shelf) have a 1TB spinner as standard, as do the 3 basic Mac Mini configurations. I personally think this is unfair to unknowing Mac users. Of course this allows Apple to say that Mac Minis start at £399, and iMacs at £899, but I just disagree.

While the average Joe or Jill may be a little confused about Fusion Drive, I am fairly certain that few would be unaware of the difference between HDD and SSD these days. My guess is that Mac buyers are probably a little more aware than most.

It seems quite fair, reasonable, and sensible for Apple to make the range of options available, to suit a range of needs and budgets.
 
While the average Joe or Jill may be a little confused about Fusion Drive, I am fairly certain that few would be unaware of the difference between HDD and SSD these days. My guess is that Mac buyers are probably a little more aware than most.

It seems quite fair, reasonable, and sensible for Apple to make the range of options available, to suit a range of needs and budgets.
It is not putting the consumer experience first by offering up 5400rpm drives as the default. Fusion should be standard. Period. SSDs could/should be a lot cheaper too.

Apple made $18 billion PROFT in the last 3months. I'm sure they could slide a little flash into their Macs to help out the less savvy customers and still be creaming it.

Tim has made Apple into a profit driven, market grabbing 'same same' company like the rest in the industry. Apple's main point of difference is fast disappearing. Adding a little flash to their Macs won't change all that, but at least it would indicate that their priorities are turning back the right way.
 
A 128GB SSD in the low end mini wouldn't be all that much of a financial sacrifice for Apple.
They might even then get away with bringing out a, vastly overpriced, line of larger, external SSDs for the unsophisticated, yet cramped Apple customer.
 
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