What PC if no new Mini this year?

[Cape Dave]

I used a Samsung M.2 SSD

The only way to fly

 

[bobpensik]

The only way to fly

Agree, I have certainly noticed a difference between the M.2 and my previous SATA SSD.

Here is a link to my part list in case anyone is interested. I am really liking it so far.
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/vsHWPs

 

[IHelpId10t5]

If you are going PC then just build your own. Waste of money to get a preassembled system, and it is a joy to put your own thing together.

I am slowly assembling parts for a mini itx build. I have a nxzt manta mini itx case, and a Asus mini itx motherboard in a box awaiting brains.

I have been debating what to get. I just ordered the monitor I will be using for my Mac mini, and PC so I will shoot for rock solid 1440p.

A gtx 1070 should suffice. Total cost will be around $1000, and it should run with Mac pros, let alone Mac minis.

Agreed. It's nearly impossible at the moment to purchase a new PC that includes one of the recently released discrete video cards that put old cards to shame for far less. The GTX 1070 that mellofello is a perfect example. The problem with NUCs and nearly any cheap Dell is that they either have proprietary PSUs that cannot support modern video cards. Build your own PC and you can put together everything you want in a reasonably-priced box.

I personally would wait to see what the new round of iMacs have as hardware before committing to anything else though. It's quite possible that the next iMacs will give you the best of both worlds (a Mac, that can do gaming well).

 

[mauka]

I put together a small form factor mini itx build in a NCASE M1 which is not as small as my mini...

Checked out NCASE M1 site, the description says "all aluminum" chassis, but in the photographs if looks just like most stamped and riveted steel cases.

Is it really "all aluminum"?

 

[Cape Dave]

Checked out NCASE M1 site, the description says "all aluminum" chassis, but in the photographs if looks just like most stamped and riveted steel cases.

Is it really "all aluminum"?

I have watched many reviews of that case. I believe it is what it says it is.

 

[mauka]

My 2014 2.8 16GB Mac Mini (with 1yr of Applecare remaining) has been erased and has a clean install of macOS Sierra. While waiting for it to sell, I've been gathering information and found these most interesting:

1) Windows 10 Pro OEM license sells for $40 or less on Amazon, half of what I was expecting.
2) The 2017 Intel NUC i5 and i7 models will have Thunderbolt 3.
3) An extensive range of "lids" can add features like wireless charging or extra cooling to the Intel NUC. GORITE.com

 

[superheroux]

Quiet is a key issue for me as well, and I see that the Alienware Alpha does have some issues with this (one commenter called it a "steambox" WRT internal temperature issues). I won't be using it for gaming, so the point may be moot, but I work in a very quiet office space and the lack of noise from my Mac systems is a major plus. Has anyone tried the System76 Meercat?

Usually Steambox is a term that is used for console replacement living room computers that run Valve's SteamOS. The first Alienware Alpha was designed to ultimately be a Steambox. The reviewer could have been using the term ironically, but it does have an established meaning. I would still avoid the newest models though just on the basis that they are still charging premium prices for a 960 GPU.
[doublepost=1486918845][/doublepost]If money is not the primary constraint and you are looking for small form factor, the Zotac ZBOX's are intriguing. You need to get your own storage, RAM, and OS, but they pack a lot of power is a small box, and they have a wide range of options all the way up to a 6700 and a GTX 1080. You would have to use an external optical drive though. Otherwise, as many others suggest, building a pc is fun. PcPartPicker.com is a great resource with a fantastic community if you decide to go that route.