What would make you not buy a new mini if one comes out?

[Boyd01]

My Mini runs in a safe where storage space is at a huge premium

Why is your mini in a safe? Just curious.

 

[saulinpa]

A big external AC/DC power brick would kill it for me. My Mini runs in a safe where storage space is at a huge premium and so it's nice to have it all self-contained.

That's why I don't like all these NUCs that everyone brags about being so small. Sure they're small in pictures, when you omit the big brick and required two cords from the picture. In real life in my safe I'd have to deal with all that.

Agree for that as the Intel compute stick has a power suppy/usb-c hub that is bigger than it is.

 

[Marshall73]

A big external AC/DC power brick would kill it for me. My Mini runs in a safe where storage space is at a huge premium and so it's nice to have it all self-contained.

That's why I don't like all these NUCs that everyone brags about being so small. Sure they're small in pictures, when you omit the big brick and required two cords from the picture. In real life in my safe I'd have to deal with all that.

Why is it in a safe? Wouldn’t it overheat? If the safe is ventilated it’s not very “safe”, is it?

 

[ActionableMango]

Why is it in a safe? Wouldn’t it overheat? If the safe is ventilated it’s not very “safe”, is it?

To keep it safe.

It is a base model dual core with a very light duty (file serving), so it just doesn't get hot.

There is no ventilation.

 

[Ace2617]

I voted fixed RAM and SSD. My main reasoning for buying the 2012 Mac Mini was the fact that I could still upgrade both if/when I wanted to. If a new MM ever does come out and it has fixed drives and RAM, I likely wouldn't consider it. I'm hoping the 2012 holds up for a while. Also bringing quad-core back would be nice, although I probably don't personally need it for my usage.

 

[Duckyduckbumps]

I like the idea of a Mac Mini with a decent modern CPU, upgradeable RAM and an external GPU.

But I know all that would add up to an exorbitant price so am unlikely to switch back from Windows.

 

[kazmac]

I'd be happy with another 2012 version with better graphics, quad core CPU, SSD and 16gb of RAM. It would be wonderful to get the target mode usage out of this 2013 design non retina 27" I have.

Something a little less than what you can get on the new 21.5 " iMacs would be great (because Apple probably will not match that).

I am not a tinker computer person, so beyond updating RAM, I haven't do anything else hardware-wise.

That said, I understand why folks would and do want something closer to a Mini / Pro hybrid. Given the recent updates to the iMacs, I am hopeful the Mac Mini might see a decent update going forward.

To answer the OP's question: I would not buy a model if it has the lackluster specs (a la 2014).

 

[Haswell]

I'd be happy with another 2012 version with better graphics, quad core CPU, updated graphics, SSD and 16gb of RAM. It would be wonderful to get the target mode usage out of this 2013 design non retina 27" I have.

Something a little less than what you can get on the new 21.5 " iMacs would be great (because Apple probably will not match that).

I am not a tinker computer person, so beyond updating RAM, I haven't do anything else hardware-wise.

That said, I understand why folks would and do want something closer to a Mini / Pro hybrid. Given the recent updates to the iMacs, I am hopeful the Mac Mini might see a decent update going forward.

To answer the OP's question: I would not buy a model if it has the lackluster specs (a la 2014).

Agreed.

A 2012 version with:

• a quad core i5 Kaby Lake CPU
• better graphics (enough to run 4K @ 60Hz)
• two USB-C ports
• 4 USB 3.0 type A ports
• upgradable hard drive
• upgradable memory

 

[ziggy29]

I'd be happy with another 2012 version with better graphics, quad core CPU, SSD and 16gb of RAM.

For future-proofing I'd prefer 32 GB of RAM IF it can't be upgraded, but yeah, 16 at minimum. The only thing I'd add to this is support for eGPUs through TB3, though I guess that would qualify as "better graphics".

 

[kazmac]

For future-proofing I'd prefer 32 GB of RAM IF it can't be upgraded, but yeah, 16 at minimum. The only thing I'd add to this is support for eGPUs through TB3, though I guess that would qualify as "better graphics".

LOL, better graphics and how.

 

[saulinpa]

I see that Fry's has the 1.4GHz/4GB/500GB for US$358 and it is sold out at most locations. So people do buy entry level with minimal everything.

So from Apple's point of view a base mini can really be basic and still be viable. This really sets a low bar to meet for any new mini.