When the new mac mini comes out. When will the Mac mini be updated and what awaits it. Packaging and equipment

Will 2018 be Mini?

It's been nearly four years since the Mac Mini saw a major overhaul, and while some people speculate that Apple's silence means we'll never see an update to the Mini series, we continue to hope that the new Mac Mini arrives in 2018.

We didn’t see a new Mac Mini in 2017, and while it disappointed many users, Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed support for the Apple Mac Mini, so the hope is that the PC will arrive later this year.

Now that there is an official statement, even if the Mac Mini 2018 remains elusive for now, a thick curtain of rumors and speculation has formed around it. They include everything from the inclusion of a separate coprocessor for the "Hey Siri" commands to the support of iOS applications through some magical technology.

In pursuit!

• What is it? New version of Apple's compact Mac;
• When to expect? May 2018?
• How much is? Hopefully it will keep the price of the previous Mini;

| MACMINI 2018: RELEASE DATE

As with other Apple products, we do not have a reliable release date for the 2018 Mac Mini. Rumors also remain very scarce, so we will have to take advantage of speculation when we talk about the Mac Mini 2018 release date.

The previous Mac Mini was released years ago, namely October 16, 2014, so we could consider October as a likely Mac Mini release, but that's not certain.

Apple's WWDC 2018 could be another chance for Apple to announce a new Mac Mini. The WWDC event is usually held in early June, and the last conference featured products like HomePod and new and.

We figured June 2018 might be busy with other products, which suggests that the compact PC will be released in March, as this month has already been used to release other Apple products in the past. However, March came and went, and we did not receive the long-awaited PCs from Apple, as soon as we know something new about the Mac Mini 2018 release, we will immediately update the article.

| MACMINI 2018: PRICE

Again, we've heard quite a bit about the potential pricing of the 2018 Mac Mini, but that's to be expected as the first pricing rumors surface closer to the release date.

But can the price of the previous Mac Mini give us a hint of what the new Mini will be priced at?

In the lowest specifications, the Mac Mini costs $ 499 / 30,000 rubles, this price was at the start of the model in 2014, the average price of the Mac Mini (2014) was $ 699 / 42,000 rubles, while the flagship Mac Mini came to the market for $ 999 / 60,000 rubles.

| MACMINI 2018: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

While we know very little about the new Mac Mini 2018 at the moment, we certainly know what we want to see from the new Mac Mini.

Attractive new design

There's really nothing wrong with the way the current Mac Mini looks, but if we're going to get a major update after almost four years, it'd be great to get an eye-catching makeover. Thinner, smaller and quieter. Are we asking a lot?

An old rumor from early 2017 suggested that a high-end Mac Mini would no longer be a Mini, leading users to speculate that there would be power gains in components that would require room for better cooling.

However, this rumor is rather vague, so you should be careful when taking the information into account.

Of course, powerful components mean a rise in temperature, which precludes a reduction in size in favor of additional cooling area, but, as shown by updates to the iMac and iMac Pro, the manufacturer is able to subtly maneuver in increasing hardware capacity and heat dissipation, without compromising design.

Power increase

An important factor that we most want to see on the 2018 Mac Mini is component redesigns that could make the PC a formidable toddler that can compete with other small form factor PCs, including the Asus VivoMini and Intel NUC, already upgraded to 7th and 8th generation Intel Core processors, respectively.

So, for starters, we'd like to see a newer processor compared to the current 4th generation chip in the Mac Mini. The modern processor promises modern conveniences such as Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), Display Port 1.2 and 4K video support, giving the 2018 Mac Mini a significant performance boost over previous models.

Apple reportedly plans to launch three Macs in 2018 based on separate in-house coprocessors, although we doubt the 2018 Mac Mini, even if released this year, will be in the top three.

A wise increase in RAM is also required, the previous Mac Mini offered 4 GB and this is not enough by modern standards, where already budget smartphones offer 6 GB of RAM. We'll be happy with even 8GB of RAM, both on.

Mouse and keyboard included

While the Mac Mini has a reputation for being Apple's smallest and most economical computer, it's also known for not including accessories. Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Keyboard can be purchased separately from the Mac Mini itself. This means that you will incur additional costs for accessories that are strictly necessary for using a PC.

A recent patent filed by Apple suggests that the company is interested in upgrading MacBook keyboards that can withstand spilled drinks and other blockages, be it crumbs or dust. Designed to “keep the inside of the machine from getting dirty,” this keyboard protection technology would be a welcome addition to the Mac Mini, we'd argue.

4K support

It would be great to use the 2018 Mac Mini as a complete Apple TV alternative. For this to happen, the 2018 Mac Mini needs to be 4K capable, which is not the case with previous generations of computers.

Fortunately, as we mentioned earlier, if the new Mac Mini can offer the latest Intel processors, then the integrated graphics can offer the power needed to handle 4K.

Previous Mac Mini models couldn't handle 4K content due to aging computer hardware combined with Apple's desire to keep the Mac Mini in the entry-level segment.

However, in 2018, even budget processors are coming with built-in graphics enough to render 4K interfaces and play ultra-high-definition content from Netflix and iTunes streaming services, so we want Apple to use the available technology with the new Mac Mini.

Let it exist!

We can talk all day about what the Mac Mini 2018 might look like and what it will be capable of, but it doesn't matter if its existence is in doubt. It's been a long time since we saw the Mac Mini update, but Apple has a lot to gain from a market in which the manufacturer is seeing more competition.

If Apple comes out with a Mac Mini that's significantly better and redesigned, we might see one of the best multimedia PCs on the market. So let's just hope that Tim Cook's stated support for the Mac Mini means that the Cupertino-based company has an ace up its sleeve.

Here are the ones you can buy in 2018.

07/12/2018, Thu, 14:06, Moscow time , Text: Valeria Shmyrova

According to the latest forecast, Apple will unveil the new Mac mini in the fall, the last model of which was released in October 2014. There will also be two frameless iPads with Face ID, three iPhones, including one inexpensive, MacBook, MacBook Pro and iMac will be updated, improved AirPods and Apple Watch, and AirPower charging is finally on sale.

PC update

In 2018, Apple will update its Mac and MacBook lines, including the Mac mini, the cheapest Mac that hasn't received an update in nearly four years. This information was provided by an analyst at the investment company TF International Securities Ming Chi Kuo (Ming-Chi Kuo), known for his Apple product predictions.

In addition to the Mac mini, there will be new MacBooks, MacBook Pros and iMacs, Kuo says. Presumably, they will be based on the eighth generation Intel Core processors. There is also information that a new model of the budget laptop MacBook Air will be released, but there is no data on its characteristics yet, and the name may be changed, Kuo said.

The long-awaited Mac mini update

The Mac mini line was last updated in October 2014. The Mac mini is a compact desktop PC, first introduced by Apple in January 2005. The company subsequently released new Mac mini models in 2005, 2006, 2007. , 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. This was followed by a break that lasts to this day. Its duration has led users to speculate that the 2014 model will be the last Mac mini.

The 2014 model is based on a dual-core Intel Core i5 and has 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM - not available in previous models. Also, unlike the 2010-2012 models, this memory cannot be replaced or expanded. Available in 500GB, 1TB, or 1.12TB Fusion Drive combo storage, expandable up to 1TB SSD. Responsible for the graphics processor Intel HD Graphics 5000 or 5100. Depending on the specifications, the price of the Mac mini 2014 at market launch was $ 499, $ 699 and $ 999.

iPhone and iPad

Kuo's predictions for the new iPhones echo previous leaks. The company is preparing to launch three new iPhones, including an updated iPhone X with a 5.8-inch OLED screen, a new iPhone X Plus with a 6.5-inch OLED screen, and a new budget model with a 6-inch LCD screen. , 1-inch, which will nevertheless have a bezel-less screen and Face ID unlock function.

Mac mini is a compact desktop PC

In addition, Apple is preparing two new iPad models, each of which will have a bezel-less screen and support Face ID. These iPads will not have a Home button. The planned sizes of the screens are 11 "and 12.9". The new 11-inch model should replace the 10.5-inch model.

Other products

Apple Watch smartwatches will get larger displays, Kuo says. The 38mm model will be equipped with a 1.57 "screen instead of 1.5". The 42mm model will replace the 1.65 "screen by 1.78". In addition, heart rate tracking will be improved in Apple Watch.

Kuo also announced an update to the AirPods with improved wireless performance, hands-free communication with Siri, and the addition of the ability to recharge from the AirPower universal wireless charger. The AirPower accessory itself, announced in the fall of 2017, should finally go on sale in the fall of 2018, the analyst is sure.

Apple finally remembered its desktop users. During the last event, she presented not only a new version of the legendary, which at one time changed the market of portable computers, creating fashion for thin and light systems, but also updated the Mac Mini, which she had neglected for a long time, which remained until now the most inexpensive versions of computers from Apple. ... Why did you have to wait so long?

As Apple CEO Tim Cook pointed out, a pint-sized full-fledged working system is becoming a reality with the biggest update in Mac Mini history. The format has remained quite familiar - it's still the same square box with rounded edges, but now in a dark gray finish, typical for the entire modern family of Apple computers. The cooling system has been redesigned: the maximum air flow has doubled, and the constant power - by 70%. The aluminum case, like the MacBook Air, is made from 100% recycled alloy.

However, the biggest changes are inside. The new mini-computer is equipped with a four- or six-core Intel Core processor of the eighth generation, it can be equipped with models of RAM format SO-DIMM DDR4 @ 2666 MHz up to 64 GB and solid state storage with a capacity of up to 2 TB. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics is 60% more powerful than the previous generation.

The overall productivity, according to the company, has increased 5 times. Unfortunately, in this case we are talking about calculations in Autodesk Maya, where you can really talk about such an increase (albeit with some reservations). In other tasks, the gain is usually noticeably lower - the new MacMini in the version with a 6-core chip is 2-3 times faster than the old basic 2-core model. But when encoding video in HEVC, the gain can reach 30 times.

Mac Mini, like the new laptop, received a special chip for security and other tasks - the Apple T2. The T2 chip stores sensitive data and checks to see if the software that starts up the computer has been compromised. It also has an SSD controller that encrypts all data on the drive in real time. The always-on processor in the T2 chip allows you to use Hey Siri for voice prompts such as searching for files and launching applications.

The back of the device houses Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI, two USB-A, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Thunderbolt 3 allows you to quickly transfer data over USB and Thunderbolt and connect many different devices to your computer - external drives, docking stations for more ports, 5K monitors (you can generally connect three 4K displays) or even external video cards to speed up graphics processing.

Mac Mini is designed for people who need a very compact yet powerful system for audio, video editing and other creative tasks. But several of these babies, working together, can be even more useful in specific tasks. Therefore, it is now possible to combine dozens of Mac Minis into a single system to use such a configuration as servers or farms for rendering - for example, instead of the Mac Pro.

The computers are preinstalled with the latest version with functions like the dark gamut of the desktop, "Stacks", the updated app store and others. This is all well and good, but the cost of the new system is not particularly inspiring: for the starting price of $ 800, you can only count on a configuration with a Core i3 processor @ 3.6 GHz, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage.

For a 6-core model with a Core i5 @ 3 GHz, 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD, you will have to pay $ 1100 already. The 10Gb Nbase-T controller option costs an additional $ 100. Finally, for the maximum configuration with a 6-core 12-thread Intel Core processor @ 3.2 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 4.6 GHz), 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD, you will have to pay $ 4200! It's better not to think about how much it will cost to create a professional system from dozens of such crumbs. Pre-orders in the US have already begun and deliveries will begin on November 7th.

• The availability of certain features, packages, and device configurations may vary by country and / or region.
• Software and content may be sold separately. Availability not guaranteed.

1. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing using Autodesk Maya 2018 app with 144.8 MB episode. Testing conducted on specific computer systems and reflects the approximate performance of Mac mini.
2. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 processor-based Mac mini units with 64GB RAM and Intel UHD Graphics 630. Compared with shipping Mac mini models with 3.0GHz 2-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB RAM and Intel Iris GPU. Testing conducted using Tomb Raider v1.0.5 using built-in performance benchmark at 1024x768 pixels, minimum settings and Vsync disabled. Benchmarks are based on specific computer systems and represent the approximate performance of Mac mini.
3. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing using Adobe Photoshop 19.1.6 on a 10GB file and using rotate, unsharp, auto color correction, and scaling. Benchmarks are based on specific computer systems and represent the approximate performance of Mac mini.
4. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The benchmark used was FIO-3.8 with the following settings: 1024KB Request, 150GB Test File, and Queue Depth 8. Tests were conducted on specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Mac mini.
5. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing conducted using Xcode version 10.0 (10A255) and the Solar System Application Snippet shown at WWDC 2018. Testing conducted on specific computer systems and reflects the approximate performance of Mac mini.
6. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing was done using Xcode version 10.0 (10A255). Benchmarks are based on specific computer systems and represent the approximate performance of Mac mini.
7. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Adobe Photoshop 19.1.6 has been tested using the following filters: Crystallization, Dotting, Circular Blur, Shape Blur, Dust & Scratches, Median. Benchmarks are based on specific computer systems and represent the approximate performance of Mac mini.
8. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing with Pixelmator Pro 1.1.5 using 54.6MB image. Benchmarks are based on specific computer systems and represent the approximate performance of Mac mini.
9. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. KeyShot 8 Version 8.0.247 was tested using the coustics.bip demo scene at 3840x3840 pixels with 12 slices for quality assessment. Testing conducted on specific computer systems and reflects the approximate performance of Mac mini.
10. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing conducted using a preview of Compressor on a 60-second project with Apple ProRes 4444 video at 4096 x 2160 pixels and 23.98 frames per second. Testing conducted on specific computer systems and reflects the approximate performance of Mac mini.
11. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing conducted with Final Cut Pro preview and RED Apple Workflow Installer v13 plug-ins on a 50-second project with 3: 1 REDCODE® RAW video at 4096 x 2160 pixels and 23.98 frames per second. Testing conducted on specific computer systems and reflects the approximate performance of Mac mini.
12. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing conducted using Logic Pro X 10.4.2 and an 85-track Alchemy synthesizer project. Playback was set to single track playback until CPU overload occurred. Tests were conducted on specific computer systems and reflect approximate Mac mini performance.
13. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Testing was carried out using Logic Pro X 10.4.2 and a project that included 253 tracks created using the Amp Designer plug-in. During playback, the mode of playing individual tracks was turned on until the CPU was overloaded. Benchmarks are based on specific computer systems and represent the approximate performance of Mac mini.
14. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Tests were run using MainStage 3.4.0 in Concert mode with one Kontakt instance and using the 8Dio Intimate Strings library. During playback, individual channel strips were played back until CPU overload occurred. Tests were conducted on specific computer systems and reflect approximate Mac mini performance.
15. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2018 using preproduction 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini units with 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The comparison involved a commercially available Mac mini with a 3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Tests were conducted using MainStage 3.4.0 in Concert mode with Sculpture synthesizer instruments. During playback, the mode of playing individual bands of the channel was turned on until the CPU was overloaded. Testing conducted on specific computer systems and reflects the approximate performance of Mac mini.

In 2018, the most interesting Apple product update for me personally happened. Mac Mini was updated 4 years later.

Just in case, I'll explain what a Mac Mini is. This is a small square box (19.7 by 19.7 centimeters), which is a system unit. Any monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer and other peripheral devices are connected to this unit.

In 2018, 2 different models were released, which visually do not differ in any way:

3.6GHz 4-core processor, 128GB storage

• 8th Generation Intel Core i3 4-core 3.6 GHz
• 8GB DDR4 2666MHz memory
• 128GB PCIe SSD

Cost - 68,990 rubles

3.0GHz 6-core processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz 256GB storage

• 8th Generation 6-core Intel Core i5 processor @ 3.0 GHz (Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz)
• 8GB DDR4 2666MHz memory
• Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU
• 256GB PCIe SSD

Cost - 93,990 rubles

A few words about the price in Russia

She is tall. In dollars, the junior model costs 799 USD. The same as the younger model of the fresh iPad Pro. But iPad Pro for some reason costs 3,000 rubles cheaper. Why is the Mac Mini worth $ 50 more in rubles?

If you look at the more expensive model, then it is also incomprehensible. 93990 - the same as the new iPad Pro 512 gigabytes. But the iPad costs $ 1149, and the Mac Mini costs $ 1099.

Is it the greed of those who set prices in Russia?

Upgrade options

Apple itself offers users various upgrade options for an additional fee. For example, $ +300 and an i3 processor could turn into a six-core i7 (4.6 GHz).

For an additional $ 1400, 8 gigabytes of RAM will become 64 gigabytes. And for 1,600 USD, a ridiculous 128 GB SSD becomes 2 terabytes of SSD.

Thus, any Mac Mini model can be turned into a monster for 4200 USD (and this is without the proposed software). In Russia, this option will cost 300 thousand rubles ...

What is hidden inside and outside?

Due to the fact that the line has not been updated for 4 years, Apple can boast of a crazy figure. CPU performance is 5 times higher! :) In general, the numbers will be just enough to make you want to replace your old Mac Mini with a new one. For example, here's the data for working in Final Cut Pro:

Also in the small case, Apple had to rearrange the parts. The cooling system has also been improved. Although I don't remember getting hot on the old Mac Mini either ...

Here's the back of the Mac Mini:

Noteworthy are 4 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports. Apple was generous. What do they give? This diagram is best shown:

Also, owners of old peripheral devices will not remain in the span. Two USB 3 ports in 2018 are more than enough.

The new MacMini have an integrated video card (you can connect an external one via Thunderbolt 3) and this cannot be changed in any way. Intel UHD Graphics 630. The card is definitely not suitable for modern games. All top games will run at either low or medium settings. But in games released before 2015, you can somehow play.

Outcome

To be honest, I am now skeptical about the prospects for Mac Mini in Russia. The reason is the price. While Apple previously positioned the Mac Mini as an affordable Mac, it is now a powerful Mac.

Don't forget to add a good monitor, keyboard and mouse to the price. That is, the minimum configuration of a more or less bearable computer based on the Mac Mini will come out at least 85 thousand rubles.

Mac Mini will most likely be of interest to those who process video a lot or just want a productive computer at home that runs natively on Mac OS.