Frequently asked questions about the 2018 Mac mini RAM, storage, and more [u]

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  • Reply 41 of 136
    fastasleepfastasleep Posts: 6,487member
    cgWerks said:
    The main problem this caused in my own workflow, is with cloud solutions like Dropbox that want to 'mirror' a specific directory tree point to the cloud, which is internal by default. Dropbox does sell a new product/version which allows some flexibility to determine what gets synced and not, but then you're spending money there which might just contribute to more SSD storage.
    Huh? You can locate your Dropbox folder on any drive you want, and you can use Selective Sync to choose which folders you want to sync locally. Both options are in Preferences > Sync.
    But, I'm happy they made this one, as it is the machine *I* need and have been waiting for.
    Thank god.
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  • Reply 42 of 136
    jchoquettejchoquette Posts: 1unconfirmed, member
    How about fan noise any insights?
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  • Reply 43 of 136
    Hmmm, we can replace the memory, but it is not additive. RAM prices are around half what Apple sells them for, but to get 16GB, you have to buy 16GB (and replace the 8gb in the slot) versus buy additional 8gb from Apple for the price of a 16GB. In the end you pay the same (8GB Apple vs 16GB 3rd party).
    cgWerks
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  • Reply 44 of 136
    As commented elsewhere. Simply too expensive. (especially if you need to buy a decent 4K screen and a mouse/keyboard of any quality).
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  • Reply 45 of 136
    Since the onboard Intel GPU can be “bypassed” using an eGPU, in my mind the biggest potential limitation of this Mac mini refresh is the CPU. Does anyone have any thoughts about the top-end 6 core i7 CPU being proposed? For example, how it might compare to a current top end 5K iMac (non pro). Also, should thermal throttling be less of an issue on the new mini compared to the airflow constrained iMac 5K?

    I’m seriously considering to change my late 2012 iMac to this new Mac mini (6 core CPU, 32Mb ram, 1 or 2 Tb SSD) plus an eGPU and LG 5K monitor rather than going for a new 5K iMac (or waiting for an eventual 6 core 5K non pro iMac). In theory, the mini + eGPU should allow me to economically upgrade the GPU much more often than changing iMac every couple of years (which I can’t justify).

    Of course, the rest of the mini’s system performance needs to “support” the above scenario, which leads to a final question: potential bandwidth constraints relating to the Mac mini only using 1 thunderbolt 3 controller. I would look to hang 2 raid arrays off the mini along with the eGPU, might I encounter a TB3 bottleneck?

    Thanks all.
    edited October 2018
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  • Reply 46 of 136
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,471member
    Question:  why didn’t Apple release a new Thunderbolt Display in matching space gray to go with the new Mac mini?
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  • Reply 47 of 136
    Apparently, checking the link to Ram at Crucial, they don't have compatible RAM yet.

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  • Reply 48 of 136
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,186administrator
    michelp said:
    Apparently, checking the link to Ram at Crucial, they don't have compatible RAM yet.

    The RAM linked is compatible. They just haven't certified it yet.
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  • Reply 49 of 136
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,186administrator
    mr minsky said:
    Since the onboard Intel GPU can be “bypassed” using an eGPU, in my mind the biggest potential limitation of this Mac mini refresh is the CPU. Does anyone have any thoughts about the top-end 6 core i7 CPU being proposed? For example, how it might compare to a current top end 5K iMac (non pro). Also, should thermal throttling be less of an issue on the new mini compared to the airflow constrained iMac 5K?

    I’m seriously considering to change my late 2012 iMac to this new Mac mini (6 core CPU, 32Mb ram, 1 or 2 Tb SSD) plus an eGPU and LG 5K monitor rather than going for a new 5K iMac (or waiting for an eventual 6 core 5K non pro iMac). In theory, the mini + eGPU should allow me to economically upgrade the GPU much more often than changing iMac every couple of years (which I can’t justify).

    Of course, the rest of the mini’s system performance needs to “support” the above scenario, which leads to a final question: potential bandwidth constraints relating to the Mac mini only using 1 thunderbolt 3 controller. I would look to hang 2 raid arrays off the mini along with the eGPU, might I encounter a TB3 bottleneck?

    Thanks all.
    An eGPU can be a bottleneck all its own, depending on what you're doing with it. But, for the vast majority of the time, you shouldn't feel any hits.
    mr minsky
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  • Reply 50 of 136
    This raises another question for me: Should Apple be using the most expensive storage format in mid-range machines? Is there an argument to be made for using more "generic" storage in machines like the mini and Air? Like you said, no one is buying a mini for speed-intensive work. That's what the "Pro" machines are for. I do not presume to speak for anyone else, but I'd actually be happier with slower and cheaper.

    Well, in the far past, nobody used to buy a Mini for speed intensive work.
    But these Mini are different; 6 i7 cores, fast flash storage, lots of RAM (user upgradable) means that many people, including probably myself, will use for middle to high performance tasks. As someone else said in the thread, it is a perfect machine for all the people still using 2008/2012 Mac Pros. 

    A quick note about extern storage: it is true that .m2 nvme modules are not very expensive nowdays, but you need an enclosure with Thunderbolt 3 interface, and those are just appearing in the market, and are still quite expensive (as much as the .m2 module). But the situation evolved very rapidly in the last months, i am sure there will be cheap enclosures in between three to six months.
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  • Reply 51 of 136
    Two Questions:

    1) I’m unaware of any four-port Thunderbolt 3 controller chips. Are you sure there’s only one controller? If so, are they possibly daisy chained?

    2) The off the shelf 8x00 CPUs I’ve been assuming Apple used don’t appear to support 5K resolution. Actually I didn’t think any Intel iGPU supported 5120 x 2880. Are these custom SKUs?
    Intel CPUs don't support 5K but over standard ports such as eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI. Mac Mini uses Thunderbolt and HDMI as display output, 5K needs Thunderbolt.
    edited October 2018
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  • Reply 52 of 136
    tidalwave1983tidalwave1983 Posts: 1unconfirmed, member
    Yeah @bkkcanuck - i'm trying to find out if there are two or four slots. the pic has two, but i just chatted online with someone at apple and they werent sure but said they think it will have 4 anyone know this for sure?
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  • Reply 53 of 136
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,186administrator
    Yeah @bkkcanuck - i'm trying to find out if there are two or four slots. the pic has two, but i just chatted online with someone at apple and they werent sure but said they think it will have 4 anyone know this for sure?
    We've been told two.
    edited October 2018
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  • Reply 54 of 136
    Yeah @bkkcanuck - i'm trying to find out if there are two or four slots. the pic has two, but i just chatted online with someone at apple and they werent sure but said they think it will have 4 anyone know this for sure?
    Mike seemed to be sure it was two slots only.  From the picture there are no memory "holders" on the side that are empty and I would think they would be visible... a little disappointed.. but ..., 32GB is still great for the Mini (i.e. buying 32GB now - not really economical to upgrade later by replacing).  
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  • Reply 55 of 136
    From looking at the specs on the released processors I am going to guess that the i7 will actually be quite a good processor for a mini...

    The only specs that line up seem to be the i7-8700B or i7-8700  (not the K).
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  • Reply 56 of 136
    Mike Wuerthelemike wuerthele Posts: 7,186administrator
    How about fan noise any insights?
    None yet. The demo floor was too noisy to get a feel for it. We'll let you know on the 7th.
    cgWerks
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  • Reply 57 of 136
    YP101yp101 Posts: 183member
    I think most sell is either i5 base or i3 upgrade to i7 but it will ended up same price as i5 base.
    But less ssd size.
    So if I want to ssd bigger then buy i5 or more cpu then i3 and upgrade to i7.

    At least ram can be upgrade so ssd size is little less impact since 4 thunderbolt 3 ports. External 2 2.5' ssd as raid 0 should be good speed.
    Question is should I pay $100 for 10Gb port or if I need it then buy TB3 dongle instead?

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  • Reply 58 of 136
    No one has asked the question about audio is the 3.5 jack combo analog/digital?

    Since Apple owns Toshiba's drive manufacturing the m.2 are most likely a Toshiba variant, so the quality is in question for me
    nothing like Samsung.

    Ram change out should be no issue with current Quality Brands even if not listed yet.
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  • Reply 59 of 136
    ctaveryctavery Posts: 1unconfirmed, member
    WIll the new mini natively drive this (upcoming) LG monitor? https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-34WK95U-W-ultrawide-monitor

    Thanks in advance for any clarification.
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  • Reply 60 of 136
    Tazgrump said:
    No one has asked the question about audio is the 3.5 jack combo analog/digital?
    That seems unlikely.

    First, the tech spec pages for products that had that feature explicitly said so on Apple's web site. The page for the old mini listed "Audio line out/3.5 mm headphone jack (digital/analog)." The page for the new mini just says "3.5 mm headphone jack" and does not include the words "analog/digital"

    Second, that feature was dropped from the MacBook Pros when they went to the touch bar design in 2016, suggesting it may not be something we should expect anymore.
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