I hope that Apple smartens up and brings the Mac mini pricing back down again. Starting at $999 in Canada for just the computer (no keyboard or monitor) is NOT consumer-friendly pricing!
The original Mac minis were perfect at $499! But up to $699 would be acceptable, too.
(* AppleInsider, please remember you have international readers... include currency when listing prices.)
$799 is more than acceptable, try to find a mini PC with the specs of Mac mini for less. Apple’s not going to drop the price to $699. And at CAD999, you’re getting it at almost a 5% discount over what we pay here in the States. I’m sure you appreciate the discount.
re: currency, Apple denominates in dollars, why would AI convert to any other country’s dollar?
No computer should be sold in 2020 with anything less than a 1TB SSD drive - period. Please manufacturers just stop making anything smaller! Apple are you listening? I looked into the mini ... add a 1TB SSD and you’re now at $1399 - that’s a deal breaker. Ended up buying an iMac on sale for not much more, figured at least I get a nice 5k display out of it (plus the keyboard and mouse) ... but still a lousy 1TB mechanical drive - spin spin noise noise! Cmon do I have to wait until 2025 to get the drive I need at a decent price!
Absurd. My mother and other light users have no need for 1 TB SSD minimum, so it’s wasted money. Your needs aren’t everyone’s needs.
256 GB and 512 GB are enough for an iPhone or iPad but not for a computer. Apple’s core audience isn’t your mom.
You’re crazy! Having a $1,399 entry level model makes zero sense. There are plenty of users who only need 128/256/512GB; why should Apple eliminate their ability to buy models at $799/999/1,199, if that’s what those customers want.
What sense does it make to jack of the entry level mini to $1,399, just because you think everyone should have a 1TB SSD? Why stop there? Maybe Apple should make 32GB of RAM the minimum along with your 1TB SSD. Just start the Mac mini pricing at $1,999.
I really think you should re-think your wish for a $1,399 entry level mini.
It costs about $900 more for the MBP for the equivalent spec mini minus the GPU but an eGPU can cost ~$450 and you get portability with the MBP and a cleaner setup.
It's great to have the option of external GPUs to go even higher performance but I'd personally take the MBP over the mini + eGPU just to be sure everything will work ok across system updates and Bootcamp. For an existing setup, an eGPU is a much lower cost though.
A mini + eGPU is essentially what people have wanted in an upgradeable mini tower.
2011 mini:
i7 (hyperthreaded)
gpu (discrete, 4K/2x TB 27" support)
slotted ram (upgradable, non OEM)
slotted twin drive bays (upgradable, non OEM)
clear anodized AL (more wear resistant/sustainable)
Upgrade speed/cores/specs on this form factor and my wallet will happily open again...
Please... What am I missing, except maybe a Kensington lock slot ???
2018 mini: i7 (hyper threaded) with 6 cores instead of only 4. Blackmagic eGPU (other options if you don't care about quiet... tons of powerful GPU choices!) slotted RAM super fast SSD w/ easy external SSD or spinning disc expandability
I own and have owned quite a few over the years including the current flawed design.
The market for the mini these days is not for a cheap Mac, but an affordable HEADLESS Mac that is not cramped by laptop components.
Despite this, Apple stubbornly refuses to offer a compelling affordable desktop Macintosh that uses standard cards and drives mounted internally. They assume there is no market between an underpowered mini with Vampire Video and the Mac Pro.
Alternately, they could have done an Apple take on the excellent HP Z2 Mini Workstation that scales from the Core i3 all the way to Xeon CPUs and offers BTO options for powerful GPUs for those that need that. The unit can be easily opened without tools and users can replace drives, memory or the wireless module quickly and easily. The unit can be put on a desktop or mounted behind the monitor of your choosing.
A mini + eGPU is essentially what people have wanted in an upgradeable mini tower.
Except the eGPUs are expensive, slower than an internal GPU and add a cable and a wall wart.
I love my current Mc mini- BTO with the i7 and upgraded memory and storage. I need the connections for my complicated setup but wish it offered an internal discrete GPU design or at least Iris Pro level graphics. Try transcoding video and the fans spin up like a blender. Apple could have made the mini not quite so small and given users better BTO options for a GPU and user upgradeable memory.
I hate using laptops for desktop use and the newer Mac laptops have very limited connectivity. I also am not a fan of the iMac all in one for my needs. My Mac mini runs a nice 4K 32” LG monitor- a display option unavailable to the iMac or laptop crowd.
This was my first Mac, I’ll never forget my 1.83Ghz G4 Mac Mini.
The pricing was exactly what convinced me to finally take the plunge and give Apple a real try.
I was 20 years old, in a dead end job earning next to no money and so naturally the PC world where I could build what I wanted on the cheap was a natural fit. But I had a friend who was an absolute Apple fan and he convinced me that I’d never look back if I bought one.
The entry level pricing enabled me to get a taste for the Mac, since then I’ve bought a ridiculous amount of Apple products and converted my entire family.
It’s funny how there is no consumer friendly affordable Mac anymore, in my opinion it’s extremely short sighted of them. If they’d not priced the Mac Mini at an affordable price point I likely would never have bought one. I’m the “tech” guy in my family so generally I’m the one who gives all the recommendations.
I’d guess that I’ve either bought myself or influenced others to buy around £250,000 worth of Apple products since 2005. When put in those terms it wasn’t a bad little money earner for Apple, that original Mac Mini.
It’s so sad that Apple has left the middle ground in pricing. Apple was never cheap, and they shouldn’t be, but they also had offerings for those that wanted a decent computer at an affordable price.
Yes, I know the iPad starts from £350, but for those that want a traditional computer you’re looking at £1099 for the entry level MacBook. With a semi decent Dell or HP going for £499 with similar specifications that’s one hell of a hard sell.
Oh well, it is what it is. But Apple should really think about future purchases based on past experience and with the price bar set so high a lot of people will never experience their first Mac.
It's great to have the option of external GPUs to go even higher performance but I'd personally take the MBP over the mini + eGPU just to be sure everything will work ok across system updates and Bootcamp. For an existing setup, an eGPU is a much lower cost though.
A mini + eGPU is essentially what people have wanted in an upgradeable mini tower.
Yeah, I think it depends on whether one wants a laptop or not.
I ran a MBA in clamshell mode for years, and while granted, it wasn't TB3 with a dock, it wasn't a very neat setup. (And, clamshell mode tends to have issues, depending on setup.) And... if Apple hadn't botched the MBP line, I'd probably have a MBP and dock type setup. I'm glad I went the mini route though, honestly. Yes, I don't have the portability, but I just don't need that much power when portable anymore, so the iPad can get the job done.
Given the new 16" MBP, I'd have a harder choice to make, to be sure. But, I think I'd still go with the mini.
also perhaps of note all this flexibility and expandability starting at $899, including a gpu and fusion / raid capability...?
Heh, yeah, I guess you got me there. But, my system is also a lot higher performance. It isn't that bad though, a bit more like a mini-tower or the 2013 Mac Pro, I guess. I don't care much if my storage is internal or external now with tiny SSDs. I can't recall if I already posted this or not, but here's my setup:
I own and have owned quite a few over the years including the current flawed design.
The market for the mini these days is not for a cheap Mac, but an affordable HEADLESS Mac that is not cramped by laptop components.
Despite this, Apple stubbornly refuses to offer a compelling affordable desktop Macintosh that uses standard cards and drives mounted internally. They assume there is no market between an underpowered mini with Vampire Video and the Mac Pro.
Alternately, they could have done an Apple take on the excellent HP Z2 Mini Workstation that scales from the Core i3 all the way to Xeon CPUs and offers BTO options for powerful GPUs for those that need that. The unit can be easily opened without tools and users can replace drives, memory or the wireless module quickly and easily. The unit can be put on a desktop or mounted behind the monitor of your choosing.
I somewhat agree, and think Apple should offer such an option. However, I don't so much agree with the 'underpowered' in regard to the mini. As I mentioned above, it's the next fastest Mac after the new Mac Pro and iMac Pro, and highest build option of the iMac 5k (and the 5k iMac doesn't have the T2). Once you add an eGPU or external storage, it is anything but underpowered in comparison. It is underpowered in terms of internal GPU, but kind of like the base Mac Pro, why put in a powerful GPU for the many applications that don't really need a better GPU (like all the server-farms)?
davgreg said: Except the eGPUs are expensive, slower than an internal GPU and add a cable and a wall wart.
I love my current Mc mini- BTO with the i7 and upgraded memory and storage. I need the connections for my complicated setup but wish it offered an internal discrete GPU design or at least Iris Pro level graphics. Try transcoding video and the fans spin up like a blender. Apple could have made the mini not quite so small and given users better BTO options for a GPU and user upgradeable memory. ...
Hmm, again not sure I agree about the internal vs external GPU. There is no way they'd have put an internal GPU in the mini, even if the case were a bit bigger, that is faster than even the lower end eGPUs you can plug in. And, then you have to get rid of all that extra heat, too. If they made a mini-tower, then yes, and I do wish Apple made one of those.
Also, not sure if you can use HEVC and the T2 for your video transcoding, but it doesn't spin the fans up all that much when doing so, and is BLAZING fast. Also, I turn off Turbo Boost, which I've found keeps it much more quiet and doesn't sacrifice all that much performance. I might turn it back on if I had a deadline to beat, but I leave it off most of the time.
... The entry level pricing enabled me to get a taste for the Mac, since then I’ve bought a ridiculous amount of Apple products and converted my entire family.
It’s funny how there is no consumer friendly affordable Mac anymore, in my opinion it’s extremely short sighted of them. If they’d not priced the Mac Mini at an affordable price point I likely would never have bought one. I’m the “tech” guy in my family so generally I’m the one who gives all the recommendations. ...
Yep, that is one of the many criticisms I have about the 'new' Apple. They just don't seem to be thinking like that as much anymore. Just like all the time, money, and energy they used to put into education.
I do think the 2018 mini is a little overpriced, even by Apple standards, but I bought one anyway. I like the small footprint and have considered mounting it on the back of a display to free up room. There should also be a less expensive version- say a 2014 with less storage potential. no internal PCIe capability, and soldered on storage and RAM. Not that I think soldering on those two components is a good thing, but it makes for less expensive manufacturing and greater reliability.
Apple will probably never put a discrete GPU in the mini, and that is one of my complaints, but a small one. I do run external a lot of external storage on my minis but don't care for the idea of a pricey (compared to an Apple dedicated internal) eGPU. I do appreciate that it's an option for those who want it, but it's not for me.
I'm really disappointed that Apple dropped the logic board's PCIe connector in the 2018, and that they made the RAM more difficult to upgrade than the 2012 mini. That it's not soldered on as with the 2014 mini is not much consolation. Obviously the 2018's change in those two areas is tactical marketing, but it's still a great disappointment.
I hope that Apple smartens up and brings the Mac mini pricing back down again. Starting at $999 in Canada for just the computer (no keyboard or monitor) is NOT consumer-friendly pricing!
The original Mac minis were perfect at $499! But up to $699 would be acceptable, too.
(* AppleInsider, please remember you have international readers... include currency when listing prices.)
AI is a US publication. When the $ is used, it is always USD, and has always been thus.
Comments
re: currency, Apple denominates in dollars, why would AI convert to any other country’s dollar?
The mini has a 0.4TFLOP GPU:
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/hd-graphics-630.c2961
The entry MBP is 3.2TFLOP, the higher one is 4.4TFLOP:
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-pro-5300m.c3464
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-pro-5500m.c3463
so graphics-wise the entry MBP is about 8-10x faster than the mini. Intel was promoting their move to 1TFLOP last year:
https://wccftech.com/intels-10nm-gen-11-graphics-detailed-1-tflops-of-power-and-landing-in-2019/
It costs about $900 more for the MBP for the equivalent spec mini minus the GPU but an eGPU can cost ~$450 and you get portability with the MBP and a cleaner setup.
https://www.amazon.com/Akitio-Node-Thunderbolt3-Windows-Compatible/dp/B06XKKSNTS
https://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-1386MHz-Graphics-RX-580P8DFD6/dp/B06Y66K3XD (5.5TFLOPs)
6-core Mac mini, 16GB, 512GB = $1499 + Akitio ($280) + 580X ($160) = $1939
entry 6-core 16" MBP, 16GB, 512GB = $2399
It's great to have the option of external GPUs to go even higher performance but I'd personally take the MBP over the mini + eGPU just to be sure everything will work ok across system updates and Bootcamp. For an existing setup, an eGPU is a much lower cost though.
A mini + eGPU is essentially what people have wanted in an upgradeable mini tower.
The market for the mini these days is not for a cheap Mac, but an affordable HEADLESS Mac that is not cramped by laptop components.
Despite this, Apple stubbornly refuses to offer a compelling affordable desktop Macintosh that uses standard cards and drives mounted internally. They assume there is no market between an underpowered mini with Vampire Video and the Mac Pro.
Alternately, they could have done an Apple take on the excellent HP Z2 Mini Workstation that scales from the Core i3 all the way to Xeon CPUs and offers BTO options for powerful GPUs for those that need that. The unit can be easily opened without tools and users can replace drives, memory or the wireless module quickly and easily. The unit can be put on a desktop or mounted behind the monitor of your choosing.
I love my current Mc mini- BTO with the i7 and upgraded memory and storage. I need the connections for my complicated setup but wish it offered an internal discrete GPU design or at least Iris Pro level graphics. Try transcoding video and the fans spin up like a blender. Apple could have made the mini not quite so small and given users better BTO options for a GPU and user upgradeable memory.
I hate using laptops for desktop use and the newer Mac laptops have very limited connectivity. I also am not a fan of the iMac all in one for my needs. My Mac mini runs a nice 4K 32” LG monitor- a display option unavailable to the iMac or laptop crowd.
The pricing was exactly what convinced me to finally take the plunge and give Apple a real try.
The entry level pricing enabled me to get a taste for the Mac, since then I’ve bought a ridiculous amount of Apple products and converted my entire family.
I’d guess that I’ve either bought myself or influenced others to buy around £250,000 worth of Apple products since 2005. When put in those terms it wasn’t a bad little money earner for Apple, that original Mac Mini.
It’s so sad that Apple has left the middle ground in pricing. Apple was never cheap, and they shouldn’t be, but they also had offerings for those that wanted a decent computer at an affordable price.
I ran a MBA in clamshell mode for years, and while granted, it wasn't TB3 with a dock, it wasn't a very neat setup. (And, clamshell mode tends to have issues, depending on setup.) And... if Apple hadn't botched the MBP line, I'd probably have a MBP and dock type setup. I'm glad I went the mini route though, honestly. Yes, I don't have the portability, but I just don't need that much power when portable anymore, so the iPad can get the job done.
Given the new 16" MBP, I'd have a harder choice to make, to be sure. But, I think I'd still go with the mini.
Heh, yeah, I guess you got me there. But, my system is also a lot higher performance. It isn't that bad though, a bit more like a mini-tower or the 2013 Mac Pro, I guess. I don't care much if my storage is internal or external now with tiny SSDs. I can't recall if I already posted this or not, but here's my setup:
I somewhat agree, and think Apple should offer such an option. However, I don't so much agree with the 'underpowered' in regard to the mini. As I mentioned above, it's the next fastest Mac after the new Mac Pro and iMac Pro, and highest build option of the iMac 5k (and the 5k iMac doesn't have the T2). Once you add an eGPU or external storage, it is anything but underpowered in comparison. It is underpowered in terms of internal GPU, but kind of like the base Mac Pro, why put in a powerful GPU for the many applications that don't really need a better GPU (like all the server-farms)?
Hmm, again not sure I agree about the internal vs external GPU. There is no way they'd have put an internal GPU in the mini, even if the case were a bit bigger, that is faster than even the lower end eGPUs you can plug in. And, then you have to get rid of all that extra heat, too. If they made a mini-tower, then yes, and I do wish Apple made one of those.
Also, not sure if you can use HEVC and the T2 for your video transcoding, but it doesn't spin the fans up all that much when doing so, and is BLAZING fast. Also, I turn off Turbo Boost, which I've found keeps it much more quiet and doesn't sacrifice all that much performance. I might turn it back on if I had a deadline to beat, but I leave it off most of the time.
Yep, that is one of the many criticisms I have about the 'new' Apple. They just don't seem to be thinking like that as much anymore. Just like all the time, money, and energy they used to put into education.
Apple will probably never put a discrete GPU in the mini, and that is one of my complaints, but a small one. I do run external a lot of external storage on my minis but don't care for the idea of a pricey (compared to an Apple dedicated internal) eGPU. I do appreciate that it's an option for those who want it, but it's not for me.
I'm really disappointed that Apple dropped the logic board's PCIe connector in the 2018, and that they made the RAM more difficult to upgrade than the 2012 mini. That it's not soldered on as with the 2014 mini is not much consolation. Obviously the 2018's change in those two areas is tactical marketing, but it's still a great disappointment.