In an update to a support document regarding Boot Camp compatibility on Monday, Apple added reference to an as-yet-unannounced "mid-2014" Mac mini, suggesting the company is -- or was -- planning a long overdue refresh of its smallest desktop offering.
Popular with a niche audience, the Mac mini has seemingly fallen by the wayside as stronger sellers like the iMac,ac Pro and MacBook lineup continue to expand their capabilities. There is still a market for the Mac mini, as seen in multiple online forums including numerous active threads on Apple's own <a href="https://discussions.apple.com/community/desktop_computers/mac_mini">Support Communities</a> forum, though the company has been slow to upgrade the tiny desktop with new internals.
We are in that niche Mini audience. Apple has nothing else which meets our needs as a desktop.
I'm holding off purchasing used 2012 I7 Mini for now, but if nothing comes from Apple in a week or so, I'll go used I7.
It's about the price of a new I5.
What's with the sudden change of heart? Before, any topic about the mini would result in you saying "It's dead! It's over!" Why the change?
My theory is Marvfox is a robot. A robot that can't manage more than a sentence!
Marvfox might also be a robot controlled by Apple. I have this suspicion that the Mini was indeed dead waiting for the launch of a new Broadwell based machine. We all know what happened to Intel here, so maybe Apple had a crash program to pump out one last variant of the current Mini design.
That is guessing of course but if true it highlights a significant management problem at Apple. They simply can't drag their feet when Intel actually does come out with new chips. Haswell is an ideal chip up grade for the current Mini and to let it slide the way they did is just pathetic. They lost a lot of economic opportunity here based on people holding off waiting for what is an obvious upgrade path to happen. The major stock holders should really be asking what is up here.
It is noon on a Tuesday here and no indications of a silent Apple launch yet. I was kinda hoping that the Mini would have launched by now. My old MBP is really becoming difficult.
That is guessing of course but if true it highlights a significant management problem at Apple. They simply can't drag their feet when Intel actually does come out with new chips. Haswell is an ideal chip up grade for the current Mini and to let it slide the way they did is just pathetic.
If the Retina displays are coming, it makes sense they'd hold the Mini back for that to increase the chance that people will buy both a Mini and TB display. This would require the Mini to have TB2 but maybe also Iris (Pro) graphics.
I figured it was one of those AI programs researchers put online to try and fool people that it's human. I can't decide.
An AI would have smarter responses even today.
If the Retina displays are coming, it makes sense they'd hold the Mini back for that to increase the chance that people will buy both a Mini and TB display. This would require the Mini to have TB2 but maybe also Iris (Pro) graphics.
How many people actually hook a Mini up to an Apple display? It can't be a lot considering all the unconventional uses for a Mini. Given that your thought might have some possibility, Intel's slippage on the Broadwell line has to really piss Apple off. The Broadwell GPU is what you would want to drive a retina large screen monitor. I probably ought to say high resolution here as I'm not sure they will move to monitors qualifying as retina. You would have to put a lot of pixels in a 30" monitor to make it retina.
That's not how this computer is designed. It's designed for 'switchers'. For 'average' and 'lightweight' users. Don't try to think for Apple in the way that you're doing now, which seems to be based on a preference. One that might be shared by many, but that isn't -to me- how they designed this little guy. It's an entry level model. You want more, they have the iMac, you want full power, with the ability to expand to your hearts' content? Get a Mac Pro. Don't forget the strategy Steve put out when he returned:
Good point!
I disagree that the Mac Mini is (just) for switchers. I know many Mac users that've been waiting an eternity for a new Mac Mini including some that want to transition from the iMac or MacBook to a Mac Mini.
The Mac mini has a particular appeal for those who don't need a lot of power and graphics capability but want to choose their own display and the audience I'm thinking of in particular here are photographers but as discussed there are plenty of other potential users including programmers and app developers, HTPC, etc etc.
Apple seems to intentionally cripple and neglect the Mac Mini in order to protect its beloved (and no doubt profitable) iMac range but Apple have long stated publicly that there's nothing wrong with internal competition and one product cannibalising another so they've been somewhat hypocritical on this issue.
Basically Apple seem to be pushing the iMac because they get to bundle the screen and they know that the longevity and lifespan of the device is shorter than most of its other products.
I know many Mac users that've been waiting an eternity for a new Mac Mini including some that want to transition from the iMac or MacBook to a Mac Mini.
One should never wait for new tech to arrive; you'll end up waiting forever. If you need a new computer, buy it. If the current one still works one has the option to wait. But since it may take years for a new model to arrive, should that model line not be EOL'd, don't blame the supplier on their timeline. Rather, think about what a pleasant surprise it would be if you just let yourself be surprised by the new model that just came out.
The Mac mini has a particular appeal for those who don't need a lot of power and graphics capability but want to choose their own display and the audience I'm thinking of in particular here are photographers but as discussed there are plenty of other potential users including programmers and app developers, HTPC, etc etc.
I'm a hobbyist photographer myself, end possibly can relate to your stance on the display. So, yes, I agree. And the screen on an iMac is not for me. Too glossy, even though the gloss has been reduced from earlier models. I also never use my iPad outside. Summer, winter, the reflection is too irritating for me. Anyway, I could've chosen a Mini as my main machine, but then I would've needed up maxing it out, plus I'd need the Dual DVI adapter for my 30" ACD (totalling $1616). Then I say the Mac Pro, which truthfully I also kinda maxed out ($3600 or something, don't remember), but doubling the price of the Mini was worth it for me due to 4 HDD bays and also knowing this Mac would last me way longer than a Mini would have.
Apple seems to intentionally cripple and neglect the Mac Mini in order to protect its beloved (and no doubt profitable) iMac range but Apple have long stated publicly that there's nothing wrong with internal competition and one product cannibalising another so they've been somewhat hypocritical on this issue.
Hmm, they can't cripple a model that is already been released, and it wasn't considered crippled when it came out in Oct 2012. I wouldn't know on the profit margin of the Mini ($599) and iMac ($1099), but looking at the cheapest models I'd presume the markup on the Mini is larger, percentage wise, than that of the iMac.
As for their hypocrisy, they do that all the time. Or every now and then. I don't know. With all this talk about Beats and headphones I just remembered the iPod HiFi. Steve said upon its introduction that he spent crazy amounts of money on stereos, but was going to throw it out as he now had this fantastic new device, for just $349. Killed after 19 months.
Basically Apple seem to be pushing the iMac because they get to bundle the screen and they know that the longevity and lifespan of the device is shorter than most of its other products.
It's a populair machine and gets a lot of attention from Apple. No doubt about that.
Usually when Apple releases something I go: "well, duh, of course they choose blad-di-blah" because it all makes sense. Then. Not before; I usually don't see the benefits of 'waiting' 3 years to come with something. But I never minded them holding off for the release of Leopart in order to finish up on releasing the iPhone.
Wiki "Apple missed Mac OS X v10.5’s release time frame as originally announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. When first discussed in June 2005, Jobs had stated that Apple intended to release Leopard at the end of 2006 or early 2007. A year later, this was amended to "Spring 2007"; however on April 12, 2007, Apple issued a statement that its release would be delayed until October 2007 because of the development of the iPhone."
You are 100% right. Not enough profit for the greedy Apple Company and T. Cook to introduce a new MM machine.If Steve was alive he would have by now for sure.
Ah the iPod Hi-Fi! That will be a collectors item for sure one day because I doubt they sold too many if they killed it off so quickly. I have vague memories of hearing it and thought it sounded pretty good for the price but it was a bit too bulky and not all that attractive, certainly nothing like the beautiful B&W Zeppelin dock!
Yes I'm thinking of course of amateur photographers that can't really afford to step up to a base Mac Pro, and there are more of them than ever it seems. You just have to walk past a camera shop and see how busy they always are as evidence of that. It's an incredibly popular and growing hobby. That's why I'm so shocked at Apple's decision on Aperture. I hope they've got a cool replacement in the works.
I shouldn't have been too quick to bash longevity of the iMac and I'm sure they do ok compared to laptops but not by much cause they kind of are a big oversized laptop on a stand. I was burnt by my iMac G5 experience so I won't go back.
You are 100% right. Not enough profit for the greedy Apple Company and T. Cook to introduce a new MM machine.If Steve was alive he would have by now for sure.
About as much chance of Steve Jobs bringing out a new Mac Mini as there is of Cook renaming it the Mac Foxi.
Ah the iPod Hi-Fi! That will be a collectors item for sure one day because I doubt they sold too many if they killed it off so quickly. I have vague memories of hearing it and thought it sounded pretty good for the price but it was a bit too bulky and not all that attractive, certainly nothing like the beautiful B&W Zeppelin dock!
Yes I'm thinking of course of amateur photographers that can't really afford to step up to a base Mac Pro, and there are more of them than ever it seems. You just have to walk past a camera shop and see how busy they always are as evidence of that. It's an incredibly popular and growing hobby. That's why I'm so shocked at Apple's decision on Aperture. I hope they've got a cool replacement in the works.
I shouldn't have been too quick to bash longevity of the iMac and I'm sure they do ok compared to laptops but not by much cause they kind of are a big oversized laptop on a stand. I was burnt by my iMac G5 experience so I won't go back.
Why do you frequent Apple Insider? This site's not for you.
You are 100% right. Not enough profit for the greedy Apple Company and T. Cook to introduce a new MM machine.If Steve was alive he would have by now for sure.
I wouldn't bet on that one. In 2007 I wanted a new Mini. It was a year and nine months between refreshes. I couldn't wait any longer so in September 2008 I bought a Mac Book. The tech in the Mini at the time was getting old and I didn't want that. So I went for a Mac Book with better components for just a little more than the top of the line Mini at the time. To this day I still would have preferred a Mini.
no thanks to the flash. It means they put in their proprietary crap. In the current Mini, I can raid two 1TB SSDs faster than anything Apple has dreamed of.
My fear is that they solder the memory and put in the proprietary items like flash. Then I guess I but the best 2012 model and make it last.
Apple is definitely reverting to the failed old proprietary Apple with respect to their Mac products. Its not a good path.
Comments
I'm sure it will need one after all the hard work you put it through!
How do you know that?! I'm starting to get paranoid here.
I have two relatives who were PC-only and I recommended the mini to them. They love it.
Great little machine to use and have. Very versatile indeed.
We are in that niche Mini audience. Apple has nothing else which meets our needs as a desktop.
I'm holding off purchasing used 2012 I7 Mini for now, but if nothing comes from Apple in a week or so, I'll go used I7.
It's about the price of a new I5.
Wait a little longer maybe the new MM will come through.
What's with the sudden change of heart? Before, any topic about the mini would result in you saying "It's dead! It's over!" Why the change?
My theory is Marvfox is a robot. A robot that can't manage more than a sentence!
Marvfox might also be a robot controlled by Apple. I have this suspicion that the Mini was indeed dead waiting for the launch of a new Broadwell based machine. We all know what happened to Intel here, so maybe Apple had a crash program to pump out one last variant of the current Mini design.
That is guessing of course but if true it highlights a significant management problem at Apple. They simply can't drag their feet when Intel actually does come out with new chips. Haswell is an ideal chip up grade for the current Mini and to let it slide the way they did is just pathetic. They lost a lot of economic opportunity here based on people holding off waiting for what is an obvious upgrade path to happen. The major stock holders should really be asking what is up here.
I figured it was one of those AI programs researchers put online to try and fool people that it's human. I can't decide.
If the Retina displays are coming, it makes sense they'd hold the Mini back for that to increase the chance that people will buy both a Mini and TB display. This would require the Mini to have TB2 but maybe also Iris (Pro) graphics.
Maybe i am a robot you are plain Boring!
That's not how this computer is designed. It's designed for 'switchers'. For 'average' and 'lightweight' users. Don't try to think for Apple in the way that you're doing now, which seems to be based on a preference. One that might be shared by many, but that isn't -to me- how they designed this little guy. It's an entry level model. You want more, they have the iMac, you want full power, with the ability to expand to your hearts' content? Get a Mac Pro. Don't forget the strategy Steve put out when he returned:
Good point!
I disagree that the Mac Mini is (just) for switchers. I know many Mac users that've been waiting an eternity for a new Mac Mini including some that want to transition from the iMac or MacBook to a Mac Mini.
The Mac mini has a particular appeal for those who don't need a lot of power and graphics capability but want to choose their own display and the audience I'm thinking of in particular here are photographers but as discussed there are plenty of other potential users including programmers and app developers, HTPC, etc etc.
Apple seems to intentionally cripple and neglect the Mac Mini in order to protect its beloved (and no doubt profitable) iMac range but Apple have long stated publicly that there's nothing wrong with internal competition and one product cannibalising another so they've been somewhat hypocritical on this issue.
Basically Apple seem to be pushing the iMac because they get to bundle the screen and they know that the longevity and lifespan of the device is shorter than most of its other products.
...the longevity and lifespan of the device is shorter than most of its other products.
In no way I’ve ever seen.
One should never wait for new tech to arrive; you'll end up waiting forever. If you need a new computer, buy it. If the current one still works one has the option to wait. But since it may take years for a new model to arrive, should that model line not be EOL'd, don't blame the supplier on their timeline. Rather, think about what a pleasant surprise it would be if you just let yourself be surprised by the new model that just came out.
I'm a hobbyist photographer myself, end possibly can relate to your stance on the display. So, yes, I agree. And the screen on an iMac is not for me. Too glossy, even though the gloss has been reduced from earlier models. I also never use my iPad outside. Summer, winter, the reflection is too irritating for me. Anyway, I could've chosen a Mini as my main machine, but then I would've needed up maxing it out, plus I'd need the Dual DVI adapter for my 30" ACD (totalling $1616). Then I say the Mac Pro, which truthfully I also kinda maxed out ($3600 or something, don't remember), but doubling the price of the Mini was worth it for me due to 4 HDD bays and also knowing this Mac would last me way longer than a Mini would have.
Hmm, they can't cripple a model that is already been released, and it wasn't considered crippled when it came out in Oct 2012. I wouldn't know on the profit margin of the Mini ($599) and iMac ($1099), but looking at the cheapest models I'd presume the markup on the Mini is larger, percentage wise, than that of the iMac.
As for their hypocrisy, they do that all the time. Or every now and then. I don't know. With all this talk about Beats and headphones I just remembered the iPod HiFi. Steve said upon its introduction that he spent crazy amounts of money on stereos, but was going to throw it out as he now had this fantastic new device, for just $349. Killed after 19 months.
It's a populair machine and gets a lot of attention from Apple. No doubt about that.
Usually when Apple releases something I go: "well, duh, of course they choose blad-di-blah" because it all makes sense. Then. Not before; I usually don't see the benefits of 'waiting' 3 years to come with something. But I never minded them holding off for the release of Leopart in order to finish up on releasing the iPhone.
Wiki
"Apple missed Mac OS X v10.5’s release time frame as originally announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. When first discussed in June 2005, Jobs had stated that Apple intended to release Leopard at the end of 2006 or early 2007. A year later, this was amended to "Spring 2007"; however on April 12, 2007, Apple issued a statement that its release would be delayed until October 2007 because of the development of the iPhone."
You are 100% right. Not enough profit for the greedy Apple Company and T. Cook to introduce a new MM machine.If Steve was alive he would have by now for sure.
Yes I'm thinking of course of amateur photographers that can't really afford to step up to a base Mac Pro, and there are more of them than ever it seems. You just have to walk past a camera shop and see how busy they always are as evidence of that. It's an incredibly popular and growing hobby. That's why I'm so shocked at Apple's decision on Aperture. I hope they've got a cool replacement in the works.
I shouldn't have been too quick to bash longevity of the iMac and I'm sure they do ok compared to laptops but not by much cause they kind of are a big oversized laptop on a stand. I was burnt by my iMac G5 experience so I won't go back.
About as much chance of Steve Jobs bringing out a new Mac Mini as there is of Cook renaming it the Mac Foxi.
Why do you frequent Apple Insider? This site's not for you.
You are 100% right. Not enough profit for the greedy Apple Company and T. Cook to introduce a new MM machine.If Steve was alive he would have by now for sure.
I wouldn't bet on that one. In 2007 I wanted a new Mini. It was a year and nine months between refreshes. I couldn't wait any longer so in September 2008 I bought a Mac Book. The tech in the Mini at the time was getting old and I didn't want that. So I went for a Mac Book with better components for just a little more than the top of the line Mini at the time. To this day I still would have preferred a Mini.
no thanks to the flash. It means they put in their proprietary crap. In the current Mini, I can raid two 1TB SSDs faster than anything Apple has dreamed of.
My fear is that they solder the memory and put in the proprietary items like flash. Then I guess I but the best 2012 model and make it last.
Apple is definitely reverting to the failed old proprietary Apple with respect to their Mac products. Its not a good path.