Apple's new Mac mini finally arrives with 5X performance, Thunderbolt 3, more

AppleInsider · October 30, 2018 2:33PM

Amongst other announcements, Apple just debuted the long-awaited successor to the Mac mini with five times the performance, up to six-core processors, Thunderbolt 3, and user-expandable RAM.

The new Mac mini looks shockingly similar to previous models, though it has a new Space Gray finish. While it looks similar, internally it is all new. They start with four-core processors and are expandable to six cores at the time of purchase. Each Mac mini starts with 8GB of RAM with upgrades possible to 64GB. Storage, all flash-based, is expandable to 2TB, twice the previous maximum.

Ports include four Thunderbolt 3, one HDMI and two USB-A with an option for 10Gb Ethernet. Apple has added the T2 Security Chip to the Mini, which includes an SSD controller for faster data encryption. T2 also comes equipped with hardware HEVC video transcoding for up to 30-times faster performance.

Onboard graphics across the line are the Intel UHD Graphics 630. As with any Thunderbolt 3 computer, the Mac mini can use an external GPU. The HDMI port on the device uses the 2.0 spec, allowing for 4K resolution at 60Hz.

And just like the new 2018 MacBook Air, the enclosure is built out of 100-percent recycled aluminum.

"Mac mini is loved by customers for its ability to be used in incredibly diverse environments -- from casual desktop use, to live professional performances, to multiple Mac mini computers powering through video renderings and compiling software code, to racks of thousands in giant app build farms -- anywhere a small-but-mighty Mac is needed to get the job done," said Apple's Phil Schiller.

Prices start at $799 for a 3.6GHz quad-core i3 model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. An i5 model at 3.0 GHz with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is available for $1099. An upgrade of the i5 model to a 3.2GHz i7 processor is an additional $200. Either model can get a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port for an additional $100.

A maxed-out configuration with 64GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, the i7 six-core processor, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet retails for $4199.99. Cutting the SSD back to 256GB and relying on external storage reduces that to $2799.

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ericthehalfbee · October 30, 2018 2:34PM

In my best Beavis and Butthead voice.....

Yes...yes...yes...yes...yes...yes...

ascii · October 30, 2018 2:35PM

Same chassis after all this time, whaaaaa?

StrangeDays · October 30, 2018 2:37PM

ascii said:

Same chassis after all this time, whaaaaa?

It's not the original case design. As Apple execs have explained, they don't do change for change's sake. Changing its design would require a functional reason to do so. What would the reason be? It's a small box with stuff inside and ports on the back.

larrya · October 30, 2018 2:39PM

Base config is 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD. Not 32GB.

DAalseth · October 30, 2018 2:39PM

Woah, if THAT got bumped from the show today, I'm looking forward to what they do present when they get on stage. EDIT: Wait I just found that the event started already. Thought the times were pacific, not eastern. So this was not bumped from the show, the show;s half over already. Well, so much for watching it.

Rayz2016 · October 30, 2018 2:39PM

ascii said:

Same chassis after all this time, whaaaaa?

If there are server farms using these things by the thousand then they might not appreciate a redesigned case.

Linz Henderson · October 30, 2018 2:41PM

ascii said:

Same chassis after all this time, whaaaaa?

So many of us have dedicated solutions to house/mount the existing Mac Mini form factor, that I’m VERY relieved they seem to have stuck to the same design!

The facilities they talked about in the presentation are a prime example; they’ll be able to utilise the same space and hopefully just slot in new minis without too much fuss.

great move!

ascii · October 30, 2018 2:41PM

Rayz2016 said:

ascii said:

Same chassis after all this time, whaaaaa?

If there are server farms using these things by the thousand then they might not appreciate a redesigned case.

Might they have appreciated a rack mount variant?

MacMD · October 30, 2018 2:43PM

More than I thought we would get. User expandable memory, 10 gigabit Ethernet, and 6 core processor options are huge for me. Let’s just wait to see those upgrade prices and how quickly the price shoots up. It won’t be cheap, but at least I won’t get screwed with the Apple memory tax for once.

fastasleep · October 30, 2018 2:44PM

SODIMMs! Who saw that coming? Can’t wait to hear all the bitching that the storage is soldered.

No display though? That’s probably the biggest surprise to me.

StrangeDays · October 30, 2018 2:44PM

Welp, people got what they wanted. What will the next complaint be? (Price, of course, right)

ericthehalfbee · October 30, 2018 2:44PM

Things are looking good for a Mac Pro announcement today, IMO.

nightwatch · October 30, 2018 2:50PM

Apple ALMOST nailed the Mac Mini. They should have offered one with dual flash SSDs like the iMac Pro and a maybe a SATA bus for 2nd large SATA SSD. An i9 would have been nice.

However, 64GBs RAM, 2TB flash, 6-Core i7 and the T2, (love all that!), if it’s not $2500 for the high end model I’ll buy a pair. And please, no more soldering parts Apple please. I’m still using modified 2009 Mac Pros for a reason.

We’ll see.

ascii · October 30, 2018 2:50PM

ericthehalfbee said:

Things are looking good for a Mac Pro announcement today, IMO.

It will have to be "one more thing" then, because they are on to the iPad now.

maciekskontakt · October 30, 2018 2:57PM

At last! Time to upgrade from last 4-core 2012 and skip that garbage from last years.

sflocal · October 30, 2018 2:59PM

nightwatch said:

Apple ALMOST nailed the Mac Mini. They should have offered one with dual flash SSDs like the iMac Pro and a maybe a SATA bus for 2nd large SATA SSD. An i9 would have been nice.

However, 64GBs RAM, 2TB flash, 6-Core i7 and the T2, (love all that!), if it’s not $2500 for the high end model I’ll buy a pair. And please, no more soldering parts Apple please. I’m still using modified 2009 Mac Pros for a reason.

We’ll see.

SATA is obsolete. TB3 is where it's all at. Besides, you can get a TB3-Sata adapter (usually via a dock) if you must use those old drives. I'm surprised they still put legacy USB ports in there.

This is a solid machine. I'm may seriously consider one of these for the office but will wait to see what the new iMacs look like first.

cpenzone · October 30, 2018 3:00PM

ascii said:

Same chassis after all this time, whaaaaa?

As cool as it would have been to get a new enclosure it's my understanding that a lot of users wanted this to be the same as they rack mount these in server rooms.

cpenzone · October 30, 2018 3:01PM

ascii said:

ericthehalfbee said:

Things are looking good for a Mac Pro announcement today, IMO.

It will have to be "one more thing" then, because they are on to the iPad now.

No. They want even talk about the iMac Pro until 2019.

daven · October 30, 2018 3:01PM

I recently compiled a 45 minute video of a trio I took with my nephew. It took hours to encode on my 2012 mini Mac. With hardware encoding acceleration, it I do anymore videos, I will definitely upgrade.

fastasleep · October 30, 2018 3:26PM

nightwatch said:

Apple ALMOST nailed the Mac Mini. They should have offered one with dual flash SSDs like the iMac Pro and a maybe a SATA bus for 2nd large SATA SSD. An i9 would have been nice.

However, 64GBs RAM, 2TB flash, 6-Core i7 and the T2, (love all that!), if it’s not $2500 for the high end model I’ll buy a pair. And please, no more soldering parts Apple please. I’m still using modified 2009 Mac Pros for a reason.

We’ll see.

“Our pro customers have been asking for the slower, cheaper performance of SATA-3”

Apple's new Mac mini finally arrives with 5X performance, Thunderbolt 3, more

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