Just on a hunch

[Codeseven]

I’m going to buy a new Mini this month, however, I think I’ll wait. ‘If’ there’s going to be a soft update (perhaps an i9 and/or a better iGPU) I think it will coincide with the ‘somewhat expected’ release of the new Mac Pro before the end of the month.

Thoughts.....

1) Is the i7 already being throttled due to heating issues? Would an i9 just create more heat within that same small enclosure?

2) Would Apple bother to upgrade the known weak iGPU given the an eGPU option exists?

3) Ignore all of the above, just buy it now ?

 

[Stephen.R]

Would Apple bother to upgrade the known weak iGPU

Apple don’t chose which igpu to use - it’s part of the CPU as built by Intel, and AFAIK there’s nothing newer /better than the UHD630 available in current Intel desktop chips.

 

[archer75]

There’s no indication of a new mini coming any time soon

No, the i7 is not being throttled. The frequency adjusts as the temp goes up of course. It’s designed to. But I’ve never had my i7 drop below the base clock even under max load for 12 hours.

 

[Codeseven]

Good info, thanks.

Id rather not wait if there’s no need to ?

 

[Erehy Dobon]

.

 

[Codeseven]

Thanks!

 

[D.T.]

Don't forget to check the refurbs too, save ~14%, like new, full warranty (retains the option to add AC).

 

[Codeseven]

Don't forget to check the refurbs too, save ~14%, like new, full warranty (retains the option to add AC).

Nice. Went the Apple Refurbished route. 2018 3.2 GHz 6-core 8th gen i7, 16GB 2666MHz DDR4, 1TB SSD + Apple Care $1708.

.......I should add, that’s coming from using a 2008, yes you read that right, 2008 MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo, 5400 rpm HD and 8Gb of ancient memory?

 

[D.T.]

Nice. Went the Apple Refurbished route. 2018 3.2 GHz 6-core 8th gen i7, 16GB 2666MHz DDR4, 1TB SSD + Apple Care $1708.

.......I should add, that’s coming from using a 2008, yes you read that right, 2008 MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo, 5400 rpm HD and 8Gb of ancient memory?

Excellent! Yeah, I always go with a refurb when possible. The '18 Minis have been tricky as they show up and disappear same day, so you have to act pretty quick. I did a refurb too, i7, 32GB, 512GB storage - I seriously debated about just getting an 8GB machine and DIY-ing the RAM, but since it's also a work machine, and I wanted to go AC and have __zero__ issues with warranty.

Wow, that should be an amazing upgrade, I was coming from a '15 MBP i7/16, so decently quick - the wife is using it now, it replaced her old machine, a 2010 13" C2D 2.4 MBP

 

[Krevnik]

Excellent! Yeah, I always go with a refurb when possible. The '18 Minis have been tricky as they show up and disappear same day, so you have to act pretty quick. I did a refurb too, i7, 32GB, 512GB storage - I seriously debated about just getting an 8GB machine and DIY-ing the RAM, but since it's also a work machine, and I wanted to go AC and have __zero__ issues with warranty.

I second the comment on refurbs. Cheaper, same warranty, and will have similar rates of warranty repairs as new. I've had very good luck with them back to a PowerMac 8600.

About the only time I don't buy refurb is if it's a new product.

 

[Fishrrman]

Buy one now.

There isn't going to be a "Mini update" until late 2020 at the earliest.

Probably not until 2021. If then...

 

[Boyd01]

I should add, that’s coming from using a 2008, yes you read that right, 2008 MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo, 5400 rpm HD and 8Gb of ancient memory?

Haha, I have the same laptop sitting in the closet with a dead battery. I replaced that computer in 2012 with a MacBook Air which literally ran circles around it. Am amazed that you had the patience to use it for so many years. Congatulations on the new Mini!

 

[redheeler]

There will be no 2019 Mac mini. Intel doesn't list any appropriate 9th-generation chips on their website so it isn't going to happen.

Maybe the mini will get an 8-core processor next year, if Apple executives bother to direct some R&D funding its way amidst all these other vastly more-important projects such as the Billie Eilish documentary for TV+.

Nice. Went the Apple Refurbished route. 2018 3.2 GHz 6-core 8th gen i7, 16GB 2666MHz DDR4, 1TB SSD + Apple Care $1708.

.......I should add, that’s coming from using a 2008, yes you read that right, 2008 MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo, 5400 rpm HD and 8Gb of ancient memory?

From an '80 MacBook Pro with a slow spinning drive? That's quite a leap. You'll definitely enjoy the new mini.

 

[rambo47]

Last update cycle was 2014 > 2018, right?

 

[Codeseven]

There will be no 2019 Mac mini. Intel doesn't list any appropriate 9th-generation chips on their website so it isn't going to happen.

Maybe the mini will get an 8-core processor next year, if Apple executives bother to direct some R&D funding its way amidst all these other vastly more-important projects such as the Billie Eilish documentary for TV+.

From an '80 MacBook Pro with a slow spinning drive? That's quite a leap. You'll definitely enjoy the new mini.

Thanks, yes, it will be quite the jump upwards Also, I’m going from an old Presonus Firepod FireWire 400 audio interface to they’re new generation Quantum Thunderbolt 2 model

QUESTION: I’ve never owned a Thunderbolt device before so, looking into cables to connect the Mac Mini Thunderbolt 3 to the Quantum Thunderbolt 2 port, is my only option an expensive adaptor, that still needs a cable rather than ‘just‘ a single cable?

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

 

[Stephen.R]

QUESTION: I’ve never owned a Thunderbolt device before so, looking into cables to connect the Mac Mini Thunderbolt 3 to the Quantum Thunderbolt 2 port, is my only option an expensive adaptor, that still needs a cable rather than ‘just‘ a single cable?

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter

I wouldn't call that expensive as TB devices go, but yes that's essentially your only option.