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The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming
- Thread starter GabrieleR
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I'd be happy if Apple settled into a 2-year cycle for updating not just the Mini, but also OSX. We've sort of reached maturity on many products and it would be nice to slow down the pace a bit. Off year CPU speed bumps would be fine when they happen, but beyond that I just don't see a ton of features in the pipeline. There's PCIe 4.0 for faster GPU and NVMe SSD connections. There are 8K (and 6K) monitors just now coming online, but what else is going to be new for 2019? So why not wait until Intel's new GPU design comes out or something else with a bit more spice/excitement?
I've said for a long time (before the current Mini) that if Apple would bring out a new Mini, it would about certainly be the last. Surprisingly enough, I now think that there will be another one. Apple has now pushed the Mini into being a professional / corporate desktop. The only real sore spot is video speed. It's not bad, but there are a decent number of people that need better. The new 10th gen Intel parts are supposed to be a pretty huge jump in video performance. I'd bet that would be a processor bump only
I wouldn't expect anything after that, including an ARM based Mini
I wouldn't expect anything after that, including an ARM based Mini
For those that TL;DR, you only need to read the first 602 pages.
So according to the latests leaks the next generation Mac mini would come in the first half of 2020 along the release of the new Comet Lake S Intel chips. Source: https://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content...ce-Lake-Comet-Lake-Tiger-Lake-Rocket-Lake.jpg
The recent intel leak shows the following chips suitable for a Mac mini refresh: i3-10100, i5-10400, i5-10500, i5-10600, i7-10700, of which I think the 10100, 10400 and 10700 models (maybe a B versión of those) are the perfect replacements for the i3-8100B, i5-8500B and i7-8700B chips used on the current Mac mini. Source: https://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/news/6/6/66560_02_intel-core-i9-10900kf-10c-20t-2ghz-499.jpg
So the specs for the next Mac mini would be the following:
Processor
SAME TDP of 65W on all CPUs:
CURRENT i3-8100B 3.6GHz 4-core 4-threads 6MB shared L3 cache
NEW!!!!!! i3-10100 3.7GHz 4-core 8-threads 7MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz
CURRENT i5-8500B 3.0GHz 6-core 12-threads 9MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz
NEW!!!!!! i5-10500 3.1GHz 6-core 12-threads 12MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz
Configurable to:
CURRENT i7-8700B 3.2GHz 6-core 12-threads 12MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz
NEW!!!!!! i7-10700 3.1GHz 8-core 16-threads 16MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.9GHz
Other less likely CPU options for the middle and base model could be:
-i5-10400 3.0GHz Turbo Boost 4.4GHz
-i5-10600 3.2GHz Turbo Boost 4.8GHz
Both 6-core 12-threads 12MB shared L3 cache
Memory
CURRENT 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM
Configurable to 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
NEW!!!!!! 8GB 3200MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM
Configurable to 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, … maybe more? we don't know yet until we see more of the memory specs of the chips
Storage
128GB PCIe-based SSD
Configurable to 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
256GB PCIe-based SSD
Configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
SAME OR base storage increase:
256GB PCIe-based SSD
Configurable to 512GB, 1TB, 2TB or 4TB
Graphics
CURRENT Intel UHD Graphics 630
NEW!!!!!! Intel UHD Graphics 730
Video Support
SAME:
Audio
SAME:
Connections and Expansion
SAME:
4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) supports:
HDMI 2.0
2x USB 3 (up to 5 Gbps)
Jack 3,5 mm
Communications
SAME:
Wi‑Fi 802.11ac
IEEE 802.11a/b/n compatible
Bluetooth 5.0
Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ‑45)
Configurable to Ethernet 1/2.5/5/10Gb Nbase‑T
Size
SAME:
Width: 7.7” (19.7 cm)
Height: 1.4” (3.6 cm)
Depth: 7.7” 19.7 (cm)
Weight
SAME:
1,3 kg
It's possible for Apple to release a slightly updated version of the Mac mini with better 8th generation Intel Core processors similar to the recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air updates. However if they were to I guess they would have already done it along the new MacBook updates from this week, and it wouldn't make sense for them to do it later in the year for the proximity to the next year revision of the Mac mini.
So unless Intel is to release the new leaked chips before the leaked roadmap shows, the new Mac mini is to come at early 2020.
The recent intel leak shows the following chips suitable for a Mac mini refresh: i3-10100, i5-10400, i5-10500, i5-10600, i7-10700, of which I think the 10100, 10400 and 10700 models (maybe a B versión of those) are the perfect replacements for the i3-8100B, i5-8500B and i7-8700B chips used on the current Mac mini. Source: https://imagescdn.tweaktown.com/news/6/6/66560_02_intel-core-i9-10900kf-10c-20t-2ghz-499.jpg
So the specs for the next Mac mini would be the following:
Processor
SAME TDP of 65W on all CPUs:
CURRENT i3-8100B 3.6GHz 4-core 4-threads 6MB shared L3 cache
NEW!!!!!! i3-10100 3.7GHz 4-core 8-threads 7MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz
CURRENT i5-8500B 3.0GHz 6-core 12-threads 9MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz
NEW!!!!!! i5-10500 3.1GHz 6-core 12-threads 12MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz
Configurable to:
CURRENT i7-8700B 3.2GHz 6-core 12-threads 12MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz
NEW!!!!!! i7-10700 3.1GHz 8-core 16-threads 16MB shared L3 cache Turbo Boost up to 4.9GHz
Other less likely CPU options for the middle and base model could be:
-i5-10400 3.0GHz Turbo Boost 4.4GHz
-i5-10600 3.2GHz Turbo Boost 4.8GHz
Both 6-core 12-threads 12MB shared L3 cache
Memory
CURRENT 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM
Configurable to 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
NEW!!!!!! 8GB 3200MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM
Configurable to 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, … maybe more? we don't know yet until we see more of the memory specs of the chips
Storage
128GB PCIe-based SSD
Configurable to 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
256GB PCIe-based SSD
Configurable to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB
SAME OR base storage increase:
256GB PCIe-based SSD
Configurable to 512GB, 1TB, 2TB or 4TB
Graphics
CURRENT Intel UHD Graphics 630
NEW!!!!!! Intel UHD Graphics 730
Video Support
SAME:
- Up to three displays: Two 4096x2304 60Hz Thunderbolt 3 + one 4096x2160 60Hz HDMI 2.0
- Up to two displays: One 5120x2880 60Hz Thunderbolt 3 + one 4096x2160 60Hz HDMI 2.0
- Native DisplayPort output over USB-C
- Thunderbolt 2, DVI, and VGA output supported using adapters
- One 4096x2160 60Hz
- DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter
Audio
SAME:
- Built-in speaker
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- HDMI 2.0 multichannel output
Connections and Expansion
SAME:
4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) supports:
- DisplayPort
- Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
- Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI and VGA
HDMI 2.0
2x USB 3 (up to 5 Gbps)
Jack 3,5 mm
Communications
SAME:
Wi‑Fi 802.11ac
IEEE 802.11a/b/n compatible
Bluetooth 5.0
Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ‑45)
Configurable to Ethernet 1/2.5/5/10Gb Nbase‑T
Size
SAME:
Width: 7.7” (19.7 cm)
Height: 1.4” (3.6 cm)
Depth: 7.7” 19.7 (cm)
Weight
SAME:
1,3 kg
It's possible for Apple to release a slightly updated version of the Mac mini with better 8th generation Intel Core processors similar to the recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air updates. However if they were to I guess they would have already done it along the new MacBook updates from this week, and it wouldn't make sense for them to do it later in the year for the proximity to the next year revision of the Mac mini.
So unless Intel is to release the new leaked chips before the leaked roadmap shows, the new Mac mini is to come at early 2020.
I doubt Apple would update the MacMini so soon, but I do love your optimism for an update next year. I hope they do!
UHD Graphics 730 is likely only a bugfix/stepping of UHD Graphics 630. I really wish Apple would ask Intel for a suitable SKU with another EU slice and EDRAM.. i.e. UHD 755 / UHD 750.
People love the new minis. Very little need for “Where’s my mini?” thread at this point.
It’s only nine months old; I’m sure the posts will pick up as we hit the one-year mark, though my guess is that the mini is likely on a two year update cycle like iMac. Even then, it’s gated by the release of S-series CPUs from Intel.
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As long as it sells enough, I think there will, almost certainly, be a new mini coming. Even if sales are disappointing, I still think they’d update the CPU at least once, unless the engineering work necessary is too burdensome.
We might have to wait until 2022 or whenever the 10nm with Gen 11 graphics are available; that would be a worthwhile update. Maybe just an 8-core/10-core next year in the interim.
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Thank you Tim! Enjoying my 2018 Mac mini for years to come (hopefully!)Oh Ye of Little Faith.
Were Your Endless Supplications & Babblings in this Mighty Threaded Temple not rewarded?
Is not the 2018 Mini Proof & Blessing enough from Our Lord Apple that we are Eternally in His Favour?
I'm holding out for a new mac mini that runs mac os 10.13 and has user replaceable memory/storage and a SDXC slot.
You're gonna be holding out for a long time on the replaceable storage front. IMO, I can even see the RAM being soldered in the coming years, as Apple's quest for thinness has no limits.
DRAM will remain replaceable as Apple can simply move to 9th Gen S-Series CPUs fairly easily in the next 12-18 months and give the mini a small speed and core bump.
Moving to 10th Gen S-series will be more involved as it will most likely involve a new socket and PCH, which means a complete logic’s board redesign. Don’t hold your breath for that one.
Also, I wouldn’t expect the SD Card slot to return to the mini, ever. Apple would be better off adding more USB-A or USB-C ports than taking up space with a single function slot.
Oh Ye of Little Faith.
Were Your Endless Supplications & Babblings in this Mighty Threaded Temple not rewarded?
Is not the 2018 Mini Proof & Blessing enough from Our Lord Apple that we are Eternally in His Favour?
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away...
At least, this time we could still upgrade RAM.
I hate my new mini.
Ever since I found out, that in 10.14 you have to have your home folder in startup drive and half a year ago , Apple's prices for ssd were even insanier than today.
To be more accurate, I HATE my new mini's SOLDERED ssd.
But of course, it's my mini, and I won't abandon it!
Glad that Apple finally updated the mini, and that it has pretty decent specs. But just not interested at the moment, my 2012 quad still does what I need and having the latest version of MacOS isn't very important for me. When I'm finally ready to upgrade, not sure that the mini will be the correct choice since all of my screens are ancient.
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External NVME drives are helpful:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/jeyi-m-2-to-thunderbolt-enclosure.2157774/
How to make T2-secured Macs boot from external drives
https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/01/15/how-to-make-new-t2-secured-macs-boot-from-external-drives
Intel has some devices code named "Rocket lake" on their roadmap which appear to couple 14nm CPU die to a 10nm GFX die. That may be the first Xe ( and perhaps labeled Gen 12) graphics. But Intel doesn't have to wait until 2021+ to get to the newer graphics. Just not integrated on eh same die, but could be in the same package.
The mini logic board may not have space for an incrementally bigger CPU package if Apple keeps the Mini's dimensions cast in stone. This Rocket Lake has turned up in the U class processor swimlane on some mobile roadmaps, but I think there is a S class also. Intel did a x86+AMD GPU mash up. It is extremely likely once they have their own discrete GPU. that they will do the same thing with their own.
10 cores in the space of a mini I suspect will base clock that very few will like if implemented on Intel's 14nm.
I really like my new Mac mini. My next one will be an implant.