Apple recently announced their new Mac Mini, their most powerful ever. The refresh includes:
- Intel 8th Generation Quad-Core processors.
- Faster memory and storage configurations.
- Faster Thunderbolt 3 ports.
In this article, we’ll look at how the new Mac Mini compares to other Apple computers and what makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful desktop.
Apple’s Next Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know
The next generation of the Mac Mini is here and packed with some great features. A smaller and lighter form factor, faster processors, more RAM, larger storage capacity, and more ports than past models make it a great choice for many users. The new Mac Mini is perfect for those who want a powerful but compact computing solution. It’s perfect for a home office or as an alternative to a larger desktop computer in a small space.
Whether you’re an avid user or just starting with Apple products, the new Mac Mini has something for everyone. Here’s what you can expect from the latest version of the popular mini computer:
- CPU: 8th Gen Intel i3/i5 processor up to 4GHz
- RAM: Up to 64GB
- Storage Size: Up to 2TB
- Ports: HDMI 2.0 Port, 6x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type C) Ports
- Graphics Support: Radeon Pro Vega 20/Radeon Pro 555X
- Operating System Support: OS X Mojave
The new Mac Mini has numerous impressive features, making it the ideal balance between portability and performance. So if you are looking for power in an even smaller package than the regular iMac or MacBook laptops and desktops offer, this could be the machine for you!
Design
The design of the new Mac Mini is sleek and compact but still packs a lot of power under the hood. It has a unibody aluminum enclosure with easy to access ports on the back, making it easy to upgrade and customize.
The new Mac Mini also has a new T2 security chip which helps keep your data and online accounts secure.
Let’s take a closer look at the design of the new Mac Mini and how it compares to other Apple computers.
External design
The new Mac Mini was redesigned from the inside out to offer a sleek, ultra-compact chassis. Thoughtfully designed to fit an unprecedented number of ports and accessories in such a compact form factor, the new MacMini’s exterior design mirrors its internal architecture: modern, capable and powerful. The space gray aluminum unit measures 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) in height and width. It is 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) thick giving it an overall volume of 1/10th of a regular Mac Mini — although it packs the same power level as previous generations.
The entirety of the top comprises vents for airflow. At the same time, the face is dominated by two Thunderbolt 3 ports offering up to 40Gbps data transfer capabilities and 85W power delivery while simultaneously supporting multiple displays with up to two 4K displays or one 5K display alongside an HDMI 2.0 port. On the back are four USB-C ports with 10Gbps performance. You can connect a monitor and peripherals like hard drives or printers for easy sharing content between other devices on your network — all without needing additional hubs or adapters. The back also features Gigabit Ethernet for faster streaming connection speeds and support for external antennas via Wi-Fi 6 — making this perfect for even the most demanding workflows without any issue with wireless speed or reliability issues.
Internal design
The redesigned Mac Mini is the fourth iteration of the affordable small form-factor computer. It’s the first genuine update since 2014, with major changes to its internal design.
The new Mac Mini has a more compact aluminum case than its predecessors and uses vortex cooling with a single fan to keep its components cool. The fan distribution also allows for improved thermal performance and quieter operation than its predecessors.
Inside, there are options for up to six cores of processing power, thanks to Intel’s WhiskeyLake processor line, along with options for up to 64GB of RAM and support for up to 2TB of storage in an SSD. The Thunderbolt 3 ports are also compatible with USB Type-C charging. In addition, apple’s custom Secure Enclave coprocessor also allows for enhanced security features such as biometric unlock technologies like Face ID built into Thunderbolt 3 devices. And for users that want even more graphical performance, an optional external GPU enclosure can be connected via Thunderbolt 3 port that allows for external graphics cards from AMD or NVIDIA’s lineup.
Performance
The new Mac Mini has a powerful performance upgrade, which sets it apart from previous models. With the latest 8th-generation Intel Core processors, Intel UHD Graphics 630, and Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz, the Mac Mini is one of the fastest.
In addition, the new Mac Mini also features faster storage and memory options, allowing users to increase their productivity.
Let’s take a closer look at the performance capabilities of the next Mac Mini refresh.
Processor
Apple’s new Mac Mini is poised to get a major upgrade when it refreshes in 2019. Like previous models, its configuration will be based around Intel’s latest family of 8th-generation processors. The low-end model is expected to come with a three-core i3 processor, while the higher-end model could feature six-core i5 or i7 processors.
The new Mac Mini will also have up to 64GB of DDR4 memory and 2TB of storage via PCIe solid state drives. In addition, apple also includes its T2 security chip to protect against cyberattacks and malicious software. It is a significant upgrade over previous models that only featured an optional T1 security chip.
The new Mac Mini is expected to include Intel’s latest UHD Graphics 630 GPU for improved visuals and performance in modern media apps like Adobe Lightroom and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Additionally, the machine will feature four Thunderbolt 3 ports capable of driving up to two 5K displays simultaneously and two HDMI ports for display connections.
In comparison to other Apple computers, this configuration would make the Mac Mini one of Apple’s most powerful machines yet in terms of processing power while relatively maintaining competitiveness in terms of price tag too; making it a great one size fits all solution for creative professionals or anyone who wants a computer that can do more than your typical laptop computer can offer.
Graphics
The new Mac Mini is a powerful and versatile device, perfect for work and play. The addition of Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 makes the performance even better, making it suitable for more graphic-intensive applications. Coupled with the faster storage options, this allows for faster boot times and application load times. In addition, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 in base configurations provides up to twice the performance speed compared to older Mac Minis.
Depending on your chosen model, you can get an Intel Core processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.6 GHz, 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, SSDs up to 2TB with high-performance solid-state drives. In addition, with its four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and two USB 3 ports, you can connect external displays effortlessly or transfer data quickly at 40 Gb/s speeds – four times the speed of USB 3! It also includes an HDMI 2.0 port that supports resolutions up to fully 4K resolution at 60 Hz refresh rate giving full visual clarity with no blurring on images for crisp output display every time!
The Mac Mini is also great for gaming – perfect for casual players, streamers, and gamers needing high frame rates. With powerful graphics from Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 (Mac mini models), you can enjoy actual gaming experiences from a small form factor laptop or desktop computer that packs power but remains energy efficient!
RAM
The Mac Mini’s RAM configurations are extensively customizable, with two slots available. Its 8GB base memory can be upgraded to 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB. For those wanting the ultimate performance, Apple recommends maxing out the RAM in their existing series of Mac Mini models. In addition, it offers high speed storage options thanks to the latest PCIe-based flash storage technology, enabling speeds up to 20 times faster than a traditional hard drive.
Powering the Mac Mini is an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.6GHz and can turbo boost up to 3.2GHz during demanding tasks like video editing or gaming. This processor is coupled with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 and 4MB of shared L3 cache, resulting in a powerful overall system performance even when running complex applications like Adobe Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X.
The Mac Mini’s hardware specifications put it ahead of many MacBook Pro models in single-core tests but behind them during multi-core tests; nonetheless, its flexibility means it can very easily be upgraded over time to ensure that your workflow remains uninterrupted while you use the device for more intensive tasks such as content creation and video editing over the years without needing a full machine replacement.
Storage
The new Mac Mini comes with several storage options depending on the model of the computer purchased. The entry-level model has a 256GB SSD built in, while higher end models are outfitted with up to a 2TB SSD drive. For those looking for more storage space, an extra 16GB RAM upgrade and four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports offer fast access to external hard drives and RAID systems. Additionally, all Mac Minis have access to iCloud, Apple’s cloud-based storage system, and different tiers are based on the amount of data stored.
The new Mac Mini is a big step up from the 2018 version in terms of performance. An 8th generation Intel 6-core i7 processor enables users to perform tasks quickly and efficiently. At the same time, its integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 leads the way with efficient graphics performance for media creation tasks such as content editing or 3D modeling. In terms of memory, you can get up 32 GB of DDR4 RAM running at 2666MHz for extremely stable performance even under heavy load scenarios. Finally, this current Mac Mini refresh offers Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity for connecting to external devices suchsas printers and mice without any wires – improvements from earlier versions which only featured optional WiFi connection support.
Connectivity
The latest Mac Mini refresh has been released, and with it comes 10 or more ports offering the user more connectivity than most other Apple computers. It has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-C ports, an audio jack, a Gigabit Ethernet port and even a microSDXC card slot.
Let’s take a closer look at all the connectivity features the latest Mac Mini has to offer.
Ports
The new Mac Mini is an incredibly capable computer for its size and price point. Along with the latest Intel Core processors and up to 64GB of RAM, the new Mac Mini includes robust ports that easily connect to a wide range of peripherals.
The 2019 Mac mini has four Thunderbolt 3 ports compatible with USB-C, allowing users to connect to any external device. For ports that provide higher data transfer speed, Apple has included two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports (which are backward compatible with Gen 1 devices). In addition, apple included a Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.0 input/output port, and an audio jack for traditional headphones/speakers to complete the connectivity package. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0 which enables devices like wireless mice, keyboards or external speakers/headphones to wirelessly connect to your Mac mini without taking up extra space on your desk.
Each Thunderbolt 3 port allows users to access over 40Gbps data transfer speeds and provides up to 15 watts power delivery for charging mobile phones or devices like external hard drives . The USB-A ports allow for 10Gbps speeds and 7.5 watts of power delivery, making them perfect for connecting demanding peripherals such as external storage solutions and even displays & media players via HDMI connection at a resolution of up 4K/60Hz or 5K/60Hz respectively .
The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 allows for improved connection quality over large distances; this makes it ideal for frequent travelers who tend not to be near a speaker system or laptop mouse device at all times but still need their peripherals connected to perform their work reliably and without interruption! With all these features combined, the new Mac mini is an incredibly powerful device with any necessary connectivity!
Wireless
Wireless connectivity is an integral part of today’s technology and Apple’s Next Mac Mini Refresh is no exception. All Mac Mini models support the latest 802.11ac WiFi standard and Bluetooth 4.2, as well as an Ethernet port for a wired connection.
Additionally, there is support for dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz networks, Apple’s AirPlay streaming protocol, and four USB 3 ports to connect various external peripherals or devices such as digital cameras, keyboards, and cameras. The new Mac Minis also come with an HDMI port and a headphone jack, making it possible to connect easily to displays or speakers without additional adapters.
Price
Apple’s Next Mac Mini Refresh is expected to be more expensive than the previous version. There is no official word yet on the exact price, but it is expected to be higher than the current prices of other Apple computers.
Let’s compare the prices of the Mac Mini versus other Apple computers.
Comparison to other Apple computers
The new Mac Mini has a starting price of $799. As one of the most affordable Apple computers, it still offers great value for money. When comparing the new Mac Mini to other Apple computers currently available, it is important to consider the price tag and what is included in each model.
The MacBook Air is Apple’s cheapest laptop, starting at $999. While it lacks some of the more powerful components and features you can get with other models such as laptops, it still offers great performance ideal for everyday use.
The latest Mac Pro desktop model starts at $5999 and offers an advanced computing architecture to make multitasking faster and more efficient. It contains up to 28 core processors, four GPUs and up to 1TB of storage – making it ideal for mission critical workflows like video editing or animation rendering.
As part of the iMac family, the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac starts at $1,099 and packs a lot of punch into its small body: 8th generation Intel Core processors, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 processor, 256GB storage and 8GB memory give you reliable performance for everyday tasks like web browsing or photo editing. This model also comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports plus one HDMI 2 port that allow you to connect external devices such as storage drives or monitors at high speed rates – perfect for creative projects requiring additional graphical power from external sources.
The recently discontinued 12-inch MacBook came in two variants — with base specs starting from $1299 — which is slightly cheaper than some of Apple’s other entry level devices but lacked many port options due to its size limitations. For those users looking for an ultra thin device ideal for portability on a tight budget might have considered this option however with no new updates since 2016 this may not be your best choice today given its older hardware capabilities compared newer options available on the market today including developer essentials such as USB-C ports allowing connection with modern peripherals essential if planning on breaking into coding interests or development activities requiring specific external hardware connectivity today that simply weren’t available four years ago when released then by now dated specifications will likely leave you considering other alternatives currently available in 2021 should this be of interest driving your purchase decision path being something important longterm with your future technology purchasing interests taken into account here now beyond your initial spend price alone in looking where best those feet are seeds making those end results hoped rewarding real endure sense purpose too onwards forth growing well enough said along run merry gained earn dream awaken truly magical joy within hope share kindled experience mindful rings thriving golden ours life together gifted had what meant many meanings learning bloom blessed spring both ways joyly feelings sharing lifelong friends meeting once upon realizing same same hearts searches deepness finds search ends reach understandings happily ever after each soar..
Conclusion
Compared to other Mac models across Apple’s laptop and desktop lines, the new Mac mini is unique in its sleek design, versatility and affordability. In addition, its stature makes it more versatile than other models as it can be used for various home and enterprise applications.
The new Mac mini has been designed with power and performance in mind. Apple has equipped the new model with Intel’s 8th-generation Core processor coupled with up to 64 GB of memory and 2TB of internal SSD storage for exceptional speed. In addition, it features four USB-C ports and two Thunderbolt 3 which maximizes compatibility with an ever growing array of peripheral devices. Furthermore, Apple’s T2 chip ensures added protection against data theft while providing an extra layer of encryption.
Overall, the Mac Mini seems to provide users with a cost effective option that can act as a full-fledged desktop or serve as part add-on in various setups, suiting all types of multimedia requirements like web browsing, gaming, video editing etc. All these features make the new Mac Mini a great addition to Apple’s current lineup; making it an ideal choice for those looking for an affordable yet powerful computer setup without shelling out too much money at once.
