Want to buy an Apple Mini. Will it be upgraded soon with a new release? Shoud I wait?

HappySad

I want to purchase an Apple Mini for the family. I have looked at the website below and it says to wait, as a new lease is imminent.

Someone says that Mac Minis are not released in the ways iPhones are with every few years having a massive upgraded with faster processor etc. I was told that Mac Minis are continually upgraded, so their is no need to wait for a newer and better released product.


http://www.buyersguideapple.com/#macmini

You comments please.

InsideInsurance

Out of curiosity, why buy a Mac Mini rather than an iMac?

The Mac Mini is overdue a refresh, most the Apple Mac products, other than the Mac Pro, get updated every 9-18 months generally inline with the next release from Intel.

The Mini was last updated in Oct 2012 and was skipped over last year where as the MacBook Pro 13 was upgraded - the two often share the same processor.

There are questions what will happen this year for all Mac updates as Intel has pushed back the next version of the chips to the start of 2015 leaving nothing obvious to do other than minor speed bumps etc

HappySad

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Out of curiosity, why buy a Mac Mini rather than an iMac?

The Mac Mini is overdue a refresh, most the Apple Mac products, other than the Mac Pro, get updated every 9-18 months generally inline with the next release from Intel.

The Mini was last updated in Oct 2012 and was skipped over last year where as the MacBook Pro 13 was upgraded - the two often share the same processor.

There are questions what will happen this year for all Mac updates as Intel has pushed back the next version of the chips to the start of 2015 leaving nothing obvious to do other than minor speed bumps etc

iMac cost more. Plus we already have keyboard, monitor and mouse we want to keep. If the boys damage any of them it won't cost us much to replace. The Mac mini can be safely stored under the desk.

So are you saying that the intel new chip is going to be out 2015 so expect upgrade then?

almillar

As above - if you don't want to be left behind, and don't NEED it now - wait, something will be along soon. Have a guess when, it'll be as good as anyone else's!

InsideInsurance

HappySad wrote: »

iMac cost more. Plus we already have keyboard, monitor and mouse we want to keep. If the boys damage any of them it won't cost us much to replace. The Mac mini can be safely stored under the desk.

So are you saying that the intel new chip is going to be out 2015 so expect upgrade then?

The headline price is more but they are much better value when you consider the differences in what you get.

Is the keyboard you have a Mac Keyboard? Windows keyboards will work but keys are remapped as Mac use the Command button in many of the cases where Windows use the Control button (which mac also have)


There isnt much speculation, most those who have the mini use it as a HTPC or home server and so the current specs are more than adequate for both functions. Its assumed there will be an update to the rest of the range but people arent sure what or when given the Intel delay. If the Mini will be refreshed at the same time or left to hang until 2015 is unknown.

What are you going to be using it for that requires it to be bleeding edge? There is still a fair number of people using the old PowerPC based Macs with little issue and our iMac is 5 years old and I am not close to considering replacing it. OK, graphics card in it isnt great being a HD4850 but if your wanting heavy games playing you shouldnt be looking at mac

Believe me, I normally upgrade ASAP for all my other electronic toys but 5 year old iMac no, our 2.5 year old MacBook Air will be upgraded next year as its low memory is starting to irritate occasionally.

HappySad

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The headline price is more but they are much better value when you consider the differences in what you get.

Is the keyboard you have a Mac Keyboard? Windows keyboards will work but keys are remapped as Mac use the Command button in many of the cases where Windows use the Control button (which mac also have)


There isnt much speculation, most those who have the mini use it as a HTPC or home server and so the current specs are more than adequate for both functions. Its assumed there will be an update to the rest of the range but people arent sure what or when given the Intel delay. If the Mini will be refreshed at the same time or left to hang until 2015 is unknown.

What are you going to be using it for that requires it to be bleeding edge? There is still a fair number of people using the old PowerPC based Macs with little issue and our iMac is 5 years old and I am not close to considering replacing it. OK, graphics card in it isnt great being a HD4850 but if your wanting heavy games playing you shouldnt be looking at mac

Believe me, I normally upgrade ASAP for all my other electronic toys but 5 year old iMac no, our 2.5 year old MacBook Air will be upgraded next year as its low memory is starting to irritate occasionally.

The g5 mac we have is about 8-10 years old. The operating system is 10.5.8 and cannot get any high for that machine. iTunes cannot be upgraded on it as the OS is too old. Want a Mac mini as we want to keep old monitor, keyboard and mouse so the kids can use and we don't freek out if they damage or break them as they can be cheaply replaced.


It would be great if I had a rough idea when the Mac mini was to be upgraded...

almillar

It would be great if I had a rough idea when the Mac mini was to be upgraded...

Anyone who answers here will only be speculating. You've already done the best thing - goto that buyer's guide and draw your own conclusions - I would be waiting if possible.
You're good to go with your old keyboard etc. You could get £100ish for that G5 (Powermac) if it's good spec/condition.

DKLS

There was rumours about a new mac mini at the end of Feb 14, but no sign of it yet.

Nada666

If you are itching for a new computer then you're as well buying one today. Delaying and humming and hawing will only mean you will be closer to missing out on an upgraded one.

I acknowledge InsideInsurance points but the chips are more than a little tired - sure, if you don't want to stream television or Netflix or update software a G5 processor is useable - but it is not practical for day-to-day non-specialist use.

Buy one today and sell it if you prefer the new model when it comes out. (That is one advantage with buying a current generation Apple - depreciation when it becomes the previous generation is low.)

Gratis

This might assist you in your deliberations. :think:




Personally, I'd never buy an iMac unless there was no other option. I hate the reflectiveness of their glossy screens and, even if you can live with that, when the computer module becomes obsolete you have to throw away the display along with the machine despite the fact that that bit probably has many years' life left in it.

I far prefer Mac minis. The one on which I'm writing this, for example, lives in the library of my family's home in England. It's a late 2009 model, 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo, 8 GB of RAM and has been running constantly and faultlessly for the last four years, supporting a 30" HP matte monitor (2560x1600), a 24" HP matte monitor (1920x1200) in portrait mode and a 20" Formac CRT by means of a USB-to-VGA adapter.

It has Gigabit LAN ports, 802.11n, Bluetooth Magic Mouse and a Bluetooth Magic Trackpad: it supports a powered seven-port USB2 hub and a powered eight-port Firewire 800 hub. It networks two printers, as well It may be old but it handles anything we throw at it with aplomb. They're lovely little machines! :heart2:

Shall be taking an i7 Mac mini back to France with me…

HappySad

Gratis wrote: »

This might assist you in your deliberations. :think:




Personally, I'd never buy an iMac unless there was no other option. I hate the reflectiveness of their glossy screens and, even if you can live with that, when the computer module becomes obsolete you have to throw away the display along with the machine despite the fact that that bit probably has many years' life left in it.

I far prefer Mac minis. The one on which I'm writing this, for example, lives in the library of my family's home in England. It's a late 2009 model, 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo, 8 GB of RAM and has been running constantly and faultlessly for the last four years, supporting a 30" HP matte monitor (2560x1600), a 24" HP matte monitor (1920x1200) in portrait mode and a 20" Formac CRT by means of a USB-to-VGA adapter.

It has Gigabit LAN ports, 802.11n, Bluetooth Magic Mouse and a Bluetooth Magic Trackpad: it supports a powered seven-port USB2 hub and a powered eight-port Firewire 800 hub. It networks two printers, as well It may be old but it handles anything we throw at it with aplomb. They're lovely little machines! :heart2:

Shall be taking an i7 Mac mini back to France with me…

Yes.. If your screen dies you just replace/fix that cheaply without having to fix or replace the whole system. It's great to here all that your Mac mini is doing.

I hope the new Mac comes in the next 4 weeks.