2012 Mac Mini Improvements
Apple recently released a new faster, thunderbolt enabled, and optical drive-less MacMini. The $599 baseline model comes with a 2.3 ghz CPU, 2gb memory, and Intel HD graphics, BTO options includes 4 to 8 gb memory, and 750gb hard drive. The $799 high-end unit comes with a faster 2.5 dual core i5 CPU, bigger 4gb memory, and AMD Radeon HD6630 graphics, BTO upgrades includes 2.7 ghz dual core i7 CPU, 8 GB memory, 50gb hard drive, 256gb SSD or the combination of two. This makes the price of the best non-server Mac Mini soar up to$1, 849. The server Mac Mini starts at $999 with 4gb hard drive, 2.7ghz quad core i7 CPU, dual 500gb STA drive which configurable to dual 750gb SATA, single 256 SSD, dual 256 SSD, or a combination of 256SSD and and 750gb SATA drive.
It appears that the 2011 Mac Mini is the best and fastest Mac Mini yet, the exclusion of an optical drives allows you to add more data storage. So how can Apple improve the next 2012 Mini? I think they should remove the power supply unit or power brick outside the unit just like the older models so they can put a magsafe power port. This way Thunderbolt display users can connect the Mac Mini like a Macbook Air and get rid of the Mini’s power cord, it will also make the 2012 MacMini even smaller.
9 Comments to “2012 Mac Mini Improvements”
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As long as they don’t get rid of the Ethernet port, then I’ll be happy with the USB 3 upgrade. Basically, take the 2011 mini, upgrade the USB and processor, HDMI, and maybe the max memory will be 32GB (no, apple won’t advertise that, but they lie and over-price. Check Macsales.com or Newegg for reality. The 2011 max is 16GB).
It’s possible that they will remove the ethernet port and add a second thunderbolt port. Apple can gain extra profit by selling thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter. Unless they include gigabit 802.11 AC wi-fi, then they should keep the Ethernet port.
The mac mini 2012 will probably stay much the same.
Processor bump to Ivy Bridge, which will bring needed low end graphics improvements. This may bring USB3 to the Mac across the line, when MBP and iMac’s also get Ivy Bridge Inside this year. The dedicated graphics option may include a bump to a newer generation mid-range nVidia mobility GPU.
I believe they will keep 2 Core and 4 Core versions separate, so buyers will have to choose which is more important – price (2 Core, onboard graphics), graphics (2 Core, dedicated graphics), or CPU muscle (4 Core i7, onboard graphics).
RAM will possibly stay the same, or entry level may go to 4GB.
Other changes they could implement include some form of SSD onboard that can be used as either a hybrid drive with an HDD, or as a dedicated OS X/ Boot drive. This way all mac’s across the line get the benefit of macbook air like speed during boot and shutdown.
What I would like to see come back is the Kensington lock. I have my personal Mac Mini 2009 at university (postgrad student), and need to keep it locked to the desk. I currently cannot upgrade to the newer design as it has no lock!
Terrible overpriced, lacks Bluray, USB3 and OpenGL 4.2
With the Mini’s cost I can buy a MONSTER pc for gaming.
How about the price to buy Windows 7 OS ?
The MAC mini is not over-price indeed.
With all due respect, magsafe for any desktop without battery backup is a terrible idea. You would potentially lose a lot of work if it ever were disconnected…
2012 needs USB3 which it will hopefully get with Ivy Bridge, 2 HDMI ports, and a more accessible SD port.
A price reduction would be asking too much, wouldn’t it?
Ah yes.. Perhaps it would be nice if they add a 30 minute battery or just make the magsafe lock-able.. I bet that SD slot will remain at the back for aesthetic reason, and yes USB 3 is a must.. so please Apple hear us..
Last I checked, the Mac Mini is a desktop, and should not have batteries on it… I don’t mind if it requires a power cord found on laptops, just to add some internal real estate. Knowing Apple, they would never do such a thing, however. There are some things I’d like to see over the 2011 version 1) easier access to the hard drive compartment. 2) USB 3. 3) A 2nd HDMI slot or add a mini HDMI slot. 4) Unsolder the CPU to the motherboard! I think that Apple should make the Mini even more attratcive to DIY PC builders so they can take some market share from the PC userbase. 5)Improve Boot Camp compatibility and unlock AHCI features for Windows.
I still use PCs for pure performance, but I have the Mac Mini with AMD Radeon GPU as it’s a very good PC alternative from Apple.
A price drop, at least on the low-end is certainly possible since it uses parts also used in the Macbook Air and MacBook Pros which they buy in huge volumes. It is also possible we will see the Radeon from the low end iMac in the 2012 version.
I agree, a mag lock is impractical. It is meant to be a safety feature for a laptop that gets its power cord.
snagged on something and your laptop doesn’t go flying. Apple is not going to waste money on re-engineering the Mini to add a feature that really won’t add any real value.
The issues of a second HDMI port or USB 3.0 are nonexistent. Thunderbolt can output both via an adapter if needed. Remember, it is just an extension of the PCI bus and faster than even the internal SATA.
Also, the DIY crowd is not Apple’s target market for desktop PCs. In fact that is the complete opposite of it. They would rather sell them a Macbook and even possibly a Mini to share a monitor and mouse of the DIYer’s PC rig, not to mention an iPad, iPhone and or iPod.