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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 5, 2018 1:23:22 GMT -5
Well I know many here use the Mac mini either as an HTPC, music server, or desktop. A new model was released last week and it looks pretty good. novisnick and I started to hijack another thread talking about it, so I thought I’d move it here, hopefully the appropriate place. First here’s the web page describing the new mini(s), you can also configure one to get pricing if you click on ‘Buy’. www.apple.com/mac-mini/Here’s a couple of photos, note the new Space Grey finish, Thunderbolt 3 / USB C, and HDMI 2.0 ports.   |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 5, 2018 1:27:47 GMT -5
Moved this here to continue the discussion. The base model is actually $799 for the quad core, there is a six core for $1099 (though maybe base is $999 for Canucks?) When I bought my current mini in 2012 the base was $599, then in 2014 they went down to $499 (but lowered the power). So $799 is higher but given inflation and what looks like an attempt to make them more powerful doesn’t seem too bad to me. I’ll get a new mini at the end of ski season, I’d been Jonesing for a Mac Pro all these years but they’re pretty dear and way obsolete until they rev it, I’ll probably get the higher mini all decked out and justify that I’m getting a cheap pro. 🤔🤓😀 I’d Purchase the 6- core i7 with minimum ram! Its user accessible. Purchase your own much cheaper ram. amazon ram is $288,49 for 32 GB 2666MHz DDR vs $600 from Apple. I’m also thinking of just 256 SSD G-Technology G-Drive with Thunderbolt 3 / USB - C 4 TB, Amazon, $320. $1300.00 Base 200.00 i7 upgrade 289.00 32 GB ram upgrade 320.00 external storage ________ $2,109.00 total for a pretty rad setup! 200.00 add for 512 GB SSD 100.00 add for 10 Gigabit Ethernet ________ $2,409.00 I agree, I’d get the top 3.2Ghz 6-core i7 with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD boot drive for $1299, add 32GB RAM and probably the same 4GB G-Tech T-bolt 3 drive for a total of $1908.00. Since I’m waiting till after ski season I’ll see what kind of 4K monitor / UHD TV in the 40” to 50” range is available to round out the system. My current Mini has a 128GB SSD boot drive and it’s only half full so I think 256 should work for me. I also have a 1TB Thunderbolt / USB 3 G-tech drive I can move between my Mini at home and MacBook in the winter home, G-Tech makes good drives. The one fly in the ointment for me is that they’ve eliminated the input, I’ve used it via TOSLink for needle drops, though the new mini will replace my desktop and my 2012 mini server would move to music/HT duties, so I’d still have an input where I needed it. In the long term though this could be problematic, as Emotiva has eliminated the Tape Out, making it more difficult to connect components. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 5, 2018 1:44:07 GMT -5
In the home office I curently have the very basic of the last model MacMini's ie; 2012, which cost me $A599. It has a 1TB Seagate drive attached via USB3.0, with back up to the cloud. Plus shortly after buying it I filled it up with 16gb of (non Apple) RAM, which made a big difference. The new MacMini costs $A1249 in its most basic form which, with the exchange rate and GST taken into account, is the same price as US sourced. Apple are one of the few companies that don't mark up their products for Australia.
It's working fine although I have noticed it slowing down with each macOS update. It curently runs OK'ish on Mojave, so I'll be interested in how others find the step up to the lasted MacMini.
Cheers
Gary
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Nov 5, 2018 3:40:42 GMT -5
AudioHTIT the new Mini has eetained the mic jack. A simple adapter will convert that jack to a tislink for you. 
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 5, 2018 6:34:04 GMT -5
AudioHTIT the new Mini has eetained the mic jack. A simple adapter will convert that jack to a tislink for you. Yes, I’m aware of the dual analog/digital nature of Apple 3.5 jacks (and I have several of the mini-TOSLink/TOSLink cables), but the input jack itself is missing, there’s only one marked for headphones/output. Compare the 2018 photo above to the 2012 model most of us have below. Now that I think about it however, it’s possible other newer Macs are the same way, I may have read that you can remap the output to an input in settings, I’ve never tried it. Mac mini Late 2012  Edit: In researching further it seems that you can no longer switch an output to an input, so I may be SOL. It seems the only was to get sound into the Mac is with USB which I’ve done with Focusrite and Behringer devices, but that will require a Tape Out on the RMC-1 ... 😳 ... anyone believe in conspiracy theories? |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 5, 2018 7:32:39 GMT -5
In the home office I curently have the very basic of the last model MacMini's ie; 2012, which cost me $A599. It has a 1TB Seagate drive attached via USB3.0, with back up to the cloud. Plus shortly after buying it I filled it up with 16gb of (non Apple) RAM, which made a big difference. The new MacMini costs $A1249 in its most basic form which, with the exchange rate and GST taken into account, is the same price as US sourced. Apple are one of the few companies that don't mark up their products for Australia. It's working fine although I have noticed it slowing down with each macOS update. It curently runs OK'ish on Mojave, so I'll be interested in how others find the step up to the lasted MacMini. Cheers Gary I have the same base 2012 model, it’s now my music server as my wife no longer needed a 2012 mini server (with more horsepower) I made into my desktop. If I get the new mini, everything will bump down one and an older iMac may go out the door. 🖥 |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Nov 5, 2018 8:08:31 GMT -5
What is the use case for an i7 mini? All models regardless of CPU have the same GPU, Intel UHD Graphics 630. So for HTPC use the i3 is sufficient. I would eventually upgrade the ram and storage but not upfront at Apple. If you really need the i7, then picking the i3 model and upgrading just the CPU is the most cost effective way to get the i7. Looking forward to the iFixit videos to come.  |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 5, 2018 10:04:47 GMT -5
What is the use case for an i7 mini? All models regardless of CPU have the same GPU, Intel UHD Graphics 630. So for HTPC use the i3 is sufficient. I would eventually upgrade the ram and storage but not upfront at Apple. If you really need the i7, then picking the i3 model and upgrading just the CPU is the most cost effective way to get the i7. Looking forward to the iFixit videos to come. I will make the new mini my desktop, besides GarageBand, iMovie, and other regular Mac apps, I have a Parallels VM with Windows 7 so I can run Visio 2016 I use to draw my projects. A single 4K monitor/TV will probably do the job for this setup. Although I’ve upgraded RAM and replaced the drive with an SSD on my mini, I would be leary of upgrading a CPU. I look forward to the ifixit teardown as well. |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Nov 5, 2018 10:52:00 GMT -5
What is the use case for an i7 mini? All models regardless of CPU have the same GPU, Intel UHD Graphics 630. So for HTPC use the i3 is sufficient. I would eventually upgrade the ram and storage but not upfront at Apple. If you really need the i7, then picking the i3 model and upgrading just the CPU is the most cost effective way to get the i7. Looking forward to the iFixit videos to come. I will make the new mini my desktop, besides GarageBand, iMovie, and other regular Mac apps, I have a Parallels VM with Windows 7 so I can run Visio 2016 I use to draw my projects. A single 4K monitor/TV will probably do the job for this setup. Although I’ve upgraded RAM and replaced the drive with an SSD on my mini, I would be leary of upgrading a CPU. I look forward to the ifixit teardown as well. Clarification: When I mentioned upgrading the CPU I meant to say, pick the $799 i3 model and pick the i7 option for $300. I don't think the CPU itself is field upgradable. (ie in a socket like a desktop motherboard) |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 5, 2018 12:18:16 GMT -5
I will make the new mini my desktop, besides GarageBand, iMovie, and other regular Mac apps, I have a Parallels VM with Windows 7 so I can run Visio 2016 I use to draw my projects. A single 4K monitor/TV will probably do the job for this setup. Although I’ve upgraded RAM and replaced the drive with an SSD on my mini, I would be leary of upgrading a CPU. I look forward to the ifixit teardown as well. Clarification: When I mentioned upgrading the CPU I meant to say, pick the $799 i3 model and pick the i7 option for $300. I don't think the CPU itself is field upgradable. (ie in a socket like a desktop motherboard) Ah, got it, read too fast. That’s an interesting suggestion, it seems the difference is that if you can live with a 128GB boot drive you can save $200 over starting with the i5 model with a 256GB SSD. As I mentioned above I’m currently using a 128GB SSD that’s only half full, but my VM file is sitting on a spinning disk, I’d like to move that over which would put me about 75%, maybe too close, but worth considering. I think 128 is plenty for most, assuming you’ll keep most of your data on a external disk, server, or NAS. Good suggestion. 👍 |
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Post by geeqner on Nov 5, 2018 12:20:15 GMT -5
Yep - I too was wondering why all of the upgrades to a "Powerhouse".
That makes sense if this will be your Home Office AND Audio Server (or HT) PC
If you are intending to use it ONLY as a "Music Server" - then a less costly i3 or i5 would probably be the way to go.
Playing even high-res music will not cause most modern microprocessors to even "break a sweat" - my guess is that in most cases, the internal Chipset is simply "routing" the desired music data to the selected port under the CONTROL of the microprocessor.
For Digital I/O - you might want to check into the options available via USB-C and associated adapters.
I have not read much in detail about them, but preliminary research tells me that they were intended to replace several different types of ports with "One Port to Rule them ALL" (Combines the capabilities of USB I/O at even HIGHER speed direct to the internal buss controller / DisplayPort / External PCIE [or something like that ;-P])
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 8, 2018 10:13:15 GMT -5
... Looking forward to the iFixit videos to come. No official ifixit teardown yet, but a page on their site is up and it includes a procedure for upgrading the RAM. It looks more akin to what installing a drive was like on the 2012 model, definitely more difficult than installing memory in the past, but still rated “easy”. I think the first units shipped yesterday so we should be getting more details soon. www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_mini_Late_2018 |
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Nov 8, 2018 10:21:47 GMT -5
... Looking forward to the iFixit videos to come. No official ifixit teardown yet, but a page on their site is up and it includes a procedure for upgrading the RAM. It looks more akin to what installing a drive was like on the 2012 model, definitely more difficult than installing memory in the past, but still rated “easy”. I think the first units shipped yesterday so we should be getting more details soon. www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_mini_Late_2018I’m just goingto ride my 2012 till shes dead. I don’t have any issues with it but I do have a question. Seems that my external harddrive never stops blink,ing, is this normal? If not how do I stop it.? Doesn’t seem to effect anything, but flashes all the time. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 8, 2018 10:31:34 GMT -5
... For Digital I/O - you might want to check into the options available via USB-C and associated adapters. I have not read much in detail about them, but preliminary research tells me that they were intended to replace several different types of ports with "One Port to Rule them ALL" (Combines the capabilities of USB I/O at even HIGHER speed direct to the internal buss controller / DisplayPort / External PCIE [or something like that ;-P]) I agree, USB-C offers a lot in the way of flexibility, options, and speed. I was disappointed when it didn’t appear on the iPhone X last year, and surprised that it still didn’t make the XS this year. But! It’s finally appeared on he new iPad Pro models, so Apple may have turned the corner in shifting from Lightning to USB C, which also lines them up with recent Mac models. To your point, the G-Tech drive linked above does both Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.1 over the USB-C connector, so a very fast and flexible unit. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 8, 2018 10:36:52 GMT -5
No official ifixit teardown yet, but a page on their site is up and it includes a procedure for upgrading the RAM. It looks more akin to what installing a drive was like on the 2012 model, definitely more difficult than installing memory in the past, but still rated “easy”. I think the first units shipped yesterday so we should be getting more details soon. www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_mini_Late_2018I’m just goingto ride my 2012 till shes dead. I don’t have any issues with it but I do have a question. Seems that my external harddrive never stops blink,ing, is this normal? If not how do I stop it.? Doesn’t seem to effect anything, but flashes all the time. Mine does the same thing and it bugs me, the only way I can stop it is to manually put the unit to sleep when I’m done with it, with auto-sleep it keeps blinking or stays on solid. I’ll still be getting one of the new mini models for my desktop, but agree as a music server the 2012 works great (and still has a TOSLink Input!) |
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Nov 8, 2018 10:53:49 GMT -5
I’m just goingto ride my 2012 till shes dead. I don’t have any issues with it but I do have a question. Seems that my external harddrive never stops blink,ing, is this normal? If not how do I stop it.? Doesn’t seem to effect anything, but flashes all the time. Mine does the same thing and it bugs me, the only way I can stop it is to manually put the unit to sleep when I’m done with it, with auto-sleep it keeps blinking or stays on solid. I’ll still be getting one of the new mini models for my desktop, but agree as a music server the 2012 works great (and still has a TOSLink Input!) Thanks so much! I looked everywhere for a way to stop it, just wanted to make sure it wasn’t just me. I’ll speep better now! LOL I HAVE MULTIPLE backups and its been blinking for years, guess it’ll do so till it dies! 😁 |
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Post by Priapulus on Nov 8, 2018 10:58:54 GMT -5
My disappointment is the price. The Mac-Mini used to be the only affordable way into the Apple world; alas, no more. I might rush out and buy last year's MM while I still can.
/b
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Post by wilburthegoose on Nov 8, 2018 15:26:12 GMT -5
Wow - I new Apple Mac's were expensive, but I almost fainted when I saw a price. An additional $600 to go to 32Gb of memory is insane. And I just bought a really nice 2Tb SSD for my Windows PC - cost me about $350, not $1600!
Seriously - Windows 10 is a solid operating system - Unless you're using Quark or another product that works better on a Mac, I can't see how the cost difference would be justified.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Nov 8, 2018 16:53:01 GMT -5
I've never been an Apple fan.... but, to me, Windows seems to be becoming ever more Apple-like.... (Many Windows fans are quite annoyed how newer versions of Windows take ever more for granted, and make ever more decisions for you, but Apple fans should be used to that attitude by now.)
While Apple computers seem to take on ever more of the unlikeable aspects of Windows....
(I distinctly remember when "any Apple program would work on any Apple computer" and you didn't have to worry about O/S versions and updates.)
Check out the price on a new Dell or HP Windows computer...
(There should be even better deals around for Black Friday...)
Wow - I new Apple Mac's were expensive, but I almost fainted when I saw a price. An additional $600 to go to 32Gb of memory is insane. And I just bought a really nice 2Tb SSD for my Windows PC - cost me about $350, not $1600! Seriously - Windows 10 is a solid operating system - Unless you're using Quark or another product that works better on a Mac, I can't see how the cost difference would be justified. |
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Post by stads77 on Nov 8, 2018 16:55:33 GMT -5
Apple prices are no more increased then Emotiva prices in the past 5 years, IMHO.
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