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Apple Introduces New Mac Mini With Faster Processors and Quad-Core Option

Tuesday October 23, 2012 11:13 am PDT by Jordan Golson
Apple updated its Mac mini line of desktop computers at its media event today.

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The updated Mac mini models have new processors, including quad-core chips on the high end, as well as new build-to-order RAM options of up to 16 GB. Pricing remains the same as the prior generation Mac Mini models, starting at $599. There are two standard configuration and a server configuration:
- $599, 2.5 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD
- $799, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 4GB RAM, 1TB HD
- $999, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 4GB RAM, 2TB HD, Includes Mountain Lion Server
High-end Mac mini models can now also be configured with Apple's new Fusion Drive technology, which seamlessly integrates a traditional 1 TB hard drive with 128 GB of fast flash storage for both speed and capacity. System files and frequently used apps and data are automatically placed in flash storage to optimize speed, while other data is housed on the slower traditional hard drive.

The Mac mini was last updated in July of 2011, marking some 460 days since the last update and the new models are available starting today.

Related Roundup: Mac mini
Buyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Neutral)
[ 192 comments ]

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winston1236
91 months ago
Is this the mac pro replacement?
Rating: 21 Votes
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andyjam
91 months ago
I don't want to say I'm disappointed, but losing dedicated graphics (even just the half-useless chip they used before) makes this is a downgrade IMO.

Now I just don't know what to do...
Rating: 14 Votes
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OldSchoolMacGuy
91 months ago
Wow, nothing but a bunch of cry babies in here. Bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch about everything every single time Apple updates anything. They could add ever feature every single person here requests and still you guys would cry like a bunch of beaten children that they didn't add something more.

Yes the mini doesn't have top of the line graphics performance. It's the cheapest entry level machine they offer. Deal with it. You're expecting way too much.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Spanky Deluxe
91 months ago

Any news on the graphics cards? Would be a step backward to loose the discrete graphics.


No discrete graphics chips anymore. Downgraded to Intel graphics across the board. Weak.

I just realised that the new 13" Retina MacBook Pro doesn't even have discreet graphics. I'm not sure how they can get away with driving that many pixels with only a weak integrated graphics chip. The whole lineup looks quite poor at the moment in my opinion. The 13" rMBP and Mac Mini are hindered by poor graphics and the iMac's missing the retina display that everyone knows is due at some point. I see no reason to upgrade from my ageing tech at the moment.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Westyfield2
91 months ago
So have we lost the discrete graphics?
Rating: 9 Votes
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EDarkness
91 months ago

Wow, nothing but a bunch of cry babies in here. Bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch about everything every single time Apple updates anything. They could add ever feature every single person here requests and still you guys would cry like a bunch of beaten children that they didn't add something more.

Yes the mini doesn't have top of the line graphics performance. It's the cheapest entry level machine they offer. Deal with it. You're expecting way too much.


What are you talking about? This supposed to be an upgrade over the previous version. No one is asking for super high end, but simply a better graphics card than the last model. That shouldn't be too much to ask for.
Rating: 8 Votes
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JG271
91 months ago
Any news on the graphics cards? Would be a step backward to loose the discrete graphics.
Rating: 6 Votes
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SirHaakon
91 months ago

It's faster than the offering before. Deal with it. Crying a bit more should make Apple change everything. Good luck.

http://www.apple.com/mac-mini/features.html#graphics

Yeah, except that is comparing the new integrated graphics against the old integrated graphics... we're asking for a discrete graphics option (which there used to be, and has since been axed). The new integrated graphics aren't faster than the previous option, which makes it a downgrade. And we're discussing, not crying - which is something you do on, you know, a discussion forum.

I also presented a possible alternative which neither you or anyone else responded to... maybe you could be more productive instead of just being a troll?
Rating: 6 Votes
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Technarchy
91 months ago
The lack of graphics muscle is very disappointing.
Rating: 5 Votes
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gregorsamsa
91 months ago

People are crying. It's post after post of bitching and complaining. It's not discussing. It's "You screwed me Apple and I'm mad." People going on about how they won't be giving them their dollars. It's a whole "I'm taking my ball and going home." attitude. The old graphics option was hardly any better than the integrated graphics. This integrated graphics should be slightly better than it.

Remember, Apple makes this machine to sell to those looking for web browsing, email, word processing and maybe light game. It's not meant to be a gaming machine. For 99% of those that consider the Mac mini, it's more than enough as it stands. Those looking to game should look elsewhere as that has never been what this machine was about.


To the contrary, many people are making valid points germane to the thread.

As these are intended updates, there's no obvious good reason to not clearly improve the HD 6630M Mini in all departments, even if the HD 4000 makes sense in the base model.

FWIW, I have the HD 6630 model & it's no slouch for anything but fairly modern, graphically-intensive games.

As I say elsewhere, IMO, for the price being asked, I'm not surprised that many people might have expected similar updates generally, but at least to have a definite improvement on the previous, higher-end Mini's HD 6630M discrete card.

Hoping for another, slightly better discrete card in the higher-end Mini, whilst also doubling the previous VRAM to 512, isn't really expecting a lot or something unreasonable here.

I imagine most of those complaining now might have been pacified.

As it is, only Apple in the entire computer hardware industry would effectively give you a slight graphical downgrade in the higher-end Mini.

FWIW, I like using Macs. They're excellent computers in many respects, but find it disappointing that greed seems to have no bounds with this company.
Rating: 5 Votes

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