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1. #Apple mac mini review 2018 drivers
2. #Apple mac mini review 2018 upgrade
3. #Apple mac mini review 2018 full
4. #Apple mac mini review 2018 pro

In multicore testing, though, the lack of hyperthreading was obvious, as the Mini fell 20 percent behind the MacBook Pro, and was only one third as fast as the iMac Pro.

#Apple mac mini review 2018 pro

In single-core CPU performance, it edged past the i7 in a MacBook Pro and was only about 15 percent slower than the Xeon chip in an iMac Pro. In Cinebench, which analyzes CPU and GPU processing for graphics rendering, the Mini did pretty well. So the real question is: How does this computer perform compared to Apple's other "pro" machines? The answer there is a little tricky. The company's website describes it as a "workhorse" and lists advanced rendering software like Autodesk Maya and Luxion Keyshot among the apps that should see improved performance.

Unlike earlier models, though, Apple is clearly positioning the new Mini as a machine for designers and other professionals.

Its i3 chip is more than up to handling word processing, multiple browser tabs, video streaming and music playback. Previous Mac Minis were positioned as low-cost computers for the home or office, and the new model excels at those tasks.

#Apple mac mini review 2018 drivers

If you don't want to pay Apple's price for RAM (frequently two to three times market rate) you can do it yourself, but it'll take a set of Torx drivers and you can kiss your warranty goodbye.

#Apple mac mini review 2018 upgrade

Unlike the 2014 Mini, you can upgrade the RAM in the new model yourself, though it's challenging enough that Apple recommends you have the work done at a service center.

#Apple mac mini review 2018 full

Intel's b-series processors are soldered/integrated versions of their full desktop chips, and this one was pretty impressive, though the i3 model in my test unit doesn't support either hyperthreading or turbo boost speeds, in case those things are important to you. I tested the entry-level $799 model, which comes with a quad-core, 3.6GHz Intel Core ii3-8100b processor, Intel UHD 630 graphics, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Unfortunately, shared controllers mean those Thunderbolt ports can only support two displays but add in the HDMI and you can run three 4K monitors from the Mini (or one 5K and one 4K display).Ĭompared to previous Minis, you do lose the analog microphone input, but considering USB-based digital-analog converters are plentiful and effective, that's not a huge loss. The connectivity options make the new Mini easy to customize, with the option to add external SSDs, external GPUS or whatever else you might need. Apple has been so aggressive about removing useful ports I was worried we'd see a box with nothing but a pair of USB-C inputs. It also sports a full-size HDMI port and two old-school USB-3 Type-A ports. There's Ethernet, a headphone jack and four USB-C connections (supporting Thunderbolt 3).

The most impressive thing about the new Mini is its selection of ports. Despite this, the 2018 Mini has a few flaws that will probably keep it from being the best choice for most people. Still, I was impressed with the Mini's performance, and it's the cheapest way to get a macOS machine. In the past four years, micro PCs have vastly improved, and most of the major manufacturers now offer a tiny Windows machine. (It's also now made entirely from recycled aluminum, as is the new MacBook Air.) With vastly improved components, the Mini is now a viable competitor in the compact-desktop market.Īnd it does have competition.

This new model retains the unibody design that we loved on the 2014 edition but sports a sleek space-gray color - a first for the Mini line. The lack of updates over the past four years left a lot of us wondering if we'd ever see a new model.įortunately, Apple has rectified the situation with the 2018 Mini. Amazingly, until last month the 2014 Mini was still available on Apple's web store for $500. Add in the fact that aside from storage it was not upgradable, and you had a computer that left a lot of users unhappy. This meant it was actually slower at some tasks than the computer it was supposed to replace. After offering quad-core CPUs on the 20 editions, the 2014 model was stuck with a dual-core CPU. Its last update, in 2014, was disappointing.