Sam Oliver
A Mac reseller in Belgium claims to have received inside information suggesting Apple plans to update its Mac mini desktop before the end of February.
New Mac mini configurations in both Intel Core i5 and Core i7 Haswell processor configurations have been listed on Computerstore.be. However, the listings are just placeholders representing assumptions made by the store.
But one shopper who contacted the stores about the listings posted on MacRumors to reveal that the retailer believes the new Mac minis will launch by the end of February. Computerstore.be based this on information they claimed to have received from "reliable sources."
The Mac mini was the only product in Apple's Mac lineup that didn't see an update in 2013. The desktop was last refreshed in October of 2012 with Intel's Ivy Bridge processors, as well as upgrade options allowing up to 16 gigabytes of RAM.
The Mac mini starts at $599, making it Apple's most affordable Mac, undercutting the $999 11.6-inch MacBook Air.
Apple resellers saw regular stock-outs of the Mac mini throughout 2013. Though low supply has historically suggested that a refresh could be imminent, it's believed that Apple has recently become more conservative with its inventory levels to prevent a glut of stock on the market.
Intel's Haswell line of processors were mostly focused on mobile devices such as notebooks, as the chipmaker concentrated on reducing power consumption to enhance battery life. Such performance gains would obviously not translate to the Mac mini, which is not a mobile computer.
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Oliver Haslam
Christine McKee
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William Gallagher
76 Comments
Boy would I love this. I want to upgrade my current Mac mini. I'd love to see Iris Pro graphics as well instead go just Iris graphics.
It would be nice if this was the truth. The lack of a Mini update last year was a big disappointment especially considering how good the Haswell GPUs are.
please please please.
Given that the Mini doesn't include a display and the CPU in the mini is updated far more frequently by Intel than the Xeon line, it is surprising Apple took this long to issue an update. With all the backlash against Windows 8 and HP even going so far as to bring back Windows 7 as an option citing "back by popular demand" the Mini is the perfect gateway computer to give disgruntled Windows 8 users a reason to check out OS X. Many of these unhappy Windows 8 users may already have an iPad or iPhone. Apple used to have a Mini for $499 I wonder if they offered one again at this price point along with a big TV advertising campaign if they wouldn't sell in far larger numbers. Not everyone wants or needs an iMac for a variety of reasons and $600 does seem on the high end for what you get. No keyboard, no mouse, no display, and usually low specs. If not a price discount then at least consider including a free or at least discounted keyboard and mouse which would probably cost Apple very little. The main reason the Mini has not been selling well recently is because it was very long in the tooth but the price was also a factor. An update with perhaps a small price cut would come at exactly the perfect time with the dissatisfaction over Windows 8. Perhaps a revived and modernized version of the PC or Mac campaign with different actors would have a much more receptive audience this time around. Imagine all the ways they could poke fun at Metro.
I don't think cost is the problem with the Mac mini (if there really is an issue). Its pretty much as low as it can go. Adding a keyboard and mouse would mean they'd have to create a larger package which does increase costs. I think the prices are fine. Maybe they could give you a voucher to get an Apple wired keyboard and wired Apple mouse. The Mac mini has never really been a large seller. Most people would rather go to an iMac, or a laptop. Now days, probably even an iPad.
What they should really do is just spec it better. Use quad-core CPU's instead of dual core (at least with the i5), maybe through in a fusion drive, thunderbolt 2, and Iris Pro graphics (Crystalwell anyone?). Okay, now were getting ahead of ourselves!