They also have a new T2 chip, just like the new Air, and every incarnation of the T2 seems to include the SSD controller for the disk that provides inline encryption, tying the chipset/storage more deeply than before. I'd say it's the same here. (This maybe isn't a strict technical limitation for not making the disk replaceable, of course, but I'm just speculating it's part of the reasoning.)
I'd guess that, unlike the SO-DIMM change here, Apple will continue to vertically integrate their storage solutions across all products as they roll out things like this. So soldered NVMe is all you're going to see from this point on, I'd imagine.
Of course it's not user expandable, how they will make money. Very few people will buy 128GB version and SSD increase will have very premium cost, like usual. But you should be able to use external disks via thunderbolt if you want to.
There's really no excuse for that these days. So disappointing that Apple must bake in this kind of greed into the product. Overall I think it's shortsighted because it will drive away many budget conscious customers.
Am I the only one that thinks that 128GB SSDs should not exist in any Apple laptop/desktop? I had a hard enough time coping with 128GB of storage in my MacBook Pro when I was using it full time for work. These machines are targeted towards creative professionals, and they're going to need the space, instead of having to immediately buy more storage.
Finally! My 5 year old Mac mini is getting long in the tooth. I know most people aren't going to be excited but as a iOS dev the Mac mini makes a GREAT CI server.
This seems like a pretty important use case. Beside builds, are there other core iOS dev use cases like automated UI testing? I've only done a little bit of iOS development circa 2011.
A combination of Xcode command line tools(clang/Xcode server/xcodebuiltool), gitlab CI runner, and fast lane ruby gems to script the continuous deployment parts.
It looks like you jumped the gun, the website isn’t even updated yet ;)
But overall, I’m liking the new Mac Mini. Updated processors, new Thunderbolt ports, and new color: I can’t see anyone feeling like they’ve lost anything here.
I'm pleasantly surprised by this computer. With external GPU and external disks it could be quite cost-effective Mac. Not sure about those external GPU prices, didn't even saw them yet.
Putting a high performance machine in this form factor has really become a lot more viable. I love my Intel NUC. I've traditionally leaned towards full-size PCs for expandability, repairability, and longevity, but I've really started to wish I had a few more of these sorts of machines lying around.
Hmmm... no separate management network, no OOB management firmware, no ECC memory. It's not much of a general purpose blade. You're not going to run a farm of these without significant operational headaches.
Just on a lark I've been looking at picking up an old MacPro tower to max out on the cheap, but it looks like a better idea every time Apple announces new Mac hardware.
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[ 3.4 ms ] story [ 110 ms ] threadI'd guess that, unlike the SO-DIMM change here, Apple will continue to vertically integrate their storage solutions across all products as they roll out things like this. So soldered NVMe is all you're going to see from this point on, I'd imagine.
1.4Ghz Dual Core -> 3.6Ghz Quad Core
500GB HDD -> 128GB SSD
4GB 1600Mhz DDR3 -> 8GB 2133Mhz DDR4
2x Thunderbolt 2 -> 4x Thunderbolt 3
But overall, I’m liking the new Mac Mini. Updated processors, new Thunderbolt ports, and new color: I can’t see anyone feeling like they’ve lost anything here.
Edit: no CD Drive in the last one.
And it's _super_ sexy in black.