Apple Mac Mini: One more product that needs a 2016 refresh... badly
The Mac Mini was last updated towards the end of 2014. Two years later, Apple’s most compact, and cost effective desktop system, is still popular, but it is showing a few wrinkles, when looking at other Apple products with more regular update schedules, like the MacBook and the iMac.
At present, the Apple Mac Mini features an entry level configuration of 4GB, a 1.4GHz Intel CPU and a 500GB HDD, with an Intel HD Graphics 5000 GPU. The specs can be upgraded up to 3.0GHZ Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB Fusion Drive, for $999.
With Intel 6th gen processors spreading like wildfire, and the availability of cheaper SSDs and better memory, not to mention more powerful GPUs, there is no reason for the Mac Mini to keep its current specs one more year.
The Mac Mini’s form factor is idea for consumers who need a Mac, without the bells and whistles. The Mac Mini is an elegant solution to the problem of looking for a computer that is small enough for a small space, yet powerful enough to be used as a proper desktop, with the ability to connect to all modern displays and even smart TVs, provided the availability of an HDMI connector.
The Mac Mini Wish List
For an entry level version, 8GB of RAM should be the start, considering that 4GB configurations are disappearing across laptops too.
No matter the frequency, a 6th generation Intel Skylake CPU would make the Mac Mini, not only more powerful, but more energy efficient as well. The same goes in reference to the GPU, which should be upgraded to at least a newer Intel Graphic Iris GPU.
Storage options shouldn’t be too conservative either, and with SSD storage becoming more popular, a starter configuration featuring 512GB, would place the Mac Mini in a very desirable light with consumers looking for a compact desktop system still capable of packing a big punch.
It goes without saying that eliminating the spinning drive from the Mac Mini’s already tight form factor, would help manage any potential issue with heat management, combined with the advanced build-in capabilities of an Intel Skylake CPU.