Apple Mac Mini (2018) - Hands On Review

Apple’s new Mac Mini doesn’t look much different from its predecessor, and it’s more expensive. Yet the changes under the hood make a case for its consideration as your new Mac. Can this entry-level machine hold its own? Read our Apple Mac Mini (2018) review to find out.

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[ZuluFoxtrot]

Simple build....i7 chip, 8gb RAM, 512mb SSD. Buy 16 or 32 gb RAM (not difficult to add RAM, just tedious), get a Razer Core X eGPU with a RX580 for the best bang for your buck or one of the Vega's if you really need the extra oomph. You now have a system as good as an iMac Pro for half the price that you can upgrade the RAM and GPU later when you need faster graphics.

[-Tony-Gunk-]

Is the i3 enough for Xcode or should I jump to the i5?

[vegasrenie]

I wanted a 27" screen (older eyes, etc.) So I bought a new basic Mac Mini, got two 27" displays (one is a BenQ - awesome), and upgraded to 16MB. Not a gamer and it works perfectly with my installed software. Way cheaper than any current 27" iMac with the same/comparable features. I'm not just happy with my decision, but ecstatic. With my second screen, SSD drive, HDD drive, and keyboard and mouse, I saved hundreds. And couldn't be happier.

[stevewright]

As others mentioned not mentioning eGPU performance is a crime. I played Forza Horizon 4 in Bootcamp and Vega 56 on my Mac Mini last night. It was spectacular. Oh yeah. With and Xbox One controller. Most versatile Mac ever.

[mrlim]

How are people not doing video editing on this? If anything they would be storing video at the very least and would need storage.

[murbacchiu]

About GPU performance, if you need more you attach an eGPU to it, this is why you have 4 thunderbolt 3 ports. Mac Mini is a brand new beast that you can upgrade according your real

[luf]

Relatively fair review of the Mac Mini, but I wish they acknowledge the i7 option and EGPU expansion. Almost a crime to not mention that the mac mini could reach close to iMac Pro performance for a lot less money. (base model + i7 BTO + Vega 56 + egpu enclosure = $1700). You can add your own RAM and deal with external storage options to cut some cost (as Apple charge a pretty penny for their services).

[robchokehold]

Geez. Have you heard about the concept of "eGPU" yet? ... Mac Mini is the perfect platform for video editing and gaming. That is, if you pay a little extra for something like the Razer Core X and a Radeon Vega. i7 six-core, 16GB RAM, 500GB superfast NVME flash drive, 2K bucks. Core X and Vega 64 on top, another 700 bucks maybe. 2.7K for something as rock-solid, sexy and quiet as the Mini, it's going to last for ages. If the eGPU card becomes too slow, just swap it out. Need more RAM? Swap it out. Need more superfast storage? Like, faster that internal "regular" SSDs? Get an OWC 4M2 and fill it with NVMe drives, 1TB costs less than 250 bucks at the moment.

[Locoandchooch]

I need a new machine for Logic, but didn’t want to go broke? Hopefully it works without problems. Fingers crossed.

[Robbinsffxi]

What displayport version does the mac mini 2018 have?

[RM-ljbv]

There is the option of pre-installed video and music editing software. The specs can be upgraded many times up. I'm getting a full spec one and cheaper in The United Arab Emirates. I will have the option of fixing it up to my projector and or a tv screen via HDMI to HDMI Cable. I checked it out at The Edinburgh Apple Store today.

[Brotherman]

I bought a Chromebox and upgraded the RAM to 16 GB and am in the process of upgrading the SSD to 512 GB that is the ‘not easy part’ it works and I’m not out 1.2 G’s

[edwardbalboa]

Whats the point of faster i5 without external gpu?

All intensive tasks are graphic based.... why not recomnend cheaper i3 ?.... bizarre

[superlink]

Great review overall. But yes, people would plan to do video editing with the new i-processors with HEVC decoding.

[paul.m]

how this mini handle music production like logic pro x and final cut pro ? any suggestion? thanks

[SteveSteeleSoundSymphony]

Yes, it goes far enough. A 6-core i7, memory up to 64GBs (buy it aftermarket), 2TB flash storage (1TB is enough for a boot drive), 10Gb Ethernet. Makes a great host computer in a pro audio setup. Makes an excellent home server, or in racks a pro server. I like these a lot. Also, I’m glad Apple kept the older form factor. I don’t have to buy new mounting hardware.

[ThanhTrungNguyen]

Mac mini support does not film 4K on iturnes, you think it before you buy.

[Multiphonix]

This new version of Mac mini looks really great.

[bigcheesepuff]

This is what I have been waiting for, but I am worried how well it drives a 4k display. - Is scrolling and window transitions smooth? I dont need to play games or edit video. Just scroll text files.

[rawstarmusic]

Do you think the graphics card is going to be updated this year? After all the unanimous bashings? I think that Mini is the only Mac on Apple now. The keyboards, lack of ports and touch bar kills all laptops. So this is the only Mac they have.