Mac Mini
This device is now available in:
● Space grey thunderbolt 3.
● Quad – core to 6 core processor.
● 64GB of RAM.
The Overview
The Device was available for four years without an update and was rein invented in October 2018. The new machine comes in:
Space grey, which features 4 – and 6 – core 8th generation Intel core processor, which is five times faster than previous mini.
● Four thunderbolt 3/USB -C ports.
● Supports up to 64GB RAM.
● SSD configuration of up to 2TB storage.
● Apple’s T2 chip for more security.
This mini was never updated since 2014 thereby introducing an entire overhaul internals with upgrade options suitable for the company’s pro user base.
The colour has changed from silver to space grey and the mini still mirrors the previous model with:
● A flat square shaped 1.4 – inch thick 7.7-inch-wide aluminium unibody enclosure.
This Device was produced from an Apple – designed aluminium alloy made from 100 percent recycled aluminium. This is the first time the mini has a quad – core processor for the based model instead of the dual – core, with 6 – core desktop – class processor options also available.
The Mac mini was built with the intel latest 8th generation intel chips with integrated intel UHD graphics 630. If you compare this to the previous model, this new one is up to five times faster. T2 chip was built into the iMac Pro and MacBook and was also built into the mini for upgrading security. The T2 includes:
● On the fly data encryption
● HEVC video transcoding up to 30 times faster
● A secured enclave to ensure the software loads during the boot process and not tampered with.
Built with lots of ports to support 4 and 5ks. There are:
● Four thunderbolt 3/USB – C ports offers data transfer speed of up to 40 GB/s with the ability to connect two 4K displays with a third 4k display over HDMI or one 5K display.
● An HDMI 2.0 port
● A 3.5 mm headphone jack
● Two USB – A ports.
● A gigabit ethernet port which can be upgraded to 10 gigabytes.
Design
This is the smallest portable desktop machine ever manufactured by Apple and its still the same with the 2018 model. It still maintains a small square shaped enclosure that measures at 7.7 inches on each side and 1.4 inches thick. It weighs 2.9 pounds, portable enough to carry around and plug into an available peripheral and display.
You don’t get the mini with a display, keyboard or a mouse, most useful for those who wants to get their own accessories. One side features a host of ports and the other side has an LED that shows you it’s on. An Apple log sits at the top and port labels, no other markings are available on the visible portion of the machine.
There are no changes to the exterior, but the interior has gone through a revamped with all the new terminal architecture to house higher powered 8th – generation chips and all flash storage. There’s an internal installed fan with:
● Twice airflow
● Expanded vents
● Revamped supply that offers 70 percent more sustained power
Upgrade
This is possible, but not easy which could be a turn off, to upgrade you will have to dismantle the mini to change the RAM
The best option will be to take the device to an Apple authorised service provider for a RAM upgrade. If you’re bold and not afraid of risking damage to your device, you could watch some YouTube videos or read an article about how to upgrade yourself.
CPU and GPU
● The mac was built with the 4 and 6 – core 8th – generation coffee lake processor from Intel.
● The higher end-based model is 3.2 GHz, 6 – core 8th – generation Intel core i7 processor, available for upgrade.
● The higher end-based model is 3.0 GHz, 6 – core 8th – generation Intel core i5 processor
● The entry level-based model is 3.6GHz quad – core 8th – generation 3.6 GHz Intel core i3 processor.
There’s a claim that the performance is equivalent to the high end 2018 and the 2013 Mac book pro models, comparison shows that the mini earned the best single core performance scores. The base level model’s performance is on the same wave length with the lower end 20188 Mac book pro 2018 models. This earns the Mac mini a single core of 4790 and a multi score of 14460.
● The middle tier 6 core with 3.0 GHz core i5 processor earned a single core of 5098
● The multi core scores 20341, quite close to high end 6 core Mac book pro performances.
Apple claimed this model is five times faster than the previous model.
GPU
● It has an integrated UHD graphic 630.
● GPU upgrade options are not available.
● It can be used with eGPU set ups if additional graphics power is needed.
● The Intel integrated graphics are up to 60 percent faster than the previous model.
RAM
It ships with 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM. This can be upgraded to 16, 32 or 64 GB for an additional fee.
T2 CHIP
Equipped with a custom Apple designed T2 chip. T2 chip integrates components like:
● System management controller
● Image signal processor for:
Camera.
Audio control.
SSD controller.
A secured enclave.
Hardware encryption engine.
The data on the SSD is encrypted by the T2 chip using dedicated AES hardware. It provides a secured boot to ensure your software is safe and the only OS software trusted by Apple loads at startup.
STORAGE
● Features PCIe – based storage.
● No additional hard drives are available.
● Read speed is four times faster (up to 3.4GB than the SSD in previous models.
● Up to 2TB of storage, base model ships with 128 and 256 GB.
CONNECTIVITY
Supports 802.11 ac WI FI and Bluetooth 5.0.
Equipped with 10/100/1000 BASE – T Gigabit ethernet. This can be upgraded to 100GB ethernet with support for 1GB, 2.5GB and 10GB.
IN CONCLUSION
It’s not just a great desktop computer, it’s the power behind everything automated at home. Mac Mini even though mini has the power to deliver industrial grade task. You could be testing your latest IOS or running a live concert, this machine is the link between great ideas and great results.
This cutting edge device provides the benefit of effortless high performance and comfort, thanks to an outstanding innovation. The secret behind this stunning device is the amazing design which provides much functionality with effortless power. The device offers an amazing feeling of comfort and control.