[Wise Bat]

Been looking into getting a Mac mini for use downstairs with my 46" HD tv.

My mean use will be play video files I have backup on a hard drive, as my TV is sometimes picky with larger files (mkv's over 4GB). Normally use VLC player on my computer upstairs which is great, so access to this downstairs would be ideal. Also it would have the use with the web, itunes, photos, odd typing work.

Now for my use will the lower priced model be ok?

• 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
• 2GB memory
• 500GB hard drive1
• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• OS X Mountain Lion

Or should I opt for the high spec / priced model for handling HD files (graphics card ??) and accessing files at speed.

• 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
• 4GB memory
• 500GB hard drive1
• AMD Radeon HD 6630M
• OS X Mountain Lion

I am used to an SSD hard drive on my windows PC and don't fancy the mini mac being too slow due the lower models 2GB Ram etc.

Can you also put it in sleep mode / standby when not in use?

Thanks.

[bpsmith]

The base model will be adequate for the needs described here. Playback of BluRay quality 1080p is fine via HDMI even on the base model.

I would certainly think about upgrading the RAM though, which can be done very cheaply via Crucial!

They can be set to Sleep when not in use, yes.

[spinaltap]

A refresh to the Mac Mini is likely to appear anytime soon, so you might want to hold off for a couple of months before buying.

[bpsmith]

Always a tough call when their due. I bought my
Mac Mini Server in February when I was told the same mind you..,

[dc8900]

as has been said, the base model will be more than enough although as bpsmith says, upgrade the RAM yourself, do check out the Apple refurb store to see if they are any minis available

[Wise Bat]

Thanks, I will take a look at the refurbs but def keep in mind the 4GB ram upgrade.

[RobM]

I'm normally one for telling people to not worry about waiting for the next upgrade, but it does seem a bad time to buy. If I were in bpsmiths shoes in Feb I'd have done the same for sure, even though an upgrade was still being rumoured back then... but now the Ivy Bridge upgrade has hit the Macbook Pro and Air ranges, it seems logical the iMac and Mac Mini will follow soon.

You'll find the performance of an Ivy Bridge equipped model will be somewhere between the two models you've listed above, particularly in graphics performance. Either of those will do a great job, but unless you need it now, waiting seems sensible.

Or, buy second hand or refurb (as above). Even if an upgrade does then come along soon after, you'll have paid less, so who cares

[bpsmith]

I agree, it does seem overdue, but was just pointing out that rumours can last a while too that's all. As said, if you want or need it now then go for it. The upgrades this time aren't likely to be massive in fairness.

[spinaltap]

INMO, shortly after the typical fanfare introduction of an updated iMac, the Mac Mini refresh quietly emerges shortly afterwards.

The last Mac Mini update was 20th July, 2011.

[bpsmith]

There's just one thing missing from that statement...

[dante01]

Apple might just decide to do away with the mini altogether? They did consider this in the past and I'd speculate that there's greater cause for them to do so now than there was previously?

[bpsmith]

Controversial, but I doubt it considering the Xserve was canned in favour of the Mac Pro and Mac Mini Server. I personally don't see the Mini going anytime soon. It's the entry level desktop that's affordable and small enough for HTPC duties.

[mightymax]

I am also looking at getting a mini mac. My desktop PC is dying a slow painful death and needs replacing. I also need to make room so for me the mini mac is a good solution (i7 processor and upgraded the RAM). I've been watching eagerly for an announcement but haven't seen anything and starting to wonder how long I need to wait for Apple to say something. I expected something to be said this month (August)

[spinaltap]

Prior to the current Mac Mini there was a 400 day gap between that and the previous model release.

As of today, 392 days have elapsed since the last model was released.

The caveat is; in 2009 there had been 574 days between Mac Mini updates.

231 days was the shortest gap between model updates.

[bpsmith]

It will get an update, but not before the other major releases they have up their sleeve currently. My bet is October at the earliest.

[blue max]

Let's hope it gets an update (not retired). It all depends on how much money it makes for Apple. And if it is still a cash cow, it will be kept alive as long as possible.

These days the mini tends to switch processors, rather than make incremental upgrades to existing ones. That probably has more of a bearing on the update cycle.

I wouldn't go as far as to say they don't seem any faster than they used to, but I'm not a power user. I've stuck an SSD in and that was a bit of a revelation though.

Graham

[mightymax]

If I plump for the existing version or hold out for the newer one (if I can wait that long) I'd be getting the i7 processor version and upgrading the RAM.
Can anyone advise what the maximum RAM you can install on these? Just that I read 16Gig but was wondering if that was correct.

Cheers.

[CamFire]

Yes, it'll do 16GB (two 8GB sticks as there are only two RAM slots) but the price is tripled at about £90 versus £30 for 2x4GB, even though the capacity is twice.

[mightymax]

I noticed don't mind paying the extra buts a bit of a jump!
Apple charge £80 for 8gig when buying the mini mac

[bpsmith]

Just use Crucial like most people on here. Superb service, fast delivery and cheaper than Apple pricing. What's not to like?

I have the i7 quad Core Server model and it wipes the floor with the 2010 base model it replaced. So it should do with the extra cores mind you!

The Sandy Bridge CPU update was a much bigger step up than the Ivy Bridge is though. Just depends on how long you can wait really?