Apple Introduces New MacBook Air and Mac Mini

[b.kind]

That's always been the "thing" about Macintoshes - their exclusivity by price and engineering.

Agreed that the Mac mini is really (come on this is true, isn't it?) unbeatable for size, performance and now apparently power.
I think we Hackintoshers would find it impossible to build a comparable machine so we have to let it rule.

I agree that Apple is all about small these days, but you can come very close.

This case has the same width and length, but taller by almost an inch.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9TW7A71456
Comes with a 150W PSU.

It will barely fit the standard Intel cooler, but people recommend getting a better cooler.

 

[trs96]

Here's a FAQ page on the Mac Mini from Apple Insider. Looks like the CPU is not user Upgradable. Go with the i7-8700 from the get go if you want one of these for the longer term.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...-about-the-2018-mac-mini-ram-storage-and-more

 

[izo1]

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/30/18042572/apple-amd-vega-graphics-options-macbook-pro

This wasn’t shown but they are updating the MacBook Pros with Vega mobile graphics. Good for us Hackintoshers maybe?

 

[vs40]

but it would not have the same form factor.

Have a look at Streacom cases.

iMac Mini
i7-8700 + 32GB RAM + 512Gb SSD
= 2449€

Hackintosh with same specs but in Streacom case with passive cooling
= 1135,62€

Or you can get Streacom FC7 case and put some Noctua compact cooler if you like.
It is bigger than iMac Mini, but still very compact solution.



1313€ difference!

 

[pastrychef]

Have a look at Streacom cases.

iMac Mini
i7-8700 + 32GB RAM + 512Gb SSD
= 2449€
View attachment 361714
Hackintosh with same specs but in Streacom case with passive cooling
= 1135,62€
View attachment 361717
Or you can get Streacom FC7 case and put some Noctua compact cooler if you like.
It is bigger than iMac Mini, but still very compact solution.

View attachment 361718 View attachment 361719

1313€ difference!

What you don't get with that is flawless Thunderbolt 3 which gives you the option of eGPU and 5K monitor.

 

[izo1]

What you don't get with that is flawless Thunderbolt 3 which gives you the option of eGPU and 5K monitor.

Also warranty (Up to 3 years), a piece of mind that all future updates will work, etc.

I can't wait for a 2019 Mac Pro.

 

[vs40]

What you don't get with that is flawless Thunderbolt 3 which gives you the option of eGPU and 5K monitor.

If you really need 5K display you can put Low Profile GT1030 in that case, but it would be not passive anymore.

And if you need powerful GPU I don't getting the point of building small PC with iGPU and connecting it to separate eGPU box.

 

[UtterDisbelief]

I agree that Apple is all about small these days, but you can come very close.

This case has the same width and length, but taller by almost an inch.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9TW7A71456
Comes with a 150W PSU.

It will barely fit the standard intel cooler, but people recommend getting a better cooler.

Good find

That's the problem trying to build down to the size of a Mac mini - no-one can do it but Apple. An ITX board is just too big. I have a 2014 Mini and it is still pretty much silent in normal use.

Of all Apple's models I've always had a fondness for the Mac Mini - even my first PowerPC model with the white PSU brick! Each model, of its day, is a magnificent achievement.

 

[shaunvis]

Thoughts/downside of getting the base model & these two, then move the user home folder to it?

I've done the Hackintosh route for years but it's getting to be more of a struggle and for $799, it's getting hard to justify a new hack build.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147691
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6PF6RJ8939

 

[UtterDisbelief]

What you don't get with that is flawless Thunderbolt 3 which gives you the option of eGPU and 5K monitor.

Yeah, I was just studying the specs on the apple site. Is that 2x 4K on Thunderbolt and another 1x on HDMI, or 5K on one plus a 4K? Remarkable for UHD630, but clearly capable.