Discovering the Power of the New Mac Mini: A Comprehensive Review

Among the many Mac devices, my favorites are the 12-inch MacBook and the Mac mini. The reason is simple: both devices represent Apple’s ultimate achievement in lightweight and minimalist design. Interestingly, they are also among the more entry-level products in the Mac lineup. For a long time, I had considered getting a Mac mini to experience macOS, especially since it only costs around 4000 yuan to feel the ecosystem of macOS, which is quite a bargain. Unfortunately, at that time, the Mac mini was still using the low-power Core processors designed for laptops, and I found it hard to accept that I ended up buying a mini host with laptop performance instead of a desktop machine.

However, it seems Apple heard my complaints, as this year they launched the all-new Mac mini, which surprised me:

It uses a desktop-class processor;
The memory can be upgraded;
The ports have been upgraded to Thunderbolt 3.

Upon closer inspection, the processor options range from the 8th generation Core i3 to i7, specifically the i3-8100B, i5-8300B, and i7-8700B. Apart from being a custom version, there are hardly any compromises, meaning this Mac mini has transformed into a true “performance powerhouse”. Previously, due to processor performance, the Mac mini was classified as a lightweight desktop office device, and it was indeed favored by copywriters and programmers (not to mention, every programmer in my company has a Mac mini for work). However, as times change, this type of lightweight work is increasingly being replaced by laptops, so the current Mac mini’s shift towards performance is quite reasonable. The high-end configuration with the Core i7 processor even outperforms many high-end Mac devices. Of course, this does not change the fact that the Mac mini remains the lowest threshold for experiencing macOS, with a price of 6499 yuan, making it even cheaper than the old MacBook Air. This means the Mac mini is a device that caters to both entry-level and advanced users; programmers can still use it for coding, while video workers or artists can use it for intensive tasks, making its applicability the broadest among Mac devices.

However, it must be said that when you bring the Mac mini home, you also need to prepare a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and so on, which adds up to quite a bit of money. From this perspective, it seems less convenient than a MacBook, which provides a complete computer experience in a single device. Back to the Mac mini I’m currently using, it has the lowest configuration available on the official website, with an i3 processor, 8GB of memory, and a 128GB SSD, which is a standard lightweight office configuration. Just by pairing it with a mainstream monitor and a regular keyboard and mouse, it can become a standard setup in most offices, while its compact size also frees up a lot of space on my desk. The usual minimalist design, combined with the new space gray color, looks very understated. If you are looking to create a simple desktop environment, the Mac mini is indeed a good choice.

This i3-8100B processor has four cores, a frequency of 3.6GHz, and a 6MB L3 cache. Paired with 8GB DDR4 2666MHz memory and PCIe SSD, it runs quite smoothly for daily use, performing well in programs like Photoshop and Lightroom, and even handling my occasional video editing needs.

However, to be honest, I personally prefer the top configuration with the Core i7 Mac mini, as switching to a desktop-class processor brings new requirements for heat dissipation. After all, the TDP power design of the processor alone reaches 65W. Apple has redesigned the internal cooling structure while maintaining the same appearance and size as the previous generation, using a larger cooling fan and expanding the ventilation slots, and the power supply has also been redesigned, with a maximum continuous output of 150W, fully satisfying the appetite of the desktop-class Core i7 processor. In my case, even when exporting images in Lightroom or performing other high-load tasks, the surface of the Mac mini does not get very hot; it only feels warm.

It is important to note that the Mac mini does not come with a dedicated graphics card, as the space for performance in such a small volume is quite limited. If your daily use does not require much graphics performance, then the Mac mini will be very suitable for you. However, if you really want better responsiveness and processing speed in graphics-intensive software like Adobe’s suite, you will need to use an eGPU to achieve it.

The new Mac mini offers 4 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, consistent with those on the new MacBook Pro. This means I can enhance the Mac mini’s performance by connecting various devices just like I did with the MacBook Pro. It’s like the Mac mini itself is a powerful brain, supported by various capable assistants to tackle different tasks. If your storage needs are quite high, the previously recommended Samsung X5 SSD is compatible with the Mac mini; if you need to enhance its GPU performance, the Razer Core GPU dock paired with an AMD RX590 graphics card can meet your needs quite well — and the price is reasonable too; if you need a large, high-quality screen, the ASUS PA32UC monitor I am using would be very suitable for you. In summary, when the Mac mini’s performance is sufficiently strong, these equally powerful Thunderbolt 3 ports and various expansion accessories can truly play their roles.

Speaking of external monitors, creators may have a need for 2K or even 4K displays, and a few even covet the UltraFine 5K monitor sold at the Apple Store. So how many displays can the Mac mini connect?

Three 4K displays. Two 4096 × 2304 resolution (60Hz) displays can be connected via Thunderbolt 3, along with one 4096 × 2160 resolution (60Hz) display connected via HDMI 2.0;
One 5K display and one 4K display. One 5120 × 2880 resolution (60Hz) display can be connected via Thunderbolt 3, along with one 4096 × 2160 resolution (60Hz) display connected via HDMI 2.0.

This means that the HDMI 2.0 port on the Mac mini can output up to 4K resolution at 60Hz. If you need a higher resolution (like the LG UltraFine 5K display), you will have to use the Thunderbolt 3 port. The support for a maximum of three 4K displays allows the Mac mini to handle many heavy tasks.

In addition to four powerful Thunderbolt 3 ports and an HDMI 2.0 port, the Mac mini also comes with an Ethernet port for stable network connections, and two USB 3.0 ports for connecting various peripherals. Unfortunately, it has removed the SD card slot, which means photography enthusiasts will need to prepare a card reader. Additionally, although the Mac mini includes the Apple T2 chip, it does not support “Hey Siri” since it lacks a built-in microphone. This time, to balance high-speed reading and compact size, the Mac mini uses flash storage, meaning it cannot be replaced with other solid-state drives. When purchasing, special attention needs to be paid, as the minimum configuration of 128GB is barely sufficient. The Mac mini I am using has only 70GB left. Unless you frequently use external hard drives, I would recommend starting with at least 256GB, and if you have a lot of data to store, 512GB is the way to go.

As for memory, haha! The new Mac mini uses standard SODIMM laptop memory, which is replaceable, meaning there is significant room for future upgrades. The official maximum capacity is stated to be 64GB. Enthusiastic users can purchase memory to replace it themselves; however, Apple officially recommends that you go to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for upgrades. My Mac mini has 2 x 4GB DDR4 2666MHz memory in a dual-channel configuration, indicating it has two SODIMM memory slots. However, to upgrade to 16GB or higher, you will need to replace the original two. As far as I know, only Samsung has launched a single 32GB DDR4 2666MHz SODIMM memory, but it is still relatively hard to find on the market. Therefore, unless you are a heavy memory user, 8GB is already sufficient for daily use, and 16GB is generally a comfortable capacity. After discussing all this, I believe everyone is more interested in whether “the Mac mini is suitable for me”? Let me summarize the advantages of the Mac mini: 1. It has a desktop-class processor, covering both entry-level and advanced users; 2. Its compact size and high aesthetic make it the first choice for minimalist/compact desktops; 3. Memory is upgradeable, ensuring a long lifecycle as long as the processor and hard drive are not underwhelming; 4. It has powerful interface functions, allowing overall performance to improve when external devices are connected.

Having seen its advantages, let me briefly explain how to choose the Mac mini: 1. The entry-level Mac mini is suitable for you if: you do not need a portable Mac device but require a compact computer that can handle basic work, along with some light entertainment like watching shows and browsing the web; additionally, it is a good choice for entering the Mac ecosystem. 2. The mid-tier Mac mini is suitable for you if: it may be your main work device, handling various tasks and even some creative work, such as photo editing, graphic design, and video editing. 3. The top-tier Mac mini is suitable for you if: you have heavy video editing, modeling, or rendering needs, place a high value on performance, and are willing to spend money for greater efficiency. You can even use multiple Mac minis to form a matrix for collaborative work. Finally, I would like to share some thoughts on the Mac mini. Although the updated product this year has relatively low heat, it does not diminish my confidence in it, which is why I call it a dark horse for Apple this year. Not only because it has finally been updated after many years, but also because it truly lacks competitive counterparts at present.

After updating the Mac mini, its performance ceiling has jumped to become one of the top 3 Mac devices, so it is unlikely to be updated again in the coming years unless there are some revolutionary technological breakthroughs. In 2019, there may be updates for the Mac Pro and iMac, at which point their performance with 8th or even 9th generation processors may widen the gap with the Mac mini. If you are struggling between these devices, I suggest you wait a while.

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