Mac Mini 2018 I3 Gaming
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Looking for some input from some of you that use the mac mini for coding. This will be my first Mac and I'm on a pretty tight budget. The goal is to get a mac to use for ios app development and school. If I get a machine that last 3-5 years before being obsolete then I'm satisfied. Options currently out there on various sites are: 2018 i3 with. Mar 18, 2020 The Apple Mac mini (2018 model) is finally back, and it's better than ever, with a new look, rock-solid performance, and even a bit of upgradability. It's not just the best (and only) mini PC in. Nov 26, 2018 Examples include the HP Z2 Mini G4 workstation (about $1,000 for an i3-8100. Apple Mac Mini 2018. I'm not saying it needs a powerful gaming. Option 1: used 2018 mac mini with i3 8gb ram (will upgrade to 16gb), SSD 128gb +magic trackpad 2 space gray + magic keyboard space gray - great condition, from a colleague for 900$. Or Option 2: new 2018 mac mini with i7, 8gb ram (will upgrade to 16gb) 128gb SSD + no accesories included for 1300$. Like others are saying, you're basically gonna have to get an eGPU. No real way around it. I have a 2018 Mac mini (i7, 8gb RAM and 512gb SSD) with a Vega 64 in a Razer Core X. Been gaming with and haven't really had any significant issues Been running this for about a month now. I've had one random, unexpected shutdown (still not sure what.
The sim 4 game is already running mac. By Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 01:06 pm PT (04:06 pm ET)
2018 Mac mini
Apple's Mac mini is still the most inexpensive way to get a Mac, even though the base price is $300 more than the base model from 2014. Given the inclusion of four Thunderbolt 3 ports, it's a difficult compare to the cheapest Wintel hardware, and is price and performance competitive with Intel's NUC hardware for the first time.
The six-core Core i7 processor can be had for as low as $1099, and we feel that this model will be very popular in the scientific community, and for users not afraid to add external storage and add their own RAM. But, like the Core i9 in the MacBook Pro, that is a lot of heat in a very small enclosure when under load.
So, like with that MacBook Pro, we ran some tests to see how thermally constrained the enclosure is. Our test unit has 256GB of NVMe storage, and 32GB of RAM, retailing for $1899.
Performance
In Geekbench 4, our test model scores 25,406 points in the multi-core test, which for what is likely the intended market is probably the best comparison of performance. For context, the 2018 15-inch i9 MacBook Pro retailing for $3099 at a minimum scored 22,574 and the $4999 iMac Pro scores 30,719 points.
2018 Mac mini Geekbench 4 CPU
Unfortunately, graphics performance is where the Mac Mini suffers, as the graphics chip is built into the processor, unlike the 15-inch MacBook Pro and the entire iMac line which boast dedicated graphics chips. In Geekbench 4's Metal test, the Mac mini scored 24,962, compared to 44,308 on the base 15-inch MacBook Pro and 155,232 on the base iMac Pro.
2018 Mac mini Geekbench 4 Metal
We see the same results in Unigine's Heaven benchmark, where the Mac Mini scored 193 points compared to 450 on the MacBook Pro and 1,831 on the iMac Pro.
Luckily, the Mac mini has four Thunderbolt 3 ports so you can easily connect an eGPU that's even more powerful than the graphics in the MacBook Pro for less than $500 more.
Intel processors and thermal conditions
For about a decade, Intel processors have had two speeds —a base speed, and a higher 'turbo' speed that the chip can maintain as long as thermal conditions allow. Processors also have a rated thermal design profile, based on the heat that the chip generates when at the base speed.
Processors meant for desktop computers can afford to have a higher TDP, while notebooks, mobile devices, and tablets tend to use processors with lower TDP values, due to the difficulty of cooling the chip down. Apple has chosen to use a desktop chip —the i3-8100H, i5-8400B, or the i7-8700B, depending on model.
While a processor is cool, it will exceed its base clock speed up to its boost speed. This generates more heat, of course. As that heat builds faster than a cooling system can remove it, the processor will slow down to help dissipate the heat in conjunction with the cooling system.
It can even go lower than the normal operating clock speed if need be to prevent damage.
The new Mac mini, in particular
We tested the i7 Mac mini using the same exact CPU stress test that we ran on the 2018 i9 MacBook Pro. We ran Cinebench R15 5 times back-to-back without letting the processor cool down, while also looking at the processor's clock speeds and temperatures to see if it's throttling.
The Mac mini was well-ventilated without a fan blowing on the exterior of the case at all. The office was a steady 21C throughout the duration of the test.
Shortly after starting the first test, the CPU clock speed shot up to a maximum of 4.26GHz. Shortly thereafter, the temperature hit 100C, with a drop in clock speed maintained at 3.5GHz, still above the 3.2GHz base clock. It finished the first run with a score of 1188.
First Cinebench R15 Run on 2018 Mac mini
Some time after starting the second run, the clock speed dropped below 3.5GHz, showing that the processor is starting to slow itself down a bit more to keep temperatures down. It finished the second run with a score of 1144, 44 points less than the first run, demonstrating the effect of the thermal routines on completed jobs over time.
After starting the third run, the clock speed dropped to 3.4Ghz quicker than in previous runs and hit a low of 3.3 GHz for a brief period. The third run generated a score of 1134, only 10 points lower than the previous test.
For the fourth run, we noticed the clock speed maintained a range of 3.4GHz and 3.5GHz before finishing with a score of 1103 points. While the score dropped from 1188 to 1103 from the first to the fourth run, there is clearly some effect from the thermal control, albeit a small one of about 7.6 percent.
Our fifth run scored 1132 points, a bit higher than the fourth run.
Fifth Cinebench R15 Run during Stress Test on 2018 Mac mini
Going back to older testing, with the i9 MacBook Pro, our first run's score was 1051, our second score was 978, and our final score was 1011, showing similar thermal throttling characteristics after Apple updated the firmware shortly after launch.
We repeated the test with a i3 Mac mini with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, plus another i7 Mac mini with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and an external Vega 64 GPU connected through Thunderbolt 3 with similar percentage drops over time, suggesting that eGPUs or the slower i3 processor have little effect on the thermal condition inside the case.
Fan noise for all three units was noticeable in a very quiet office, but still subdued. Most eGPU units we've tested, bar the BlackMagic, are louder under load than the Mac mini was.
Small case, excellent thermal management
From a simple, binary, 'yes or no' perspective, the Mac mini clearly throttles based on the thermal condition. But, this is not a 'gate,' conspiracy, or anything of that nature. Everything with an Intel processor will adjust speed based on the thermal condition, with the severity of the slowdown and impact on performance depending on how much money you've invested into a cooling system if you've built the machine yourself.
All this said, we're impressed with how the performance on the Mac mini held up as the job progressed and time ticked on. The clock speed averaged out at around 3.4GHz to 3.5GHz under 100 percent CPU workload with the i7 models, but at no point did it drop below the 3.2GHz base clock speed —making it a solid performer even when under load for a long time.
Where to buy
Apple's 2018 Mac mini is available for purchase at Apple authorized reseller Adorama with no sales tax collected on orders shipped outside New York and New Jersey. Orders are shipped on a first come, first served basis and your cart will not be charged until your Mac mini is ready to ship.
For a full list of deals and product availability across multiple Apple authorized resellers, be sure to check out our 2018 Mac mini Price Guide. And for more information on how to save up to $310 on Apple's new hardware at Adorama, check out our buyer's guide.
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By Amber Neely
Friday, March 27, 2020, 10:49 am PT (01:49 pm ET)
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If you're in the market for a new Apple device and you're working on a budget, you may have more options than you think. Here is our helpful guide on how you can get the most bang for your buck.While we've often tut-tutted those who say that Apple products are prohibitively expensive in the past, there is a faint air of truth to it. At one grand, you're not going to be able to buy yourself one of Apple's higher-end products, like the MacBook Pro. Nevertheless, if you don't need a high-end machine, there's no real reason to spend the extra money for the power you won't use.
You can absolutely get a quality Apple computer or tablet for $1000.
What you're not going to get
At $1000, there's quite a bit you're going to have to do without. Most of what you're going to sacrifice is storage —those gigabytes can add up to some serious dollars. Yet, with a plethora of cloud storage options available, including Apple's own iCloud storage subscription plans, that doesn't mean you're going to be hurting for storage.
You'll also take a hit on processing power. For those who are using professional design, video, or audio editing software, this may be a no-go. However, for the average user, you don't need to spend extra for what you won't use.
Choosing a MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is a perfect introductory machine for those new to Mac. It's also great for students and those who travel frequently. Causal computer users who are just looking for something that will allow them to watch videos and browse the internet will also appreciate the lower price point of the MacBook Air.
Sure, it's not a MacBook Pro, but no one was expecting it to be. If you're not using any high-end programs, like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro, you probably don't need a MacBook Pro. And even if you are, the MacBook Air will still get the job done, if you're willing to wait a bit longer.
For $999 —before taxes, of course —you can get yourself a base model MacBook Air. You'll get to pick between Space Gray, Silver, or gold for your finish. It has a 13-inch Retina display with True Tone color technology, Touch ID, a Force Touch trackpad, backlit Magic Keyboard, and Intel Iris Plus Graphics. Two Thunderbolt 3 ports allow you to keep it charged and hook in any peripherals —such as external hard drives or monitors —that you might need.
At base, it comes with a 1.1GHz dual-core i3 Processor that features a Turbo Boost of up to 3.2GHz —more than enough power for browsing the internet and streaming video. For an additional $100, you can get yourself an Intel Core i5 processor, which isn't a bad idea if you're willing to break the budget a bit.
You'll get 256GB of storage, which could be a bit tight if you're storing a lot of pictures or music. Our solution for that is to check out the iCloud Storage plans offered by Apple. For $0.99 a month, you can get 50GB of additional storage. At $2.99 per month, you'll get 200GB of storage. Because it's Apple's own cloud storage system, it'll integrate seamlessly with your MacBook Air —and all your other Apple Products.
Included in the $999 base configuration is 8GB of 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory, which again, is more than sufficient for most casual users. This isn't meant to be a high-end gaming rig, nor is it intended as a creative professional's computer. But the more memory you have, the more apps you can run simultaneously, and the better your Mac will perform. Upgrading to 16GB of RAM is pricey, though, and will cost you an additional $200.
Tip: If you're shopping on a budget, deals on closeout MacBook Air models can bring you well under the 2020 MacBook Air's $999 starting price.
Choosing a Mac mini
If you're not concerned with portability, the Mac mini is a first-rate choice. Its small footprint means it can fit alongside just about any desk, and the ability to easily upgrade the RAM on your own gives you some options for later.
If you already own a keyboard, mouse, and monitor —as many of us already do —you'll even get a bit extra to play around with. If not, it's entirely possible to snag all the needed peripherals and still slide in under $1000.
If we assume you'll need to buy the extras, your best bet is to go with the $799 base model. It's no-frills, but for the average user, it's an excellent little machine.
Included in the price tag is a 3.6GHz quad-core 8th generation Intel Core i3, which is perfect for browsing the internet, streaming video, and moderate gaming and software use. Sure, you're not going to be running Logic Pro and Final Cut together at the same time at any level of performance, but if you're budget-shopping for a Mac, the odds are you weren't going to be doing that anyway.
It also comes with 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM, which is adequate for most tasks, and if you want, you can upgrade it up to 64GB of RAM on your own in the future.
The base model has a 256-gigabyte SSD, which could fill up quickly if you were to store plenty of music or photos on it. However, as with the MacBook Air, we suggest checking out the iCloud storage plans offered by Apple.
If you already own a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, the Mac mini has some upgrades that you can choose from that still put you below your $1000 budget.
For an additional $200, you can double your RAM from 8GB to 16GB, though it may be more cost-effective to replace the RAM yourself if you're not worried about cracking the machine open.
Mac Mini 2018 I3 Review
You can upgrade the storage to 512GB for $200, which may suit some users better than an iCloud storage program. This is especially true if you're going to need to work without an internet connection for any significant amount of time.
For an additional $300, you can bump up the processor to a 3.2GHz 6-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz). This will make the Mac mini far mightier. If you plan on using any processor-taxing software, like Adobe's creative suite, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or any 3D modeling programs, this is the upgrade that you should take. It also makes the Mac mini a more viable gaming machine.
Tip: Clearance deals are going on now on 2018 Mac mini models, with prices as low as $629.
Mac Mini I3 Gaming
Choosing an iPad Pro
The 11-inch 2020 iPad Pro.
Some people might scoff at the concept of choosing an iPad over a MacBook, but plenty of people have found that an iPad can do everything they need it to and slots into their lives much better than a traditional computer.
If you've owned an iPhone for a while, chances are you own plenty of apps that will transfer over to iPadOS, which is one of the best things about the Apple ecosystem. And these days, plenty of developers are creating iPad compatible versions of their desktop software —Microsoft has recently done this with Microsoft Office, and Adobe is porting some of their most popular programs to iPadOS, too.
Many artists, for example, find that an iPad Pro works better for them. Programs like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, Pixelmator Pro, and the Affinity suite of products are every bit as good —if not better —than their desktop counterparts. And, of course, Apple Pencil provides a fantastic on-screen drawing experience for a fraction of the cost of a Cintiq setup.
Students, frequent travelers, and casual computer users may also find that the iPad Pro works every bit as well as a full-feature computer. Even
Mac Mini 2018 Review
AppleInsider staff writer Wes Hilliard does his work exclusively from an iPad Pro.If you're already comfortable with the iPad or you think you could make it work for you, you'll have a bit more wiggle room than you would with the MacBook Air.
If you want the most bang for your buck, we highly suggest sticking with the 11-inch iPad Pro. Not only does it have the same specs as its slightly larger sibling, but we're also willing to bet that you won't even miss the extra screen space once you've lived with it for a while.
So let's talk about what sort of iPad Pro you can get for $1000.
For $799, you can get an 11-inch iPad Pro with 128 gigabytes of storage. If you wanted to stop there, you'd come in well under budget. This option is also ideal because it leaves you more than enough money to buy a second-generation Apple Pencil, which costs $129. Adding in the Apple Pencil is highly recommended for artists and creative types —there's simply nothing that compares to using the two together.
Depending on the sales tax in your region, you should still safely slide in at under $1,000 for the pair. You may even have enough money left over for a burger and fries.
Don't need the Apple Pencil, but want to expand the iPad Pro's computer-like capabilities even further? You can grab the Smart Keyboard Folio for $179, which pushes the total price $978.00 before taxes —sure, you'll probably go over your budget, but a keyboard turns an iPad Pro into an entirely different machine.
If you decide to hold off on buying the Apple Pencil or the Smart Keyboard Folio, you can upgrade your 128GB 11-inch iPad Pro to include cellular capabilities, perfect for the person who travels, or for those who have cut the traditional cable in favor of a mobile carrier plan. That boosts the cost to $949.00 before taxes, which may be over the $1000 threshold by a few dollars.
If you need the bigger screen, you can get the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 128GB model for $999 before sales tax. It doesn't leave room for any frills, so you'll have to break the budget significantly if you want an Apple Pencil or a keyboard to go along with your purchase.
Tip: Triple-digit discounts are also available on closeout 2018 iPad Pros.
Which choice is right for you?
As with any other analysis of what you should get on for any set dollar value, it all comes down to use case.
If you're a creative, an iPad Pro coupled with an Apple Pencil is hard to beat. It's also easier to use in places where you may not be able to use a laptop comfortably.
If you're going to need to use a wealth of desktop applications, or if you're just more comfortable on a laptop, the MacBook Air is going to work well for you. The Mac mini gets you more power for the dollar than the MacBook Air, but it is tethered to a desktop.
Mac Mini 2018 Release
And whichever you buy, Apple's newly announced models can be bargains —when you know which ones are right for you.