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New Mac Mini...

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Member said:
MrMojo wrote: The built-in hub and speakers don't add any value to the display.
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The built-in hub on the 27" Thunderbolt Display would add considerable value to the display for anyone using it with a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. (Although Apple needs to update the USB ports on that display to USB 3.0).

The hub would be a bit redundant for using the display with an iMac or a Mini.
 
Member said:
Mouser wrote:
Member said:
k.alexander wrote:
Member said:
Mouser wrote:

[snip]
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Not considering the 2012 iMac because the 21.5" has user-inaccessible RAM, not to mention 5400rpm HD. I am guessing upgrading from 8 to 16GB will cost $100-200 at Apple. I just ordered 2x8GB for $50 shipped.
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I hadn't realised they gone down to a 5400rpm disk as standard - disappointing.
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The only drive options on the 2012 version of the 21.5" iMac are a "1 TB (5400 rpm) hard drive" and a "1 TB Fusion Drive" (unspecified RPM). The 27" iMac starts with a 7200 rpm drive and can be configured with a 3 TB one (unspecified RPM).

This, and the emphasis that Apple placed on the thinness of the machines, have led to speculation that the 21.5" machine no longer has room for a 3.5" desktop hard drive inside, and that it is now using a 2.5" notebook hard drive If that is the case, the choice may have been between a 1 TB (5400 rpm) hard drive and a 750 GB (7200 rpm) one.
 
Member said:
MrMojo wrote:

From what I have read the performance difference between the old discrete card and the HD4000 is minimal.
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Unfortunately that does not always appear to be the case:

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www.macworld.com

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www.macworld.com

This comes from Apples website:

Intel HD Graphics 4000

Apple Computers using the Intel HD Graphics 4000 as the primary or secondary GPU reserve 384 MB to 768 MB of system memory.

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support.apple.com


So I am guessing the Mini will uses 768mb when 16GB of Ram is installed but that is not clear from the Apple website due to the wording. They are very clear on Ram usage figures with the HD 3000.

All the test so far are with the Mini just running 4 GB of Ram. It might be better with graphics with more Ram in it. Also the graphics difference might not even be noticeable unless you are playing games or adding lots of effects in video editing.

For just photography though the new processor will make a huge difference.
 
Stu 5 said:
Stu 5 wrote:
Stu 5 said:
MrMojo wrote:

From what I have read the performance difference between the old discrete card and the HD4000 is minimal.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that does not always appear to be the case:

http://www.macworld.com/article/201...i-offers-an-attractive-bang-for-the-buck.html

http://www.macworld.com/article/2013250/lab-tested-2012-mac-mini-gets-a-nice-speed-boost.html

This comes from Apples website:

Intel HD Graphics 4000

Apple Computers using the Intel HD Graphics 4000 as the primary or secondary GPU reserve 384 MB to 768 MB of system memory.

Loading…

support.apple.com

So I am guessing the Mini will uses 768mb when 16GB of Ram is installed but that is not clear from the Apple website due to the wording. They are very clear on Ram usage figures with the HD 3000.

All the test so far are with the Mini just running 4 GB of Ram. It might be better with graphics with more Ram in it. Also the graphics difference might not even be noticeable unless you are playing games or adding lots of effects in video editing.

For just photography though the new processor will make a huge difference.
Click to expand...
I read those reviews last night. I guess that the speed difference depends on what you are doing with the Mini...

The HD4000 isn't the best choice if you want to do serious gaming or do a lot of Photoshop editing processes that utilize the GPU. Otherwise the Intel GPU is more than adequate.

BTW, I can confirm that upgrading the RAM to 16GB increases the VRAM to 768MB.
 
Member said:
MrMojo wrote:

I was planning on getting a $599 Mini but the $799 quad-core i7 easily won me over. I added 16GB RAM ($82) from Crucial. I will be pairing it with an NEC 2490WUXi2 display. The Mini and RAM are scheduled to arrive Friday.

The Mini is replacing a 2006 iMac 24" with a 2.16GHz Core2Duo CPU. I've been using an early 2011 13" MBP with the NEC display. The MBP has an i5 dual-core CPU and the previous generation Intel HD3000 GPU. It's been fine for everything I throw at it so I know that the Mini will be an excellent computer. If money was tight I'd be happy with the i5 Mini too. Based on what you wrote the $799 Mini may be a good fit and a speedy little demon compared to your geriatric MacPro.

The concern about the integrated GPU is blown out of proportion IMO. Many of the people moaning about the HD4000 seem to have never actually used the hardware. Discrete GPUs are a benefit for certain things and you can figure out if what you normally do with your Mac requires a beefier GPU. What other people think about discrete vs. integrated doesn't really matter. What works great for me may not work for you. Fortunately, there is plenty of info online to assist us when comparing Macs. (Check out barefeats.com if you haven't already seen it.)

Apple has a 14-day return policy. That's plenty of time to make sure the Mini will work for you.
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I think the pain some feel about the HD4000 does not really apply to photographers, but instead to video editors. Premiere pro with its Mercury Playback Engine has made video editing a whole new world for most people, but requires an Nvidia card. Even Final Cut Pro X, will use OpenCL in AMD and Nvidia cards. I do agree for most people the HD4000 will be more then fine, but for those that do a lot of video work... well that can be a pain point.

That being said I am really close to pulling the trigger on a mini myself, as much as i would like to think I could be doing a lot of video work, I am a photographer first and that is where most of my time is spent.
 
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