In addition to being a great desktop computer, Mac mini powers everything from home automation to giant render farms. And now with eighth-generation Intel quad-core and 6-core processors and Intel UHD Graphics 630, Mac mini has even more compute power for industrial-grade tasks. So whether you’re running a live concert sound engine or testing your latest iOS or iPadOS app, Mac mini is the shortest distance between a great idea and a great result. Are there any New Apple Mac mini 3.0 GHz i7 16GB RAM 500GB SSD upgrade options?
Specifications
Summary
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel Iris Graphics |
|---|---|
| Card Description | Integrated |
| Wireless Type | 802.11ab |
Other Technical Details
| Brand | Apple |
|---|---|
| Item model number | MGEQ2LL/A |
| Hardware Platform | Mac |
| Operating System | Mac OS X |
| Item Weight | 2.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 1.4 x 7.7 x 7.7 inches |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 1.4 x 7.7 x 7.7 inches |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Processor Count | 2 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Hard Drive Interface | ATA |
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer |
Apple Mac mini 3.0 GHz i7 comparison
| Apple Mac Mini MGEQ2LL/A – Intel Core i7 3.0GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD | Apple Mac Mini Desktop Intel Core i5 2.5GHz (MD387LL/A), 16GB Memory, 1TB SSHD | Apple Mac Mini 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD (Late 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Memory Size | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16.0 GB |
| CPU Model | Intel Core i7 | Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i7 |
| CPU Speed | 3.00 GHz | 2.50 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Intel Iris Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Graphics Description | integrated | integrated | — |
| Hard Disk Size | 256 GB | 1 TB | — |
| Hardware Platform | Mac | Mac | — |
| Operating System | Mac OS X | Mac OS X | — |
| Processor Count | 2 | 2 | 6 |
What is good in New Apple Mac mini 3.0 GHz i7 16GB RAM 500GB SSD?
Re-engineered in no small way.
In addition to being a great desktop computer, Mac mini powers everything from home automation to giant render farms. And now with eighth-generation Intel quad-core and 6-core processors and Intel UHD Graphics 630, Mac mini has even more compute power for industrial-grade tasks. So whether you’re running a live concert sound engine or testing your latest iOS app, Mac mini is the shortest distance between a great idea and a great result.
Climb in. Geek out.
Mac mini features high-performance 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory for faster rendering, working with massive files, or running multiple virtual machines. And now you can configure even more memory to run even heavier workloads.
Haul apps.
Mac mini now includes all-flash PCIe-based storage, with up to four times the read speeds of previous flash options. So you can load giant files and launch apps faster than ever and with the available 2TB SSD, you’ll have twice the space for all of them.
Next-generation security.
Mac mini features the Apple T2 Security Chip second-generation custom Mac silicon designed by Apple to make Mac mini even more secure. The T2 Security Chip consolidates several controllers into one, and includes a Secure Enclave coprocessor that provides the foundation for encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities.
I/O, I/O, it’s off to work you go.
With a variety of ports, Mac mini is ready for a variety of workflow configurations. Thunderbolt 3 is our most powerful and versatile port ever and Mac mini has four of them. The new HDMI 2.0 port delivers more bandwidth than its predecessor, so you can enjoy faster frame rates. And now Mac mini can be configured with 10Gb Ethernet so it’s ready to move mountainous files and monstrous data up to 10 times faster.
Thunderbolt 3 gives you some seriously productive possibilities. Transfer data at up to 40Gb/s. Charge and power external devices. Connect up to two 4K displays and even a third with HDMI 2.0 or one 5K display. Or pair Mac mini with an eGPU for desktop-class graphics performance.
To the desktop. And beyond.
Because of its size, performance, and wide array of ports, Mac mini goes where no Mac has gone before. And now with even more cores packed into its 7.7-inch-square frame, you never know where you’ll find a Mac mini or dozens of them hard at work.
New Apple Mac mini 3.0 GHz i7 16GB RAM 500GB SSD review
Design
The Mac mini Desktop Computer from Apple is a quiet and compact desktop computer in a sleek aluminum unibody enclosure. The system, only 7.7″ square and 1.4″ high, is a great option for users who would like an inexpensive, yet fully-functional, desktop Mac. The mini ships sans keyboard, mouse, and monitor, allowing you to choose the accessories that best suit your needs for use with the system. iLife, a complete suite of digital creativity applications, is installed on the system. Easy enough for anyone to use, iLife will help you edit your home movies, organize digital photos, and compose original music.
Ports
The system features an HDMI output port, making it a great option for users who would like a home theater computer for Internet video streaming and big-screen computer gaming. An optional remote control is available separately for purchase. The system is powered by a dual-core 2GHz Intel Core i7 processor and includes 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500GB 5400rpm hard drive, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 802.11 n Wi-Fi, integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000. While this system does not have an optical drive, it does feature an SDXC card reader for interfacing portable media cards.
Mac OS
This Mac mini comes with a Mac OS X operating system preinstalled, which features a user-friendly interface. The Mac OS X operating system features Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features intuitive natural scrolling, the innovative Launchpad application launcher, and support for full screen applications. Mission Control gives you a bird’s eye view of everything that is happening on your computer. And of course, you can expand the functionality of your computer system by browsing through the multitude of productivity applications, games, and other software that is available for purchase from the Mac App Store.
Because the software in the store is curated by Apple, you can be sure that it is free of malware and safe to use. And, like the iOS App Store, you’ll automatically be notified when updated versions of your favorite programs are available for download.
New Apple Mac mini 3.0 GHz i7 16GB RAM 500GB SSD customer review and upgrade options
Probably offers best value for money from Apple product lineup but only with aftermarket upgrade
A long time Windows/Linux power user, I rarely interacted with OSX or any Apple products.
I recently had to work on a cross platform application (android/ios) that required OSX.
So I figured this was as good a time as any to purchase an Apple product and look at what the all the fuss is about.
As a guy who looks at value for money (which doesn’t grow on any trees I know) in everything , I first looked around for the “cheapest” mac book. A few hours on Louis Rossmann’s channel on youtube made it clear, it was a poor choice. I then remembered there was mini product line (didn’t seem to be covered that well on his channel) that might be work.
With a budget of $1k (everyone should know by now that Apple products are unjustifiably expensive *cough*corporate greed*cough*), I ended getting one of these “Amazon refreshed” Mac Mini (2014) for 550 bucks, a refurbished iPhone 6 for 100 bucks (eBay, poor choice as it doesn’t qualify for ios13 update 🙁 ) and an “Amazon refreshed” iPad air 2 for 160 bucks. I already had a couple of 27″ monitors, keyboard, mouse, usb hub etc i used with Windows and Linux that is now shared with this Mini.
Out of the box the performance was borderline pathetic as it takes about minute to boot (thanks to a generous 1 TB ultra slow 5400RPM magnetic disk). The 8GB RAM helped but not that much. Not willing to give up, I purchased an adapter ) and a small(ish) but fast SSD (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KGLN3HN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). a couple youtube videos and an excellent set of instructions (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4046538) later the machine was purring along with boot times under 15 seconds and very responsive application startups.
Sadly there are some serious limitations
One the motherboard supports only Gen 3 x2 PCIe lanes which limits the SSD performance to about 740MBps R/W though that particular disk is actually rated for 3 GBps when running on Gen 3 x4 PCIe lanes.
Two the RAM module is soldered on to the motherboard which makes upgrade or replacement impossible.
Despite this, I think a limp at is better than crawl. Upside to this is I still get to use the HDD for bulk storage.
Hope this review is helpful anyone looking to jump in to the Apple ecosystem.
Becoming an Apple developer should have enough material for a blog post so I will not put that here
What are the MAC mini upgrade options?
The 2018 Mac mini’s RAM can be replaced, but it’s not an easy process. Apple does not consider the RAM officially user upgradeable because to get to the RAM, the Mac mini needs to be taken apart.
For that reason, Apple recommends taking the Mac mini to an Apple Authorized Service Provider for RAM upgrades with Apple-supplied RAM, but those who want a cheaper solution can perform RAM upgrades following guidelines and walkthroughs on the web.
The storage and the CPU of the Mac mini are soldered in place and cannot be upgraded or replaced.
CPU & GPU
The Mac mini is using 4 and 6-core 8th-Generation Coffee Lake processors from Intel.
The entry-level base model ships with a 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-generation 3.6GHz Intel Core i3 processor, while the higher-end base model features a 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor.
A higher-end 3.2GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor is available as an upgrade option.
GPU
All Mac mini models feature integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630, with no GPU upgrade options available and no discrete GPU options provided by Apple. The Mac mini can, however, be used with eGPU setups when additional graphics power is required.
The Intel integrated graphics are up to 60 percent faster than the previous-generation Mac mini.
RAM
All base Mac mini models ship with 8GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM, which can be upgraded to 16, 32, or 64GB for an additional fee.
How much is New Apple Mac mini?
There are two stock Mac mini configurations available from Apple:
- $799 – 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i3 chip, 8GB RAM, Intel UHD Graphics 630, and a 256GB SSD.
- $1,099 – 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel core i5 chip, 8GB RAM, Intel UHD Graphics 630, and a 512GB SSD.
DIY – Mac mini options
Entry-level Mac mini upgrade options:
- 3.2GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 chip – +$300
- 16GB RAM – +$200
- 32GB RAM – +$600
- 64GB RAM – +$1000
- 512GB SSD – +$200
- 1TB SSD – +$400
- 2TB SSD – +$800
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet – +$100
Higher-end Mac mini upgrade options
- 3.2GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i7 chip – +$200
- 16GB RAM – +$200
- 32GB RAM – +$600
- 64GB RAM – +$1000
- 1TB SSD – +$200
- 2TB SSD – +$600
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet – +$100
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