If you're environmentally concerned, or just worried about your electric bill, that's probably a good tidbit to tuck away, especially if you're upgrading from an older and less efficient computer.

It consumes a scant 6 watts at idle and 11 watts under load. The Mac mini is now the world's most efficient desktop computer, according Apple. Going from Intel's third-generation 'Ivy Bridge' Core processor to a fourth generation 'Haswell' processor isn't a huge overall CPU performance bump for the Mac mini, though there are certainly some performance and efficiency improvements worth noting. One way or the other, be careful when you're buying your Mac mini to make sure that it has enough RAM for your needs, because you're stuck with what you have. And there's a 16 GB option for people who need it. 8 GB, included on the mid-range and high-end models, is more than sufficient. RAM can affect the performance of your computer - more RAM enables you to have more applications and larger documents open in memory simultaneously, without having to worry about your Mac 'paging out' virtual memory to disk, which can slow things way down. But DIYers - especially those who feel that Apple charges too much for RAM - and IT pros have been especially vocal about the change.

RAM is now soldered on the main logic board.Īccording to Apple, few Mac mini owners ever open their computer to put in more RAM, so this change shouldn't be a huge issue for many potential customers interested in Apple's least expensive Mac model. The Mac mini no longer has user-upgradable memory sockets. One other notable change is evident when you flip the Mac mini over: The bottom plate, which could be twisted to be removed, revealing accessible DIMM sockets for memory upgrades, is now fixed. The Mac mini no longer has user-upgradable memory sockets - RAM is now soldered on the main logic board. The Mac mini still comes equipped with an infrared port on the front: A handy feature for people who are using their Mac mini as a media server in the living room or entertainment center, and who want to use a wireless remote control like the one included with the Apple TV. That's right, the tiny Mac mini now sports a faster high-speed peripheral interface than the iMac (save the new Retina 5K iMac model). In its place is a second Thunderbolt port. One notable change on the back of the Mac mini is the absence of FireWire 800.

A year and a half later, the Haswell Mac mini is finally here, and with it comes a host of changes to the product line, even if the box looks mostly the same on the outside. In 2013 the first Macs based around Intel's fourth-generation Core processor (the 'Haswell' chip) began to appear, and many of us wondered when Apple would get around to refreshing the Mac mini.

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