Apple has re-engineered the Mac mini with 8th Generation Intel Core processors, giving it even more power for industrial-grade tasks, such as home automation, giant render farms, running a live concert sound engine, or testing your latest iOS or iPadOS app. Along with improved system and graphics performance, an all-new thermal architecture includes all-flash storage, a bigger fan, expanded vents, and a redesigned power supply, and Apple’s T2 security chip. This Mac mini is powered by 3.6 GHz Intel Core i3 Quad-Core processor, while 8GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 RAM helps to ensure smooth multitasking and also allows the computer to quickly access frequently used files and programs.
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 delivers a sharp, clear picture, and you’ll be able to output video to an external display using the system’s Thunderbolt 3 ports, which feature native DisplayPort output, or use the built-in HDMI 2.0 port. Up to three 4K displays are supported between any two Thunderbolt 3 ports and the HDMI port, or you can connect one 5K display via THunderbolt 3 and one 4K display via HDMI 2.0.
For storage of your files, this Mac mini is equipped with a 256GB PCIe SSD that has a sequential read speed of up to 3.4 GB/s. If you want to add external peripherals, four Thunderbolt 3 ports support bi-directional transfer speeds of up to 40 Gb/s, while also supporting 10 Gb/s USB 3.1 Gen 2 (USB 3.1), device charging, and an external GPU. Thanks to two 5 Gb/s USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) Type-A ports, you’ll still be able to connect other devices to this system. Gigabit Ethernet is built in for wired networking, or use dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for wireless networking. Bluetooth 5.0 technology will allow you to connect additional compatible peripherals, including keyboards, mice, and headsets. Sound is output using a 3.5mm headphone jack. Apple’s Mac mini operates using an internal 150W power supply that runs off 100-240 VAC at 50 to 60 Hz.
This Mac comes preloaded with macOS. Updates can be downloaded for free via the Mac App Store. Please check Apple’s website for upgrade eligibility.
Pedro Leannon (verified owner) –
This is my 5th Mac mini, it is perfect for what I need. It does not come with a keyboard or mouse or monitor and that is fine with me. I have a nice keyboard mouse and monitor so when I want to upgrade I just unplug the old Mac mini and instal the new one and I feel right at home. For some that wants a hi-end low cost (for what you get) easy to maintain desktop computer this is the way to go. When the next version comes out I will sell this one and upgrade.
Maegan Rempel (verified owner) –
Very happy with this replacement for a 2014 Mini. Have it connected to 50 tv and is used for remote access for multiple family members.
Lizeth Von (verified owner) –
I needed a machine for basic tasks and when this this little beauty went on sale for Black Friday, I had to snatch it up. Shipping was quick (although FedEx screwed up a little bit) and my machine arrived new int he sealed package just like I expected. I was worried that it was too old to handle the latest software, but its running 12.0.1 just like my 2020 MBP. I wouldn’t use this for Adobe Premiere projects, but it is great for email, web and basic office functions.
Brannon Bartoletti (verified owner) –
the computer was everything they promised. Up and running with no problems
Leonora Goldner (verified owner) –
I ordered the i7, 8 gb ram, 512gb ssd version. (Replaced the 8gb ram with 32gb myself) This machine replaced my mid-2010 iMac and boy, what a difference in speed. Not only is it fast, but silent. I would recommend only getting 8gb of ram, then upgrading to 16,32,64 yourself. You’ll save a ton of money.
Erin Rohan (verified owner) –
I bought the basic speed unit with minimal RAM and a large SSD (1TB), which was outrageously priced. The large SSD was necessary since apple in their normal mercenary manner did not allow the SSD to be upgraded, being soldered on the motherboard. I added extra RAM myself. Apples prices for the SSD are about 4 times what it would cost on the open market, which is pretty outrageous and has resulted in me purchasing MACs very infrequently. You can add pretty fast external SSDs, which I did for backup with Time Machine, but how many external SSDs do you want. And of course one does not get an SD card reader nor a CD R/W reader, but there are alot of ports to allow adding these externally. If you can get over the sticker shock the unit is fast and has been reliable. I had to use a displayport to USB-C cable to connect up a monitor (Dell). You can get one from Apple at outrageous prices or online elsewhere for 1/4 the price. I was unsuccessful at connecting the monitor to the mac mini using the HDMI port. I had previously bought IMACs but they are even more outrageously priced and have less connectivity. I think this was a good tradeoff.
Linnea Auer (verified owner) –
A nice quiet box … hardly know it’s there, but has been panic’ing quite a bit, hopefully that’s because of instability in Catalina and not because the fan isn’t working hard enough (it does run a bit warm).
Jeanette Koss (verified owner) –
Excellent price for a machine this strong. Even being a couple of years old, it feels like this mac mini can last for many more years to come.
Rachel Herzog (verified owner) –
Everything came as advertised. I needed this particular model because of the software I will be using, mainly Pro Tools for audio recording and Pro Tools hasn’t yet caught up with the new i7 model software. I also needed a model I could upgrade the RAM with in case I do film editing with Final Cut Pro, so this worked out great, economical and useful. Thanks B and H, I look forward to the day I can buy a Netflix approved camera and a Zeiss lens, or two…
Camila White (verified owner) –
I have been using a 4 years old MacBook which was connected to 27 NEC display. Because I experienced the some in convenience with this combination, I got this Mac mini and I am very happy with it since then. It’s considerably faster and with larger RAM, my photo editing job get much easier not.
Dagmar Bailey (verified owner) –
Very slow surfing the internet. Way too expensive for the performance – I thought it would be better. Nice size and quiet but there are better choices. Slow using two screens as well. Should have gone with a PC.
Marian Borer (verified owner) –
Great little unit. I will probably upgrade the RAM at some point (kits sold by BH are way less expensive than Apple charges!), but otherwise terrific. Hooked up with a Wacom Cintiq Pro touchscreen right away. Be aware, this one came with Mojave installed, which might be preferable to some, but I upgraded to Catalina to match my MacBook. Froze everything dead, lost the touchscreen, had to dig up an old mouse just to access the cursor and reinstall the Wacom driver. Now back to fab.
Jody Jerde (verified owner) –
I was able to capitalize on a holiday special for this Mac. Our church is using it for our live streaming, and so far it is working exceptionally well. Highly recommend! Being an Intel Mac Mini, this can easily be upgraded in RAM to 64GB. Highly versatile, and unbeatable on price for performance.
Seth Nikolaus (verified owner) –
This is my third Mac Mini. The previous one was now four years old. Nothing wrong with it. Sold it for $250, so my cost was about $100 a year. I was getting impatient for Apple to come up with a new model and this is what I expected. Plug in your external drives, DVD player, keyboard, mouse, monitor and everything just works!
Jamarcus Bergstrom (verified owner) –
Apple has a few bugs to work out. 1. the can not remote trouble shoot your new mac mini the pushes end up going to your old mac mini. 2. the mac mini (new) will not allow you to format the drive. the recommended cure to fix Number 1. 3. Sound output kept reverting to HMID setting and not the headphone jack output. 4. you have to watch which monitor you use . originally i used a HP monitor from my PC to migrate old to new min Hp worked fine on old mini but was unscalable the dock was off screen old mini Samsung worked ok. old mini pre2011 did not care which monitor i used new 2018 did. I am really thinking about buying apple care for this unit. Mac mini (2018) 3.2 GHz Intel Core i7 16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4 Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB just in case there is a problem down the road
Malinda Huel (verified owner) –
Perfect for audio editing. Buy the RAM separate if you are willing to upgrade it yourself. If you intend to use graphic intensive applications, then you would need to invest in an EGPU, or something else that suits your needs.
Yessenia Reichel (verified owner) –
Easy to set up and works great
Mia Boehm (verified owner) –
I replaced an older Mac Mini with this one. #1 purpose of the machine was to remote in via Chrome Remote Desktop and work from the field. For some reason (T2 security chip? OS block?) that is not possible on this Mac. #2 purpose was to run a media center. Mojave OS disables native volume control when connecting via HDMI. No more volume control via my media center keyboard, phone, etc like the old machine. So I wasted $1K, lost a bunch of capability, and I still need to run my old machine to do what I need it to do.
Ansel Friesen (verified owner) –
Upgraded from previous Mac Mini. This this is a rocket ship compared to the old one. Worth the money.
Scot Wiegand (verified owner) –
professional