Apple Mac mini 2018 review

The Mac mini is Apple’s smallest desktop Mac. It may not be as fast as Apple’s other desktop computers—the iMac and the Mac Pro—but it remains fast enough for general-purpose use, and even for pro apps. The Mac mini not only appeals to first-time Mac users, but longtime Mac users like the price and use the Mac mini as a server or an entertainment Mac connected to a TV. The Apple Mac mini (2018) was a long time coming, but it’s been worth the wait. This brilliantly-designed small-form factor computer packs in some impressive specs and pulls off neat tricks to do so. It’s not cheap, but it’s priced very competitively compared to other small PCs, especially considering what it’s capable of. Mac mini 2018 review

Editor’s note: Updated 3/18/20 with information about the new Mac mini.TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mac mini: Apple increases the storage

Apple updated the Mac mini on March 18 with increased PCIe-based SSDs in the standard configurations. The $799 model now includes 256GB (up from 128GB), and the $1,099 model has 512GB (up from 256GB).

Processor – Mac mini 2018 review

• 4-Core
  3.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i3
  6MB shared L3 cache
  Configurable to:
  • 6-Core
    3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7
    Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz
    12MB shared L3 cache
• 6-Core
  3.0GHz 6-core Intel Core i5
  Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz
  9MB shared L3 cache
  Configurable to:
  • 6-Core
    3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7
    Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz
    12MB shared L3 cache

Memory

• 8GB
  of 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory
  Configurable to:
  • 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB

Storage¹ – Mac mini 2018 review

• 128GB
  PCIe-based SSD
  Configurable to:
  • 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD
• 256GB
  PCIe-based SSD
  Configurable to:
  • 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD
• 512GB
  PCIe-based SSD
  Configurable to:
  • 1TB or 2TB SSD

Graphics

• Intel UHD Graphics 630

Video Support

• Support for the following combination of maximum concurrent display setups:
  • Up to three displays:
    Two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0
  • Up to two displays:
    One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0
• Thunderbolt 3 digital video output supports
  Native DisplayPort output over USB-C
  Thunderbolt 2, DVI, and VGA output supported using adapters (sold separately)
• HDMI 2.0 display video output
  Support for one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz
  DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)

Audio

• Built-in speaker
• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• HDMI 2.0 port supports multichannel audio output

Connections and Expansion

• Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
  • DisplayPort
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)
• Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
• HDMI 2.0 port
• Gigabit Ethernet port (configurable to 10Gb Ethernet)
• 3.5 mm headphone jack

Communications

• Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
• Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
• Ethernet
  • 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
  • Configurable to 10Gb Ethernet (Nbase-T Ethernet with support for 1Gb, 2.5Gb, 5Gb, and 10Gb Ethernet using RJ-45 connector)

Size

• Height: 1.4 inches (3.6 cm)
• Width: 7.7 inches (19.7 cm)
• Depth: 7.7 inches (19.7 cm)

Weight²

• 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg)

Electrical and Operating Requirements

• Line voltage: 100–240V AC
• Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
• Maximum continuous power: 150W
• Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
• Storage temperature: –40° to 116° F (–40° to 47° C)
• Relative humidity: 5% to 90% noncondensing
• Operating altitude: tested up to 16,400 feet (5000 meters)
• Typical acoustical performance: Sound pressure level (operator position): 5 dBA at idle³

In the Box

• Mac mini
• Power cord

Operating System

macOS
macOS is the operating system that powers every Mac. macOS Catalina gives you more of everything you love about Mac. So you can take everything you do above and beyond.
Learn more

Accessibility

Accessibility features help people with disabilities get the most out of their new Mac mini. With built-in support for vision, hearing, mobility, and learning, you can create and do amazing things.
Learn more

Features include:

• Voice Control
• VoiceOver
• Zoom
• Increase Contrast
• Reduce Motion
• Siri and Dictation
• Switch Control
• Closed Captions
• Text to Speech

Built-in Apps⁴

• Photos
• iMovie
• GarageBand
• Pages
• Numbers
• Keynote
• Siri
• Safari
• Mail
• FaceTime
• Messages
• Maps
• News
• Stocks
• Home
• Voice Memos
• Notes
• Calendar
• Contacts
• Reminders
• Photo Booth
• Preview
• Books
• App Store
• Time Machine
• TV
• Music
• Podcasts
• Find My
• QuickTime Player

Configure to Order

Configure your Mac mini with these options, only at apple.com:

• 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7 processor
  16GB, 32GB, or 64GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
  256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD
  10Gb Ethernet

Mac mini and the Environment

Apple takes a complete product life cycle approach to determining our environmental impact. Learn more

Mac mini is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:

• BFR-free
• PVC-free⁵
• Beryllium-free
• 100% recycled aluminum enclosure⁶
• Eco-friendly packaging
• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
• Rated EPEAT Gold⁷

Apple and the Environment
Read our Product Environmental Reports for detailed information on the environmental performance of every Apple product.
Product Environmental Reports

Accessories

Mac Software

• Logic Pro X
• Final Cut Pro X

Displays and Adapters

• LG UltraFine 4K Display
• LG UltraFine 5K Display
• USB-C to USB Adapter
• USB-C to SD Card Reader
• USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
• USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter
• USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
• Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Other Accessories

• Space Gray Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
• Space Gray Magic Mouse 2
• Space Gray Magic Trackpad 2
• USB-C to Lightning Cable
• Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Cable (0.8 m)
• Blackmagic eGPU
• Blackmagic eGPU Pro

• AppleCare+ for Mac

Acoustic Performance

Declared noise emission values in accordance with ECMA-109

	Sound Power Level L W A,m (B)	Sound Pressure Level Operator Position L p A,m (dB)
Idle	1.3 (K V = 0.3)	5
Wireless web	1.4 (K V = 0.3)	5

1. L _W A,m is the mean A-weighted sound power level, rounded to the nearest 0.1 B.
2. L _p A,m is the mean A-weighted sound pressure level measured at the operator position (rounded to the nearest 1 dB).
3. 1 B (bel) = 10 dB (decibel)
4. K _v is the statistical adder for computing upper-limit of A-weighted sound power level.
5. The quantity, L _W A,c (formerly called L _W Ad) may be computed from the sum of L _W A,m and K _v .
6. The Wireless web test browses 25 popular websites.
7. Configuration tested: 3.0GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB memory, 256GB Fusion Drive, Intel UHD graphics 630.

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1. 1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = 1 trillion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.
2. Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
3. Acoustics measured from typical operator position sitting in front of standard Mac mini system. Acoustics may vary by configuration.
4. iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are available on the Mac App Store. Downloading apps requires an Apple ID and a device that is compatible with the OS version required for each app.
5. PVC-free AC power cord available in all regions except India and South Korea.
6. Recycled material claim applies to the enclosure.
7. Mac mini achieved a Gold rating from EPEAT in the U.S. and Canada.