Should there be a cheaper mini?

Given all the power and flexibility on offer in the new Mac mini, we think its price is pretty reasonable. A little more storage wouldn’t go amiss, and 16GB of RAM should be included as standard on the faster processor model for a $300 increase, but overall we like the balance on offer.

The thing is, the Mac mini used to start at $499, and we think it’s a real shame that the new models abandon that. There’s a huge difference between who can afford a $499 model compared to a $799 model, and turning the mini into a machine with what feels like a very pro focus (from its big range of high–speed ports to its many processor cores) means that maybe it’s leaving behind the kind of people who just want the software and hardware quality of a Mac without paying a thousand bucks.

What we wish Apple had included is a Mac mini that included a dual–core processor (maybe even the one from the new MacBook Air, to keep it simple), and just a couple of USB–C ports instead of four high–tech (and expensive) Thunderbolt 3 ports. A simpler computer for people with less money, but who deserve the reliability of Mac hardware, and the power of macOS.

A theme of Apple’s recent releases is that the prices have crept up, and we don’t think that’s wrong given the power and features going into them. Apple computers aren’t overpriced, as some people claim: they’re expensive, yes, but that’s because they include expensive, high–end parts. There’s nothing wrong with that. But we know Apple could achieve a great experience with less costly parts, too, and it’s a real shame that hasn’t happened with the new Mac mini. Here’s hoping for a future version that reaches out to more people.