Monthly Archives: November 2018

Finally, the new Mac Mini has arrived, here is the Mac Mini 2018 review.

The last version of Mac Mini was released in late 2014, which is already four years ago.

Though I do not really blame Apple if they took a while to refresh the Mac Mini lineup. I do see that they got a lot of other products in their website and probably the other products are more on demand.

This is why the Apple community got really excited when the news came out that the Mac Mini lineup will finally get a refresh this year.

Though it’s been a long time coming. We really think that the new Mac Mini 2018 is worth the wait.

Here is the Mac Mini 2018 Review.

1. Performance

The first thing that you would notice when you look at the specifications of the new Mac Mini 2018. Is how much more powerful the current specifications are compared to the previous version.

Basically, Apple is gearing the new Mac Mini 2018 towards the creators market.

The new Mac Mini 2018 is packed with desktop-grade 8th generation Intel Core processors. You can either choose a 3.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i3 or a 6-Core Intel Core i7.

The 8th generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 can Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz. And since the new Mac Mini 2018 is designed to have two times increased airflow. Then you can rest assure that the new Mac Mini 2018 can maintain this Turbo Boost effectively.

These processors are mainly the reason why Apple claims that the new Mac Mini 2018 is fives times faster than its predecessor.

The 8th generation Intel Core processors also has the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 which offers 60% increased in graphical performance.

Honestly, this integrated graphics only helps when you are navigating the graphically beautiful macOS. And in some non-heavily graphical demanding application that needs some GPU power.

If you are really interested in boosting the graphical performance for faster gaming performance, video editing, video encoding or 3D modelling. Then Apple highly recommends that you pair your Mac Mini 2018 with the BlackMagic eGPU Pro. Or any other external eGPU for this matter.

Furthermore, the new Mac Mini 2018 now packs blazing-fast all-flash PCIe-based storage.

This storage provides four times increased in read speeds compared to the previous flash options.

2. Design

The new Mac Mini 2018 still retains the square design with subtle rounded edges which the community has always loved.

It is 7.7 inches (19.7cm) on each sides and 1.4 inches (3.6cm) thick. And it weighs at 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg).

Currently it only comes with a Space Gray color option. Which is currently one of the most common color option on Apple products.

It matched perfectly with the space grey Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2 as well.

It will still sport the iconic Apple logo at the top with a black shade. And all the I/O are all placed at the back edge of the device.

The only other stuff that you would see in the front edge is a mini light indicator on its lower left side.

3. Security

If you are concern about security. Then worry no more as the new Mac Mini 2018 will also come with the Apple T2 Security Chip.

The same T2 Security Chip that they also now include in the new MacBook Air 2018.

With the Apple T2 Security Chip, you Mac Mini 2018 will have consolidated controllers, secure boot-up, encrypted storage capability and will include Secure Enclave coprocessor.

Apparently, aside from security, the T2 Security Chip can also provide 30 times faster HEVC video encoding for your new Mac Mini 2018.

4. I/O

Unlike on its portable notebook products, Apple didn’t cheap out on I/Os in the new Mac Mini 2018.

It comes with 4 – Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 1 – Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 – HDMI 2.0 port, 2 – USB 3 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The 4 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports supports DisplayPort, Thunderbolt with up to 40Gbps transfer rate and USB 3.1 Gen 2 with up to 10Gbps transfer rate.

They can also support Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA using adapters which are sold separately.

With these ports you can run up to three displays.

Two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 ports plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0 port.

Or if you want to have a higher resolution display then you can run up to two displays.

One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 port plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0 port.

5. Pricing

The new Mac Mini 2018 has two base versions which are both highly configurable and upgradable.

The first base version is priced at $799 which has:

• 3.6GHz Quad-Core 8th-Generation Intel Core i3 Processor
• 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 Memory
• Intel UHD Graphics 630
• 128GB PCIe-Based SSD Storage
• Gigabit Ethernet

And can be upgraded to:

• 3.2GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 with Turbo Boost Up To 4.6GHz
• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB DDR4 Memory
• 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD Storage
• 10Gb Ethernet

The second base version is priced at $1,099 which has:

• 3.0GHz 6-Core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor Turbo Boost Up To 4.1GHz
• 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 Memory
• Intel UHD Graphics 630
• 256GB PCIe-Based SSD Storage
• Gigabit Ethernet

And can be upgraded to:

• 3.2GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 Turbo Boost Up To 4.6GHz
• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB DDR4 Memory
• Intel UHD Graphics 630
• 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD
• 10Gb Ethernet

If ever you decide to go top-of-the-line hardware-wise on the new Mac Mini 2018. You would basically need to cough up $4,199.

And if you decide to purchase your new Mac Mini 2018 with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X pre-installed. Then that would cost you a total of $4,698.

As usual it is so painful to see that a jump from a 128GB SSD storage to a 256GB SSD storage would costs you $200.

It would cost you the same when you upgrade from 256GB to 512GB which is more understandable.

6. Competition

So how does the new Mac Mini 2018 stack up against its competition?

If you are currently in the in the market for a mini PC then you might come across another highly popular mini PC from Intel. Namely the Hades Canyon NUC.

So can the new Mac Mini 2018 compete with the Hades Canyon NUC?

In terms of pricing the cheapest Hades Canyon NUC is priced at $954. So the Mac Mini 2018 might look more attractive in terms of pricing as its cheapest price is only at $799.

Both has powerful processors with highly configurable RAM and SSD storage. And both sport a lot of I/Os so they are on par with each other on these categories.

Where Hades Canyon NUC really shines though is its graphical performance. Basically the Hades Canyon NUC comes with a more powerful Radeon RX Vega M GL Graphics. So this is where you will draw the line.

In terms of design, it is really an acquired taste. The Hades Canyon NUC sports a more gamer design so it will probably appeal to gamers. While the Mac Mini 2018 sports a more professional design.

For me honestly, the Mac Mini 2018 wins hand down.

Conclusion

For me the new Mac Mini 2018 is a very welcome upgrade for a lineup that has long been waiting for a refresh.

It is indeed worth the wait. If you are a creator who travels a lot and prefer a mini PC instead of a portable notebook then the new Mac Mini 2018 is perfect for you.

I do agree that editing contents on a much bigger screen is a lot more preferable than a small screen of a portable notebook.

Also the inclusion of multiple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports means that you can connect external devices like eGPU which will boosts the performance of your new Mac Mini 2018 exponentially.

If you are interested in reading more reviews. Then you might want to read my iPad Pro 2018 review.

The new MacBook Air 2018 retains it’s iconic characteristic of being a top quality ultra-thin and ultra-light notebook.

It will come with the new macOS Mojave and with all of its powerful new features.

The new MacBook Air 2018 display will look awesome and silky smooth as it will now come with Apple’s vivid Retina Display.

Be ready for its gorgeous ultra-thin bezels as Apple is able to shrunk it up to 50% thinner.

Apple is also able to make the new MacBook Airo 2018 lighter as it now only weighs 1.25kg or at around 2.75lbs.

This decrease in weight is probably thanks to Apple being able to shrink the overall real-estate of the new MacBook Air 2018 by 17%.

Here is my MacBook Air 2018 review.

1. Display

The new Macbook Air 2018 will have a 13.3-inch display at 2560 x 1600 screen resolution with 227 pixels per inch.

What’s really interesting is that the new MacBook Air 2018 now has IPS technology which dramatically improved its viewing angles!

Unlike in the old versions of the MacBook Air where this is a real pain to deal with. This is well accepted open change.

Apple confirms that it will have over 4-million pixels with 48% more colors and will have a wide viewing angle.

This is basically 4-times the pixel count of the old MacBook Air.

This means that the new MacBook Air 2018 display will look a lot more colorful. And anything displayed on it will have more details than the previous versions.

2. Processor

The new MacBook Air 2018 will come with Intel’s 8th generation 1.6GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5.

This processor can turbo boost up to 3.6GHz with with 4MB L3 cache.

The Intel’s 8th generation processors are known for being powerful and efficient at the same time.

Which is why the new MacBook Air 2018 will last all day without needing for you to charge in the middle of the day.

3. Battery

The new MacBook Air 2018 can last up to 12 hours of wireless web, up to 13 hours of iTunes movie playback and up to 30 days of standby time.

It has built-in 50.3‑watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery and comes with 30W USB-C power adapter which connects to the USB-C power port.

I assume that this battery life is for the 2560-by-1600 native resolution.

If you want to squeeze more battery life out of it then I highly recommend trying to lower your resolution.

The other supported lower resolutions are 1680 by 1050, 1440 by 900 and 1024 by 640. All will have a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Now the quality of the display will surely have a slight deep but this will surely increase your battery life effectively.

4. Security

The new MacBook Air 2018 will also come with the new T2 security chip.

Apple claims that with this security chip, the new MacBook Air 2018 will have a secure boot-up process and encrypted storage.

They also claim that this will prevent hackers from accessing your webcam and mic.

You can also easily unlock your MacBook Air 2018 through integrated Touch ID sensor. This feature also allows you to confirm purchases in the App Store or iTunes with just a touch of a finger.

5. More Features

The new MacBook Air 2018 Force Touch pad will come at a bigger size and has precise built-in force sensors.

It will also come with new LED-backlit butterfly keyboard which is an open upgrade for an already excellent keyboard.

The new high fidelity speakers also offer more volume, has more bass and a lot more clearer sound with wide dynamic range.

Apple also claims that the new MacBook Air 2018 is their greenest or most environmental-friendly notebook up to date. As they use 100% recycled aluminum for the enclosure.

6. Specifications

You can configure you new MacBook Air 2018 to have 8GB of RAM or 16GB of RAM.

You also have a handful of storage options to choose from which are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1.5TB of SSD storage.

As for the color options, you can choose from Space Gray, Gold and Silver.

It will also come with two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt with up to 40 Gbps and USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 with up to 10 Gbps.

What it truly means is you can charge from either ports, connect up to 5K display, transfer data at up to 40Gbps speed and you can attach external GPU.

I am really glad to see this movement towards the USB-C direction. A lot of people has been asking for it and seeing our favorite brands implement it. It is just an awesome feeling.

And yes, the MagSafe 2 power port has been dropped in the new MacBook Air 2018. I guess USB-C is truly the future.

The new MackBook Air 2018 still uses a 720p FaceTime HD camera.

And lastly, it will still come with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

7. Price

The new MacBook Air 2018 will start at $1,199 for a 8GB of RAM and 128Gb of storage configuration.

And can get up to $2,599 with the 16GB of RAM and 1.5TB of SSD storage configuration.

Conclusion

In my opinion the new MacBook Air 2018 is still expensive for what it offers.

Its price has also increased compared to last year’s starting price which is only $999.

But if you are someone like me who is already used to the Apple ecosystem then I would definitely buy the new MacBook Air 2018.

Aside from the new security features and the Touch ID which now enables Apple Pay. I just really like the quality of the MacBook Air 2018.

And I love the fact that no matter how long you have been using an Apple product. It still retains that smooth performance.

There is just something with how Apple make their products that keeps making people come back to them.

Even though the same specifications can be offered on the Windows laptops at a much lower price. These people will keep choosing Apple.

If you are interested in reading my other reviews, I highly recommend reading my OnePlus 6T review.