The middle 2.6 GHz model with its Iris Graphics was found to be able to lift this to just 33 fps. All Mac minis since the previous Late 2012 generation have relied upon the built-in graphics capability of the Intel Core series mobile chips, and here we see a change from an Intel HD Graphics 5000 to Intel Iris Graphics 5100.īatman: Arkham City could play with an average framerate of 31 fps, when set to 1280 x 720 pixels and Medium render quality. The third and final difference between cheapest and middling Mac mini models is in the graphics processor specification. Compared to the last generation of Mac mini, it has evolved subtly from standard 1600 MHz DDR3 SO-DIMM modules, to a low-power variant (LPDDR3) that is famously and quite permanently soldered to the circuit board. Memory has also doubled, from 4 GB to 8 GB. We won’t deny, though, that since Apple barricaded the way with security screws, it’s not as easy as it used to be. This remains the weakest part of the system, holding back much potential, but unlike with the soldered memory issue, this one is at least fixable – provided you’re technically adept at stripping down intricate PC hardware. The middle Mac mini sees a doubling in storage capacity, from 500 GB to 1 TB, but keeping the same old hard-disk technology. Do note that most of Apple’s consumer PC range is using U-suffix Intel chips today, denoting ultra-low power consumption (by Intel standards), and designed with power economy in mind. This sees a healthy kickstart in processor clock speed, from the 1.4 GHz Intel Core i5-4260U dual-core processor to a 2.6 GHz Intel Core i5-4278U. Meanwhile the new entry-level Mac mini also runs the same processor and 500 GB storage as the cheapest iMac, although this budget desktop PC is at least fitted with 8 GB of memory. The entry model runs the same processor and memory as the cheapest MacBook Air, but with a slow 500 GB hard disk instead of the fastest storage in consumer computers that is the PCIe-attached flash drive. So what is the difference between entry and middle Mac mini models? Looking at the specs alone, quite a lot. You’ll see this more easily if you round up the distracting 99s from the swing tags: £400, £580 and £800.

There’s actually a smaller gap in price between the most basic and middle, than the middle and top. In fact the top Mac mini today would be one with a 3.0 GHz Intel Core i7 dual-core processor, 16 GB memory and 1 TB PCIe-attached flash drive. If you buy from the online Apple Store, as with any other Mac, you can select your own configuration with limited tweaks to the processor, storage and memory. (When we say ‘top’, that’s just the best off-the-shelf version. The middle Mac mini costs £569 in standard trim, and sits neatly between entry model at £399 and the top option at £799. Mac mini (Late 2014) 2.6 GHz: Positioning In the absence of the late and lamented quad-core Mac mini, that would be the nearest thing to our value choice for a new Mac mini. You could customise a middle model with the same Fusion Drive, and that will reduce the difference to £160 or put another way, a £70 saving over the best Mac mini with its 200 MHz faster processor. But the upgrade to Fusion Drive in this same model will be much more conspicuous, although that will mean a price hike of £230. When judged against the top Mac mini, the CPU of today’s top 2.8 GHz mini performs around 6-7 percent faster than this middle model, which will likely not even be perceptible in normal use.

Neither Mac mini is what we’d call games friendly.

Graphics performance is marginally increased in the middle model, but perhaps not by as much as the sexy Intel Iris name would suggest. That difference is around 15-25 percent faster according to our benchmark results. By then comparing this upgraded cheapest model at £479 to the middle model with the same memory complement, priced at £579, you need to decide if the extra £100 justifies an increase in available CPU performance. While the entry-level Mac mini (Late 2014) is priced attractively at £399, it would benefit from a memory upgrade at least to 8 GB, especially since this upgrade will never be possible later.

Pc benchmark test 2014