Mac Mini 2018 Release Date, Specs & Features: Apple Resurrects a Dead Product Line

The Mac Mini's last refresh back in 2014 may have been less than stellar but Apple's recent announcement at their fall hardware event proves that the tech giant is not willing to leave their minimalist product behind. Thankfully for fans of the Mac Mini, the Mac Mini 2018 looks to be exactly what Mac Mini enthusiasts have been looking for.

According to a report by Ars Technica, Apple has given the Mac Mini 2018 a new lease on life by honing in on what the critics hated about the 2014 version. The new Mac Mini 2018 now includes an upgraded processor, a T2 security chip, four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 10-Gigabit Ethernet – a sure sign that Apple is taking criticism of the 2014 model to heart.

Unfortunately, the upgrade in hardware also means that the Mac Mini 2018 is a whole new pricing level above its 2014 version – coming in at $799 compared to 2014's $499. The spike in price from the 2014 model seems steep for those expecting the Mac Mini 2018 to be an entry-level purchase for a budding Apple fandom.

Still, Mac Mini fanatics can have some pretty competitive options for the Mac Mini 2018, with the standard 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD space expandable to up to 64GB of RAM and at least 2TB SSD space. The Mac Mini 2018's processor can also be upgraded from a 3.6Ghz i3 to a 3.2Ghz 6-core i7

Apple Insider recently got to experience the Mac Mini 2018 firsthand at the demo area of Apple's fall hardware event. According to the publication, the configuration options for the Mac Mini 2018 on display at the demo were impressive but a more in-house review of the machine's performance would be needed to finalize a conclusive review.

With the Mac Mini 2018's recent unveiling, fans may be wondering how soon the upgrade can possibly hit the market considering the four-year wait that its fans have had to endure. Fortunately for fans, orders for the Mac Mini 2018 are already open, with the products ready to ship out by Nov. 6.