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As mentioned, the Mac mini now comes with Intel's Haswell processor. The machine has had to wait patiently in line for an upgrade to Intel's fourth-generation chip, which already features in Apple's MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac systems.
A 1TB Fusion Drive is issued as standard on the high-end model. Essentially a Solid State Hybrid Drive (SSHD), it combines the capacious capacity of a hard disk with the fast speeds of a flash drive, allowing you to store plenty of apps and files without sacrificing speed.
Unfortunately the Mac mini hasn't made the leap from integrated to dedicated graphics in any of the new models, instead relying on Intel's Iris graphics solution. It's also a shame that the Mac mini isn't available in a quad-core configuration, as its predecessor was - dual-core is the only option, something that may push high-end video editors and design professionals toward the mid-range 21.5-inch iMac, which comes with a quad-core Intel Core-i5 CPU clocked at 2.7GHz for £1,049 (around US$1,644 or AUS$1,973). Apple has also stopped selling the Mac mini with OS X server, instead offering OS X Server 4.0 as a paid download (£13.99/US$19.99/AUS$21.99) in the Mac App Store for Yosemite users.
Ports and connectivity
In terms of connectivity options, there are four USB 3.0 ports and two Thunderbolt 2.0 ports on the rear, allowing you to hook up a growing number of compatible peripherals - from external storage drives to monitors. If you are planning on hooking up a 4K monitor, be sure to read the section of this review titled Performance, as there is a major drawback to doing so using the latest Mac mini.
The Late 2012 Mac mini's Firewire port has been replaced with a second Thunderbolt 2.0 port, adding to an already cramped array of ports around the back. Although the Mac mini's compact design is one of its more attractive traits, it would have been useful for Apple to move the SD card reader or another port to the front to create some breathing space.
On the left of the Thunderbolt 2 port is an HDMI connection for hooking up to an external display. If using particularly chunky cables, you may find that there isn't enough room to have both a Thunderbolt 2 and HDMI port connected at the same time. The Mac mini no longer comes with an HDMI to DVI adapter, which isn't a huge problem as they can be picked up for a few pounds (or dollars) from online retailers.
For communication, there's 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which allows for much faster transfer speeds compared to 802.11g/b/n if used with a compatible AC router. There's also Gigabit Ethernet for hooking up to a LAN, which sits alongside an SD card reader and headphone jack. The Mac mini once again comes with an IR port, which allows you to use compatible devices with infra-red remote capabilities.
Access denied
Previous Mac mini systems have been user-upgradable, but Apple's latest model is not, which is one of the biggest downsides compared to the Late 2012 Mac mini. Before, the machine's circular base would rotate and come away, providing access to the RAM slots once a few other components had been moved. Although it still has the same circular design, the new Mac mini's base plate doesn't budge, meaning there's no way inside.
Apple's own RAM has never come cheap, but there was nothing to stop you fitting more affordable sticks from third-party suppliers. The lack of upgradable RAM is less of a problem on the high-end Mac mini, which comes with 8GB of main memory, than it is on the entry-level version that comes with 4GB, but that will be of little consolation for those wanting the most powerful configuration possible.
