Overall, I like the design of the iPad Pro, but I wish Apple had included a kickstand like the Surface Pro 6 and Galaxy Book 2 have. Some users will lament that the headphone jack got zapped as well, but many of us have already moved on to wireless headphones, anyway. Tech specs CPUĤ-Core i3 (configurable to 6-Core i5 or 6-Core i7)Ĥx Thunderbolt 3/USB-C HDMI 2.0 2x USB-A 3.The other big (and overdue) design change on the iPad Pro 12.9 is the USB-C port, which enables users to connect the tablet to an external monitor (up to 5K), digital cameras and other devices. But if you want a small, silent Mac ‘hub’ for a home, or a dinky, portable, modular Mac for creative use, the Mac mini has finally come of age. Typical consumers are now perhaps better catered for by the MacBook Air. On that basis, figure out if this Mac is really for you. Again, though, it’s important to remember the mini is now a different beast – more ‘pro’ than (relatively) cheapo Mac. I reckon you’re talking £1159 minimum for a system you’re aiming to keep for years – £1429 with the i7. It can all get spendy remarkably quickly. (RAM, mercifully, can be upgraded at a later point.) You can ramp up the i3 to an i7 for a reasonable £270, if you feel the need but an extra 8GB of RAM sets you back an eye-watering £180, as does a mere extra 128GB of storage. The entry-level i3 model clocks in at £799 – but with 8GB RAM and an inadequate (unless you live in the cloud) 128GB SSD. If you were hoping Apple would sell you another £399 mini, like in 2014, you’re out of luck. You do, however, very much have to pay, because this new Mac mini does not come cheap. Chances are you don’t want to be the next Pixar, mind, and so you can at least be happy with a single mini that you’re not tied into a display that might die (like my previous iMac’s – grumble), nor forced to pay for a keyboard or trackpad you might not use. Apple entertainingly showcased to me a bunch of the things working as a tiny render farm. Said compactness and modularity can be a boon elsewhere, too. Because of the Mac mini’s modular nature and generous helping of ports, you can always plug in an eGPU.

There are of course ways around the GPU shortcomings, whether you fancy getting your game on or suddenly find yourself immersed in freelance 3D modelling (hey – it can happen to anyone). If you want to play games, get an iMac or a Mac laptop with a decent spec. The modern mini is more about mixed workflows and creative types, aimed at people who use Photoshop or want to run a media server. For a Mac you might think is aimed at consumers, this seems curious – but then you have to again remember times have changed.

2018 mac pro specs