A Maxed-Out Mac Mini Is Kinda Ridiculous

Apple announced a new Mac mini desktop at its event today, detailing an updated model that packs more performance and features into the same chassis size. As expected, buyers have multiple configuration options, getting to choose things like storage capacity and processor. Professionals may be tempted to pick up a maxed-out Mac mini, but doing so won't come cheap.

There's a lot to like about the 2018 Mac mini, including faster performance and graphics, an optional 2TB SSD, 8th-generation processors, faster memory, 10Gb Ethernet, a new thermal architecture, and the Apple T2 Security chip. Apple refers to its new Mac mini as "part racehorse. All workhorse."

The tiny desktop is presented as a powerful option for everything from testing iOS apps to powering "industrial-grade tasks." Such advancements and power don't come cheap, however, and customers will need to pay for a maxed out model for the best experience.

As far as the Mac mini goes, that price sits at a huge $4,200 USD, including the 2TB storage option, 64GB of RAM, six-core Intel Core i7, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet. This is compared to the base model, which costs $799 USD, sporting only 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD storage, and a quad-core Intel Core i3 processor.

The 2018 Mac mini isn't the only the device that saw a price increase with substantial maxed out rates. The "budget" MacBook Air is pricier than ever with a starting cost of $1,199 USD, that ultimately topping out at $2,599 USD. Similarly, the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros saw base price increases with starting rates of $799 USD and $999 USD, respectively. A maxed out 11-inch iPad Pro is $1699 USD, while a maxed 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $1,899 USD.