Apple refreshes the Mac mini with new Intel Haswell processors

Mac Mini
New components for the Mac Mini

It's not a showstopper but Apple also announced a small updated for its Mac mini.

The Mac mini retains its metal puck shape, but Apple has updated the internals with Intel's latest 4th generation Haswell Core processors. On board, there's also integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 and Iris graphics, which Apple promises to deliver up to 90 percent faster graphics performance than the previous generation Mac minis.

Apple is calling the new Mac mini the world's most energy efficient desktop and it comes with the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard plus two Thunderbolt 2 ports.

The Mac mini starts shipping today for a newly reduced price starting at $499 (£399, AU$619). The starting specification comes with a 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 4GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 5000 and a 500GB hard drive.

Small package, lots of power

Stepping up to the $699 (£569, AU$869) model, this higher-end machine affords users a faster 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor. This mid-tier machine also comes with double the RAM and storage space plus Intel Iris Graphics.

Lastly the highest end Mac mini is equipped with a 2.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Graphics, plus 8GB of memory and a 1TB Fusion Drive for $999 (£799, AU$1,249).

  • Every new Mac comes with a shiny new copy of OS X Yosemite, check out our review.
Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee was a former computing reporter at TechRadar. Kevin is now the SEO Updates Editor at IGN based in New York. He handles all of the best of tech buying guides while also dipping his hand in the entertainment and games evergreen content. Kevin has over eight years of experience in the tech and games publications with previous bylines at Polygon, PC World, and more. Outside of work, Kevin is major movie buff of cult and bad films. He also regularly plays flight & space sim and racing games. IRL he's a fan of archery, axe throwing, and board games.