Mac Mini 2012 - base spec 1080p/3d?

matt100 · 5 Jan 2013 at 14:56

Quick question, I'm considering getting a current model base spec mac mini to replace my C2D one which I currently use for my HTPC.

I want to start playing back 1080p MKV/MP4 content, maybe even 3D.. will the current mac mini do that without an issue via XBMC?

I'm happy to bump the RAM if required.

steveo · 5 Jan 2013 at 15:13

no problems on my mini 2010 with 1080p 3d content using plex, so xbmc shouldn't be a problem

matt100 · 5 Jan 2013 at 15:19

Does the 2010 have a discreet GFX card? The 2012 is intel hd3000 and I've no idea how good that is?

uniQ · 5 Jan 2013 at 16:10

2010 Geforce 320M
2011 HD3000 and the upgraded model used a Radeon 6630M
2012 uses onboard HD4000.

Benchmarks:

matt100 · 5 Jan 2013 at 18:26

hmm, so the older one is much better?

steveo what's in yours?

steveo · 5 Jan 2013 at 18:38

2.4ghz
500Gb WD Blue
8Gb Ram
320M

works fine for my needs, enabled GPU acceleration in plex and it takes the pressure of the cpu for media

uniQ · 5 Jan 2013 at 19:03

matt100 said:
hmm, so the older one is much better?

No, last years upgraded model with the Radeon has a better GPU than the 2012 HD4000. In every other respect the 2012 model is superior.

matt100 · 5 Jan 2013 at 19:38

uniQ said:
No, last years upgraded model with the Radeon has a better GPU than the 2012 HD4000. In every other respect the 2012 model is superior.

thats kinda what I meant, I use the mac solely for video playback.

to be honest there are likely much cheaper solutions for my needs available but I'm comfortable with the mac.

If only they'd jailbreak the ATV3 lol!

pingwing · 5 Jan 2013 at 19:49

Well my 2012 mac mini with the hd4000 can do pretty much anything I throw at it (put 16gig of ram in and 2 m4's) so there really shouldn't be any problems playing hd films and 3d