best gpu for macbook pro external 2018 video editing

Intel's b-series processors are soldered/integrated versions of their full desktop chips, and this one was pretty impressive, though the i3 model in my test unit doesn't support either hyperthreading or turbo boost speeds, in case those things are important to you.

I tested the entry-level $799 model, which comes with a quad-core, 3.6GHz Intel Core ii3-8100b processor, Intel UHD 630 graphics, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Unfortunately, shared controllers mean those Thunderbolt ports can only support two displays but add in the HDMI and you can run three 4K monitors from the Mini (or one 5K and one 4K display).Ĭompared to previous Minis, you do lose the analog microphone input, but considering USB-based digital-analog converters are plentiful and effective, that's not a huge loss. The connectivity options make the new Mini easy to customize, with the option to add external SSDs, external GPUS or whatever else you might need. Apple has been so aggressive about removing useful ports I was worried we'd see a box with nothing but a pair of USB-C inputs. It also sports a full-size HDMI port and two old-school USB-3 Type-A ports. There's Ethernet, a headphone jack and four USB-C connections (supporting Thunderbolt 3). The most impressive thing about the new Mini is its selection of ports. Despite this, the 2018 Mini has a few flaws that will probably keep it from being the best choice for most people. Still, I was impressed with the Mini's performance, and it's the cheapest way to get a macOS machine. In the past four years, micro PCs have vastly improved, and most of the major manufacturers now offer a tiny Windows machine. (It's also now made entirely from recycled aluminum, as is the new MacBook Air.) With vastly improved components, the Mini is now a viable competitor in the compact-desktop market.Īnd it does have competition. This new model retains the unibody design that we loved on the 2014 edition but sports a sleek space-gray color - a first for the Mini line. The lack of updates over the past four years left a lot of us wondering if we'd ever see a new model.įortunately, Apple has rectified the situation with the 2018 Mini. Amazingly, until last month the 2014 Mini was still available on Apple's web store for $500. Add in the fact that aside from storage it was not upgradable, and you had a computer that left a lot of users unhappy.

This meant it was actually slower at some tasks than the computer it was supposed to replace. After offering quad-core CPUs on the 20 editions, the 2014 model was stuck with a dual-core CPU. Its last update, in 2014, was disappointing.

Best gpu for macbook pro external 2018 video editing