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I really don't like when reviewers test the high end configuration only. This makes the review pretty useless for most of us who may be considering a lower spec

I really don't like when reviewers test the high end configuration only. This makes the review pretty useless for most of us who may be considering a lower spec.

bluedino 8y ago
Car manufacturers rarely send their low end models out to reviews as well.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- hi5eyes 8y ago
  and Ferrari sends tuned versions of the car
  - LeonM 8y ago
    Basically all performance car manufacturers send out cars to journalists with a higher power setting, top tier tires, optimized suspension settings, etc. But journalists know that.
  - reaperducer 8y ago
    Some car companies not only send out tuned versions of the cars, but a team to tune the car during the review. You see this on The Grand Tour all the time.
leejoramo 8y ago
Well it was an early Apple provided review unit. But more than that, Marco Arment actually uses high end rigs in his daily work and describes pushing them to the limit. It is highly appropriate for Marco to review a Mac Mini with high end specs, and I find it informative
minikites 8y ago
He did test one thing to match a lower end configuration: >Interestingly, I disabled Turbo Boost to simulate the base i3 model’s thermals, and couldn’t get the fan to spin up audibly, no matter what I did. Those who prioritize silence under heavy loads should probably stick with the i3.
- maxxxxx 8y ago
  This is a pretty questionable methodology. I don't think it teaches us much about lower end configs.
notatoad 8y ago
I agree with you, but somehow i feel like Marco gets a pass - he's not really trying to run a tech review site to give this thing an objective score, it's his personal blog and his opinion and this is the model he finds interesting. I know it's probably not fair to give him a pass on reviewing the top-end, because really it is a review and should be held to the same standard as other reviews, but something about his tone makes me not care so much.
- bstar77 8y ago
  He said specifically that it's the model Apple decided to send him for review, so he had no choice.
SyneRyder 8y ago
What would you want to see tested in the i3 8GB model?
- maxxxxx 8y ago
  Test how it performs? Maybe some benchmarks? Or even compare it to the high end model?
Joeri 8y ago
Here’s a review of the entry-level model: https://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/06/mac-mini-2018-review-apples-mightiest-mini-yet https://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/06/mac-mini-2... It outperforms every previous mac mini, and doesn’t benchmark that far below the 2018 i7 macbook pro. This is a desktop i3, the desktop-class cpu’s are a different performance class from the mobile line.

I really don't like when reviewers test the high end configuration only. This makes the review pretty useless for most of us who may be considering a lower spec.

bluedino 8y ago

Car manufacturers rarely send their low end models out to reviews as well.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
hi5eyes 8y ago
and Ferrari sends tuned versions of the car
- LeonM 8y ago
  Basically all performance car manufacturers send out cars to journalists with a higher power setting, top tier tires, optimized suspension settings, etc. But journalists know that.
- reaperducer 8y ago
  Some car companies not only send out tuned versions of the cars, but a team to tune the car during the review. You see this on The Grand Tour all the time.

leejoramo 8y ago

Well it was an early Apple provided review unit. But more than that, Marco Arment actually uses high end rigs in his daily work and describes pushing them to the limit. It is highly appropriate for Marco to review a Mac Mini with high end specs, and I find it informative

minikites 8y ago

He did test one thing to match a lower end configuration: >Interestingly, I disabled Turbo Boost to simulate the base i3 model’s thermals, and couldn’t get the fan to spin up audibly, no matter what I did. Those who prioritize silence under heavy loads should probably stick with the i3.

maxxxxx 8y ago
This is a pretty questionable methodology. I don't think it teaches us much about lower end configs.

notatoad 8y ago

I agree with you, but somehow i feel like Marco gets a pass - he's not really trying to run a tech review site to give this thing an objective score, it's his personal blog and his opinion and this is the model he finds interesting. I know it's probably not fair to give him a pass on reviewing the top-end, because really it is a review and should be held to the same standard as other reviews, but something about his tone makes me not care so much.

bstar77 8y ago
He said specifically that it's the model Apple decided to send him for review, so he had no choice.

SyneRyder 8y ago

What would you want to see tested in the i3 8GB model?

maxxxxx 8y ago
Test how it performs? Maybe some benchmarks? Or even compare it to the high end model?

Joeri 8y ago

Here’s a review of the entry-level model: https://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/06/mac-mini-2018-review-apples-mightiest-mini-yet https://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/18/11/06/mac-mini-2... It outperforms every previous mac mini, and doesn’t benchmark that far below the 2018 i7 macbook pro. This is a desktop i3, the desktop-class cpu’s are a different performance class from the mobile line.