Mac vs HaC
Below is a comprehensive comparsion between the various 2018 Mac minis and the two Hades Canyon NUCs. The source for most data are linked in the first row, otherwise it is linked in the individual cell.
General buying advice for Mac mini is if you require high CPU performance and do not care about GPU performance, if you need extra TB3 ports, or if you need the lightest and most power efficient computer (per litere). You should get a Hades Canyon NUC if you need any GPU performance, value extendibility, or require many more ports than what the Mac mini has to offer.
Processor
SKU
I3-8100B
I5-8500B
I7-8700B
i7-8705G
i7-8809G
Cores/Threads
4/4
6/6
6/12
4/8
4/8
Geekbench SC
Geekbench MC
Graphics
GPU
Intel UHD 630
Intel UHD 630
Intel UHD 630
AMD Vega M GL
AMD Vega M GH
GPU Passmark
Memory
RAM
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
0GB DDR4*
0GB DDR4*
RAM Connector
2xSO-DIMM
2xSO-DIMM
2xSO-DIMM
2xSO-DIMM
2xSO-DIMM
Storage
128GB
256GB
256GB
0GB*
0GB*
SSD Connector
Soldered
Soldered
Soldered
M.2 NGFF
M.2 NGFF
Connectivity
Ethernet
1x1Gb**
1x1Gb**
1x1Gb**
2x1Gb
2x1Gb
Wi-Fi
802.11ac
802.11ac
802.11ac
802.11ac***
802.11ac***
Bluetooth
BT5.0
BT5.0
BT5.0
BT4.0***
BT4.0***
Ports
USB-A Ports
2
2
2
5
5
USB-C Ports
4
4
4
3
3
TB3 Ports
4
4
4
2
2
SDXC Port
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
HDMI Ports
1
1
1
2
2
Mini-DP Ports
0
0
0
2
2
Type-C DP Ports
4
4
4
2
2
Max 4K Displays
3
3
3
6
6
3.5" Jack
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Audio
Speaker
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Microphones
0
0
0
4
4
Power
Max Power
150W
150W
150W
230W
230W
Power Brick
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Size
Volume
1.4L
1.4L
1.4L
1.2L
1.2L
Footprint
19.7x19.7cm
19.7x19.7cm
19.7x19.7cm
22x14cm
22x14cm
Weight
1.3kg
1.3kg
1.3kg
Price
MSRP****
$799
$1,099
$1,299
$799
$999
*NUC kits typically do not come with RAM/SSD unless as part of some bundle deal.
**Mac mini can be configured for 10Gb Ethernet for $100 extra.
***Requires replacing the wireless card for OSX to work.
****Apple products rarely sell under MSRP while NUCs can often be found on sale for as much as 20% off.
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