Apple Mac Mini A1993 MRTT2LL/A 2018, Core i7-8700B, 64GB, 1TB SSD, Space Gray

A refurb 2018 Mac mini with a massive 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for $700. The 99th percentile reliability is the standout spec, and it runs current macOS Sequoia. But the integrated graphics are weak and the CPU is dated, so this is a machine for developers and office work, not gaming or GPU-heavy tasks. Buy it for the memory and dependability, not the speed.

The i7-8700B is a 6-core, 12-thread chip with a 3.2GHz base clock. In 2025 terms, it's not going to win any races. Our database puts the CPU in the 17th percentile for this category, which means it lags behind most modern desktops. But here's the thing: for the kind of work this machine is built for, raw CPU speed matters less than you'd think. Compiling code, running local servers, editing documents, and general multitasking all feel snappy because the 64GB of RAM means the system rarely touches swap. The 1TB NVMe SSD helps too, with storage performance landing in the 73rd percentile, well above average for this class.

The integrated UHD 630 graphics are the bottleneck. This is a 38th percentile GPU, which translates to fine for desktop compositing and video playback, but a real letdown for anything 3D. Don't expect to edit 4K video smoothly or play anything beyond light indie games. The gaming score of 15.9 out of 100 tells the story. If your workflow leans on GPU acceleration, this is not your machine. But if you're running a home server, a development box, or a business workstation for office tasks, the CPU and RAM combo will carry you further than the percentile numbers suggest.

Stacked against the Lenovo Legion 90YA003GUS or the HP OMEN GT16-0364, this Mac mini looks outgunned. Those are gaming desktops with discrete GPUs and much faster CPUs. The Legion and OMEN will absolutely destroy the Mac mini in any graphics workload, and their CPUs are multiple generations newer. But they're also bigger, louder, and draw way more power. The Mac mini sips electricity and makes almost no noise. It's a different tool for a different job.

The Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 and Acer Nitro N60-180-UB33 are closer in spirit to general-purpose desktops, but they still pack discrete graphics and newer CPUs. The ASUS ROG G700TF-U7KF5070 is in another league entirely for gaming. What none of these competitors offer is macOS, the 99th percentile reliability, or the tiny footprint. If you need a quiet, dependable Mac for development or office work, none of these Windows boxes are actually competitors. If you need gaming or GPU performance, every single one of them beats the Mac mini handily.

At $700 USD for a refurb unit, this is a tricky value proposition. You're paying for the Apple tax, the reliability reputation, and that huge 64GB of RAM. A comparable Windows mini PC with similar specs would cost less, but it wouldn't run macOS and it wouldn't have the same build quality. The 1TB SSD sweetens the deal since storage is usually where refurb sellers cheap out. You're getting a full terabyte of NVMe, which is solid for this price point.

The value equation changes depending on what you need. If you're a developer who wants a quiet macOS machine for CI builds or a home server, $700 for this config is reasonable. The 99th percentile reliability means you're unlikely to deal with hardware failures. But if you're a general user who just wants a desktop for browsing and office work, you can get more raw performance for less money elsewhere. The premium here is for the Apple ecosystem and the longevity, not the speed.

The Mac mini A1993 is one of those machines that quietly outlives its spec sheet. On paper it's an Intel box from 2018, but the config here is unusual: a 6-core i7-8700B, a frankly absurd 64GB of DDR4, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. That's a lot of memory for a machine this size, and it's the kind of thing that makes this little aluminum square interesting years after Apple moved on to their own silicon. This is a refurb unit running macOS Sequoia, so someone has already done the work of keeping it current.

Who is this for? People who need macOS on a budget, developers who want a quiet always-on machine, or anyone running memory-hungry workflows that don't need a discrete GPU. The 64GB of RAM puts it in the 93rd percentile for this category, which is wild for a mini desktop. You can run multiple VMs, Docker containers, and a pile of browser tabs without breaking a sweat. The integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics are the obvious weak spot, landing in the 38th percentile, so don't expect to game on this thing.

The reliability story is the real headline. This Mac mini sits in the 99th percentile for reliability in our database. That's the absolute best right now. These little boxes are known for running cool and quiet for years, and the refurb process seems to have kept that reputation intact. The 4.6 out of 5 rating from a small handful of buyers backs that up, though we'd love more data points.

Gamers should absolutely skip this. The gaming score of 15.9 out of 100 is one of the worst we've seen for this category, and the integrated UHD 630 graphics can't handle modern titles at any reasonable settings. If you want to play games, look at the Lenovo Legion or HP OMEN instead. Video editors and 3D artists should also steer clear. The GPU is too weak for smooth 4K editing or rendering, and the CPU is a generation behind what you'd want for those workloads.

If you're a general user who just wants a fast desktop for everyday tasks, you can get more performance for less money with a Windows machine. The $700 price tag is justified by the macOS ecosystem and the reliability record, not by raw speed. If you don't specifically need macOS or the tiny form factor, a mid-range Windows desktop will feel snappier for the same price. This Mac mini is for people who know exactly why they want it: macOS, massive RAM, and a machine that won't die.

For developers, home server enthusiasts, and macOS loyalists on a budget, this Mac mini is a compelling buy. The 64GB of RAM is the star of the show, letting you run virtual machines, containers, and memory-hungry apps without compromise. The 1TB SSD gives you room to breathe, and the reliability record means you can set it up and forget about it. At $700, it's a fair price for a machine that will likely outlast cheaper alternatives.

For anyone who needs graphics performance, look elsewhere. The integrated UHD 630 is fine for desktop use but falls flat for gaming, video editing, or 3D work. The CPU is also showing its age, so if you're doing heavy computational work, a newer machine will serve you better. This Mac mini is a specialist: a quiet, dependable, memory-rich macOS box. If that's what you need, it's one of the best options in its class. If it's not, you'll be frustrated by its limitations.