Can confirm

tbh I agree with the others saying the newest Apple chips rarely see deep discounts right at launch. I've been around the block with Mac releases for a decade and usually, the real steals are on the previous gen inventory that retailers are trying to clear out. I actually tried a similar stunt years ago with a custom mini-PC setup in my old ride. I thought it would be the ultimate media center, but man, I learned the hard way about heat management and vibration. Even with no moving parts in these new Minis, the extreme temps inside a parked car in Chicago—both the summer heat and the freezing winters—can really do a number on consumer-grade hardware. It basically turned into a hobby of fixing the setup rather than enjoying the drive. Honestly, the community consensus usually leans toward dedicated mobile hardware for a reason, but if you're dead set on the Mac route, just keep an eye on the big box retailers rather than Apple directly come November.

Honestly its ridiculous how car companies just leave us hanging with these ancient systems! I feel your pain so much. My last car felt like I was using a flip phone from 2004 while the rest of the world moved on. Its such a scam that we pay thousands for these vehicles and the screen is basically a paperweight after three years. Drives me crazy! And then Apple... man, dont even get me started on the prices. They know they have us hooked so they barely budge on those MSRPs even during the big sales. I have been lurking on MacRumors and the AppleInsider forums for ages just watching people lose their minds over the lack of real discounts. Its a total headache! I love the M4 hype but the wait for a decent price is honestly exhausting. Companies really just dont care about the user experience once they have your money. Its frustrating as heck!

Would love to know this too

Hey there! I totally get the frustration with a slow infotainment system. Been there, done that! Thinking about future-proofing with a Mac Mini is a cool idea, though maybe a *little* overkill for just CarPlay/Android Auto, haha.

Honestly, based on my experience, I wouldn't hold your breath for massive Black Friday/Cyber Monday discounts on the *latest* Mac Mini (M4 in your case). Apple stuff tends to hold its value pretty well. You might see *some* deals, like $50-$100 off, or maybe a bundled accessory, but nothing earth-shattering, especially on a brand-new generation. I snagged my M1 Mac Mini (refurbished) a few years back for about $550 after tax; new it was closer to $700. The deals are better on older models.

Instead of waiting a year for a *potential* small discount on the M4, have you considered a really decent used M1 or M2 Mac Mini? You can find them for well under $500, especially closer to Black Friday as people upgrade. Plenty powerful enough for infotainment and general use in your Civic. Pair that with a decent touchscreen display (check out some of the portable ones on Amazon, they're often on sale for around $150-$200), and you're still well within your budget.

I actually use an older iPad Air 4 (refurbished, around $350) tethered to my phone's hotspot in my older truck for navigation and music, and it works great. A used Mac Mini would be even better! Just my two cents. It might be worth looking into a dedicated Android head unit too – those can be surprisingly affordable and integrate seamlessly. Good luck with your search! Let me know if you have other questions, happy to help if I can.

Yeah, that Civic infotainment *is* a relic! While a Mac Mini is a creative solution, have you considered swapping out the head unit entirely? I did that on my old Accord (2015 model) and it was a game-changer. I got a Pioneer DMH-2660NEX for around $400, plus another $150 for the install kit and wiring harness. Works flawlessly with CarPlay and Android Auto, plus much cleaner integration than an external Mac Mini setup. No complaints after 3 years, and honestly, it's less hassle. Just a thought! Let me know if you want shop recommendations in the Chicago area; I had a great experience with 'Audio Aces' near Schaumburg.

I hear you on the infotainment woes! While a Mac Mini is a *really* cool idea, honestly, for under $1000, you might get way more bang for your buck with a modern head unit. I swapped the factory unit in my old Subaru Outback with a Pioneer DMH-2660NEX a few years back – cost me around $400 installed (including the dash kit), and it's got wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. The responsiveness is *amazing* compared to older systems. Plus, you're not tying up a whole Mac Mini! Crutchfield often has sales, so keep an eye out. Black Friday might save you $50-$100, but honestly, the daily frustration isn't worth waiting a whole year, in my opinion! Happy to share more details if you're curious!

Hey! I totally get wanting a better infotainment setup. That old Civic system *is* rough. While the Mac Mini idea is definitely outside the box, I gotta throw in a word of caution from a safety perspective that nobody's really touched on yet.

Honestly, before you dive too deep into the Mac Mini route, I would *strongly* suggest thinking about the reliability and safety aspects of integrating something like that into your car. We're talking about adding a computer that wasn't designed for the extreme temps, vibrations, and electrical environment of a car. I remember back in '08, I tried something similar with a car PC (remember those?!) and it was a total nightmare. Constant crashes, overheating in the summer, and the display flickering like crazy. It was distracting and honestly, pretty unsafe.

Plus, think about the wiring! You'll need to figure out how to properly power the Mini, the display, and any peripherals, and make sure everything is securely mounted. A poorly wired system could be a fire hazard. I'm not saying it can't be done, but be *careful* and make sure to do your research. I would suggest having a professional auto electrician handle the wiring. The cost might eat into your budget, but it's worth it for peace of mind. You might want to consider a shop like 'Auto Audio Experts' in Schaumburg; I've heard good things, but always check reviews.

Instead of jumping straight to the M4, maybe test the waters with a cheaper, used Mini and an inexpensive display *before* committing serious cash. That way, you can see if the whole setup is even feasible and safe for your driving conditions. Remember, the most advanced tech isn't worth risking your safety. Just my two cents! Let me know if you have any questions; I'm happy to share more about my early car PC adventures (and misadventures!).

Hey, I see you're planning way ahead! A Mac Mini in a Civic is… ambitious, let's say. But before you drop serious cash, have you considered doing some actual diagnostics on your current system? I know you said it's slow, but maybe it's not *entirely* the hardware's fault.

Unfortunately, I've been down this road with older cars. A lot of the time, 'slow' infotainment comes down to software bloat. Car manufacturers are terrible at software updates. Before you buy anything, see if there's a hidden 'factory reset' option in your settings. You might be surprised how much that cleans things up. Check your owner's manual or search online for your specific Civic model.

If that doesn't help, start disabling any features you don't use – voice control, apps you never touch, anything that's constantly running in the background. You might be able to free up some RAM and processing power. It's free to try, and you've got nothing to lose!

I had issues with a similar situation in my old Mazda. I was convinced I needed a whole new system. Turns out, after a factory reset and some aggressive app management, it was… not *good*, but certainly usable for another year. Saved me a ton of money.

If *that* fails, then yeah, look at aftermarket solutions. But start with the free, self-service options first. You might be surprised. Good luck!

Hey! I see you're already planning for next year's deals! A Mac Mini in a Civic is definitely thinking outside the box, and I LOVE IT! But before you commit to Apple, let's talk Android! You mentioned Android Auto, so why not go all-in? Have you considered a high-end Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (or even wait for the S10 next year)?

Think about it: a refurbished S9 with cellular (for GPS backup) can be found for around $500-$600, a RAM mount for $50, and you're golden! Plus, you get a fantastic screen built-in! I actually use an older Tab S7 in my beat-up Corolla (needed new tires this year, hence the budget approach!) and it runs Waze, Spotify, and everything else flawlessly. Plus, no need for dongles or adapters! Way cleaner setup!

Black Friday might shave another $50-$100 off. Just food for thought! Happy to share my mounting setup if you're interested!

Hey there! I see you're planning the Mac Mini infotainment upgrade. It's an interesting approach, though I'd pump the brakes a bit before diving in headfirst.

Instead of focusing on the Mac Mini, I'd spend some time figuring out *why* your current system is slow. Is it the head unit itself, or is it just bogged down? It could be a cheap fix! My Civic's infotainment was crawling until I realized it was full of cached data. I did a factory reset and it was like a new system. Total cost: zero dollars and 15 minutes.

Before you spend a grand on a Mini, try some basic troubleshooting. There are tons of Civic forums with tips. If that doesn't work, get a professional opinion from a car audio shop. A diagnostic shouldn't cost more than $100.

Trust me, I get the desire for an upgrade. I was about to drop some serious cash on new winter tires last year, but a quick pressure check and rotation made my old ones last another season. Saved me a bundle!

Good luck, and let us know what you find out!