New Mac Mini's with a built in screen coming?

[bowzer]

Check this out... was browsing the US patents site and found this, posted sept 27th...

http://www.bowzer.net/apple/possible_macmini_screen.jpg

http://www.bowzer.net/apple/possible_macmini_screen2.jpg

[wordmunger]

That looks like a stand-alone display. Perhaps the idea is for it to fit around the mini's housing.

[dornoforpyros]

LAMPY!!!!! :D

[bowzer]

on a side note... one of the inventors names is jesus... who names their kid that? :p

[wordmunger]

on a side note... one of the inventors names is jesus... who names their kid that? :p

It's a very common name in Spanish-speaking countries. Look at all the Mohammeds out there; it's not so unusual.

[bowzer]

^^
learn something new every day i suppose!

[Bear]

If you look at "(22) Division ...", it indicates this was first filed in 2001. This is related to the iLamp G4 and is not a new Mac mini possibility.

Also a Mac mini with a built in display would become an iMac. Imagine that?

[Dont Hurt Me]

If you look at "(22) Division ...", it indicates this was first filed in 2001. This is related to the iLamp G4 and is not a new Mac mini possibility.

Also a Mac mini with a built in display would become an iMac. Imagine that?
Bingo! you said what i didnt need to.

[Chaszmyr]

Take a look at Apple's hardware lineup and let me know where you think there's room for a mac mini with a built in screen anyway. The eMac is basically the same hardware as a mini, except it has a display.. And the iMac is pretty mini, and it has a built in screen.

[Merf]

It looks like a square iMac G4. Yeah weird

Merf

[Lord Blackadder]

Bingo! you said what i didnt need to.

Anyway, wouldn't it just be easier to restart the iMac G4 production line if you wanted to go that route?

I have to say that I liked that rotating screen concept though - as a freestanding display it would attract buyers.

[Sun Baked]

It looks like a square iMac G4. Yeah weird

MerfThe square is the black box used to disguise the iMac G4 from being revealed in the patent filing.

The important part was probably the arm, sort of nice to see Apple finally got a patent for it -- but not so nice to see the timing, after the product has been killed.

[Makosuke]

The important part was probably the arm, sort of nice to see Apple finally got a patent for it -- but not so nice to see the timing, after the product has been killed.Ah, the patent system always works that way. Really from Apple's perspective the only important thing is having applied for it so nobody can copy it while they're selling it until the application is granted or declined, and of course even if they're not selling the product right now it still prevents others from copying it, at least as far as the patent system protects anything worthwhile these days.

[mac-er]

That's just the iMac.

[AJ Muni]

It's a very common name in Spanish-speaking countries. Look at all the Mohammeds out there; it's not so unusual.

lol that hilarious....good way to put it..

[Guitarius]

lol that hilarious....good way to put it..
Funny indeed. I know a few Jesuses (Jesi?) as well as a few Mohommeds. I also know an Isreal.

But to the topic at hand. That looks interesting. I wonder what it is indeed. But yeah. I agree with what has been said earlier. Probably won't do anything with it, just have it incase. A thing that many businesses do. Makes you wonder how many other good ideas they have patents for and haven't put into production.

[zap2]

well im glad they made the iMac G4 a round bottom!! perhaps with is were the idea for the mini started, an headless iMac was the minis name before it came out!!

[Makosuke]

Makes you wonder how many other good ideas they have patents for and haven't put into production.A lot, actually, including tablet computers if memory serves. But of course this particular idea did go into production, it was just done with its run by the time the patent was actually granted. I seem to remember some ancient Newton-related patents being granted just recently, as well.

The patent office, she works slow, and that's when she works at all.

[Guitarius]

A lot, actually, including tablet computers if memory serves. But of course this particular idea did go into production, it was just done with its run by the time the patent was actually granted. I seem to remember some ancient Newton-related patents being granted just recently, as well.

The patent office, she works slow, and that's when she works at all.
An Apple tablet? I would totally buy one.

[Chaszmyr]

An Apple tablet? I would totally buy one.

Steve Jobs said in a press conference a year or so ago that Apple had developed a tablet, and he was very proud of the work that had been done in it, but Apple had decided not to release it.

[joecool85]

Take a look at Apple's hardware lineup and let me know where you think there's room for a mac mini with a built in screen anyway. The eMac is basically the same hardware as a mini, except it has a display.. And the iMac is pretty mini, and it has a built in screen.

Maybe this would replace the eMac :eek:

[mkrishnan]

The square is the black box used to disguise the iMac G4 from being revealed in the patent filing.

Actually, it's a hemispheric dome, but the reality distortion field surrounding it makes it appear like a box on patent filings! :D