Mac Mini End Of Life?

[Bootsy]

Here it is. An obviously fake mockup of the exact thing I want. I really hope this shows up on Oct. 14 - I've been waiting a long, long time.

Actually, it's pretty pathetic that I've been checking this thread for over a year. "Hoping and speculating" about the release of a consumer product, however dire the perceived 'need', is incredibly lame. What I need to do is check my priorities.

Anyway, I really really hope this is what's coming!!!

[Ironduke]

Here it is. An obviously fake mockup of the exact thing I want. I really hope this shows up on Oct. 14 - I've been waiting a long, long time.

Actually, it's pretty pathetic that I've been checking this thread for over a year. "Hoping and speculating" about the release of a consumer product, however dire the perceived 'need', is incredibly lame. What I need to do is check my priorities.

Anyway, I really really hope this is what's coming!!!

too small no thanks

[Superman07]

Depending on the size of a dedicated graphics card - an orientation - it should be about the same size as a Shuttle small box.

[opeter]

too small no thanks

I second that!

Depending on the size of a dedicated graphics card - an orientation - it should be about the same size as a Shuttle small box.

Well, if we get new integrated GPU, the size/format of the Mac mini can stay the same. But if we would like to see dedicated graphic card, than yes, the Shuttle box could be the format, or even better, Apple bring back the Cube...

[marbles]

Here it is. An obviously fake mockup of the exact thing I want. I really hope this shows up on Oct. 14 - I've been waiting a long, long time.

Actually, it's pretty pathetic that I've been checking this thread for over a year. "Hoping and speculating" about the release of a consumer product, however dire the perceived 'need', is incredibly lame. What I need to do is check my priorities.

Anyway, I really really hope this is what's coming!!!

I've been waiting probably as long as your self but that mockup is way to small ....lets add some meat eh ....I'm firmly in the updated Cube camp

[Ironduke]

people think they can cut the mini down like that and it will be as powerful as before, which is highly unlikely, ontop of that the current mini is quiet even going at full speed, a mini as small as the pic above would sound like a macbook when its at 70 degrees. No thanks.

The more I hear about this nvidia chipset in the macbook, the more I believe this is what the mini will get, it aint superfast but its 2x anything intel have produced.

[Bootsy]

Yes, I'm with you guys; it does look too small in the mockup. What I like (and why I posted) are the features listed: mini including AppleTV functionality and BluRay. I don't care how big it is. Quiet and at a reasonable price point are important though.

[CWallace]

The Blu-ray drive itself is about that large, when you take into account the necessary enclosure.

[zombitronic]

Here it is. An obviously fake mockup of the exact thing I want. I really hope this shows up on Oct. 14 - I've been waiting a long, long time.

Actually, it's pretty pathetic that I've been checking this thread for over a year. "Hoping and speculating" about the release of a consumer product, however dire the perceived 'need', is incredibly lame. What I need to do is check my priorities.

Anyway, I really really hope this is what's coming!!!

What kind of ports are on the back of your fake mockup?

[aznguyen316]

If a new Mac Mini is presented this month at a good price, I would consider it..

[Ironduke]

For me Apple has to put hdmi out on the next mini, they also need to redesign it to allow desktop Hardrives, I know we are moving towards SSD but the mini is a Budget machine (anyway if you can fit a 3.5 drive now, you could fit 2 SSD's later). The Mini Needs a redesign too, would like powerful gfx chip but that aint gonna happen, aslong as the chip can handle hd video easily without bring the CPU to a crawl I will be happy. Bluray support would be nice but seeing how much apple would charge for a drive I would crack open the mini and fit my own (If you have ever opened up an ibook, the mini will be a POC)
Wireless N is a Cert I think. 2GB ram standard 4GB and Possibly 8GB option. Finally Apple's CPU Bumps are crap a 200mhz margin is lame between standard and Top of the range

One more thing they should release the mini in Nano Colors

[specialbuddy]

I don't see it having bluray or dedicated memory. If it did it would cost 1200 dollars.

[yrsonicdeath]

One more thing they should release the mini in Nano Colors

I personally wouldnt buy such a thing, and IMOI'm willing to bet most people don't want red, blue, orange, etc. computers.

[iDave]

I personally wouldnt buy such a thing, and IMOI'm willing to bet most people don't want red, blue, orange, etc. computers.
In the late 90s, red, blue and orange computers saved the company. Perhaps now is different though and I doubt Apple would want to do that.

[opeter]

In the late 90s, red, blue and orange computers saved the company. Perhaps now is different though and I doubt Apple would want to do that.

Fully agreed. The color iMacs and iBooks are now history, i think we will not see colored computers from Apple soon...

[yrsonicdeath]

With the iMac now being aluminum and Macbook rumored to do the same. I think it's unlikely that they'd change toward this after finally having one look throughout the entire line.

[Ironduke]

I personally wouldnt buy such a thing, and IMOI'm willing to bet most people don't want red, blue, orange, etc. computers.

its all about choice funboy, colorware do very well for themselves

personally I would like either nano purble or blue mac mini:D

[Eric S.]

In the late 90s, red, blue and orange computers saved the company.

The '90s? :eek: That's so twentieth century! ;)

[iDave]

The '90s? :eek: That's so twentieth century! ;)
But now we're in the zeros, so no more colored Macs.

[econoline06]

I see this ridiculous thread is still active. Amazing.

[Eric S.]

I see this ridiculous thread is still active. Amazing.

Yup, kind of like the Mac mini.

[t0mat0]

Yup, kind of like the Mac mini.

This thread has more legs than the Mac mini currently though!

[Dont Hurt Me]

I see this ridiculous thread is still active. Amazing.Watch it now, The Mini is clearly a very loved and sought after machine!

With a simple installation of a real GPU to take the place of Intelcrapo graphics it would be Ultra SuperFantastic.

I just hope Apple doesnt turn it into another Pod thingy.

Long live the Mini!:D

[marbles]

I see this ridiculous thread is still active. Amazing.

Oh yes , just like the Mini ...Amazing ! , the only ridiculous thing is that the Mini hasn't been updated for a l-o-n-g time...

..roll on update day & VIVE LE Mini :D

[Adamo]

I would love one with HDMI and wireless video to a monitor, it'd save me having to take it from the TV and put it next to the monitor. Or maybe I should just get a really long video cable.. hmm.

[CWallace]

Well MacSoda (http://macsoda.com/2008/09/18/new-nvidia-chipset-for-use-in-new-macbook/) has "confirmed" the new MacBook (and likely MacBook Air) will use the new nVidia MCP7A-U chipset which has "the world's fastest integrated GPU" and the chipset launch was moved from late last month to October 14. ;)

So hopefully the Mac Mini transitions to this platform, as well, by the end of the year. If it does not, I think that would be another nail in the platform's coffin.

[Eidorian]

Well MacSoda (http://macsoda.com/2008/09/18/new-nvidia-chipset-for-use-in-new-macbook/) has "confirmed" the new MacBook (and likely MacBook Air) will use the new nVidia MCP7A-U chipset which has "the world's fastest integrated GPU" and the chipset launch was moved from late last month to October 14. ;)

So hopefully the Mac Mini transitions to this platform, as well, by the end of the year. If it does not, I think that would be another nail in the platform's coffin.TUAW as well. (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/04/rumor-nvidia-powered-macbooks-on-october-14th/)

It'll be great if it's true.

[mjteix]

Well MacSoda (http://macsoda.com/2008/09/18/new-nvidia-chipset-for-use-in-new-macbook/) has "confirmed" the new MacBook (and likely MacBook Air) will use the new nVidia MCP7A-U chipset which has "the world's fastest integrated GPU" and the chipset launch was moved from late last month to October 14. ;)

So hopefully the Mac Mini transitions to this platform, as well, by the end of the year. If it does not, I think that would be another nail in the platform's coffin.

The MCP7A-U is a DESKTOP chipset.

http://en.expreview.com/img/2008/04/10/MCP7A_specication-chart.png

Even though Hybrid SLI doesn't seem to be all that exciting these days Nvidia is not about to slow down on the propaganda for the technology and is still working on making it available for Intel platforms. The MCP7A-U (GeForce 9400) and MCP7A-S (GeForce 9300) are the first LGA775-supporting chipsets that will feature Hybrid SLI and they are supposed to arrive around mid-August.
The two new silicon chips will have similar specs but will differ in integrated graphics power with the GeForce 9400 being, of course, faster. While both chipset will have 16 Stream Processors, the 9300 will have to settle for core and shader clocks of 450 and 1200 MHz respectively while the 9400 will reach 580 MHz and 1500 MHz. Getting back to the specs, the GeForce 9400 and 9300 will have support for the latest 1333 MHz FSB LGA775 processors, one PCI-Express 2.0 slot (each), DDR2-800 or DDR3-1333 memory support, six SATA 3.0 Gbps ports and Gigabit Ethernet. In terms of connectivity, Nvidia's chips will provide everything from VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort.
You can get a glimpse on a few GeForce 9x00 motherboards here (http://www.tcmagazine.com/comments.php?id=20304&catid=2&highlight=hybrid)


If Apple would use nvidia chipsets on notebooks, it could be the MCP79 (http://www.guru3d.com/newsitem.php?id=6859), for which very few current information is available, let alone the release date...

[cbrain]

I see this ridiculous thread is still active. Amazing.

I remember its creation...

[CWallace]

The MCP7A-U is a DESKTOP chipset.

Maybe nVidia has designed a version that works with Socket P mobile CPUs?

If it only works with desktop LGA775 CPUs, then why push back the launch to the same day as Apple is rumored to release new laptops? All that would happen is a guarantee that it would be lost in the shadows of Apple's news.

Or maybe Intel has pulled another rabbit out of their hat and created a Wolfdale with a 35W TDP. :p

[ballyhoos]

Any thoughts?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6352669&postcount=470

[marbles]

Any thoughts?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6352669&postcount=470

was thinking same

[Eidorian]

Maybe nVidia has designed a version that works with Socket P mobile CPUs?MCP79 is the mobile version.

[iDave]

Any thoughts?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6352669&postcount=470
Well, one of my principal objections to the iMac, that you must discard the display when you need a better computer, would be gone. This leaves the problem that current iMac displays might not work with future computers, if the docking mechanism is revised. Not such a great idea, IMO, but it might let the mini concept live on.

[puffnstuff]

mac mini will only die when the atv has games and an optical

[iDave]

I think soon they will just merge the mac mini with the atv i.e the atv will some day have an optical. The mini is main use is in the living room and they know this so why have two devices competing?
I disagree. AppleTV is a $229 device. Mac mini is a $599 device. There's no way of converging them without increasing the AppleTV entry price considerably. Despite what you might read online about people using Mac minis as HTPCs, I suspect there are far more people using them as computers, not even knowing minis can be connected to TVs.

There's no way Apple will sell a full-fledged Mac for less than $300 and most people won't pay more for any set-top device.

It would be nice if the mini would get the HDMI port of the AppleTV so more people would consider it for TV use, but I doubt that will happen until Apple's displays also have HDMI. (Maybe next year?)

[puffnstuff]

snip

I know mac mini is used as an every day computer I had one and thats what I used it for. But macbook and imac prices are going to drop. Once that happens people will gravitate to those more.

So that leaves the htpc users. Maybe someday AtV will have blue-ray and open up the itunes games. That wouldn't make it more expensive then it is now. Blue ray prices will drop tremendously like all other things.

[iDave]

So that leaves the htpc users. Maybe someday AtV will have blue-ray and open up the itunes games. That wouldn't make it more expensive then it is now. Blue ray prices will drop tremendously like all other things.
I won't buy an AppleTV until you can surf the internet, check your email, play all varieties of video files, etc. In other words, never. I'm sure an optical drive would make it more appealing to some but I doubt Apple wants to do that, seeing as AppleTV is their way of selling online movies and TV shows. I'd love to be proven wrong. If the Mac mini is discontinued in favor of MacBooks and AppleTV only, I guess I'll connect a MacBook to my TV. :)

[puffnstuff]

I won't buy an AppleTV until you can surf the internet, check your email, play all varieties of video files, etc. In other words, never. I'm sure an optical drive would make it more appealing to some but I doubt Apple wants to do that, seeing as AppleTV is their way of selling online movies and TV shows. I'd love to be proven wrong. If the Mac mini is discontinued in favor of MacBooks and AppleTV only, I guess I'll connect a MacBook to my TV. :)

I hope I am wrong and they do not discontinue the mac mini because I had plans to get another one and use it as an htpc.

But with the more aggressive pricing Apple is said to have soon I just don't know people who like the mini because its a cheap way to get osx may want an iMac or Macbook instead.

[iDave]

...But with the more aggressive pricing Apple is said to have soon I just don't know people who like the mini because its a cheap way to get osx may want an iMac or Macbook instead.
Rumors have been floating that the MacBook might drop to $999 and maybe even $899. That, to me, doesn't make a mini replacement so I don't think you have anything to worry about. The mini will live on, just like this thread. :eek:

[puffnstuff]

Rumors have been floating that the MacBook might drop to $999 and maybe even $899. That, to me, doesn't make a mini replacement so I don't think you have anything to worry about. The mini will live on, just like this thread. :eek:

I can't wait to see what the new prices will be for the entire computer lineup both desktop and notebook. Once I see those then I can speculate until then the mini is not dead.

Heh I never bothered to post in this thread until now. It's a yr old happy birthday to this thread and un-updated mac minis.

[cbrain]

It's a yr old happy birthday to this thread.

Still 10 days to go. :)

[marbles]

This new manufacturing process that is all the talk on the front page.....surely this is good news for the Mini......

....thoughts ?

[t0mat0]

Well, done right, aluminium can be a great conductor of heat in a computer alongside or instead of fans. It would mean the box design wouldn't have to be so rigid. Would they change the mini though? Just thinking why, as the Time Capsule, Airport Extreme, etc all have a similar design. Would they move all these over as well? I'd imagine they'd be rolling out MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, then other models.

Maybe we'll be pleasantly suprised come October 14th. We will be getting the teaser press information in ~2 days too :)

[Ironduke]

This new manufacturing process that is all the talk on the front page.....surely this is good news for the Mini......

....thoughts ?

maybe they can create the mini without that crappy plastic top:cool:

[CWallace]

MCP79 is the mobile version.

Which could imply that nVidia will launch both the MCP7A-U and MCP79 on the 14th.

[FieryFurnace]

Maybe we'll be pleasantly suprised come October 14th. We will be getting the teaser press information in ~2 days too :)

For someone who is new to the whole Mac Rumor world.
How do I have to imagine a day like Oct14?

Will there be some official announcement posted on the Apple website or just some more "detailed" rumors?

Sorry for those questions, but the whole thing makes me somehow excited! :D

[opeter]

There are many mac-sites who will make live-report (on they blogs, website etc.) at the time the Apple Event will go on.

Apple will publish the new or refreshed product(s) on their frontpage (but thats rather after the keynote event).

Sorry for my english.

[TheDPR]

For someone who is new to the whole Mac Rumor world.
How do I have to imagine a day like Oct14?

Will there be some official announcement posted on the Apple website or just some more "detailed" rumors?

Sorry for those questions, but the whole thing makes me somehow excited! :D

I think the keynote is usually streamed live over the internet. You can then see iLeader promote the new releases live in real time.

[iDave]

I think the keynote is usually streamed live over the internet. You can then see iLeader promote the new releases live in real time.
Once upon a time. Not anymore. There won't be any minis on October 14 anyway, so don't get too excited.

[Eidorian]

Which could imply that nVidia will launch both the MCP7A-U and MCP79 on the 14th.Actually the MCP7A-U and MCP7A-S have been delayed several times already.

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9536&Itemid=1

[Ironduke]

makes you wonder if its a show it now buy it early december:(

[CWallace]

Actually the MCP7A-U and MCP7A-S have been delayed several times already.

Well nVidia is announcing something that works in a laptop on the 14th... :confused:

[Ironduke]

Well nVidia is announcing something that works in a laptop on the 14th... :confused:

will it have gone into apple production by then? This is worrying me now that we wont see anything until Mac World

[CWallace]

will it have gone into apple production by then? This is worrying me now that we wont see anything until Mac World

nVidia pushed back said announcement from late September to October 14th.

If it is not going into an Apple product, then either Apple is not announcing anything on the 14th and nVidia knows it, or nVidia doesn't want anyone to notice their announcement (since it will be buried by any Apple announcement). :p

[kmiahali]

it might be posted on the apple website. who knows only time can tell. we all know apple always pleases the customers so there won't any big confusion.:apple:

[MrZebra]

we all know apple always pleases the customers

yeah right :rolleyes:

[mjteix]

nVidia pushed back said announcement from late September to October 14th.

If it is not going into an Apple product, then either Apple is not announcing anything on the 14th and nVidia knows it, or nVidia doesn't want anyone to notice their announcement (since it will be buried by any Apple announcement). :p

Maybe the announcement has been pushed to after the 14th to really be buried. If this is true (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/10/07/analyst_nvidia_chipset_rumour/).

[marbles]

Maybe the announcement has been pushed to after the 14th to really be buried. If this is true (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/10/07/analyst_nvidia_chipset_rumour/).

that is interesting reading !....could that be why Apple has purchased
(if rumours are correct) they're chips for the upcoming refreshes ?...just a thought .

[NyMetsFan08]

Hey how's it going? I just bought a brand new factory sealed mac mini not even opened yet. I am still debating if I should or should I sell it. It's a 1.83ghz model I also bought a brand new set of Bose Companion 2 speakers not even opened. So the question is should I wait until Oct 14th and see? or just sell it now and if nothing happens buy it back.

[reflex]

I'd keep it, use it for a year or so and then see what my options are.

[dwl017]

Hey how's it going? I just bought a brand new factory sealed mac mini not even opened yet. I am still debating if I should or should I sell it. It's a 1.83ghz model I also bought a brand new set of Bose Companion 2 speakers not even opened. So the question is should I wait until Oct 14th and see? or just sell it now and if nothing happens buy it back.

You have been a MR member since July 2008 and you didnt know that a new Mini might be coming out?

[NyMetsFan08]

You have been a MR member since July 2008 and you didnt know that a new Mini might be coming out?
I knew that there was going to be a new one released. Ive waited so long I figured maybe Macworld 2009.

[dwl017]

Someone cue up the music at midnight on the 14th all together now!

http://www.ilovewavs.com/Holidays/NewYears/Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Glen%20Miller.wav

Some of you will be way to young to have any idea what this song is all about:p

[TheDPR]

Once upon a time. Not anymore. There won't be any minis on October 14 anyway, so don't get too excited.

:eek: That's disappointing.

Oh well. There are play-by-plays of the keynote everywhere. Probably someone or three will be doing one in this forum, even.

I don't see how they can release ANY new Mac without at least bumping the Mini. It's already so far behind the rest of the lineup that it's not even funny.

[jdwingnut]

Someone cue up the music at midnight on the 14th all together now!

http://www.ilovewavs.com/Holidays/NewYears/Auld%20Lang%20Syne%20-%20Glen%20Miller.wav

Some of you will be way to young to have any idea what this song is all about:p

Thanks, that was nice. Not sure what it has to do with the Mac Mini or any other rumors, but enjoyed it just the same.

[joaoferro37]

I use my 1.25G Mac mini s my download computer and hook up to my HD TV.
For my storage, I use RAIDStream Twin http://www.amazon.com/RAIDSTREAM-TWIN-Trayless-Multi-stream-Uncompressed/dp/B001CNCLVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223432520&sr=8-1
and set up as RAID 1, just like Drobo but a lot of cheaper.
I hve the same setup for my Mac Cube in my game room as well.

[opeter]

joaoferro37, than what is you main (workstation) computer? Could you write your specs?

[Clive At Five]

So here's a question to promote some new conversation:

If Apple launches a new Mini with the same/similar formfactor, will resale values of older minis go up or down?

If Apple launches a new "MacNano" with an ultra-slim formfactor, will resale values of older minis go up or down?

-Clive

[iDave]

If Apple launches a new Mini with the same/similar formfactor, will resale values of older minis go up or down?

If Apple launches a new "MacNano" with an ultra-slim formfactor, will resale values of older minis go up or down?

I think regardless, resale values will remain unchanged or down only slightly. I've been amazed at the high prices for minis sold on eBay. Even the G4s are much more than I would expect. In many cases minis on eBay sell for more than refurbs with warranties at the Apple Store. :confused:

[ecompuplus]

So here's a question to promote some new conversation:

If Apple launches a new Mini with the same/similar formfactor, will resale values of older minis go up or down?

If Apple launches a new "MacNano" with an ultra-slim formfactor, will resale values of older minis go up or down?

-Clive
Keep in mind that the value of an Apple product will remain as is for a good amount of years. The refurbs are selling close to retail price like hot cakes. So the answer is "slightly drop".

[AENAON]

Wow this is one loooong thread. One day, when I retire, Ill print it and read Apple's history from the speculation of the mini's EOL until the dominance of the X religion in the world... (U know, the day we will be praising the mac mini as the martyr God Jobs (aka Gobs) sent to earth to save our souls!)
This thread is an open source history book :P

[yrsonicdeath]

I think regardless, resale values will remain unchanged or down only slightly. I've been amazed at the high prices for minis sold on eBay. Even the G4s are much more than I would expect. In many cases minis on eBay sell for more than refurbs with warranties at the Apple Store. :confused:

Yeah, I've been looking for a steal and really haven't been able to find one.

[FullGaz]

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/09/apple-invites-media-to-notebook-event-october-14th/. It doesn't look promising for a Mini update at all... This is only laptop event only...

[Tallest Skil]

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/09/apple-invites-media-to-notebook-event-october-14th/. It doesn't look promising for a Mini update at all... This is only laptop event only...

The last Mac Mini update was silent behind the iMacs. I'd believe that the same will be true of the next update.

[jdwingnut]

Yeah, I've been looking for a steal and really haven't been able to find one.

Knowing the prices people are getting on eBay and even Craigslist, the steal is in the refurb models direct from Apple w/warranty, when they're available.

If Apple does decide to EOL the Mini, these refurb models and all other sources would be even harder to come by, IMHO. All of those who have waited and waited for the Mini would suddenly be grabbing them right and left.

Unless of course Apple were to replace it with something better :D

[marbles]

Knowing the prices people are getting on eBay and even Craigslist, the steal is in the refurb models direct from Apple w/warranty, when they're available.

If Apple does decide to EOL the Mini, these refurb models and all other sources would be even harder to come by, IMHO. All of those who have waited and waited for the Mini would suddenly be grabbing them right and left.

Unless of course Apple were to replace it with something better :D

with the announcement on the new notebooks ......it's only a matter of time before the focus turns to desktops ....Macworld 2009 ...bring em on , that is unless Steve does the "..... and one more thing " line on October 14th :D

[joaoferro37]

joaoferro37, than what is you main (workstation) computer? Could you write your specs?

I have a Mac Pro 2.8G 8-core 8G of RAM that I bought from LA computer company.
My second MAc is a G5 2.0 Duo with KONA 3 card in it.
My goal is to have a tablet mac when it is available.
http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/23/tablet-mac-coming-in-fall-2008/

[macaco74]

I have been ready to jump on a mac mini since christmas. However, I was waiting until the next revision. It seems like it will not happen, especially if a laptop gets released the 14th that is less expensive than the mini.

[marbles]

I have been ready to jump on a mac mini since christmas. However, I was waiting until the next revision. It seems like it will not happen, especially if a laptop gets released the 14th that is less expensive than the mini.


....which means we might see a more expensive Mini ....and we know what that means don't we :D

[joe dokes]

I am holding out for an updated Mini. My thought is that it will be nudged toward more current times, and the price lowered. I would expect the update to happen without notice Wednesday morning.

[gkarris]

The new Mini will probably have the same specs as the new $800 low-end MacBook...

[FullGaz]

The new Mini will probably have the same specs as the new $800 low-end MacBook...

All I'm hoping for is a silent update at around the same time. I don't want to wait until the desktop updates in november...

[Tallest Skil]

All I'm hoping for is a silent update at around the same time. I don't want to wait until the desktop updates in november...

You say that as though the Mac Pros will also be updated this year.

[TiggsPanther]

All I'm hoping for is a silent update at around the same time. I don't want to wait until the desktop updates in november...

Same here.

For one, I've been waiting since the first refreshes in Spring for the Mini to get its turn. (Current one ceased to be value for money for me around that point.)

For another, as I've said before, I don't need something hugely different from what the Mini offers. I just need up-to-date specs. The current footprint is idea on my computer desk. Dedicated graphics don't matter to me personally, as I don'y do too much intensive stuff plus I have consoles for games. Any talk of removing the optical drive would send me looking elsewhere. (I want to use iMovie and iDVD more, and I already hate using an external DVD burner(*) to use it...)
What the Mini is currently is what i want, only with a bit more "oomph" in the CPU and RAM. And maybe graphics. Silent refresh would suit me fine.

Tiggs

(*) Current iBook is combo-drive.

[nickane]

For my own part, altho the fact that its a notebook event means we probably won't see a new mini, and the brick turned out not to be a new cube, the move to nVidia's chipset, if true, suggests my dream of having a headless bluray-capable mac next to my projector is a little closer, since the Intel IGPs didn't look to achieve full bluray capability for at least 2 generations and those would have taken a long time to filter down to the mini.

Presumably, if there is a new mini, apple will break the habit of giving it what the macbook has had for a year, so as to have nVidia across the line. So it will either be brought in line with the macbook (albeit probably the rumoured ultra low-end one) or given an older nVidia chipset.

I'm still buying into the complete redesign rumours, tho. Its been too long. I expect there to soon be a headless mac with a decent dgp, whether its a slightly overhauled mini, or an all product.

[Ironduke]

I will be disapointed if the mini is only bumped, with this new process apple are using they could easily make the top half of the mini out of 1 piece of aluminium and lose the crappy plastic top, I know it might effect wireless performance but that could easily put small unnoticeable arieals sticking out the back

[TiggsPanther]

For me Apple has to put hdmi out on the next mini, they also need to redesign it to allow desktop Hardrives, I know we are moving towards SSD but the mini is a Budget machine (anyway if you can fit a 3.5 drive now, you could fit 2 SSD's later).

That would be cool, but can any of us honestly see Apple doing that? With the Mini?

They've let the Mac Mini languish so long that I can't see it being the first machine to get HDMI somehow.

Granted...
If the laptops get an HDMI port, maybe the Mini will.
If all desktops get a future refresh, I can see the Mini getting it aybe at the same time
EOLing the Mini as-is, a replacement machine could conceivably get HDMI.

I just can't see them neglecting the Mini for so long, then giving it such a change.

As for the hard drives, I'd be sceptical for them to want to put 3.5" drives in the Mini. Certainly the iMac would get them first, if anything. Or, as with HDMI, a replacement not-MacMini-but-new-small-computer may possibly get them. But I'm still not sure they'd do that.
Heck, even some servers are coming with 2.5" drives in their RAID arrays these days.

That, and they'd possibly have to change the actual case to manage it. Which, actually, I could see arguments both for and against as to why they might or might not.

I just get the feeling that, unless they do a replacement line (new name and everything) or a major re-tooling (Mac Mini in name only), these things remain wishful thinking.

I'd love to be wrong, as (price-points permitting) I'd love to see a slightly better Headless Mac Desktop. But I, like others, get the feeling that's not where Apple's design interests lie. Then again, they've made surprising changes to the lineup before. So only time (and Apple) will tell.

[MacsBestFriend]

I think the 800 item is not a laptop but rather a redisigned MacMini that has been slowly creeping away in the dark as the Macbook acts as the decoy. Noone said that the placemarkers said "laptop" thats just speculation...:D

[joecool85]

I think the 800 item is not a laptop but rather a redisigned MacMini that has been slowly creeping away in the dark as the Macbook acts as the decoy. Noone said that the placemarkers said "laptop" thats just speculation...:D

That's actually a good point, and an $800 higher end mini doesn't seem that rediculous. Actually it seems more likely than an $800 low end laptop really.

[Yvan256]

But the title of the invite says "The spotlight turns to notebooks." IMHO, the spotlight would mean the main topic is the notebooks but wouldn't necessarily mean the only topic.

Let's say the keynote lasts 2 hours, maybe they'll talk about the notebooks for 1 hour 30 minutes and only 15 minutes for the Mac mini/Mac nano/whatever replacement is coming up (hopefully) and 15 minutes about the Mac Pro (why they can't update it, i.e. lack of better intel CPUs perhaps), but at least give information about the next upcoming update.

After all, the rumored price list mentions 12 prices:
- 3 for the MacBook
- 2 for the MacBook Air
- 3 for the MacBook Pro
- 2 for the Mac mini/Mac nano/whatever (though at 800$ the "Mac nano" idea is not likely and the Mac mini would need quite a lot of upgrades at that price)

That leaves 2 prices.

It could be for a real sub-notebook (dual-core Atom, 10" screen, etc), however we all know Steve doesn't like small keyboards and small screens (i.e. watch the MacBook Air keynote)

The Mac Pro only offers 1 model with lots of options.

So what are those other two prices? If that "12 prices list" is real then it means more questions than answers if you ask me.

[Tallest Skil]

...and 15 minutes about the Mac Pro (why they can't update it, i.e. lack of better intel CPUs perhaps), but at least give information about the next upcoming update.

"And now the Mac Pro... we can't do anything with it..."

Apple won't talk about it until they can do something with it. We'll hear NOTHING about the Mac Pro until right before MacWorld when they give it Nehalem.

[gkarris]

But the title of the invite says "The spotlight turns to notebooks." IMHO, the spotlight would mean the main topic is the notebooks but wouldn't necessarily mean the only topic.

Let's say the keynote lasts 2 hours, maybe they'll talk about the notebooks for 1 hour 30 minutes and only 15 minutes for the Mac mini/Mac nano/whatever replacement is coming up (hopefully) and 15 minutes about the Mac Pro (why they can't update it, i.e. lack of better intel CPUs perhaps), but at least give information about the next upcoming update.

After all, the rumored price list mentions 12 prices:
- 3 for the MacBook
- 2 for the MacBook Air
- 3 for the MacBook Pro
- 2 for the Mac mini/Mac nano/whatever (though at 800$ the "Mac nano" idea is not likely and the Mac mini would need quite a lot of upgrades at that price)

That leaves 2 prices.

It could be for a real sub-notebook (dual-core Atom, 10" screen, etc), however we all know Steve doesn't like small keyboards and small screens (i.e. watch the MacBook Air keynote)

The Mac Pro only offers 1 model with lots of options.

So what are those other two prices? If that "12 prices list" is real then it means more questions than answers if you ask me.

No questions. New iMac prices...

[Joe The Dragon]

But the title of the invite says "The spotlight turns to notebooks." IMHO, the spotlight would mean the main topic is the notebooks but wouldn't necessarily mean the only topic.

Let's say the keynote lasts 2 hours, maybe they'll talk about the notebooks for 1 hour 30 minutes and only 15 minutes for the Mac mini/Mac nano/whatever replacement is coming up (hopefully) and 15 minutes about the Mac Pro (why they can't update it, i.e. lack of better intel CPUs perhaps), but at least give information about the next upcoming update.

After all, the rumored price list mentions 12 prices:
- 3 for the MacBook
- 2 for the MacBook Air
- 3 for the MacBook Pro
- 2 for the Mac mini/Mac nano/whatever (though at 800$ the "Mac nano" idea is not likely and the Mac mini would need quite a lot of upgrades at that price)

That leaves 2 prices.

It could be for a real sub-notebook (dual-core Atom, 10" screen, etc), however we all know Steve doesn't like small keyboards and small screens (i.e. watch the MacBook Air keynote)

The Mac Pro only offers 1 model with lots of options.

So what are those other two prices? If that "12 prices list" is real then it means more questions than answers if you ask me.
The mac book and mac book pro become one line with 5-6 systems?

With high end 13"-14" systems and low end 15"-17" system + old screen size / power setups.

[Cheffy Dave]

If it's not announced ,even as a prototype, on the 14th, it's not ever happening.
Too bad, really, end of an era:(

[zombitronic]

If it's not announced ,even as a prototype, on the 14th, it's not ever happening.
Too bad, really, end of an era:(

I doubt it would be announced as a prototype. The only thing that I can think of that they announced months ahead of time without taking pre-orders has been the iPhone. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the Apple TV was announced at MacWorld '07 for pre-orders a few weeks before it started shipping.)

If we want to get really analytical about it, I think we should pay close attention to what Steve says at the end of Tuesday's Keynote. If he says something like, "See you at MacWorld," I think that pushes the expiration date of the Mini, in its current incarnation, to Jan '09. That is, if it's not silently updated between now and then. If he doesn't say something like, "See you at MacWorld," I think the speculation is still open for a desktop refresh between now and then. Keep in mind that the last desktop updates that occurred this late in the year were the Dual 1.8GHz PowerMac G5 (http://www.macrumors.com/2003/11/18/dual-1-8ghz-powermac-released/) and the 20 inch iMac (http://www.macrumors.com/2003/11/18/20-inch-imac-released/), which were updated via press release in November '03.

Personally, I think a Mini / Apple TV update is more suited for MacWorld '09. Any big new product announcement after this month seems unlikely and too close to the holiday season to warrant another event.

[Srai-W]

I doubt it would be announced as a prototype. The only thing that I can think of that they announced months ahead of time without taking pre-orders has been the iPhone. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the Apple TV was announced at MacWorld '07 for pre-orders a few weeks before it started shipping.)

If we want to get really analytical about it, I think we should pay close attention to what Steve says at the end of Tuesday's Keynote. If he says something like, "See you at MacWorld," I think that pushes the expiration date of the Mini, in its current incarnation, to Jan '09. That is, if it's not silently updated between now and then. If he doesn't say something like, "See you at MacWorld," I think the speculation is still open for a desktop refresh between now and then. Keep in mind that the last desktop updates that occurred this late in the year were the Dual 1.8GHz PowerMac G5 (http://www.macrumors.com/2003/11/18/dual-1-8ghz-powermac-released/) and the 20 inch iMac (http://www.macrumors.com/2003/11/18/20-inch-imac-released/), which were updated via press release in November '03.

Personally, I think a Mini / Apple TV update is more suited for MacWorld '09. Any big new product announcement after this month seems unlikely and too close to the holiday season to warrant another event.

Finally I have registered so I can post a comment on the Mini. I have a 12" Powerbook G4 and have been wanting to get a Mini. Was hoping with all the notebook attention there may be something and I tend to agree with you zombitronic. Guess Tuesday we'll find out one way or the other! :o

[Duelist]

I have followed this tread since it started back when I was in high school (well maybe not that long ago :D). My Mini is the unannounced 1.5 G4 with upgraded graphics card. It still runs a lot of games much faster than my wife's macbook. I love the footprint, and that I can mount it in the ceiling with the projector. I have hoped for the upgraded mini with acceptable graphics for two years, and had about given up hope. This is a great machine, and they are missing the boat by not supporting it.

Usually they don't announce the mini upgrades with the macbooks, but a week later. Hope we see it soon.

[Duelist]

I have followed this tread since it started back when I was in high school (well maybe not that long ago :D). My Mini is the unannounced 1.5 G4 with upgraded graphics card. It still runs a lot of games much faster than my wife's macbook. I love the footprint, and that I can mount it in the ceiling with the projector. I have hoped for the upgraded mini with acceptable graphics for two years, and had about given up hope. This is a great machine, and they are missing the boat by not supporting it.

Usually they don't announce the mini upgrades with the macbooks, but a week later. Hope we see it soon.

[Cave Man]

My Mini is the unannounced 1.5 G4 with upgraded graphics card. It still runs a lot of games much faster than my wife's macbook.

Which games would those be?

[Cave Man]

Personally, I think a Mini / Apple TV update is more suited for MacWorld '09. Any big new product announcement after this month seems unlikely and too close to the holiday season to warrant another event.

I think this is probably correct, especially if the rumor of an NVidia switch is true. After all, the Mini has always been a MacBook in a desktop config. It would make for a rather remarkable computer, that's for sure.

[Lesser Evets]

(Oct. 14th 2008)

"...OH, and ONE MORE THING.

The Mini is discontinued. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT! YAY!"

j/k

I think they will bring out an update sometime, if not this week. My money is still on the March rumor claiming the Mini was getting a complete overhaul. What it means specifically (bigger or smaller) I have no guess. With the super condensing going on with the iPT it would be really cool if the mini gets super compressed into something 2/3 the current size.. Personally--I want them to expand the drives out of small notebook drives while reducing the rest so it stays the same size but has 1TB internal capabilities.

[petermcphee]

It's not impossible. I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back home. They're not much bigger than that.

Winner

[aplownspc]

that would be sad cause with smaller faster components now they could easily make it a much more popular item among small desktops (even though its already popular)

[m2er]

I don't know what this means...if anything, but I continually looked for a good deal on a mac mini and have noticed for the past 3 weeks the same guy has been selling 2.0ghz 2GB memory mac mini nib on ebay. He has been selling 6 at a time...it sure seems like a lot of machines for one person to have in stock.:confused:

[Lesser Evets]

If I was going back to school right now I would get a MacMini and a 21 inch Cintiq as the monitor/art platform. Perfect. Attach a 1TB external for masses of media. Done. Might not be the fastest machine, but I could transport easily and do everything on it with ease.

[billystlyes]

I've said it once, and I'll say it a million times. Apple can't afford to discontinue the Mac mini in this economy. Wall Street would hammer them for doing so. If anything, they want Apple to release more Macs underneath the $1000 price point. I would look for a new Mac mini in two weeks. ;)

[Srai-W]

Actually the more I think about this the more I can imagine a "one more thing" on Tuesday. I mean it just seems to make sense after so long with nothing! Maybe I will finally get a Mini!!! :D

[Joe The Dragon]

I've said it once, and I'll say it a million times. Apple can't afford to discontinue the Mac mini in this economy.

The mini needs to go back to the g4 prices with a min of 2gb of ram.

apple can't drop the mini in any economy as paying $2300 for a headless mac will be a super big joke as they used to have $1200 and up desktops.

now replacing it with a desktop tower stating at $500 - $600 is ok.

[alphaod]

I think they should put out a Mini that runs on the Atom.

[Srai-W]

I think they should put out a Mini that runs on the Atom.

You know what? This makes sense... I mean look at that Eee box... it is only $400 here in Singapore and is small. Only thing it is missing is the DVD, so surely :apple: could use an Atom, bump up the memory and hard drive and put a DVD drive in too. Price could be kept reasonable... hmmmmm... :rolleyes:

[shikimo]

I don't know what this means...if anything, but I continually looked for a good deal on a mac mini and have noticed for the past 3 weeks the same guy has been selling 2.0ghz 2GB memory mac mini nib on ebay. He has been selling 6 at a time...it sure seems like a lot of machines for one person to have in stock.:confused:

I don't have any inside information or anything here, but in my experience this often suggests that someone "found" a case or three of minis somewhere. From a thief's point of view, those little cases are pretty convenient ;).

Caveat emptor.

[specialbuddy]

we still don't know what the brick is.

[Tallest Skil]

we still don't know what the brick is.

:eek:

picard.jpg...

Winner

Did you REALLY quote something from page THREE of this old thread?

Where did you dig up that old fossil?!

[opeter]

I think they should put out a Mini that runs on the Atom.

No, hope that Apple doesn't do that.

I use my Mac mini for relativelly heavy graphic work and it is great. In about 2-3 month i will upgrade the CPU with a T7400 and it will be even better.

The Atom isn't a good performer at all. I rather see in the (new) updated Mac mini the intel CPUs series T8xxx...

[Maxime]

It was my Mac Mini's first birthday on sunday.

One year of great service without a single glitch!

Go Mac Mini! :apple:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/QuickSiR/Autres/IMG_1302x-1.jpg

[Srai-W]

we still don't know what the brick is.

Hmmm, I was thinking about that today. All the speculation about the brick being a lump of aluminimum and yet maybe (I am getting desperate now with only a day until the spotlight is on notebooks) just maybe Steve will make mention of the brick rumor and that it is actually a brand spanking new Mac Mini!!!!

[Yvan256]

Hmmm, I was thinking about that today. All the speculation about the brick being a lump of aluminimum and yet maybe (I am getting desperate now with only a day until the spotlight is on notebooks) just maybe Steve will make mention of the brick rumor and that it is actually a brand spanking new Mac Mini!!!!

Here's an even crazier idea: the brick is the CPU+GPU+RAM slots+etc, we buy the brick we want and insert it into our chosen laptop size/desktop model. :eek:

[zombitronic]

Here's an even crazier idea: the brick is the CPU+GPU+RAM slots+etc, we buy the brick we want and insert it into our chosen laptop size/desktop model. :eek:

That's a crazy thought. It somehow connects, in my mind, to that rumor of a device that docks into an iMac.

[zombitronic]

(Oct. 14th 2008)

"...OH, and ONE MORE THING.

The Mini is discontinued. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT! YAY!"


How about this:

"Blah, blah, blah, we think you're really going to love our new MacBooks
and we can't wait for you to get your hands on them."

He smiles and clasps his hands together and turns to leave the stage.

"Um," he scratches the side of his head.

"Before I forget, there is one more thing."

Steve walks to the side of the stage, grabs a small, round table on wheels and pushes the table to center stage. On the table are two items, each covered by a cloth. Without saying anything, he removes the first cloth. It's a Mac Mini. He pauses for a second to let the crowd take it all in. Again, without saying anything, he removes the second cloth. It's a hand gun. Steve grabs the gun, turns off the safety, aims it at the Mini and blasts it away. He then calmly sets the gun down on the table.

"Have a good night, and we'll see you at MacWorld 2009!"

[billystlyes]

Steve grabs the gun, turns off the safety, aims it at the Mini and blasts it away. He then calmly sets the gun down on the table.
I would much rather that be the iMac. In fact, he could just take an uzi to that AIO glossy POS. I could care less. Then replace it with a true desktop tower at Macword.

[Mike in Kansas]

I would much rather that be the iMac. In fact, he could just take an uzi to that AIO glossy POS. I could care less. Then replace it with a true desktop tower at Macword.

Why would you say that? How many people do you think "get religion" on the iMac only to upgrade over time to a Mac Pro? It keeps Apple in business...

[Cave Man]

Why would you say that? How many people do you think "get religion" on the iMac only to upgrade over time to a Mac Pro? It keeps Apple in business...

Not me. I went from Mini to Hackintosh because Apple didn't come out with a headless iMac. No way would I buy an iMac or Mac Pro.

[Eagle51389]

How about this:

"Blah, blah, blah, we think you're really going to love our new MacBooks
and we can't wait for you to get your hands on them."

He smiles and clasps his hands together and turns to leave the stage.

"Um," he scratches the side of his head.

"Before I forget, there is one more thing."


"IT'S A TRAP!"

[alexlovesmacs]

If i'm dissapointed with the new MB's i'll buy a mini many people dosen't have issues with those machines at all.

[shikimo]

Steve walks to the side of the stage, grabs a small, round table on wheels and pushes the table to center stage. On the table are two items, each covered by a cloth. Without saying anything, he removes the first cloth. It's a Mac Mini. He pauses for a second to let the crowd take it all in. Again, without saying anything, he removes the second cloth. It's a hand gun. Steve grabs the gun, turns off the safety, aims it at the Mini and blasts it away. He then calmly sets the gun down on the table.

"Have a good night, and we'll see you at MacWorld 2009!"

That's great! You really ought to be working in marketing...maybe not for Apple, though:p.

"IT'S A TRAP!"

IT'S A COOKBOOK!!

[t0mat0]

Who's thinking we're going to see potentially a small bump this week/in a few hours, but have to wait till MWSF for any potential overhaul of the Mac Mini?

[marbles]

Who's thinking we're going to see potentially a small bump this week/in a few hours, but have to wait till MWSF for any potential overhaul of the Mac Mini?

Me , just without the small bump later today , I just think it's going to be a MWSF thing

[Tallest Skil]

Who's thinking we're going to see potentially a small bump this week/in a few hours, but have to wait till MWSF for any potential overhaul of the Mac Mini?

I say MacWorld 2009 before we see anything happen, which is too bad...

[aafuss1]

At least give it 9300M graphics and a NVIDIA chipset

[opeter]

At least give it 9300M graphics and a NVIDIA chipset

Yes. That would be great. :o

[maccompaq]

Not me. I went from Mini to Hackintosh because Apple didn't come out with a headless iMac. No way would I buy an iMac or Mac Pro.
I went from a Power Mac tower to a Hackintosh after waiting for an Intel tower. I will not buy an iMac or Mac Pro. Almost decided to buy a Mini, but did not like the graphics.

This thread will soon end as Apple is about to make an announcement.

[opeter]

I went from a Power Mac tower to a Hackintosh after waiting for an Intel tower. I will not buy an iMac or Mac Pro. Almost decided to buy a Mini, but did not like the graphics.

This thread will soon end as Apple is about to make an announcement.

Maybe or maybe not. Who knows. Anyway, i'm quite disappointed in Apple.
I do still wait and think about, whenever i should upgrade the CPU in my Mini or not.

[TheDPR]

It's crazy how long they've gone without even a refresh of the Mini. They have to do something soon. EOL, refresh, replace, overhaul. Something.

[zombitronic]

Happy anniversary, thread!

[TheDPR]

>>>>>>>>>
"Nvidia came to us many months ago and talked to us about an amazing graphics part they wanted to build, that would combine the chipset and an extremely powerful embedded graphics processor, all in one part, for a desktop computer. And we said, 'This is fantastic, but we'd like to use it in a notebook. Can we work together on this?' And we've worked with them..."
>>>>>>>>>

So they could have put this into desktops like the Mini but declined? :(

It isn't over yet. Maybe he'll throw in, "and btw, we put it into the Mini also."

[Motley]

Yes!! The thread lives on!

Seriously though, poor, poor mini. We still love you, even if Steve doesn't.

How hard could it be to add the new Nvidia video card, a faster proc, bigger hd, and display port to the darn thing?

[Cave Man]

So they could have put this into desktops like the Mini but declined? :(

It isn't over yet. Maybe he'll throw in, "and btw, we put it into the Mini also."

The Mini is a laptop. It's just in a tiny desktop box. Let's hope Apple Sees The Light...

[TiggsPanther]

OK, so the Mini has been languishing whilst the laptops got two updaters. That's bad enough...

But the laptops just got updates that a fair few people are disappointed about. And I was also underwhelmed by the new MacBooks, also.

Then factor in that last month's music event was a big disappointment for anyone who was wanting computer news. What we're left with is that the Mini has been left a lower priority than two rather underwhelming updates.

That and the MacBook is now totally off my radar. The new one is more than I can afford, the "decreased price" old one has gone up in price for those of us Brits left scuppered by the exchange rates. Oh, and it lost its Firewire. Which doesn't exactly bode well for the future of the Mini.

Maybe I should abandon a new Mac altogether, have both my future desktop[ and laptop as Linux machines, and crowbar Leopard onto my old (Panther) iBook so it can at least keep up with current software, if not hardware.

I want another Mac. But Apple has just priced and specced itself out of anything I can justify for another couple of years.

[MacTCP]

And the wait continues. :)

[Bowboy]

I want another Mac. But Apple has just priced and specced itself out of anything I can justify for another couple of years.

Second that.

For me, that was the most disappointing launch ever. Product engineering is fascinating, but is not the end in itself.
Looks like Cupertino is more than a little out of touch.

I became a Mac user not for the hardware, but the software. That was way back when the pizza box LC was new. Ever since, I've stuck with Mac because for many years, the OS itself more than justified the extra hardware costs. But now - there are several increasingly attractive OS alternatives. And just as the relative value of the Mac OS has reduced, today the hardware cost penalty has become even greater.

A sad day.

[MM123]

I say MacWorld 2009 before we see anything happen, which is too bad...

I'm little bid tired of all that waiting, actually I wait from january 2007, with one "bright moment" when I bought my Mac Mini in august 2007, I would not wait untill january 2009, just go the EFi-X way and bye bye Apple

[opeter]

Where do you get the EFi-X?

[snberk103]

So, no Mini updates today. Oh well. However, there are some interesting deductions that can be made.

1) The Mini must be selling well enough that they haven't announced its discontinuance.
2) Jobs said today about the new 'mini display port' ('mini' referencing the size not the Mini :)) "So let’s get back to this mini display port — we can drive any display we could before, but at a fraction of the size — we’re building this into everything we make. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2378
3) The LED Cinema Displays aren't available until November.

Put that all together, and you have a revamped Mini - quietly announced in November - for those people who don't want a portable and don't want an iMac. Essentially, its an iMac in two parts.

Does anyone know.... does a Display Port have any advantages for home theatre/stereo applications? Could this replace the entertainment centre specific ports on an Apple TV?

[MM123]

So, no Mini updates today. Oh well. However, there are some interesting deductions that can be made.

1) The Mini must be selling well enough that they haven't announced its discontinuance.
2) Jobs said today about the new 'mini display port' ('mini' referencing the size not the Mini :)) "So let’s get back to this mini display port — we can drive any display we could before, but at a fraction of the size — we’re building this into everything we make. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2378
3) The LED Cinema Displays aren't available until November.

Put that all together, and you have a revamped Mini - quietly announced in November - for those people who don't want a portable and don't want an iMac. Essentially, its an iMac in two parts.

Does anyone know.... does a Display Port have any advantages for home theatre/stereo applications? Could this replace the entertainment centre specific ports on an Apple TV?

Sounds good and really logical, but hey this is Apple, logic is sometimes on holidays in their selling strategy :p

[joecool85]

Not even a price drop on the mini...looking more and more like a dual core Intel Atom box would make sense for me. Less wattage, cheaper and (with a pci vid card), better performance overall.

[marbles]

ARRRGGHHH , new Mini is nowhere to be seen ( although I wasn't expecting it today , really , although I had hoped) and with no fire wire and price increase the Macbook is out .....there is nothing I can buy from Apple that suits my needs , and I really wanted to keep using OSX , it's all I have ever used and windows seems a little daunting but what can I do ? :(

[pghulme]

yea, i am a little stuck,i have he money now for a new mini, but dont want to splashout and be left with an out-of-date system within a month. Carrying on from where this threa started, is there any news or hint of a mini update soon, they cant wait until MW2009, that would be two years since last update, very few apple products linger this long without an update!! so any news??

[Joe The Dragon]

So, no Mini updates today. Oh well. However, there are some interesting deductions that can be made.

1) The Mini must be selling well enough that they haven't announced its discontinuance.
2) Jobs said today about the new 'mini display port' ('mini' referencing the size not the Mini :)) "So let’s get back to this mini display port — we can drive any display we could before, but at a fraction of the size — we’re building this into everything we make. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2378
3) The LED Cinema Displays aren't available until November.

Put that all together, and you have a revamped Mini - quietly announced in November - for those people who don't want a portable and don't want an iMac. Essentially, its an iMac in two parts.

Does anyone know.... does a Display Port have any advantages for home theatre/stereo applications? Could this replace the entertainment centre specific ports on an Apple TV?

MINI display port in the mini will ok with they ship the system with MINI display port To display port and mini display port to dual link dvi with the system.

And the mac pro with full size video cards will need dual display port with 2 display port to dvi.

[maccompaq]

Not even a price drop on the mini...looking more and more like a dual core Intel Atom box would make sense for me. Less wattage, cheaper and (with a pci vid card), better performance overall.

The Atom is a decent performer, but it is not up to the Mini speed. The Atom 1.6GHz single core has a Geek Bench of 956, the dual core 1.6 GHz Atom has a Geek Bench of 1345, the Mac Mini Intel Core Solo 1.5 GHz Geek Bench is 1428, the Mac Mini Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz Geek Bench is 2592. I have seen several posters here complain that the Mini is so slow. Just what do people want, a Mac Pro? The MacBook Intel Core2Duo 2.16GHz has a Geek Bench of 2547. The Mac Mini G4 1.25GHz is slow with a Geek Bench of 565.

The Atom is sold attached to an Intel motherboard with the GMA950 graphics chip. You do not get a choice there, and there is no option of adding a separate video card. The maximum RAM is 2 GB.

[Joe The Dragon]

yea, i am a little stuck,i have he money now for a new mini, but dont want to splashout and be left with an out-of-date system within a month. Carrying on from where this threa started, is there any news or hint of a mini update soon, they cant wait until MW2009, that would be two years since last update, very few apple products linger this long without an update!! so any news??

If the mini go 2 years 2 old will that be a black mark in the Psystar court case?

Apple better look out or psystar and EFiX will take them over.

[Eric S.]

How hard could it be to add the new Nvidia video card, a faster proc, bigger hd, and display port to the darn thing?

About as hard as redesigning the entire motherboard - don't forget a faster bus and DDR3 RAM, which is what you'd need with the new Penryn CPUs.

This is why Apple's choices are a) commit to a completely new design for the mini, b) kill it off, or c) do nothing. Apparently, for the time being at least, sales are sufficient for them to take the third choice.

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[Joe The Dragon]

About as hard as redesigning the entire motherboard - don't forget a faster bus and DDR3 RAM, which is what you'd need with the new Penryn CPUs.

This is why Apple's choices are a) commit to a completely new design for the mini, b) kill it off, or c) do nothing. Apparently, for the time being at least, sales are sufficient for them to take the third choice.

The cpu and chip parts are due to be stop being made real real soon.

also how about a real desktop?

[Le Big Mac]

The Mini is a laptop. It's just in a tiny desktop box. Let's hope Apple Sees The Light...

Sure would be tasty with the new 24" monitor (yes, it would be a new form-factor iMac)

[Srai-W]

yea, i am a little stuck,i have he money now for a new mini, but dont want to splashout and be left with an out-of-date system within a month. Carrying on from where this threa started, is there any news or hint of a mini update soon, they cant wait until MW2009, that would be two years since last update, very few apple products linger this long without an update!! so any news??

Hmmm, you know I have been thinking the same thing. I have a 12" PB G4, a Dell laptop on Vista (that is newer than the G4, but takes twice as long to boot) and have been waiting for an update to the Mini as the shuttle computer I built died. Now it looks like we have to wait for MWSF in another what 3 months? And there doesn't seem to be anything out there stating that there is even a possibility of an update to it????

What are they doing????

I really don't want another Dell or anything as vista is absolutely bs, but I need to get something soon. The only other option I have been thinking is to get a Mini off ebay at at least a cheaper price than a new one - and with the same specs! :eek:

[gkarris]

Apple seems so torn.

They want to upscale on one hand (ie. upscale the iMacs and now the MacBooks) but yet keep the lower end (the Mini and the White MacBook).

The economy's not too great, so Apple really needs to keep the low-end for those of us with not too much money...

[fly75]

If Apple would introduce a revised mini offering (the low end based on the the MacBook chip set for $599, the high end based on the MacBookPro chip set for $799), I'd be buying 3 for Xmas this year.

[bankshot]

yea, i am a little stuck,i have he money now for a new mini, but dont want to splashout and be left with an out-of-date system within a month.

I really don't want another Dell or anything as vista is absolutely bs, but I need to get something soon. The only other option I have been thinking is to get a Mini off ebay at at least a cheaper price than a new one - and with the same specs! :eek:

You could always get a refurb mini from Apple. Unlike one from eBay, it comes with full warranty and is reworked to look and feel brand new. And when you consider resale value, it's still not a bad deal, despite the somewhat dated specs. That's what ultimately pushed me to buy mine last month after months of fruitless (heh) waiting - I can probably sell it for near the refurb price if a new one comes out soon. Not bad for a rental.

There aren't any in the refurb section right this moment, but I saw some earlier today. They typically appear and disappear quite often as inventory fluctuates. Just keep checking.

After no quiet Mac mini update happened today, I'm even happier with my decision. While it's no 8-core Mac Pro, this thing is so much faster, quieter, and more energy efficient than the two old machines it replaced. Fantastic! And from the condition and packing, I honestly couldn't tell that it supposedly wasn't new. My only regret was not getting it much sooner.

[shikimo]

yea, i am a little stuck,i have he money now for a new mini, but dont want to splashout and be left with an out-of-date system within a month. Carrying on from where this threa started, is there any news or hint of a mini update soon, they cant wait until MW2009, that would be two years since last update, very few apple products linger this long without an update!! so any news??

Hmmm, you know I have been thinking the same thing. I have a 12" PB G4, a Dell laptop on Vista (that is newer than the G4, but takes twice as long to boot) and have been waiting for an update to the Mini as the shuttle computer I built died. Now it looks like we have to wait for MWSF in another what 3 months? And there doesn't seem to be anything out there stating that there is even a possibility of an update to it????

What are they doing????

I really don't want another Dell or anything as vista is absolutely bs, but I need to get something soon. The only other option I have been thinking is to get a Mini off ebay at at least a cheaper price than a new one - and with the same specs! :eek:

Ditto bankshot...but even if you cannot find refurb, if the machine does what you want it to right now, and you have the cash, why put yourself out by waiting? If you've got a need that this Mini can't handle and that you think the mythical chimera-griffin-snufaluffagus new mini will be able to handle, maybe...but the simple fact of having 2+-year-old technology in your computer doesn't change how it works, and it works pretty darn good for most purposes. I was in this same boat last August, after the last tiny mini spec-bump; I bought then and I would do it again today.

Not trying to restart the 'mini is a ripoff!' argument again--there's no argument that it's underspec'd in a big way--but I'll still take over a Dell.

[TiggsPanther]

...but the simple fact of having 2+-year-old technology in your computer doesn't change how it works, and it works pretty darn good for most purposes.

For many cases, this is true. But if the purpose is "main computer that needs to be up to snuff for a few years", it really doesn't cut it anymore. And that's what's tripping some of us up.

I simply cannot afford to pay for a machine that is that out of date, as it'll need replacing again before I can justify the cost. But I also cannot afford/justify a more expensive computer (MacBook/iMac) whilst there's even a hope of the Mac Mini getting an update. Especially whilst my current iBook is still going strong - albeit at a crawl.

[pghulme]

i think it is all wrapped up now, apple have all but told us when the new Mac Mini and macpro are being released. NOVEMBER. Exactly the same day as the new LED display. Reason for this thought:

The new LED display says its requirements are:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort

So apple are onlymaking Professional displays for laptops now, and wont be making new screens for mac pros??? No.

They will release a new Mini and Mac pro at the same time. They will also update the LED screen requirements to read:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort , mac mini or Macpro

Anyone got any doubts to this??? thought not!!

[Enigmafan420]

i think it is all wrapped up now, apple have all but told us when the new Mac Mini and macpro are being released. NOVEMBER. Exactly the same day as the new LED display. Reason for this thought:

The new LED display says its requirements are:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort

So apple are onlymaking Professional displays for laptops now, and wont be making new screens for mac pros??? No.

They will release a new Mini and Mac pro at the same time. They will also update the LED screen requirements to read:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort , mac mini or Macpro

Anyone got any doubts to this??? thought not!!

I think you make some compelling points-does anyone know if/when the November date has been set for?

Man that was poor English! Anyway-I guess I am asking if November is an "event" or it will just be a quiet push them out the door type press release?

[motoxpress]

As much as I 'hope' that this is the case, I am not confident the Mini is even on the table for the future. It's getting squeezed by the AppleTV and the iMac.

-mx

[Clive At Five]

i think it is all wrapped up now, apple have all but told us when the new Mac Mini and macpro are being released. NOVEMBER. Exactly the same day as the new LED display. Reason for this thought:

The new LED display says its requirements are:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort

So apple are onlymaking Professional displays for laptops now, and wont be making new screens for mac pros??? No.

They will release a new Mini and Mac pro at the same time. They will also update the LED screen requirements to read:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort , mac mini or Macpro

Anyone got any doubts to this??? thought not!!

Uhm.... Note the lack of the words "MacMini" and "MacPro" in this sentence:

The new LED display says its requirements are:
MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with Mini DisplayPort

I don't think any conclusions can be drawn from it.

-Clive

[snberk103]

/\/\
"Conclusions? Conclusions? We don't need no stink'in conclusions!"

This is a 'rumour' place..... I happen to agree that next best date for the Mini is November.... said so myself a page or 5 ago. I agree that the new LED screen will be rolled out with a minor update to the Mac Pro, and .... a totally revamped Mini.

I have no idea what Apple will do, but it seems to me that there are some very interesting possibilities. For example, the Mini makes the perfect companion to the Air. I can just feel it in my Bones, Apple is going to splash something out in November. Big Event in October (the Mac Books) Big Event in November = Big Christmas Sales figures....

Just a wild and baseless conclusion....

[snberk103]

Uhm.... Note the lack of the words "MacMini" and "MacPro" in this sentence:
-Clive

that can be changed in moment.....

[PaulexPC]

Apple seems so torn.

They want to upscale on one hand (ie. upscale the iMacs and now the MacBooks) but yet keep the lower end (the Mini and the White MacBook).

The economy's not too great, so Apple really needs to keep the low-end for those of us with not too much money...
I agree with you. They'd also like to bring in students while they are young and presumably broke, and get them hooked.

Hmmmm, sort of reminds me of Phillip Morris.

[brop52]

I agree with you. They'd also like to bring in students while they are young and presumably broke, and get them hooked.

Hmmmm, sort of reminds me of Phillip Morris.

At least if you smoke parts of these new MBs you won't get lung cancer. Well I don't know, but at least no arsenic/mercury toxicity.

[jodelli]

Historically Steve Job's divisions have experienced creeping elegantism, sacrificing lower price points. Ironically this can lead to striking discounts in pricing and/or reduced hardware configurations after the fact.

Examples: The $1000 original Mac offering to students if their university committed to a million dollar purchase order. The single grand had been the original price point targeted by Jeff Raskin at Apple and abandoned by Stevie, retail was $2,495.

:The 'pizza box' NeXT computer offered when it became apparent that the 12" had landed with a resounding thud at twice the expected price. Again, in previous consultations uni's had expressed interest in $3000 workstations; not having deep pockets they wouldn't budge from that. That being said, the NeXT Cube was an elegant design with a cast magnesium skin.

It's a bit of a stretch, but the G4 Cube > Mini was sort of the same deal.

Can anyone say machined aluminium? The fact that the White Book is still being made available at a discount demonstrates that the marketing team has caught on to a philosophy that hasn't changed much.

There could be some surprises yet on the Mini front. Maybe the way out front specs of the server level Pro will be revisited.

:apple:

Edit: The original Mac offering to universities was on condition of a two million dollar commitment, not one million as I previously stated.

[Srai-W]

Thanks Bankshot and Shikimo. Have been looking at the Singapore store for refurbished Mini's, but like you said - they are only ever on there for a day and the gone... If I wanted a 17" iMac though - they have been on there for months now! ;) Too bad I guess.

I have been seeing some people suggesting the Mini and the Pro may be updated in November - hmmm.... let the waiting and scanning through Macrumors begin! Or should I say continue??????? :D

[leighonigar]

I could almost imagine a sort of EEE box style thing, with proper specs like the mini which uses magsafe for power thus interfacing with the new monitor with no extra power cable. Of course, if this way the case I'd be irritated on several levels, but it could happen.

[dwl017]

I laugh my ass off every time I come here and see this thread still going on, personally I use both platforms OS X and Vista and love them both I bought the top of line Dell studio hybird to compliment my Mac hardware and have never looked back! I guess my point is why would anyone wait and complain for almost two years for a Mini update when you have tons of choices!

[t0mat0]

I laugh my ass off every time I come here and see this thread still going on, personally I use both platforms OS X and Vista and love them both I bought the top of line Dell studio hybird to compliment my Mac hardware and have never looked back! I guess my point is why would anyone wait and complain for almost two years for a Mini update when you have tons of choices!

It's the conflict of what a user wants Apple to provide, and what Apple provides...

[Joe-Hamburg]

I laugh my ass off every time I come here and see this thread still going on, personally I use both platforms OS X and Vista and love them both I bought the top of line Dell studio hybird to compliment my Mac hardware and have never looked back! I guess my point is why would anyone wait and complain for almost two years for a Mini update when you have tons of choices!

Well, for the Mac Mini there there is only one choice: the Mac Mini!

[iDave]

I laugh my ass off every time I come here and see this thread still going on, personally I use both platforms OS X and Vista and love them both I bought the top of line Dell studio hybird to compliment my Mac hardware and have never looked back!
Considering that the next mini will probably dispense with Firewire and who knows what else, I might consider a WinPC as my next HTPC. Since my software is all for Mac, buying Windows has never been a consideration. But with Apple's stupid moves these days, I'm less of a Mac fan. All-in-ones, glossy screens and dumping Firewire on MacBooks... What's the world coming to?

I've already been looking at Windows netbooks since Apple won't make one.

[MM123]

Considering that the next mini will probably dispense with Firewire and who knows what else, I might consider a WinPC as my next HTPC. Since my software is all for Mac, buying Windows has never been a consideration. But with Apple's stupid moves these days, I'm less of a Mac fan. All-in-ones, glossy screens and dumping Firewire on MacBooks... What's the world coming to?

I've already been looking at Windows netbooks since Apple won't make one.

Well, you might be right and all the waiting could end up in a new Mini, which would be far out of what we are waiting for and we would be at the beginning of this thread :rolleyes:

[iDave]

Well, you might be right and all the waiting could end up in a new Mini, which would be far out of what we are waiting for and we would be at the beginning of this thread :rolleyes:
So in other words, you think the mini is possibly still going to come to an end?

I would not be surprised if the mini is discontinued and the low end white MacBook becomes its only replacement. More likely, IMO the mini will be updated November 11 and nobody will be happy with the update.

[George.D]

I look forward to another Mac mini being announced -- it is way overdue...
I need to replace an old G3 iMac that my daughter uses and that's an affordable option, and I'm sure not going to spend money on what is at this point, an old Mac mini.

[Bootsy]

Considering that the next mini will probably dispense with Firewire and who knows what else, I might consider a WinPC as my next HTPC.

Oh man, that would be brutal! No firewire on the next Mini? I suppose that's possible. After all this waiting I would hate that. My iTunes, iPhoto and video libraries are all on two external 500GB harddrives. I think the USB connections on those drives are v1, not v2.

All I want is core 2 duo, the new Nvidia chipset and the same ports as the old mini (or better for video) so I can hook up to an HDTV.

I really hope a new Mini hits in November and meets my need, otherwise I really will have to look at buying a Vista PC. What's the alternative? A Macbook Pro for my home theatre? My MacPro tower in the livingroom? This curtailing of versatility that Apple seems to be doing is so disappointing.

[dwl017]

I did what iDave and Bootsy are thinking about doing and could not be happier! I have my Studio Hybird hooked up to a Dell 24" Ultrasharp display as stated in my post earlier this morning I love both platforms and have never had a problem with Vista or OS X. I have said it before and I will say it again, maybe it is time for Steve to step aside and let some some new ideas in the door.

You can hate Dell all you want but in today's economy you can actually buy CD2 machine for under $300 from Dell, call it junk or what ever you want but not everyone has $1000 plus to budget for a basic home computer just to check email and organize the family photos.

[MM123]

So in other words, you think the mini is possibly still going to come to an end?

I would not be surprised if the mini is discontinued and the low end white MacBook becomes its only replacement. More likely, IMO the mini will be updated November 11 and nobody will be happy with the update.

I really hope you are wrong :)

[MM123]

I really hope a new Mini hits in November and meets my need, otherwise I really will have to look at buying a Vista PC. What's the alternative? A Macbook Pro for my home theatre? My MacPro tower in the livingroom? This curtailing of versatility that Apple seems to be doing is so disappointing.

There is an alternative, thanks god - EFi-X. If Apple scre... the Mini in any way, I go that EFi-X way

[joecool85]

Considering that the next mini will probably dispense with Firewire and who knows what else, I might consider a WinPC as my next HTPC. Since my software is all for Mac, buying Windows has never been a consideration. But with Apple's stupid moves these days, I'm less of a Mac fan. All-in-ones, glossy screens and dumping Firewire on MacBooks... What's the world coming to?

I've already been looking at Windows netbooks since Apple won't make one.

Buy a linux based netbook, there are more than a few out there.

[maccompaq]

Buy a linux based netbook, there are more than a few out there.

I am one of many that chose Hackintosh over Linux.

I cannot imagine buying a netbook when I wanted a small desktop.

[iDave]

Obviously a netbook isn't a very good substitute for a small desktop. Joecool's response was to my comment that I'd been looking at Windows netbooks due to Apple's inability to make one. Apple has been "going their own way" for a few years and many people are annoyed. Apparent abandonment of the mini is an example. Glossy screens are another. Dumping Firewire on new MacBooks is another.

I'd say I used to be an Apple "fanboy" but not so much anymore. I'm starting to scope out the alternatives. Lack of a good inexpensive desktop and a low cost netbook are real problems for Apple, in my mind, but Apple doesn't care.

[maccompaq]

Apple has been "going their own way" for a few years and many people are annoyed. Apparent abandonment of the mini is an example. Glossy screens are another. Dumping Firewire on new MacBooks is another.

I'd say I used to be an Apple "fanboy" but not so much anymore. I'm starting to scope out the alternatives. Lack of a good inexpensive desktop and a low cost netbook are real problems for Apple, in my mind, but Apple doesn't care.
I also used to be a fanboy. When I wanted a fast laptop with a Core2Duo and dedicated video, I bought a Dell with the power of a MacBook Pro.

Getting tired of waiting for an Apple Intel mid tower, I built a Hackintosh.

Apple is losing some sales as a few of you have pointed out.

[Eric S.]

Apple has been "going their own way" for a few years and many people are annoyed. Apparent abandonment of the mini is an example. Glossy screens are another. Dumping Firewire on new MacBooks is another.

And dropping Classic mode in Leopard and PPC support in Snow Leopard are others. Each of these offends a different segment of their customer base. Pretty soon they will have offended everyone, chipping away at what was once a tenaciously loyal customer base.

I understand the argument that Apple still makes better products than can be found elsewhere. But still, without customer loyalty there will be no reason to stick around when a better product does come from elsewhere.

[Bootsy]

Getting tired of waiting for an Apple Intel mid tower, I built a Hackintosh.

How well does yours work? I have nowhere near the expertise I would need, but if Apple doesn't come through with a useful Mini before 2009 I think I'm going to head down that rabbit hole.

[maccompaq]

How well does yours work? I have nowhere near the expertise I would need, but if Apple doesn't come through with a useful Mini before 2009 I think I'm going to head down that rabbit hole.
I am glad I built my Hackintosh. It is in a large tower so it can have 5 internal hard drives, 3 optical drives and a floppy drive or a ZIP drive also. There are many slots for adding cards, so it is very expandable.

The processor and video can be changed to suit your purposes. If anything breaks, I can fix it myself.

[Bregalad]

Steve should be embarrassed to have the current Mac mini on the Apple website.

The smartest move for Apple would be to take the MacBook, remove the display, keyboard and battery and call it the new Mac mini. They'd gain huge economies of scale by leveraging almost all the components of their best selling model and the mini would go from being a gutless joke to a serious consideration for a lot of people.

Connected to a notebook the iSight and speakers on the new 24" display look redundant, but hooked up a tiny desktop and they make perfect sense. I think we're going to see a new mini either in November or January.

[iDave]

The smartest move for Apple would be to take the MacBook, remove the display, keyboard and battery and call it the new Mac mini. They'd gain huge economies of scale by leveraging almost all the components of their best selling model and the mini would go from being a gutless joke to a serious consideration for a lot of people.
Seriously. It seems like a simple idea. No screen, no hinge, no keyboard, no battery, no latch, and the power switch moved to outside. Just about everything else could be identical and it would make a nice new mini.

[MacSA]

If Apple are developing a new Mini, shouldn't we have heard something about it by now? I notice we're now starting to get iMac rumours, with new computers perhaps a few weeks away.

I don't think there has been anything Mini related for 7 or 8 months, and then it was only to say it was to be discontinued - sadly, a rumour which is looking increasingly likely in my opinion.:(

[Dont Hurt Me]

Poor Poor Mini :( No attention even the last update a year ago was cold as ice and yet Mini keeps selling and selling. Jobs must be wishing he had hair to pull out.:eek: Apple sometimes does some D.A. stuff.

[marbles]

So in other words, you think the mini is possibly still going to come to an end?

I would not be surprised if the mini is discontinued and the low end white MacBook becomes its only replacement. More likely, IMO the mini will be updated November 11 and nobody will be happy with the update.

What makes you think it will be on Nov 11th , you seem certain almost ...sorry if I've missed something I haven't read through posts for a while:o

[iDave]

What makes you think it will be on Nov 11th , you seem certain almost ...
Sorry if it sounded certain...just a prediction. Early September I posted an estimate for a mini upgrade, based on when I expected MacBooks would be updated and a reasonable number of weeks after that before the mini would get a quiet, no-fanfare update.

I really don't see a major redesign coming for the mini but would love to be proven wrong.

[zombitronic]

So now it's new iMacs (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/17/new-imacs-still-coming-before-holidays/)? Well, if the Mini were to be upgraded, it would seem more fitting to be upgraded alongside another desktop than a laptop.

[snberk103]

Bregalad, just a few messages ago, points out that the iSight and speakers on the new LED displays are redundant if you have a notebook hooked up to it. However, its the perfect display for a desktop system. I don't know what you would do with the MagSafe power adapter with Mini, unless the power plug on the Mini "latched" the MagSafe down.

From what I've read here the Mini hasn't been updated in past before the MacBooks. Also, Apple will be looking to bring in a more affordable system in the current economic reality.... probably before the holiday sales. .... the entrails have spoken - new Mini announced with the new display, as a "one more thing".

[TiggsPanther]

Sorry if it sounded certain...just a prediction. Early September I posted an estimate for a mini upgrade, based on when I expected MacBooks would be updated and a reasonable number of weeks after that before the mini would get a quiet, no-fanfare update.

I really don't see a major redesign coming for the mini but would love to be proven wrong.

Actually, the way things are going, I'm really hanging on for a no-fanfare minor refresh with no major redesign.

As I think any redesign would end up dropping Firewire. I have a (cheap) Firewire camcorder that I use for the occasional family get-together. And my iBook G4 really isn't up to the task of doing much with it. But without Firewire on a new machine, I'd be totally stuffed..

Problem is, it's looking increasingly evident to me that the only Mac that's anywhere near what I need (at the level I can afford) is the White MacBook - which is still overpriced for me as I don't really want another Mac laptop (and could do with the extra couple of hundred pounds for elsewhere).

If that happens, it will probably be my last Mac purchase, which will be a shame. But I shall be using the Linux machine I need to get as well to slowly figure out how to transition all of my needs to the Linux platform.
(And I'd rather figure that out at my leisure, hence needing one final Mac to keep me going for a few years)

[PeckhamBog]

Perhaps we'll see the old white mini maintained as the entry level and a new metal version with new chip set and higher price point introduced. But that strategy would be contrary to the idea of the mini as a low price entry point to Mac PCs. They do offer two configurations currently though.

[MM123]

Perhaps we'll see the old white mini maintained as the entry level and a new metal version with new chip set and higher price point introduced. But that strategy would be contrary to the idea of the mini as a low price entry point to Mac PCs. They do offer two configurations currently though.

I don't think so, because the CPU in present Mini is EOL, so it could not go for ever with present Mini

[PinkyMacGodess]

I personally wouldnt buy such a thing, and IMOI'm willing to bet most people don't want red, blue, orange, etc. computers.

Those different coloured computers might have saved Apple but they almost killed it too.

I worked retail at the time and there were a few colours that were hot and we couldn't keep them in stock and a few we almost couldn't give away.

Some people really didn't care and would have bought what ever colour we had in stock but others were looking for that special colour and wouldn't take any other colour but that one.

Rumour had it that Apple had warehouses full of certain coloured machines that no one wanted. The only way that coloured computers makes sense is if you do 'BTO' (Build To Order) and ship them direct from the factory. Especially in this age where sitting on inventory you can't sell is a death sentence. I wonder what hole in what desert Apple buried those they couldn't sell?

[PinkyMacGodess]

As I've said before, I think the mini could have a second life if Apple released a car kit for it. Think about it. Many cars now have lcd screens, why not a car based computer/media centre? It does make sense...

It's not that huge of a stretch when you consider that many people have ipod integrated car stereo units and new satellite radio and the advent of satellite radio based weather and traffic reports on the horizon. How long until there is 2-way satellite in cars? A cell phone linked car mounted mini isn't a bad idea...

I use a mini with a Russound system in my house to distribute music. Why not a car too?

[EDarkness]

So now it's new iMacs (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/17/new-imacs-still-coming-before-holidays/)? Well, if the Mini were to be upgraded, it would seem more fitting to be upgraded alongside another desktop than a laptop.

Don't hold your breath. It's like no one even cares about a Mac Mini except us. Everytime I read about new Macs it's either iPods, iPhones, MacBooks, or iMacs. Even now reporters are trying to get the scoop on new iMacs. The Mini is all but dead. I pretty much gave Apple until Nov. 12th. If nothing new is even rumored, then it's a new PC for me. It's a shame, really. I really wanted a new Mac Mini, but no one cares enough about it.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Those different coloured computers might have saved Apple but they almost killed it too.

I worked retail at the time and there were a few colours that were hot and we couldn't keep them in stock and a few we almost couldn't give away.

Some people really didn't care and would have bought what ever colour we had in stock but others were looking for that special colour and wouldn't take any other colour but that one.

Rumour had it that Apple had warehouses full of certain coloured machines that no one wanted. The only way that coloured computers makes sense is if you do 'BTO' (Build To Order) and ship them direct from the factory. Especially in this age where sitting on inventory you can't sell is a death sentence. I wonder what hole in what desert Apple buried those they couldn't sell?Also if Im not mistaken Apple would force resellers to buy bundles of colors so they coudnt just order a certain color that was selling.
Like Not updating Mini for a year and half Apple on occasion does some really stupid stuff. I think they wanted to kill Mini a long time ago but sales prevented this. Instead of embracing a great product and making it better like the Pods on the computer side of things they play the cripple game, cant have Mini to good for iMac etc.

Throw a "real" gpu into Mini and its near perfect.

[dollydolman]

I don't think that they should kill off the Mini, I have one and it is a perfect introduction (re-introduction in my case) to Macs and when I have the cash I'm getting an iMac. Surely that's what Apple wanted to happen with it, and a new generation would really help them sell more models all across the market. It could also gain them a bigger market share if people are buying Mac Mini's instead of PC's. I think it's only a matter of time before a new one is announced.

[PinkyMacGodess]

Has anyone tried to do anything massively parallel with them?

Link like 1,500 together for a super computer? I've read where people have used Intel Atom based boards for that. It would seem that the Mini would be a near perfect compute node for an MP system... Interesting idea...

[dollydolman]

I want a Mac Mini supercomputer now lol, maybe I should buy hundreds of them on eBay and do it :D

[maccompaq]

it will probably be my last Mac purchase, which will be a shame. But I shall be using the Linux machine I need to get as well to slowly figure out how to transition all of my needs to the Linux platform.
(And I'd rather figure that out at my leisure, hence needing one final Mac to keep me going for a few years)
I have bought my last Apple computer! I built a Hackintosh, and I can configure it the way I want, not the way Apple shoves their designs in my face.

[RRutter]

If anyone believes it is the 'end of life', someone should send me there's, if they don't want it. :P

[Cave Man]

Has anyone tried to do anything massively parallel with them? Link like 1,500 together for a super computer? I've read where people have used Intel Atom based boards for that. It would seem that the Mini would be a near perfect compute node for an MP system... Interesting idea...

You already can. It's not the hardware, it's the software. If your app is xgrid aware, you can connect Minis by ethernet (or firewire) for distributed computing. The problem is, there's not many apps out there that do it. One that can is VisualHub.

[Courtaj]

I don't think that they should kill off the Mini, I have one and it is a perfect introduction (re-introduction in my case) to Macs and when I have the cash I'm getting an iMac. Surely that's what Apple wanted to happen with it, and a new generation would really help them sell more models all across the market.The switch Mac of choice is now the MacBook, not the Mini. Ask any college student. That's right, the same ones who've never heard of firewire.

AC.

[marbles]

Sorry if it sounded certain...just a prediction. Early September I posted an estimate for a mini upgrade, based on when I expected MacBooks would be updated and a reasonable number of weeks after that before the mini would get a quiet, no-fanfare update.

I really don't see a major redesign coming for the mini but would love to be proven wrong.

I think that these iMac rumours are not actually about the iMac , more to do wit the Mini ....well that's my hope , besides Apple could do with a lower financial cost machine on sale just before Christmas , what with the iPod event , now the Macbook event ....hmm , and finally for our last trick this year to tempt folk to part with their hard earned .... Apple presents a machine priced a little more (ahem) sensibly to make all those who are dithering on purchase ..jump right on in and pull the trigger :apple: bring it on Mr Jobs , we need it and we need it now :apple:

[Dirty Harry]

If Apple ever updates the mac mini it would make sense that, like the new macbooks, it will have no firewire.
I am waiting for the new mac mini, but since I need firewire, I'll consider getting an old one somehow in case firewire is gone.:(

[jodelli]

Steve should be embarrassed to have the current Mac mini on the Apple website.

The smartest move for Apple would be to take the MacBook, remove the display, keyboard and battery and call it the new Mac mini. They'd gain huge economies of scale by leveraging almost all the components of their best selling model and the mini would go from being a gutless joke to a serious consideration for a lot of people.

Connected to a notebook the iSight and speakers on the new 24" display look redundant, but hooked up a tiny desktop and they make perfect sense. I think we're going to see a new mini either in November or January.

The new manufacturing process would make this easy to do. With CNC it's a matter of reprogramming for a different cut, and you only have to do this once.
Without a keyboard or battery there's room for other hardware too, but I wouldn't count on it. More likely is a smaller footprint.

[Srai-W]

Seriously. It seems like a simple idea. No screen, no hinge, no keyboard, no battery, no latch, and the power switch moved to outside. Just about everything else could be identical and it would make a nice new mini.

+1

Couldn't agree more. I have been out today looking at Dell's Hybrid thingy and also at EeePC's. I have been tempted to get a second hand Mini off eBay or to keep checking the Apple store for a refurb. But I would like something that has a little more grunt. If they were to do this I would be on the Apple site and purchasing a New Mini straight away (I already have a 22" Samsung TV, Keyboard and mouse which I am using hooked up to my Dell Laptop)...

Dammit Apple!!!! I have been using your computers since the IIe, but this is getting crazy now! :eek:

[dwl017]

Looks like this guys also got tired of waiting :D

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/sys/884922560.html

[wheelhot]

Hmm, yea, its funny and very sad that Apple is not upgrading its MacMini yet still selling it. The new Nvidia and mini display port should have forced Apple to release a new Mini yet they don't.

So for me it goes to this 2 condition. Apple will just leave the product stagnant there for like years or a new MacMini in MW 09. I vote for the second one cause if Apple would really want to kill the mini, they could have done it months ago. ;)

[Cassie]

I look forward to another Mac mini being announced -- it is way overdue...
I need to replace an old G3 iMac that my daughter uses and that's an affordable option, and I'm sure not going to spend money on what is at this point, an old Mac mini.

Even better, buy an old G4 mini for half the price. Specs are pretty close so you're getting a better deal in the end.

[marbles]

Looks like this guys also got tired of waiting :D

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/sys/884922560.html

I want one of those ....right , I think I've had it ...anyone point me in the direction of the necessary to do a hackintosh ? ...(really appreciate not having to spend 3 weeks finding out what bits will and won't work)

[Srai-W]

I want one of those ....right , I think I've had it ...anyone point me in the direction of the necessary to do a hackintosh ? ...(really appreciate not having to spend 3 weeks finding out what bits will and won't work)

Yeah, I would be interested. I put together a shuttle computer in 05 and it just died this year (there was a short in it somewhere). I am itching to build another one myself and to put OSX into it - SWEET! :D

I would be quite interested in this too... I used XP on the shuttle and prefer it to vista, but even on my 12" G4 OSX is still better than either of them.

Give me some details and I'll be looking. :rolleyes:

[Bootsy]

...right , I think I've had it ...anyone point me in the direction of the necessary to do a hackintosh ?)

Awesome. The shift has happened. Suddenly this thread is turning into a make-it-yourself hackintosh support group! But I'm still not jumping until November.

[miniHope]

While on the topic of 'Hackintosh', maybe we should send this thread to the people of Psystar and hope they build the *new enhanced* macMini...

http://www.macworld.co.uk/business/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=23208

[gkarris]

Awesome. The shift has happened. Suddenly this thread is turning into a make-it-yourself hackintosh support group! But I'm still not jumping until November.

They would have to eventually stop making the Mini as they would be running out of parts - doesn't Intel no longer even manufacture the components?

I'd be happy if they just started using the same components as the Aluminum MacBook.. 2.0 GHz, 1066 bus, and nVidia Graphics.

[jbrenn]

The new manufacturing process would make this easy to do. With CNC it's a matter of reprogramming for a different cut, and you only have to do this once.
Without a keyboard or battery there's room for other hardware too, but I wouldn't count on it. More likely is a smaller footprint.
the new process is not necessary for the mini the sole purpose is to make portables stronger. how often do you move a desktop.

[Yvan256]

the new process is not necessary for the mini the sole purpose is to make portables stronger. how often do you move a desktop.

Not to mention that the Mac mini has had an aluminium shell since the beginning, and it's already extremely strong.

All we need is that nVidia 9400M, up to 4GB max and a superdrive in all models. :D

[Jimmery]

Not to mention that the Mac mini has had an aluminium shell since the beginning, and it's already extremely strong.

All we need is that nVidia 9400M, up to 4GB max and a superdrive in all models. :D

What's pathetic is that this could easily be done.

[RRutter]

What's pathetic is that this could easily be done.

This is true. I would think Apple does not have time, because they just released new MacBooks/MacBook Pros, and probably are having some extremely minor glitches with them, and trying to control it because Apple are all perfectionists.

[shikimo]

Looks like this guys also got tired of waiting :D

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/sys/884922560.html

Good link...that's rad, what s/he did with the Shuttle rig!

[tom53092]

Not to mention that the Mac mini has had an aluminium shell since the beginning, and it's already extremely strong.

All we need is that nVidia 9400M, up to 4GB max and a superdrive in all models. :D

The latest MacBooks seem to be the first that can handle playing hi-def (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/18/apple-enabled-gpu-hardware-decoding-of-h-264-on-new-macbooks-pros-and-airs/). And they seem to handle it without breaking a sweat. This is what I've been waiting for in a mini. I'd buy two just to use one as a DVR.

Now I'm glad they didn't update the mini within the last few months. If they had, we'd be sitting on THAT rev for the next year. I'm keeping the faith and hoping they update the mini to MacBook specs by MacWorld. Of course, they could intentionally underpower it to try to make the iMacs look more attractive, but I'm betting not. They'll be competing with quad-core desktops from other vendors, so even with new MacBook-like specs, the new mini wouldn't be a standout performer.

[Enigmafan420]

See the following article from Appleinsider.com:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/10/21/nvidia_to_join_mac_gaming_push_intros_new_desktop_chipsets.html

Discusses Nvidia Chipsets for new Desktop Macs-Maybe they will sneak in a Mini?!? PLEASE :apple:

[emotion]

Do people need FireWire in their Minis?

I think I would.

[Zig]

Yeah id need Firewire in my mini

Could live without it in my Macbook i guess

[gkarris]

Do people need FireWire in their Minis?

I think I would.

I use it.

I'm thinking Apple will drop it in the Mini, and like making users go to the MacBook Pro, they're going to make desktop shoppers who want FW to go to the iMac... :eek:

[kaiwai]

What's pathetic is that this could easily be done.

Personally I think they should dump the Mac mini and go for something similar to this design:

http://www.aquaphoenix.com/software/sunray/sunray2.jpg

Or even something basic like this:

http://www.internetnews.com/img/2006/04/srfs.gif

[emotion]

Or, from this millenium:
http://www.hothardware.com/newsimages/Item6450/small_eeebox2.jpg

[eric m.]

i work at a place where we use a mac pro, imacs, macbooks, and a mac mini in our daily operations. for normal everyday use, the mac mini works great. i'd say 99% of non gaming computer users would be just fine with a 1.83ghz mac mini for their computer needs. obviously it's not going to work well for video editing or anything more than children's games, but for basic email, internet, itunes, and even office and iwork applications it's been fine for me.

i'm very impressed by this little machine and i have recommended it to tons of friends as a first step into the world of apple. if they discontinue the mini, apple will really be shooting themselves in the foot. i'd bet a lot of people graduate from the mini to the imac and apple needs to keep a lower cost computer in their line-up.

[dotheDVDeed]

Nothing really new here... but this just posted on Gizmodo

Apple Stops Mac Mini Shipments to Retailers, Says to Expect No More


http://gizmodo.com/5066531/apple-stops-mac-mini-shipments-to-retailers-says-to-expect-no-more

[zombitronic]

The latest MacBooks seem to be the first that can handle playing hi-def. And they seem to handle it without breaking a sweat. This is what I've been waiting for in a mini.

Me too. I've even got the gift cards saved up.

The Mac mini may be pronounced dead as soon as today's Apple earnings conference call, as two major retailers in Europe have confirmed to me that they can't order any more of the little computers. While this could signal an updated model coming in, they have been told by Apple to expect no more of it. Their impression is that—once again—the Mac Mini may be dead dead DEAD for real, even while you can still order it at the Apple Store.

Let's hope! And maybe a silent update, as well. Let's hear it for new Mini's in a few hours!

[OllyW]

Let's hope! And maybe a silent update, as well. Let's hear it for new Mini's in a few hours!

Did you actually bother to ready the story on Gizmodo?

It says the mini is likely DEAD, as in not being replaced.

[iDave]

Long live the white MacBook (with Firewire).

[Blue Velvet]

This mega-thread is probably best continued over here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=586243) now that we have some more disappointing Mini rumors.