Mac Mini End Of Life? [Archive] - Page 9

nickane

Aug 21, 2008, 08:40 AM

I also believe people are applying their Wintel preconceptions to Apple and assume Apple's mini-tower will be just like a Wintel mini-tower. That it will use desktop-class components so it will be cheap, that it will accept any piece of hardware (video card, controller card, etc.) without any issues and will support easy upgrades of every component without any issues.

Granted there are a lot of muppets who say if apple would just release a machine for $799 which is exactly half a mac pro (2 HD slots, 2 PCI-e, 4 cores at the same clock, 2 GB ram etc etc), but the best part of ppl only expect the cheaper of the gfx options available for the pro as an exchange for the screen in the iMac at about $1499. Obviously not all components will be desktop class (they certainly couldn't have been in the cube), but you would expect there to be more than in the iMac. No one in their right mind would think it would LOOK anything like a conventional wintel tower/shuttle.

Speaking for myself, I have no WinPC preconceptions because I've never owned one.

Apple has made a decent affordable tower before. One of the last G4s with a single processor was $1299. It had three PCI slots and could handle three hard drives.

Ditto. Only computers I've ever owned were a Psion series 5 and an iMac G5. I became interested in Apple upon reading a glowing review of the cube when I was at school and decided to shun the wintel boxes my parents had owned.

Well then that explains why there is no Mac MiniTower and likely won't be while he still exercises executive control over the company. He doesn't seem to think it's a great product, and I can understand why, since it would just be like every other Wintel box out there, just running OS X.

"Excuse me, Mr Kettle? There's a telegram here from a Mr. Pot, but I'm afraid I can't read it out, because it's a little bit racist."

Apple has released great products before that met all these conditions: the Cube, the $1499 powermac. The idea that Johnathan Ive couldn't reimagine the typical desktop machine innovatively enough that they had to shelve it so that now they're only letting him work with mobile components except on the MP is just a bit ridiculous. Such a machine wouldn't support any more new hardware than the pro does (much likely less), but it would sell better than the pro by a long way, making it worth Apple's, nVidia's and ATI's while to make sure that gfx options worked on both platforms. It certainly wouldn't run just "like every other Wintel box out there, just running OS X" (aka Hackintosh) because the software updates would be supported by apple and it would "just [work]". And you can bet that it definitely wouldn't look anymore like a conventional computer than any of apple's other computers do.

nickane

Aug 21, 2008, 08:41 AM

Come June, I think we will see a Mini enhancement.

I thought it would be helpful at this point to reflect upon what the 1000th post was...

nickane

Aug 21, 2008, 08:54 AM

This would be an awesome "One more thing..."

Yeah, they should totally bring that back. They haven't done one in ages; not since they actually named an event "One More Thing" about 2-3 years ago. I'm always a little disappointed at the end of every keynote since they dropped this phrase. But then, I've never been a fan of John Meyer...

CWallace

Aug 21, 2008, 08:56 AM

Apple has released great products before that met all these conditions: the Cube, the $1499 powermac.

Yes, but the Cube turned out to be a bad design from a technical aspect, even if it was a great one from an aesthetic aspect.

And the $1499 PowerMac was still a PowerMac, just with a cheaper CPU in it. All Apple would have to do is offer a single E5405 2.0GHz Xeon CPU and that saves $600 right there - so instead of $2299 it would be $1699.

Of course, it would be a pretty poor performer for the money, likely being outclassed by the iMac. :eek:

zombitronic

Aug 21, 2008, 08:59 AM

Nostradamus predicted the Second Coming of the Mini at 1999, so we know he was wrong. Jerry Falwell says by 2009. Isaac Newton said 2060.

Joe The Dragon

Aug 21, 2008, 11:42 AM

Yes, but the Cube turned out to be a bad design from a technical aspect, even if it was a great one from an aesthetic aspect.

And the $1499 PowerMac was still a PowerMac, just with a cheaper CPU in it. All Apple would have to do is offer a single E5405 2.0GHz Xeon CPU and that saves $600 right there - so instead of $2299 it would be $1699.

Of course, it would be a pretty poor performer for the money, likely being outclassed by the iMac. :eek:

apple can put in a 775 xeon with desktop ram and a good video card for $1200+

Clive At Five

Aug 21, 2008, 12:07 PM

Yes, but the Cube turned out to be a bad design from a technical aspect, even if it was a great one from an aesthetic aspect.

For the time, perhaps... but nowadays, one would hardly need anything bigger than a Cube unless they're gaga for graphics.

One could very easily use an Intel Desktop-Class processor with its MUCH lower TDP than the G4... The Cube had regular-sized DRAM, 3.5" HDD, a discrete GPU, and passive cooling of all things! I don't see any reason to abandon the Slim-Line Optical drives... no one seems to care about the performance difference between those and desktop 5.25" drives.

The only problem with a modern-day Cube concept is that graphics cards are much bigger than they used to be. This would lead to a custom-designed card you could only get from Apple and, thus, negate the point of getting an upgradeable machine for 70% of the people who wanted one in the first place.

It would still be very fast and would probably stomp the iMac in performance.

-Clive

opeter

Aug 21, 2008, 12:25 PM

For the time, perhaps... but nowadays, one would hardly need anything bigger than a Cube unless they're gaga for graphics.

One could very easily use an Intel Desktop-Class processor with its MUCH lower TDP than the G4... The Cube had regular-sized DRAM, 3.5" HDD, a discrete GPU, and passive cooling of all things! I don't see any reason to abandon the Slim-Line Optical drives... no one seems to care about the performance difference between those and desktop 5.25" drives.

The only problem with a modern-day Cube concept is that graphics cards are much bigger than they used to be. This would lead to a custom-designed card you could only get from Apple and, thus, negate the point of getting an upgradeable machine for 70% of the people who wanted one in the first place.

It would still be very fast and would probably stomp the iMac in performance.

-Clive

Fully agreed.

I think the cubes factor could somehow be used for a mac mini update. Also the graphic cards would fit (i mean the low profile Radeon 34xx and nVidia GeForce cards). Yes, maybe there are not the fastest, but could be dedicated. Would not that be nice?

MM123

Aug 21, 2008, 12:51 PM

Fully agreed.

I think the cubes factor could somehow be used for a mac mini update. Also the graphic cards would fit (i mean the low profile Radeon 34xx and nVidia GeForce cards). Yes, maybe there are not the fastest, but could be dedicated. Would not that be nice?

That's what I expect from a headless mid range Mac and if it's "not possible" to make it for Apple just update the Mini on Montevina level and I'm very happy with it. :rolleyes:

CWallace

Aug 21, 2008, 02:17 PM

Apple can put in a 775 xeon with desktop ram and a good video card for $1200+

The LGA775 3000 Series Xeons are dedicated server parts designed for single-CPU entry-level servers. The 3200 series chipset they use only supports up to 8GB of DDR2 and systemboards based on them are $300-500.

They are cheaper then the 5000 series used in the Mac Pro, but they have higher TDPs so they'd be poor choices for a small tower. Also, the cheapest models only have 4MB of L2 cache which will hurt performance. So you'd still be looking at upwards of $1000 just for the top-end 2.83GHz X3360 and a systemboard.

For the time, perhaps... but nowadays, one would hardly need anything bigger than a Cube unless they're gaga for graphics.

Assuming Apple wants to move to desktop parts (and that is a big assumption, to be honest), Apple could do a mini-tower about the size of a Shuttle Computer cube (the D10 (http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/d10.html) would be an interesting idea). Of course, something like the SX48P2E (http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/SX48P2_D.html) is $450, and then you need to add CPU, memory, HDD, CD-ROM and video card.

So say a "Cube Deux" with a Q9450, 2x1GB of DDR3, 8800GT, 500GB HDD and a DVD-Writer would run $1499 (based on the parts price and a 30% margin).

If Apple wanted a smaller case, using mobile parts, figure $1799, though it would be a mid-range dual-core. A quad would push it closer to $1999.

localoid

Aug 21, 2008, 03:14 PM

...Assuming Apple wants to move to desktop parts (and that is a big assumption, to be honest), Apple could do a mini-tower about the size of a Shuttle Computer cube (the D10 (http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/d10.html) would be an interesting idea). Of course, something like the SX48P2E (http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/SX48P2_D.html) is $450, and then you need to add CPU, memory, HDD, CD-ROM and video card.

So say a "Cube Deux" with a Q9450, 2x1GB of DDR3, 8800GT, 500GB HDD and a DVD-Writer would run $1499 (based on the parts price and a 30% margin).

If Apple wanted a smaller case, using mobile parts, figure $1799.

"Smaller" usually comes with at a premium price. The cube form factor is a just such poor choice in terms of its price/performance ratio. A micro-ATX form factor would cost much less and has many other advantages including: standard size power supply, large enough case to allow use of larger fans (running at slower speed), room for four drives, use of larger CPU cooling devices, and in-general provides for better cooling and less noise, etc. You end up with a case about the size of the venerable G4 PowerMacs that can house a system built for a lot less money.

Regardless, I'd be surprised to see Apple expanding its line to include LGA 775 systems anytime soon.

Renderz

Aug 21, 2008, 03:23 PM

The Mac Mini would the perfect living room media center if it weren't for the very strong Xbox 360; with that I can stream all media wirelessly.

I believe Apple need to make a fundamental change to their strategy in how fit the MM in our living rooms.

MM123

Aug 21, 2008, 03:30 PM

The LGA775 3000 Series Xeons are dedicated server parts designed for single-CPU entry-level servers. The 3200 series chipset they use only supports up to 8GB of DDR2 and systemboards based on them are $300-500.

They are cheaper then the 5000 series used in the Mac Pro, but they have higher TDPs so they'd be poor choices for a small tower. Also, the cheapest models only have 4MB of L2 cache which will hurt performance. So you'd still be looking at upwards of $1000 just for the top-end 2.83GHz X3360 and a systemboard.

Assuming Apple wants to move to desktop parts (and that is a big assumption, to be honest), Apple could do a mini-tower about the size of a Shuttle Computer cube (the D10 (http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/d10.html) would be an interesting idea). Of course, something like the SX48P2E (http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/SX48P2_D.html) is $450, and then you need to add CPU, memory, HDD, CD-ROM and video card.

So say a "Cube Deux" with a Q9450, 2x1GB of DDR3, 8800GT, 500GB HDD and a DVD-Writer would run $1499 (based on the parts price and a 30% margin).

If Apple wanted a smaller case, using mobile parts, figure $1799.

I think there are so many HW options today, that almost everything is possible. To be more specific, you (or Apple) can build any level of computer, the question is only if you (or Apple) is interested to do that.
Todays HW is not as bad as 10 years ago (I mean the compatibility, not the quality) and anyway Apple would never support all HW out there, which is OK, nobody wants that from Apple. So, you (or Apple) can build a very solid computer from that HW and even notebooks HW parts are today not so expensive, as some years ago (average, not top of the line parts). But Apple was always "maestro" in building average HW in their computers :D

CWallace

Aug 21, 2008, 03:56 PM

Joe The Dragon

Aug 21, 2008, 06:42 PM

The problem with a mini-tower that has four HDD bays and two optical bays is that it immediately makes the Mac Pro irrelevant except for very specialized market niches that actually need eight cores because that would be the only difference between the two. Which means sales would drop precipitously.

As such, I cannot see Apple offering a mini-tower that has more then two internal 3.5" bays and two external 5.25" ones. You can get G3x-based microATX systemboards with one each PCI-x16/PCI-x1/PCI slots that will run the latest quad-cores. That restricts it's expandability enough to keep it from running over the Mac Pro while still allowing it to be functional for almost everyone.

go with the g43 / g45 / g41 / p45 boards or the nvidia ones. The mac pro starts at $2300 with a weak video card.
so a desktop starting at $800+ likely will have a top end quad-core or dual core with 4gb of ram and a TOP end video card or 2.

Apple needs to stop there smoke and mirrors gameing setup and come outwith a desktop. A $2300 system with FB-Dimms and weak video card will not get you in to gameing like the way you talk about games on mac at WWDC.

Put the mac pro with dual dual core or dual quad at the base price and may even put in build in hardware raid.

CWallace

Aug 21, 2008, 08:01 PM

Of course, does Apple want to offer a gaming system in the first place?

There is no guarantee that even if Apple offered a mini-tower that used desktop components, they would will also offer an nVidia 9800GX2 or an ATI HD 4870 X2 option.

Heck, we had to wait for ATI themselves to give us a 3800-series option and nVidia hasn't deigned to offer us any of the 9-series cards.

And again, there is no way Apple will charge $800 for such a system. Their average PC margin is 30% and you can be sure retail pricing doesn't have that mark-up. And neither does a Dell or HP or Gateway machine that might have the specs you are looking at as a model for an Apple mini-tower. Not to mention Apple doesn't care what a Wintel box costs.

I'm telling you, even with desktop components, you're looking at $700 or so just for the parts for a mid-level system (2.5GHz quad-core on a P45 board with 2GB of RAM, a 500GB HDD, DVD Burner and nVidia 8800GT). You need to add 30% to that, which pushes it closer to $1000. And if you want to get really crazy, with 3GHz Quad-Core Extremes and 4GB of DDR3 and a 9-series video card, you can easily expect to pay $2000 or more because the part's cost alone will be over $1500. Heck, the CPU alone is a grand.

iknowyourider

Aug 21, 2008, 09:26 PM

I'm starting to look for a thinner mini with the same footprint. (older stack peripherals will work) Hopefully at least as spec as the then current Macbooks.

jashic

Aug 21, 2008, 09:41 PM

opeter

Aug 22, 2008, 01:11 AM

Apple has no reason to offer a reasonably priced desktop. They make a killing on their current lineup. Tell me ONE technology company that can justify selling 1 year old technology at the same price today that they charged a year ago. No one. They are not looking to enter a "cheap" market. They've done that and failed. Charging people premiums for the "cool" factor is working for them. I don't see why they should stop overcharging.

Sadly, but i have to fully agree with you.

iDave

Aug 22, 2008, 01:30 AM

Apple has no reason to offer a reasonably priced desktop. They make a killing on their current lineup.
Yep and this explains why used Mac minis are overpriced on eBay, and refurbished minis at the Apple Store last just hours before they're gone. People want Macs but they're not willing or can't afford to pay more than $1000 for the so called "cool" options.

MM123

Aug 22, 2008, 02:53 AM

Yep and this explains why used Mac minis are overpriced on eBay, and refurbished minis at the Apple Store last just hours before they're gone. People want Macs but they're not willing or can't afford to pay more than $1000 for the so called "cool" options.

Yes you are right and it also explain why so many people think about building a Hackintosh, or they already have one, instead of waiting and waiting and waiting ...

opeter

Aug 22, 2008, 03:12 AM

MM123, how happy are you with your Mac mini? I see you've got 4 GB RAM and 7200 rpm HDD. What applications do you use?

Thanks for all your answers.

macwall

Aug 22, 2008, 05:04 AM

i love my mac mini

ralnar

Aug 22, 2008, 06:47 AM

i love my mac mini

So do I.
Now let's go for 3000 posts!

MM123

Aug 22, 2008, 09:34 AM

MM123, how happy are you with your Mac mini? I see you've got 4 GB RAM and 7200 rpm HDD. What applications do you use?

Thanks for all your answers.

Hi,
greetings to Slovenia!
I'm very happy with that small computer. It's the best Mac I ever had, (freeze only once since I use it) comparing it to all Apple desktops I bought in the past and I bought mostly the top of the line DT's. I would always remember that "turbo sound" of my DP G4 windtunnel (MDD), that was really a crappy machine, freezes almost everyday.
I use all Adobe CS 3 apps on it and have no issue so far. I wouldn't recomend it for professional video editing or this type of heavy apps, but for 2D graphic app. it's ok. I hope that Apple update it at least to Santa Rosa (which is silly if you ask me, because it's more than a year old chipset), but better Santa Rosa as nothing :)
I could build me a very powerful Hack for about 1000 $ but in fact I do not need so much power and I really love that small and quiet footprint of my Mac Mini and last but not least it's also green computer too, which isn't so irrelevant when you are daily 8-10 hours on-line.

Eidorian

Aug 22, 2008, 09:36 AM

I'll have to update my cheapo quad core tower from Dell. It's down to ~US$450 without a monitor. :eek:

Yvan256

Aug 22, 2008, 09:56 AM

snberk103

Aug 22, 2008, 10:08 AM

maccompaq

Aug 22, 2008, 10:10 AM

Yes you are right and it also explain why so many people think about building a Hackintosh, or they already have one, instead of waiting and waiting and waiting ...

I got tired of waiting for Apple to offer a mid tower so I built a Hackintosh. I would have bought an Apple if the right machine was offered. I have bought many Apple towers in the past.

Clive At Five

Aug 22, 2008, 10:43 AM

I got tired of waiting for Apple to offer a mid tower so I built a Hackintosh. I would have bought an Apple if the right machine was offered. I have bought many Apple towers in the past.

Precisely. I've been sitting on $600 since Christmas, waiting for a Mac Mini that was at least somewhat modern... No go, so I built a Hack. Love it, BTW.

-Clive

MM123

Aug 22, 2008, 11:30 AM

I got tired of waiting for Apple to offer a mid tower so I built a Hackintosh. I would have bought an Apple if the right machine was offered. I have bought many Apple towers in the past.

Same here. I will wait until Nehalem in DT version will be ofered. if Apple do not update the Mini at that time I go Hack.
Unfortunately according to some rumors it looks like Apple will spend all energy for killing the Hack instead of updating the Mini and building a solid mid range headless Mac.

maccompaq

Aug 22, 2008, 12:42 PM

Precisely. I've been sitting on $600 since Christmas, waiting for a Mac Mini that was at least somewhat modern... No go, so I built a Hack. Love it, BTW.

-Clive
My Hackintosh works so well that I may never buy another Mac. I hate to say that since I have bought many Macs in the past. And, because I do my own service, I have never had to use Apple repair. In fact, the only problems I have had was a non Apple CDRW failed and a hard drive died after 5 years. And this was the only problem with 10 Macs. Very easy fixes.

wilmor42

Aug 22, 2008, 12:45 PM

how is this thread still alive ?!?!?
and why??!?!

some people really want avatars don't they... :rolleyes:

maccompaq

Aug 22, 2008, 12:56 PM

how is this thread still alive ?!?!?
and why??!?!

some people really want avatars don't they... :rolleyes:

I would not have an avatar if I had 1000 posts! But that is just me. But I am not so narrow minded as to condemn those who have them.

cmoibenlepro

Aug 22, 2008, 12:58 PM

Do you think it is possible to build a hackintosh with a Dell Studio Hybrid? It seems possible because it has intel X3100 integrated graphics...

That would be an interesting alternative to an aging and obsolete mac mini, wouldn't it? For the price of the base model mac mini, you get something equivalent to the superdrive model; but with a x3100 instead of a gma950...

maccompaq

Aug 22, 2008, 01:00 PM

Do you think it is possible to build a hackintosh with a Dell Studio Hybrid? It seems possible because it has intel X3100 integrated graphics...

That would be an interesting alternative to an aging and obsolete mac mini, wouldn't it?

Go to Google and search OSX86 Project for a list of hardware that is compatible with the Hackintosh platform.

Luap

Aug 22, 2008, 01:04 PM

how is this thread still alive ?!?!?
and why??!?!

some people really want avatars don't they... :rolleyes:

Because they have nothing better to do than...

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/deadhorse.gif

maccompaq

Aug 22, 2008, 01:10 PM

hinchesk

Aug 22, 2008, 04:20 PM

So far there's potential updates coming for Mac Mini, Macbook, Macbook Pro, iPod Touch... and likely others that I don't care about... everyone cross their fingers all together now.

dwl017

Aug 22, 2008, 04:52 PM

Talk about a thread that has been beat to death and shot in the head several times over. Is there absolutely nothing left to talk about anymore other than the iPhone and the rumored new Mini? "updated Mini" I sure hope that all these millions of people that want this headless Mac so bad are not right back on here the very next day it comes out "if it ever comes out :rolleyes:" complaining about the specs etc. this little box seems to have become an obsession for many lets just hope they follow up with there $$$$ and but the money where there mouth is.

* If and when this "new" Mini or what ever its new name might be comes out, don't fool your self for one minute and think that Apple is going to give it away cheap.

t0mat0

Aug 22, 2008, 05:01 PM

No reason to get narky about the thread - if you take a gander at the Buyer's Guide - the Mac mini has update pretty much in September for a fair while - the average is reduced a bit by the february updates in the mix unfortunately. I for one would love a speed bump now, as putting down £500 for a headless system seems a bit steep, much though I want an Apple system. At least in a few weeks, people can get returns, via a restock fee.

MacSA

Aug 22, 2008, 05:02 PM

So far there's potential updates coming for Mac Mini, Macbook, Macbook Pro, iPod Touch... and likely others that I don't care about... everyone cross their fingers all together now.

All i've read so far are possible updates to the MacBook and MacBook Pro, maybe the Air too, absolutely nothing at all about the Mini for many many months.

dwl017

Aug 22, 2008, 05:07 PM

MM123

Aug 22, 2008, 05:19 PM

And if the raise the specs what makes anyone think they will lower the price?

I think you mis the point, it's not about price, at least for me

jmdilley

Aug 22, 2008, 05:27 PM

For what it's worth...I have a MB and then went the way of the Hack for a desktop. While it was nice to have one setup pretty easily (using an AMD machine), it wasn't worth it after a while. No software updates, a bug here and there (afp networking stuff, plus many problems once MobileMe came out) all made it more trouble than it was worth.

I bought a refurb'd mini a month ago (despite all of the chatter about a refresh being iminent) and couldn't be happier. It's plenty powerful for the development work that I do and is the quietest computer I've ever owned.

t0mat0

Aug 22, 2008, 05:35 PM

And if the raise the specs what makes anyone think they will lower the price?

Wouldn't expect them to at all. It's Apple's way to keep the price points similar usually, and bump the models a bit. If someone wants a lower price mac mini, the best time would be around an update, by grabbing an version that had just become an old version, as a refurb for example.

CWallace

Aug 22, 2008, 05:35 PM

And if the raise the specs what makes anyone think they will lower the price?

Unlikely. Apple's practice as of late is to maintain the price point and just improve specifications.

wilmor42

Aug 22, 2008, 06:59 PM

mrfrosty

Aug 23, 2008, 01:51 AM

Will this new mini make my safari any snappier ?

opeter

Aug 23, 2008, 02:01 AM

Will this new mini make my safari any snappier ?

I hope so.

MM123, thanks for you kindly answer (you're located somewhere in Central Europe, heh? :)).

I'm looking into buying a refurbished Mac mini, but maybe it's better to wait some weeks if the Mac mini get's updated.

I would like to see a GMA X3100 or even a X3500 or X4500HD in it. But these are just speculations and wishes...

MM123

Aug 23, 2008, 03:02 AM

no wait, hang on, is, is...

is this thread still alive, s s still alive? oh my wonders, this is amazing..
i, i ithink i just saw the new mac mini, i swear, i was just out in town and, and i saw this big fat whale of a woman, no, no wait, it was a woman not a mac mini, sorry..

she looked like a quad core 4gig beast too.. such a shame..

oh well..

btw welcome to all the newbies that i see hanging round the place, got a mac? got an avatar yet? gees what u waiting for..

in all seriousness tho, i've had five of them-really, and if they didnt change them soon i'd still probably buy another one one day..

peace muchachos.. and please, go hang out in another thread-seriously its like 1984 in here..
:apple:

maybe you should just read this and maybe it will help you :D

this is a RUMORS site!
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaBob View Post
Because this is supposedly a community forum just filled with friendly helpful people willing to offer advice and support.
Exactly! Look folks, as sick as you are hearing from us "update waiters", we are sick of waiting. And before you snap with the "just go buy an iMac" mantra, we are waiting beacuse: 1 - we can, and 2 - we want to buy an updated mini.

Truly, if you are sick of these "when will the mini be updated" threads, then why read and post responses in them. Ignore them if you have nothing positive or supportive to offer - and all of us will be happier.

For the record, I love Cave Man's sarcasm though! Keep it coming

joe dokes

Aug 23, 2008, 09:05 AM

opeter

Aug 23, 2008, 10:13 AM

t0mat0

Aug 23, 2008, 10:58 AM

CWallace

Aug 23, 2008, 11:10 AM

How would mac mini interfere with Macbook sales?

Directly, it would not. But if the Mac Mini launched with, say, the nVidia MCP79 chipset, that would reinforce the rumors that the MacBook will also get this chipset and people would stop buying the current MacBook to wait.

Since MacBook sales are both stronger and (quite likely) more profitable then Mac Mini sales, Apple would want to launch a new chipset with the MacBook and then launch it later for the Mac Mini, since stocks are either lower or, if they are not, Apple can just keep waiting until they are.

The Mac Mini has already missed a number of updates applied to the iMac and MacBook (Pro) lines, so while folks will be annoyed if the Mini's update continues to be delayed, they will not be surprised and folks are more likely to assume no update is coming and keep buying current Mac Minis until the inventories drop to the point it is time to transition the line to a new platform.

nickane

Aug 23, 2008, 11:19 AM

Okay, here's my thought for today. If Apple were just going to do a speed bump, perhaps upping the chip to the current MB level, they would have done so by now. Waiting until the MBs are updated suggests they intend something more and don't want that to interfer with the new MB sales. Sound reasonable?

I hate to break it to you, but since this thread began, the mini was updated with just such an insignificant bump a little more than a year ago (altho admittedly it did finally move to the 64-bit c2d), which was in turn about a year since the previous update. Since then, appleinsider changed their minds about the whole EOL thing again, so it's still likely, and delays with whatever the replacement/overhaul is might be what's holding it up. But if they were to bring it in line with the nov. 2007 MB just before/after giving the MB a bump, it wouldn't be breaking any recent trends with the mini at all.

Still, we can but hope...

Josso

Aug 24, 2008, 05:57 AM

It would be great with a little cheaper Mac Mini...

Then I may convert my mom... :)

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 06:55 AM

It would be great with a little cheaper Mac Mini...

Then I may convert my mom... :)

Why wait on this mythical mysterious Mini which may never happen when you can order this right now from the Apple refurb store with a full warranty and Apple care should you decide to get it.

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Built-in iSight Camera
Original price: $1,199.00
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punkkid219

Aug 24, 2008, 10:37 AM

i think apple will replace the min, but only with a better somewhat cheaper. I did a blog post on this http://kptechblog.com/2008/08/23/apple-hear-my-cry-we-need-cheaper-macs/ thts talks about my feelings

Yvan256

Aug 24, 2008, 12:08 PM

Why wait on this mythical mysterious Mini which may never happen when you can order this right now [...]

Refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
20-inch glossy widescreen display
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
Built-in iSight Camera
Original price: $1,199.00
Your price: $949.00

Mac mini without glossy display: $599.

t0mat0

Aug 24, 2008, 12:18 PM

Mac mini without glossy display: $599.

Mac mini is ufeful for a lwer cost Mac, that's headless, especially useful for those who want to BYODKM. For $999 you could get a refurb MacBook 2.4GHz odd C2D. But then that's a different price band in a way.

AC773

Aug 24, 2008, 12:47 PM

Eric S.

Aug 24, 2008, 01:09 PM

What if Apple brought back a "computer-as-art" design with the new mini?

I think that as long as Apple brought the mini up to current tech specs, most people on this thread wouldn't care if it looked like one of those fake piles of dog cr**. ;)

.Chris

Aug 24, 2008, 02:07 PM

what if they intorduced a "imac nano" (cheasy name i know). It will be an imac but a lot smaller, like the Macintosh Classic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_Classic)from late 1980s and early 1990s that had the black and white and moncrone screens?

This new one will feature a 13", 15 or 17" matte screen. Have isight , 2GB ram standard, 80GB HD standard and will start at $599. DVD/CD burner standard with optional external verson to fit another hard drive....

It will be known as a lower end imac for those who want an all in one computer but dont want to spend to much.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 02:18 PM

Mac mini without glossy display: $599.

What is your point? we all know what the current Mini cost I merely suggested and pointed out how affordable a 20" current iMac is which is no more expensive then a mid range Dell tower once you throw on the extras.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 02:21 PM

I have an idea, tell me if I'm nuts...

What if Apple brought back a "computer-as-art" design with the new mini? You know, something like the cube or iMac G4 that really stands out. They could do a vertical mini with a glass stand, or something like that. Something that really stands out, especially among new competitors like that dell thing.

Just like the Cube was a flop anything just like it will die the same slow painful death people don't buy them plain and simple. Everyone says that they will run to buy one but they never materialize at the register with money in hand.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 02:27 PM

Yvan256

Aug 24, 2008, 03:04 PM

What is your point? we all know what the current Mini cost I merely suggested and pointed out how affordable a 20" current iMac is which is no more expensive then a mid range Dell tower once you throw on the extras.

The point is that a lot of Mac mini users buy it because of the low price, others are buying it because they don't want an all-in-one computer (and don't want/can't afford a Mac Pro). The iMac is NOT a valid alternative to the Mac mini for either camps.

What we need is the iMac specifications, minus the built-in LCD display. Decent dedicated GPU with its own RAM, capacity of up to 4GB system RAM and a 3.5" hard drive. Is that too much to ask for?

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 03:16 PM

The point is that a lot of Mac mini users buy it because of the low price, others are buying it because they don't want an all-in-one computer (and don't want/can't afford a Mac Pro). The iMac is NOT a valid alternative to the Mac mini for either camps.

What we need is the iMac specifications, minus the built-in LCD display. Decent dedicated GPU with its own RAM, capacity of up to 4GB system RAM and a 3.5" hard drive. Is that too much to ask for?

I love this constant cry about what people cant afford when Millions dropped over $500 - $600 each plus the AT&T monthly service plan for the original iPhone. Please! give me a break on what people cant afford how much was the original iPhone? :rolleyes:

Cave Man

Aug 24, 2008, 03:25 PM

I love this constant cry about what people cant afford when Millions dropped over $500 - $600 each plus the AT&T monthly service plan for the original iPhone. Please! give me a break on what people cant afford how much was the original iPhone? :rolleyes:

Let's see; top of the line Mini $800, entry level Mac Pro $2300. Seems like pretty simple math.

And the 20" iMac? It's just not what many people want, particularly with that crappy 6-bit TN glossy panel...

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 03:29 PM

Let's see; top of the line Mini $800, entry level Mac Pro $2300. Seems like pretty simple math.

And the 20" iMac? It's just not what many people want, particularly with that crappy 6-bit TN glossy panel...

So everyone here is so sure that a new headless Mac is the answer? I just dont see folks racing to the store to buy this dream machine. Hey you guys might be right I guess only time will tell.

Cave Man

Aug 24, 2008, 04:09 PM

No, they're all busy building hackintoshes.

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 05:32 PM

Just like the Cube was a flop anything just like it will die the same slow painful death people don't buy them plain and simple.
The Cube failed because it was overpriced. A Cube at Mac mini prices would probably sell very well.

andrewag

Aug 24, 2008, 05:41 PM

The Cube failed because it was overpriced. A Cube at Mac mini prices would probably sell very well.

Exactly, it was positioned at a price point higher than the low end Power Mac G4. From the posts in this thread a computer with specifications similar to an iMac sans the display would fill in the "don't want a Xeon workstation but want my own display and non-integrated graphics" niche. That said, who knows how Apple's marketing group have crossed off that type of computer?

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 05:55 PM

I can sort of understand Apple's strategy with the iMac. It's an icon; a visual representation of Apple computers, much like the original classic shape was. What really, really annoys me is that you can only get iMacs with glossy displays. What idiot decided on that?

We need a new Mac at our office and an iMac might fit well, but due to the glossy display issue, I've recommended a mini instead. I've owned two minis personally and they're great little machines.

Alzum

Aug 24, 2008, 08:29 PM

The Mini has got 30 days.. at most. Longer than then, and I'm spending my first pay packet on a Hackintosh..

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 08:59 PM

If and when this new Mini headless Mac comes out I sure hope we see people lined up for blocks and waiting days in line to get one:rolleyes: Not! If these little boxes are in such hot demand why are all the store shelf's full of them?

I was in my local Micro Center the other day and happen to glance up at the top storage shelf which was full of little Mini boxes. Oh thats right they are over priced so no one wants them:rolleyes:

.Chris

Aug 24, 2008, 09:00 PM

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 09:30 PM

why do people hate glossy? dont put it in the light. simple as that
Easier said than freaking done! All I have to do is wear a light colored shirt and I see its reflection, not to mention any windows or lights that are behind me.

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 09:41 PM

If these little boxes are in such hot demand why are all the store shelf's full of them?
Which stores? Used Mac minis are really overpriced on eBay, indicating strong demand for affordable Macs, also indicating that brand new minis are under-specked and overpriced. When refurbished minis show up at the Apple Store, they're gone in a few hours.

I was in my local Micro Center the other day and happen to glance up at the top storage shelf which was full of little Mini boxes. Oh thats right they are over priced so no one wants them:rolleyes:
Gee, could that be because minis haven't been updated for over a year and the guts are technology from two years ago? Or that nobody shops for Macs at Micro Center? Or that the minis are on the top storage shelf out of site? :)

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 09:41 PM

why do people hate glossy? dont put it in the light. simple as that

People don't really hate them its just the lunatics that come here to complain. One of the computers in my home is a Gateway One with glossy screen and I love it! it sits right next to the window and it looks great :) its easier to complain then say something positive.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 09:45 PM

Which stores? Used Mac minis are really overpriced on eBay, indicating strong demand for affordable Macs, also indicating that brand new minis are under-specked and overpriced. When refurbished minis show up at the Apple Store, they're gone in a few hours.

Gee, could that be because minis haven't been updated for over a year and the guts are technology from two years ago? Or that nobody shops for Macs at Micro Center? Or that the minis are on the top storage shelf out of site? :)

I guess you haven't been to a new Micro Center lately I happen to live just a few minutes away from the new Rockville Maryland store and the Apple section is fully stocked with everything they carry in the Apple store plus more! You can play with every Mac currently available for as long as you like.

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 09:48 PM

People don't really hate them its just the lunatics that come here to complain.
Anti-glare coating was invented for a reason. Nuff said on the subject.

aaquib

Aug 24, 2008, 09:55 PM

its easier to complain then say something positive.

Well said.

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 10:05 PM

Funny, there are all kinds of hopeful positive comments in this thread about the Mac mini, while others are very negative toward the general idea of an inexpensive headless Mac. Heaven forbid that someone should say anything negative about the "beloved" glossy iMac, in support of the thread topic.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 10:13 PM

iDave

Aug 24, 2008, 10:16 PM

Don't get your panties in bunch just relax :)
:) But I was referred to as a lunatic. :)

Cave Man

Aug 24, 2008, 10:30 PM

If and when this new Mini headless Mac comes out I sure hope we see people lined up for blocks and waiting days in line to get one:rolleyes: Not! If these little boxes are in such hot demand why are all the store shelf's full of them?

Maybe they're in such hot demand that MC just reloaded. :rolleyes:

I was in my local Micro Center the other day and happen to glance up at the top storage shelf which was full of little Mini boxes. Oh thats right they are over priced so no one wants them

Not really. There's more to a computer than its cpu, gpu and logic board. There's a certain value that's placed on footprint, silence and energy consumption. I'd like to see you find us any other computer out there that is equivalent to a Mini in terms of specs and features.

People don't really hate them its just the lunatics that come here to complain.

Pot calling Kettle; come in Kettle... :eek:

One of the computers in my home is a Gateway One with glossy screen and I love it! it sits right next to the window and it looks great :) its easier to complain then say something positive.

It's easy to complain about glossy displays if you do critical image work. The truth is, the glossy panels are much more difficult to calibrate with colorimeters, and almost impossible to calibrate using software (even Apple's very good Display Calibrator app). We've had three people in our camera club buy and return iMacs because they realized after their purchases that consistently getting faithful prints using a glossy paneled computer is nearly impossible.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 10:46 PM

Hello? Cave Man?

You wrote:

Not really. There's more to a computer than its cpu, gpu and logic board. There's a certain value that's placed on footprint, silence and energy consumption. I'd like to see you find us any other computer out there that is equivalent to a Mini in terms of specs and features.

My Answer:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-hybrid?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ref=dthp

Cave Man

Aug 24, 2008, 10:52 PM

Yeah, just configed it. Add in wireless and photo and video editing and it's more than the Mini by $69. You get an extra 40 gig of HD space, HDMI and X3100. Throw in the virus and spyware software (still essential for Windows) and you're almost to $1,000. The T5750 in the Dell has 2 mb cache while the T7200 in the Mini has 4 mb cache. It also doesn't support Intel Virtualization like the Mini's T7200 can.

Oh, and it doesn't have Bluetooth or digital optical audio input like the Mini does.

No thanks.

Hello? Cave Man?

My Answer:[/COLOR]

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-hybrid?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ref=dthp

Yes, I saw it the first time. You seem to have a habit of double posting. I may be a cave man, but I'm not a rock head.

dwl017

Aug 24, 2008, 10:59 PM

Yeah, just configed it. Add in wireless and photo and video editing and it's more than the Mini by $69. You get an extra 40 gig of HD space and X3100. Throw in the virus and spyware software (still essential for Windows) and you're almost to $1,000. The T5750 in the Dell has 2 mb cache while the T7200 in the Mini has 4 mb cache. It also doesn't support Intel Virtualization like the Mini's T7200 can.

No thanks.

But of course I didn't expect you to chime back in and say anything positive about it. You ask me to find a machine similar and I did! :) you don't buy these machines to do mission critical work just like you don't buy a Mini to do mission critical work. IE video editing etc. that's not what the Dell hybrid or the Mini is for of course you can do so if inclined but hey they are what they are :)

Yes, I saw it the first time. You seem to have a habit of double posting. I may be a cave man, but I'm not a rock head.

Don't get salty with me because his holiness lord Jobs only gives his loyal flock three desktop computers to choose from one being an outdated Mini :D

Cave Man

Aug 24, 2008, 11:15 PM

But of course I didn't expect you to chime back in and say anything positive about it.

Reread what I posted. I stated the benefits of the Dell (HD, HDMI and X3100). I also stated the benefits of the Mini.

You ask me to find a machine similar and I did! :) you don't buy these machines to do mission critical work just like you don't buy a Mini to do mission critical work.

I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm ready to launch a space ship.

Besides, if you have an xgrid-aware app, you could connect hundreds of Minis by firewire or ethernet and do distributed computing inside OS X. Can Windows Anything (Tm) do that?

IE video editing etc. that's not what the Dell hybrid or the Mini is for of course you can do so if inclined but hey they are what they are :)

The Mini is as good as any 2 gHz MacBook, MacBook Pro or iMac running at 2 gHz. That's the beauty of OS X.

What's particularly amazing (in my acerbic way of seeing things) is that it took Dell two years after the Mini's introduction to catch up with its competition.

You're asking would I rather have a Mini for $800 or the Dell for $1,000. To me, this is a no-brainer; I'll take the Mini.

Don't get salty with me because his holiness lord Jobs only gives his loyal flock three desktop computers to choose from one being an outdated Mini :D

I think you reap what you sow (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5711708&postcount=1576).

Well, lookie here. That T5750 in the Dell Studio Hybrid scores a 2268 at best (http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/68433), while the T7200 Mac Mini scores a 2591 on average (http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2008/06/mac-performance-june-2008/). Go ahead, buy that Dell. It'll suit you well.

PowerPC User

Aug 25, 2008, 04:46 AM

Yes, it like always amusing to read through a thread like this. :rolleyes:

And yes there is also: to learn. :confused:

You could say it's End Of Life for the Mac Mini because:

Video:
To have a machine that can accomodate more than one monitor.
And to have all displays display 1024x768 minimum (or less) though being able to change the resolution, also. However, it would also have to use native pixel sizes on monitors with different native sizes. (For example leaving some black unused area of the screen.) This would be to accommodate for not using a built-in display. :p

Size:
Maybe because of the previous note the dimensions would make it less mini and more "Standard".

Though, there is also this way of using personal computers like servers. Where there would be a main place to plug in as many "new mac minis" possible. Think reference books size with capability to enhance/add to performance of a whole "main computer" or the main frame where all the mini/nanos plug in. Also though, to make it be able to 'plug-in' or slide in a display base. Think sub-notebook base with display :o
Yes, it could have there own design. Or even plug into "robots"/stations that look different or are customizable. Think statues/mascots/toys? or even Asimo-devices-robots... ...:eek:

Use:
The use of the "Standard" can also be looked at as being an Systems Administrator. Though, the "toy factor" could bring in different ways/designs to (just) use a/the machine. :apple:

dwl017

Aug 25, 2008, 09:22 AM

I think you reap what you sow (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5711708&postcount=1576).

I still stand behind it, shut up and buy something else! oh my bad his holiness lord Jobs has not given his flock any other choices. "Mini - iMac - Pro" he sure is looking out for you Cave Man. One low end model, one all in one and one over priced feels a bit like the old Soviet Union.

Mirascael

Aug 25, 2008, 10:13 AM

People don't really hate them its just the lunatics that come here to complain. One of the computers in my home is a Gateway One with glossy screen and I love it! it sits right next to the window and it looks great :) its easier to complain then say something positive.

As Repair Process Control Leader for Mobile and TV-LCD, I can assure you that the glossy display on the iMac is a major design flaw. However, everything else has been so awesome that I couldn't resist to acquire an iMac nevertheless.

However, I can understand anyone who disregards the iMac as an option because of the glossy abomination.

Yvan256

Aug 25, 2008, 10:33 AM

I can say from my own experience that the Dell Studio Hybrid is as silent as the Mac mini.

Windows Vista, on the other hand.... no comment. ;)

Cave Man

Aug 25, 2008, 10:46 AM

I still stand behind it, shut up and buy something else! oh my bad his holiness lord Jobs has not given his flock any other choices. "Mini - iMac - Pro" he sure is looking out for you Cave Man.

Few people believe there are no holes in Apple's lineup; after all, many of us have built hackintoshes. But to state that the Mini is somehow out of line in price and performance simply isn't true.

snberk103

Aug 25, 2008, 10:59 AM

I still stand behind it, shut up and buy something else! oh my bad his holiness lord Jobs has not given his flock any other choices. "Mini - iMac - Pro" he sure is looking out for you Cave Man. One low end model, one all in one and one over priced feels a bit like the old Soviet Union.

Apple/Jobs is not required to provide all or even any of the choices that you or I may want. They are merely required to make a profit for the shareholders of the company. They have decided that with the resources available, and in these market conditions, a new headless Mac is a poor choice at this time.

I have a post here...
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6002223&postcount=1853
.... that explains my reasoning why I believe we won't see a mid-tower.

If you don't like Apple's decision, don't buy a Mac. Or, buy some Apple shares and go to a shareholder meeting, where - as a shareholder - you are allowed to tell Jobs and the board what you think. Not actually very USSR at all. Now, if you'll excuse me I have a Beatles album to find and play. One of the best opening chords ever.

ps I've never linked to post like this before, if this is the wrong way to do it will someone let me know? Thanks.

maccompaq

Aug 25, 2008, 11:24 AM

I agree that there is a hole in the Mac lineup. My need is for a tower that I can get inside easily like my older Macs. A Mac Pro is overkill for me, so I built a Hackintosh like Cave Man and others. It works very well for me. Even my older Macs work quite well yet.

spatlese44

Aug 25, 2008, 11:53 AM

Is it just me, or does this Dell Studio Hybrid look a little like a giant iPod laying sideways???

Also, based on the specs of this thing, Apple need not rush to update the Mini any time soon. Maybe by next June?

andyr2120

Aug 25, 2008, 12:07 PM

Apple/Jobs is not required to provide all or even any of the choices that you or I may want. They are merely required to make a profit for the shareholders of the company.

While that is true as far as written laws go, any company that wants to do business has a higher level obligation to please the customer. The shareholder would not exist if the customer did not already exist.

The obvious retort is that Apple is doing pretty damn well these days, so it would seem that they must be satisfying a lot of customers. 100% true. But they can do better.

To me, the most obvious opportunity to do better is to deliver what is truly "the computer for the rest of us". I don't care if it is along the lines of the mini, macbook, imac or something new, but I don't feel like any of the current products quite fit that bill. The only thing that keeps a redesigned mini or a newly introduced xmac from being the best candidate for that role is Apple's focus on portable devices.

I want to buy a redesigned mini or an xmac, but I suspect I will wake up one day, read Macrumors and discover that Apple has announced a new, portable device that could be the next Macbook and decide to throw my money that way instead of waiting for a new desktop model. I give up -- Steve, you win.

maccompaq

Aug 25, 2008, 12:23 PM

I want to buy a redesigned mini or an xmac, but I suspect I will wake up one day, read Macrumors and discover that Apple has announced a new, portable device that could be the next Macbook and decide to throw my money that way instead of waiting for a new desktop model. I give up -- Steve, you win.

I was almost there, because I had decided to buy a Mac Pro instead of waiting for a mid tower. Then I decided to build a Hackintosh, more for the challenge, but it turned out so well, that it fullfills my need for a mid tower.

opeter

Aug 25, 2008, 12:43 PM

I'll wait. I can wait. I have to wait. I need to wait. Oh, wait, how long I have to wait for an update?

Till 5th september, i have to wait only 11 days. That's not that much, or what do you think?

bombjack

Aug 25, 2008, 12:49 PM

where the **** are you going to fit anything?

you couldn't fit a hard drive, memory, or a processor in that thing.

only an optical drive.

THE MINI CAN'T GET ANY SMALLER.

Yea, and noone will ever need more than 640 Kb of Ram...

iDave

Aug 25, 2008, 12:53 PM

I'll wait. I can wait. I have to wait. I need to wait. Oh, wait, how long I have to wait for an update?

Till 5th september, i have to wait only 11 days. That's not that much, or what do you think?
By mid November, after all MacBooks have been updated. Guaranteed. ;)

Yvan256

Aug 25, 2008, 12:59 PM

Well, lookie here. That T5750 in the Dell Studio Hybrid scores a 2268 at best (http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/68433), while the T7200 Mac Mini scores a 2591 on average (http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2008/06/mac-performance-june-2008/). Go ahead, buy that Dell. It'll suit you well.

Do you know which CPU model/number is in my 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini? I did order the Dell Studio Hybrid with that T5750, thinking I'd swap CPUs with the "slower one" in my Mac mini. Did I make a mistake, should have I kept the even slower T2390 in the Dell? :confused:

Cave Man

Aug 25, 2008, 01:09 PM

T5600 (http://processorfinder.intel.com/DetailsPrinterFriendly.aspx?sSpec=SL9SG). I wouldn't go through the process of swapping them out, that's for sure. You'd lose virtualization technology and lose speed.

gwerhart0800

Aug 25, 2008, 01:10 PM

Do you know which CPU model/number is in my 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini? I did order the Dell Studio Hybrid with that T5750, thinking I'd swap CPUs with the "slower one" in my Mac mini. Did I make a mistake, should have I kept the even slower T2390 in the Dell? :confused:

The C2D 1.83Ghz chip is a T5600. It is not pin compatible with the T5750.

Donar

Aug 25, 2008, 01:27 PM

Besides, if you have an xgrid-aware app, you could connect hundreds of Minis by firewire or ethernet and do distributed computing inside OS X. Can Windows Anything (Tm) do that?
There is an java XGrid client around that you could use over Ethernet, or install Linux and then compile & install the Linux version. :p ;) :D

Eric S.

Aug 25, 2008, 01:38 PM

Yea, and noone will ever need more than 640 Kb of Ram...

Continuing the historical regression:

"All of the calculations that will ever be needed in this country can be done on the three digital computers now being built - one in Cambridge, one in Teddington, and one in Manchester. No one else will ever need machines of their own or will be able to afford to buy them."
- Cambridge mathematician Douglas Hartree, circa 1951 (a similar quote is often mis-attributed to Thomas Watson, 1st president of IBM)

"What use could this company make of an electric toy?"
-William Orton, President of Western Union, when offered the telephone for $100,000 in 1876.

"An interesting novelty, but the telephone has no commercial application."
-J. Pierpont Morgan, around the same time.

localoid

Aug 25, 2008, 02:09 PM

Continuing the historical regression:
...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the coin:

"Nuclear powered vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality within 10 years." -- Alex Lewyt, quoted in the New York Times, 1955.

In the 1950s, the Ford Motor Company performed a feasibility study and concluded that both the technology and market supported a flying car.

Yvan256

Aug 25, 2008, 02:29 PM

The C2D 1.83Ghz chip is a T5600. It is not pin compatible with the T5750.

So, was it even worth it to upgrade the Dell to the T5750/2.0GHz for 50$ or should I have kept the T2390/1.86GHz?

maccompaq

Aug 25, 2008, 03:11 PM

So, was it even worth it to upgrade the Dell to the T5750/2.0GHz for 50$ or should I have kept the T2390/1.86GHz?

Interesting how a Mac Mini forum has turned into a Dell.

dwl017

Aug 25, 2008, 03:18 PM

Interesting how a Mac Mini forum has turned into a Dell.

The thread is almost a year old it has taken detours all along the way :)

maccompaq

Aug 25, 2008, 03:22 PM

The thread is almost a year old it has taken detours all along the way :)
Actually I was just kidding. No question, this thread has a life of it's own.

Yvan256

Aug 25, 2008, 08:39 PM

So.... new Mac mini or Mac nano replacement on september 9th? :D

t0mat0

Aug 25, 2008, 09:02 PM

So.... new Mac mini or Mac nano replacement on september 9th? :D

September 2nd - bump prior to the 9th? or after? More likely to do a refresh not on the same day as a iPod refresh? Can't get the full historic dates to hand yet.

opeter

Aug 26, 2008, 02:25 AM

By mid November, after all MacBooks have been updated. Guaranteed. ;)

So no update for the Mini at the 9th September event? :(

alp's apple

Aug 26, 2008, 04:29 AM

So no update for the Mini at the 9th September event? :(

Times are changin' my friends...

Look at that :
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=551145

It appears, however, that Apple could be prepping for a wide range of product updates, with signals to at least some resellers to halt resupplies of Mac minis, MacBook Pros, iPods and even Cinema Displays.

:cool:

opeter

Aug 26, 2008, 06:46 AM

Times are changin' my friends...

Look at that :
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=551145

It appears, however, that Apple could be prepping for a wide range of product updates, with signals to at least some resellers to halt resupplies of Mac minis, MacBook Pros, iPods and even Cinema Displays.

:cool:

Hurray, thats great news! :)

Motley

Aug 26, 2008, 07:40 AM

Mac Mini End of Life? thread at end of life?

Lesser Evets

Aug 26, 2008, 08:08 AM

There was a March rumor entry saying an insider related how the mini is being completely re-engineered and will be re-released sometime with upped specs.

If the up doesn't come in September it will come in January.

maccompaq

Aug 26, 2008, 08:14 AM

The way the Mini has been treated, it probably will not see an update until January.

t0mat0

Aug 26, 2008, 09:39 AM

I like the arstechnica (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/08/25/rumor-apple-event-for-september-9th) angle:
in the past few years, September has been reserved for iPods, while August is for the Mac. This year, Intel's delay of Centrino 2 made that impossible. If an iPod-only event is held on September 9, the long-overdue update of Mac portables would likely be pushed back at least two weeks, if not longer. Introducing the hotly-rumored and redesigned MacBook in October would mean missing out on late - starting college students in September. If ever there was a year for an Apple Super Event in September for Macs and iPods, 2008 would be it.

It's an interesting angle - Apple is constrained as to when it can update, by the various timings that have altered potentially by a Intel delay on Centrino 2.

There are pretty good indicators e.g. low stock, EOL etc. And sudden sales

CWallace

Aug 26, 2008, 09:54 AM

Assuming Apple is moving to nVidia mobile, that means the Mac Mini will be updated along with the iMac, MacBook and MacBook Pro.

The MacBook and MacBook Pro will be launched first (and likely together), followed within a few weeks by the Mac Mini and then the iMac a few weeks after that.

Eric S.

Aug 26, 2008, 10:40 AM

It's an interesting angle - Apple is constrained as to when it can update, by the various timings that have altered potentially by a Intel delay on Centrino 2.

I don't agree with that. Montevina was delayed by a certification technicality, not by any real technical issue. Other computer manufacturers were ready to announce Montevina models the day after Intel released it. Surely Apple had access to the hardware, along with other major manufacturers, long before that. If they had been ready they could have announced new products in August too.

maccompaq

Aug 26, 2008, 10:42 AM

Apple seldom rushes to get a new chipset.

CWallace

Aug 26, 2008, 10:55 AM

Apple is constrained as to when it can update, by the various timings that have altered potentially by a Intel delay on Centrino 2.

Apple does not use the Intel Wireless chipset which was subject to the FCC delay. The MacBook and Mac Mini would likely have used the X4500IGP, but we don't know how - or even if - the errata issues would affect Apple.

I am more and more thinking that Apple is indeed moving to nVidia mobile chipsets and this is the reason for the delay in shipping new products.

dasikes

Aug 26, 2008, 11:06 AM

Mac Mini End of Life? thread at end of life?

If there is a refreshed Mac Mini, what will happen to this thread? :D

Eric S.

Aug 26, 2008, 11:09 AM

If there is a refreshed Mac Mini, what will happen to this thread? :D

It will continue to speculate on the next Mac mini.

:D

CWallace

Aug 26, 2008, 11:24 AM

If there is a refreshed Mac Mini, what will happen to this thread? :D

It will switch to a complaint about the specs and the price. :p

dwl017

Aug 26, 2008, 12:03 PM

It will switch to a complaint about the specs and the price. :p

Yep I can already hear the complaints why did they do that? why didn't they do that? I'm disappointed etc.. its still slow and not what I really needed. its never going to end :p

bc008

Aug 26, 2008, 12:12 PM

Yep I can already hear the complaints why did they do that? why didn't they do that? I'm disappointed etc.. its still slow and not what I really needed. its never going to end :p

yea.. 2.1 GHz low end?!? are they kidding me?
give me my old mini back

LOL

zombitronic

Aug 26, 2008, 12:37 PM

Yep I can already hear the complaints why did they do that? why didn't they do that? I'm disappointed etc.. its still slow and not what I really needed. its never going to end :p

As long as it lets me record TV and plays Blu-Rays and supports 1620p and makes toast and coffee, I won't complain.

gkarris

Aug 26, 2008, 01:00 PM

It will continue to speculate on the next Mac mini.

:D

Well, it's the "Mac Mini End Of Life?" thread, that will always be a topic of discussion... :eek:

If Apple comes out with a new one next month, I give the Mini another 16 months, then we see what happens...

Eric S.

Aug 26, 2008, 01:26 PM

Well, it's the "Mac Mini End Of Life?" thread, that will always be a topic of discussion... :eek:

Yeah, even after it happens. :D

Steve NoJobs

Aug 26, 2008, 02:22 PM

hey have you all heard the news?

apple is bringing back the PPC G3 processors and putting them into the new mini's on sept. 9th.

their also changing the name from the mac mini to the mac minus.

because of the new changes, i'm selling my g4 mac mini for 1300$. call me if your interested.

:p

CWallace

Aug 26, 2008, 02:50 PM

It's gotta be Intel's Atom - it will tie in perfectly with the iPhone 3G advertising:

"Half the speed, twice the price."

shikimo

Aug 27, 2008, 03:08 AM

If there is a refreshed Mac Mini, what will happen to this thread? :D

As long as there still IS a mini I think the thread has a right to live on...

...the real question is why are so many of us still reading it :p.

Clive At Five

Aug 27, 2008, 07:23 AM

As long as there still IS a mini I think the thread has a right to live on...

...the real question is why are so many of us still reading it :p.

Because there are enough competent people out there who know that, nowadays, a decent computer shouldn't have to cost you $1200. The Mini used to be it, but hasn't been for almost two years (the last update was a joke and that was a year ago).

Cost efficient != "Dreck." That is a misconception that many people have on these boards.

-Clive

t0mat0

Aug 27, 2008, 07:55 AM

Apple does not use the Intel Wireless chipset which was subject to the FCC delay. The MacBook and Mac Mini would likely have used the X4500IGP, but we don't know how - or even if - the errata issues would affect Apple.

I am more and more thinking that Apple is indeed moving to nVidia mobile chipsets and this is the reason for the delay in shipping new products.

Hadn't thought about it enough I guess!
Snow Leopards features, alongside Larrabee, Nehalem - doesn't it point towards Apple perhaps wanting to use more custom designed chipsets across its lines?
To go on a tangent a bit: Come Snow Leopard (and to be honest, it could have been done prior to SL), The XServe could double up in size, or incorporate more RAM slots/a link to another board with more RAM slots; the Mac Pro is presumably going to be the other main beneficiary, and why wouldn't Apple want to give the ability (even in an "Extreme" Mac Pro model) to be able to have a board that can physically take more RAM than currently. Same goes with the iMac. The Mac mini i'd imagine is a bit cramped in there, but could still take 4GB or so?

Would any of the fabbed chips from PA Semi related designs go into any of the Macs Apple has, or just be related to a potential MID beyond Touch and iPhone?

Throw in Lucid's Hydra ftw?

Romanesq

Aug 27, 2008, 08:02 AM

Have heard that there is a lot of existing stock of the mini. So not sure how that will lend itself to Apple making the next one.

Wish I knew but the little guy does need an overhaul and is really overdue.

Not a fair comparison but when you can buy a laptop for the price of the mini, what's the point?

How will Apple respond to that? If they thought it out, it could be a really solid performer and media center too.

Gee, you could at a minimum put in HDMI, a new chip, graphics chipset and RAM limits.

What's so hard about that? :apple:

CWallace

Aug 27, 2008, 10:35 AM

Snow Leopards features, alongside Larrabee, Nehalem - doesn't it point towards Apple perhaps wanting to use more custom designed chipsets across its lines?

It may very well be. Snow Leopard will take advantage of the four and eight-core Core i7 /Nehalem CPUs and might very well be able to leverage Larabee's "CPU swarms".

Snow Leopard will also leverage CUDA and that means Apple needs to add a discrete nVidia GPU to the MacBook and Mac Mini if they stayed with Intel's chipsets and that would add costs. But by moving to nVidia's chipsets, they now get the nVidia GPU integrated.

Would any of the fabbed chips from PA Semi related designs go into any of the Macs Apple has, or just be related to a potential MID beyond Touch and iPhone?

As I understand it, the PA Semi chips are based on the embedded PowerPC architecture which does not lend itself to the Mac market. It also would not be able to leverage Snow Leopard (which will be based on Intel's CPU architecture).

munsongeek

Aug 27, 2008, 01:13 PM

Butthead

Aug 27, 2008, 02:06 PM

I responded to your message from my studio picture at 123macmini here: http://www.123macmini.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=13

I highly recommend the mini and Garageband. Too many people under-rate Garageband as well as the mini. Besides, I would much rather spend my money on equipment and effects rather than for a better faster Mac that would accomplish the same thing. The mini does the job with no limitations.

Also, if you decide on getting the Roland HD-1 kit, it can plug directly in to the input (1/8" jack) on the back of the mini (like any real instrument), however I run it through a small mixer.

Regards

Famous last words. No limitations rights *now*, come the next revisions of OSX and Garageband (which you may want to get for all the new 'must' have useful features, ease of use, etc), the current mini, *might* not be able to take advantage of. It's the same for most apps that bring new stuff to the table, and older hardware doesn't quite keep up with ever greater demands that the newer software uses, on the latest and greatest hardware.

mini needs to keep the price low, so Apple is limited by that constraint as to what performance/price ratio hardware- when and if Apple updates the model...assuming they don't kill it altogether Sept 9. :D That rules out higher RAM capacities, rules out expensive SSD's, discreet GPU's, etc. It's a budget computer that uses the lowest price parts.

As always people want a low priced mini, but lust for a added mini Xtreme model in the equation...what, you don't want to do FCS/Motion editing of your 4k res major studio release on a mini Xtreme :P ?

joecool85

Aug 27, 2008, 02:39 PM

Famous last words. No limitations rights *now*, come the next revisions of OSX and Garageband...?

It is this way no matter what the hardware.

aaquib

Aug 27, 2008, 03:06 PM

It is this way no matter what the hardware.

Exactly. People are acting like the different between the base mini and the base MB is more then the measly 300mhz. They both come with the same RAM, Combo Drive, and the mini has a slightly smaller hard drive. But, the MB costs $500 more. The mini isn't actually priced that badly when you compare it to the Macbook. The only significant and obvious advantage with the Macbook is portability.

Cave Man

Aug 27, 2008, 03:16 PM

The only significant and obvious advantage with the Macbook is portability.

Also 802.11n, 3 gbps SATA, x3100 and iSight collectively are pretty significant advantages.

specialbuddy

Aug 27, 2008, 04:07 PM

New Mac Mini Cube. Think I can get dedicated graphics for this?
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/dscf0094-300x225.jpg

t0mat0

Aug 27, 2008, 06:38 PM

of two reasons.
1) User swappable parts. It becomes very difficult to design and support an OS that works with the nearly infinite combinations of parts that users will want to put into a mid-range tower. It is amazing that MS and Linux manage to do it as well as they do, though they are far from perfect. Thats why MS and Linux can't use "It just works" (aside from the TM issue).

Yes Apple could dictate that only a limited number of Apple certified parts be used, but then that sort of defeats the purpose of having user swappable parts in the first place. Many people will add the $35 HD, despite it not being "certified", and then complain to everybody how crappy Macs are when they discover data corruption.

2) A mid-range tower competes directly with - well - practically everyone. Quite honestly, how many people are going to pay any kind of a premium price for something Apple makes that they can get cheaper (perhaps much cheaper because of shoddy design work) from anyone else. For the most part, people who buy iMacs and Minis pay the premium because of their respective form-factors. These form-factors don't really compete with much else. Yes, I know that there are other AIOs and Minis - but they don't get promoted much, nor are they as easy to find as Apple's offerings.

Economics 101: The vast majority of people base their purchase decisions based solely on price. Thats why they fly on discount airlines, and then complain about the lack of service. Thats why they shop at Walmart, and then complain that "things aren't made to last like they used to". Apple does not compete on price. Thats why we have a superior product from them. The only way to sell a mid-range tower that competes with everything else out there is to compete on price. I don't want Apple to start cutting corners that why.

There, I've said it....

Just wanted to put the post on the thread as I thought it interesting - it would definitely be a great question to ask Woz or Steve - Why no mid tower?
Seeing it from the perspective of KISS makes sense.

It may very well be. Snow Leopard will take advantage of the four and eight-core Core i7 /Nehalem CPUs and might very well be able to leverage Larabee's "CPU swarms".

Snow Leopard will also leverage CUDA and that means Apple needs to add a discrete nVidia GPU to the MacBook and Mac Mini if they stayed with Intel's chipsets and that would add costs. But by moving to nVidia's chipsets, they now get the nVidia GPU integrated.

Would Apple make a push into HPC or Enterprise servers - or will they be passive aggressive like Enterprise? The 209 tech of using GPGPU, graphics cards for power, Larrabee, Hydra etc - all of this is tech that gets more powerful by upgrading adding. Will Apple use the Mac Pro as a springboard to open up the possibilities of letting people add as they go, or just make it BTO options?
It seems you have to pay a lot before you can get a more easily able to upgrade Mac.
Actually forecasting what Apple will do Graphics card wise for the different lines seems a big headache, as there's so much going on, and with potential decisions needing a lot of behind the scenese work if they're not going to pin their colors to one particular graphics card manufacturer. Having said that, isn't AMD hence ATI really struggling? Nvidia has CUDA, and potentially a big round of headaches from any more failing chips in the next year.

Eric S.

Aug 27, 2008, 06:48 PM

it would definitely be a great question to ask Woz or Steve - Why no mid tower?

Woz?? :confused: He hasn't had input on these decisions for about a quarter of a century.

alphaod

Aug 27, 2008, 08:24 PM

Woz?? :confused: He hasn't had input on these decisions for about a quarter of a century.

LOL woz. :p

CWallace

Aug 27, 2008, 08:44 PM

It becomes very difficult to design and support an OS that works with the nearly infinite combinations of parts that users will want to put into a mid-range tower. It is amazing that MS and Linux manage to do it as well as they do, though they are far from perfect. Thats why MS and Linux can't use "It just works" (aside from the TM issue).

I would argue it is that "commoditization" of hardware that contributes to Wintel manufacturers creating so many different models in a desperate attempt to try and come up with something "different" to try and make some more sales. This adds complexity and becomes a source of issues.

Would Apple make a push into HPC or Enterprise servers - or will they be passive aggressive like Enterprise?

I don't really see it as a future core competency of Apple in terms of either hardware or software. XServe (the hardware and software) is a nice basic package, but you're unlikely to run a Fortune 5000 company off of it, much less a Fortune 500 or 50.

powers74

Aug 27, 2008, 10:08 PM

Who cares? This is what I want:

http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?portfolio_id=1471781&individual_id=116471&specialty=4&sort_by=1&c=1&

Well, just a thought.

opeter

Aug 28, 2008, 01:52 AM

Who cares? This is what I want:

http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_file.asp?portfolio_id=1471781&individual_id=116471&specialty=4&sort_by=1&c=1&

Well, just a thought.

OMG, thats great. Maybe in 2030.

mrglsmrc

Aug 28, 2008, 02:17 AM

i am on my second mini. it is one of the cheapest out there when you consider that you get leopard and ilfe in the deal and this summer apple store was giving free printers with the mini.
i had them add memory though i can do it cheaper because i wanted to keep it under warranty until it checks out.
my first mini had a dying hard drive, so i bought a new one for it. i am disgusted by the idea of taking the thing apart--it is a bit too much like having sex in a phone booth.
if you really think the dell is cheaper you haven't calculated the cost of good m$ software. i can compile a lot of good free software in the xcode3.1 environment and using fink. the other good stuff i use like nisus and devonthink cost less than 100 usd each. there is no cheap windows software because everybody who uses windows is a closet pirate and the software foundries have to make up the difference off the few honest folks who saddle up to the bar.
i also used to build pc s as a hobby. you can build your own pc pretty cheap but it wasn't until recently that you could run a high performance pc in a real 64 bit operating system with windows software and leopard is way better than vista especially before the first vista service pack came out.
the only thing i really needed windows for was a lot of foreign chess training and database software that never makes it over here. pcs are also very good for watching cable tv with better fidelity than the cable box but now that tv tuners aren't analog soon this is a waste.
about all those boxes at your maryland computer store, i once worked in retail-- maybe those boxes were out of reach because they are small enough to be easy to steal. also inventory is dynamic these days so if the boxes were sitting in a warehouse that would spell trouble. since the boxes are in the store someone in management believes that theses minis will sell well at this store location. it is not the condemnation you think it is.
i'd rather have a mini with a cheap big monitor from costco than any cutesey imac. and i love my bluetooth kb and mouse which are sold at apple stores but never seem to be displayed because they are too easy to steal too.
-marc :apple:

Cave Man

Aug 28, 2008, 01:09 PM

my first mini had a dying hard drive, so i bought a new one for it. i am disgusted by the idea of taking the thing apart--it is a bit too much like having sex in a phone booth.

You say that like it's a bad thing. :)

i'd rather have a mini with a cheap big monitor from costco than any cutesey imac. and i love my bluetooth kb and mouse which are sold at apple stores but never seem to be displayed because they are too easy to steal too.
-marc :apple:

The ability to choose a cheap, or expensive, display for a Mini is one of its biggest advantages. It would be a sad day if the Mini goes away without a comparable replacement.

iDave

Aug 28, 2008, 02:14 PM

The ability to choose a cheap, or expensive, display for a Mini is one of its biggest advantages. It would be a sad day if the Mini goes away without a comparable replacement.
Who knows what kind of measuring stick Amazon.com is. Both minis are typically in the top 25 desktop computers being sold there, with the low-end model usually in the top five. It seems that's a lot of buyers Apple would be alienating if they quit selling the mini or a similar headless model.

MM123

Aug 28, 2008, 02:16 PM

The ability to choose a cheap, or expensive, display for a Mini is one of its biggest advantages. It would be a sad day if the Mini goes away without a comparable replacement.

Would be really a sad day for lot of us.

Steve NoJobs

Aug 28, 2008, 08:23 PM

let's boycott apple until they upgrade the mini.

nobody buy anything else from this point on.:apple:

Cave Man

Aug 28, 2008, 10:36 PM

What do you think the hackintosh is?

zombitronic

Aug 29, 2008, 11:48 AM

The ability to choose a cheap, or expensive, display for a Mini is one of its biggest advantages. It would be a sad day if the Mini goes away without a comparable replacement.

Especially when your TV can be that display.

t0mat0

Aug 29, 2008, 01:27 PM

Woz?? :confused: He hasn't had input on these decisions for about a quarter of a century.

o.0 Schiller. Getting my AAPL peeps mixed up hehe.

I don't like it how one article (The recent AppeInsider roadplan article) gets turned into Mini going to be 5 more months, because it took that long from the stage it's at now for the MacBook Air, to get to release.

Few days and we'll know I guess. Till then - anyone know a good way of getting an alert when the UK refurb page changes? I might be soon looking for a refurb Mini...

spatlese44

Aug 29, 2008, 02:05 PM

I just did a search on this thread and with over 2000 posts, nobody has mentioned GMA 4500MHD. Why is that? Amongst other things, it's "capable of high def 1080p playback". Whatever that means. I always thought any reasonably equipped PC these days could do that. I imagine it shifts the load off the CPU, which would be a big thing for a media computer, on which you don't want the fan running. It was released July 16, 2008, so the timing is right.

Cave Man

Aug 29, 2008, 02:28 PM

I just did a search on this thread and with over 2000 posts, nobody has mentioned GMA 4500MHD. Why is that?

Probably because no one ever thought it'd be this long before we'd see a Mini update.

Amongst other things, it's "capable of high def 1080p playback". Whatever that means.

It probably means it's HDCP compliant. The current Mini can play 1080p Blu-Ray video just fine, if you remove the HDCP restriction.

I always thought any reasonably equipped PC these days could do that. I imagine it shifts the load off the CPU, which would be a big thing for a media computer, on which you don't want the fan running.

Not with Mac OS computers. The cpu does all the decoding work. The gpu simply displays the content.

t0mat0

Aug 29, 2008, 06:38 PM

Not with Mac OS computers. The cpu does all the decoding work. The gpu simply displays the content.

Currently...

Demodex

Aug 31, 2008, 07:01 PM

maccompaq

Sep 1, 2008, 07:59 AM

I will be happy with really anything apple does with the mini. I wish they would either cancel it so we know we can try the hackintosh route, or if they would just update the darn thing and we would just buy that. I am looking for the mini to by my everyday computer to replace my aging G4 AGP Graphics.

People just do not realize how powerful the Mini is. It is not a game machine, but who buys it for that?

MM123

Sep 1, 2008, 09:17 AM

People just do not realize how powerful the Mini is. It is not a game machine, but who buys it for that?

Yes, it really is :)

maccompaq

Sep 1, 2008, 09:29 AM

I will be happy with really anything apple does with the mini. I wish they would either cancel it so we know we can try the hackintosh route, or if they would just update the darn thing and we would just buy that. I am looking for the mini to by my everyday computer to replace my aging G4 AGP Graphics.
The Mini is at least 4 times faster than your current G4. I don't know why people put the Mini down.

I almost bought a Mini, but then the challenge of building a Hackintosh was too great. My Hackintosh works great, but the Mini is an amazing machine.

Enigmafan420

Sep 1, 2008, 09:53 AM

I have a DC 2.0 with 3 GB Ram and a Ministack External HD 500 GB, a DC 1.83 DC with Superdrive, 2 GB RAM and a Minstack 80 GB (Home built) External HD, and a DC 1.83 with 2 GB Ram and Combo Drive.

All are boot-camp and parallels enabled. And am thinking of buying a 4th one for my daughter. None of us do any hard core gaming, and, truth be told, Mac Halo runs fine on my sons 1.83 combo drive, as does Need for Speed Hot Pursuit (in Bootcamp), one of his favorite games.

The mini has always felt like the bastard step child in the Mac Line-up. But you can do nearly ANYTHING with it you can with an iMac. And, I have a beautiful LG 22" Widescreen LCD hooked up to my 2.0-a far better monitor than the expensive and washed-out looking 20" iMac monitor.

Here's to hoping Apple will give us about a 2.8 with 2 GB RAM and at least GMA 3100...

opeter

Sep 1, 2008, 01:13 PM

Here's to hoping Apple will give us about a 2.8 with 2 GB RAM and at least GMA 3100...

That would be great. But i think that saddly, wont be happen. :o

MM123

Sep 1, 2008, 03:17 PM

The Mini is at least 4 times faster than your current G4. I don't know why people put the Mini down.

I almost bought a Mini, but then the challenge of building a Hackintosh was too great. My Hackintosh works great, but the Mini is an amazing machine.

I think it's even more. I have Digital Audio which I have upgraded with 867 MHz processor and the XBench score of that Mac is 28,72, GeekBench score is 473. My MacMini has XBench score 119,59 and GeekBench 2889. Pretty nice for that small machine :)
I hope Apple don't sc***w it up and update the MacMini really soon.

Enigmafan420

Sep 1, 2008, 03:57 PM

That would be great. But i think that saddly, wont be happen. :o

Why do you think they won't? That would not be a huge upgrade, the iMac has them already and the iMac is based on laptop parts, just like the mini.

I don't think the specs are outrageous at all-basically a low-end iMac with no screen is what would suit me-and I am okay with integrated graphics...

shikimo

Sep 1, 2008, 04:03 PM

I think it's even more. I have Digital Audio which I have upgraded with 867 MHz processor and the XBench score of that Mac is 28,72, GeekBench score is 473. My MacMini has XBench score 119,59 and GeekBench 2889. Pretty nice for that small machine :)

Yeah, seriously...for the millionth time, relatively bad value does not equal bad machine:). Love my mini...

...and besides, how often do you get to buy a computer and have it still be the best version you can buy 13 months later?? From Apple's point of view that looks like product neglect, but from where I sit it looks like a pretty well-timed investment:p.

MacTCP

Sep 1, 2008, 04:04 PM

I do hope the mini is refreshed soon. I am waiting to buy one.

dwl017

Sep 1, 2008, 04:07 PM

Why do you think they won't? That would not be a huge upgrade, the iMac has them already and the iMac is based on laptop parts, just like the mini.

I don't think the specs are outrageous at all-basically a low-end iMac with no screen is what would suit me-and I am okay with integrated graphics...

You are not alone hundreds of thousands are also just fine with the integrated graphics. Its only the lunatics that come to MR that cry about it not be god enough, think of the thousands of happy Mini owners that don't even know this site exist.

dwl017

Sep 1, 2008, 04:08 PM

I do hope the mini is refreshed soon. I am waiting to buy one.

What about the current configuration does not meet your needs? Are you doing mission critical work?

MacTCP

Sep 1, 2008, 04:11 PM

What about the current configuration does not meet your needs? Are you doing mission critical work?

Well my G4 struggles with iMovie, so I thought I should get a new mac. I wanted a mini, but I heard there might be a new one coming out soon, and I do not want to be IIvx'd.

dwl017

Sep 1, 2008, 04:19 PM

Well my G4 struggles with iMovie, so I thought I should get a new mac. I wanted a mini, but I heard there might be a new one coming out soon, and I do not want to be IIvx'd.

Not to pick on you but I just wanted to hear what a honest Joe might say not some techy IT lunatic user. Thanks for you honesty, well good news :) if you don't want to wait the current Mini will run iMovie just fine.

Your honesty is very refreshing not usually what you get here :)

iDave

Sep 1, 2008, 04:22 PM

Nobody wants to buy a "new" Mac that hasn't been updated in more than a year, if they can help it. The mini, having year-old specs immediately after it was last upgraded is now two years behind, so it would make the purchase of a new one even more painful.

Unless Apple changes their strategy, I'd expect another minor mini upgrade before December with Santa Rosa at about 2.2 Ghz, with 802.11n wireless and slightly bigger hard drives. I'll probably buy one when it happens, and eBay the one I bought last year.

MM123

Sep 1, 2008, 04:23 PM

Why do you think they won't? That would not be a huge upgrade, the iMac has them already and the iMac is based on laptop parts, just like the mini.

I don't think the specs are outrageous at all-basically a low-end iMac with no screen is what would suit me-and I am okay with integrated graphics...

You are absolutely right with the specs, but this is Apple, one never knows what will be the next MM configuration (if at all) :D

MacTCP

Sep 1, 2008, 06:29 PM

Enigmafan420

Sep 1, 2008, 08:00 PM

Whenever I buy a new mac, I try to buy right after a release. Even though I know the current one is like 5x the speed of my G4, I know the next one is right around the corner since it hasn't been updated for over a year. I can use my G4 for a while more though.;)

I really do NOT need a new Mac Mini-I am more "into it" because I do NOT want Apple to discontinue the line. I have a 2.0 mini and I took the OEM RAM out and put 3GB in-I just wish the HD were bigger-I have had to resort to external storage.

That being said, the lack of an update, or even "credible" rumors of one, is concerning me, because I want my next MAC to be a Mini-and with my daughter wanting one, I was hoping to get a new one sooner rather than later, though I do NOT need it :rolleyes:

gwerhart0800

Sep 2, 2008, 07:55 AM

That being said, the lack of an update, or even "credible" rumors of one, is concerning me, because I want my next MAC to be a Mini-and with my daughter wanting one, I was hoping to get a new one sooner rather than later, though I do NOT need it :rolleyes:

The ONLY thing that anyone outside of Apple have say that is FACT is that the existing CPU chips being used in the current generation of Mac Minis are being phased out by Intel. Apple could have made a "life-time" buy so that they would have a stockpile, or they could have cut a deal with Intel to keep making them, both are unlikely. The stock of CPUs is be dwindling. They are getting harder to find ... for example, NewEgg is out of all T7200, T7400, and T7600.

SO, all anyone without inside knowledge can say is: The Mini will either get an upgrade to a newer CPU/Chipset or it will get killed. This will have to happen within the next few months because the supply of CPUs is dwindling. Since no one outside of Apple knows what their stockpile of CPUs looks like, it is not possible to pin dates on anything. It is only possible to state that the supply is finite.

snberk103

Sep 2, 2008, 10:33 AM

The ONLY thing that anyone outside of Apple have say that is FACT is that the existing CPU chips being used in the current generation of Mac Minis are being phased out by Intel. ...

SO, all anyone without inside knowledge can say is: The Mini will either get an upgrade to a newer CPU/Chipset or it will get killed. This will have to happen within the next few months because the supply of CPUs is dwindling. Since no one outside of Apple knows what their stockpile of CPUs looks like, it is not possible to pin dates on anything. It is only possible to state that the supply is finite.

Good Analysis What will be, will be - all in its appointed time. My gut tells me we will know this month. Or that could be too much coffee before breakfast.

To all of the returning students - Good Luck.... have a great and successful year in school. (That also applies to those of you who are already half way through.... I think Australia started their school year 6 months ago?)

iDave

Sep 2, 2008, 12:14 PM

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November. ;)

MM123

Sep 2, 2008, 01:47 PM

Good Analysis What will be, will be - all in its appointed time. My gut tells me we will know this month. Or that could be too much coffee before breakfast.

Agree with that, I hope Apples stock with CPU are low and we see an update soon :)

dwl017

Sep 2, 2008, 04:03 PM

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November. ;)

The original start date of this thread below:

Oct 14, 2007, 01:24 PM

Almost one year later and still the same old one liners :rolleyes:

marbles

Sep 2, 2008, 04:06 PM

laughable ...no , a complete joke ...no , taking the p**s yes

come on Apple , pull your finger out

mandoman

Sep 2, 2008, 04:42 PM

Got sick of waiting for a mini update. I was really close to building a hackintosh, registered at insanelymac, had parts picked out and in my newegg shopping cart, ready to go. I just couldn't bring myself to go the hackintosh route. As capable as I am, I just want it to work, period. I don't want graphics issues, sleep issues, update issues, etc. The computer needs to serve both myself as a media encoder/server, and my wife for daily duty and mid-to-heavy photo work.

So I just pulled the trigger on a refurb quad core 2.8ghz mac pro. A little more than I want to spend and slightly overkill for our needs, but at least I will have peace of mind, support, a good warranty, and a computer that should last us many years of service. Most especially I won't feel like I am buying 2 year old technology if I bought a mini now.

The mini will see an update before the holidays, I'm sure of it. Good luck to those still hanging in there. Wish I could have waited, but my wife desperately needs a computer now. Ain't she lucky to be getting a mac pro!

All the best,
Mandoman

iDave

Sep 2, 2008, 04:51 PM

So I just pulled the trigger on a refurb quad core 2.8ghz mac pro. A little more than I want to spend and slightly overkill for our needs...
You and I are perfect examples of why Apple keeps the mini so far behind. They fully expect up-sales as a result.

On the other hand, there are lots of people out there who can't afford the Mac Pro or just want a mini as a HTPC. So the wait sucks. Nobody wants two-year-old hardware in a nice new box. :rolleyes:

mrglsmrc

Sep 3, 2008, 12:53 AM

i bought my latest mini this summer. i wouldn't wait. i knew that on some of their "better" machines apple wasn't offering a superior chip archeitecture. instead they used the same chips tested and clocked faster. i don't need a 2.2ghz chip thats gonna burn out on me because a 2.0ghz duocore is good enough.
(i suppose if apple made a quad core mini i would bite, but there are too many heat issues in the little mini case as it is.)
i have bought bleeding edge apple machines before. i was one of the first guys in ny area with a 9500. do you know how annoying it is to buy a machine that doesn't have all its drivers ready and then when you get them working the software snafus because it wasn't designed for those drivers, etc?
i don't have a problem buying reliable tested technology at the low end of the apple spectrum for a more practical price. nothing wrong with 2 yrs in.
if apple kills the mini it will be because it doesn't use proprietary chipsets and apple doesn't want any hackintosh manufacturing to cut into their margins.
my previous powerpc mini came with a smaller power supply and the chipset ran 10degreesC cooler. it accepted less addressable memory.
please don't tell me that the mini is a tired idea that can't be updated because i don't believe you.
and the coolest thing about the mini is that it sits under my phone and has a zero footprint on my desk. in ny real estate trumps all other features.
here's where the mini is a problem for apple: cupertino wants more market share switching from pcs. so they chose an intel chipset and make a sub 1000 dollar machine. but the switchers dont buy minis cause the hard drives are too small to partition and run dual operating systems. minis are bought by mac loyalists who would probably otherwise spend more.
the good thing about minis for apple is they have a predictable lifecycle with fewer opportunities for the end-user to upgrade and prolong service life of the machine. so from apples POV( if they are smart) manufacturing minis is like printing themselves dividend checks.
just my two cents.:apple:

TiggsPanther

Sep 3, 2008, 01:32 AM

You and I are perfect examples of why Apple keeps the mini so far behind. They fully expect up-sales as a result.

On the other hand, there are lots of people out there who can't afford the Mac Pro or just want a mini as a HTPC. So the wait sucks. Nobody wants two-year-old hardware in a nice new box. :rolleyes:

Which is precisely why, in my case, Apple have just lost out for about a year.

I need a new Linux machine and a new Mac, neither of which I can afford to spend more than about £500 on. But despite needing low end machines, I draw the line at out-of-date specs. I've had the money since Christmas, when I made the decision to go for a Mac Mini as my desktop, and have been holding off the moment that the other lines started getting their updates.

However, my iBook G4 is now feeling the strain of its age. I need something new now, I lack the money (and space) for an iMac and I lack the need (and cash) for a MacBook. So it looks like, barring a miracle, this year's puchase is going to be my Linux machine.

Once Apple have made up their mind whether to update or kill off the Mini line, I'll save up the money for my new Mac. But right now I need a new computer, and the current Mini just doesn't cut it. Which is a shame, as in my eyes all it needed is the minor component bump to be something I'd be wiling to pay for.

Maybe next year.

Ironduke

Sep 3, 2008, 03:09 AM

It really looks weird to me, Dell, ASUS and many other PC Vendors are bringing out Atom Based (Mini Replicas).

So it seems stupid apple are letting their machine that's spawned these PC mini Clones die.

I am still holding onto the rumour from march about apple having a small team working on a new style mini.

Personally I loved the old one, but if it means a 1TB Desktop Hardrive can be fitted into the mini then I say it should match the dimensions (W+D) of the Time Capsule.

I just hope they dont use Atom CPU's they are not for Desktops.

Would love to see a 3rd Party Video Card to help with HD playback

marbles

Sep 3, 2008, 07:09 AM

Which is precisely why, in my case, Apple have just lost out for about a year.

I need a new Linux machine and a new Mac, neither of which I can afford to spend more than about £500 on. But despite needing low end machines, I draw the line at out-of-date specs. I've had the money since Christmas, when I made the decision to go for a Mac Mini as my desktop, and have been holding off the moment that the other lines started getting their updates.

However, my iBook G4 is now feeling the strain of its age. I need something new now, I lack the money (and space) for an iMac and I lack the need (and cash) for a MacBook. So it looks like, barring a miracle, this year's puchase is going to be my Linux machine.

Once Apple have made up their mind whether to update or kill off the Mini line, I'll save up the money for my new Mac. But right now I need a new computer, and the current Mini just doesn't cut it. Which is a shame, as in my eyes all it needed is the minor component bump to be something I'd be wiling to pay for.

Maybe next year.

pretty much the same as me ...I was going to go the Hackintosh route but sorting all the updates etc , I just don't have the time or the inclination now tbh so I'm hanging in there with the rest of you guys , with everything crossed that , hopefully, Apple will finally release a new Mini , of sorts .

counting down to Sept 9th......

MM123

Sep 3, 2008, 08:13 AM

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November. ;)

pretty much the same as me ...I was going to go the Hackintosh route but sorting all the updates etc , I just don't have the time or the inclination now tbh so I'm hanging in there with the rest of you guys , with everything crossed that , hopefully, Apple will finally release a new Mini , of sorts .

counting down to Sept 9th......

If there would be a way to build something in the footprint of MacMini and hack it, I would do it year ago, but there isn't so I have to wait :(

TiggsPanther

Sep 3, 2008, 08:37 AM

I was going to go the Hackintosh route but sorting all the updates etc , I just don't have the time or the inclination now tbh so I'm hanging in there with the rest of you guys , with everything crossed that , hopefully, Apple will finally release a new Mini , of sorts .

counting down to Sept 9th......

In my case, if i was wanting to go the build-it-myself route I'd probably end up going the Linux route. Especially as Linux is designed and intended to be installed on anything you care to throw at it.
My new Mac (like my current iBook) will basically be to buy a nice complete system that shouldn't give me quite as many challenges and potential headaches. As working in IT, sometimes the last thing I want to do when I get home is yet more troubleshooting. I just want computers to work. So I want to buy a Mac, just preferably one that is this year's lowest-end components. Not last year's. :p

Even my next Linux machine is going to be a pre-built model. So, personally, the Hackintosh route certainly isn't something that appeals to me right now.

Cave Man

Sep 3, 2008, 08:39 AM

It really looks weird to me, Dell, ASUS and many other PC Vendors are bringing out Atom Based (Mini Replicas).

The Atom is no T7200.

mpshay

Sep 3, 2008, 11:23 AM

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November. ;)

Hope you right about an update for the mini. I've got two going HTPC duties, but I'd like use a third as aa file server. I know that's not very taxing, but I would also like to video transcoding on that machine also so the more processing power the better. However, a Mac Pro is probably over kill for what I would do with it.

jbrenn

Sep 3, 2008, 08:04 PM

new mac mini for sale on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-Mini-2-33Ghz-Core-2-Duo-T7600-2GB-250GB-HDD_W0QQitemZ260281342425QQihZ016QQcategoryZ111418QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Eidorian

Sep 3, 2008, 09:24 PM

Enigmafan420

Sep 3, 2008, 11:17 PM

new mac mini for sale on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-Mini-2-33Ghz-Core-2-Duo-T7600-2GB-250GB-HDD_W0QQitemZ260281342425QQihZ016QQcategoryZ111418QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That price is outrageous-I was watching a similar configuration last week sell for under $900-See this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&item=280258156025

MM123

Sep 4, 2008, 03:42 AM

new mac mini for sale on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-Mini-2-33Ghz-Core-2-Duo-T7600-2GB-250GB-HDD_W0QQitemZ260281342425QQihZ016QQcategoryZ111418QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's a very nice machine, but I still hope Apple will update the Mini to SantaRosa (at least), which will open the possibility to a real upgrade (at my own) :D

shikimo

Sep 4, 2008, 04:19 AM

In my case, if i was wanting to go the build-it-myself route I'd probably end up going the Linux route. Especially as Linux is designed and intended to be installed on anything you care to throw at it....Even my next Linux machine is going to be a pre-built model. So, personally, the Hackintosh route certainly isn't something that appeals to me right now.

That seems like a more realistic threat to me than millions of would-be mini buyers turning into hackintosh builders. Many thousands? Yes, certainly, and that's a lot of lost sales, but there will never be more than a small percentage of people willing to do it...but what about Linux as a more enduring threat? It's getting better and better all the time, the price is right, and as you point out it's designed to run on anything, be it pre-built or homebrewed, which eliminates two big reasons why some people hesitate to hackintosh: no proprietary issues (now or later), and no problems whatsoever with updates and expansion.

I use Linux alot, but never at home. I've been meaning to do it for years myself, but OSX is sooo easy and I'm just a bit lazy...

MM123

Sep 4, 2008, 06:52 AM

Maybe some one would be interested to read this: :p

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2008-09-04/#8792

Enigmafan420

Sep 4, 2008, 09:52 AM

Maybe some one would be interested to read this: :p

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2008-09-04/#8792

Apple store still lists shipping within 24 hours on these, so no shortage there...

I am not hopeful-but I wasn't last time and they brought out the 2.0 DC with 1 GB RAM-so who knows?

gkarris

Sep 4, 2008, 10:28 AM

Speculation is that September is iPod month, computers in October. Apple doesn't want to pull another iPhone disaster trying to release 4 products all at the same time...

snberk103

Sep 4, 2008, 11:15 AM

That [ed. note Linux] seems like a more realistic threat to me than millions of would-be mini buyers turning into hackintosh builders. Many thousands? Yes, certainly, and that's a lot of lost sales, but there will never be more than a small percentage of people willing to do it...but what about Linux as a more enduring threat? It's getting better and better all the time, the price is right, and as you point out it's designed to run on anything, be it pre-built or homebrewed, which eliminates two big reasons why some people hesitate to hackintosh: no proprietary issues (now or later), and no problems whatsoever with updates and expansion.

I use Linux alot, but never at home. I've been meaning to do it for years myself, but OSX is sooo easy and I'm just a bit lazy...

Linux will obviously be a solution for some people, but I don't see it as any kind of major competition to Apple. Would you give a Linux box to your father or grandmother? And then, would you want to be the tech support for them? Especially after they tried to download or update something - and it didn't quite work? And yes, I'm generalizing about fathers and grandmothers - but its to make a point.

Apple is not trying to have something to sell to everyone. They have identified several discrete markets, and are exploiting them. For the most part, they sell systems "that just work" to people who don't really want to play around in the guts. Someone else pointed out that Apple doesn't sell computers, they sell solutions. The customers that Apple wants to sell to don't want to open up the box, or tweak the OS, or all the other things a Linux box allows (or even encourages). People who like to tweak and open the box still buy Macs, but I think Apple would be just as happy if they didn't.

Apple's support department has got to be really small compared to other companies.

localoid

Sep 4, 2008, 11:59 AM

mandoman

Sep 4, 2008, 01:08 PM

In my case, if i was wanting to go the build-it-myself route I'd probably end up going the Linux route. Especially as Linux is designed and intended to be installed on anything you care to throw at it.
My new Mac (like my current iBook) will basically be to buy a nice complete system that shouldn't give me quite as many challenges and potential headaches. As working in IT, sometimes the last thing I want to do when I get home is yet more troubleshooting. I just want computers to work. So I want to buy a Mac, just preferably one that is this year's lowest-end components. Not last year's. :p

Even my next Linux machine is going to be a pre-built model. So, personally, the Hackintosh route certainly isn't something that appeals to me right now.

I think if you are planning on building a linux box anyway, you are a perfect candidate to give building a hackintosh a whirl. Try and buy some compatible components, attempt the build, and if it doesn't work out for hackintosh, turn it into a linux box.

TiggsPanther

Sep 4, 2008, 04:32 PM

I think if you are planning on building a linux box anyway, you are a perfect candidate to give building a hackintosh a whirl. Try and buy some compatible components, attempt the build, and if it doesn't work out for hackintosh, turn it into a linux box.

No. I said that I'm planning on purchasing a pre-built Linux PC anyway.
If I wanted to build anything, it would be Linux. I can get it up and running in mere hours these days, and I know exactly how I like it personalised, too.
But right nowI want to buy a complete solution. Even for Linux, so even more so for a Mac.

Anyway, to me the Mac is the designed-by-Apple-as-one-complete-solution computer. It's why I like it and why, personally, I think it does so well.
Linux is the DIY option. And it's the DIY option where I don't have to jump through as many hoops for updates. Although, mainly in the past, it has involved jumping through a lot of hoops getting it up and running in the first place. ;)

mrglsmrc

Sep 4, 2008, 11:21 PM

a supported, good-quality 64 bit linux like suse is not gonna be much cheaper than snow leopard.
if you are talking bout the purest DIY route than you are not talking bout the core base of macusers. it doesn't pose a threat to apple. the kind of students that might do that can get a good educators discount on a refurbished machine anyway and more than that if they pay to join the developers consortium.
if someone in the usa builds a linux box it's just cause he wants to. i am sure the sitch is different in the developing world but those guys just use pirated versions of windows without regard to price. their big problem is tariffs on hardware and they end using parts of broken machines. not apples core base at all. :rolleyes:

localoid

Sep 5, 2008, 11:51 PM

a supported, good-quality 64 bit linux like suse is not gonna be much cheaper than snow leopard....

The 32-bit Linux kernel can be recompiled to handle up to 64GB of RAM, but there's several (free) 64-bit Linux distros (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Fedora Core 5, Gentoo and at least a couple of FreeBSD flavors to name just a few) available that are updated on the same frequency of their 32-bit counterparts. A native Flash player is about the only major piece missing in 64-bit Linux, although not every app in a given distro's package is actually 64-bit. But 32-bit apps and libraries will work fine.

California

Sep 6, 2008, 01:21 AM

Someone went through the effort to do MASSIVE upgrades.

What's interesting is this is not a 2.0ghz mini updated but a 1.83ghz mini that they overclocked to 2.3ghz on that eBay mini...

it's got a combo drive.

MM123

Sep 6, 2008, 02:34 AM

What's interesting is this is not a 2.0ghz mini updated but a 1.83ghz mini that they overclocked to 2.3ghz on that eBay mini...

it's got a combo drive.

You could not overclock that, it's CPU swap. But you are right, that's the 1,83 GHz model. Funny is, that according to that seller it's "Sealed in Box" :p

PhotoPhoenix

Sep 6, 2008, 02:58 AM

i didn't think anyone bought these anyway...

they were terribly slow.

shikimo

Sep 6, 2008, 07:33 AM

Linux will obviously be a solution for some people, but I don't see it as any kind of major competition to Apple. Would you give a Linux box to your father or grandmother? And then, would you want to be the tech support for them? Especially after they tried to download or update something - and it didn't quite work? And yes, I'm generalizing about fathers and grandmothers - but its to make a point.

Good point...and for now, this is probably enough to keep Linux in the shadows for most people. But it's gotten SO much easier, is it that hard to imagine it continuing to do so, especially with the availability of pre-built Linux boxes?

Apple is not trying to have something to sell to everyone. They have identified several discrete markets, and are exploiting them. For the most part, they sell systems "that just work" to people who don't really want to play around in the guts. Someone else pointed out that Apple doesn't sell computers, they sell solutions....Apple's support department has got to be really small compared to other companies.

I don't think this is as true as it used to be (except for your third sentence, which is still 100% true IMO). Before Apple became a rock star of a multimedia company perhaps...but now, sometimes it seems like they are specifically trying to sell something to absolutely everyone. With diversification comes distraction, and dealing with this distraction is going to be their primary challenge for the foreseeable future.

i didn't think anyone bought these anyway...

they were terribly slow.

Now that thar just ain't true, pardner...there are at least 200 posts above with details, if you really want to know ;).

snberk103

Sep 6, 2008, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by snberk103
Apple is not trying to have something to sell to everyone. They have identified several discrete markets, and are exploiting them. For the most part, they sell systems "that just work" to people who don't really want to play around in the guts. Someone else pointed out that Apple doesn't sell computers, they sell solutions....Apple's support department has got to be really small compared to other companies.

...

I don't think this is as true as it used to be (except for your third sentence, which is still 100% true IMO). Before Apple became a rock star of a multimedia company perhaps...but now, sometimes it seems like they are specifically trying to sell something to absolutely everyone. With diversification comes distraction, and dealing with this distraction is going to be their primary challenge for the foreseeable future.

...

Yes, you correct. Apple is trying to get into a lot of markets. I should have said the Mac computer division at Apple. I sometimes forget that they make more than computers since that is what I use most.

pwn247

Sep 9, 2008, 08:24 AM

I hope they don't discontinue the production of the Mac Mini. It's such a great little machine- plus it makes a fantastic media center computer with a small formfactor.

Lots of people who want to "try Mac" will usually buy a Mac Mini. It's inexpensive, small, easy to use, etc... and makes for a good "starter Mac". If Apple discontinues the product line, think of all the sales of iMacs and Mac Pros that will drop due to people not being able to try a Mac at a budget. :O

If Apple continues the Mac Mini line, I hope they upgrade the GPU, HD, and RAM capacity. :)

Motley

Sep 9, 2008, 08:30 AM

I predict nothing happens today in regards to the mini. So the thread will live on!

maccompaq

Sep 9, 2008, 08:36 AM

I predict nothing happens today in regards to the mini. So the thread will live on!

You are most likely right, but I think the Mini is likely to grow up before the end of the year.

MacBass

Sep 9, 2008, 08:48 AM

As much as we'd like the Mini updated today, I think it's going to be mostly new Nano colors and iPhone/iPod Touch garbage. "Blah blah blah, we've sold millions of 3G iPhones, these graphs are proof!"

TiggsPanther

Sep 9, 2008, 10:15 AM

I hope they don't discontinue the production of the Mac Mini. It's such a great little machine- plus it makes a fantastic media center computer with a small formfactor.

I'm really hoping it just gets a refresh to be no longer outdated. But at worst, at least if it's discontinued then those of us waiting on an update know it's worth actually looking eslewhere.

If Apple continues the Mac Mini line, I hope they upgrade the GPU, HD, and RAM capacity. :)

Even just to current MacBook standard would be nice.

I've been waiting since the first Penryn refreshes back at the top of the year. And was highly miffed when the expected desktop refreshes ended up as iMac only.

gregorsamsa

Sep 9, 2008, 10:42 AM

I'm really hoping it just gets a refresh to be no longer outdated. But at worst, at least if it's discontinued then those of us waiting on an update know it's worth actually looking eslewhere.

Considering some people have been waiting for Mini updates for some months now, if it's discontinued, there's going to be some very disappointed people out there. (Thankfully, I quit waiting mid-May & bought an iMac).

If I was still after a Mini, I'd hold out until October at the latest. If nothing by then, best look elsewhere.

snberk103

Sep 9, 2008, 10:54 AM

I predict nothing happens today in regards to the mini. So the thread will live on!

I predict that even if the mini is updated, this thread will live on.... its just became a habit now!:)

zombitronic

Sep 9, 2008, 11:06 AM

I predict that even if the mini is updated, this thread will live on.... its just became a habit now!:)

Until they declare the Mini dead, this thread has a purpose. Kind of.

impierced

Sep 9, 2008, 11:07 AM

Considering some people have been waiting for Mini updates for some months now, if it's discontinued, there's going to be some very disappointed people out there. (Thankfully, I quit waiting mid-May & bought an iMac).

If I was still after a Mini, I'd hold out until October at the latest. If nothing by then, best look elsewhere.

If the line isn't updated soon, I'm just going to build a hacintosh with hdmi. :mad:

snberk103

Sep 9, 2008, 01:02 PM

I predict that even if the mini is updated, this thread will live on.... its just became a habit now!:)

Until they declare the Mini dead, this thread has a purpose. Kind of.

I'll bet, even if the mini is discontinued, that this thread will go on for nearly a week - - just from sheer momentum..... :D

dwl017

Sep 9, 2008, 01:15 PM

Ha Ha :D

opeter

Sep 9, 2008, 01:58 PM

Whatever... i just buyed a used Mac mini (4 months old). And it works great! :)

specialbuddy

Sep 9, 2008, 02:25 PM

Very disappointing. No mac mini and still no stereo bluetooth. A 2year plan 99 cents phone has stereo bluetooth wtf.

clalor

Sep 9, 2008, 04:29 PM

joecool85

Sep 9, 2008, 05:21 PM

I would have liked to have seen an update today. Oh well. I've been waiting for the press conference until buying my (first) Mac. No update meant that I went down to the Apple store during lunch and bought a 1.83 GHz mini. :) The hardware might be a little outdated, but I'm okay with my purchase, especially considering that I don't have the room for an iMac on top of the desk or the budget for a Mac Pro.

Edit: Apple, if it weren't for the mini, I probably wouldn't have purchased a Mac.

I'm personally way more interested in the Asus EEE Box at this point. $350 from newegg.com right now. Comes with an 80gb hd, 1gb RAM, and 1.6ghz CPU. I love the idea of a computer than only draws 20watts max power. The Intel Atom chip is pretty damn sweet.

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/83-220-001-05.jpg

But I won't buy either (the EEE Box or the Mini) until one or both drop the GMA 950 and use a vid set that at minimum supports hardware tnl, ideally it would support directx 10 and pixel shaders 4.0 as well.

opeter

Sep 10, 2008, 08:52 AM

...until one or both drop the GMA 950 and use a vid set that at minimum supports hardware tnl, ideally it would support directx 10 and pixel shaders 4.0 as well.

But even the GMA X4500HD cant handle it fully.
OK, you can play Far Cry 1 on it :)

MacSA

Sep 10, 2008, 08:56 AM

Considering some people have been waiting for Mini updates for some months now, if it's discontinued, there's going to be some very disappointed people out there. (Thankfully, I quit waiting mid-May & bought an iMac).

And there we have the very reason why Apple have not updated it. Too push people to spend more on the iMac.

chillywilly

Sep 10, 2008, 09:01 AM

While that case for the EEE PC is nice, it's still running Windows.

If Apple is really going to kill the mini, I would at least like them to make one more rev to it.

If they are just keeping it the way it is, it may be selling well. I bet there's a lot of people that want a Mac that are not in the know like most of us, that are just looking for something small, under $800 and able to run the basics.

As I've said before out here, I'd love to get a C2D mini to replace the one I have, but would like a few extra features before doing so. My G4 1.42ghz is still going great, so I'm in no hurry.

TiggsPanther

Sep 10, 2008, 09:35 AM

And there we have the very reason why Apple have not updated it. Too push people to spend more on the iMac.

Which is annoying. As I lack the "more money", especially for extra bits (screen) that I neither require nor have the space for. The Mini will easily fit, and make use of my existing kit.

I've tried looking into getting an iMac instead, but I just can't justify the extra cash. Nor for a MacBook as long as there is a Mini. But until it's not underspecced, I can't even buy that.

MacBook is tempting. But that's my Mini-gets-cancelled option. And only in that case, not before.

MacSA

Sep 10, 2008, 01:20 PM

WOW... just checked the buyers guide, 400 days since the last update. :mad:

marbles

Sep 10, 2008, 02:03 PM

:mad: disappointed nothing has happened yet with the mini ....hopefully I cant be that much longer to clear the stock backlog??

...oh , hang on , no one is buying them because they're so out of date for the money now !!! .

Maybe Apple should just take the hit on the stock that is left in the chain ........place it all on the refurb store and release the new mini :confused:

seems like a catch 22 situation ....better sell em off soon before they lose even more money on them imo

joecool85

Sep 10, 2008, 02:36 PM

While that case for the EEE PC is nice, it's still running Windows.

I'd be dual booting with Linux as my primary OS (most likely Ubuntu). If I got a mini it'd be a triple boot with Linux, Mac and Windows (in that order).

As far as the graphics thing goes, I know directx 10 and pixel shaders 4.0 are going to be out, but as long as it gets tnl support I don't care too much. X3100 graphics would suffice on either machine.

chillywilly

Sep 10, 2008, 02:50 PM

I'd be dual booting with Linux as my primary OS (most likely Ubuntu). If I got a mini it'd be a triple boot with Linux, Mac and Windows (in that order).

Gotcha. Makes sense with the multi-boot options.

dwl017

Sep 10, 2008, 03:40 PM

marbles

Sep 10, 2008, 03:50 PM

Get over it already!
jog on , no drama here, just buggin me waiting on a decently priced desktop Mac .

Steve NoJobs

Sep 10, 2008, 07:12 PM

Mini is EOL'd sources are telling folks over at AppleInsider. This makes me think a new system is on the way. So Long Mini, Hello ....Macintosh? Im hoping for the consumer tower. Anyone think there is a chance of Apple bringing in a new machine or perhaps a cubelike redo? (Oct. 14th, 2007)

Maybe it is EOL'd:eek:

Eric S.

Sep 10, 2008, 07:19 PM

Maybe it is EOL'd:eek:

You're commenting on a post that is nearly a year old. Here is a recent quote (August 27) from AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/08/27/ipods_macbooks_imacs_up_next_on_apples_2008_roadmap.html):

"Apple's Mac Pro, which has failed to make cut in consecutive holiday quarters, as well as the long-lost Mac mini, were not mentioned amongst the company's plans for the remainder of 2008. However, that doesn't necessarily preclude them from making an appearance; AppleInsider can only report on what it has heard.

"The Mac mini, in particular, remains an intriguing story. After entering a state of indefinite limbo two and a half years ago, it was reported that the miniature Mac had all but been thrown to the wolves. It was only amid increasing economic uncertainty earlier this year that signs of life were spotted in an area of Apple's labs reserved for the company's most cost-affordable system.

"Sources reported that a major overhaul was underway -- the most significant in the mini's short history. That was only five months ago, however. By comparison, it took the Mac maker nearly a year to deliver the MacBook Air to market from the time AppleInsider first reported functional prototypes in existence on Apple's campus."