Much Smaller Mac Mini Coming?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Looprumors claims (http://www.looprumors.com/index.php?slimmer-imacs-mac-minis-coming) that they have heard that both the iMac and Mac mini are coming soon. They uniquely report, however, that the Mac mini will see a "dramatic change" in form factor, with a design that is "less than half the size" of the current design.

Both the Mac Mini and iMac are expected to incorporate the latest Penryn processors from Intel.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/27/much-smaller-mac-mini-coming/)

[dlastmango]

The size is small enough... drop the price please!

[gibbz]

I somehow doubt Apple will drop prices. I might just have to pick one up if it is more in line with the other models in Apple's lineup. The mini has been lagging for too long now.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I wonder if less than half the size means thinner like the AppleTV or less than half the size in all dimensions.

[KindredMAC]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I wonder if less than half the size means thinner like the AppleTV or less than half the size in all dimensions.

It would have to be half the height because of the optical drive.... unless the drop the optical drive that is.....

The mini could easily be a quarter the present height, especially if they used the MacBook Air's chip.... but than would make it a slower machine than it is now..... Hmmmmm

[eRondeau]

The size is small enough... drop the price please!

Hey, all that nice white plastic is expensive you know! There's gotta be at least $195 worth of plastic covering it right now... make it half the size and there should be substantial cost savings passed along to the consumer! :D:D:D:D

(Great user name by the way! Captain Tony FTW!)

[paddy]

How reliable are Looprumors?

[dhc]

Unless they drop the optical drive, I'd of thought the mini could only really get thinner?

[nyprospect]

Just as long that it isnt bite size im fine with it.How thin can it get?

[headfuzz]

I doubt it would be as small as half in all directions - that would make it a quarter of the 2D area of the existing Mini - about the size of a coffee cup coaster! :eek:

That would, naturally ezxclude a DVD drive for starters.

[iMpathetic]

:apple: thin client FTW!

Oooh, I do hope this gets released. So, so, much. Please, please, release it.

[kyeblue]

It is already small enough as a desktop, it would be a big upgrade if apply can pack in a real graphic card, and more memory slots.

[network23]

Why?!?

Oh. Right. Because the Mac mini has been criticized in almost all the reviews for taking up way too much space.

You reach a certain point where there there really is no need to continue to minimize form factors. Maybe that's all you can do once you've perfected a design.

Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: I can't. I've distilled the mini down to the epitome of minimalist perfection.
Jobs: Think about sunflowers.
Ive: Done that.
Jobs: Drink coasters?
Ive: (points to mini)
Jobs: Okay then, make it smaller.
Ive: I'm kinda "smaller'd out" (points at MacBook Air)
Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: (sighs) Alright. I'll make it smaller. (shuffles off)

[QCassidy352]

no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).

The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating :rolleyes:).

[anim8or]

one of two things i think:

1. No optical drive so a dedicated graphics card can be added with additional external superdrive as an option....

or

2. appletv-like enclosure with a bluray/superdrive built in....

Thoughts?

[Yvan256]

I bet it's going to be the same form-factor as the MacBook Air (but taller), with the optical drive optional (but with USB ports compatible with the MacBook Air drive), to keep its cost even lower (and allow for a smaller size).

If the computer is targeted at switchers, then they should be able to use the optical drive of their Windows PC (same thing as the MacBook Air), and for only 99$ more you can get a double-layer DVD burner to put on top of it.

Let's just hope it will at least get the same X3100 as the MacBook. A maximum of 4GB would be nice (though a minimum of 2GB max is a must). If space is cramped it could even have 2GB soldered on the motherboard like the MacBook Air. I'm betting it will use a 1.8" drive, too. Apple is planning for the future, and the future is SSD. Why not change the form-factor right now?

One thing I would like is an eSATA port, but in reality I'm just hoping they keep FireWire 400 on it (at least for mini-DV owners, for iMovie).

On the other hand, I'd much rather have a more powerful Mac mini, same form-factor as the :apple:TV and Time Capsule (taller, I wouldn't mind), with a 3.5" drive in it, memory slots (4GB max), decent GPU with dedicated RAM, FireWire 800. :D

[Abstract]

Apple making the Mac Mini smaller is the only thing that makes any sense regarding that machine. Apple doesn't usually abandon something like this unless they were either getting rid of it from the product lineup completely, or working on a major change of some sort.

The best one was the "Why isn't Apple upgrading their computers?" Then BAM!!.....out comes the Intel announcement and SJ talking about the secret x86 version of Mac OS X that they've been working on since day 1.

[ebfoxbat]

How bout' a sub-notebook- an eeePC killer for $500? Sware to god I'm going to buy one of those things and put XP on it.

[DoFoT9]

probs gonna take out the optical drive, chuck in the underpowered MBA's processor and make it tiny.

pathetic, i want power, with a real GPU. easily sacrifice some space for power. double the size for all i care

[brn2ski00]

I bet it looks identical to that of the Apple TV.

[motulist]

Size is obviously the last thing that needs to change on the mac mini.

Unlike portable devices designed to be used on the go like the ipod or iphone, the size difference between a mac mini and a mac nano is completely pointless. If anything, the mac mini should become the mac mid. It should increase it's size by like an inch in each dimension so it can accommodate much-cheaper-per-gig full size hard drives and add room for a few more ports like analog video in and out.

[drlunanerd]

I've got a bad feeling about this.
Please Apple, do not make a desktop version of the MacBook Air :rolleyes:

[Teh Don Ditty]

The mini doesn't need to get any smaller, it needs to get more powerful.

4GB Ram, Wireless-N, Perhaps a 3.5" HD (heat may be a factor), either x3100 or a dedicated (soldered on) GPU. Keeping FireWire would be beneficial as well.

[DoFoT9]

I've got a bad feeling about this.
Please Apple, do not make a desktop version of the MacBook Air :rolleyes:

oh please no!

[brad.c]

Great. Something else to get lost in the sofa cushions.

[LEStudios]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I wonder if less than half the size means thinner like the AppleTV or less than half the size in all dimensions.

It may be exactly like Time Capsule considering that has a 1TB 3.5" HDD. Then this could be a good thing because it may use 3.5" HDDs instead of 2.5" HDDs. :D

no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).

The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating :rolleyes:).

Yeah you better off like the Thread I started whereas I want to put a 128GB Solid State Drive in my Mac Mini with 4GB already installed. :D

[sheepmilker]

I think it would be great if Apple positioned the mini as their "green" computer.

It's already part of the way there since it uses a relatively low amount of power, less material etc. If they could make it use even less power and perhaps change the case to get rid of the plastic, they would have a great green computer.

This is one of the fastest growing sectors of the computer industry, and it's rather embarassing that Apple has been left behind. I think that with their great engineering they could produce one of the best green computers out there!

[DoFoT9]

It may be exactly like Time Capsule considering that has a 1TB 3.5" HDD. Then this could be a good thing because it may use 3.5" HDDs instead of 2.5" HDDs. :D

bahaha some how i DONT think that the mini will fit into the TC's housing

[clayj]

The only real reason I wouldn't want the Mac mini to get any smaller is that I have mounting brackets for my two Mac minis which expect the mini to be a certain size. If I ever replaced one of them, I'd hate to have to replace the bracket(s) as well.

That said, I agree that they could easily make it smaller if they ditch the internal optical drive. (If they do this, the USB port[s] on the new mini need to be able to power the MBA's SuperDrive so we don't have to buy yet another accessory. This is not optional, Apple.)

But I really think the machine is small enough as it is. A good compromise I'd like to see is ditching the optical drive and rearranging the rest of the components so that larger 3.5" hard drives and dedicated GPUs can be used, in the same size case.

[LEStudios]

I bet it's going to be the same form-factor as the MacBook Air (but taller), with the optical drive optional (but with USB ports compatible with the MacBook Air drive), to keep its cost even lower (and allow for a smaller size).

If the computer is targeted at switchers, then they should be able to use the optical drive of their Windows PC (same thing as the MacBook Air), and for only 99$ more you can get a double-layer DVD burner to put on top of it.

Let's just hope it will at least get the same X3100 as the MacBook. A maximum of 4GB would be nice (though a minimum of 2GB max is a must). If space is cramped it could even have 2GB soldered on the motherboard like the MacBook Air. I'm betting it will use a 1.8" drive, too. Apple is planning for the future, and the future is SSD. Why not change the form-factor right now?

One thing I would like is an eSATA port, but in reality I'm just hoping they keep FireWire 400 on it (at least for mini-DV owners, for iMovie).

On the other hand, I'd much rather have a more powerful Mac mini, same form-factor as the :apple:TV and Time Capsule (taller, I wouldn't mind), with a 3.5" drive in it, memory slots (4GB max), decent GPU with dedicated RAM, FireWire 800. :D

So, what it going to be called? Mac Mini Air? :D

[headfuzz]

:apple: thin client FTW!

Lol! What possible good could that do? Thin client target markets are corporations with a centralised application served infrastructure (like the one I look after).

Unless Apple is all of a sudden going to aggressively attack the corporate market, which would require fully tested and convincing application distribution server software ready to go (think Citrix, which goes near enough unchallenged in the application serving market but only has an OS X client; the closest they have to a server is the x86 Solaris distribution) and certified enterprise applications which work over said framework; it'll not happen.

Doing away with the Mini as a consumer product makes no sense. It's targeted at potential switchers from PCs who don't want to fork out £799 for an entry level iMac when they've got half the kit the need anyway.

Smaller Mini, quite possibly. Aggressive enterprise marketing to go head to head with Windows Server 2008? Highly unlikely. ;)

[distortedloop]

Apple's recent obsession with smaller is disturbing. Oversized ain't good, either, but sometimes small is small enough, if not too small.

The iPhone, as an example, is fantastic, but a slightly larger one, with more screen space would be ideal for many of us.

A Mac Mini that gives up speed, power, or any kind functionality to make it smaller would just be stupid. Hard enough to justify one for my inventory now; the size has never been a factor in that decision. The fact that it's already smaller (or on par) than several items (routers, external drives, etc) makes it sized just fine.

[Anderson3133]

Hey, all that nice white plastic is expensive you know! There's gotta be at least $195 worth of plastic covering it right now... make it half the size and there should be substantial cost savings passed along to the consumer! :D:D:D:D

(Great user name by the way! Captain Tony FTW!)

Could you imagine it with the black outline and aluminum to match the iMac? God I would buy one right away!

[batistuta]

Regarding green computing and 3.5" drives - Apple should go for the Western Digital GP drives, which are very cool running and quiet. Capacities up to 1TB is available.
Here in Denmark the RE2 enterprise drive costs just a fraction more than the normal consumer drive (at 1TB that is) and it's one of the cheapest 1TB drives around (at 300$ - the base Mac Mini is some 900$ atm for comparison)

[nagromme]

And here I was thinking they could double the size--same front size but twice as deep (or even more) front-to-back. They might then fit a full 3.5" HD and a full-length swappable GPU slot! A gamer's microtower, depending on the buyer's chosen GPU option.

For cooling, I suppose the GPU card might need to be on top under mesh, bumping the optical drive down.

Oh well, I can dream :o

For the non-gaming majority, price is probably more important than GPU options. It would be great to see a sub-$500 Mac once again.

[LEStudios]

Wait what if the put a Blu-ray drive in a Mac Mini with a NVIDIA 8600M 512MB Graphics, and a 2.4GHz 4GB Memory

[Zwhaler]

The size is small enough... drop the price please!

Exactly. Plus, if they make it any smaller, we can all kiss better graphics goodbye. And it will likely be the same price

[DoFoT9]

Wait what if the put a Blu-ray drive in a Mac Mini with a NVIDIA 8600M 512MB Graphics, and a 2.4GHz 4GB Memory

dont see taht happening lol

[belisle]

Can they halve the fan noise while they're at it?

[KindredMAC]

So, what it going to be called? Mac Mini Air? :D

You're close.... the Mac Air.

Think about it.... they already have the $99 optional SuperDrive that "supposedly" only works with the MacBook Air. All it would take is some software or firmware on the Mac Air's side to make it recognizable to that system.

I wouldn't mind this at all. Make the Mac Air have the following specs and I would buy it in a heartbeat for my entertainment system:

2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn
160GB HDD
2GB pre-installed RAM, non upgradeable
1 x FW400 port
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x Gigabit Ethernet port
1 x HDMI port, with included HDMI-to-DVI cable adapter to use with LCD screens
1 x Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Airport Draft N
BT 2.1 + EDR
New version of Apple TV's Take 2 software that can be run like any other application in OS X Leopard for those that have the Mac Air connected to an HDTV.

[iDAG]

If they can make it the same size as Time Capsule that would be good. If they do this then maybe they could fit a desktop hard drive in there. That would make people happy. Notebook vs Desktop processor doesn't matter because they are about the same in terms of power these days.

[Lefteous]

Today we are introducing a new Desktop computer and it's called the Mac Air :D

[Banjhiyi]

You're close.... the Mac Air.

Think about it.... they already have the $99 optional SuperDrive that "supposedly" only works with the MacBook Air. All it would take is some software or firmware on the Mac Air's side to make it recognizable to that system.

I wouldn't mind this at all. Make the Mac Air have the following specs and I would buy it in a heartbeat for my entertainment system:

2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn
160GB HDD
2GB pre-installed RAM, non upgradeable
1 x FW400 port
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x Gigabit Ethernet port
1 x HDMI port, with included HDMI-to-DVI cable adapter to use with LCD screens
1 x Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Airport Draft N
BT 2.1 + EDR
New version of Apple TV's Take 2 software that can be run like any other application in OS X Leopard for those that have the Mac Air connected to an HDTV.

The :apple:TV would look a seriously bad buy of mine if those Mini specs ever came to fruition. :drool:

[Globetrotter]

Apple's recent obsession with smaller is disturbing. Oversized ain't good, either, but sometimes small is small enough, if not too small.

The iPhone, as an example, is fantastic, but a slightly larger one, with more screen space would be ideal for many of us.

A Mac Mini that gives up speed, power, or any kind functionality to make it smaller would just be stupid. Hard enough to justify one for my inventory now; the size has never been a factor in that decision. The fact that it's already smaller (or on par) than several items (routers, external drives, etc) makes it sized just fine.

It depends. If the price dropped with the size (and drop in power), then considering that as it is the Mac Mini is no good for graphics or gaming as it is, then surely those buying it will get a tiny computer, at a lower price. And I'm sure performance will still be the same.

[carfreak12321]

I cant wait im so excited!!!!!

I NEED this update the day it comes out i am buying an imac and maybe even a mini!!!!!

can any one logically guess on how soon is soon
i hope/geuss it will be next week on tuesday to start off april!!! :)

[err404]

If they can make it the same size as Time Capsule that would be good. If they do this then maybe they could fit a desktop hard drive in there. That would make people happy. Notebook vs Desktop processor doesn't matter because they are about the same in terms of power these days.

I hope that they do not use the TC/AppleTV form factor just for the sake of change. The current size of the mini has a smaller desktop footprint which is more important to me then height.

Any of the following are compelling reasons to buy an update
Processor speed increase
Faster bus
Higher RAM limit
eSATA port
Graphics power increase
Disk speed/size increase
802.11n
...

Things nobody has ever complained about:
The form factor being to big

[andrewdale]

Design VERY similar to Apple TV/Time Capsule/AEBS is what I would expect.

2. appletv-like enclosure with a bluray/superdrive built in....

Thoughts?

Not going to happen. There's no way they'd have a bluray drive make its appearance in the stinkin' Mac Mini/Mac Air. If anything, I'd think they'd first put the bluray into the Mac Pro, since that thing is a beast.

[carfreak12321]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/images/time-capsule.jpgIt may be exactly like Time Capsule considering that has a 1TB 3.5" HDD. Then this could be a good thing because it may use 3.5" HDDs instead of 2.5" HDDs. :D


No the time capsule is kind of big!!
im pretty sure it is going to be smaller than the time capsule!!:):apple:

not shorter, but a little bit less wide

[Yvan256]

Apple would not have made new software for the :apple:TV if they were going to replace it with a new Mac mini.

Also, the :apple:TV goes next to your TV, the Mac mini/Mac Air goes on your desktop. This means no HDMI port on any Mac.

What we can almost be sure of: the next revision/replacement of the Mac mini is going to have the same form-factor as either the MacBook Air external SuperDrive or the :apple:TV/Time Capsule.

Myself, I'd rather see a taller Mac mini with the same form-factor as it is now.

P.S.: yes Time Capsule and :apple:TV are big, but they do have built-in power supplies unlike the Mac mini which is external. Mind you, the CinnaMount for Mac mini power supply takes cares of that (installed under your desk), but still. ;-)

[samh004]

Forgive me for not reading the whole thread but it's believable that the Mac mini could get smaller, I can see Apple using flash drives like in the MBA and claiming that you don't need the space... :rolleyes:

Add to that they can sell the Superdrive as an external add-on so it's an easy thing to do.

[carfreak12321]

Any one no when we will see these updates?

[tizod]

Any one no when we will see these updates?

The article says a couple of weeks.

A couple of weeks! Damit I have already been waiting for the new IMac for a couple of weeks. Bwaaaaa!

[carfreak12321]

The article says a couple of weeks.

A couple of weeks! Damit I have already been waiting for the new IMac for a couple of weeks. Bwaaaaa!

Same i was hoping i could buy it this week but not gonna happen

im gonna be so pissed if notthing happens to the imacs next week:mad:

[pacohaas]

I'm still waiting for one with a built-in ipod/iphone dock (on the top with a sliding door to hide it) and a tv tuner. I agree it doesn't really need to be any smaller, but hey if they can add the two features i'm looking for then I don't care what size it is, I'm getting one.

[robbyx]

What we need is an XServe Mini. The current Mini form factor is fine. Sure, thinner might be a bit sexier, but we need FEATURES. Specifically, now that we have all these big media files to play with, we need a home server to store them.

iTunes and iPhoto need to be server enabled, allowing each user in the home to store his or her library on the server. The server should be able to share any stored library with Apple TVs in the house and one should be able to update his or her iPod on a client machine with files stored on the server. How much longer do we have to wait for Apple to deliver this OBVIOUS and much needed functionality?

So, Apple, give us a home server! Give us a Mini with an eSATA port or, better yet, a SATA MultiLane port to support enclosures with multiple drives. Or, better yet, give us a Mini and Mini Home RAID or ZFS storage pool. But, seriously, enough of these external drives daisychained together. There needs to be an elegant solution.

Come on Apple...STEP UP!!!

[carfreak12321]

I'm still waiting for one with a built-in ipod/iphone dock (on the top with a sliding door to hide it) and a tv tuner. I agree it doesn't really need to be any smaller, but hey if they can add the two features i'm looking for then I don't care what size it is, I'm getting one.

SRY i dont think thats gonna happen:(
cause apple makes a lot of money from their external docks and they also sell AV cables which pull a lot of profits so i dont think its gonna happen!

[twoodcc]

i don't it needs to get any smaller. in fact, i wouldn't mind it getting a little bigger, when better parts

[carfreak12321]

i don't it needs to get any smaller. in fact, i wouldn't mind it getting a little bigger, when better parts

Well thats why they have the imac and if it got bigger than it wouldn't be the "mac mini" lol:)

but i agree i wouldn't mind if they focused on making it fast and have a high performance than making it smaller!

[Koz77]

I bet when they release this smaller version its going to be even more expensive, say like $750 or so

[carfreak12321]

I bet when they release this smaller version its going to be even more expensive, say like $750 or so

I dont think thats gonna happen cause "usually" when apple updates current products they usually keep the price the same or lower them cause they can't have a raise in price it would cause people to be unhappy!:rolleyes:

just what i think

[heads up]

if it were to be as thin as the apple tv, i would imagine it would need an external power supply like the laptops do.

just a thought.

[AliensAreFuzzy]

if it were to be as thin as the apple tv, i would imagine it would need an external power supply like the laptops do.

just a thought.

It already has one.

[carfreak12321]

if it were to be as thin as the apple tv, i would imagine it would need an external power supply like the laptops do.

just a thought.

yeh thats wat i would think

[RedTomato]

The Mac Mini is far too big. I'm glad they're making it smaller - I need a Mac running OSX that I can put in my pocket.

Oh wait ...

[iDAG]

The Mac Mini is far too big. I'm glad they're making it smaller - I need a Mac running OSX that I can put in my pocket.

Oh wait ...

...that's what an iPhone is for! :)

[Evangelion]

In the eternal Mac Mini-thread I made the comment that Apple should move the Mini to Intel Atom-CPU, make it fanless, reduce the size and drop the price. Maybe my suggestion was very close to what will happen :). Yes, the Atom-based Mini would have slower CPU than the current Mini has. But on the pother hand it would be cheaper, it might actually ship with a DVD-burner, more RAM, better GPU and bigger HD.

The other half of my suggestion was re-introduction of the Cube as the expandable, headless desktop, with prices starting at around 700-800 bucks...

[johndoe588]

Why?!?

Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: I can't. I've distilled the mini down to the epitome of minimalist perfection.
Jobs: Think about sunflowers.
Ive: Done that.
Jobs: Drink coasters?
Ive: (points to mini)
Jobs: Okay then, make it smaller.
Ive: I'm kinda "smaller'd out" (points at MacBook Air)
Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: (sighs) Alright. I'll make it smaller. (shuffles off)

Now THAT'S funny.

I've got a bad feeling about this, too. A desktop MacBook Air is what I'm guessing. Smaller, less power, no optical drive. I always thought the Mini was the perfect form factor from the first time I saw one.

I'd take the same size or even a little bigger for more performance and larger drives.

John B.

[overanalyzer]

Despite all the criticism to the contrary, I personally have two reasons to think a smaller Mac Mini is actually a good idea. The first is that for a long while I brought one daily between a couple work sites because it was far cheaper than buying a laptop and I didn't need portability once I arrived, just to go between, and already had monitors/keyboards/mice at both locations. The second reason is for installations. As a desktop computer, the Mini is adequately small. As a computer to shove into a car dashboard, behind an LCD TV, or powering a kiosk display, the smaller it gets, the more innovative the installation options.

But yes, let's hope specs don't decline to compensate. But somehow I bet we'll all be pleasantly surprised at what they manage to achieve for specs while shrinking the chassis and probably the packaging for that matter.

[justflie]

I bet it looks identical to that of the Apple TV.

Lovely avatar. When I had my Mac Mini. I got plenty of "wow, OMG where's the computer?!" I can't imagine what reactions a half-sized mini would garner.

[dubhe]

Just give me 3.5" HD and dedicated graphics and I'm happy for under £500 and I'm sold. Currently my MB beats my MacMini at everything except screen size and USB ports. Faster graphics and HD would make me use it more for flight sims and DVD rips.

[ncbill]

802.11n, Penryn, X3100

But NO internal optical drive - high-power USB port instead.

The Leader just got sick of all you weak sisters complaining about the combo drive and said "let them buy a $99 external if they want a Superdrive!"

[LimeiBook86]

My feeling is Apple can go one of two ways.

Direction 1: Mac Mini like "Air" - kill off some ports, make it super small. Use the same external SuperDrive the Air does and maybe kill the internal optical drive. Make it basically a too-expensive-for-switcher machine. :rolleyes:

Direction 2: Update the looks a bit, possibly thinner like the Apple TV. Upgrade some of the specs so it's a bit faster and more powerful. Lower the price and make everyone happy. :p :D

Of course they can always keep the price the same... but it would be nice if they could lower it. ;)

[dubhe]

I suppose you could have the MB Air's SuperDrive as an option for the Mac Mini? But then what's the difference between the Mac Mini and the apple TV? Maybe they could be one and the same? But then, you're not going to want them in the same space... AirTV (like AirTunes)?

[carfreak12321]

In the eternal Mac Mini-thread I made the comment that Apple should move the Mini to Intel Atom-CPU, make it fanless, reduce the size and drop the price. Maybe my suggestion was very close to what will happen :). Yes, the Atom-based Mini would have slower CPU than the current Mini has. But on the pother hand it would be cheaper, it might actually ship with a DVD-burner, more RAM, better GPU and bigger HD.

The other half of my suggestion was re-introduction of the Cube as the expandable, headless desktop, with prices starting at around 700-800 bucks...

WHy would you want Apple to "upgrade" to a lower power mac instead of trying to beaf it up

i agree with a lot of the people that posted on this thread that i would rather see a slightly bigger, but much more powerful mac mini than a slimmer weaker one! :)

just my opinion

[Evangelion]

I'd take the same size or even a little bigger for more performance and larger drives.

And pretty soon you would have regular generic desktop. Fact is that the Mini will never be a powerhouse. It will be "fast enough" for most tasks, but that's it. By moving to Atom, it would still be "fast enough", but they could differentiate it from it's competitors even more. It would be the smallest desktop available, it would be fanless, cheap as dirt and still "fast enough". What I would do is this:

Two models. Both around half the size of current Mini and fanless. Cheaper model would have around 1.6GHz Intel Atom, 80GB HD, DVD-burner and upgraded graphics (still integrated though) + wireless-N and 1GB of soldered RAM (dropping the RAM-slots makes the machine cheaper and smaller.) This machine would cost $399. For $549 you could get the better model that would have around 1.8GHz Atom, 120GB HD, DVD-burner and maybe 2GB of soldered RAM.

[carfreak12321]

My feeling is Apple can go one of two ways.

Direction 1: Mac Mini like "Air" - kill off some ports, make it super small. Use the same external SuperDrive the Air does and maybe kill the internal optical drive. Make it basically a too-expensive-for-switcher machine. :rolleyes:

Direction 2: Update the looks a bit, possibly thinner like the Apple TV. Upgrade some of the specs so it's a bit faster and more powerful. Lower the price and make everyone happy. :p :D

Of course they can always keep the price the same... but it would be nice if they could lower it. ;)


I like direction two;)
But i think we shoudld talk a little bit more on what people think will happen to the imac (If there is a big Mini update there needs to be a relatively big imac update)

[Evangelion]

WHy would you want Apple to "upgrade" to a lower power mac instead of trying to beaf it up

Because the Mini-lineup would be re-thought, and because there's more to computers than the CPU. Mini would basically be split in to two. On the low-end we would get a Mini (or maybe they should call it Mac Nano?), that would have slower CPU, but other features would be improved upon, and it would be significantly cheaper than the current Mini. On the hi-end we would get the Cube re-invented. It would ship with faster CPU's (dual and quad-core), integrated NVIDIA or Ati-graphics + a free PCI-e slot for upgrades.

i agree with a lot of the people that posted on this thread that i would rather see a slightly bigger, but much more powerful mac mini than a slimmer weaker one! :)

Would it be "weaker" if it was considerably cheaper? And even if we compared similar prices, we could get something like this: RIght now you could buy a Mac Mini for $599 that has 1.83GHz C2D, combo-drive, 1GB of RAM, 80GB HD, Wireless-G and GMA950. Instead of that, you would pay $549 and get a 1.8GHz fanless Intel Atom, Superdrive, 2GB of RAM, 120GB of HD, Wireless-N and GMA3100.

[nagromme]

The iMac will get Penryn processors, more RAM, and probably a GPU update.

If I was in charge they'd get black keys and mice too--but I fear I'm not.

[Popeye206]

one of two things i think:

2. appletv-like enclosure with a bluray/superdrive built in....

Thoughts?

Hummm.... maybe a twist here???? What if they had a version of AppleTV with a Mini inside? Wireless keyboard and mouse... sit back and compute on your HiDef TV and have AppleTV to boot!

I agree with most comments... unless they are going to make it the size of a coffee cup and drop the DVD drive, size is not an issue with the Mini. More speed and better price. The current configuration is just too costly by the time you add everything you need if you start from scratch... heck, you might as well splurge the extra $200-$300 buck and get a kick butt iMac!

[carfreak12321]

Because the Mini-lineup would be re-thought, and because there's more to computers than the CPU. Mini would basically be split in to two. On the low-end we would get a Mini (or maybe they should call it Mac Nano?), that would have slower CPU, but other features would be improved upon, and it would be significantly cheaper than the current Mini. On the hi-end we would get the Cube re-invented. It would ship with faster CPU's (dual and quad-core), integrated NVIDIA or Ati-graphics + a free PCI-e slot for upgrades.



Would it be "weaker" if it was considerably cheaper? And even if we compared similar prices, we could get something like this: RIght now you could buy a Mac Mini for $599 that has 1.83GHz C2D, combo-drive, 1GB of RAM, 80GB HD, Wireless-G and GMA950. Instead of that, you would pay $549 and get a 1.8GHz fanless Intel Atom, Superdrive, 2GB of RAM, 120GB of HD, Wireless-N and GMA3100.


I see what you mean.
so basicly Apple will probably take the macbook air aproach on the mac mini!!

oh and nagromme your probably right and i also wish they would try and make their keyboards backlit..would be cool, but prob not gonna happen

I hope they switch to nividia i don't think ATI is as good and i would like to see a high grade GPU on some other mac computers besides the macbook pros and the mac pros!!

[notjustjay]

Like all rumors, I'll "believe it when I see it" but this would be perfect for me. I've got an LCD TV mounted on the wall in my kitchen, and there is just enough space between the back of the TV and the wall to squeeze an Apple TV so it's tucked nicely away. I haven't bought the Apple TV yet, because I like the idea that if I bought a Mac mini instead, I could have it do so much more. But there's no place to put the mini...

So a mini the size of an Apple TV would solve all my problems!

[mingisback]

no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).

The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating :rolleyes:).

ha... i love that you're yelling at apple over a rumor.

[Eidorian]

If the smaller mini is cheaper then I can live with it.

[Evangelion]

I see what you mean.
so basicly Apple will probably take the macbook air aproach on the mac mini!!


That's more or less the exact wording I used in my original comment few weeks ago :). Will Apple do it? I don't know. But that's what I would like them to do.

[carfreak12321]

If the smaller mini is cheaper then I can live with it.

Yeh i agree but updates on hardware dont usually come with price drops:(

[akm3]

Perhaps it will become 'Apple TV +"

Have all the ability of the AppleTV (including ability to download HD rentals) but ALSO is a full fledged Mac.

A nice home theater PC option.

[SkippyThorson]

Jobs: Think about sunflowers.
Ive: Done that.
Jobs: Drink coasters?
Ive: (points to mini)
Jobs: Okay then, make it smaller.

:D Very well depicted I must say.

[Eidorian]

Yeh i agree but updates on hardware dont usually come with price drops:(They do but they're not as often. :(

I already have an assload of SunRays. Why do I need Apple's thin client and they don't even had Terminal Services! AquaConnect is a hack.

[carfreak12321]

...It would ship with faster CPU's (dual and quad-core), ...


I highly doubt they will put quad-core in the minis - as a matter of fact i dont think they will even put quad-core on the imac..i hope they will but im sure they wont

[EagerDragon]

I hope the new models come soon.

But I hope the MINI does not get smaller. A lot of people here would like to have a full size disk drive which would make it wider and deeper, around the size of the :apple:TV. If the height is reduced, then you have less space for cooling. The use of laptop parts is probably one of the main reasons the price of the MINI is too high.

Lets use high quality desktop components, let it have a full disk and lets drop the price. If the mini was cheaper (100 to 200 less) it would fly off the shelf.

[Evangelion]

I highly doubt they will put quad-core in the minis - as a matter of fact i dont think they will even put quad-core on the imac..i hope they will but im sure they wont

THose CPU's would not be going to the Mini, it would be going to the new expandable Mac that is placed above Mini. Like I said, the Mini as we know would die, and it would be replaced by two lineups: one would have Intel Atom-CPU's and be very cheap, while the more expensive ones would have Core 2-CPU's, expansion-slot and the like. It would be different from the iMac, since iMac is an all-in-one, and this would be a headless Mac. Yes, it would be the much wished xMac :).

[rstansby]

I predict we'll see a mac mini with the same footprint, but thinner than the current model. Slightly improved specs, and no Flash HD (too expensive).

Retaining the current footprint would make it work with most current accessories.

[happydude]

Why?!?

Oh. Right. Because the Mac mini has been criticized in almost all the reviews for taking up way too much space.

You reach a certain point where there there really is no need to continue to minimize form factors. Maybe that's all you can do once you've perfected a design.

Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: I can't. I've distilled the mini down to the epitome of minimalist perfection.
Jobs: Think about sunflowers.
Ive: Done that.
Jobs: Drink coasters?
Ive: (points to mini)
Jobs: Okay then, make it smaller.
Ive: I'm kinda "smaller'd out" (points at MacBook Air)
Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: (sighs) Alright. I'll make it smaller. (shuffles off)

hilarious, love it!!

in all seriousness though, i just don't see why the mini needs to be smaller. just update the crap out of it (processor, HDD, RAM, graphics card) and keep it the same price . . . and you've got something you can't beat!! it doesn't need to be any smaller.

[carfreak12321]

THose CPU's would not be going to the Mini, it would be going to the new expandable Mac that is placed above Mini. Like I said, the Mini as we know would die, and it would be replaced by two lineups: one would have Intel Atom-CPU's and be very cheap, while the more expensive ones would have Core 2-CPU's, expansion-slot and the like. It would be different from the iMac, since iMac is an all-in-one, and this would be a headless Mac. Yes, it would be the much wished xMac :).

oh im sorry i misunderstood!

i would love for that to happen!!
it would be so awesome!:)

[Clive At Five]

A "MacAir" simply does not make any sense. Why? Because a smaller MacMini (MM) implies losing the optical drive. This change would introduce prerequisites to owning a MM: 1) owning a owning a host PC for software installs, -OR- 2) purchasing an external Optical Drive.

At present, the MM has the wonderful selling point of being a self-standing PC. If, suddenly, it were to require having another computer or external drive around just to install software, the MM goes from being an "all-you-need" petite PC to being a "not-much-smaller" incomplete PC, which needs another piece of hardware to function fully. Let's explore these options a little more closely:

1) Having a host PC is a burden, especially when it isn't in the same room as the MM. If you wanted to install software, you have to go into another room to do so. If you want to rip a CD, you have to go into another room to do so. If you want to watch a DVD, you have to go to another room to do so. Every time you want to do something with a disk, you have to go into another room.

Or perhaps a family only has space for one family computer. What would they do then? They would have to go into the attic/basement/garage, dig out their old PC, and reassemble it... simply to do one of the aforementioned simple activies on their MM. Their only other option would be #2,

2) buying an external drive. Why would you buy a PC without a disk drive if you had to keep an external drive attached at all times anyway? Or I suppose you could only attach it when you needed it, but then what? Put it in a drawer, inactive? Why add another step to what should be a simple process? Why remove a piece of hardware that's just going to be added back again. The purpose of shrinking the MM would be to make it more visually appealing, no? (Certainly desk space is not an issue with today's MM.) Well, it's not very visually appealing to attach an optical drive via donlgle.

Also, this method would be the ONLY way to burn a disc, be it an MP3 CD for one's car, or a DVD slideshow made via iPhoto. Of the entire iLife Suite, in fact, 4 of the 6 programs utilize the optical bay in a significant capacity. For iMovie it's just about almost mandatory, and iDVD... well, duh.

The omission of an optical drive from a desktop computer makes nary any sense at all, at least at this point in time. Are online software downloads becomming more popular? Yes. Are other forms of media distribution (i.e. USB flash drive) gaining traction? Yes. However, there are still people that don't have high-speed internet connections, and even some who don't have ANY internet connection. And there exist some software offerings that are simply too large to cost-effectively fit onto USB flash or other media. Optical media is still too vital to be ripped from our desktops. Plus, introduction of BluRay - yet another form of optical media - will extend the lifespan of spinning reflective discs for another ten years. Despite how frequently or infrequently you may use it, it will continue to be the most wide-spread and cost-effective way to store data for many years to come.

The omission of an optical drive in a future MM would not better the unit in any way, and, in my opinion, would be a grave error.

Despite all the criticism to the contrary, I personally have two reasons to think a smaller Mac Mini is actually a good idea.

[parapharsed:]
1) cheaper-than-laptop portability
2) Custom installs

Niche and more niche. The MM is not meant to be a portable. It's meant to be a fully-featured, petite desktop. While I honestly do commend your unique use of the computer, Apple should not use your rare example as a model for a future computer. Secondly, custom installs, "carputers," etc. are extremely niche markets. As someone who is interesting in performing such an install myself, I still would not condone Apple's transformation of the Mini to fit such a market. Again, it would help few at the inconvenience of many.

-Clive

[CharmCty]

if Apple were to create a mini with the same dimensions as the Apple TV, then wouldn't that cannibalize ATV sales, since you could download shows and rent movies from iTunes in the mini? I think that a reasonable idea would be a redesign of the mini to be slightly thinner and contain a blu-ray drive. If it had the same footprint as the ATV and TC you could have a nice little Apple media center, complete with all the functionality of the ATV, a Blu-ray drive with full OSX, and Time Capsule to back everything up. They could all fit in a stack formation, like components in a home theater system. Just a thought.

[puckhead193]

if the mini is half the size will the price be cut in half too? :p

[KingYaba]

one of two things i think:

1. No optical drive so a dedicated graphics card can be added with additional external superdrive as an option....

or

2. appletv-like enclosure with a bluray/superdrive built in....

Thoughts?

Good luck with the BluRay. If BluRay is nonexistent with the Mac Pro, there is no reason why it would be placed in the consumer Mac Mini. The whole point of the Mini is to convert those "PC users" with their own keyboard, monitor and mouse. Now, without an optical drive the switchers will have to BYODKMOD (OD for optical drive)? I don't think so.

[BenRoethig]

Typical Jobs and Ive. They had a chance to put a desktop hard drive in the Mini and make it useful again. Instead, they're doing another experiment in how small they can make a computer.

[psychofreak]

Typical Jobs and Ive. They had a chance to put a desktop hard drive in the Mini and make it useful again. Instead, they're doing another experiment in how small they can make a computer.

We don't know what they're doing. This is just a rumour...

[BenRoethig]

We don't know what they're doing. This is just a rumour...

But it does fit their M.O. It might work in laptops and all in ones, but the "less is more" philosophy doesn't translate as well to desktops, even basic ones.

[sososowhat]

I love my mini, but it could be smaller.

How about a mini in the form factor of a USB Drive? Plug it in to the back of a display anywhere & you're set! Ok, maybe not this next revision, but circle back in 5 years & this might not seem so absurd.

[DaBrain]

How bout' a sub-notebook- an eeePC killer for $500? Sware to god I'm going to buy one of those things and put XP on it.

If you have great/perfect vision, go for it! I did BUT i just could not handle the small 7 inch screen. My eyes were killing me. So I sold it and picked up a macbook and now I can read comfortably and also have OSX!

Give it a go and see what you think. ;)

[carfreak12321]

im guessing this kind of update will not happen soon but they will upgrade mac mini and imac to penryn soon!! hopefully next week:)

[Bad Paper]

I doubt (or at least hope not) that they will put Atoms in the next Minis. Atoms are absurdly slow.

I've been waiting for a Mini with 2.4GHz Penryn and that Santa Rosa GMA 965. That is exactly the power that I need, and I have a 26" monitor and fancy mouse so I certainly won't pick up an iMac. I was hoping that the cooler Penryn + Santa Rosa would get along nicely with the Mini's form factor.

If they're going to shrink it anymore, temps go up, performance goes down, argh! Why oh why? Maybe I should mod one for liquid cooling, har.

[DaBrain]

oh please no!

I hear ya! What's with this obsession with size? Especially for a desktop like the mini! It's crazy I tell Ya!--)))

I'd rather have functionality over a smaller mini! But, eh, that's just me! :)

[beppo]

I really want it to look like a miniture black MacBook that can't open. With the glowing apple logo on top. Of course all the the ports should be rearranged. But I really don't want it to look like a smaller version of the macmini.

[kingtj]

The fact is, nobody I know really *needs* a thinner Mac Mini. Like you say, it's not a notebook computer, and it's really lacking in graphics capabilities. In a perfect world, sure. I'd want Apple to invest in updating the graphics on it before I'd ever say "Please, make it smaller!"

That said, Apple computers are supposed to be eye-catching, stylish machines. You get form with the function. The Mac Mini used to have bragging rights as the smallest desktop PC on the market. Since then, the PC clone competition has caught up and even surpassed it in that area. Now, people no longer eye the Mini and think "Wow, that's amazingly tiny!" They simply consider it an entry-level Mac that uses notebook type components.

If it doesn't take much effort on Apple's part to chop the thickness by 1/3rd or 1/2, I can see why they'd go ahead and do it. It makes it clear it's a new model - and might help them gain back the original "smallest PC" bragging rights it started with.


no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).

The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating :rolleyes:).

[stagi]

I like the current size, would just like to see new specs

[EagerDragon]

I hope the new models come soon.

But I hope the MINI does not get smaller. A lot of people here would like to have a full size disk drive which would make the mini wider and deeper, around the size of the :apple:TV. If the height is reduced, then you have less space for cooling. The use of laptop parts is probably one of the main reasons the price of the MINI is too high.

Lets use high quality desktop components, let it have a full disk and lets drop the price. If the mini was cheaper (100 to 200 less) it would fly off the shelf.

[sleepingworker]

no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).

The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating :rolleyes:).

It would be kind of funny though to misplace a mini on the desk among all the papers and bills. ... okay, I said "kind of funny". ;)

[veeco3110]

Omg Everybody Next Tuesday!!!!!!

[EagerDragon]

if Apple were to create a mini with the same dimensions as the Apple TV, then wouldn't that cannibalize ATV sales, since you could download shows and rent movies from iTunes in the mini? I think that a reasonable idea would be a redesign of the mini to be slightly thinner and contain a blu-ray drive. If it had the same footprint as the ATV and TC you could have a nice little Apple media center, complete with all the functionality of the ATV, a Blu-ray drive with full OSX, and Time Capsule to back everything up. They could all fit in a stack formation, like components in a home theater system. Just a thought.

That Blue Ray will add about $600.00 ( go check prices on Blue Ray burners) to the price, and in turn kill it. It is a beginner system for switchers and others that want minimal power but want to use a Mac.

The primary target of the Mini is not the average geek in MacRumors and is not for gamers either. Apple made it close to the MB which does not have a video card and it is not intended for professional artists or gamers. That was intentional.

Apple is not being run by a bunch of idiots. I hear it all the time .... If only Apple would have done this instead of that, the system would be so much better, it would sell better than sex and I would buy one.

If the mini in its current form does not meet your needs then it is the wrong Mac system for you, get a different one or go with a Dell.

[kresh]

I hope Apple really goes radical with the Mac Mini:

Imagine a computing appliance 4 inches square and only 1/2" thick.

Use a MacBook Air type motherboard and Processor (4"X4", with soldiered RAM) and 1.8" HD and make it as small as possible with a corresponding small power brick.

This would be an awesome appliance. It would be perfect for web browsing, iTunes, iChat, home word processing/spreadsheet and many more uses. It would be perfect for a large group of people who don't even need the power of a current Mac Mini.

My mom has a 20" 2.4 GHz C2D iMac and uses it for iTunes (for her iPod), to get recipes off the web and occasionally write a letter.

I would venture to bet that the average home computer user does not need the power and speed of an iMac and instead need a computing appliance that performs basic internet functions well.

For the few thousand (or even hundred thousand) people who post on Mac Rumors, or the relatively small percentage of gamers, do not effectively represent a typical home computer user.

[JG271]

Anyone who has ever opened up their mini can see that there is simply no room to make it any smaller! A different form factor perhaps, but smaller no.

Unless they get rid of the optical drive however it is still a desktop computer - if your hooking it up to a screen, speakers, mouse and keyboard it still takes up a fair amount of room - so why compromise on features for a smaller unit?

[EagerDragon]

Most of the time smaller means more expensive. We have plenty of people complaining that the mini is too expensive (me included), that would make it worst.

Take a look at the Air ..... You start with a basic MB at 1000, get an older CPU and make it smaller, trow away the DVD, remove most of the ports and put them all on one side, change the size of the case and eliminate the door to change the battery. After removing all of that, then tack on an additional 700 to the price. That old MB has less features, looks cool, weight less and cost 700 more.

Apply that to the MINI whose target audience are switchers and people that just want some very basic features, and tell me if they would be interested in paying and additional 500 to make the mini 8 ounces lighter and .5 inch smaller. Maybe and SSD drive for just 900 more would also make it more attractive to the non-existing customer.

Oh Oh I forgot ... add another 600 for Blue ray, and another 75 for a video card. Guys you could have purchased a Quad Mac Pro for that with a heck of a lot more power expandability, lots of disk space and a nice video card.
Lets get real.

[jnc]

I love my mini, but it could be smaller.

How about a mini in the form factor of a USB Drive? Plug it in to the back of a display anywhere & you're set! Ok, maybe not this next revision, but circle back in 5 years & this might not seem so absurd.

I like how you think, sir! 64GB, 1GB onboard RAM, Bluetooth and wifi for peripherals and internet connectivity. :p

[oldwatery]

I hope Apple really goes radical with the Mac Mini:

Imagine a computing appliance 4 inches square and only 1/2" thick.

Use a MacBook Air type motherboard and Processor (4"X4", with soldiered RAM) and 1.8" HD and make it as small as possible with a corresponding small power brick.

This would be an awesome appliance. It would be perfect for web browsing, iTunes, iChat, home word processing/spreadsheet and many more uses. It would be perfect for a large group of people who don't even need the power of a current Mac Mini.

My mom has a 20" 2.4 GHz C2D iMac and uses it for iTunes (for her iPod), to get recipes off the web and occasionally write a letter.

I would venture to bet that the average home computer user does not need the power and speed of an iMac and instead need a computing appliance that performs basic internet functions well.

For the few thousand (or even hundred thousand) people who post on Mac Rumors, or the relatively small percentage of gamers, do not effectively represent a typical home computer user.

How do you come up with your statistics?
The average computer user doesn't need computational power?
MacRumor posters are not representative of the average user?

These are such unbelievably subjective opinions.

It seems very obvious from the posts that most users do want more power and could not care less about reducing the size.

Exactly why do you want a desktop computer to be 1/4 inch thick :confused:

Apple.....Stick in Penryn and release the sucker please!

[mikeinternet]

instead of making it smaller. why not squeeze the power brick in there. having that outside the mini is misleading to the space it takes up.

[gloss]

How reliable are Looprumors?

lol.

[spacecadet610]

yeah i don't understand the rationale for this. it's already small enough. just increase the specs already!

[cube]

Size needs to change, but in the opposite direction! It is a stupid design.:mad:

[Bad Paper]

Most of the time smaller means more expensive. We have plenty of people complaining that the mini is too expensive (me included), that would make it worst.

Take a look at the Air ..... You start with a basic MB at 1000, get an older CPU and make it smaller, trow away the DVD, remove most of the ports and put them all on one side, change the size of the case and eliminate the door to change the battery. After removing all of that, then tack on an additional 700 to the price.yes, but the Macbook Airs seem to be flying off the shelves, so clearly :apple: is doing something right

[AnthonyKinyon]

My predictions are:

-That the Mac Mini will be renamed Mac Nano, will shrink (similar to how the iPod Mini became iPod Nano).

-The price point will stay the same, or at most, drop $49. Most likely the price will not change since it will include improved hardware.

-Will continue to be available in white but a black model will be introduced (similar to the MacBook). It is unlikely to go aluminum and glass (like iPhone/iMac) at this time, to keep cost low.

-Faster CPU as various rumor sites have suggested. This is fairly obvious. :)

-Upgraded video (will address the biggest complaint most people have had). Probably on par with the MacBook.

-Inclusion of 802.11n wireless. Up until now it has been the only current Mac not to support the "n" standard.

-Minor upgrade to support latest Bluetooth standard (2.1 with EDR vs. 2.0 with EDR that it has had up until now).

-Larger hard drive (160 GB standard, 250 or 320 GB optional) - still no solid state drive available.

-Remote control likely to still be included, but may be sold separately at $19 (again to keep cost of the overall machine lower).

-Ability to install and utilize 4 GB of RAM.

-Possibly faster FSB (front side bus).

Remember, you heard it here first. :)

[cube]

Macbook-class graphics does not address the complaints in this department since going Intel.

[DMann]

Why?!?

Oh. Right. Because the Mac mini has been criticized in almost all the reviews for taking up way too much space.

You reach a certain point where there there really is no need to continue to minimize form factors. Maybe that's all you can do once you've perfected a design.

Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: I can't. I've distilled the mini down to the epitome of minimalist perfection.
Jobs: Think about sunflowers.
Ive: Done that.
Jobs: Drink coasters?
Ive: (points to mini)
Jobs: Okay then, make it smaller.
Ive: I'm kinda "smaller'd out" (points at MacBook Air)
Jobs: We need to update the mini's look.
Ive: (sighs) Alright. I'll make it smaller. (shuffles off)

It's gonna be the cube all over again - new form factor - size of an iPhone- solid state - no optical drive - no graphics card - one firewire, one usb.

[Clive At Five]

Lets use high quality desktop components, let it have a full disk and lets drop the price. If the mini was cheaper (100 to 200 less) it would fly off the shelf.

I hear it all the time .... If only Apple would have done this instead of that, the system would be so much better, it would sell better than sex and I would buy one.

If the mini in its current form does not meet your needs then it is the wrong Mac system for you, get a different one or go with a Dell.

Am I missing something, or did you just totally contradict yourself?

And I think that if we have issues about certain macs, we SHOULD voice them. It's pretty much a known fact that they have agents scouring the web, collecting feedback left by communities like these. How else would they know what their customers are looking for? I don't see them sending out surveys on current and potential Apple products, so they must rely on the feedback gathered by forum posts and web articles in addition to analyzing purchasing patterns and whatnot. In fact, I've been so outspoken about an xMac, I'm certain I'm on their "ignore" list by now.

What we need is volumes of people standing up and telling Apple what they want. It's clear that some people want a smaller MM, and some people want a larger MM. What I haven't seen is a request to leave the MM alone. Apple, I think, is getting the hint that SOMEHOW the MM has to change... now it's a matter of how.

Let's give them some feedback.

-Clive

yes, but the Macbook Airs seem to be flying off the shelves, so clearly :apple: is doing something right

There's a difference. There actually exists logical sense in shrinking a laptop. I personally wouldn't buy one when the 0.5" thicker, 2-lbs heavier MacBook is more powerful and $700 less, but for those who aren't on a budget or REALLY REALLY care about portability, the MBA *could* make sense.

Shrinking a desktop below its current size makes no sense whatsoever. I haven't heard a single person complaining that the Mini is too big...

My predictions are:

-That the Mac Mini will be renamed Mac Nano, will shrink (similar to how the iPod Mini became iPod Nano).

[yadda yadda yadda]

Remember, you heard it here first. :)

I've heard this all before and, no, the Mini won't shrink unless it loses the optical drive. Plus if you're going to try to fit a larger hard drive in there... good luck.

I really don't think Apple will cut the optical drive. *knocks on wood* I pray they're not that stupid.

It's gonna be the cube all over again - new form factor - size of an iPhone- solid state - no optical drive - no graphics card - one firewire, one usb.

You're joking, right? First, it's impossibly small. Secondly, what is the average user going to do with only 16GB of soldered-on flash memory when the OS takes up 8GB? They download two movies off iTunes and their device is full.

Oh and "no optical drive, no graphics card." Thanks for making those clarifications, because I was wondering where you'd put CDs in, and how a graphics card would fit inside a shell smaller than the card itself.

Do people honestly not know the impossible things they ask for?

Why do I even comment on posts like these?

-Clive

[Samdog]

...I don't see them sending out surveys on current and potential Apple products... I got one regarding my recent Mac Mini purchase, which included feedback on desired improvements. :)

[inkswamp]

Suddenly I'm picturing Steve Jobs as Nigel Tufnel: "It's like, how much smaller could this be? And the answer is none. None more small."

I truly hope this rumor is only one part of something bigger or, even better, flat-out wrong. If Apple really is wasting their time making the Mac Mini even smaller, then they are officially clueless about desktop machines.

Right now, the sizes of the iMac and Mac Mini are the least of people's concerns. Top of Apple's list should be making the Mini worth its exorbitant price tag and fixing the iMac's display issues.

[Samdog]

...Do people honestly not know the impossible things they ask for?... Clearly, no. ;)

...Why do I even comment on posts like these?... Excellent question. :D

[ppnkg]

I can't believe that people are discussing seriously the idea of a mini without an optical drive. This must be a joke, right?

[jnc]

It's here! (I was inspired)

http://i30.tinypic.com/atp6p3.jpg

[BenRoethig]

I hear ya! What with this obsession with size? Especially for a desktop like the mini! It's crazy I tell Ya!--)))

I'd rather have functionality over a smaller mini! But, eh, that's just me! :)

You're not the only one.

yes, but the Macbook Airs seem to be flying off the shelves, so clearly :apple: is doing something right

The ultraportable laptop and entry level desktop markets have nothing in common. The thin and light design of the MBA makes it more portable for business travelers. The small design of the Mini makes it unable to compete with other entry level machines with 3-4 times the hard drive space. The only purpose it currently serves is to heard buyers turned off by it up to the 2.0ghz iMac.

It's here! (I was inspired)

http://i30.tinypic.com/atp6p3.jpg

It randomly picks a program and boots it up.

I can't believe that people are discussing seriously the idea of a mini without an optical drive. This must be a joke, right?

Some have the Jobs traits where they like to think a few years ahead of where technology is and try to apply that to now.

[Banjhiyi]

Smaller Mini with the cutdown version of OS X - chances?

[Samdog]

...I truly hope this rumor is only one part of something bigger or, even better, flat-out wrong... There remains the possibility that the rumor is based on some fact, but that the product isn't intended to be a direct replacement for the Mini. It might be positioned as a different product category, much like the MacBook Air was not a direct replacement for existing models.

Even if that were true, it doesn't mean the Mini's future would be assured. Hard to know how satisfied Apple is with the Mini's sales, but, much as I love mine, it wouldn't shock me to see them go the way of the cube. :(

[sleepingworker]

Suddenly I'm picturing Steve Jobs as Nigel Tufnel: "It's like, how much smaller could this be? And the answer is none. None more small."

... but the new mini will go up to eleven.

[Occuvite]

See, I think that they should have the option for a Blu-Ray in all of the new mac's starting June/July. They should also have an HDMI port for those that don't use a regular Monitor, but their HDTV as their monitor. Yes the Blu-Ray would cost more, and if it's an option, then the entry level price can stay the same. I really see this as a flaw of apple right now. They are not offering Blu-Ray on anything. On a PC you can get a Blu-Ray drive for $150 for your desktop. I saw someone had posted that it was $600. Yes, that may be, for the burner, but I only need a Blu-Ray reader and a DVD-RW.

The Mini is definately small enough as it is. I could stand if they took the Super Drive out and made it an accessory, but I would like it to stick with the machine.

Can't we all just get along. We need to unite against Apple, and tell them what we want, not fight against each other to see who thinks they have a better idea. If we all press the ideas to apple, it's more likely to become reality than saying, "My idea is better than your idea, cause you're dumb and don't know anything". It just doesn't work that way. I'm not saying to picket them, but these forums are a great way for them to get our opinions, but if you bash on other peoples opinions, then so be it.

[SirOmega]

I can definitely see Apple dropping the optical drive. Hopefully they'd cut $100 off the price too. Using the SFF packaging isn't a big issue. Intel might charge more for the chips though.

What I would like to see instead is a Mac Nano - using the new Intel Atom chip. They're coming out with a dual core version in Q3, so you could have the DC Atom chip at 1.8Ghz, 2GB of RAM, and a HDD inside the unit and have a power consumption budget around 25W under load, probably close to 18W at idle. The Atom chip is planned to be priced around $35-50, so they could price it at $399. Great email/internet box, but a bad HTPC since the CPU isn't that powerful (its an in-order CPU as opposed to the out-of-order execution found in all of today's modern CPUs). The BOM on the unit would probably come in around $175 or so, the profit margin is in line with apple's tradition.

Then they can beef up the Mac Mini some - discrete mobile GPU, etc for $799/899.

[conradzoo]

What about those 'slide in' iMac rumors prior to the release of the Mac Air?

Just wondering if the new Mini was the original Mac 'slide' of those rumors? A totally rededigned, much smaller would fit right in those new iMacs.

I am in for it.

[Tallest Skil]

A desktop that slides into a better desktop?


I don't think so.

[::Lisa::]

I'm actually awaiting the update so I can buy this for my kids computer. A size reduction would be nice since their room is small enough (not that it's not small enough as it is!)

[glennyboiwpg]

It's here! (I was inspired)

http://i30.tinypic.com/atp6p3.jpg

Ok i'm sorry, but that thing would be cool!


You wouldn't be able to do anything but surf the web, maybe some word processing but it still would be cool.

[conradzoo]

A desktop that slides into a better desktop?


I don't think so.

As I recall the rumor was about an 'empty' iMac, just the screen, extra harddrive, the ports, etc, not a full desktop. The new Mac Mini could be your take away computer.

[deputy_doofy]

It's here! (I was inspired)

http://i30.tinypic.com/atp6p3.jpg

I'd think it would still need USB ports for a keyboard and mouse. You can't assume than everyone's set up would include BT mice and keyboards. That said, I'd buy something like that for up to $500.

[Tallest Skil]

Take away... to do what? You'd have to have a keyboard, monitor, and mouse on your lap with this new Mac Mini.

I like the throwback to the DuoDock with the concept, but I have a hard time seeing the applications for a desktop within a desktop.

[3247]

http://i30.tinypic.com/atp6p3.jpg
Cool. It's not even that far-fetched, given that others do make a PC that fits in the space for a wall socket (http://www.chippc.com/thin-clients/jack-pc/thin-client.asp?p=jack-pc-6700).

I think it should be called "Mac Pico", though.

[Jpoon]

Ok i'm sorry, but that thing would be cool!


You wouldn't be able to do anything but surf the web, maybe some word processing but it still would be cool.

I don't think it's practical to make the smallest desktop in the world any smaller... WHO needs something this small!?! Honestly.

[BRLawyer]

How reliable are Looprumors?

As reliable as MacOSRumors...:rolleyes:

[deputy_doofy]

WHO needs something this small!?! Honestly.

WHO throws a shoe?! Honestly! :p

[QuarterSwede]

Ok i'm sorry, but that thing would be cool!


You wouldn't be able to do anything but surf the web, maybe some word processing but it still would be cool.
You pretty much nailed most computer users right there. In fact, the iPhone already satisfies most people.

[CharmCty]

It randomly picks a program and boots it up.

.

That's the Mac Shuffle

[mdntcallr]

to drop the size anymore is just silly. Mac Mini's are tiny.

I'd much rather have them include a decent graphics chip, not intel integrated.

if this became a fully capable mini tower. if you can have a basic and a more advanced one, it would be killer.

ie a little upgrade available, like the ole cube.

[jakealdred]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
good idea for thoses lookin at traveling alot
but they need a faster processor and a bigger hard drive before i let my dad convert!
-jake

[psychofreak]

Apart from in the looks department, I doubt Apple could do THAT much better than the Gumstix (http://www.gumstix.com/waysmalls.html) computers, and they're not very powerful...

[Electrolytic]

Great now I can finally fit it in my pocket when I move it... :(

[Tallest Skil]

...a little upgrade available, like the ole cube.

And we all know how successful that was.

There will be no xMac. Not while His Jobsness is in charge.

[inkswamp]

And we all know how successful that was.

There will be no xMac. Not while His Jobsness is in charge.

Do I need to repost this long list (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=5196509#post5196509) here in this thread too? :rolleyes:

[EagerDragon]

yes, but the Macbook Airs seem to be flying off the shelves, so clearly :apple: is doing something right

Absolutly, the Mac Air is selling better than anyone but Apple would have expected. But ..... It is a different type of user. It is a user that has a need for something light to carry around on trips, does not need 320 Gig drives and is fine with a single USB port. Most of these are professionals whose Air is their 2nd or 3rd system.

The mini population is a different population. First time user, the Grandmas of the world, The lady looking at what's playing at the movies or looking up a recipe, the kids that need a Mac and have to sell newspapers to get it, the common user that uses a browser, email and chat for 98 percent of their computing needs and is sick of all the malware that comes with using a WinTel.

I love both systems, not putting either one down, just saying that changing them too much would have an effect on the price and the targeted audience.

[aswitcher]

Apple TV / TimeCapsule size

No DVD. Uses MacBook Air DVD drive as an option

Full sized HDD 3.5"...

802.11n

CHEAPER

[AnthonyKinyon]

Not physically larger, but more capacity in the same physical size.

Plus if you're going to try to fit a larger hard drive in there... good luck.
-Clive

[KindredMAC]

I love how everyone is just posting the exact same stuff that was posted back on Page 1 and 2 without reading through the forum.....
Read people Read!
:rolleyes:
There has probably been only about 3 pages worth of original content here.

[Teh Don Ditty]

I love how everyone is just posting the exact same stuff that was posted back on Page 1 and 2 without reading through the forum.....
Read people Read!
:rolleyes:
There has probably been only about 3 pages worth of original content here.

what more can be said? Most us are in agreement on what we do and don't wanna see, with some people thinking on more grandiose scale.

[AnthonyKinyon]

This will likely not be "fixed" since the cost of the machine would rise too high with a high end graphics card included, plus the heat output would rise dramatically, it would require more power (larger power brick).

Macbook-class graphics does not address the complaints in this department since going Intel.

[cube]

This will likely not be "fixed" since the cost of the machine would rise too high with a high end graphics card included, plus the heat output would rise dramatically, it would require more power (larger power brick).

Yeah, right. The PPC Mac mini had discrete graphics and it cost $100 less than this Intel crap.

[Cave Man]

Apple TV / TimeCapsule size

yes.

No DVD. Uses MacBook Air DVD drive as an option

Yes.

Full sized HDD 3.5"...

Yes!

802.11n

YES!

CHEAPER

YE.... Uhhhh... Ain't gonna happen...

Yeah, right. The PPC Mac mini had discrete graphics and it cost $100 less than this Intel crap.

While the PPC gpu was better in some respects, it was worse in others.

[cube]

While the PPC gpu was better in some respects, it was worse in others.

That's a GPU from many years ago. For the same money you would have something much better today.

[Cave Man]

I'd be happy with a MacBook-clone (sans screen) in an Apple TV form factor. It'd be peachy if the top-of-the-line included a discrete gpu/vRAM of 128 mb.

That's a GPU from many years ago. For the same money you would have something much better today.

But I suspect the principal reason Apple used a discrete gpu with the PPC Mini was because the G4 had substantial difficulty with H.264 decoding, Apple's codec of choice, thus the need for a gpu that could handle such tasks. The Intel chips did much better with that. The Core Solo was only good for low-bitrate/low resolution, but the Core Duos can handle 1080 in a moderate bitrate or 720 in a high bitrate. The problem is, there are few video playback apps that can take advantage of substantial use of both cores.

[chu121su12]

If they drop the optical drive, apple will have a new product line. They would probably shrink the size, similar to iMac. The spec would probably have a little upgrade. Well, hope not just a little...

[BenRoethig]

In the PowerPC days, Apple had to develop their own chipsets.

[cube]

No. Apple has shown that the reason they used a discrete GPU is because there were no integrated graphics for PPC. It's all about milking the customer base.

[Bad Paper]

It's pretty much a known fact that they have agents scouring the web, collecting feedback left by communities like these.Is it, now? Who knows this fact, how, and why? I cannot imagine Apple wasting its resources combing these fora for their market research. Apple is interested in capturing market share, not pleasing Kool-Aid drinking fanbois.

Everytime someone whines, "Come on, Apple..." or "Come on, Steve..." and pollutes MR with a laundry list of desires, they are wasting our time. GTFO.

[inkswamp]

Here's what I'm hoping this means.

I'm hoping Apple kills two birds with one stone. The two birds: 1) the desire for smaller and less intrusive desktops; 2) the desire for a mid-range Mac.

Apple could expand the Mini line-up upward and downward to mimic the iPod line-up. One one end, you have the new smaller Mac Nano, dispensing with things like the optical drive and unneeded ports, and on the other, you have a new Mac that is about twice the height of the old Mini to give you better processors, accessible RAM and GPU and more ports, etc. In the middle, you have the Mini as it now exists with a bump in specs.

That would be an amazing move that would fulfill the growing demands from new customers that Apple is facing.

[pjarvi]

If they switch to using laptop memory in a horizontal layout, they can easily reduce the height by at least 1/3rd. Remove the optical drive and there goes another 1/3rd drop in in height. Now what you've got left is an AppleTV.

Hooray... :confused:

What I would rather see with the next Mini, is: Geforce 8600 graphics and an HDMI port (w/ audio) instead of DVI. The size is just fine as is. :cool:

[Darkroom]

NoteBook : Desktop
__________________

MacBookPro : MacPro
MacBook : iMac
MacBookAir : MacAir (previously known as Mac Mini)

[Foxglove9]

The mini doesn't need to get any smaller, it needs to get more powerful.

Exactly. Get the specs to current standards at least, and drop the price a tiny bit and I'm in for one instantly.

What I don't think anyone needs is an iPod Touch without a screen. But you never know.

[Tosser]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I wonder if less than half the size means thinner like the AppleTV or less than half the size in all dimensions.

If it's half the size in all three dimensions, it will result in a product with a volume of 12,5 percent of the current one.

100%x0,5x0,5x0,5.

I doubt that will be the case.

[DakotaGuy]

I can see the first issue with the Mac Mini if they compress it too much... overheating

[FullGaz]

I, for one, am going to get a new Mac Mini at the next revision. Either it will be the new model if the specs are good or the current model if the new one doesn't fit my bill.
I want a Mini to put in my living room, behind (yes, you read correctly, behind) my 37" LCD. I need it to run Front Row, Perian, Flip4Mac, Safari, iChat and a few games if possible (I don't need a MacPro for that). So I need a Mini that has DVI or HDMI, SPDIF out, 3 to 4 USB (Logitech KB, gamepad and webcam) and 1 Gigabyte ethernet. I'd be happy with a 2.1G C2D or better, 2G RAM and the integrated X3100 but I have to agree that dumping the optical drive for a graphics chip would be the best option for me.
I wouldn't mind if it was the same form factor as now but smaller is better so go for a reduction in height. In fact, what has stopped me until now is only the integrated graphics alone.
The new model will definitely be better than the current one so I'm sure it will be my next buy, unless Apple goes the Air way and dumps all the useful ports.

[spaceballl]

The size is small enough... drop the price please!
how about... both!

[futureswitcher]

exactly my thoughts....and i thought the same thing about the iMac.

I was furious when they made the new iMacs smaller and kept the price the same. it's a DESKTOP for crying out loud! it doesn't NEED to be the thickness of a notebook! They could have updated the iMac specs, kept the same thickness, and DROPPED the price! now it looks like they're going to do the same thing with the Mac Mini!

Come on, apple! get your priorities straight!

[Nanaki]

Is it, now? Who knows this fact, how, and why? I cannot imagine Apple wasting its resources combing these fora for their market research. Apple is interested in capturing market share, not pleasing Kool-Aid drinking fanbois.

Everytime someone whines, "Come on, Apple..." or "Come on, Steve..." and pollutes MR with a laundry list of desires, they are wasting our time. GTFO.

You are asserting that you know little about modern-day marketing, nor the world's greatest little marketing tool of today: the internet.

[futureswitcher]

Everytime someone whines, "Come on, Apple..." or "Come on, Steve..." and pollutes MR with a laundry list of desires, they are wasting our time. GTFO.


Then why are you here?

[eRondeau]

Oh come on, everybody knows it'll be called the "Mac nano"... gotta take advantage of name recognition! Everybody and their sister has an iPod nano by now, everybody associates the word "nano" with Apple already. :apple:

(I apologize if I'm repeating this, it seems so obvious... but I'm in a hurry and don't have time to read all eight pages already in this thread!)

[GimmeSlack12]

Its probably been said already, but how much smaller can you get the Mini with an optical drive? Unless they take out the optical drive, but that doesn't sound like a smart move.

[m005e]

You're close.... the Mac Air.

Think about it.... they already have the $99 optional SuperDrive that "supposedly" only works with the MacBook Air. All it would take is some software or firmware on the Mac Air's side to make it recognizable to that system.

I wouldn't mind this at all. Make the Mac Air have the following specs and I would buy it in a heartbeat for my entertainment system:

2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn
160GB HDD
2GB pre-installed RAM, non upgradeable
1 x FW400 port
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x Gigabit Ethernet port
1 x HDMI port, with included HDMI-to-DVI cable adapter to use with LCD screens
1 x Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Airport Draft N
BT 2.1 + EDR
New version of Apple TV's Take 2 software that can be run like any other application in OS X Leopard for those that have the Mac Air connected to an HDTV.

I would buy one right away if it was like that :D

[Hugh]

I don't see Bluray drives until they hit the Mac Pros first. :/

Hugh

Wait what if the put a Blu-ray drive in a Mac Mini with a NVIDIA 8600M 512MB Graphics, and a 2.4GHz 4GB Memory

[Brad Gamma]

I am actually shocked that people think taking out the optical drive is a good idea. I mean what the hell do you need the mac mini smaller for?

[albusseverus]

Dear GOD we don't need a smaller Mac Mini.

If you can make it smaller
give it a proper graphics card,
a blu-ray drive
more RAM and
at least 1TB hard disk...

by all means... make my day!

[Yvan256]

If they switch to using laptop memory in a horizontal layout, they can easily reduce the height by at least 1/3rd. Remove the optical drive and there goes another 1/3rd drop in in height. Now what you've got left is an AppleTV.

What do you mean by "if they switch to using laptop memory in a horizontal layout"? The Mac mini does use laptop memory, and it's horizontal (parallel to the motherboard).

And even if you remove the optical drive you will not remove 0.67" in height, that drive probably takes 0.50" at the most (I don't feel like re-opening my Mac mini's case again).

[DoFoT9]

no no no there has to be a DVI port... otherwise im stuffed!!

[nickXedge]

Great. Something else to get lost in the sofa cushions.

HAHAHAHAHAHHA!!! I enjoyed that very much, thank you.

Yeah I think it should stay the same size, or if anything get bigger. It is a desktop. It needs a real GPU. I would like to get a Mac desktop soon and shoo away the last of my PCs. However, I see no real need to if I'm going to lose a ton of performance just to enjoy Leopard, when I just use my Macbook at my desk anyway. And no need to take out an optical drive to decrease size, no one will buy a stationary computer without an optical drive, that's silly, it's not appealing in the way the MBA is. And on the note of Blu-Ray, it is doubtful we will see it in a small-time consumer Mac Mini before we see it in the high-end Mac Pro.

Keep the size, up the performance, call it a night.

[gregorsamsa]

I am actually shocked that people think taking out the optical drive is a good idea. I mean what the hell do you need the mac mini smaller for?

Stick around this forum long enough & nothing much will shock you. ;)

I think this rumour is BS, but if it were true, it's the worst piece of news I've heard for a while. Though I'm ready to buy an updated Mini, I'll do some serious rethinking if the new Mini gets much smaller & becomes a triumph of style over substance.

[deputylove8]

i hope they wont be sacrificing power for the sake of further miniaturisation..

its like having a cute,naked ewok and a wave of the magic wand..it changes
into a small ugly gremlin..

i rather have that naked ewok ..and fit him wif spears and body armour making him/her/it/shim??? cute yet powerful...

Bicawawa!

[Kashchei]

Stick around this forum long enough & nothing much will shock you. ;)

I think this rumour is BS, but if it were true, it's the worst piece of news I've heard for a while. Though I'm ready to buy an updated Mini, I'll do some serious rethinking if the new Mini gets much smaller & becomes a triumph of style over substance.

Brilliant post--you succinctly encapsulated the essence of this "rumor." I agree with you 100%

[mac2maverick]

Dear GOD we don't need a smaller Mac Mini.

If you can make it smaller
give it a proper graphics card,
a blu-ray drive
more RAM and
at least 1TB hard disk...

by all means... make my day!

One day in the near future the Mac Pro will be the size of a nickel and then people will still want it smaller. It doesn't need to be smaller until it is smaller then people sure don't want the old big model. Yeah I know it would be nice to have all the stuff you mentioned - one day it will have that and more and still be small enough to fit into a flash stick the size of a stick of gum.

[Full of Win]

1. Drop the optical
2. Increase the amps on the USB to that of the MacBook Air (for external drive usage)
3. Drop the price to 500$
4. Use the same form factor as the :apple:TV.
5. Make the HD user replacable.

[4DThinker]

Apple already has put the motherboard in the monitor (iMac). The mini is about bring your own monitor, mouse, and keyboard. The logical next step, considering "thin" being in at Apple, is put the motherboard in the keyboard. Just a little thicker than the current keyboard. Optical drive slot in the back edge. Depth a little deeper makes room for a potential multitouch pad.

If they don't do it this year, they'll do it next.

That's my prediction.

4D

[Clive At Five]

Apple already has put the motherboard in the monitor (iMac). The mini is about bring your own monitor, mouse, and keyboard. The logical next step, considering "thin" being in at Apple, is put the motherboard in the keyboard. Just a little thicker than the current keyboard. Optical drive slot in the back edge. Depth a little deeper makes room for a potential multitouch pad.

Uh... so what happens if there's a problem with one of the keys? replace the whole unit?

-Clive

[balamw]

The logical next step, considering "thin" being in at Apple, is put the motherboard in the keyboard. Just a little thicker than the current keyboard. Optical drive slot in the back edge. Depth a little deeper makes room for a potential multitouch pad.

Ah! The return of the C64 :p

I guess it was a mini of a kind back in the 80s compared to the Apple // family, that is.

Have you seen how thin the current Apple KBs are?

Personally I think it's more likely that they'd go for a brick not much bigger than an external hard drive.

B

[bigandy]

Ah! The return of the C64 :p

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/03/26/all_in_one_pc_cybernet/

http://www.cybernetman.com/Default.cfm?DocID=9000

yuk. :rolleyes:

[Krafty]

I'd like a mac mini.

[compL33Tazn]

Honestly I don't think they should take out the optical drive or make it smaller. The only reason to take out the optical drive is to make the Mac itself smaller, but it's a desktop; it doesn't need to be tiny. Also, by taking out the drive, one would need to pay extra for a superdrive, which in the end takes up more desk space.
In fact it might be helpful to make the Mac Mini larger, to support a 3.5" hdd and maybe even graphic cards.

[ckurowic]

The size is small enough... drop the price please!

Something people are forgetting:

The Mac Mini G4 did have a dedicated graphics chip. Radeon with 32MB or 64MB VRAM, so getting rid of the optical drive does not need to happen in order to accommodate a graphics chip


As far as Blu-Ray goes, I have my opinion on that. $50 for a single disc? Ouch.

The Mini isn't big enough for a 3.5 inch drive.

Drop the price? I agree. When the lowest end G4 Mini came out it was $500. Your telling me that the Intel chips bumped the price up $100? I don't think so. Maybe the demand was high enough to raise the price?

[mixel]

I'd love BD but that seems unlikely..

Can't decide if I want a smaller mini or not - depends on how much the specs suffer for it..

Actually pushing the "tiny computer you can take anywhere" thing could be good for uni stuff.. Hell, if they throw in a firewire cable and put a "T" key on the mini (lol) you'd have something that's smaller than some external HDs, would work as an external HD, but would also be a tiiiiny mac when you need it.. For something.

In some ways it makes sense to redesign the mini so it has a totally different spec sheet. If they bump its current specs I think quite a few old world G4/G5 users will skip upgrading to the more expensive MP and iMac systems and opt for the mini. (even gma1300 + a cpu bump would've persuaded many I suspect).. I mean, on paper the mini already should outperform my Dual G5 1.8.. Only the video card is holding the mini back now.

Shrink it more and people will realise a decent video card wouldn't likely fit. XD

[weckart]

A teeny tiny desktop, with a huge power brick.

That will be impressive.

[reflex]

Drop the price? I agree. When the lowest end G4 Mini came out it was $500. Your telling me that the Intel chips bumped the price up $100? I don't think so. Maybe the demand was high enough to raise the price?

It's possible that it was because of the new chip. The G4 was already quite old by then, and was usually said to be very cheap.

[beez1717]

what they should be doing with this system is making it more powerful. They should also make it possible to get a good priced screen made JUST FOR the computer.

[Foxglove9]

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/03/26/all_in_one_pc_cybernet/

http://www.cybernetman.com/Default.cfm?DocID=9000


Oh wow that's cool I never saw those Keyboard PC's (well since the C64/Atari days). I would get an Apple made product like that, makes perfect sense.

[Bye Bye Baby]

The mini doesn't need to get any smaller, it needs to get more powerful.

4GB Ram, Wireless-N, Perhaps a 3.5" HD (heat may be a factor), either x3100 or a dedicated (soldered on) GPU. Keeping FireWire would be beneficial as well.

Sounds good to me. And smaller!

We are so hard to please.

[3247]

Maybe like this:

1. Same footprint as the Apple TV/TimeCapsule/Airport Extreme
2. Higher than the Apple TV but thinner than the current Mac Mini
3. Includes power brick.
4. SuperDrive, optionally a BluCombo drive.
5. HDMI and DVI-I.

[Tallest Skil]

Maybe like this:

1. Same footprint as the Apple TV/TimeCapsule/Airport Extreme
2. Higher than the Apple TV but thinner than the current Mac Mini
3. Includes power brick.
4. SuperDrive, optionally a BluCombo drive.
5. HDMI and DVI-I.

Okay, but AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule have different footprints. Internal hard drive and power supply, you see.

[Ironduke]

I think this is gonna happen, we heard a rumour a short while back about a small team of apple engineers were mincing trying to get the penryn update into the mini, well if it was the same mini case upgrading the internals wouldnt have been much different from the previous except for maybe the extra wifi ariel that comes with N.

This would be an issue if the case design was being changed.

I hope the mini doesnt get raped to make it look smaller, I was hoping to upgrade my 1.6 core duo to something more powerful

[joost538]

Yes yes I really really want a smaller mini! Bring it on, I will buy one the very second it comes out. I have been postponing my purchase for (almost) too long now...

[headfuzz]

I mean, on paper the mini already should outperform my Dual G5 1.8.. Only the video card is holding the mini back now.

*sigh* I keep trying to avoid that point. :o

[Brad Gamma]

Yes yes I really really want a smaller mini! Bring it on, I will buy one the very second it comes out. I have been postponing my purchase for (almost) too long now...

Postponing it for a smaller one? Did you look at the current mini and think "that thing is just too darn big to justify buying".

I get that a lot of you will sacrifice function for looks in some areas, but don't you think apple already have looks down? Wouldn't a slight case resdisign to make the colour scheme fit with the iMacs (alimunium with black bits) or the apple TV (all white and shiny) please you? Or do you really want the mini to lose power to make it smaller so it can... be smaller?

I guess it would be great to polarize the apple range even more though. We should turn the mini into a tiny weak machine I mean it "was never meant to be a powerhouse" and lets add 2 more xeons to the mac pro and make it more expensive, and then we can all buy iMacs instead because thats what we all want.

[Wild-Bill]

Well if they do make it smaller I can pretty much guarantee one thing: no discrete graphics chip. The mini will be doomed to perpetual on-board suckiness.

You would think the biggest gripe/suggestion/product enhancement they get from users is the addition of discrete graphics. But I guess form over function will win in the end. :rolleyes:

[takao]

making it even smaller ? not enough customers upsold to the imac already ?

so the powermac getting more powerful compared to the imac every iteration and the mac mini get's more and more pitiful it seems


give it up jobs ... the "one pc for everybody isn't going to work"

[Yvan256]

Maybe like this:

1. Same footprint as the Apple TV/TimeCapsule/Airport Extreme
2. Higher than the Apple TV but thinner than the current Mac Mini
3. Includes power brick.
4. SuperDrive, optionally a BluCombo drive.
5. HDMI and DVI-I.

1. The :apple:TV and Time Capsule are 7.7 x 7.7", Airport Extreme and Mac mini are 6.5 x 6.5" (and the MacBook Air superdrive is 5.47 x 5.47").
2. Probably.
3. I don't think so (though it would be nice), Time Capsule may have a 3.5" drive but it's not also running a Core 2 Duo processor.
4. Forget Blu-Ray in anything other than Mac Pro.
5. Forget HDMI as it would eat into :apple:TV sales.

[G-Force]

Could be something like this? :)

http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/4/3/28/f_Macminim_72140b1.png

[EarthDawn]

Hell id be happy if they release a new one so that the "old" version will be sold at a discount ;)

[Yvan256]

I think we are all missing one point here.

Most of us wish the new model will be the same footprint as the :apple:TV/Time Capsule, allowing for a 3.5" drive, real (decent) GPU with dedicated RAM, perhaps even built-in power supply. With a maximum of 4GB RAM, superdrive and 802.11n standard even in the low-end model of course.

I think that covers most of it.

However, rumors point the other way. An even smaller Mac mini! Why?

When the Mac mini was introduced, most of us were wondering: why make it so small? It costs more because of its 2.5" drive, it's slower because of it! Nobody needs a computer to be that small, the usual PC tower is about 10 times bigger, if not more! Why put a slot-drive in there, a tray-load drive costs about 25$! Etc, etc...

But look at all the marketing it generated. However, other companies have catched up with the Mac mini (Aopen miniPC being the only example I can think of right now).

What's so wrong about an even smaller desktop if the performance is still there? Yes, mechanical 1.8" drives are even slower, however I bet Apple pays less for a 160GB in 1.8" than 160GB in 2.5", because of their much higher buying volume for the iPod classic. That takes care of the "smaller drive = more expensive" problem.

And as flash prices continue to go down, the computer will switch to that, making the whole "smaller physical size = slower drive" problem a thing of the past too.

And since Apple is always designing for the future (remember the death of the floppy?), I can easily see the new Mac mini without an optical drive, letting buyers purchase the MacBook Air external superdrive.

Anyway, if this Mac is supposed to be for switchers, then you should already have a CD/DVD drive in your Windows PC right? It also allows Apple to make the computer even smaller.

If you do buy the external drive, it just sits on top of the Mac mini (just like my Mac mini is sitting on top of two miniStack 3.5" external drives), which takes no more desk space than the computer alone.

Mac nano? Mac Air? Who knows.

I say we only have 4 days to go. Next tuesday also happens to be Apple's 32th anniversary. I think we're all in for a surprise!

[Teh Don Ditty]

The entire purpose of the Mac mini is to entice switchers. Why would you keep your old Windows machine just for the sake of having a DVD Drive? It defeats the purpose.

[Brad Gamma]

But look at all the marketing it generated. However, other companies have catched up with the Mac mini (Aopen miniPC being the only example I can think of right now).

What's so wrong about an even smaller desktop if the performance is still there? Yes, mechanical 1.8" drives are even slower, however I bet Apple pays less for a 160GB in 1.8" than 160GB in 2.5", because of their much higher buying volume for the iPod classic. That takes care of the "smaller drive = more expensive" problem.


You realise you just said, why not make it smaller but keep the performance, by using slower parts? So NOT keep the performance? And the only reason to have it smaller is because other companies are catching up? At the moment the mac mini is still the best deal for small computers, but take away things like an optical drive and its going to make the competition seem a lot more attractive, I mean who cares if they are a bit bigger, they are small enough for any reasonable needs.

[Yvan256]

The entire purpose of the Mac mini is to entice switchers. Why would you keep your old Windows machine just for the sake of having a DVD Drive? It defeats the purpose.

They are not switchers until they decide to drop Windows and use Mac OS X as their main OS. They're only potential switchers until they do that.

The price of the Mac mini is not seen as "it will cost me 600$ to switch to Mac", it's being seen as "if I don't like OS X, I just wasted 600$". Remember that they could very well try to switch to Linux, which costs 0$.

They're also not used to being able to resell their computer. Even if you'd sell the computer the next week, most of them would think you could barely get half of what you paid for it. Windows PCs just don't retain any value. So that 600$ Mac mini is seen as "best case scenario, if I resell it in a month, I'm going to lose at least 300$". That's not how it is, but that's how they see it.

So, no optical drive means Apple can lower the price by 100$ (price of the MacBook Air external superdrive). If you do drop the Windows box, you can either buy an external USB enclosure for your CD/DVD drive or simply buy Apple's tiny Superdrive.


You realise you just said, why not make it smaller but keep the performance, by using slower parts? So NOT keep the performance? And the only reason to have it smaller is because other companies are catching up? At the moment the mac mini is still the best deal for small computers, but take away things like an optical drive and its going to make the competition seem a lot more attractive, I mean who cares if they are a bit bigger, they are small enough for any reasonable needs.

I also said that Apple was looking ahead, not at the present. The Mac mini would be slower with a mechanical 1.8" drive, but once they switch to SSD, the physical size of the drive will not matter. A 1.8" drive will be as fast as a 3.5" drive (just less capacity). So they get the publicity right now and we get faster computers later. If it works fine for the MacBook Air it should work fine for their entry-level computer (the mechanical 1.8" drive, I mean - not the 1000$ 64GB SSD drive). :o

The only reason to have it smaller is because other companies are catching up, yes. If you don't think it's a good reason, then I think you don't know Apple. Why are they continuing to make the iMac thinner? It doesn't matter but they do it anyway. Why make a thinner laptop if it removes the optical drive? But they did it anyway, even if they have less expensive MacBook with more features. But the MacBook Air is supposedly selling like hot cakes.

As for the competition having more features, it doesn't matter. The competition isn't running Mac OS X. I can build a mini-ITX system from an intel D201GLY2A (costs around 75$ CAD) with 1GB RAM, a 160GB 3.5" drive and dual-layer DVD-RW for a lot less than a Mac mini, but it won't even come close to my old Mac mini G4 since it doesn't run Mac OS X and iLife. It's not about hardware specs anymore, the MHz race is over. A 500MHz difference would not even be noticed by most users, RAM is more important these days.

Don't forget that I'm in the "I want a bigger Mac mini with better specs" camp too. But what I said earlier is why Apple might go the other way instead.

[Brad Gamma]

So, no optical drive means Apple can lower the price by 100$ (price of the MacBook Air external superdrive). If you do drop the Windows box, you can either buy an external USB enclosure for your CD/DVD drive or simply buy Apple's tiny Superdrive.

So you assume that they sell the external superdrive for the exact amount it costs to make the drive without the enclosure? I doubt it costs them more than 40 bucks for the internal one

[Teh Don Ditty]

<snip>

You're banking on the fact that Apple will drop the price of the Mac mini and ditch the optical drive, highly unlikely IMHO.

When people are shopping for computers they want a computer that has everything included. They think why can I buy a Dell or HP with a DVD (or CD) drive in it, but when I buy a Mac it costs an extra $100? (These people are shopping for cheaper computers, and have limited funds). The Mac mini is for all intesive purposes a desktop computer and should remain that way.

[Yvan256]

So you assume that they sell the external superdrive for the exact amount it costs to make the drive without the enclosure? I doubt it costs them more than 40 bucks for the internal one

You're banking on the fact that Apple will drop the price of the Mac mini and ditch the optical drive, highly unlikely IMHO.

Yes, of course it doesn't cost 100$ to make the drive if they're selling it 100$. But they'd need to lower the price by 100$ in order to make it the same price if you had to buy it. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

A lot of things have been "highly unlikely" (make a computer without a floppy drive, switch to Unix, switch to Intel, make a laptop with no optical drive). We never know what might happen.

If the Mac mini is targeted at switchers, dropping the optical drive would make sense. They already have the software to borrow the drive from another computer (Windows or Mac).

New computer buyers need to look at the iMac or the MacBook, not the Mac mini. Besides, what's the difference between a 600$ computer with the DVD drive built-in, or a 500$ computer that needs a 100$ external DVD drive? It's still 600$ in the end. And it also allows people to get a 500$ Mac mini and buy a cheaper 30$-special-of-the-week external USB drive at BestBuy or something.


edit: yeah I finally learned how to use multi-quote. :D

[Gurnatronic]

OK, so what if, the mac mini becomes SIGNIFICANTLY smaller, think of OSX on a thumb-drive.

All the thumb-drive would contain is a smaller, stripped down OSX framework and kernel, apps would be downloaded via iTunes on windows, self installing virtualization would be on the thumb-drive, user data on a virtualized hard-drive on the host computer

£100.

I know it would be perfect for students/potential switchers.

This would hopefully be offered alongside a speedbumped mini.

Although it may bastardize sales too much

Opinions?

[Plymouthbreezer]

Just. Drop. The. Price.

[Yvan256]

OK, so what if, the mac mini becomes SIGNIFICANTLY smaller, think of OSX on a thumb-drive. [...]
Opinions?

It's called an iPod touch. ;)

Besides, if they go that route, I'd bet it would be a "DVI dongle" with ethernet/802.11n and USB ports. A lot of monitors have more than one port in the back.

I'm quite sure we won't see such a thing in 2008. But I bet there's already something in the prototype stage in Apple's labs. :cool:

I'm with Plymouthbreezer though. Whatever they do, it would be nice if they brought back the prices they had when it was introduced.

[sleepingworker]

I am actually shocked that people think taking out the optical drive is a good idea. I mean what the hell do you need the mac mini smaller for?

Although I'm not in the market for a Mac Mini, I totally agree with you. Why would a desktop not have an optical drive? If anything, many people want to see Blue Ray incorporated into their PC's. I understand the lack of one in an MBA because it can always use a desktop's OD, but not in a primary PC. Not at this time anyway.

[balamw]

Although I'm not in the market for a Mac Mini, I totally agree with you. Why would a desktop not have an optical drive? If anything, many people want to see Blue Ray incorporated into their PC's. I understand the lack of one in an MBA because it can always use a desktop's OD, but not in a primary PC. Not at this time anyway.

Desktops are not the only market for the mini. You're ignoring one of the other markets for the mini, Embedded PCs for cars home theaters, etc... Imagine the new mini as being the same form factor as the MBA SuperDrive, if you need the optical drive, get it and stack it with the mini, or remote it to somewhere more convenient.

What would seal the deal for me is if Apple would simply embrace eSATA once and for all so you could use the new mini with any large external hard drives. I'd buy one instantly to replace my Dell iTunes server.

Unfortunately the MBA points in the other direction. They are more likely to drop FW for the sake of size than to add eSATA. :(

B

[hiptobesquare]

What is the point of a "smaller" desktop system?

They are inherently immobile. They don't move much, unlike a laptop, tablet, or iphone.

Smallish is good to keep clutter and mass down, but really. The Mac Mini is down-right tiny as desktops go anyway. Dress up the form factor, if you want, but smaller isn't neccessary.

They need to go toward the internet terminal, second home computer, media-center capable, or other home-use non-mobile computer uses.

Like someone else's signature so aptly says... a Mac Pro as a home computer is like a Freightliner with a pickup bed being your everyday pickup truck.

But, conversely, a bicycle with a pull-wagon isn't exactly an everyday pickup truck, either.

I can understand folks saying that it should go with an external optical drive, but why? why have more parts and cables? An internal drive is fine, and space for it can be afforded.

What I would like to see, and think is appropriately possible:

-Penryn processors, with 4 to 8 GB of RAM Capacity. (future compatible)

-single high-cap 3.5" or 90-degree rotated dual 2.5" E-SATA hard drive configurability. (I wouldn't mind an SSD OS drive with a HDD storage drive, even if it is a future upgrade) Two 2.5 drives side by side are almost exactly the same footprint as a standard 3.5" drive.

-quality GPU, with an HDCP (or whatever it is called) hardware compliance for BluRay HD playback capability as an upgrade option, with a BluRay Drive. Soldered GPU chip works, but ZIF-chip socket for upgradeability would be better.

-Wireless-N, Bluetooth 2.0, Gigabit-Enet, USB2.0, and FW800 or (1600, if ready) all standard. Hopefully even an External SATA bus port, for external drive connection.

-dual monitor ports. dual-monitor configuration is more and more common, single is adequate, but can be a bit of a handicap if people want a dual monitor system, but don't need or can't afford a Mac Pro. If folks do want a single monitor machine, why would they not want a base iMac that is all-in-one? Even with dual ports, a single monitor plugged in would still work as normal, leaving the second unattached. Hard to add a second monitor, though if the second port doesn't exist. DVI can be converted to HDMI, anyway, for media-center, so dual screen output there might be useful, also.

Keep the analog+toslink audio ports. I just wish there were an aftermarket external sound processor and amplifier that would work with a mac. Simplifi's equipment doesn't appear mac compatible. An external sound processor, D/A converter, and Amplifier stage that outputs multi-channel audio to most people's existing home theater loudspeakers, with only Toslink optical in, and USB control interface, would complement the Mac Mini nicely. No controls except Mac OS interface.

That could be configured to be quite a media center, better (more expensive and complete than AppleTV), with the BluRay playback package, and being able to output HD signal to a 1080p monitor, and output digital audio to a processor/amp, and speakers... and the IR-Remote capable Front-Row interface, and an El-Gato HDTV-DVR reception and storage system, and Griffin SharkFin Radio receiver, which Griffin could upgrade to HD-radio reception, maybe even weather-band, in addition to internet-based streaming radio, or a USB-based XM/Sirius receiver and interface plug-in. All sorts of configurability with the hub being a mac computer with a streamlined FrontRow interface on screen, in front of a full-functioning computer, and even server.

I'd also love it to be able to serve as a network node for AirTunes/AppleTV-like functionality from portable macs like laptops or wifi/bluetooth iPodTouch/iPhone and future such devices. That would allow you to play music from another network source through the media center, not only just locally-stored media, or media fetched over the network by the media center. Media could be "pushed" to the media center by other nodes. That would be fantastic, if then my iphone could broadcast audio (or even video if processing is possible) to the media center via it's wifi connection, and do basic settings and small-demand data syncing via wifi or bluetooth to such a media hub.

That could replace, upgrade, and enhance every part of my home theater, except the speakers, and replace every box in the component stack with one computer system, that could also double as a home network file and media server and central data store, with a TimeMachine, or other external HD central backup, and be a central iPod and iPhone sync source, and accessible from other computers via screen-sharing. (iMacs all of the sudden become satellite audio and video displays, remote from the central hub)

That way, Apple could truly capitalize on "Digital lifestyle hub", as that is what it would truly be capable of, with a bit of aftermarket assistance that mostly already exists, or could exist pretty easily.

Mac Mini has a place in the sub-iMac segment, but it also could survive and even thrive as an iMac headless alternative, or media center, or home file and media server, with just a few well done upgrades.

[Tomorrow]

When people are shopping for computers they want a computer that has everything included.

I think to a certain extent you're right - many people ARE looking for a computer that has everything included.

I don't think, however, that those people are necessarily the ones that Apple is targeting with the Mini. After all, in its current incarnation it doesn't come with a monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

If someone is willing to accept the Mini without those items, is it really unreasonable to think that there are some shoppers out there who wouldn't mind not paying extra for a built-in optical drive?

Just a thought.

[elcid]

omg, just a speed bump. Penryn, SR and X3100. They arent going to do it any different.


If they sacrifice the specs of my new mini for the sake of size, I will but most unhappy.

[j26]

I think to a certain extent you're right - many people ARE looking for a computer that has everything included.

I don't think, however, that those people are necessarily the ones that Apple is targeting with the Mini. After all, in its current incarnation it doesn't come with a monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

If someone is willing to accept the Mini without those items, is it really unreasonable to think that there are some shoppers out there who wouldn't mind not paying extra for a built-in optical drive?

Just a thought.

Not really. There might be some attracted to the idea, but the number of people that would be alienated would be larger by several orders of magnitude.

The majority of households have a computer already. Therefore most households already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse. There are very few households with external dvd drives.

People will not consider replacing a machine that does everything with (what they will perceive to be) a half-arsed solution with boxes and cables everywhere.

Macs are supposed to be easy - buy it, take it home, plug it in and get to work. The idea of having to buy an additional box for such basic things as playing games and watching movies is not within the contemplation of most people.

[bigwig]

A Mini with the Atom could be an ok machine, if you had a GPU that could take over the HD video duties. High quality HD video decoding (and possibly encoding) is just about the only thing most home users do that would tax a Mini.

[!¡ V ¡!]

If it has not already been mentioned:

The AirPort Extreme, :apple:TV, Time Capsule and the Mac Mini all share the same form factor (minus height).

Chances are it will stay the same form factor and the Optical Drive will be removed thus reducing space. Apple is heading with the same idea as the MBAir in the sense that you can "borrow" another computers Optical Drive when require. This would cut weight, space, cost (though an Optical Drive doe not cost much these days) and power including cooling.

All this will result in why bother having the :apple:TV when you can have a Mac Mini that can "borrow" another Mac or PC Optical Drive.

IMHO, that :apple:TV seemed as a dead end product, since the Mac Mini is capable of the same functionality and much more. :)

[omni-impotent]

argh, I got sick of waiting for weeks & snapped. I bought a refurbished iMac 20" 2.4Ghz. They keep appearing & disappearing from the apple store. I really didn't want to miss out on the 20% discount.

If the new iMacs have no new graphics and only have Penryn processors and thinner then I think I made the right choice with the 20% discount. Penryns don't give that much extra performance, they only use less power. Since it's a desktop, power & thickness is not that much of an issue... if they upgraded the graphics however, I will be pissed off!

[Darkroom]

argh, I got sick of waiting for weeks & snapped. I bought a refurbished iMac 20" 2.4Ghz. They keep appearing & disappearing from the apple store. I really didn't want to miss out on the 20% discount.

If the new iMacs have no new graphics and only have Penryn processors and thinner then I think I made the right choice with the 20% discount. Penryns don't give that much extra performance, they only use less power. Since it's a desktop, power & thickness is not that much of an issue... if they upgraded the graphics however, I will be pissed off!

you made the right choice if you absolutely needed an iMac when you bought the refurb... if you didn't need a new iMac, then you've made the wrong choice.

[Globetrotter]

argh, I got sick of waiting for weeks & snapped. I bought a refurbished iMac 20" 2.4Ghz. They keep appearing & disappearing from the apple store. I really didn't want to miss out on the 20% discount.

If the new iMacs have no new graphics and only have Penryn processors and thinner then I think I made the right choice with the 20% discount. Penryns don't give that much extra performance, they only use less power. Since it's a desktop, power & thickness is not that much of an issue... if they upgraded the graphics however, I will be pissed off!

Which they will, I am afraid. The Radeon 2400 and 2600 'Pro' were released Q2 2007, and I can't see Apple sticking with a graphics card that 'old' (and I use the term old grudgingly) for another 3-6 months.

Part of the problem regarding this update for Apple is that GPU prices have come down a lot in the last couple of months.

For the same price as they used to pay for the 2600 and 2400, they could now pack a lot more power in.

But that means the Mac Pro would start to look like poor value, and the MBP would suddenly look weak in comparison.

Therefore, I think Apple have made the decision to delay upgrading the iMacs to the point at which they can refresh the MBP and MP without looking silly. Cue - WWDC, June.

Your iMac will still give you great performance, since the 2600 Pro (really an underpowered XT) is not a bad card at all. But, then, if you really wanted graphics power, you wouldn't be using an iMac, right? :) ;)

In Jesus Christ,

GB,

[Occuvite]

argh, I got sick of waiting for weeks & snapped. I bought a refurbished iMac 20" 2.4Ghz. They keep appearing & disappearing from the apple store. I really didn't want to miss out on the 20% discount.

If the new iMacs have no new graphics and only have Penryn processors and thinner then I think I made the right choice with the 20% discount. Penryns don't give that much extra performance, they only use less power. Since it's a desktop, power & thickness is not that much of an issue... if they upgraded the graphics however, I will be pissed off!

From the trend of everything, I think they are going to upgrade the Graphics card on the new iMacs when they come out. They'll either put the 8600M GT Nvidia cards in them, or possibly just up the video RAM on the HD2600 Pro. It also may go to the HD2600 XT. IMO.

It's a good thing you can still send back the one you have, as long as you haven't opened it.

[Tallest Skil]

If it has not already been mentioned:

The AirPort Extreme, :apple:TV, Time Capsule and the Mac Mini all share the same form factor (minus height).

It's already been mentioned that they don't. Time Capsule is larger due to the HDD and internal PSU.

Time Capsule: 7.7"x7.7"x1.4"
AEBS & Mac Mini: 6.5"x6.5"x2"

If it's going to be smaller, I think that Apple would give it the same dimensions as Time Capsule and then make the next iteration of the AirPort Extreme have the same footprint but be ludicrously thin. AirPort Extreme should be the MacBook Air of routers at .45" tall.

7.7"x7.7"x.45"... that's weird. :p

[wallis.09]

Can i point out that there is one thing we are all missing ( i think ), which is that apple's prices are all WAY too high.

This, in itself, is not the problem. You certainly get your moneys worth. I believe the problem to be that ( including some others ) dell's prices are far better - over here in the UK they can be as much as 50% cheaper. Wow...

Now, if Apple get the mac mini the same size - perhaps slightly bigger - but improve the ram, processor and graphics, everyone's happy. As long as prices still drop.

To be honest, I'm looking for a $339/£200-£250 mac mini. Surely then everyone would buy macs, therefore making apple happy, and everyone would have a cheap, powerful mac, making the rest of the population happy.

As for Microsoft, I have nothing against them - it's just the drivers forcing the OS to full pelt and not enough support getting them fixed... not to mention prices...

Do we agree?

[sleepingworker]

Desktops are not the only market for the mini. You're ignoring one of the other markets for the mini, Embedded PCs for cars home theaters, etc... Imagine the new mini as being the same form factor as the MBA SuperDrive, if you need the optical drive, get it and stack it with the mini, or remote it to somewhere more convenient.

What would seal the deal for me is if Apple would simply embrace eSATA once and for all so you could use the new mini with any large external hard drives. I'd buy one instantly to replace my Dell iTunes server.

Unfortunately the MBA points in the other direction. They are more likely to drop FW for the sake of size than to add eSATA. :(

B

I hope the Mini update gives you what you need. :)

Surely then everyone would buy macs, therefore making apple happy, and everyone would have a cheap, powerful mac, making the rest of the population happy.

Not to disagree with your point of Apple having a less expensive computer (I agree), but Appleinsider just posted an article that stated "that roughly 40 percent of college students say their next computer purchase will be a Mac, well ahead of Apple's current 15 percent market share in the demographic."

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/26/morgan_stanley_40_of_college_students_plan_to_buy_macs.html

So it seems that many college students are ready to buy MACS even at the higher cost.

[balamw]

I hope the Mini update gives you what you need. :)

I don't need much, the current mini would do the job for my iTunes server/PC replacement, but it seems like poor value right now. I'd be better off with a low end MacBook. :p

B

[Globetrotter]

I don't need much, the current mini would do the job for my iTunes server/PC replacement, but it seems like poor value right now. I'd be better off with a low end MacBook. :p

B

The only thing it is really missing is Wireless N and a HD update.

The processor upgrade will be negligible.

The new graphics chip will be technically better, but with worse drivers :rolleyes:, and yup, you couldn't really game on it anyway (unless its WoW 800 * 600).

Ok, so you can put 4GB RAM, compared to the current 3GB RAM, but will it really make a difference? I'm guessing not.

If you can get a refurb mini, I say go for it now.

[gnasher729]

When people are shopping for computers they want a computer that has everything included. They think why can I buy a Dell or HP with a DVD (or CD) drive in it, but when I buy a Mac it costs an extra $100? (These people are shopping for cheaper computers, and have limited funds). The Mac mini is for all intesive purposes a desktop computer and should remain that way.

I think there are actually two directions where you could move from the current MacMini, and you would get two completely different results. Number one: Make it a bit bigger, so it can hold a cheaper 3.5" hard drive, a separate graphics card, maybe a faster (desktop) processor. The slowest quad core available would be fine by me ;) Many people would like that.

And a completely different direction: Build a computer that is not a desktop, but a "second" computer in the home, that you can put into the kitchen, into the kids room, into the living room connected to the TV: A cheap processor and graphics card like the Apple TV. 2GB RAM, not upgradable. No CD drive. No hard drive, but 8 GB of cheap (slowish) flash memory. Wireless. Bluetooth to use wireless mouse and keyboard. Full MacOS X, but all the data is stored on the main computer or on your Time Capsule. And very cheap. The 8 GB of flash is enough to hold the core operating system and all the apps and data you have been using recently; everything else is transferred wireless from your main computer or time capsule. To install software via CD, same approach as the MacBook Air.

Apple is reaching the stage where many people have a Mac at home, and Apple could sell this as a second and a third computer into lots of homes.

[ditzy]

I think we are all missing one point here.


Anyway, if this Mac is supposed to be for switchers, then you should already have a CD/DVD drive in your Windows PC right? It also allows Apple to make the computer even smaller.



I live in a small flat believe me when I change computer the old one is gone. I can understand the MBA not having a optical drive as I would guess that apple never meant it to be a customers only computer. I believe that the mac mini is designed to be a persons only computer. As such it needs an optical drive.

[Occuvite]

I just see one really big flaw with everyone that thinks that a Mac Mini should be priced like a Dell or HP. Yes, Dell/HP's have everything on them. Yes, they are only $500 give or take. But the quality of parts used is horrible. I work at a PC Shop for a living, and fix Dell's and HP's all day. It seems it's almost all I work on. Most of the time, the PSU or MOBO go out and you have to tell them that they are SOL. I used to own a Mac Mini, and I never had any problems with it. It was a G4 and ran everything up to par. Those Dell's and HP's usually have really crappy processors in them also. The Mac Mini has the Core 2 Duo, and from the sounds of it, will soon have the Penryn. This is a great improvement over a Intel Celeron that's in most Low Cost Dell/HP's.