Fake Mac Mini Images Circulate

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/22/fake-mac-mini-images-circulate/)

The fake images have started circulating.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/22/061855-new_mac_mini_400.jpg

[i]Macenstein (http://macenstein.com/default/archives/1869)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/22/061829-w9ih6g_400.jpg

Submitted



Article Link: Fake Mac Mini Images Circulate (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/22/fake-mac-mini-images-circulate/)

[Schtumple]

I love how unfeasible they are, screw logic and sensibility, let's mock it up to be less than an inch thick...

First mistake right there... I very much doubt it's going to be thinner than the current minis, they're pretty much the perfect size.

[Dejavu]

These mockups are TOO UGLY to be real Apple products. That you can tell fake right there. :rolleyes:

[Schtumple]

These mockups are TOO UGLY to be real Apple products. That you can tell fake right there. :rolleyes:

Reminds me of the "These are obviously fake, I can tell by the pixels" :p

[blizaine]

In the first image they forgot to remove the LCD when they photoshopped it :) . The design of the second one isn't so bad. It might be a better design for the AppleTV.

[donga]

the ports are missing too. maybe the mockups assume mba like qualities and the power source? magic.

[PCMacUser]

These mockups are TOO UGLY to be real Apple products. That you can tell fake right there. :rolleyes:

Heh heh, that's what they said when the 'fat' ipod nano pictures came out.

[nick9191]

A Mini that looks like an AEBS or Time Capsule (except thicker) would be nice.

Any photoshoppers want to give it a go?

[archi17]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77a Safari/525.20)

When you zoom in on the button thing on the second image, you can clearly see the pixel difference

[iJawn108]

i will most likely buy a new mini when they are out

[MrT8064]

I would be so happy if the new mac mini didnt have a CD drive!!

[Kilamite]

Top one is obviously just a MacBook photo of the side (where the optical drive is) then photoshopped to be symmetrical. They didn't even take the screen off..

[Willis]

I quite like the second image

Oh well... soon see won't we!

[MacBoobsPro]

Wrong typeface too. ;)

[benspratling]

When you zoom in on the button thing on the second image, you can clearly see the pixel difference

Those are artifacts of excessive JPEG compression, not a photoshopping booboo.
And the, ahem, photoshopper forgot the "beauty" spot (IR) port -- or rather, I'm assuming the white circle is the "power" button. Imagine that. Putting the power button on the front where folks can find it. Almost as simple as putting it next to the keyboard on the laptops.

If the Mac mini does get an update, surely it won't be aesthetically more than changing that white plastic top to black "glass"... but will probably have the same mag safe connector as the laptops so you can use the 24" LED "Cinema" display... or maybe they haven't thought of that yet...

[dual64bit]

hahahahhaa

This is my favorite time of year, I love these images!

[dual64bit]

If the Mac mini does get an update, surely it won't be aesthetically more than changing that white plastic top to black "glass"... but will probably have the same mag safe connector as the laptops so you can use the 24" LED "Cinema" display... or maybe they haven't thought of that yet...

Of maybe they'll be releasing new cinema displays along side it!

[booshtukka]

I would be so happy if the new mac mini didnt have a CD drive!!

This is sarcasm, right? :confused: I would LOVE it to have a bluray drive! I can't understand why anyone would buy an apple TV, when you can use a computer instead. That can play DVDs. And surf the web. And games. And so on.

Sure, the Apple TV has HDMI, but a DVI to HDMI adapter does the job perfectly with the mini and I can get my desktop on my big screen TV at 1920 x 1080!

[Hawkeye411]

The second one looks great. I won't be surprised if it looks something like that.

Cheers.

[svdf]

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/666/miniua0.jpg (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=miniua0.jpg)
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/miniua0.jpg/1/w765.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img523/miniua0.jpg/1/)

How about this one?

[WPB2]

I only makes sense to put in a mini displayport, and a magsafe, because Apple can sell more LED displays. When you put the 2 together you don't exactly have a cheap desktop, (~1400.00 USD) but you can promote it as "Cheap".

Oh and guess what, AAPL will get to sell more mini displayport to DVI adapters for 29.00 USD, to peeps that don't want to buy the new LED display.

[WPB2]

This is sarcasm, right? :confused: I would LOVE it to have a bluray drive! I can't understand why anyone would buy an apple TV, when you can use a computer instead. That can play DVDs. And surf the web. And games. And so on.

Sure, the Apple TV has HDMI, but a DVI to HDMI adapter does the job perfectly with the mini and I can get my desktop on my big screen TV at 1920 x 1080!

But you can't download HD movies for itunes on a computer, only the Apple TV. Thats where they get you.

[booshtukka]

But you can't download HD movies for itunes on a computer, only the Apple TV. Thats where they get you.

Ah. Sneaky. Seems like they missed a trick there, though. They must make more money on the Mini...

[mattwolfmatt]

But you can't download HD movies for itunes on a computer, only the Apple TV. Thats where they get you.

As I understand it (I have an AppleTV) you can only RENT movies in HD or BUY TV SHOWS in HD. You cannot buy HD movies.

...unless there's some update I missed.

[anti-microsoft]

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/666/miniua0.jpg (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=miniua0.jpg)
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/miniua0.jpg/1/w765.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img523/miniua0.jpg/1/)

How about this one?

That's pretty cool, although I don't think Apple would have a glowing Apple logo, do you? I think it will a shiny black Apple like Time Capsule has.

[darwinian]

Everyone's got basically the right idea, I bet. Aluminum enclosure, same slot loading drive, similar form factor as current mini (with laptop components). Round Rects. I don't think they should push to make this thing even smaller; these are not meant as portables, and any extra manufacturing to achieve that goal will have to balance heat problems.

Based on an NVIDIA 9400M. Has anything ground breaking ever been done with the Mac mini that wasn't essentially carryover from other models (aside from the pragmatic electronics design aspects)?

[dazzer21]

I would be so happy if the new mac mini didnt have a CD drive!!

Why? It's a desktop machine and you're far more likely to be writing gigs-worth of data to external media over the course of time on that, than on a laptop while sitting on a plane! For one, I don't want to be backing up to an entire DVD across a wireless network that could drop out at any given time (I still use a wired router specifically for the reason that I have NEVER experienced any connection dropout, compared to both my Daughter's and Wife's machines which are on wireless (albeit they are PCs) which experience even ocassional disconnection issues, which is far too often for me!

And what if you don't have a second computer? Extra hardware in the form of an external Superdrive (a-la Macbook Air)? That's an extra £64 in the UK. All of a sudden the cheap entry level Mini doesn't look so cheap...

[Maxington]

Wow. Looks like a MacBook Air crashed into a MacBook.

[adamw]

I hope the new Mac Mini is priced right, with upgraded CPU/GPU, and a bit smaller...

[Tallest Skil]

I hope the new Mac Mini is priced right, with upgraded CPU/GPU, and a bit smaller...

How does $599 for 2 GHz, 1GB of RAM, and a 9400M sound?

[That-Is-Bull]

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/666/miniua0.th.jpg (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=miniua0.jpg)

How about this one?

Sexy as hell, but too thin. The Mac Mini is a desktop computer. There's no reason at all for it to be any thinner than it is. I can understand width and length to save a little desk space, but thinness is completely useless and just makes the computer less powerful, less expandable, and more expensive. Same with the iMac.

[jessica.]

If the new minis take on the shape of the new MBPs and MBs I'd buy one purely for the look of it all. I really have no use for one. :D

[Tallest Skil]

...less expandable...

That's... the whole point. That's why the iMac has always been an all-in-one. That's why the Macintosh 128k was an all-in-one. Steve doesn't want the end-user messing with his hardware.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

I love the "fake" images. I like to see the creativity of people outside the Apple bubble. I think that it is fun.

[Srai-W]

Ok, so we have some pix. I doubt that it could be much thinner than currently but either way I am definitely counting down now... Getting my $$$ ready :apple: - don't let me down! :o

[talkingfuture]

They look interesting, my interest has definitely increased. I think the real one will look a lot better than these mock ups though.

[Jowl]

Just gimme a blu-ray drive, please!

[Kilamite]

Sexy as hell, but too thin. The Mac Mini is a desktop computer. There's no reason at all for it to be any thinner than it is. I can understand width and length to save a little desk space, but thinness is completely useless and just makes the computer less powerful, less expandable, and more expensive. Same with the iMac.

A consumer desktop - do you really think at that level Apple will be putting professional stuff into it?

It needs to be no thinner or thicker than the current MacBook since it'll most likely house the same components.

[Tallest Skil]

Just gimme a blu-ray drive, please!

Just buy a standalone Blu-ray player. We're not getting Blu-ray in Macs for a LONG time.

[iAthena]

I would be so happy if the new mac mini didnt have a CD drive!!

It would be an ideal candidate for this.

[gkarris]

Sexy as hell, but too thin. The Mac Mini is a desktop computer. There's no reason at all for it to be any thinner than it is. I can understand width and length to save a little desk space, but thinness is completely useless and just makes the computer less powerful, less expandable, and more expensive. Same with the iMac.

I think it being thinner will be part the whole "green" thing where it takes less materials to manufacture one...

[harry20larry]

I would like to see the new mac mini to be just a thick apple keyboard.
If you think about it, when you stip any macbook of its screen and battery, thats what your left with (some have HD in that space). If you could create something this simple that is considered a desktop computer, that would be amazing. Couple that with a wireless display port transmitter and wireless mouse, you have yourself a really good living room computer!

[Kilamite]

I would like to see the new mac mini to be just a thick apple keyboard.
If you think about it, when you stip any macbook of its screen and battery, thats what your left with (some have HD in that space). If you could create something this simple that is considered a desktop computer, that would be amazing. Couple that with a wireless display port transmitter and wireless mouse, you have yourself a really good living room computer!

Good idea, but I wouldn't like the fact that the desktop keyboard I throw around would be a fragile piece of equipment.

Taking care of a laptop is different to an external keyboard. I don't treat mine with much respect because it is durable. I'd rather have the desktop unit away from the desk so if there was a spillage (i.e. coffee) then at least it is only a £30 keyboard that needs replaced, not a new machine.

Plus using the Mac Mini all joined together in a huge rack wouldn't be very easy with a keyboard design ;)

http://media.arstechnica.com/journals/apple.media/250/rack2.jpg

[TheSlush]

The "Small Mac, big performance" ad -- while a lovely image -- makes the mistake of using the ultra-thin weight of Apple's typeface, which was only used once before in ads: to convey the thinness of the Macbook Air. I think this designer may have mistakenly thought this is Apple's new "thin" approach to all their type. It's not.

[javierbds]

Just buy a standalone Blu-ray player. We're not getting Blu-ray in Macs for a LONG time.
I got the impression SL was going to support Blu-ray ? (no, I'm not in the beta)
I prefer external drives, one less reason to open the things, and maybe enough space for faster hds. Those slot-ins are temperamental to say the least. Of course, I would use USB to connect ... Apple could ask $501 for the base model, and I could buy the external Blue-ray I want ... :p

[Jowl]

Just buy a standalone Blu-ray player. We're not getting Blu-ray in Macs for a LONG time.

Yep, sadly I agree.

But my mini is a media centre - so I don't want loads of seperate players. :(

[Kilamite]

The "Small Mac, big performance" ad -- while a lovely image -- makes the mistake of using the ultra-thin weight of Apple's typeface, which was only used once before in ads: to convey the thinness of the Macbook Air. I think this designer may have mistakenly thought this is Apple's new "thin" approach to all their type. It's not.

Not as thin as the MacBook Air, but as thin as the current MacBook's.

It wouldn't need to be thicker since it'll house the same chipset and most likely similar laptop grade CPU's and a 2.5" SATA hard drive.

[ZiggyPastorius]

If that nub is the power button, why is it so small? It looks like the little nubs that show battery life on the laptops. A desktop would have no need for that...

[Joe The Dragon]

How does $599 for 2 GHz, 1GB of RAM, and a 9400M sound?

2GB ram min / maybe even 4gb and 9400m with 128-256 of it's own vram.

[zombitronic]

I would like to see the new mac mini to be just a thick apple keyboard.
If you think about it, when you stip any macbook of its screen and battery, thats what your left with (some have HD in that space). If you could create something this simple that is considered a desktop computer, that would be amazing. Couple that with a wireless display port transmitter and wireless mouse, you have yourself a really good living room computer!

You should consider one of these:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Commodore64.jpg/320px-Commodore64.jpg

Seriously, though, I've thought about that. It would be a cool idea. The Apple II was the same concept.

The advantage of the disconnected wireless keyboard and mouse, though, is no power cable if you're sitting across the room from your display/TV. As you've said, you'd also need wireless HD audio/video. I suppose all that could be worked out, but if you were sitting with the Keyboard Mini on your lap, you'd still need a power cable. Unless, of course, it had a battery. In that case, you might as well just have the bottom portion of a MacBook. Hmmm...

[Tallest Skil]

2GB ram min / maybe even 4gb and 9400m with 128-256 of it's own vram.

I still see 1GB standard. For a computer that hasn't been updated in 503 days, and for a computer designed to be an entry computer, Apple really isn't going to give people 2GB of RAM.

Heck, they might forgo the 9400M and give us the X3100.

[twoodcc]

interesting. can't wait to see the real thing though

[SnowLeopard2008]

Those images are fake. There's no way they could squeeze a logic board, fans, etc with the optical media slot taking up 75% of the entire chassis. They could fit the MBA logic board and cut it into two boards stacked on top and then throw in the MBA super drive on top. That would be more possible. But anything with a real C2D processor, no way. Or they could use the Atom...

[Kilamite]

I still see 1GB standard. For a computer that hasn't been updated in 503 days, and for a computer designed to be an entry computer, Apple really isn't going to give people 2GB of RAM.

Heck, they might forgo the 9400M and give us the X3100.

Already pretty much confirmed that it'll be the NVIDIA chipset and the 9400M integrated graphics. Apple won't go back to Intel integrated graphics.

And I reckon 2GB will be standard. RAM doesn't cost much these days, pennies really, and it makes the specs look much better.

If you want to argue about the RAM, lets argue whether it'll be 667MHz or 1067MHz (depending if they use the faster FSB).

[Dimwhit]

I would be so happy if the new mac mini didnt have a CD drive!!

I'd bet money that it won't have an optical drive of any kind.

[fleshman03]

I still see 1GB standard. For a computer that hasn't been updated in 503 days, and for a computer designed to be an entry computer, Apple really isn't going to give people 2GB of RAM.

Heck, they might forgo the 9400M and give us the X3100.

I think the lack of updates is more of a reason to put 2gb RAM in there. Since another update may be 2 years away, they'd want to put enough in there so production lines won't need to be changed for a while.

9400M seems likely since Apple is going the Nvidia route. Here's what I think:

$499/$599
2.0 GHz C2D/2.1 GHz C2D
1gb DDR3 1066 / 2gb DDR3 1066 MHZ (BTO up to 6gb)
120 GB HD / 250 GB HD
Super Drive
9400M
BT, WiFi, Ethernet, Mini Display Port (Apple will make $100 on the MDP -> DVI adaptor.)

If the casing is like the MB casing, that would be awesome. It does look pretty sweet. I'd also like to see that pricing be $399/$499, but that just won't happen.

[karlfranz]

The new Mac mini will, for the first time ever, have a magsafe connector on its power adapter as well as the new mini displayport connector introduced in the unibody notebooks. The idea is that you will be able to use the new 24in LED display to power the mini without the need for an additional power brick and thus minimize cable clutter. A mini displayport to dvi adapter will be included in the box, but not one for vga. The new mini will use integrated nvidia graphics, 4 usb ports, and a single firewire 800 port. As before, there will be two configurations, at $599 and $799 respectively. Both will sport a super drive (combo drives finally go away) and 2GB RAM expandable to 4GB. Differences in the two models will be in processor speed and hard disk capacity. There will not be a blueray disc option as some have speculated.

[Kilamite]

The new Mac mini will, for the first time ever, have a magsafe connector on its power adapter as well as the new mini displayport connector introduced in the unibody notebooks. The idea is that you will be able to use the new 24in LED display to power the mini without the need for an additional power brick and thus minimize cable clutter.

MagSafe on a desktop machine?

Don't be daft. The whole point in MagSafe is so when someone trips over the cord, it disconnects preventing your laptop shooting over the table.

You really think you'd want your Mac Mini turning off because the power cable got pulled out while you were unplugging a USB device?

[gkarris]

I think the lack of updates is more of a reason to put 2gb RAM in there. Since another update may be 2 years away, they'd want to put enough in there so production lines won't need to be changed for a while.

9400M seems likely since Apple is going the Nvidia route. Here's what I think:

$499/$599
2.0 GHz C2D/2.1 GHz C2D
1gb DDR3 1066 / 2gb DDR3 1066 MHZ (BTO up to 6gb)
120 GB HD / 250 GB HD
Super Drive
9400M
BT, WiFi, Ethernet, Mini Display Port (Apple will make $100 on the MDP -> DVI adaptor.)

If the casing is like the MB casing, that would be awesome. It does look pretty sweet. I'd also like to see that pricing be $399/$499, but that just won't happen.

I see this too, but the adapter will be $29. Plus there will be no remote, an extra $19.

I dunno, they did keep the White MacBook, so the low end may be an x3100 (or x4500) and even leave out the Ethernet port...

[igazza]

Those images are fake. There's no way they could squeeze a logic board, fans, etc with the optical media slot taking up 75% of the entire chassis. They could fit the MBA logic board and cut it into two boards stacked on top and then throw in the MBA super drive on top. That would be more possible. But anything with a real C2D processor, no way. Or they could use the Atom...

Never underestimate apple.

[czeluff]

I would be so happy if the new mac mini didnt have a CD drive!!

WHY?! I can just imagine the slogan for it:

BYODKMCD

Bring your own display, keyboard, mouse, and cd-rom.

[fleshman03]

The new Mac mini will, for the first time ever, have a magsafe connector on its power adapter as well as the new mini displayport connector introduced in the unibody notebooks. The idea is that you will be able to use the new 24in LED display to power the mini without the need for an additional power brick and thus minimize cable clutter. A mini displayport to dvi adapter will be included in the box, but not one for vga. The new mini will use integrated nvidia graphics, 4 usb ports, and a single firewire 800 port. As before, there will be two configurations, at $599 and $799 respectively. Both will sport a super drive (combo drives finally go away) and 2GB RAM expandable to 4GB. Differences in the two models will be in processor speed and hard disk capacity. There will not be a blueray disc option as some have speculated.

That is pretty close, I think. Make the RAM DDR3 1066 MHz and we're there. In light of the econ, I'd like to see the prices dropped $100.

MagSafe on a desktop machine?

Don't be daft. The whole point in MagSafe is so when someone trips over the cord, it disconnects preventing your laptop shooting over the table.

You really think you'd want your Mac Mini turning off because the power cable got pulled out while you were unplugging a USB device?

The whole point to doing that is the new ACD(s?) will work with it. Sell cheap hardware and hope the consumer will spend the $900 on the monitor. Interesting. Of course, he/she could always just buy an adaptor to make it work with DVI.

Plus, you don't need an internal PSU with with a MagSafe? That would save some room inside since the power brick will be outside of the casing.

[Luke1robb]

I think it will a shiny black Apple like Time Capsule has.

I doubt it. What's the last new product that Apple announced that was White plastic? Time Capsule. It's all about the aluminum with the glowing white logo now. It looks beautiful!

[Tallest Skil]

Plus, you don't need an internal PSU with with a MagSafe? That would save some room inside since the power brick will be outside of the casing.

The power brick is outside the case now.

[mikeinternet]

HAHA.
that first mockup that looks like they left the edge of the lid of the laptop on there, makes me think it will have a hinged top so you can change the ram or drive faster then ever.

dumb joke, but honestly i think they should just push to make the mini as cheap as cheap. they introduced this as a bridge from pc. it's small enough, now make it ultra cheap. i'm thinking $200

[zombitronic]

MagSafe on a desktop machine?

Don't be daft. The whole point in MagSafe is so when someone trips over the cord, it disconnects preventing your laptop shooting over the table.

You really think you'd want your Mac Mini turning off because the power cable got pulled out while you were unplugging a USB device?

I could go both ways on this. I'd have my Mini in an entertainment center under my TV, so power cord tripping wouldn't be an issue. If I did have the Mini in an area where the power cord would possibly be in somebody's path, I'd rather have it unexpectedly turn off than have my computer crash to the floor.

Maybe the new Mini could have a battery for these instances, although, I admit, that seems unlikely.

[zombitronic]

HAHA.
that first mockup that looks like they left the edge of the lid of the laptop on there, makes me think it will have a hinged top so you can change the ram or drive faster then ever.

I was thinking that, also. It would be convenient, but would Apple sacrifice aesthetics for convenience? My gut says no.

[fleshman03]

I could go both ways on this. I'd have my Mini in an entertainment center under my TV, so power cord tripping wouldn't be an issue. If I did have the Mini in an area where the power cord would possibly be in somebody's path, I'd rather have it unexpectedly turn off than have my computer crash to the floor.

Maybe the new Mini could have a battery for these instances, although, I admit, that seems unlikely.

The point of using the MagSafe is to make sure it can be used with the new ACDs. Why just have them be for MB/MBP users? It will broaden the horizons for the ACD and the mini.

It'll also lower production costs (slightly) since they can just mass order MagSafes.

The power brick is outside the case now.

Wasn't sure of that. Thanks!

[blizaine]

I could go both ways on this. I'd have my Mini in an entertainment center under my TV, so power cord tripping wouldn't be an issue. If I did have the Mini in an area where the power cord would possibly be in somebody's path, I'd rather have it unexpectedly turn off than have my computer crash to the floor.

Maybe the new Mini could have a battery for these instances, although, I admit, that seems unlikely.

I agree with your MagSafe comment. And also, I think Apple would love to leverage the fact that they could reduce the overall size of the Mini by using an external power brick. This sounds very "Apple", and it's kind of a win-win. Smaller sized unit, less heat, and designed to use new displays. I guess that's a win-win-win... whatever :)

Edit:


Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
The power brick is outside the case now.
Wasn't sure of that. Thanks!

me too. thanks.

[Kilamite]

I could go both ways on this. I'd have my Mini in an entertainment center under my TV, so power cord tripping wouldn't be an issue. If I did have the Mini in an area where the power cord would possibly be in somebody's path, I'd rather have it unexpectedly turn off than have my computer crash to the floor.

Maybe the new Mini could have a battery for these instances, although, I admit, that seems unlikely.

If it had an internal battery, then yeah fair enough, I guess it would work.

[milo]

This fake update totally goes in the wrong direction.

Nobody needs the mini smaller. Heck, barely anyone needs it to be as small as it is now.

This is a DESKTOP machine, not a portable.

The smartest thing apple could do would be to make it BIGGER. I'd love to see them dump the mini and do a small tower or "pizza box" design instead. But if they stick with a mini form factor they should at least make it big enough that it doesn't require laptop hard drive or optical (or CPU for that matter).

[Luke1robb]

I'm soooo thinking about buying my mom one of these when they come out. She wants a desktop once her old Dell kicks the bucket and she doesn't really need an iMac, but this with a nice monitor would be really nice. Maybe I'll get her this with the 24" LCD display and then I can plug my Macbook into too.... Awesome!

[SFStateStudent]

Regardless of the fake photos, I'm still picking up one maybe two Mac-mini's. The pics make the mini look like my MBA SuperDrive...:p

[macnews]

I like the concept of this, even if it is a fake. They just need larger hard drives. A mac mini would be the perfect home server with bigger hard drive so you could have quicker access to files, movies, music, photos, etc.

[Luke1robb]

[QUOTE=MacRumors;6797833]http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/22/fake-mac-mini-images-circulate/)

The fake images have started circulating.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/22/061855-new_mac_mini_400.jpg

Why does it need the Macbook-like gap in it. I think without that it looks pretty damn spot on.

[illegallydead]

[...]
The new mini will use integrated nvidia graphics, 4 usb ports, and a single firewire 800 port.

No way. Only the Mac pro has more than 4. There is no way the Mini will have that many. Apple is not one for convenience, just for aesthetics. You're thinking too PC-ish :rolleyes:
Oh, and absolutely no way it will have FW800. I doubt even FW400, as we have seen with the new MB, that is beeing phased out of all but "Pro" machines.


As before, there will be two configurations, at $599 and $799 respectively. Both will sport a super drive (combo drives finally go away) and 2GB RAM expandable to 4GB. Differences in the two models will be in processor speed and hard disk capacity. There will not be a blueray disc option as some have speculated.

That sounds believable. Having the combo drive just means they have to make/order multiple drives, making economies of scale harder to realize.

HAHA.
[...]
dumb joke, but honestly i think they should just push to make the mini as cheap as cheap. they introduced this as a bridge from pc. it's small enough, now make it ultra cheap. i'm thinking $200

Again, this IS apple we are talking about. They ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT make a Mac that cheap. They very easily could, simply by cutting profit margins a little, but, like I said, this is Apple. If you cannot afford a Mac you are not cool enough to have one (in their/their CMO's mind), so tough luck.
Apple has never (at least in the last decade or so, which is all I can speak definitively about) catered to the cheap. They never will. Their only reasonably priced piece of hardware is the iPhone and that is only because they and AT&T will be able to bend you over for two years to make up far more than the amount they subsidized.

[illegallydead]

[QUOTE=MacRumors;6797833]http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/22/fake-mac-mini-images-circulate/)

The fake images have started circulating.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/22/061855-new_mac_mini_400.jpg

Why does it need the Macbook-like gap in it. I think without that it looks pretty damn spot on.

Because it was photoshopped in like 5 minutes going off of an existing MB. My dog could do a PS job like that :rolleyes:

Expect better images (either PS'd with more time/effort or actually leaked) as we getter closer, if this does ever materialize. One way or another though, I see apple doing something to the Mini, whether they update it or axe it...

[Kilamite]

No way. Only the Mac pro has more than 4. There is no way the Mini will have that many. Apple is not one for convenience, just for aesthetics. You're thinking too PC-ish :rolleyes:
Oh, and absolutely no way it will have FW800. I doubt even FW400, as we have seen with the new MB, that is beeing phased out of all but "Pro" machines.

I guess in your own arrogance you failed to realise that the current Mac Mini has 4 USB ports and a FireWire 400 port...

They may not all run on independent buses, but never-the-less, 4 USB ports..

[weckart]

I could go both ways on this. I'd have my Mini in an entertainment center under my TV, so power cord tripping wouldn't be an issue. If I did have the Mini in an area where the power cord would possibly be in somebody's path, I'd rather have it unexpectedly turn off than have my computer crash to the floor.

Maybe the new Mini could have a battery for these instances, although, I admit, that seems unlikely.

Yes, that makes complete sense. Add on a pointless Magsafe connector and then bulk up the base unit further with a battery pack to compensate for the increased risk of power disconnects. That will cut productions costs enough to incorporate the nVidia components with no price hike for the consumer to gripe about.

And by the way, the power pack on the mini has always been external (and ridiculously large), not just recently. If Apple needed to slim down on somewhere, then it should have turned its attention that first of all.

[karterius]

I cannot wait until this comes out. I hope it is actually smaller, as I have been saving uo to put a mini in my car.

I also hope they finally integrate a wireless N chipset in.

A plus would be the external power supply too, as it would allow for easier integration into the Carnetix power Supply.

I just need a good screen to out in there and I'm good to go.

My dream is to have my iTunes libraries sync with each other every time I pull in the garage, and through EV-DO have internet everywhere.

[karlfranz]

No way. Only the Mac pro has more than 4. There is no way the Mini will have that many. Apple is not one for convenience, just for aesthetics. You're thinking too PC-ish :rolleyes:
Oh, and absolutely no way it will have FW800. I doubt even FW400, as we have seen with the new MB, that is beeing phased out of all but "Pro" machines.


Ummm, you do realize the existing Mac mini already has 4 USB ports, right? FW is not being phased out, it was not included on the Macbook because there was no physical space to put the connector on the new unibody. The larger dimensions of the MacBook Pro allowed them to include the single FW800 port, but they had to do away with the FW400.

Replacing the DVI/VGA port with displayport means there is even more space in the back than on the outgoing model. The Mac mini has enough space for FW on the back and FW800 is backward compatible, so no need for the FW400 port.

[mikeinternet]

Again, this IS apple we are talking about. They ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT make a Mac that cheap. They very easily could, simply by cutting profit margins a little, but, like I said, this is Apple. If you cannot afford a Mac you are not cool enough to have one (in their/their CMO's mind), so tough luck.

i agree that apple makes a premium product at a premium price. i just think at this point a 200 dollar mini would kill and the more people on mac the better.

[FF_productions]

How does $599 for 2 GHz, 1GB of RAM, and a 9400M sound?

LOL....that really will be the specs. Oh Apple, what era are you guys in? So innovative, such stupid specs. Amazes me, it's nearly 2009, they are offering 1 gig of ram with their expensive low-end machines.

[ingenious]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Honestly, at this point, I just want them to release some new Mac minis, no matter what they look like...

[ingenious]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

When you zoom in on the button thing on the second image, you can clearly see the pixel difference

Those are artifacts of excessive JPEG compression, not a photoshopping booboo.
And the, ahem, photoshopper forgot the "beauty" spot (IR) port -- or rather, I'm assuming the white circle is the "power" button. Imagine that. Putting the power button on the front where folks can find it. Almost as simple as putting it next to the keyboard on the laptops.

If the Mac mini does get an update, surely it won't be aesthetically more than changing that white plastic top to black "glass"... but will probably have the same mag safe connector as the laptops so you can use the 24" LED "Cinema" display... or maybe they haven't thought of that yet...

MagSafe on a desktop is a bad idea... What if you trip on the cord?

[ColinEC]

I'm thinking we'll basically just get a headless MacBook.

Maybe something like this...

2GHz or 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo
2GB or 4GB of RAM
160GB or 250GB or 320GB HD
GeForce 9400M Graphics or GeForce 9600M 256MB

[cloudnine]

okay, let's sum up all of the responses here:

1. omg it's totally fake.
2. omg they're so cool i'm buying one when it comes out.
3. omg wtf why can't i upgrade it easily?
4. omg too thin.
5. omg it's still too expensive.
6. omg omg omg.

o_O

[cloudnine]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

MagSafe on a desktop is a bad idea... What if you trip on the cord?

if your desktop's power cable is somewhere where someone could trip on it, there's a problem.

[Kilamite]

if your desktop's power cable is somewhere where someone could trip on it, there's a problem.

It'll pop out if you got a USB cable tangled with it.

Or if you stretched your foot out under the desk, it might yank the cord slightly and pop it out.

Using MagSafe on a desktop is an idiotic idea.

[kjs862]

Its interesting to see if Apple will use the mini display port on the new mac mini because the mini is targeted to new mac user that already have an external monitor - remember bring your own display, mouse, and keyboard.

[cloudnine]

Ummm, you do realize the existing Mac mini already has 4 USB ports, right? FW is not being phased out, it was not included on the Macbook because there was no physical space to put the connector on the new unibody. The larger dimensions of the MacBook Pro allowed them to include the single FW800 port, but they had to do away with the FW400.

Replacing the DVI/VGA port with displayport means there is even more space in the back than on the outgoing model. The Mac mini has enough space for FW on the back and FW800 is backward compatible, so no need for the FW400 port.

in all fairness, i see your point, but i do believe that firewire is being "partially" phased out... at least until usb 3.0 is released (next year, i believe? someone correct me if i'm wrong), at which point, i don't see why it wouldn't be phased out completely. firewire sync'ing and charging was included in all ipods up until recently... now the iphone, ipod touch, ipod classic and nano only charge/sync via usb. and with the introduction of the macbook air, there was no firewire... new macbook, no firewire (their most popular notebook, btw). it wouldn't surprise me if, in another year, firewire was phased out completely in favor of USB 3.0, which has speeds that put 2.0 and FW to shame.

[cloudnine]

It'll pop out if you got a USB cable tangled with it.

Or if you stretched your foot out under the desk, it might yank the cord slightly and pop it out.

Using MagSafe on a desktop is an idiotic idea.

I agree completely. My point was only that if your power cord is somewhere that would allow for it to be tripped over, you're doing it wrong, and you fail.

:)

[NT1440]

Its interesting to see if Apple will use the mini display port on the new mac mini because the mini is targeted to new mac user that already have an external monitor - remember bring your own display, mouse, and keyboard.

Oh itll deffinatly be there, seeing as steve said they will be on all the new apple products. I doubt it will be the only connection tho

[kjs862]

Oh itll deffinatly be there, seeing as steve said they will be on all the new apple products. I doubt it will be the only connection tho

Yeah good thinking. However instead of adding addition display ports, maybe Apple can only include the mini display port to save space, and instead supply a universal adapter to accommodate customers accordingly.

[spatlese44]

Any hopes for an eSATA port?

I've been looking for external drive enclosures. USB is the most common connector. eSATA is second most common. Firewire is only available starting around $65.

[kjs862]

esata would be nice, isn't it the faster than FW800?

[MacFly123]

That's pretty cool, although I don't think Apple would have a glowing Apple logo, do you? I think it will a shiny black Apple like Time Capsule has.

I think it will be black too, but Time Capsule does not have a black Apple logo, it is chrome.

[fleshman03]

Its interesting to see if Apple will use the mini display port on the new mac mini because the mini is targeted to new mac user that already have an external monitor - remember bring your own display, mouse, and keyboard.

They will either give an adaptor or make the consumer buy one. That's Apple for ya.

[TheSeanWilson]

It would be more realistic if we got images and information at the same time. As it happens though, Photoshoppers all hear the same rumour, and within a week, you have five different designs that are just cut-and-pasted from other Apple products (cough click-wheel iPhone?).

[Schtumple]

It would be more realistic if we got images and information at the same time. As it happens though, Photoshoppers all hear the same rumour, and within a week, you have five different designs that are just cut-and-pasted from other Apple products (cough click-wheel iPhone?).

It's very un-inspired isn't it. Although I have seen a few mockups that were deadly close to the final product, unibody Macbooks was the most recent one.

[ppdix]

Throughout the 80's this was the way to go... Before CRT's and LCD's.
Now, take your MacMini anywhere there is a TV. Battery powered or plugged in.

I don't care for laptops cause their screens are either too small or bad quality for photo editing or just too expensive...
This would be a great MacMiniBook :cool:
:apple:

[NT1440]

Throughout the 80's this was the way to go... Before CRT's and LCD's.
Now, take your MacMini anywhere there is a TV. Battery powered or plugged in.

I don't care for laptops cause their screens are either too small or bad quality for photo editing or just too expensive...
This would be a great MacMiniBook :cool:
:apple:

Lol so a screenless macbook?

[illegallydead]

I guess in your own arrogance you failed to realise that the current Mac Mini has 4 USB ports and a FireWire 400 port...

They may not all run on independent buses, but never-the-less, 4 USB ports..

OK, you all got me. So I didn't do ALL of my research. Sorry. I will give you that a potentially refreshed Mini will have/keep 4 ports. It will lose firewire though, I guarantee it. If the MB lost it, it thoroughly shows that Apple views FW as something that the average consumer "doesn't need".


Ummm, you do realize the existing Mac mini already has 4 USB ports, right? FW is not being phased out, it was not included on the Macbook because there was no physical space to put the connector on the new unibody. The larger dimensions of the MacBook Pro allowed them to include the single FW800 port, but they had to do away with the FW400.

Dude, the existing MB is the same size as the new Unibody one (1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 inches old vs. 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 inches new). The DisplayPort connector is smaller than the Mini-DVI one, so they actually GAINED space. They lost the FW because Apple either thinks they know what we want or, more likely, so they had a little more to differentiate the MB from the MBP other than a video card (not to mention it will force AV folks to spend $2000 for a Mac laptop they can use rather than ~$1000.

Replacing the DVI/VGA port with displayport means there is even more space in the back than on the outgoing model. The Mac mini has enough space for FW on the back and FW800 is backward compatible, so no need for the FW400 port.

Something tells me that they will use that space to make the body smaller, not to give you more connectivity.


in all fairness, i see your point, but i do believe that firewire is being "partially" phased out... at least until usb 3.0 is released (next year, i believe? someone correct me if i'm wrong), at which point, i don't see why it wouldn't be phased out completely. firewire sync'ing and charging was included in all ipods up until recently... now the iphone, ipod touch, ipod classic and nano only charge/sync via usb. and with the introduction of the macbook air, there was no firewire... new macbook, no firewire (their most popular notebook, btw). it wouldn't surprise me if, in another year, firewire was phased out completely in favor of USB 3.0, which has speeds that put 2.0 and FW to shame.

Check out Firewire 1600/3200 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire#FireWire_S1600_and_S3200). It is backwards compatible with existing cables, etc. Granted, USB 3.0 has a higher theoretical max speed, so we'll see how all that goes...

[NT1440]

Dude, the existing MB is the same size as the new Unibody one (1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 inches old vs. 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 inches new). The DisplayPort connector is smaller than the Mini-DVI one, so they actually GAINED space. They lost the FW because Apple either thinks they know what we want or, more likely, so they had a little more to differentiate the MB from the MBP other than a video card (not to mention it will force AV folks to spend $2000 for a Mac laptop they can use rather than ~$1000.




Ahem:
http://static1.ifixit.com/igi/AUZYBwBSf4DGQiru.standard

http://static1.ifixit.com/igi/qFsHP2uMXoMCagVy.standard

Tons of space in there right?

[localoid]

...
Tons of space in there right?

For those who believe in fairy tales and nursery rhymes...

And all of Steve's horses
And all of Steve's men
Couldn't design an enclosure
That Firewire could fit in

[NT1440]

For those who believe in fairy tales and nursery rhymes...

And all of Steve's horses
And all of Steve's men
Couldn't design an enclosure
That Firewire could fit in

No my post was to him saying that somehow they gained space inside the enclosure. But he didnt factor in changes in the battery and speakers amongst other things.

FW woulda been in their had steve wanted it in.

[dwl017]

You guys crack me up with all these wish list etc. on what your dream Mini will be. The new Mini will be the very same thing it has always been nothing more nothing less. A few new updated laptop parts jammed into a small shinny aluminum box. There will be a small speed bump and a slight case design but at the end of the day it will still be a laptop in a little slim box.

So in reality you can purchase the new Mac Mini tonight at your local Apple store its just called the Mac Book instead. All this hype for a little box that will have a Mac Book inside just shaped a little different.

[ppdix]

Lol so a screenless macbook?

That's right. Everybody has a big HD LCD at home. Why not take your computer along and plug it in for games, photos and DVD playback?

[Schtumple]

That's right. Everybody has a big HD LCD at home. Why not take your computer along and plug it in for games, photos and DVD playback?

I attempted that with an old PC keyboard and a laptop motherboard I had lying around, got so close to the end, it worked right up untill I put the final casing on, snapped a tiny corner of the board, didn't work after that, such a shame, ran OSX86 like a champ, well, a one legged champ, it was only a 2ghz Athlon :o

But yeah, the idea is nice, it'll never get implemented, it's no longer a marketable category sadly.

[NT1440]

That's right. Everybody has a big HD LCD at home. Why not take your computer along and plug it in for games, photos and DVD playback?

Define everybody. Cause I sure as hell dont.

[Schtumple]

Define everybody. Cause I sure as hell dont.

But I do, that means, 50% of MacRumors users have big (22" is big right?) LCD TVs.

[Kilamite]

Define everybody. Cause I sure as hell dont.

You'll be buying one next year I betcha ;)

[NT1440]

You'll be buying one next year I betcha ;)

:eek:

How did you know?!

Actually, for college, probably not, but once I'm on my own and set up my own office area, yup

[ppdix]

Define everybody. Cause I sure as hell dont.

Well I have a 37" LCD and a 32" LCD/DVD Combo. :rolleyes:

U can get refurbished 37" HD LCD's for $400 WITH built in-DVD's at ecost.com
Who wants to shell out $900 for a "small" Apple 24" Display that only hooks up to a Mac? Or in any other case, any other Samsung or Viewsonic Displays that don't go over 27" for thousands...

Give me a screenless MacBook with an HDMI Out for $600 and I'll buy it.

[ppdix]

But I do, that means, 50% of MacRumors users have big (22" is big right?) LCD TVs.

I have two Samsung 244T's ($499 each) hooked up to my MacPro. One of them in Portrait Mode. Apple's $899 display doesn't even swivel...

I rather have a $700 42" LCD... Bigger IS better. :D

[NT1440]

What I was getting at is that no where near "everybody" actually does have a large lcd screen. Sure lots of people on here do , because we are computer geeks, but your average joe tends to only have whatever came with his computer.

[ppdix]

But yeah, the idea is nice, it'll never get implemented, it's no longer a marketable category sadly.

It is marketable. A REAL plug and play Mac. No crappy PC keyboard or mouse to buy. Just any HD TV at anybody's home or office for $600

[Kilamite]

Well I have a 37" LCD and a 32" LCD/DVD Combo. :rolleyes:

U can get refurbished 37" HD LCD's for $400 WITH built in-DVD's at ecost.com
Who wants to shell out $900 for a "small" Apple 24" Display that only hooks up to a Mac? Or in any other case, any other Samsung or Viewsonic Displays that don't go over 27" for thousands...

Give me a screenless MacBook with an HDMI Out for $600 and I'll buy it.

Guess you aren't familiar with resolutions then.

Go check the resolution of the 24" Cinema Display (and also take note of the PPI).

Using a tele as a monitor would be horrific. Okay, 1080p tele's would go up to 1920x1080 which isn't all that bad, but for the size of the thing, the PPI is awful and to do anything productive would be horrible on your eyes.

[powers74]

Heh heh, that's what they said when the 'fat' ipod nano pictures came out.

they nixed those pretty quick too. I love how people think they will take out the optical - not this time around.

[ppdix]

What I was getting at is that no where near "everybody" actually does have a large lcd screen. Sure lots of people on here do , because we are computer geeks, but your average joe tends to only have whatever came with his computer.

Yes, people use what came with their computers cause Monitors are expensive compared to TV's.

Check this out. A Westinghouse 47" 1080p (better than 1080i) LCD for $749!!!
http://www.ecost.com/Detail/TV's/Westinghouse/TX-47F430S+REF/40437178.aspx?navid=155439616

Apple's 24" is $899. Wouldn't u rather have an extra 23" and save $150?? Besides this is a real TV... Whoever comes up with this concept first is gonna sell millions... :p

[NT1440]

Yes, people use what came with their computers cause Monitors are expensive compared to TV's.

Check this out. A Westinghouse 47" 1080p (better than 1080i) LCD for $749!!!
http://www.ecost.com/Detail/TV's/Westinghouse/TX-47F430S+REF/40437178.aspx?navid=155439616

Apple's 24" is $899. Wouldn't u rather have an extra 23" and save $150?? Besides this is a real TV... Whoever comes up with this concept first is gonna sell millions... :p

Why do u guys keep jumping to the wild conclusion that im going to buy the apple monitor!?

I dont have the money for either.

[powers74]

That's right. Everybody has a big HD LCD at home. Why not take your computer along and plug it in for games, photos and DVD playback?

Everyone who is not me, I guess.

[Dejavu]

Throughout the 80's this was the way to go... Before CRT's and LCD's.
Now, take your MacMini anywhere there is a TV. Battery powered or plugged in.

I don't care for laptops cause their screens are either too small or bad quality for photo editing or just too expensive...
This would be a great MacMiniBook :cool:
:apple:

LOL!!!! no. just no. :p

[Schtumple]

This thread is really starting to wander, I really hope that the new MM will have a optional Superdrive, as in, detachable, I'm sure they can work it so it looks nice with or without it, offer it optional though so the people that don't want it, can just un-tick it when purchasing, not everybody needs yet another drive that they're rarely going to use...

[yoyo5280]

hehe
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148195&d=1229146730
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148297&d=1229234309
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148298&d=1229234309
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148299&d=1229234309

[Kilamite]

*Above*

I can actually see Apple doing that - just one USB port and saying "isn't wireless awesome..".

[localoid]

*Above*

I can actually see Apple doing that - just one USB port and saying "isn't wireless awesome..".


"It's fueled by dreams and powered by imagination!"

[Menge]

Hi guys! First post here :)

I always wanted a mini and am sure glad that Apple might bring it back! So much that I started playing around and mocking something that'd go along with the new MacBooks and iMac style. If it's anything like this, then I'd love it :)

[SilvorX]

Heh heh, that's what they said when the 'fat' ipod nano pictures came out.

and almost all other Apple products ever made, cheese grater PowerMac, iMac G5, original Mac mini, etc

[Schtumple]

Hi guys! First post here :)

I always wanted a mini and am sure glad that Apple might bring it back! So much that I started playing around and mocking something that'd go along with the new MacBooks and iMac style. If it's anything like this, then I'd love it :)

I think that's gunna be the closest one to reality right there, good job :)

[yoyo5280]

Hi guys! First post here :)

I always wanted a mini and am sure glad that Apple might bring it back! So much that I started playing around and mocking something that'd go along with the new MacBooks and iMac style. If it's anything like this, then I'd love it :)

....:s
I don't know....

[fleshman03]

hehe
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148195&d=1229146730
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148297&d=1229234309
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148298&d=1229234309
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148299&d=1229234309

No offence to the Mockups, but they look rather ... Portable Hard Drive Like.

Look:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21tsuuytsNL._SL500_AA233_.jpg

and

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VaHhnIdJL._SL160_AA160_.jpg

Your Mockup is wider than those. Maybe they could fit a logic board in there. That would be cool, but hard to do from a hardware point of view.

[karlfranz]

OK, you all got me. So I didn't do ALL of my research. Sorry. I will give you that a potentially refreshed Mini will have/keep 4 ports. It will lose firewire though, I guarantee it. If the MB lost it, it thoroughly shows that Apple views FW as something that the average consumer "doesn't need".

Dude, the existing MB is the same size as the new Unibody one (1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 inches old vs. 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 inches new). The DisplayPort connector is smaller than the Mini-DVI one, so they actually GAINED space. They lost the FW because Apple either thinks they know what we want or, more likely, so they had a little more to differentiate the MB from the MBP other than a video card (not to mention it will force AV folks to spend $2000 for a Mac laptop they can use rather than ~$1000.
Something tells me that they will use that space to make the body smaller, not to give you more connectivity.


Obviously you haven't studied the design of the unibody MacBook very well. The dimensions may be similar to the older plastic model, but the new one has a battery cover that runs the full width of the bottom. The compartment, which houses the battery and the hard disk, actually leaves less area that can accommodate ports. One side is filled with the maximum number of ports that will fit, the other has the slot loaded super drive.

So, no, there is not enough room to put a FW connector. Apple didn't want to make the MacBook bigger than the previous model, so they knew something had to give. They were aware they would get a lot of criticism for removing the FW port, but also knew that they couldn't get rid of the second USB port because a notebook with only one USB port is even less acceptable than one without FW.

Regardless of what many people would have you believe, just because Apple couldn't fit FW into the MacBook, doesn't mean that they are abandoning FW altogether. They just made a business decision, that for the particular market that the MacBook competes in, not having FW was not a major compromise for a large percentage of their customers.

[iParis]

Geeze. That looks so ugly.
I would much rather have an Apple TV or Time Capsule like design.

[Schtumple]

Geeze. That looks so ugly.
I would much rather have an Apple TV or Time Capsule like design.

Make something better then...

[yoyo5280]

Geeze. That looks so ugly.
I would much rather have an Apple TV or Time Capsule like design.

which is ugly.

Im not getting defensive.:p

[alexbates]

Geeze. That looks so ugly.
I would much rather have an Apple TV or Time Capsule like design.

I was thinking of something almost exactly like the Apple TV but with a disk drive on the front. Then, the Apple TV would look something like a portable hard drive. I know that Apple can have a lot bigger hard drive that takes up a lot less space. Just compare the size and GB's of the Apple TV and iPod Classic.

[illegallydead]

Ahem:

[...]

Tons of space in there right?
http://images.apple.com/macbook/white/images/specs_connections20080226.jpg

http://images.apple.com/macbook/images/specs_connections20081014.jpg

My point is valid. The Audio jacks are now much more spaced out. The security lock slot is in the same location physically, and as I said, the the display port connector is smaller than Mini-DVI. They could have done it easier than you are making it sound (and would have if they felt it was important to the market they are aiming the MB for)

Either way, I am venturing the guess that any potential update to the Mini will probably either keep FW400 or lose it completely. We will see, I guess.

Isn't bickering about little crap like this amusing? :rolleyes:
Damnit, I must be really bored seeing as I am actually taking the time to study pictures of both MB's... I have officially descended to a new level of fanboy-dom :D

[khunsanook]

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6830/miniluminumor0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[tirerim]

Not as thin as the MacBook Air, but as thin as the current MacBook's.

It wouldn't need to be thicker since it'll house the same chipset and most likely similar laptop grade CPU's and a 2.5" SATA hard drive.

... in a much smaller area length-wise and width-wise.

MacBook: 12.78" x 8.94" x 0.95"
current Mac Mini: 6.5" x 6.5" x 2"

In order to have the same volume as the MacBook, and keep the same length and width, it would have to be 2.57" thick. Of course, some of that volume is taken up by the screen, keyboard, and battery, but even so there's no way it's going to be as thin as a MacBook. It might lose a quarter of an inch or something, but that's it.

[Kilamite]

http://images.apple.com/macbook/white/images/specs_connections20080226.jpg http://images.apple.com/macbook/images/specs_connections20081014.jpg

My point is valid. The Audio jacks are now much more spaced out. The security lock slot is in the same location physically, and as I said, the the display port connector is smaller than Mini-DVI. They could have done it easier than you are making it sound (and would have if they felt it was important to the market they are aiming the MB for) :D

Yawn.

Those photos aren't to the same scale/zoom. You'd find that the new MacBook pretty much has the same array of ports as the old one dimension wise.

[mlts22]

The mock-ups are excellent.

As for specs, here are my guesses. In general, I'm assuming it will borrow a lot of its chipsets and components from the MacBook:

No eSATA... Would be nice though.
Either 2 or 4 USB connectors. I'd guess 4 due to the fact that the keyboard and mouse need to be hooked up directly somewhere.
FireWire -- a tossup. I'd bet against it being on there.
RAM -- probably up to 4GB max, although if it used the same chipset as the Macbook, it might be persuaded to go to 8. Default RAM, I'd say 1GB for low end boxes, 2 for a C note more. I doubt that RAM would be easy to upgrade, but who knows.
Disk, 160 gigs at the low end, 250 gigs for the higher end machine.
CPU, usual fare, dual-core Intel stuff.
Video, probably the same as the Macbook. I'm almost certain the box will sport a mini-DVI connector.
Kensington lock slot, a must.
DVD-RW, dual layer drive.

Power will almost certainly be an external transformer. I'd place bets on a MagSafe connector with perhaps a latchable clip on it so it is not able to be jiggled off easily. I wonder if eventually, Apple is moving to one standard external power supply that can work with all Macbooks.

As for form factors, I also wouldn't mind seeing a pizza box similar to the second generation NeXT boxes and Sun workstations. However, the XServe is as close as we'll get most likely.

[zedsdead]

Hi guys! First post here :)

I always wanted a mini and am sure glad that Apple might bring it back! So much that I started playing around and mocking something that'd go along with the new MacBooks and iMac style. If it's anything like this, then I'd love it :)

So far I like this mockup the best.

[sporadicMotion]

i added rocket boosters and replaced the DVD drive with a 5 1/2 floppy drive. It also does the laundry, makes 3 meals a day, fights off satan and picks up the kids up the kids from school. Oh yeah, and it has firewire.

[Schtumple]

i added rocket boosters and replaced the DVD drive with a 5 1/2 floppy drive. It also does the laundry, makes 3 meals a day, fights off satan and picks up the kids up the kids from school. Oh yeah, and it has firewire.

Because that joke hasn't been overdone by every new member... It used to be funny, not so much anymore.

[sporadicMotion]

Because that joke hasn't been overdone by every new member... It used to be funny, not so much anymore.

I'm sorry elitist... oh PLEASE forgive me...

[AndyCro]

This might explain the nod to the ridged 'lid'

http://maxthemac.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/time_capsule_front_back.jpg

Also im having dibs on the strap line:

Alu-mini-um

[zombitronic]

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149636&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1229998639
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149691&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1230031418
Guys, these two are the best.

[Schtumple]

I'm sorry elitist... oh PLEASE forgive me...

It's not elitist, it's just you get to a certain number of pages of proper mockups, then someone always comes in with the MS paint jobby, it was funny the first few times, but now it's really tired.

[Srai-W]

Ok, the next images we have to get are the ones where they are in pieces. Like just the "uni-body mac mini enclosure" or one from the back to show the ports.

I personally am hoping it comes with 2gb at least a 120gb hdd, superdrive and nvidia. Otherwise I don't mind so much. I am sure it is going to look damn fine!!! :D

[Tallest Skil]

It's not elitist, it's just you get to a certain number of pages of proper mockups, then someone always comes in with the MS paint jobby, it was funny the first few times, but now it's really tired.

In all honesty, I've never seen an MSPaint mockup of a product in the entire time I've been here prior to this.

It's fake because it's not in an elevator. That's all I know. :p

[Schtumple]

In all honesty, I've never seen an MSPaint mockup of a product in the entire time I've been here prior to this.

It's fake because it's not in an elevator. That's all I know. :p

That's the one line that I always love to read, always brings atleast a small smile, sometimes a lol.

It happens every now and then, not always with a MSPaint job, I'll admit, but someone posts obviously outlandish specs, I remember seeings ones for the iPhone, MBA, Cinema Displays (a long time ago) and iPod, I've been on here (MacRumours & Forums) since about 2005, but I didn't get around to signing up till 2007.

I guess I'm just being overly grumpy, but somebody just bailed on me for a lame reason so I think that's a valid excuse :)

[sporadicMotion]

It happens every now and then, not always with a MSPaint job, I'll admit, but someone posts obviously outlandish specs, I remember seeings ones for the iPhone, MBA, Cinema Displays (a long time ago) and iPod, I've been on here (MacRumours & Forums) since about 2005, but I didn't get around to signing up till 2007.

I guess I'm just being overly grumpy, but somebody just bailed on me for a lame reason so I think that's a valid excuse :)

People bailing on you sucks. I've been an observer for a VERY VERY VERY long time as well and yes... I've seen a few as well... but I'd rather see cheesy paint mock ups than repetitive search-able questions and OS X 10.x.x update file size posts :p

[Schtumple]

People bailing on you sucks. I've been an observer for a VERY VERY VERY long time as well and yes... I've seen a few as well... but I'd rather see cheesy paint mock ups than repetitive search-able questions and OS X 10.x.x update file size posts :p

Very true! I think I might give this a go, give photoshop a little whirl and see what I can come up with.

[macfearless]

hehe
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148195&d=1229146730
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148297&d=1229234309
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148298&d=1229234309
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=148299&d=1229234309

i just like that the silver one's are gonna be nice and "shinny" screw leggy, bring on shinny!:)

[zombitronic]

I think Menge was onto something. Look what I just spotted...

[fleshman03]

I think Menge was onto something. Look what I just spotted...

HAHA Thank you for that one. :D

[illegallydead]

I think Menge was onto something. Look what I just spotted...

oh my god that is the first time I have legitimately cracked up and actually LAUGHED over a post on here.

Props to you, my man!

[Airforcekid]

:apple:Basically the same as a air superdrive I like the look but the shape would kill performence and probley overheat.:apple:

[Schtumple]

:apple:Basically the same as a air superdrive I like the look but the shape would kill performence and probley overheat.:apple:

Probably?! Might as well buy an iPhone, as it would be a damn sight faster...

I can only see 10mm being chopped off the current mini, at max, it's already pretty damn small to begin with...

[chimpy0813]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini2/web.jpg

[Tallest Skil]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini2/web.jpg

Win.

[Kilamite]

Win.

If the Apple logo was the other way round and it didn't have MagSafe ;)

[3247]

It'll pop out if you got a USB cable tangled with it.

Or if you stretched your foot out under the desk, it might yank the cord slightly and pop it out.

Using MagSafe on a desktop is an idiotic idea.Unless… Apple uses an electromagnet to hold the plug more firmly when the computer is powered on.
This is acutally described in one of Apple's MagSafe patents.

[chimpy0813]

If the Apple logo was the other way round and it didn't have MagSafe ;)

They could always use, the MagSafe, No reason not too. A good place to start tho I think.

Aluminum and Glass is probably the way that they will go.

[FrenchKheldar]

The only good thing about such a small format Mac Mini is that it opens the door for the mid-range tower. MacMini for very light usage/HTPC, xMac for mainstream/enthusiast, Mac Pro for pros. iMac is in its own market believe it or not...
Sure Apple will try its best to make it complicated to upgrade but still, I think they can only have no desktop parts in their computer for so long, especially with the great reviews the Core i7 is getting.

[FrenchKheldar]

If the Apple logo was the other way round and it didn't have MagSafe ;)

Also the power button needs to be in the back, not in front, this is heresy !!! :rolleyes:

[haravikk]

I quite like the current design; trim any fat that they can with new technologies, and change the shiny top to black so it matches the current theme of the iMacs/MacBooks/MacBook Pros and it would be just fine IMO.

I also could happily have one without a DVD drive, but I think it would be unfeasible as it could be someone's only computer, whereas with the Air the assumption is made that most laptop users have fairly easy access to other computers if they need to install something.

[anti-microsoft]

I quite like the current design; trim any fat that they can with new technologies, and change the shiny top to black so it matches the current theme of the iMacs/MacBooks/MacBook Pros and it would be just fine IMO.

I also could happily have one without a DVD drive, but I think it would be unfeasible as it could be someone's only computer, whereas with the Air the assumption is made that most laptop users have fairly easy access to other computers if they need to install something.

I agree with you on everything except the SuperDrive exclusion. Mac minis are destined to switchers and Windows users do relay quite a bit on their CD's...

[haravikk]

Using a tele as a monitor would be horrific. Okay, 1080p tele's would go up to 1920x1080 which isn't all that bad, but for the size of the thing, the PPI is awful and to do anything productive would be horrible on your eyes.
Depends on the size of the screen too. I have a 32" HDTV as a main monitor for my Mac Pro, with a 20" Apple Cinema Display as a second. Highest resolution I can get OS X to set on the HDTV is 1280 x 720 (annoyingly, as I know both my NVIDIA card and the HDTV support 1366 x 768), but when you factor in the distance you sit at to use a screen that size it's a perfectly usable resolution. I sit a good two metres-ish away on a couch; perfectly readable text, and great for games, just annoying to get ones that support the damned resolutions that look good though.

[chrisi29]

eew! the pics in the first post scare the "hell out of me", they look like U.F.O's xD:D

The ones on this page however look great! But design isn't as important on macminis as it is for instance on macbooks or imacs. Just my opinion. :D

[vaizki]

Highest resolution I can get OS X to set on the HDTV is 1280 x 720 (annoyingly, as I know both my NVIDIA card and the HDTV support 1366 x 768)

Let me guess.. DVI->HDMI adapter? Try the VGA port on your television, HDMI does not support arbitrary resolutions, basically only 480i/p,576i/p, 720p and 1080i/p are allowed. Yes I know it's DVI compatible signaling but hey it's still crippled to those tv-standard resolutions. And you're getting 720p so sounds like DVI->HDMI to me. Getting your mac to do 1366x768 is another matter altogether and may need some tweaking as 1366 is not divisible by 8..

No complaints with my 1080p tv, runs 1920x1080 just fine.. but I wouldn't ever consider using a tv as a primary monitor.

[dwl017]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini2/web.jpg

This is so stupid why not just buy a Mac Book? I really don't get this whole cult following for a little box that in reality is nothing more then a laptop with no screen. Why not buy the Mac Book and have the best of both worlds?

[fleshman03]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpg

SEXY :D ;)

[vendettabass]

SEXY :D ;)

indeed! but I still think it'll need to be a little taller!

[dwl017]

My apologies to all you guys, I just went to the Apple online store, havent ben there in a while. I was shocked to see that Apple does not sell a single up to date computer for under $1000 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: holy sh-- I see now why so many people want a new Mini, it is basically the only way any average John Doe could ever afford a Mac.

SJ is basically telling the poor man on a budget fu-- you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

** It is no longer a switch box, in my opinion its the only box any poor John Doe will have a chance at getting with Apples current pricing.

[yoyo5280]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini2/web.jpg

I'd buy that.

[flir67]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini2/web.jpg


too dang big, where you would put it? most would put a monitor on top of it. there by hiding the apple logo?

[yoyo5280]

^^ if thats "too dang big" then the mini must be huge

[iDave]

This is so stupid why not just buy a Mac Book? I really don't get this whole cult following for a little box that in reality is nothing more then a laptop with no screen. Why not buy the Mac Book and have the best of both worlds?
Because it's $1299.

[dwl017]

I have never laugh so hard in my entire life!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLbJ8YPHwXM&eurl=http://9to5mac.com/

[Kilamite]

I have never laugh so hard in my entire life!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLbJ8YPHwXM&eurl=http://9to5mac.com/

Random posting, but I'll reply to it: I don't know what's hotter, the burd or the animations.

[Compile 'em all]

You should consider one of these:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Commodore64.jpg/320px-Commodore64.jpg



i still have this commodore :cool:

[Lone Deranger]

It reminded me of the "Sega" TreamCast (http://www.superufo.com/review_html/Review_of_Portable_Treamcast.html).
Imagine how crazy that would be.... a Mac Mini with little pop-up LCD display. It could be Apple's answer to the NetBook crowd haha.. :D

HAHA.
that first mockup that looks like they left the edge of the lid of the laptop on there, makes me think it will have a hinged top so you can change the ram or drive faster then ever.

[AndyCro]

This is so stupid why not just buy a Mac Book? I really don't get this whole cult following for a little box that in reality is nothing more then a laptop with no screen. Why not buy the Mac Book and have the best of both worlds?

Muppet.

[haravikk]

indeed! but I still think it'll need to be a little taller!
In theory you probably could make it that small, I believe Apple is more than capable. The big question though is what the trade-off would be, as they'd need to cram a custom motherboard in, a really small-size hard-drive (likely smaller than a regular laptop's, more along the lines of the hard-drive iPods) and some laptop RAM chips. So it could be the smallest desktop computer ever made, but it would end up making the low-end Mac desktops even more low-end. I expect you're right as a result, and that they're more likely to produce something taller so it can still have a proper laptop hard-drive, and adequate cooling etc. so-as not to compromise anything important.

The pictures do however look awesome, if they could pull it off with some decent 'high-end' minis then it would be perfect. Heck, someone would probably bring out a laptop battery you could use instead of the power "brick", and someone a USB-powered mini-monitor; you'd have yourself a full desktop computer you could pull out on the train :D

[sporadicMotion]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpg

I would love to see a mini like this! It would definitely have to be taller though... there is no way a HD and DVD drive would fit in there simultaneously. If they made something like that but made it the height of the current mini and incorporated a 3.5 inch drive, that would be a winner for sure. The magsafe even makes sense for use with the new cinema display. They better have something good in the works after making people wait so long for an update... and hopefully it'll be along these lines.

[sn00pie]

The next Mini won't be horizontal in shape, its going to stand up, like a "tower".

[Tallest Skil]

too dang big, where you would put it? most would put a monitor on top of it. there by hiding the apple logo?

You want big? Try your images. TIMG them!

[mambodancer]

too dang big, where you would put it? most would put a monitor on top of it. there by hiding the apple logo?

I'm betting that this is, in fact, the new MacMini.

We'll see in January.

[A7X21112]

In the first image they forgot to remove the LCD when they photoshopped it :) . The design of the second one isn't so bad. It might be a better design for the AppleTV.

It may seem like that the forgot the LCD but look at the time capsule and the airport they have the upper piece like a dome on top. FO rthe most part i agree with you but these are obviously fake images made thru PS(CS4)


Peace, Love!:apple:

[Schtumple]

The next Mini won't be horizontal in shape, its going to stand up, like a "tower".

And be called the xMac?

This doesn't make any sense, if anything, it's going to vaguly resemble the :apple:tv and stay horizontal...

[Luftwaffles]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpg

I would love to see a mini like this! It would definitely have to be taller though... there is no way a HD and DVD drive would fit in there simultaneously. If they made something like that but made it the height of the current mini and incorporated a 3.5 inch drive, that would be a winner for sure. The magsafe even makes sense for use with the new cinema display. They better have something good in the works after making people wait so long for an update... and hopefully it'll be along these lines.

I dunno, Apple has pulled off bigger miracles... the MBA, specifically. Granted it didn't have a DVD drive, but if they can fit everything in a package that small, God knows what they could do with even more time and effort.

[SFStateStudent]

I'm leaning towards the Aluminum casing and I also doubt that they would place a glowing Apple logo on top...

[Digital Skunk]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpg

Worst mockup ever! Garbage through and through. And did I mention lazy?

Serously, I doubt Apple will take the side of a MacBook and paint it black and call it a Mac Mini.

It should look something like this:

[sporadicMotion]

I dunno, Apple has pulled off bigger miracles... the MBA, specifically. Granted it didn't have a DVD drive, but if they can fit everything in a package that small, God knows what they could do with even more time and effort.

The entire case is the size of the DVD drive. Add a logic board and a HD? No way man, it'd have to be taller... I'd put money on it. You also have to think in terms of horizontal space... not vertical. If they made it wider than that (a good deal wider) then it would work at that height.

[NyMetsFan08]

Macworld 2009 Rundown:
1.) Snow Leopard Preview and a Release Date.
2.) New Mac Mini's- (Case Slightly Changed) or new name.
3.) Possibility of a Nvidia iMac Update an announcement.
4.) Talk about sales and hows everything going movie rentals etc.
5.) Possibility of something big no one heard of a new product from Apple.

[Tallest Skil]

5.) Possibility of something big no one heard of a new product from Apple.

Yeah, right.

[NyMetsFan08]

Yeah, right.
hey you never know tallest skill??? what if it a new apple product or something. Unless you work for apple then maybe you might know but I highly doubt that.

[Digital Skunk]

hey you never know tallest skill??? what if it a new apple product or something. Unless you work for apple then maybe you might know but I highly doubt that.

No... sorry. I am with Tallest. The only new Apple product the company needs is a headless mini tower.

They are selling out of laptops like hotcakes and they are $1200 and up. So no need for a netbook.

So that only leaves desktops and there's a need for that mini tower 100%.

[NyMetsFan08]

No... sorry. I am with Tallest. The only new Apple product the company needs is a headless mini tower.

They are selling out of laptops like hotcakes and they are $1200 and up. So no need for a netbook.

So that only leaves desktops and there's a need for that mini tower 100%.
Yea i know i was just joking haha. It going to be Mini and iMac.

[Digital Skunk]

Yea i know i was just joking haha. It going to be Mini and iMac.

I am hoping it's a new line of Pro ACDs with 30 bit panels. With 24" and 30" prices starting at $1,999.

We can all dream. :D

[specialbuddy]

No... sorry. I am with Tallest. The only new Apple product the company needs is a headless mini tower.

They are selling out of laptops like hotcakes and they are $1200 and up. So no need for a netbook.

So that only leaves desktops and there's a need for that mini tower 100%.

Mini tower would be great but I don't think it will happen.

[yoyo5280]

I want an update to the mini and all, but what about the macpro it looks so dated.

[gkarris]

I have never laugh so hard in my entire life!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLbJ8YPHwXM&eurl=http://9to5mac.com/

Thanks for the link... THAT IS AWESOME!!! :D

[alphaod]

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/666/miniua0.jpg

How about this one?

Hell, I'd buy that!

In the first image they forgot to remove the LCD when they photoshopped it :)

Could just be the lid to make accessing the innards more easy because we know Apple loves to make it easy for users to fix.

[gkarris]

http://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini3/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini/web.jpghttp://gallery.me.com/christinefryers/100122/Macmini2/web.jpg

You forgot to take out the Firewire and Ethernet Ports.... :eek:

(*runs and hides....*)

:D

[PVguy]

"Why not buy the Mac Book and have the best of both worlds?"

But it's not the best of both worlds. Laptops have inferior keyboards, inferior pointing devices, inferior displays, and vastly, hugely inferior hard drives, a weakness the mini shares. And you have to pay for an unneeded battery to boot.

There is an existing mini hard hack to bring the internal Sata port out to an external drive. If I was actually using mine outside the stereo cabinet I probably would do it. I'm not CPU bound, which is why I still have my dual processor Quicksilver 2002 as my main machine.

The mini (as a desktop) could expand to 7.7" by 7.7" by 7.7" (cube II?) and fit very well, as well as matching the Time Capsule. (Time Capsule is about 1.5", so you could even arrange for the stack to could come out to 7.7".) In fact, put an Esata port on both and you have a great home server system. Even Firewire 800 would be fast enough for most current hard drives.

Buy the way; some of you are driving me crazy;

Shinny
another term for shin : : he loved to shinny up that tree.

Shiny
reflecting light, typically because very clean or polished

Definitions available from Applications/Dictionary.

[Tallest Skil]

You forgot to take out the Firewire and Ethernet Ports.... :eek:

He... didn't forget to take out FireWire.

[Digital Skunk]

Mini tower would be great but I don't think it will happen.

Same here.

You forgot to take out the Firewire and Ethernet Ports.... :eek:

(*runs and hides....*)

:D

As well as the magsafe power adaptor, and the rubber feet at the bottom.

[gkarris]

He... didn't forget to take out FireWire.

LOL...

Leave it up to an average "Joe" like me to try to plug in a Firewire drive and wonder - WHERE DO YOU PLUG THE HDMI CABLE IN? :eek:

:D

[sporadicMotion]

Worst mockup ever! Garbage through and through. And did I mention lazy?

Serously, I doubt Apple will take the side of a MacBook and paint it black and call it a Mac Mini.

It should look something like this:

It should look like a Dell? Uhhhhh...

[pcm128]

Curious - has anyone ever considered the fact that Apple could keep the *same* form factor for the Mac mini, and just upgrade the internals and ports on the back?

Not that I think that's what Apple would do, but I find the current design better than most of the mockups floating around here...

[Schtumple]

Curious - has anyone ever considered the fact that Apple could keep the *same* form factor for the Mac mini, and just upgrade the internals and ports on the back?

Not that I think that's what Apple would do, but I find the current design better than most of the mockups floating around here...

No, I agree with that, I'm guessing we'll see a colour change (white top to black glass/glossy top), bumped specs, but that's about it. I can't see apple spending alot of money on R&D for the Mac Mini...

[Mr. Giver '94]

I love how they think people will believe this because it's taken from the Apple website. It's just a scrunched pic of the new MB. :D:D


If you go to the gallery you can tell it's the side view pic.


I agree that with the new one (assuming there is one) there will be a color change to the black.

[Maxime]

thinness is completely useless and just makes the computer less powerful, less expandable, and more expensive. Same with the iMac.

Sounds like something Apple would do to me. ;)

[Digital Skunk]

It should look like a Dell? Uhhhhh...

Yes!

It could look like the Beige G3 for all I care but it would be nice to have a mini tower that isn't made from laptop parts, with actual quad core processors and such.

[darklighter]

What Apple should do is obviously upgade the internals of the mini and keep them at their $599 and $799 price points. Then offer a low end Mac Pro at $1299. That would satisify those mid-tower complaints and fill that void.

Neither machine needs any real physical changes besides perhaps some black and glass changes to make them fall in line with the other macs.

[iDave]

Neither machine needs any real physical changes besides perhaps some black and glass changes to make them fall in line with the other macs.
I disagree. I think the Mac Pro is much too large. It was designed for very hot G5 processors. A nice, mid Mac could be made that doesn't take up half of your apartment like the Mac Pro, but would allow for a couple of hard drives, a PCI slot or two and the normal stuff you'd expect to see in a computer.

[sporadicMotion]

Yes!

It could look like the Beige G3 for all I care but it would be nice to have a mini tower that isn't made from laptop parts, with actual quad core processors and such.

I love the look of the beige G3. I agree on the components. I would like to see a modernized Pro style tower but with lets say the top 6 inches cut off and desktop class processors. That would be ideal.

[Theophany]

Use your noodles people, the majority of the new Mac minis will be sold with Snow Leopard. Apple are massively invested in the new OpenCL technology, so it would be a regressive step to use an integrated (crap) graphics chipset that wouldn't be able to massively take advantage of that new technology.

It would make sense especially for the Mac mini to have the 9400M (or better) chipset to add to the processing power that is weaker than the iMac in order to bolster it's performance.

Yes, the mini is an 'entry-level' Mac, but remember, Apple don't do 'budget' products. I don't think there is any reason to expect anything less than an nVidia graphics chipset on the new minis (if they're coming, don't want to jinx it - I'd love a new mini!!!) :D

[MattInOz]

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/666/miniua0.jpg (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=miniua0.jpg)
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/miniua0.jpg/1/w765.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img523/miniua0.jpg/1/)

How about this one?

I think you mixed up your spy shots
Thats the :apple:TV

[Schtumple]

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/666/miniua0.jpg

How about this one?

I think you mixed up your spy shots
Thats the :apple:TV

:apple:TV Tech specs (http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html)

http://images.apple.com/appletv/images/specs_dimensions20080925.gif

I don't see an optical drive in there... do you?

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/158723/Hosting%20Folder/Facepalm.jpg

[yoyo5280]

<snipo>

I don't see an optical drive in there... do you?



Or a center glow light...somebody needs some glasses.

[Albuerum]

No really - what I'd love to see is a Mac Mini (or any other small Mac for that matter) with a tiny medium-resolution screen, say 7-10". I'd use this solely for playing music through external speakers using iTunes' great interface. The only way to play music today is with a MacBook or iMac (expensive and over-spec'd) or an iPod (tiny screen and no iTunes interface).
Give me a weak 9" iMac @ say $300 and I'll buy two!

PS: My first post here - Weeee!
It reminded me of the "Sega" TreamCast (http://www.superufo.com/review_html/Review_of_Portable_Treamcast.html).
Imagine how crazy that would be.... a Mac Mini with little pop-up LCD display. It could be Apple's answer to the NetBook crowd haha.. :D

[dwl017]

Dear God!

Please let this da-- new Mini or what ever it is going to be called come out soon so we can move on to the next two years of threads complaining about the new model and what it lacks etc...

[Tallest Skil]

Dear God!

Please let this da-- new Mini or what ever it is going to be called come out soon so we can move on to the next two years of threads complaining about the new model and what it lacks etc...

Or you could just ignore these threads if they bother you.

[Cole Slaw]

My guess is that Apple will make the next Mini 3 mm thick, drop the optical drive and ALL ports except a new "Super Mini-Displayport".
Only Apple will have a monitor that will be able to use the new displayport, and that monitor will cost $1200.

[Tallest Skil]

My guess is that Apple will make the next Mini 3 mm thick, drop the optical drive and ALL ports except a new "Super Mini-Displayport".
Only Apple will have a monitor that will be able to use the new displayport, and that monitor will cost $1200.

Micro DisplayPort, you mean. Modeled after the very-short-lived Micro DVI in the Early 2008 MacBook Air.

[queshy]

Yes!

It could look like the Beige G3 for all I care but it would be nice to have a mini tower that isn't made from laptop parts, with actual quad core processors and such.

It would be nice, but we know that probably won't happen in our lifetime.

Edit: Wow, I just realized I now have 3000 posts. time flies!

[MattInOz]

:apple:TV Tech specs (http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html)

http://images.apple.com/appletv/images/specs_dimensions20080925.gif

I don't see an optical drive in there... do you?

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/158723/Hosting%20Folder/Facepalm.jpg

nope no optical drive on the old one.
or a glowing Apple
but things don't always stay as they were.
after all Laptops are the only ones to have the glowing apple so far and here we have some form of desktop.

So it's really up for grabs hey?

AppleTV would be a nice place to start Blu-Ray support...

[dwl017]

Or you could just ignore these threads if they bother you.

They don't bother me at all I enjoy the site and the entertainment value.

Its a free forum open to the public stop defending every thread. Its just my opinion I didn't ask for a response or for anyone to agree. Mac Rumors is made up of millions of threads do you have to comment every time someone just makes a simple statement that might go against the grain.

I did not single out anyone or break any of forum rules ....

[Tallest Skil]

nope no optical drive on the old one.
or a glowing Apple
but things don't always stay as they were.
after all Laptops are the only ones to have the glowing apple so far and here we have some form of desktop.

So it's really up for grabs hey?

If they're planning on building a display into the bottom of the Mac Mini to display downward and have the Apple on top be translucent to catch the LED backlight of the display, then sure, this will happen.

[Cole Slaw]

I don't care about no stinkin' optical drives, ports, or whether or not they actually make the Mini a usable computer.
As long as it has the glowing apple.

[Tallest Skil]

Its a free forum open to the public

It's actually a private forum. We have rules and can ban those who don't follow them.

Its just my opinion I didn't ask for a response or for anyone to agree.

That doesn't sound like a very forumy forum, then.

I did not single out anyone or break any of forum rules ....

I'm glad. But if you're going to state the obvious (moving to the whiners portion of the cycle), expect the obvious to be stated back. :D

[Octorox]

The all new Mac Mini

It will look like a fattened :apple:TV but with an optical drive, an aluminum top and a glowing apple logo.

It will have 4 USB Ports, full sized Display-port (not mini-Display-port) that carries audio and video. It will have one FW800 port and no FW400. It will have audio line-in and out, gigabit ethernet and built in stereo speakers. The power adapter will not be magsafe but there will be an internal power supply.

Length: 7.7” (up from 6.5")
Width: 7.7” (up from 6.5")
Height: 1.8” (down from 2")

$599
2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
160GB 2.5” HDD
8x SuperDrive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M

Upgrades:
250GB HDD $100
320GB HDD $200
128GB SSD $600
4GB RAM $100
BD-ROM Combo Drive $200

$799
2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
250GB 2.5” HDD
8x SuperDrive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M

Upgrades:
320GB HDD $100
128 GB SSD $500
4 GB RAM $100
BD-ROM Combo Drive $200

[iDave]

The all new Mac Mini

It will look like a fattened :apple:TV but with an optical drive, an aluminum top and a glowing apple logo.

It will have 4 USB Ports, full sized Display-port (not mini-Display-port) that carries audio and video. It will have one FW800 port and no FW400. It will have audio line-in and out, gigabit ethernet and built in stereo speakers. The power adapter will not be magsafe but there will be an internal power supply.0
Interesting predictions. I'd predict most of this is wrong. No glowing logo. Mini-DisplayPort. No Firewire. Mono speaker as always. Magsafe power so it'll work beautifully with the new Apple display.

I'd guess your other detailed specs are about right but I predict prices of $699 and $899. :)

[Cole Slaw]

The all new Mac Mini

It will look like a fattened :apple:TV but with an optical drive, an aluminum top and a glowing apple logo.

It will have 4 USB Ports, full sized Display-port (not mini-Display-port) that carries audio and video. It will have one FW800 port and no FW400. It will have audio line-in and out, gigabit ethernet and built in stereo speakers. The power adapter will not be magsafe but there will be an internal power supply.

Length: 7.7” (up from 6.5")
Width: 7.7” (up from 6.5")
Height: 1.8” (down from 2")

$599
2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
160GB 2.5” HDD
8x SuperDrive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M

Upgrades:
250GB HDD $100
320GB HDD $200
128GB SSD $600
4GB RAM $100
BD-ROM Combo Drive $200

$799
2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
250GB 2.5” HDD
8x SuperDrive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M

Upgrades:
320GB HDD $100
128 GB SSD $500
4 GB RAM $100
BD-ROM Combo Drive $200
Can you be a little more specific in your predictions about the new Mini?

[Octorox]

Can you be a little more specific in your predictions about the new Mini?

lol. I tend to be a bit obsessive...

[Octorox]

Interesting predictions. I'd predict most of this is wrong. No glowing logo. Mini-DisplayPort. No Firewire. Mono speaker as always. Magsafe power so it'll work beautifully with the new Apple display.

I'd guess your other detailed specs are about right but I predict prices of $699 and $899. :)
You might be right about magsafe but that would be a pain if you accidentally tripped on the cord and the computer shut off. perhaps they could make the port the same without the actual "magsafe" aspect of it? BD-ROM is wishful thinking on my part. Mini-Displayport would make no sense, It's not like this thing would be 1" thick. It would definitely have enough room to carry full-sized Displayport. Apple should just provide an adapter. And as for the new LCD, what about BYOMKB?

[iDave]

You might be right about magsafe but that would be a pain if you accidentally tripped on the cord and the computer shut off. perhaps they could make the port the same without the actual "magsafe" aspect of it? BD-ROM is wishful thinking on my part. Mini-Displayport would make no sense, It's not like this thing would be 1" thick. It would definitely have enough room to carry full-sized Displayport. Apple should just provide an adapter. And as for the new LCD, what about BYOMKB?
Tripping over a Magsafe cord would be no more of a problem than tripping over the power cord on the existing mini. They're both likely to come undone. But who leaves a desktop computer power cord where it's going to get tripped over?

1) When introducing the new MacBooks, Steve Jobs said all new products will come with mini-DisplayPort. 2) If indeed Apple plans to use Magsafe power on the mini so it'll work nicely with the new display; well, the new display requires mini-Display port. Confirmed! :D

The adapter included, if there is one, will be mini-DisplayPort to DVI.

[aaquib]

The all new Mac Mini

It will look like a fattened :apple:TV but with an optical drive, an aluminum top and a glowing apple logo.

It will have 4 USB Ports, full sized Display-port (not mini-Display-port) that carries audio and video. It will have one FW800 port and no FW400. It will have audio line-in and out, gigabit ethernet and built in stereo speakers. The power adapter will not be magsafe but there will be an internal power supply.

Length: 7.7” (up from 6.5")
Width: 7.7” (up from 6.5")
Height: 1.8” (down from 2")

$599
2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
160GB 2.5” HDD
8x SuperDrive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M

Upgrades:
250GB HDD $100
320GB HDD $200
128GB SSD $600
4GB RAM $100
BD-ROM Combo Drive $200

$799
2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 Memory
250GB 2.5” HDD
8x SuperDrive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M

Upgrades:
320GB HDD $100
128 GB SSD $500
4 GB RAM $100
BD-ROM Combo Drive $200

- I doubt Apple will give you the specs of the unibody MB for $700-$800 less.
- Blu-ray? That's a bag of hurt.
- I say mini-display port is a go.
- Magsafe will be adapted if they want it to be used with the new LED displays

[petermcphee]

I think magsafe: yes.
Blu-Ray: No, no, no.
Glowing Apple: Nope.
Mini Displayport: Yessir.

[iDave]

- Magsafe will be adapted if they want it to be used with the new LED displays
And that's a big "if." I think it's a good idea but since Apple seems to push the iMac over any of their other desktops, it would be out of character.

There's no question that a new mini with good specs, matched with the new 24" LED display, would be an elegant combination and would be a nice alternative to the iMac. (That's assuming one can justify buying Apple's overpriced glossy LED display.) Would Apple do it?

[63dot]

maybe "slightly" smaller at $449 with similar specs to now, and higher specs for $549

i love my mini

[iDave]

maybe "slightly" smaller at $449 with similar specs to now, and higher specs for $549
If the price was going to be reduced, Apple would have done that by now. No, the mini is selling plenty well at $599/799 and I expect the prices to go up, not down.

[Joe The Dragon]

Tripping over a Magsafe cord would be no more of a problem than tripping over the power cord on the existing mini. They're both likely to come undone. But who leaves a desktop computer power cord where it's going to get tripped over?

1) When introducing the new MacBooks, Steve Jobs said all new products will come with mini-DisplayPort. 2) If indeed Apple plans to use Magsafe power on the mini so it'll work nicely with the new display; well, the new display requires mini-Display port. Confirmed! :D

The adapter included, if there is one, will be mini-DisplayPort to DVI.
how about Full DP with a Full to mini and full to DL dvi.

[63dot]

If the price was going to be reduced, Apple would have done that by now. No, the mini is selling plenty well at $599/799 and I expect the prices to go up, not down.

That is also possible and that would be sad. But I remember buying my rev. a iBook for $1599 (CD-ROM, 3.2 gigabyte hard drive, single USB port, 32 megabytes of RAM, 300 megahertz G3 processor, rj-11 and rj-45 ports, and about six and a half pounds) and steadily saw it become more powerful, lighter in weight, and go down in price in its life cycle. What I would like to see is Apple's rendition of an Aspire One type of mini-laptop and Steve Jobs told Macworld that they would be "watching" that market. Who knows what that means since Apple watches a lot of things and probably develops things that never make the final cut.

One thing that hit be broadside and blew me away was the Macbook Air. I just didn't think making something that thin was possible or even requested. So a Mac mini half its current height similar to these mockups would be cool, but it's not as if I am that challenged for space for my desktop. The darn thing would get lost under some bills and junk mail. ;)

[three]

Do we honestly need a smaller Mac mini? The current Mac mini is tiny compared to the Mac Pro, and PC Towers.

[ziggyonice]

I'd bet money that it won't have an optical drive of any kind.

I still just don't know how I feel about Macs without optical drives. Yes, it really comes down to how much does one actually use it, but it seems like I'd like it there "just in case". I'm sure it's possible to do, not sure how the majority of customers would feel about that though.

If they take the optical drive out (which I wouldn't be surprised if they do), I'd like to see a Blu-Ray put into the AppleTV (which, once again, would probably never happen).