2.5 GB & 5 GB iPod Minis?

[MacRumors]

Seagate recently introduced a 1-inch 2.5 GB & 5 GB compact-flash interface hard drive for use in digital cameras and other small-size, large storage space devices. With a form factor the same as Hitachi's 4 GB model currently found in the iPod Mini, these new smaller and larger capacity hard drives may find thier way into the iPod Mini.

In an Reuters interview with Brian Dexheimer, head of worldwide sales and marketing for Seagate about the new drives whether Seagate is likely to be an additional provider of the mini hard drives to Apple, Dexheimer said: "We'd like to be. We're certainly talking to them about this product."

Hitachi is expected to increase production on the currently available 4 GB model to 2 million units per quarter by the end of the year in an attempt to catch up to consumer demand. Current wait times for an iPod Mini from the Apple Store are approximately 4 weeks or more. International release of the iPod Mini has also been delayed until production has increased to meet demand.

[gallagb]

more of the market goes to apple!

maybe i SHOULD buy stock.

question: will they get cheaper ?
(overall- not just the obvious of the 2.5 being cheaper than the 4)

also- isn't it dumb to have a 4 and a 5?

[SiliconAddict]

Originally Posted by gallagb

question: will they get cheaper ?

Ya right. Apple can't keep up with demand as it stands. Apple is going to milk this as long as they can. *shrugs* The mini is already pretty cheap. It would be nice if Apple COULD drop the price by $50 but I'm doubting that its going to happen.

[JGowan]

I think it should be:

2.5GB = $150
5GB = $250

[Windowlicker]

it would be cool if apple could upgrade the minis to 5Gb and maybe even lower the price for say $20..

with the current price tag it would be a good discount (especially when there would be a 1/4 bigger hard drive).

[Wonder Boy]

Originally Posted by gallagb

more of the market goes to apple!

maybe i SHOULD buy stock.

question: will they get cheaper ?
(overall- not just the obvious of the 2.5 being cheaper than the 4)

also- isn't it dumb to have a 4 and a 5?

it would make sense to eliminate the 4 in favor of the 5 just like they eliminated the 30 in favor of the 40. the proportians arn't exactly the same, but you get the idea.

to me, a 2.5 seems pointless as a music player. if it went into a apple digital camera, now that would be something.

[sabbath999]

Originally Posted by gallagb

question: will they get cheaper ?

Why on earth would apple reduce the price of something they can't keep in stock because it's selling so well?

If they had a bunch sitting on the shelf, they would consider it. Since they can't begin to keep up with demand, the question becomes (for them) is the price point too low?

[LeeTom]

Why would Apple switch suppliers, just to go up 1GB? Good luck Seagate, but it ain't gonna happen. Wait until their current supplier leapfrogs them by 3GB, and all iPod Minis will be 8GB next year.

Lee Tom

[takao]

not gonna happen soon
the ipod mini haven't been released in europe and there are already rumors about replacing it with new ones ?...highly doubt that in the near future

[nsb3000]

Originally Posted by JGowan

I think it should be:

2.5GB = $150
5GB = $250

I think it should be: 2.5 GB: $99
5 GB $199

[Spock]

Originally Posted by LeeTom

Why would Apple switch suppliers, just to go up 1GB? Good luck Seagate, but it ain't gonna happen. Wait until their current supplier leapfrogs them by 3GB, and all iPod Minis will be 8GB next year.

Lee Tom

But if Seagate could give Apple a lower price it could mean cheaper Minis or more money for Apple. I am sure Seagate has thoght of what You said and has a lower price than Hitachi

[soosy]

Originally Posted by LeeTom

Why would Apple switch suppliers, just to go up 1GB? Good luck Seagate, but it ain't gonna happen. Wait until their current supplier leapfrogs them by 3GB, and all iPod Minis will be 8GB next year.

Lee Tom

Because Hitachi can't make enough. If Hitachi is the bottleneck then it makes a lot of sense to find someone else who can supply more in volume. If Seagate was also making a 4GB, then they could use both, but it looks like they may have to decide who can make more...

On another note, my dad wanted to get an iPod mini for my mom on short notice. We ended up finding some in a department store (Strawbridge's), guessing it was a place people normally don't look. Then we were in Best Buy a few days laster and saw that they had some too. So hopefully availability isn't so bad....

[TWinbrook46636]

Not likely. Why?

A) It is only 3200rpm vs 4800 rpm
B) They just spilled the beans and Stevie don't like that

[BlueDjinn]

I presume the next iPod update will look something like:

2.5 GB Mini: $149 ("600 songs in your pocket!")
5.0 GB Mini: $250 ("1,200 songs in your pocket!")

20 GB: $299 (w/Mini-style buttons-on-wheel design)
40 GB: $399
60 GB: $499

[Mr.Hey]

Compact-flash baby! I hope Apple doesn't hesitate and works these little devices into the next rev models.

[MrMacMan]

Ahh, finally the cheaper iPods the people want.


Oh yes:

Add AM/FM Radio Already! COMEON!!

[nsb3000]

Originally Posted by TWinbrook46636

Not likely. Why?

A) It is only 3200rpm vs 4800 rpm
B) They just spilled the beans and Stevie don't like that

Apple is not the only company buying their product, so it is not like they can keep it secret. Also, I don't think 3200rpm will have a big impact when all you are doing is listening to music.

[nsb3000]

Originally Posted by MrMacman

Ahh, finally the cheaper iPods the people want.


Oh yes:

Add AM/FM Radio Already! COMEON!!

Ya...I agree here. This would not be hard to do...

[plastree]

I'm assuming Apple and Hitachi have forged some sort of contract, as Hitachi has stated that one of the reasons for the new plant is to supply the mini. It would be weird for Apple to release a 4 and 5 gig mini, so I'm guessing that for now, Seagate is out of the game.

[g4cubed]

Though I'm sure that they'll make their way into the minis. I think they may do a video recorder. The isight, with better opticals and a 5gig hd would be small, lightweight, and cheap.

[virividox]

oooo the 2.5 might just tempt me enough for my sisters bday

[soosy]

Originally Posted by TWinbrook46636

Not likely. Why?

A) It is only 3200rpm vs 4800 rpm
B) They just spilled the beans and Stevie don't like that

Does rpm make a difference if you're filling a cache anyway?

"We'd like to be. We're certainly talking to them about this product." isn't spilling the beans.

[sord]

I wonder if there will be a new rumor for new iPods everytime someone comes out with a new small sized hard drive.

[Windowlicker]

Originally Posted by Wonder Boy

to me, a 2.5 seems pointless as a music player. if it went into a apple digital camera, now that would be something.

you said it! :)) the camera could still be about the size of an ipod (maybe even ipod mini??) you know..

also it wouldn't be that surprising if they some day released one. they already have a great app for digital photos. don't know how competitive those cameras would be though. also 2.5Gb is pretty much for a customer product where 256mb or 512mb is enough. for a system camera 2,5gb would kick ass!

[BaDBoY]

thats excellent, if they continue to rise, i might consider getting a mini.