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Constrained Supplies Suggest Mac Mini Server and Mac Pro Server Headed for Refresh

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Apr 12, 2001
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According to 9 to 5 Mac, trusted source Mr. X has indicated that supplies of the server models of Apple's Mac mini and Mac Pro lines are officially listed as constrained, suggesting that Apple may be drawing down supplies ahead of a refresh.
In addition to OS X Lion, our sources are already expecting new MacBook Airs and Time Capsules fairly soon - due to supply shortages and now Mr. X tells 9to5Mac that Apple's Mac mini Server and Mac Pro Server are constrained with no shipment date yet in place for new models.
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Apple introduced the Mac mini server option, which substitutes a second hard drive for the usual optical drive, in late 2009. The Mac Pro server configuration debuted last November as the company announced the pending discontinuation of its Xserve rackmountable server. A report earlier this year indicated that Apple was developing a smaller, narrower Mac Pro that could be rackmounted, although much larger than the previous Xserve.

It seems reasonable to assume that the all models of the Mac mini and Mac Pro could see updates alongside refreshes of the server models, as the machines share the vast majority of their specs.

Article Link: Constrained Supplies Suggest Mac Mini Server and Mac Pro Server Headed for Refresh
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/06/09/constrained-supplies-suggest-mac-mini-server-and-mac-pro-server-headed-for-refresh/
Interested to see if there will be a rackable version of the MacPro now.
 
I'm interested in an airport extreme. I held off from buying one these past couple weeks.
 
A refresh of not just the server models, I would hope. We can probably expect the Mini to stay a bit behind the iMac in everything, including processor speed, I'd think. Otherwise it would approach "headless iMac" specs, which seems like something Apple would avoid. I'd expect a Thunderbolt port, though....

As for the Pro, what Intel chips would be used?
 
MacRumors said:
It seems reasonable to assume that the all models of the Mac mini and Mac Pro could see updates
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Exactly. It seems unlikely that only the server models would be updated. First because they are virtually identical to the non-server versions, and second because Apple will roll out Thunderbolt etc across the Mac line as soon as is practical.
 
TOYSTER17 said:
I'm interested in an airport extreme. I held off from buying one these past couple weeks.
Click to expand...

It'd be weird but interesting if an AirPort Extreme gained a Thunderbolt port... if only there were thunderbolt peripherals out there....
 
Many of the regulars in the Mac Pro forum here have pointed out that a Sandy Bridge equivalent processor won't be available until Q4 2011.

However, with Lion, Thunderbolt and Final Cut Pro right around the corner it would make sense in my opinion for a incremental refresh.
 
Why would it indicate a refresh at all?

With Apple stating that the only thing about the server software is that it is an incremental load on top of Lion, and it only costs 50 dollars instead of 500 dollars, then you need to update the line for pricing, even if hardware doesn't change at all.

Mini server should be 1 to 2 hundred more than regular mini at the most. Slight bit of money for faster processor, same small bit for 4 instead of 2 gigs of memory, 30 bucks for 500 gig hard drive instead of super-drive DVD drive (if not actually cheaper),and fifty bucks for server software.

Regular pricing has mini server as 300 dollar option with the improvements. I predict that they will narrow the gap to 150 dollars instead and make mini server for $750 with basically the same specs.

Of course I'd like to see a faster and quad processor, better graphics, more memory, and bigger hard drives, and ThunderBolt also, but I think that's all coming later in the fall.

Pretty much same story for Pro. I'd probably upgrade my hex for a faster processor and better graphics card, even though I'm not constrained by anything from a performance standpoint at the moment.

But I predict that the Pro is only a pricing change without moving hardware specs at this time. Maybe 3 or 6 months.
 
Hardware 'Servers' Being Discontinued

Anyone who has read Apple's own press materials on OSX Lion Server will notice that they are heavy on the "any mac can be a server" language. I think the server models are being discontinued as Apple tries to position the 'server' as less of a hardware implementation and more of a software implementation. This is why only the server versions of the more-or-less same hardware is constrained.
 
makkystyle said:
Anyone who has read Apple's own press materials on OSX Lion Server will notice that they are heavy on the "any mac can be a server" language. I think the server models are being discontinued as Apple tries to position the 'server' as less of a hardware implementation and more of a software implementation. This is why only the server versions of the more-or-less same hardware is constrained.
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I think we said the same thing, but you used a lot fewer words. Well done.
 
Since I can afford a Mac pro, am really hope for a quad core mini, or at least a 2 core/4 thread of at least 2.8 ghz. Otherwise, time to leave apple. Don't really need a pro but a single chip FULL size desktop (not a iMac) i7 would be awesome. Would save the pennies for this setup.
Have a sneaky suspicion apple may get new chips early again.
 
We'll need to see constrained supplies of the non-server models before we can expect an imminent refresh of the Mini and the Pro.

aurichie said:
17" MacBook Pro was sold out here earlier I think it's getting a refresh in the next few weeks too.
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17" MBP has been plagued with troubles with SATA III SSDs (though the MBP wasn't advertised as supporting SATA III). I don't know if this would mean they need to do a spec bump to it or not.

Constraining of supply doesn't necessarily indicate a refresh.
 
I'm up for new mac mini

If Apple put low end 15 Quad and decent graphics chip - I'd be out to get server model and link to a large RAID 1 system.

Come on Apple if you want my cash.
 
Been waiting for the new mini for a while now, they need to get things rolling.
 
mdgm said:
We'll need to see constrained supplies of the non-server models before we can expect an imminent refresh of the Mini and the Pro.


17" MBP has been plagued with troubles with SATA III SSDs (though the MBP wasn't advertised as supporting SATA III). I don't know if this would mean they need to do a spec bump to it or not.

Constraining of supply doesn't necessarily indicate a refresh.
Click to expand...

I think he was being sarcastic, haha... But I for one hope all these computers DO get a refresh. Especially the MacBook Air.
 
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