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2011 Mac Mini - Speculation
- Thread starter Nanker/Phelge
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John Lewis stock down to 1 and Comet have no stock at all plus PC World are low too. The only stores with stock for immediate dispatch now are Apple Stores.
Even though I'm hoping for a quad core, I would still see a leap in performance over my dual 2.0 ppc G5 PowerMac with your specs - but I'll take a 128GB ssd over the dvd please. Trying not to get my expectations too high.
Back to 2 on John Lewis now, that said shop stock does have a habit of varying a bit (for most stores)
Maybe an option to have the SSD as the primary boot device and the HDD for normal storage!
mind you the price would be bad
Maybe an option to have the SSD as the primary boot device and the HDD for normal storage!
mind you the price would be bad
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I don't see a DVD being a deal breaker for me - I have used my DVD drive on my Macbook a total of 5 times in 5 years. I download everything... and if I want a DVD burner - TB will pave that way for me sooner or later...
i7 with Radeon 4760 Graphics and 8GB RAM - SSD 256GB - Base for me...
i7 with Radeon 4760 Graphics and 8GB RAM - SSD 256GB - Base for me...
i7 with Radeon 4760 Graphics and 8GB RAM - SSD 256GB - Base for me...[/QUOTE]
With all due respect, "Good Luck with that"!
With all due respect, "Good Luck with that"!
Even though I'm hoping for a quad core, I would still see a leap in performance over my dual 2.0 ppc G5 PowerMac with your specs - but I'll take a 128GB ssd over the dvd please. Trying not to get my expectations too high.
dual core with four threads via hyperthreading will be fine. Quad core will be a bonus
None of this will happen.
We all know the sum of the changes is going to be Sandy Bridge i3 or i5 with Thunderbolt and that's about it.
In the event that Apple is feeling inspired they may do some slight rejiggering of the internals so that 12.5 mm drives (ie 1TB and 1.5TB size) are an option.
But that's about it and we all know it. Because simply put, for the use case of this computer, those changes will suffice to keep it selling. It's a pretty well designed unit as it is and not much has changed since it came out - this isnt really a max-out-the-specs type of platform. It does what it does well in a niche where size, sleekness and silence are what make it sell.
We all know the sum of the changes is going to be Sandy Bridge i3 or i5 with Thunderbolt and that's about it.
In the event that Apple is feeling inspired they may do some slight rejiggering of the internals so that 12.5 mm drives (ie 1TB and 1.5TB size) are an option.
But that's about it and we all know it. Because simply put, for the use case of this computer, those changes will suffice to keep it selling. It's a pretty well designed unit as it is and not much has changed since it came out - this isnt really a max-out-the-specs type of platform. It does what it does well in a niche where size, sleekness and silence are what make it sell.
I agree. More than likely an i3 with 500 gb.Would be a bonus if it came with the i5.
This.
Anyone waiting for a Mini refresh in the hope of i7/quad-core/SSD/etc - may as well save themselves the wait and go buy an iMac now.
Ya, well a lotta folks also been saying that anyone waiting for a MacPro or mini server refresh some time this year ought to just face the fact that there is no basis for any such Apple release before 2012. But, wait.. that was before a few new rumors broke out this month nevermind.
We can dream if we want and one thing I know is that considering the mind blowing performance of the 2011 iMacs (all quad cores btw, some dual quad chips) anything less than an i5 dual core multi threaded mini will be laughed out of the line-up by any but the most naive of Apple's customer base. Heck the MBA will have an i5 in it... and a ssd for $999.
Now that the first thunderbolt cables are available, soon daisy chaining an external gpu to two more external displays, also a viable option for we who want performance without a glossy screen or server grade priced parts... the mini would ultimately have to just man up or go the way of ATV.. (die or sell for $99)
you'd spend 50% more for a slightly faster CPU? the base MBP only has a dual core i5, if the mini had a dual core (4-thread) i3, it'd be pretty close in overall performance.
I didn't realize the i3 is close to the i5 in performance. It might be fine; will certainly blow the doors off C2D. The added benefit of a MBA is portability, which is pretty major.
ah, MBA - you said MBP in your post. If you're considering a MBA as an alternative then yes that has other benefits - and is more expensive still..
Has anyone even considered that apple might put the ULEV processors destined for the MBA in the mini, as well? They like touting how green it is, plus it will have several options. Plus, it would satisfy the fan boys by putting the latest and greatest mobile processors in the machine. This should help with heat issues, also.
And that will be more than enough for me - I will be ordering within minutes of release if those are the specs. Why people think they are going to see a powerful Mini is a mystery, it's marketed on style with a modicum of power, efficient use of energy and quietness.
If I were in the market for a more powerful Mac then I certainly would not be waiting for the Mini to get its upgrade. I think a lot of people are in for a big disappointment.
I'll eat my hat if the mini comes with anything less than an i5 processor.
My guess is that they'll come with the same 2.3GHz dual-core i5 and optional 2.7GHz dual-core i7 processors as Apple puts in the current 13" MBP.
My guess is that they'll come with the same 2.3GHz dual-core i5 and optional 2.7GHz dual-core i7 processors as Apple puts in the current 13" MBP.
.
We may have to consider if Apple wants to differentiate themselves from what is generic available in the market and how to leverage any gaps. When the Mini was initial released there were hardly any "silent" small form factor computers available suitable for music / home theatre etc.
Recent years has seen an increase in energy efficient computers with the Atom CPU being the more commonly known CPU and that market appears to be a growing at a steady rate. As an oldie I have slowly started to realise that it won't be that long until I no longer can buy CD's so I'm forced to put my CD collection onto some media server. Similarly like I no longer make slides (photo's) and had to migrate to digital photography.
If I (as an ex hard and software architect) had to make a decision on a change in the Mac Mini then I would target the HTPC market while keeping the present enclosure. Wouldn't want to start fiddling around with having to change the cooling system after having had to redesign the enclosure for last year's version. This would mean a mobile CPU, fast backbone and a Blue-ray player. Since HDD speed is not the prime objective yet low noise is I would put in a 5400 rpm 500Gb - 1Tb HDD and would put in decent graphics and audio 7.1 capability. It still stays a machine that is suitable for generic use however it starts to lean towards the HT stuff.
Perhaps this may also be viewed as taking another stab at the Apple TV audience, trying to swat two flies in one go.
If you use the mini as an HTPC you need the superdrive although an upgrade to a bluray/dvd drive combo would be nice.
I think we're about to see a Mini that is more similar to a screenless MacBook Air than a screenless MacBook Pro.
Cult of mac is now reporting that Lion will be released next Wednesday (7/6) at 9:00 AM PST
Anybody else starting to suspect we may see refreshed Macbook Airs, Minis, Mac Pros, and possibly macbooks all at the same time?
Anybody else starting to suspect we may see refreshed Macbook Airs, Minis, Mac Pros, and possibly macbooks all at the same time?