Apple Once Prototyped a Mac Mini With an iPod Dock

[MacRumors]

Twitter user @DongleBookPro has today shared images of a prototype first-generation Mac mini with a built-in dock for an iPod nano.

The images show a first-generation Mac mini with a 30-pin dock connector cutout on the top for an iPod nano. Otherwise, the computer appears to be virtually identical to the version that came to market in 2005. These types of docks were more commonly seen on speakers at the time, such as Apple's iPod Hi-Fi that was released in 2006.

The 30-pin connector was never directly implemented on computers, with a cable required for syncing. It is therefore intriguing to discover that Apple was seriously considering adding an iPod dock to the Mac, starting with the Mac mini in 2005.

According to the Twitter user who shared these photos, the project was scrapped internally before it saw the "light of day." Given that the size and shape of the iPod nano changed consistently over the years, this Mac mini would have only been compatible with the first and perhaps second generation of the music player.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1297293473352003584

@DongleBookPro regularly posts images of unreleased Apple devices and prototypes. Earlier this month, they revealed images of an unreleased first-generation iPod touch prototype with a 2013 Mac Pro-style glossy black finish.

Article Link: Apple Once Prototyped a Mac Mini With an iPod Dock

 

[farewelwilliams]

That one night when Jony Ive drank a little too much

 

[TSE]

That one night when Jony Ive drank a little too much

"Steve.... STEVE.... look!"

"Jonny, what is this monstrosity!?!?! Jesus christ, I just got here and it's 6am on a Monday... have you been here all weekend?!"

"Steve... Steve!!!"

"What Jonny?!"

"It eliminates a cable!"

 

[and 1989 others]

I had both of these devices when they where released, sans dock, they where fabulous little machines. Loved using them both. My first dabble with both apple and their ecosystem model

 

[Acidsplat]

That would have been really cool at the time

 

[iModFrenzy]

If they moved the port up a bit and gave more room so more iPods could dock(and iPhones when they released), I’d say it’d be perfect.

Wish this idea became a thing

 

[arn]

seems like they would have used the same sort of dock-inserts to accomodate multiple ipod sizes like for the iPod hifi

 

[WannaGoMac]

This reminds me of how good it was Apple decided to change from 30 pin to lightning port. I remember everyone whining about the change. How crazy would it be if we still we’re using that large limited interface? This is clearly a case where Apple did the right thing to Abandon a popular port when it’s time had come

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Given that the size and shape of the iPod nano changed consistently over the years, this Mac mini would have only been compatible with the first and perhaps second generation of the music player.

Bah, nonsense!

They could have easily sold a range of $99 fascias for every conceivable iPod/iPhone

 

[Techwatcher]

The groove should've been deeper and more centered. Can see this accidentally snapping off.

 

[JosephAW]

I just threw away all my 30 pin plastic dock adaptors I found in a box for my little dock.

 

[AngerDanger]

God, it’d be hilarious if your Mac could actually use the docked iPod’s display and clickwheel.

 

[satchmo]

When docks ruled the world. Now it's dongles.

 

[Realityck]

seems like they would have used the same sort of dock-inserts to accomodate multiple ipod sizes like for the iPod hifi

Oh the iPod Hi-Fi is one of those Steve Jobs fizzle products. Speakers too close together to create any realistic stereo sound. He said it would replace a good stereo system even showed a AVR. It deserved the equivalent of a tech razzy award.

They also removed all the good computer speakers in the Apple store to sell this albatross. Bah! LOL

 

[chucker23n1]

seems like they would have used the same sort of dock-inserts to accomodate multiple ipod sizes like for the iPod hifi

Yeah, but these photos show a connector that isn't even symmetrical. Clearly designed around the iPad nano 1G in particular.

(Assuming this is real at all.)

 

[Westside guy]

God, it’d be hilarious if your Mac could actually use a docked iPod’s display and clickwheel.

Made me think of this... although the thought of the Mini using that tiny display is even better.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

"Steve.... STEVE.... look!"

"Jonny, what is this monstrosity!?!?! Jesus christ, I just got here and it's 6am on a Monday... have you been here all weekend?!"

"Steve... Steve!!!"

"What Jonny?!"

"It eliminates a cable!"

You made this up. Apple would never eliminate a cable. Especially back then, when Apple was mainly a cable and dongle company.

 

[raf.be]

There were rumors in 2003 about a feature to move your OSX home-folder to your iPod (so that you can easily move it to another Mac). This actually makes a lot more a sense in combination with this Mac Mini with dock-connector ... See @ https://www.macrumors.com/2003/10/08/pulled-panther-feature-home-on-ipod/

 

[Westside guy]

There were rumors in 2003 about a feature to move your OSX home-folder to your iPod (so that you can easily move it to another Mac). This actually makes a lot more a sense in combination with this Mac Mini with dock-connector ... See @ https://www.macrumors.com/2003/10/08/pulled-panther-feature-home-on-ipod/

I have vague memories of this actually being possible with a jailbroken device.

Nowadays we've got tools like iCloud and git, so there's no need to carry the files around with you.

 

[Lebbeus1992]

It is undoubtedly a prototype/dummy test unit. If it had ever been put into production (it's only fair that it never was) it certainly wouldn't be stuck with the iPod nano: it would certainly have used the Universal Dock interface, which included a complete kit of iPod bays (also capable of docking the first iPhone-iPod Touch iterations too) depending on the model.

 

[Konstruktor]

Apple's notch avant la lettre! 🙃

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

With the iPod docked to the Mac Mini, it was able to boot into the full version of Mac OS X, complete with an entirely clickwheel controlled interface.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This actually looks pretty cool.

 

[rafark]

Looks awesome. Would’ve looked bad when no iPod was plugged though. Add a lid and it would’ve been a perfect Mac.

 

[Spock]

I couldn’t find the story, but I remember someone getting a Mac mini with headers for this. I could be thinking about something totally different.