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Apple Releases New Sandy Bridge Mac Minis and Thunderbolt Display
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ADC? You must've missed Apple hyping DisplayPort for the last 3 years? Where did that port go?!?!?!?Hey Apple... how about leaving things on the mini I need, like a Superdrive, and leaving things off I don't, like Thunderbolt. Ya know, because the Apple ADC connector really took off. You still need to lower the price another $100 anyway.
So, I've been waiting for a new Mac Mini to be released. Initially, I used my 2010 as a media center in my living room, but recently pulled it out of there and put together a desktop workstation as my needs have changed.
Suspecting that the ODD would be pulled, I started ripping all of my media now, so the work would be done in time for the new machine--just in case. Really, it needed to be done anyway. I want to be able to stream my media to any TV in the house--which I can now do.
For me, the ODD won't be missed, but the faster processor and better graphics will be greatly appreciated. For those using the MM as a true media center, I can see how the ODD not being there would be a concern.
For those who intend to do that, I'd suggest getting the old model. It looks like the refurbs are selling for under $500, or I'm sure you can find deals on Craigslist or eBay in the coming weeks. The old one isn't as impressive spec-wise as the new model, but it's no slouch either. For a media center PC, it will do just fine.
For everyone else, remember that yesterday, the older and slower Mac Mini was $699 (with an ODD). Today, the entry level model is $599, and while it doesn't have the ODD (which quite a few people don't want or need anyway) it does have specs that match the entry level 13" MBP--which I also own and is consistently twice the speed of my C2D Mac Mini.
There's really nothing to complain about here, but it seems that some people just have little else to do.
I'm quite happy with the new specs, and will likely go for the i7 model because I'd like to keep it around for a few years.
Suspecting that the ODD would be pulled, I started ripping all of my media now, so the work would be done in time for the new machine--just in case. Really, it needed to be done anyway. I want to be able to stream my media to any TV in the house--which I can now do.
For me, the ODD won't be missed, but the faster processor and better graphics will be greatly appreciated. For those using the MM as a true media center, I can see how the ODD not being there would be a concern.
For those who intend to do that, I'd suggest getting the old model. It looks like the refurbs are selling for under $500, or I'm sure you can find deals on Craigslist or eBay in the coming weeks. The old one isn't as impressive spec-wise as the new model, but it's no slouch either. For a media center PC, it will do just fine.
For everyone else, remember that yesterday, the older and slower Mac Mini was $699 (with an ODD). Today, the entry level model is $599, and while it doesn't have the ODD (which quite a few people don't want or need anyway) it does have specs that match the entry level 13" MBP--which I also own and is consistently twice the speed of my C2D Mac Mini.
There's really nothing to complain about here, but it seems that some people just have little else to do.
I'm quite happy with the new specs, and will likely go for the i7 model because I'd like to keep it around for a few years.
I don't get why Apple is touting the TB port on the new Cinema Display. Doesn't the monitor have to be the last device in the TB chain?
And yes, I realize you can connect another ACD to this one through thunderbolt. That's not what the verbiage on the Apple website is talking about.
And yes, I realize you can connect another ACD to this one through thunderbolt. That's not what the verbiage on the Apple website is talking about.
No.
A DisplayPort monitor has to be last in the chain. It has no TBolt port, so you cannot connect anything to it.
A Thunderbolt monitor can be anywhere in the chain. It has an "output" TBolt port to connect to the next device in the chain.
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I would think that it would come supplied with the cable. Ie like the current SuperDrive.
If there is such a 'docking' solution in the back of the new displays then surely a stand alone TB multi-uni hub isn't far off the horizon.
kriebe said:
I would think that it would come supplied with the cable. Ie like the current SuperDrive.
If there is such a 'docking' solution in the back of the new displays then surely a stand alone TB multi-uni hub isn't far off the horizon.
Apple to apples equipment package. Plus with the mini you end up with a much inferior processor, inferior graphics, less ports and no monitor. Duplicitous?
You mean Mini DisplayPort? It made an appearance on Toshiba, Dell, HP, and Lenovo notebooks. And then it evolved into the ThunderBolt connector.
Wow, that's extremely bad marketing. Why on earth would you create any TB device without a passthrough port on it?
Hey 90's boy, I have about 600 Cd's sitting on my shelves at home, but I haven`t touched them in about two years. I occasionally do still use a thing called a 'DVD player' that I bought dirt cheap years ago..they must be giving them away in cereal boxes by now, but hopefully as time goes on even that need will slowly be decreased.
In other words the future has arrived, (you just weren't paying attention).
I also do not expect Apple to let me play all my Zip drives/floppy discs/ VHS/cassette tapes/Betamax/8 tracks/Vinyl/78's /or illuminated manuscripts...
You could handle setting up a DVD player, could you?
Oh and I guess you haven't learned that posting 'Epic and Fail' with the launch of any new Apple product will only lead to humbling humiliation a few weeks down the line. As witnessed when the iPod/ iPhone / iPad all came out
.... Saying that though, it does provide lots of laughs to others, so...
Do you not see the irony in talking about 'the arrogance of Steve Jobs' because he hasn't done exactly what you want him to do?
obviously not ...
pity ...
With the loss of the opitcal drive on the macmini, the machine have lost it's appeale. I mean, I was waiting for it to get a blu-ray player, now it's just anyother media-center.
And this is just the beginning is it not? Soon apple will remove the optical drive from all it's machines because: "We don't need it, buy our products, it's easy" begins to sound like Crusty the Clown.
Great Apple, you think the future will be without disks, good for you. But untill then I want the OS I love to run formats I got my files and movies on. And yeah, a blu-ray drive in the OS would have been great, but now we can forget that because we have to buy and download the movies on the net, sorry stream them. Well good for USA, how about opening that store in Norway to before you make it a standard???
And this is just the beginning is it not? Soon apple will remove the optical drive from all it's machines because: "We don't need it, buy our products, it's easy" begins to sound like Crusty the Clown.
Great Apple, you think the future will be without disks, good for you. But untill then I want the OS I love to run formats I got my files and movies on. And yeah, a blu-ray drive in the OS would have been great, but now we can forget that because we have to buy and download the movies on the net, sorry stream them. Well good for USA, how about opening that store in Norway to before you make it a standard???
I really don't see why people are so in favor of ditching optical drives. Theres countless legitimate reasons to still want an optical drive and why it should still be included, especially given Apple's inflated pricing.
Let's talk about home movies and pictures. The best way to share the video you shot of a family member's birthday party or wedding is by burning it to optical disc that can play in a DVD player, then burning multiple copies to give to everyone. Not everyone wants to fire up youtube and wait for it to slowly load on their tiny computer screen. Same with pictures. One of the neat things about iPhoto is the ability to export slideshows as a video, which can then be burned to optical disc. Or edited into other video using iMovie, which can then be burned to disc. Again, not everyone wants to watch video on youtube huddled around a computer screen.
And what about movies? College students, one of Apple's biggest markets, use their computers as their primary source of entertainment. iTunes rentals don't even come close to the quality of DVD, not even the overly compressed 720p "HD" movies. And iTunes rentals and purchases are significantly more expensive than DVD (and blu-ray) rentals and purchases.
Backing up data? DVD-Rs are still the cheapest per gigabyte method of backup or transferring data. High quality blank DVD-Rs can be had for as little as 10 to 15 cents each. Thats 438GB of data for about $15. Where else can you find that amount of storage for so cheap? Some people say "Flash drives", yeah but they're not nearly as cheap. Plus if I need to make some copies of files for someone, I don't need to ever have to worry about saying "you know that flash drive I gave you? Yeah, can I have it back" since CD-R and DVD-R media is basically meant to be given away.
Not only that, but optical discs are still significantly faster than internet connections. I have 30Mbps down and buying a game from Steam takes ages compared to driving to the store, buying the disc, and installing the game from the disc. A good example is The Orange Box. I have the retail boxed copy. One time I was reinstalling Windows and decided to see how long it'd take to install it from Steam. It took the better portion of two hours to download and install the complete set. If I do it from the DVDs it takes 15 minutes.
Let's not forget that blu-ray burners are down below $100 now and blu-ray blanks can be had for a couple of dollars per disc. Thats 25GB for just a couple of dollars.
This isn't like when Apple killed the floppy drive. Floppy disks were outdated at that point. CD writers were widely available, DVD writers were becoming available, Zip disks were a better deal per MB.
But as of now, optical discs are still extremely important and blu-ray is still growing. Internet connection speeds are not fast enough to keep up with certain tasks, a lot of internet connections are capped and theres nothing that can be done about that aside from moving to a different area with different internet providers.
Making the optical drive a mandatory additional purchase is just Apple proving what I have said for years now, that Apple has nothing but contempt for their customers and only cares about finding ways to extract more money than anything else.
Let's talk about home movies and pictures. The best way to share the video you shot of a family member's birthday party or wedding is by burning it to optical disc that can play in a DVD player, then burning multiple copies to give to everyone. Not everyone wants to fire up youtube and wait for it to slowly load on their tiny computer screen. Same with pictures. One of the neat things about iPhoto is the ability to export slideshows as a video, which can then be burned to optical disc. Or edited into other video using iMovie, which can then be burned to disc. Again, not everyone wants to watch video on youtube huddled around a computer screen.
And what about movies? College students, one of Apple's biggest markets, use their computers as their primary source of entertainment. iTunes rentals don't even come close to the quality of DVD, not even the overly compressed 720p "HD" movies. And iTunes rentals and purchases are significantly more expensive than DVD (and blu-ray) rentals and purchases.
Backing up data? DVD-Rs are still the cheapest per gigabyte method of backup or transferring data. High quality blank DVD-Rs can be had for as little as 10 to 15 cents each. Thats 438GB of data for about $15. Where else can you find that amount of storage for so cheap? Some people say "Flash drives", yeah but they're not nearly as cheap. Plus if I need to make some copies of files for someone, I don't need to ever have to worry about saying "you know that flash drive I gave you? Yeah, can I have it back" since CD-R and DVD-R media is basically meant to be given away.
Not only that, but optical discs are still significantly faster than internet connections. I have 30Mbps down and buying a game from Steam takes ages compared to driving to the store, buying the disc, and installing the game from the disc. A good example is The Orange Box. I have the retail boxed copy. One time I was reinstalling Windows and decided to see how long it'd take to install it from Steam. It took the better portion of two hours to download and install the complete set. If I do it from the DVDs it takes 15 minutes.
Let's not forget that blu-ray burners are down below $100 now and blu-ray blanks can be had for a couple of dollars per disc. Thats 25GB for just a couple of dollars.
This isn't like when Apple killed the floppy drive. Floppy disks were outdated at that point. CD writers were widely available, DVD writers were becoming available, Zip disks were a better deal per MB.
But as of now, optical discs are still extremely important and blu-ray is still growing. Internet connection speeds are not fast enough to keep up with certain tasks, a lot of internet connections are capped and theres nothing that can be done about that aside from moving to a different area with different internet providers.
Making the optical drive a mandatory additional purchase is just Apple proving what I have said for years now, that Apple has nothing but contempt for their customers and only cares about finding ways to extract more money than anything else.
Calling all peripheral makers:
Put an optical drive and a decent sized HDD in an enclosure that matches (and can stack with) the new mini and you've got a sale. Otherwise my desk is going to get mighty cluttered with all these extra boxes and cables hanging out of my mini.....
Put an optical drive and a decent sized HDD in an enclosure that matches (and can stack with) the new mini and you've got a sale. Otherwise my desk is going to get mighty cluttered with all these extra boxes and cables hanging out of my mini.....
Most of us digitized our cd/dvd collection years ago. We use something called media streaming to provide a/v media to peripherals of our choice these days. Our car stereos are also usb equipped.
Don't worry though if you are stuck in the dark ages- there will be countless disc burners and drives sold dirt cheap as the technology nears EOL.
Current mini space is more efficiently used without relics of yesterday included.
Don't worry though if you are stuck in the dark ages- there will be countless disc burners and drives sold dirt cheap as the technology nears EOL.
Current mini space is more efficiently used without relics of yesterday included.
I mean this in good humour...
"It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change."
— Charles Darwin
Ive had my Macbook Pro for 5 months now, I think I have used the optical drive once or twice... I think they have become obsolete, (not to everyone obviously, but to the majority of users) I would much prefer having a larger battery or a second SSD HD and just having an external optical drive. Thats just my opinion.
"It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change."
— Charles Darwin
Ive had my Macbook Pro for 5 months now, I think I have used the optical drive once or twice... I think they have become obsolete, (not to everyone obviously, but to the majority of users) I would much prefer having a larger battery or a second SSD HD and just having an external optical drive. Thats just my opinion.
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I think the most interesting thing to see going forward with this no optical drive philosophy is how Apple decides to re-design the MacBook Pro
Without a baseline MacBook , will they drop the "Pro"?
Will they keep the optical drive?
I don't mind if they do but I would like to see a 64gig SSD for the OS and the space gained from loss of an optical drive to be used for a 1.5 TB HDD
Now that would be "Pro"
Without a baseline MacBook , will they drop the "Pro"?
Will they keep the optical drive?
I don't mind if they do but I would like to see a 64gig SSD for the OS and the space gained from loss of an optical drive to be used for a 1.5 TB HDD
Now that would be "Pro"
The thing is, there's 2 sorts of change :
- Change for the sake of change
- Change for the better
What we have here, with optical drives, is a "change for the sake of change" scenario. Optical media offers superior quality and storage to "download and store on a hard drive", that's just how it is. Optical media can be had in archive quality and even then, I have original pressed CDs from the 1980s that still play as if they were brand new (of course, I'm careful with optical media unlike most kids that were never taught how to handle them).
Until downloads catch up to the quality offered by optical media (we're getting there with lossless music) then we can't really go into the "Change for the better" territory that makes your Darwin quote relevant.
Until then, I'll stick to Blu-ray for movies tyvm. Anyway, it's not like downloads and streaming is a new concept or anything, just a different way of doing things. I've been into downloads since the 90s and that's how you used to install Linux/BSD anyway. This isn't "new!" nor is it a "revolutionary change!". It's just an old concept being now embraced by Apple (about damn time).
simple - it's a DisplayPort device, not a TBolt device
The Cinema Display is not a TBolt device, it has no output port, and must be the last device.
The TBolt display *is* a TBolt device, and has the output port, and can be anywhere.
The Cinema Display is not a TBolt device, it has no output port, and must be the last device.
The TBolt display *is* a TBolt device, and has the output port, and can be anywhere.
I think that its a pretty weak effort from Apple and have to pretty much agree with this post. They could have chosen to design the mini differently but they chose to go with the thin route. With a different design they could have kept the OD and even added a discrete card. Rather than making things easier I think this goes against the philosophy of making things easier and if it spreads to the other machines I would still say it is too soon.
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I was just trying to be humours, I was not trying to prove a point with that quote.
I agree with you, the quality is not the same, and a hardcopy is always good. I have a large collection of cds and dvds. I love them, but i just don't need the optical drive in my computer. Also the internet is not ready for everything to become digitalised... (I live in Australia and the internet speeds are slow and and our downloads are massively limited)
It makes more sense to me to include something that will be used every time I turn on my computer. e.g. a larger battery (longer battery life) a second HD (more space for my PT mixes) SSD HD for the OS etc etc. If some of these were included, then the 'space' would be used daily as opposed to every 3 months or so... This is just my opinion.
Oh don't get me wrong, if you've seen my posts in these threads, I'm the first to say "USB optical drive, non-issue!" to most post crying over the fact that there's no internal optical drive anymore.
I just don't think it's an either or scenario here. Apple is pushing hard for this "change" but it's hardly for the better and obviously, the option is still there for those who prefer optical media. If only Apple would at least implement the software portions that are lacking for Blu-ray (without shipping drives), then all would be good in the world and everyone would have their option.