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Feb 28th Products: Intel Mac mini and iPod Hi-Fi?
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I would like the Media Center to be a product of its own. Making a Mini that can do all these things would make it too expensive, nullifying Apple's entire reason for making the Mini; price. They can use the similar, small, sexy design, but they need to call it a different name. That way they don't have to feel guilty about putting high end hardware in the box. Please don't cripple your Media Center with the Mini name!
Here's what I am thinking...
https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41826&stc=1&d=1140912224
https://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41826&stc=1&d=1140912224
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How about this? The mini does NOT become a Media Center. Instead, it gets an IR reveiver and Front Row like every other Mac. The big news is that you can "stream" Front Row to a new AirPort-enabled device that plugs into your TV. From any Mac, not just a mini. This functionality, along with many other improvements, is delivered for free as Front Row 2.
This may have been brought up before - but maybe the mini will be striped down even further and be cheaper & more modular similar to home audio equipment.
Modular Mac Mini Concept - Prices came out of thin air so don't hold me to em'
$200 - CPU Unit (Processor, MoBo, Ram, & Video)
$50-$100 - HDD Unit (different capacities& speeds)
$50-$100 - Optical Unit (options)
$150-$300 - DVR Unit (adding additional video ins and outs)
All would be stackable similar to existing HDD enclosures for the mini.
I know it is far fetched but maybe.
Modular Mac Mini Concept - Prices came out of thin air so don't hold me to em'
$200 - CPU Unit (Processor, MoBo, Ram, & Video)
$50-$100 - HDD Unit (different capacities& speeds)
$50-$100 - Optical Unit (options)
$150-$300 - DVR Unit (adding additional video ins and outs)
All would be stackable similar to existing HDD enclosures for the mini.
I know it is far fetched but maybe.
Tv Recording
My Humax PVR records 40hrs of SD PAL to a 80gig HD - Tivo works similarly. DVcam compression is gives 3.6Mb/sec, so why couldn't a mac mini tivo killer record a tv signal to the hard drive and play out as a straight video signal to a telly - its just one extra connector. Problem is you're likely thrash the HD over time which means you'd be replacing your computers HD more regularly and thus increase the risk of data. If you want a system that does both I'd want two hard drives.[/QUOTE]
I am using Elgato EyeTV 410 and can save to HD 264. Ive been using it for over a year now and the quality is amazing
My Humax PVR records 40hrs of SD PAL to a 80gig HD - Tivo works similarly. DVcam compression is gives 3.6Mb/sec, so why couldn't a mac mini tivo killer record a tv signal to the hard drive and play out as a straight video signal to a telly - its just one extra connector. Problem is you're likely thrash the HD over time which means you'd be replacing your computers HD more regularly and thus increase the risk of data. If you want a system that does both I'd want two hard drives.[/QUOTE]
I am using Elgato EyeTV 410 and can save to HD 264. Ive been using it for over a year now and the quality is amazing
Di9it8 said:
A few questions:
1) Is the stream coming in High-Def?
2) Does your Mac do the encoding, or does the EyeTV do it?
3) How big are the resulting H.264 files?
4) What Mac are you using?
I'm curious to see what happens on your Mac, versus what people are saying the new Mini 'should be' or 'needs to have'.
Thanks!
AC/DC Feb 28th!!
Just got word from a friend in Cali that Apple is going to announce along with boombox, that AC/DC's entire catalog will be available on itunes and they will perform two songs on feb 28th!!!!!!!!!!
Just got word from a friend in Cali that Apple is going to announce along with boombox, that AC/DC's entire catalog will be available on itunes and they will perform two songs on feb 28th!!!!!!!!!!
Folks here are saying "Why have a TIVO killer app.Wouldn't it take away from the iTunes sales?"
No..
And here's why..
Recently we have seen a few "sneak preview" of shows not yet aired on television on iTunes.These were free..
Following me ?
What if...
iTunes started selling TV shows before they were aired on TV for $1.99
D/L the show and watch it before it's shown on television..Voila!!
Apple gets it's $1.99 and users get to record a show with the DVR..
No..
And here's why..
Recently we have seen a few "sneak preview" of shows not yet aired on television on iTunes.These were free..
Following me ?
What if...
iTunes started selling TV shows before they were aired on TV for $1.99
D/L the show and watch it before it's shown on television..Voila!!
Apple gets it's $1.99 and users get to record a show with the DVR..
hyperpasta said:
I think you've hit the nail on the head with that one.
I really really *really* hope they don't put DVR into the mini. If they spend money on decoders and extra connections on the back then they'll have less to spend on other parts of the mini. Also DVR functionality would be useless for a huge proportion of Apple buyers.
Over in the states everyone seems to have cable. Well that's great but over here in the UK you either get normal terrestrial tv (4-5 channels), freeview (which requires a special digital decoder) (20 channels of which 6-7 are any good), cable (which requires a digital cable decoder box) (hundreds of channels) or satellite (which requires a very special decoder box) (hundreds of channels).
As with most people who want more than Freeview I get Sky (satellite). Although there are some very rare tv cards for pcs, they're very specialised and expensive. I've got tivo like functions because Sky's sold boxes with hard drives in for a few years now. When HD finally makes it over here its going to start with hard drives in anyway. So why would I want a mac with DVR functions??
The base line is that anything that records tv will either have to be the most basic analogue signals OR will have to be limited to one particular standard. This would make it useless to a huge proportion of Apple customers who would rather not have money wasted on such an expensive function that they can't even use with their service.
Being able to stream videos wirelessly to a new cool device *would* however be very cool but its really not on my hit list of important things.
What I'm looking for in a mac mini is:
Core Duo (any model, the 1.66Ghz one would be fine)
Radeon X1600 or similar (it'll probably be a X1300 though which will be fine I guess)
512MB RAM
160GB 3.5" drive (the bigger form factor because you get more bytes/buck)
Combo Drive (Superdrive CTO or more expensive model machine)
Bluetooth and Airport standard on everything but the base model
Frontrow + Remote
I don't even care if the Intel Mini is bigger, It could be up to twice as wide. I think I'd rather have one twice as wide than twice as high.
I reckon those specs are very doable.
mozmac said:
How about:
"Maxintosh"
"Mac Mini Maximum"
"Mac Biggie"
"Mac Mini: Extreme Edition"
"Mini Mac, Maxi Power"
"Mac iPowerUp"
"Mac Media Center"
"Mac Super Center"
I agree, though. Mac Mini needs to stay as it is (with iNtel iNside
), but if the media center additions will up the price a huge amount, it better be available separate OR as a BTO option OR as a high-end Mini.
Foxer said:
apple went to that design starting with the 3rd generation. it was still a physical circle thing that u scolled with. the 1G and 2G were still just circle scroll things with the buttons not in the actual wheel.
I'm not sure about what will be released on Tuesday, but I do have some ideas...
While at an Apple Store today, I noticed that they had very few iSights, Airport Extreme BS, or Airport Expresses in stock. I asked a clerk, and he said that they were expecting a new shipment on Tuesday. Coincidence? I think not.
From that I will say....
New Airport Standard, pre-N.
Video Capable Airport Express.
New Cinema Displays that have integrated iSight.
Also talking to the same clerk, he indicated that they had a low stock of 5G iPods, and iPod shuffles. Earlier I was at a Target store, and they were completely out of all iPods, and the locked case was wide open. Earlier this week, I was at Meijer (a local Grocery/Department Store) and I noticed that they only had one nano in stock, and another Meijer only had 1 5G in stock.
From that I will say...
5G iPod, with 40GB or 80GB HD
Smaller form factor iPod shuffle (2G), possibly with greater capacity
A minor rework of the nano. Most likely greater capacity, and better materials.
As for the 'fun' of the event, I think the following will occur...
intel Mac mini (name unknown, just know it will have 'Mac' in the name.)
1.67 or 1.8 GHz Core Duo
Dual Link DVI with 64MB or 128 MB Ram
Superdrive standard
Up to 250GB HD installed.
Bluetooth and Pre-N Airport standard
Gigabit Ethernet
Also...
intel Mac Book
1.3 or 1.6 Ghz. Core Solo
Fullsize DVI with 64MB Ram
Superdrive or Combo
12in 4:3 or 13in Widescreen
Bluetooth and Pre-N Airport standard
Gigabit Ethernet
Maybe...
Super Mac (Power Mac intel)
Dual Itanium 2 running at between 1.67 GHz and 2.5 Ghz
256MB Graphics Card
Dual Gigabit Ethernet
DL Superdrive
Space for a second Optical Drive.
500GB SATA drive standard.
Bluetooth and Pre-N Airport standard
TEG
While at an Apple Store today, I noticed that they had very few iSights, Airport Extreme BS, or Airport Expresses in stock. I asked a clerk, and he said that they were expecting a new shipment on Tuesday. Coincidence? I think not.
From that I will say....
New Airport Standard, pre-N.
Video Capable Airport Express.
New Cinema Displays that have integrated iSight.
Also talking to the same clerk, he indicated that they had a low stock of 5G iPods, and iPod shuffles. Earlier I was at a Target store, and they were completely out of all iPods, and the locked case was wide open. Earlier this week, I was at Meijer (a local Grocery/Department Store) and I noticed that they only had one nano in stock, and another Meijer only had 1 5G in stock.
From that I will say...
5G iPod, with 40GB or 80GB HD
Smaller form factor iPod shuffle (2G), possibly with greater capacity
A minor rework of the nano. Most likely greater capacity, and better materials.
As for the 'fun' of the event, I think the following will occur...
intel Mac mini (name unknown, just know it will have 'Mac' in the name.)
1.67 or 1.8 GHz Core Duo
Dual Link DVI with 64MB or 128 MB Ram
Superdrive standard
Up to 250GB HD installed.
Bluetooth and Pre-N Airport standard
Gigabit Ethernet
Also...
intel Mac Book
1.3 or 1.6 Ghz. Core Solo
Fullsize DVI with 64MB Ram
Superdrive or Combo
12in 4:3 or 13in Widescreen
Bluetooth and Pre-N Airport standard
Gigabit Ethernet
Maybe...
Super Mac (Power Mac intel)
Dual Itanium 2 running at between 1.67 GHz and 2.5 Ghz
256MB Graphics Card
Dual Gigabit Ethernet
DL Superdrive
Space for a second Optical Drive.
500GB SATA drive standard.
Bluetooth and Pre-N Airport standard
TEG
autrefois said:They will not be happy until they have enough money to own the world!
I personally don't think there's a real need for an Apple speaker system, but I assume the idea would be that they can make it better (quality, design, and/or ease of use) than the competition. Consumers would likely be willing to pay as much or more than they pay for third-party speakers if they knew Apple made it.
apple owning the world would not dissapoint me at all.
Apple will not create a TiVo killer. However, expect an announcement concerning TiVo on Tuesday. TiVo to Go should be available on Mac on Tuesday, along with the Series 3 TiVos (Capable of HDTV recording). and able to play all iTunes Content over a network on them.
TEG
TEG
Dissapointment ahead?
Finally someone making sense. It would be great if Apple could make the Mini a Media Centre experience like everyone is hoping for, but at the mini's price point is just isn't going to happen. If they did make it this crazy Media Centre then why would anyone bother with there iMac?
$699 (top end Mac Mini) plus
$799 for a 20 inch Cinema Display = $1498
That $200 less than an iMac equivalent, but it would be a much better machine, and to think of it most people wouldn't bother with a monitor. So $699 for a machine that is far superior to a iMac just doesnt make sense to me and I am guessing Apple to.
Having said that I could be wrong but I just get the feeling alot of you will be dissapointed when they announce a new Mac Mini.
Prove me wrong Apple, Prove me wrong (please)
Lancetx said:
Finally someone making sense. It would be great if Apple could make the Mini a Media Centre experience like everyone is hoping for, but at the mini's price point is just isn't going to happen. If they did make it this crazy Media Centre then why would anyone bother with there iMac?
$699 (top end Mac Mini) plus
$799 for a 20 inch Cinema Display = $1498
That $200 less than an iMac equivalent, but it would be a much better machine, and to think of it most people wouldn't bother with a monitor. So $699 for a machine that is far superior to a iMac just doesnt make sense to me and I am guessing Apple to.
Having said that I could be wrong but I just get the feeling alot of you will be dissapointed when they announce a new Mac Mini.
Prove me wrong Apple, Prove me wrong (please)
For sure, if all this was just a portable speaker system that you could stick your ipod into, it'd be ultra lame. BUT, what I'm hoping this will be is a receiver/speaker system for iTunes that combines the wireless capabilities of Airport Express, the click wheel interface of the iPod, and some solid quality speakers.paz117 said:
Spanky Deluxe said:
I just did a quick look into how much an Intel mini with the specs above would cost approximately:
T2300 (1.66Ghz Core Duo) + Chipset + Pro Wireless (AE) - $306
Radeon X1600 128MB - $99
Slimline Combo Drive - $37
160GB 3.5" HDD - $80
512MB RAM - $77
Apple Remote - $30
Total = $629.
But bear in mind that all of those prices apart from the cost of the T2300, chipset and wireless are all for pre existing stand alone products and are before any bulk discounts are factored in.
I would guesstimate that the Radeon X1600 would cost Apple $40. The Combo Drive would cost Apple $25, the hard drive $60, the ram $60 and the remote $5 (hell they make them and its just a bit of white plastic, a few buttons, a teeny bit of circuitry and a infra-red LED). I also reckon they get a decent discount on the Core Duos.
Using those costs the above specs would cost Apple about $500.
I reckon Apple will do away with the bottom end priced mini and they will start at $599 with Airport Express standard. They *might* go for $549 if airport isn't standard and Apple have some more savings. At $549 you'd also probably be talking core solo.
So $599 for the specs above and $699 for the same + bluetooth and superdrive.
Edit: $499 might be possible with a solo, no wireless and an X1300 64MB. I reckon none of the new minis will have dual link DVI. The iMacs don't so the minis sure aren't going to.
People on this forum are ALWAYS disappointed; it's the nature of the beast. Everyone thinks Apple should make a product that pleases them and them only. Probably the biggest single disappointment on this forum that I've witnessed is the original ipod. (The last few iterations of G4 powerbooks have come close.)nathan2301 said:[snip]
Having said that I could be wrong but I just get the feeling alot of you will be dissapointed when they announce a new Mac Mini.
Prove me wrong Apple, Prove me wrong (please)
for a bit of perspective:
http://www.misterbg.org/AppleProductCycle/