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Gradual Mac Mini Updates?

the low end mac mini will keep the 32mb video card?

This is just retarded. They keep the prices the same but dont update the lowend model.

This shucks.

I have no money for a mid end model and all I was excited about was the 64mb vram.
 
Sporty G said:
Here is a screenshot!
Click to expand...
phairphan and Sporty G - What kind of displays are you using? The minis we use at work suffer from the well-documented dim VGA problem. I'm hoping that an update to the video chipset would rectify this issue. Do you use a CRT? Is there a contrast problem (is the white actually WHITE?)
 
scryber said:
phairphan and Sporty G - What kind of displays are you using? The minis we use at work suffer from the well-documented dim VGA problem. I'm hoping that an update to the video chipset would rectify this issue. Do you use a CRT? Is there a contrast problem (is the white actually WHITE?)
Click to expand...

Oh nooo...... I was hoping that problem had been solved. How old are the mini's you have?
 
MacSA said:
Oh nooo...... I was hoping that problem had been solved. How old are the mini's you have?
Click to expand...
We got them in early spring, so they are Rev A's. The Rev B's have the same problem though (and by Rev B I mean the "upgrade" from a couple months ago. I think of this new version as Rev C.)
 
to owners of 1.5GHz mac minis can you take it apart and photograph the die of the G4, it'll have it's speed written in gold ink on the die.
 
TodVader said:
the low end mac mini will keep the 32mb video card?

This is just retarded. They keep the prices the same but dont update the lowend model.

This shucks.

I have no money for a mid end model and all I was excited about was the 64mb vram.
Click to expand...

Where are you getting this? Everything I have read indicated 64MB of VRAM.
 
Agent69 said:
Where are you getting this? Everything I have read indicated 64MB of VRAM.
Click to expand...

They are still keeping the 32MB card in the low end mini... The other two models get the 64MB card.. At least according to the above article..

Too be honest, I do not see this as a really bug issue. Apple has a very big line of computers to choose from and tries to offer a little of everything for everybody. Just like any other PC company, you get what you pay for. If you want a bigger, faster, computer, you can buy it. If you want a very basic cheap mac that lets you surf the net, and enjoy most apps, then get the base model.

:p
 
Could someone please briefly describe what advantages Core Image support gives under Tiger? I don't need a long 3 page article on it...just a quick explanation if that is even possible. In other words, why should I care?

Thanks,

tigemac (who is anxiously awaiting the "official" news so I can order a Mac Mini!)
 
ack_mac said:
They are still keeping the 32MB card in the low end mini... The other two models get the 64MB card.. At least according to the above article..

Too be honest, I do not see this as a really bug issue. Apple has a very big line of computers to choose from and tries to offer a little of everything for everybody. Just like any other PC company, you get what you pay for. If you want a bigger, faster, computer, you can buy it. If you want a very basic cheap mac that lets you surf the net, and enjoy most apps, then get the base model.
Click to expand...
I kind of agree with you, however this kind of thing could be easily missed when selecting a computer to buy. It's one of those "gotchas" that people might not notice until after the purchase. How about the two higher end minis not coming with a modem, while the low end one does? Gotcha!

I miss the days when there were two basic models of each Mac and the only real difference was the type of optical drive.
 
scryber said:
phairphan and Sporty G - What kind of displays are you using? The minis we use at work suffer from the well-documented dim VGA problem. I'm hoping that an update to the video chipset would rectify this issue. Do you use a CRT? Is there a contrast problem (is the white actually WHITE?)
Click to expand...

Sorry, scryber. I'm using an LCD, so I can't shed any light on the dim VGA problem.
 
It's fairly clear from this update (again) that Apple, when introducing the mac mini went for the biggest bang $/€ 499 could buy, taking low margins for granted in exchange for positive reviews on the high-profile low-end mac mini. Now, when the novelty of the mac mini wears off, they try to keep the step-in price the same (at least in the States) but try to increase margin.
This is exactly why I immediately bought the low-end mac mini in march, stripped and sold the HD and RAM while they were still worth any money, and upgraded to larger/faster HD and more RAM. It gave me the maximum bang for the buck!
 
iDave said:
I kind of agree with you, however this kind of thing could be easily missed when selecting a computer to buy. It's one of those "gotchas" that people might not notice until after the purchase. How about the two higher end minis not coming with a modem, while the low end one does? Gotcha!

I miss the days when there were two basic models of each Mac and the only real difference was the type of optical drive.
Click to expand...

Since I am currently a Windows PC user (and dabble in linux), I am used to having many choices when it comes to PC's. I typically build my own and do not have to sacrifice on hardware... But, I am really excited about buying a Mac and moving back over to a stable OS.

That said, minus some more RAM, the loaded Mac Mini should make a perfect introduction for me and the wife into the Mac family. As for a modem, I see your point, but since I use VOIP at home, it does me no good if the Internet goes down... Personally, I am kinda glad there is no modem. Besides, I live in Northern Virginia and can pickup about 6 other wireless networks from townhouse. Worse case I jump on a different access point.
 
UPDATE: Sources have informed Think Secret that Mac mini box labels will continue to list the older specifications with no indication of whether the newer or older systems are contained within. The motivation behind this is to help clear current inventory without lowering prices. Essentially, customers are promised that the Mac mini they purchase will have specifications "at least" equal to the label, but that their system may exceed those. Customers who purchase a new Mac mini to find they ended up with the older configuration will not be able to return the system in the hopes of getting the newer configuration without paying a restocking fee
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHA. Uh, NO. Hey, look, it's the "mystery mini" deal!

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0509macmini2.html
 
md11 said:
http://www.macworld.com/2005/04/features/tigercoreimage/index.php
Click to expand...


Thanks for the post.. To sum it up:
"Although Apple’s Core technologies (Core Audio, Core Data, Core Image, and Core Video) exist to help people develop applications for OS X that tap into the operating system’s under-the-hood work, you’ll ultimately benefit from them as well. Core Image creates a new standard for graphics plug-ins that many of your apps will be able to enjoy, and makes better use of the fast new graphics cards included in Macs, leading to more responsiveness applying filters and effects."

So... It would be nice if the graphics card in the mini supported this, but it does not sound like the end of the world either...
 
scryber said:
phairphan and Sporty G - What kind of displays are you using? The minis we use at work suffer from the well-documented dim VGA problem. I'm hoping that an update to the video chipset would rectify this issue. Do you use a CRT? Is there a contrast problem (is the white actually WHITE?)
Click to expand...

Ive just been reading the displays section over at the apple mac mini discussion board... it's really put me off getting a mini :eek: :eek:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@737.8bvea7I4VAe.4@.68a43e3b
 
MacSA said:
Ive just been reading the displays section over at the apple mac mini discussion board... it's really put me off getting a mini :eek: :eek:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@737.8bvea7I4VAe.4@.68a43e3b
Click to expand...
All I can say is, if you only own a CRT, the mini is not for you. I had the mini on a KVM to my 20" trinitron, and when swapping between the PC and mini, the contrast difference was obvious. (And no, it was not the KVM's fault. We tested everything. Different minis, different monitors, different cables. It's a documented issue, one that Apple has flat-out ignored.)

The only solution was to get an LCD monitor. I'm not complaining, I got a wicked cool Dell 2005FP and now the mini display is bright and crisp as you'd expect. But--my work foot the bill for all this hardware. Individuals don't often have the luxury to buy a whole new display just because their computer has inadequate, sub-standard output voltage.

Which is why I'm hopeful this upgrade will fix the problem. Otherwise, tempting as it may be, I'll just have to pass on purchasing it for myself.
 
Your right.........if you have to buy a new display, the Mini really isn't worth it at all. Some people have had big problems, others not. It's a shame you have to take such a gamble when buying a piece of Apple hardware.
 
For the average user the Mac mini still performs very well. I have never felt that purchasing a Mac was a gamble.
 
wdlove said:
For the average user the Mac mini still performs very well. I have never felt that purchasing a Mac was a gamble.
Click to expand...

...but from reading the apple discussion forums, for a lot of people it doesnt perform as expected. Unless you buy an apple cinema display or DVI monitor it seems your taking a gamble.
 
MacSA said:
Your right.........if you have to buy a new display, the Mini really isn't worth it at all. Some people have had big problems, others not. It's a shame you have to take such a gamble when buying a piece of Apple hardware.
Click to expand...

There are tons of cheap elegant LCD's around to fit with your mini and still half the price of the iMac.
Besides, why should you buy an elegant computer like the mini if you're going to attach it to an ugly space wasting CRT monitor :confused:
 
......because I think LCDs are terrible in terms of picture quality compared to a CRT.
 
i brought a mac mini 1.42/512/32graphics/80gb/bluetooth+wireless/4xsuperdrive last week in UK for £469 - i got a £30 discount, and now i know why.....

I am more than happy with it as it does what i brought it for....

HOWEVER, i am alittle pee'd that maybe this week or next a new mac mini might be released.

My question is would you return my Mac Mini (have until next tuesday) and buy when the new one comes out? It would cost me £40 return cost and i wouldnt get discount on new one.

is a 64 graphics card and 8 x superdrive worth returning my mac mini for £10 balance? it is in financial terms but the 'hassle factor' - worth it?

I dont want to as ive set everything up etc but what do you think? Any opinions?
 
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