The Mini EOL'd rumour gave us hope and the thread for it rages on unabated but the single processor mac pro suggests it's not happening any time soon. Ideas are getting bandied around a lot, and it seems there are 3 principle options:
1. The mini should track the imac's specs rather than always being a step behind the macbook, with a single pci-express slot for upgradeable graphics at the top end. I could stratify this further between those who think it should get a 3.5" hard drive and those who think it should stay the same size, but the main point about this is that it doesn't involve a new product, just expanding the options on a pre-existing one.
Cons: This seems unfeasible because of pricing. Apple wouldn't want the mini to get the same processors as the imac at the same time for the same money it is now, even if the top end model (with upgradeable gfx) was $999, and they would probably want the same class processors across the board.
2. A stackable modular mac hinged on the form factor of the apple tv/airport extreme/time capsule. This might replace the mini or be a separate line altogether. The gfx modules could cost enough to keep the xMac costing as much as an iMac and for Apple to ensure continued revenue from upgrades it would get to set the price on.
Cons: As much as graphic designers, audio pros and AV ppl would rejoice (with the av guys needing both sound and audio modules...), apple would probably find this product line too confusing for consumers who would struggle at the BTO page, unsure of whether they need a sound module to use itunes when its really meant for logic. Too many concerns with backwards compatibility on updated modules. Seems a bit of a cabling mess too (how are these things supposed to connect to one another anyways?).
3. The cube makes a triumphant return, only this time without a price premium on its form factor. For options 2 & 3, I would expect about 10% off the price of a similarly specced imac; maybe a little more off the cube because it would use desktop class components but apple would probably equate the cost of the screen to the revenue lost to the enhanced expansion capabilties. Not sure about what the spec was on the original cube, but I doubt the new one would have a 2nd hard drive or 2nd optical drive. Upgradeable sound/gfx via pci-express would be all it would have over an imac. It probably wouldn't have a desktop processor (it'd be nice if they could squeeze one in though, but there'd always be heat concerns), and it would only be dual core except maybe at the very top end.
Cons: Apple doesn't like to bring back products that have already failed, but the problem with the cube was that it cost the same as any powermac, whereas this would be a different mac altogether, a true headless imac, closer in spec to the only midrange desktop offering at the moment. This is my preferred option.
No matter which of these came out, I would buy 2 within 12 months, (one as an HTPC, but as far as apple is concerned, that's probably one of the reasons why they don't want to bring them out, cos if a mac mini could play full hd smoothly, there'd be no need for anyone to buy an apple tv and rent movies off apple when they get round to offering 1080p...). As it stands, I don't have space for a mac pro in my office and I don't do enough editing/rendering at home to justify the expense. Nor do I want to buy an imac, as I am annoyed enough at having to upgrade my 3 year-old G5 because of its limited gfx capabilities (and no, I'm not a gamer). I will probably end up holding out until a macbook pro has 4 cores and get an extra screen for it even though I have no need whatsoever for a laptop.
That said, there are always those of you who will insist that I represent a demographic that does not exist, that I am a windoze fanboy (one of the millions of fanatics who queued up overnight for Vista no doubt - when will you ppl realize that there is no such thing, certainly none passionate enough to incite mac hatred at a mac forum, but that's a whole different thread...) trolling by insisting there is a gap Apple's product line when there isn't one. So for you, there is option 4, and for those who see the need for one, but don't want one or have a preference, there is option 5.
Sorry for being so wordy.
1. The mini should track the imac's specs rather than always being a step behind the macbook, with a single pci-express slot for upgradeable graphics at the top end. I could stratify this further between those who think it should get a 3.5" hard drive and those who think it should stay the same size, but the main point about this is that it doesn't involve a new product, just expanding the options on a pre-existing one.
Cons: This seems unfeasible because of pricing. Apple wouldn't want the mini to get the same processors as the imac at the same time for the same money it is now, even if the top end model (with upgradeable gfx) was $999, and they would probably want the same class processors across the board.
2. A stackable modular mac hinged on the form factor of the apple tv/airport extreme/time capsule. This might replace the mini or be a separate line altogether. The gfx modules could cost enough to keep the xMac costing as much as an iMac and for Apple to ensure continued revenue from upgrades it would get to set the price on.
Cons: As much as graphic designers, audio pros and AV ppl would rejoice (with the av guys needing both sound and audio modules...), apple would probably find this product line too confusing for consumers who would struggle at the BTO page, unsure of whether they need a sound module to use itunes when its really meant for logic. Too many concerns with backwards compatibility on updated modules. Seems a bit of a cabling mess too (how are these things supposed to connect to one another anyways?).
3. The cube makes a triumphant return, only this time without a price premium on its form factor. For options 2 & 3, I would expect about 10% off the price of a similarly specced imac; maybe a little more off the cube because it would use desktop class components but apple would probably equate the cost of the screen to the revenue lost to the enhanced expansion capabilties. Not sure about what the spec was on the original cube, but I doubt the new one would have a 2nd hard drive or 2nd optical drive. Upgradeable sound/gfx via pci-express would be all it would have over an imac. It probably wouldn't have a desktop processor (it'd be nice if they could squeeze one in though, but there'd always be heat concerns), and it would only be dual core except maybe at the very top end.
Cons: Apple doesn't like to bring back products that have already failed, but the problem with the cube was that it cost the same as any powermac, whereas this would be a different mac altogether, a true headless imac, closer in spec to the only midrange desktop offering at the moment. This is my preferred option.
No matter which of these came out, I would buy 2 within 12 months, (one as an HTPC, but as far as apple is concerned, that's probably one of the reasons why they don't want to bring them out, cos if a mac mini could play full hd smoothly, there'd be no need for anyone to buy an apple tv and rent movies off apple when they get round to offering 1080p...). As it stands, I don't have space for a mac pro in my office and I don't do enough editing/rendering at home to justify the expense. Nor do I want to buy an imac, as I am annoyed enough at having to upgrade my 3 year-old G5 because of its limited gfx capabilities (and no, I'm not a gamer). I will probably end up holding out until a macbook pro has 4 cores and get an extra screen for it even though I have no need whatsoever for a laptop.
That said, there are always those of you who will insist that I represent a demographic that does not exist, that I am a windoze fanboy (one of the millions of fanatics who queued up overnight for Vista no doubt - when will you ppl realize that there is no such thing, certainly none passionate enough to incite mac hatred at a mac forum, but that's a whole different thread...) trolling by insisting there is a gap Apple's product line when there isn't one. So for you, there is option 4, and for those who see the need for one, but don't want one or have a preference, there is option 5.
Sorry for being so wordy.
