On the issue of power consumption, don't minimize the economic/political value of "going green" in any industry, even computers. This is going to be more and more important to corporations as this new group in Washington implements more and more of their agenda.
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Intel Atom-Based Mac Mini Due in March?
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A lot of people have switched/are switching to those low-wattage neon bulbs. The old, outdated incandescent lightbulb doesn't really apply anymore.
What do you mean by "doesn't deserve a Core 2 Duo"?Keep in mind that Apple barely updates the machine, so the RAM and HD sizes are not up-to-date. Not to mention that RAM and HD sizes don't have anything to do with the CPU!
Thats exacly my point, a Core 2 Duo is a waste in a computer with 80GB HDD/1GB ram, eitherway it doesnt seam to me, that mini is a computer desktop-oriented (since imac would do the job twice as good, occupies less space and is more powerful, not to mention is more value for money), rather is a machine to convert your HDTV into a wannabe computer.
I saw on a thread the other day someone mention that Apple don't call the iMac 'The' iMac they just call it iMac , same with iPod , and Mini.
It's kind of elevating it's status by removing the 'the', if you know what I mean.
I'm guessing you work for Apple
and spend too much time reading Apples take on English.
A core 2 duo would be better served in an updated Mini that's for sure, how about a 250Gb or 320Gb HD,2Gb RAM standard (can take 6) and a Nvidia graphics card like whatever the chuff model number is in the Macbooks now. An iMac is simply a waste of money , simply because most people buy a decent screen, why buy another screen when you have one?, that'd be silly
Either way , I hope the hopefully soon updated Mini has a decent chip similar to the current MB and not an Atom , it'd cripple what could potentially be a decent computer for many.Whatever happens it can't really be more crippled than not being updated for over 2 years , I cannee believe I'm writing that a computer hasn't been updated for over two years ...must be a first in the industry that this has happened , no?
Apple must be building up to something realllly big for them. maybe ridding us of the iMac as we know it and producing what was on that patent a year or two ago; the mobile unit that docks into an iMac like device(not dissimilar to the Apple displays on offer just now), and hopefully a variety of Mini's to compliment the range .
That's ridiculous. A computer with an 80GB HDD and 1GB RAM is a waste? When the Core 2 Duos came out, RAM was a lot more expensive than it is now, and 1GB was a lot more normal, especially in laptops. So all those laptops with the same specs as the Mini weren't functional and useful?
Nono, you don't get it, 1GB of ram is not a waste, a dual core 2 duo with ONLY 1GB of ram, thats a waste. You could say, well just update the ram/HDD/graphic and bring it up to the processor's level, but then the ITX (or whatever apple's platform is called) logic board would wont be able to keep with the rest of the components, and that one is way more difficult to upgrade in a system so small.
Also the chip described (1.6-1.8Ghz atom dual core) doesnt seam to be left behind either, its dual core just as the core 2 duo and it has a fast speed, Obviously it wont keep up with the Core2Duo but if they even up all the components they can end up with a much more balanced computer overall (e.g. it is useless to have a quad-core and a 4200rpm HDD and 533MHZ ram)
Also guys have you seen the specs of the mac mini?
1GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
80GB or 120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA
And then a core 2 duo @1.83/2.0 with 2/4Mb cache?
I bet they put the Atom, Nvidia 9400 graphics with 128-512Mb, 2gb @ 1066Mhz and the system will be much faster OVERALL, maybe will score a bit less in some benchmark in the processor side, but overall will be a more complete system.
It seams to me that both 20" and 24" screens are good enough. Remember is a desktop computer, you are likely to be within 2 feet of the screen, and your vision is conic which means the closer you are the less are you can see, therefore a very large screen will keep your eyes moving constantly (you'd get tired very easily) or you going to have to move your head quite frequent. In the other side, the things you are likely to do from distance such as watching a movie or playing a game (with controllers) you cant do in a mini due to performance issues (watching a movie yes.)
Apple Slows Down Mac Upgrades, in Sync With Economy
Link to full article
Apple isn't going to roll out a revamped Mac desktop anytime soon, because you wouldn't buy one anyway, analysts say.
Tough economic times, a shrinking desktop market and strong notebook sales make the idea of a sexy, aluminum Mac Mini an unwise investment for Apple, said Trip Chowdhry, a Global Equities Research analyst.
"In this environment where nobody is buying anything and you come out with a kick-ass product, you might get a lot of wows and woos, but that does not convert into sales," Chowdhry said. "So that's a wasted effort."
Apple's Mac desktop line is conspicuously overdue for a refresh. Typically, these computers receive at least an incremental upgrade (i.e., minor improvements to processor, memory, storage) every seven months. However, both the Mac Mini and Mac Pro haven't received an update in well over a year, and the current iMac is 10 months old.
Link to full article
Apple isn't going to roll out a revamped Mac desktop anytime soon, because you wouldn't buy one anyway, analysts say.
Tough economic times, a shrinking desktop market and strong notebook sales make the idea of a sexy, aluminum Mac Mini an unwise investment for Apple, said Trip Chowdhry, a Global Equities Research analyst.
"In this environment where nobody is buying anything and you come out with a kick-ass product, you might get a lot of wows and woos, but that does not convert into sales," Chowdhry said. "So that's a wasted effort."
Apple's Mac desktop line is conspicuously overdue for a refresh. Typically, these computers receive at least an incremental upgrade (i.e., minor improvements to processor, memory, storage) every seven months. However, both the Mac Mini and Mac Pro haven't received an update in well over a year, and the current iMac is 10 months old.
Oh yeah, "analysts". I suppose these guys also think it makes more sense to keep selling 2-years old tech at 2-years old prices.
Upgrading both the iMac and Mac mini to the 9400M and ditching the ComboDrive in the low-end model Mac mini will allow Apple to get better bulk pricing on the 9400M, SuperDrives and 1066MHz DDR3 RAM.
There's not much R&D to do since the new MacBook and MacBook Pro are done. The iMac got converted to a front Aluminium casing only a few months ago, they're not going to change it so soon IMHO.
Apple's aluminium cases are CNC'ed which means there's not much tooling costs to make new cases anyway. I bet Jonathan Ive has a dozen different Mac mini casings on his desk right now. Or none, and they're simply waiting for something to upgrade the Mac mini which will still be a simple 6.5x6.5x2.0" box.
In the end, we don't work at Apple so we don't know what's going on. All I know is that "analysts" are often (very) wrong about Apple.
edit: I also don't see why people keep talking about an "aluminium Mac mini", like it hasn't been an aluminium casing since day one. Yes the top and bottom are made of plastic, but the sides are a one-block piece of machined aluminium, always has been.
I think that the Mini and Imac are well suited for laptop parts - and Apple should bring out an actual desktop (i.e. mini-tower) with desktop parts.
Here's my idea:
1. Discontinue the Mac Mini
2. Introduce a tower
3. 2 Hard drive bays
4. mid-range GPU
5. Desktop CPU
6. 320GB Hard Drive
7. $1099-$1499 range
are you from the windoze world or something?? the imac is apples general purpose desktop machine.
Where does Apple offer an "upgradeable" desktop machine tower that's not overkill like a Mac Pro?
I would be mildly interested if you could point me to one.
Where does Apple offer an "upgradeable" desktop machine tower that's not overkill like a Mac Pro?
I would be mildly interested if you could point me to one.
so yes you are from the windoze world i take it..
you and i both know that there isnt one, so why even bother asking?
IMO apple doesnt need one, because the imac covers the basics, and the MP covers..well..everything.
define in your words "upgradable".
No, I have two Macs and I was just using humour.
I am still interested in the mythical xMac though.
excellent, the more macs the better.
thats great and all, but you didnt answer my question.
righto fair enough.
so like...
1. RAM
2. hard drive (whats wrong with using external??)
3. GPU (clearly not an intended gaming machine anyways)
4. thats about it..
seems pretty pointless to me, no offense...
1. 2GB standard (good enough for most people)
2. no comment
3. The xMac is intended for gaming or whatever other "hobbies" people would like to explore
4. Who wouldn't buy it if it's good for it's price?