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Mac Mini End Of Life?

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I really don't want the Mini to disappear.

I want one to create a custom Ableton Live performance machine with; 2 GHz Mac Mini, reduced profile (ie no numeric keypad) keypad with integrated trackpad, Firewire soundcard, USB MIDI controller and 24" TFT all engineered into a flight case - screen in upper half, controls and keyboard in the lower half - with all necessary outputs built into the sides of the case.

Seeing as I already have the MIDI controller and Firewire soundcard, the other bits (minus the flight case itself) would cost me a whopping £38 more than the entry level Macbook. :eek:

Can you say "bargain" ?! :D

It would be excellent if they kept the existing form factor, so that when the time came a simple drop in swapout upgrade solution was possible. :cool:
 
I echo most others here (great computer & all that), but I think it's now time that Jobs pulled his head out of the clouds & allowed the Mini to be upgraded.

It'd be good to see the same price-structure kept, but give the lower-end Mini a DVD-R drive & speed bump; then at least giving a BTO option for discrete graphics - hell, even a X1600 would be something! - on the higher-end Mini, if not both. GMA 950 graphics & combo drive are now beginning to look seriously dated.
 
What are people doing with their mini's that they need a better graphics card for? I see that complaint a lot, but I don't quite understand what the big deal is. I've even played WoW on my 1.6Ghz core duo and it plays quite nicely. I can't imagine why a better graphics card would make much difference. Just curious what people think it will do for them.
 
saltyzoo said:
What are people doing with their mini's that they need a better graphics card for? I see that complaint a lot, but I don't quite understand what the big deal is. I've even played WoW on my 1.6Ghz core duo and it plays quite nicely. I can't imagine why a better graphics card would make much difference. Just curious what people think it will do for them.
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Well, some people want better (though not cutting-edge) gaming & the ability to run 3D graphics applications come to mind. Of course people will say why not get a Mac Pro or an iMac, but the Mini was always designed with switchers in mind. If you already have the necessary peripherals & want a Mac, then the Mini is an obvious choice. However, the GMA 950 remains a serious obstacle to some potential switchers for said reasons.
 
gregorsamsa said:
Well, some people want better (though not cutting-edge) gaming & the ability to run 3D graphics applications come to mind. Of course people will say why not get a Mac Pro or an iMac, but the Mini was always designed with switchers in mind. If you already have the necessary peripherals & want a Mac, then the Mini is an obvious choice. However, the GMA 950 remains a serious obstacle to some potential switchers for said reasons.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I understand why the mini over the iMac. But the mini does play 3d games like WoW, so I'm still not sure why it's such a big deal. Yeah, it'd be nice, but I'm not seeing why it's on top of so many peoples list. I'd rather have a "real" hard drive and 4 gig of ram. ;)
 
saltyzoo said:
Trust me, I understand why the mini over the iMac. But the mini does play 3d games like WoW, so I'm still not sure why it's such a big deal. Yeah, it'd be nice, but I'm not seeing why it's on top of so many peoples list. I'd rather have a "real" hard drive and 4 gig of ram. ;)
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hm wow has been released in 2004 and is by far no current 3D game... actually my computer from 2002 runs it decently enough sicne at it's release it wasn't that big of a resource hog


a m8600 or would be totally rad in a mini
 
takao said:
hm wow has been released in 2004 and is by far no current 3D game... actually my computer from 2002 runs it decently enough sicne at it's release it wasn't that big of a resource hog


a m8600 or would be totally rad in a mini
Click to expand...

Ah, I wasn't considering dual booting to windows to play win games.
 
juxtaposer said:
When you consider that if Apple did stop selling the Mini, there wouldn't be a low-end switcher's Mac available at all. Whether the sales are good or bad, Apple will still be making a profit on every unit sold. With the iPod 'halo effect' currently in motion, it would be foolish of Apple not to have a product affordable enough for the 'slightly curious switcher'.
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Right,and it's important for the education market. Back in the 80's, the Apple II ruloed the school-- everyone who mattered had one.

Now that the mini works with exisiting PC hardware, it's a great way for schools to return to the Apple.
 
srf4real said:
OMG this is teh thread that never dies™ but my mini probably won't ever die either.:cool:
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I know!¡!¡! Why doesn't somebody just close the thread already, it's probably soooo of-topic they could just kill it and no on would care.

iUse™ symbols cause they are fun.
 
I, for one, do NOT want the mini to get bigger.

I really enjoy taking it over to my friends house for when my iBook won't cut it.

And what other desktop computer can you carry in one hand (easily)?

The mini fits my needs perfectly, and I would be disappointed if it got a design change.
 
Cassie said:
And what other desktop computer can you carry in one hand (easily)?
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You know there're a fair few desktop PC minis out there as well. Sony, Evesham, et al, have their own versions with minor variations. :)

I think it's an excellent computer, but needs a better BTO graphics option for a growing number of people out there (as reflected by a significant proportion of posters in this thread alone).
 
I for one would love to see the mini replaced (waiting for booos and shouts). It really isn't the best product Apple can make for switchers, or low budget consumers. It isn't priced comparitively with the iMac, and it requires a keyboard, mouse and screen. Unless you already have all of these, there's not much point in buying a mini. I'm sorry mini. Your end is near...
 
saltyzoo said:
Trust me, I understand why the mini over the iMac. But the mini does play 3d games like WoW, so I'm still not sure why it's such a big deal. Yeah, it'd be nice, but I'm not seeing why it's on top of so many peoples list. I'd rather have a "real" hard drive and 4 gig of ram. ;)
Click to expand...

Last I checked you could put 4 gigs of RAM in it. And even upgrade the HD if you want.
 
Lord Sam said:
I for one would love to see the mini replaced (waiting for booos and shouts). It really isn't the best product Apple can make for switchers, or low budget consumers. It isn't priced comparitively with the iMac, and it requires a keyboard, mouse and screen. Unless you already have all of these, there's not much point in buying a mini. I'm sorry mini. Your end is near...
Click to expand...

Um. *Looks at Apple order page* Ahhh. You CAN order a keyboard, mouse and monitor. I thought they took that option away when purchasing a mini.
 
Nichod said:
Last I checked you could put 4 gigs of RAM in it. And even upgrade the HD if you want.
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I believe you can install 4 gig, but it will only address a shade over 3gig.

And by "real" HD I mean a full size drive.
 
Nichod said:
And we have a hard time with all these fake HD ;)
Click to expand...

For the same $250 I can get a 250 Gig 2.5" drive or a 750 Gig "real" drive.

I'd like the flexibility a "real" drive gives you. Not necessary, but it would be nice.
 
All it needs is a 3.5" drive and a single PCI-e slot (excluding the airport card). Same height but with the footprint of an Apple TV.

I would pay almost double its current price for that. There are any number of music producers, graphic designers and film editors who would do the same as they can't justify the expense of a mac pro for home use. All I want is a slot that lets me expands its capabilities enough to run a professional app passably and I'll be happy. My iMac G5 was a lemon less than a year after I bought it with the kind of software have to use.

Macs may last 7 years but unless I can upgrade more than just the RAM and HD, no desktop will meet my needs for more than a year. I will gladly bring my own keyboard, mouse and buy an Apple display, but don't tell me I have to get one of those giant cheese graters under my desk. I don't have the money, space or, ultimately, the need for one.
 
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