Mac Mini End Of Life?

[MM123]

The Mini is at least 4 times faster than your current G4. I don't know why people put the Mini down.

I almost bought a Mini, but then the challenge of building a Hackintosh was too great. My Hackintosh works great, but the Mini is an amazing machine.

I think it's even more. I have Digital Audio which I have upgraded with 867 MHz processor and the XBench score of that Mac is 28,72, GeekBench score is 473. My MacMini has XBench score 119,59 and GeekBench 2889. Pretty nice for that small machine
I hope Apple don't sc***w it up and update the MacMini really soon.

 

[Enigmafan420]

That would be great. But i think that saddly, wont be happen.

Why do you think they won't? That would not be a huge upgrade, the iMac has them already and the iMac is based on laptop parts, just like the mini.

I don't think the specs are outrageous at all-basically a low-end iMac with no screen is what would suit me-and I am okay with integrated graphics...

 

[shikimo]

I think it's even more. I have Digital Audio which I have upgraded with 867 MHz processor and the XBench score of that Mac is 28,72, GeekBench score is 473. My MacMini has XBench score 119,59 and GeekBench 2889. Pretty nice for that small machine

Yeah, seriously...for the millionth time, relatively bad value does not equal bad machine. Love my mini...

...and besides, how often do you get to buy a computer and have it still be the best version you can buy 13 months later?? From Apple's point of view that looks like product neglect, but from where I sit it looks like a pretty well-timed investment.

 

[MacTCP]

I do hope the mini is refreshed soon. I am waiting to buy one.

 

[dwl017]

Why do you think they won't? That would not be a huge upgrade, the iMac has them already and the iMac is based on laptop parts, just like the mini.

I don't think the specs are outrageous at all-basically a low-end iMac with no screen is what would suit me-and I am okay with integrated graphics...

You are not alone hundreds of thousands are also just fine with the integrated graphics. Its only the lunatics that come to MR that cry about it not be god enough, think of the thousands of happy Mini owners that don't even know this site exist.

 

[dwl017]

I do hope the mini is refreshed soon. I am waiting to buy one.

What about the current configuration does not meet your needs? Are you doing mission critical work?

 

[MacTCP]

What about the current configuration does not meet your needs? Are you doing mission critical work?

Well my G4 struggles with iMovie, so I thought I should get a new mac. I wanted a mini, but I heard there might be a new one coming out soon, and I do not want to be IIvx'd.

 

[dwl017]

Well my G4 struggles with iMovie, so I thought I should get a new mac. I wanted a mini, but I heard there might be a new one coming out soon, and I do not want to be IIvx'd.

Not to pick on you but I just wanted to hear what a honest Joe might say not some techy IT lunatic user. Thanks for you honesty, well good news if you don't want to wait the current Mini will run iMovie just fine.

Your honesty is very refreshing not usually what you get here

 

[iDave]

Nobody wants to buy a "new" Mac that hasn't been updated in more than a year, if they can help it. The mini, having year-old specs immediately after it was last upgraded is now two years behind, so it would make the purchase of a new one even more painful.

Unless Apple changes their strategy, I'd expect another minor mini upgrade before December with Santa Rosa at about 2.2 Ghz, with 802.11n wireless and slightly bigger hard drives. I'll probably buy one when it happens, and eBay the one I bought last year.

 

[MM123]

Why do you think they won't? That would not be a huge upgrade, the iMac has them already and the iMac is based on laptop parts, just like the mini.

I don't think the specs are outrageous at all-basically a low-end iMac with no screen is what would suit me-and I am okay with integrated graphics...

You are absolutely right with the specs, but this is Apple, one never knows what will be the next MM configuration (if at all)

 

[MacTCP]

Whenever I buy a new mac, I try to buy right after a release. Even though I know the current one is like 5x the speed of my G4, I know the next one is right around the corner since it hasn't been updated for over a year. I can use my G4 for a while more though.

 

[Enigmafan420]

Whenever I buy a new mac, I try to buy right after a release. Even though I know the current one is like 5x the speed of my G4, I know the next one is right around the corner since it hasn't been updated for over a year. I can use my G4 for a while more though.

I really do NOT need a new Mac Mini-I am more "into it" because I do NOT want Apple to discontinue the line. I have a 2.0 mini and I took the OEM RAM out and put 3GB in-I just wish the HD were bigger-I have had to resort to external storage.

That being said, the lack of an update, or even "credible" rumors of one, is concerning me, because I want my next MAC to be a Mini-and with my daughter wanting one, I was hoping to get a new one sooner rather than later, though I do NOT need it

 

[gwerhart0800]

That being said, the lack of an update, or even "credible" rumors of one, is concerning me, because I want my next MAC to be a Mini-and with my daughter wanting one, I was hoping to get a new one sooner rather than later, though I do NOT need it

The ONLY thing that anyone outside of Apple have say that is FACT is that the existing CPU chips being used in the current generation of Mac Minis are being phased out by Intel. Apple could have made a "life-time" buy so that they would have a stockpile, or they could have cut a deal with Intel to keep making them, both are unlikely. The stock of CPUs is be dwindling. They are getting harder to find ... for example, NewEgg is out of all T7200, T7400, and T7600.

SO, all anyone without inside knowledge can say is: The Mini will either get an upgrade to a newer CPU/Chipset or it will get killed. This will have to happen within the next few months because the supply of CPUs is dwindling. Since no one outside of Apple knows what their stockpile of CPUs looks like, it is not possible to pin dates on anything. It is only possible to state that the supply is finite.

 

[snberk103]

Good Analysis

The ONLY thing that anyone outside of Apple have say that is FACT is that the existing CPU chips being used in the current generation of Mac Minis are being phased out by Intel. ...

SO, all anyone without inside knowledge can say is: The Mini will either get an upgrade to a newer CPU/Chipset or it will get killed. This will have to happen within the next few months because the supply of CPUs is dwindling. Since no one outside of Apple knows what their stockpile of CPUs looks like, it is not possible to pin dates on anything. It is only possible to state that the supply is finite.

Good Analysis What will be, will be - all in its appointed time. My gut tells me we will know this month. Or that could be too much coffee before breakfast.

To all of the returning students - Good Luck.... have a great and successful year in school. (That also applies to those of you who are already half way through.... I think Australia started their school year 6 months ago?)

 

[iDave]

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November.

 

[MM123]

Good Analysis What will be, will be - all in its appointed time. My gut tells me we will know this month. Or that could be too much coffee before breakfast.

Agree with that, I hope Apples stock with CPU are low and we see an update soon

 

[dwl017]

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November.

The original start date of this thread below:

Oct 14, 2007, 01:24 PM

Almost one year later and still the same old one liners

 

[marbles]

laughable ...no , a complete joke ...no , taking the p**s yes


come on Apple , pull your finger out

 

[mandoman]

Got sick of waiting for a mini update. I was really close to building a hackintosh, registered at insanelymac, had parts picked out and in my newegg shopping cart, ready to go. I just couldn't bring myself to go the hackintosh route. As capable as I am, I just want it to work, period. I don't want graphics issues, sleep issues, update issues, etc. The computer needs to serve both myself as a media encoder/server, and my wife for daily duty and mid-to-heavy photo work.

So I just pulled the trigger on a refurb quad core 2.8ghz mac pro. A little more than I want to spend and slightly overkill for our needs, but at least I will have peace of mind, support, a good warranty, and a computer that should last us many years of service. Most especially I won't feel like I am buying 2 year old technology if I bought a mini now.

The mini will see an update before the holidays, I'm sure of it. Good luck to those still hanging in there. Wish I could have waited, but my wife desperately needs a computer now. Ain't she lucky to be getting a mac pro!

All the best,
Mandoman

 

[iDave]

So I just pulled the trigger on a refurb quad core 2.8ghz mac pro. A little more than I want to spend and slightly overkill for our needs...

You and I are perfect examples of why Apple keeps the mini so far behind. They fully expect up-sales as a result.

On the other hand, there are lots of people out there who can't afford the Mac Pro or just want a mini as a HTPC. So the wait sucks. Nobody wants two-year-old hardware in a nice new box.

 

[mrglsmrc]

2 y o hardware

i bought my latest mini this summer. i wouldn't wait. i knew that on some of their "better" machines apple wasn't offering a superior chip archeitecture. instead they used the same chips tested and clocked faster. i don't need a 2.2ghz chip thats gonna burn out on me because a 2.0ghz duocore is good enough.
(i suppose if apple made a quad core mini i would bite, but there are too many heat issues in the little mini case as it is.)
i have bought bleeding edge apple machines before. i was one of the first guys in ny area with a 9500. do you know how annoying it is to buy a machine that doesn't have all its drivers ready and then when you get them working the software snafus because it wasn't designed for those drivers, etc?
i don't have a problem buying reliable tested technology at the low end of the apple spectrum for a more practical price. nothing wrong with 2 yrs in.
if apple kills the mini it will be because it doesn't use proprietary chipsets and apple doesn't want any hackintosh manufacturing to cut into their margins.
my previous powerpc mini came with a smaller power supply and the chipset ran 10degreesC cooler. it accepted less addressable memory.
please don't tell me that the mini is a tired idea that can't be updated because i don't believe you.
and the coolest thing about the mini is that it sits under my phone and has a zero footprint on my desk. in ny real estate trumps all other features.
here's where the mini is a problem for apple: cupertino wants more market share switching from pcs. so they chose an intel chipset and make a sub 1000 dollar machine. but the switchers dont buy minis cause the hard drives are too small to partition and run dual operating systems. minis are bought by mac loyalists who would probably otherwise spend more.
the good thing about minis for apple is they have a predictable lifecycle with fewer opportunities for the end-user to upgrade and prolong service life of the machine. so from apples POV( if they are smart) manufacturing minis is like printing themselves dividend checks.
just my two cents.

 

[TiggsPanther]

You and I are perfect examples of why Apple keeps the mini so far behind. They fully expect up-sales as a result.

On the other hand, there are lots of people out there who can't afford the Mac Pro or just want a mini as a HTPC. So the wait sucks. Nobody wants two-year-old hardware in a nice new box.

Which is precisely why, in my case, Apple have just lost out for about a year.

I need a new Linux machine and a new Mac, neither of which I can afford to spend more than about £500 on. But despite needing low end machines, I draw the line at out-of-date specs. I've had the money since Christmas, when I made the decision to go for a Mac Mini as my desktop, and have been holding off the moment that the other lines started getting their updates.

However, my iBook G4 is now feeling the strain of its age. I need something new now, I lack the money (and space) for an iMac and I lack the need (and cash) for a MacBook. So it looks like, barring a miracle, this year's puchase is going to be my Linux machine.

Once Apple have made up their mind whether to update or kill off the Mini line, I'll save up the money for my new Mac. But right now I need a new computer, and the current Mini just doesn't cut it. Which is a shame, as in my eyes all it needed is the minor component bump to be something I'd be wiling to pay for.

Maybe next year.

 

[Ironduke]

It really looks weird to me, Dell, ASUS and many other PC Vendors are bringing out Atom Based (Mini Replicas).

So it seems stupid apple are letting their machine that's spawned these PC mini Clones die.

I am still holding onto the rumour from march about apple having a small team working on a new style mini.

Personally I loved the old one, but if it means a 1TB Desktop Hardrive can be fitted into the mini then I say it should match the dimensions (W+D) of the Time Capsule.

I just hope they dont use Atom CPU's they are not for Desktops.

Would love to see a 3rd Party Video Card to help with HD playback

 

[marbles]

Which is precisely why, in my case, Apple have just lost out for about a year.

I need a new Linux machine and a new Mac, neither of which I can afford to spend more than about £500 on. But despite needing low end machines, I draw the line at out-of-date specs. I've had the money since Christmas, when I made the decision to go for a Mac Mini as my desktop, and have been holding off the moment that the other lines started getting their updates.

However, my iBook G4 is now feeling the strain of its age. I need something new now, I lack the money (and space) for an iMac and I lack the need (and cash) for a MacBook. So it looks like, barring a miracle, this year's puchase is going to be my Linux machine.

Once Apple have made up their mind whether to update or kill off the Mini line, I'll save up the money for my new Mac. But right now I need a new computer, and the current Mini just doesn't cut it. Which is a shame, as in my eyes all it needed is the minor component bump to be something I'd be wiling to pay for.

Maybe next year.

pretty much the same as me ...I was going to go the Hackintosh route but sorting all the updates etc , I just don't have the time or the inclination now tbh so I'm hanging in there with the rest of you guys , with everything crossed that , hopefully, Apple will finally release a new Mini , of sorts .

counting down to Sept 9th......

 

[MM123]

"Let's Rock" event scheduled for next Tuesday. iPods!

Mac mini in November.

pretty much the same as me ...I was going to go the Hackintosh route but sorting all the updates etc , I just don't have the time or the inclination now tbh so I'm hanging in there with the rest of you guys , with everything crossed that , hopefully, Apple will finally release a new Mini , of sorts .

counting down to Sept 9th......

If there would be a way to build something in the footprint of MacMini and hack it, I would do it year ago, but there isn't so I have to wait