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Mac Mini End Of Life?
- Thread starter Dont Hurt Me
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I think one of the current problems with the Mini is that Apple are purely looking at what they intended it to be as opposed to what else it could be.
And I don't mean the idealised "give it better specs, increase its potential" view of what else it could be. I mean by actually looking at what the machine actually is.
It's a quiet, small footprint, headless, low spec and still quite capable machine. Even at its current specs it's still quite capable, it just doesn't compete value-wise when it is still on last year's prices.
And especially as Apple themselves market(ed) it as being able to use existing monitors, it is a sensible option for those of us who already have a perfectly functional monitor.
Especially if you have other machines that need to connect to an external monitor. As with the best will in the world, one cannot easily connect a KVM or other computer to an iMac to use its screen as an external display.
This isn't necessarily "hack it until it gains new potential", it is a phenomenal potential it has out of the box. Working with existing kit whilst taking up barely any space at all.
It even makes sense as an HTPC, owing to it being small, quiet and being able to play material that is any of ripped, bought or on a physical medium. For all that they'd rather you bought the
TV, if you needed both an iTunes-compatible settop box and a DVD/CD player then it makes perfect sense to get a Mac Mini which accomplishes both in such a tiny form-factor.
All it really needs is a modest refresh to keep competitive. Yes, maybe dedicated graphics or dual-head capability would be a really cool addition to the Mini. But hardly essential. All it really needs is a bit of an update to keep it value for money for those of us who really can't justify the extra cost for an additional screen we neither need nor have space for.
And I don't mean the idealised "give it better specs, increase its potential" view of what else it could be. I mean by actually looking at what the machine actually is.
It's a quiet, small footprint, headless, low spec and still quite capable machine. Even at its current specs it's still quite capable, it just doesn't compete value-wise when it is still on last year's prices.
And especially as Apple themselves market(ed) it as being able to use existing monitors, it is a sensible option for those of us who already have a perfectly functional monitor.
Especially if you have other machines that need to connect to an external monitor. As with the best will in the world, one cannot easily connect a KVM or other computer to an iMac to use its screen as an external display.
This isn't necessarily "hack it until it gains new potential", it is a phenomenal potential it has out of the box. Working with existing kit whilst taking up barely any space at all.
It even makes sense as an HTPC, owing to it being small, quiet and being able to play material that is any of ripped, bought or on a physical medium. For all that they'd rather you bought the
TV, if you needed both an iTunes-compatible settop box and a DVD/CD player then it makes perfect sense to get a Mac Mini which accomplishes both in such a tiny form-factor.All it really needs is a modest refresh to keep competitive. Yes, maybe dedicated graphics or dual-head capability would be a really cool addition to the Mini. But hardly essential. All it really needs is a bit of an update to keep it value for money for those of us who really can't justify the extra cost for an additional screen we neither need nor have space for.
I think one of the current problems with the Mini is that Apple are purely looking at what they intended it to be as opposed to what else it could be.
And I don't mean the idealised "give it better specs, increase its potential" view of what else it could be. I mean by actually looking at what the machine actually is.
It's a quiet, small footprint, headless, low spec and still quite capable machine. Even at its current specs it's still quite capable, it just doesn't compete value-wise when it is still on last year's prices.
And especially as Apple themselves market(ed) it as being able to use existing monitors, it is a sensible option for those of us who already have a perfectly functional monitor.
Especially if you have other machines that need to connect to an external monitor. As with the best will in the world, one cannot easily connect a KVM or other computer to an iMac to use its screen as an external display.
This isn't necessarily "hack it until it gains new potential", it is a phenomenal potential it has out of the box. Working with existing kit whilst taking up barely any space at all.
It even makes sense as an HTPC, owing to it being small, quiet and being able to play material that is any of ripped, bought or on a physical medium. For all that they'd rather you bought the
All it really needs is a modest refresh to keep competitive. Yes, maybe dedicated graphics or dual-head capability would be a really cool addition to the Mini. But hardly essential. All it really needs is a bit of an update to keep it value for money for those of us who really can't justify the extra cost for an additional screen we neither need nor have space for.
Or at least they could knock the price down $100.
If sales remain around plan (even if plan means low volumes), Apple would have no reason to lower the price - especially if they plan to come out with a new one.
If and when Apple does drop the price of the current Mini, I would take that as confirmation that form factor is being EoL'd and will not be updated, much less replaced.
I think Apple could function with the 20" iMac as their entry-level desktop, especially if they can knock the current base model down to $999.
You'll be wanting to buy one of those new 'Brick's then... 
(After saying this no doubt the 'brick' will turn out to be a power brick with built in pen-knife)
(After saying this no doubt the 'brick' will turn out to be a power brick with built in pen-knife)
I'm wondering where you get 518 from. According to the Buyer's Guide, the Mac Pro has never gone over a year without an update, which is well under 518 days.
Recent Releases
???
1/2008
4/2007
8/2006
10/2005
4/2005
6/2004
11/2003
6/2003
1/2003
8/2002
The Mini, on the other hand, has been dormant for awhile.
Recent Releases
???
8/2007
9/2006
2/2006
9/2005
7/2005
The Mac Pro range wasn't updated in April 2007, it was only the addition of the top end 8 Core model. The rest of the range kept the same specifications and prices for 518 days.
I would consider adding an addition CPU config an upgrade!
I would be lovely if Apple chose to intro a higher end CPU version along with the current two "long-in-the-tooth" models we have now. Frankly any sign of life would be a boon. They have to be running low on T5600/T7200 CPUs by now. They are drying up from all of the standard retail outlets.
The current Minis will have to come to an end because Intel is not going to make more of the T5600/T7200 CPUs.
http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=27254
This page lists the T5600 (all versions) as discontinued.
http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=27255
Lists the PPGA478 version of the T7200 as discontinued.
The web pages list Arrow and Avnet as sources, but neither of them have them in stock and if they do list them at all, the listing states that they have been discontinued.
UPDATE: Here is a copy of the discontinuance notice by Intel ... boxed versions are pretty much gone now, but Apple could still get bulk shipments into 2009:
http://content.intel.pcnalert.com/dm/d.aspx/D54CCA5F-F7CC-45A8-9FFE-A0D5DAD31E31/PCN108192-00.pdf
George
I would be lovely if Apple chose to intro a higher end CPU version along with the current two "long-in-the-tooth" models we have now. Frankly any sign of life would be a boon. They have to be running low on T5600/T7200 CPUs by now. They are drying up from all of the standard retail outlets.
The current Minis will have to come to an end because Intel is not going to make more of the T5600/T7200 CPUs.
http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=27254
This page lists the T5600 (all versions) as discontinued.
http://ark.intel.com/cpu.aspx?groupID=27255
Lists the PPGA478 version of the T7200 as discontinued.
The web pages list Arrow and Avnet as sources, but neither of them have them in stock and if they do list them at all, the listing states that they have been discontinued.
UPDATE: Here is a copy of the discontinuance notice by Intel ... boxed versions are pretty much gone now, but Apple could still get bulk shipments into 2009:
http://content.intel.pcnalert.com/dm/d.aspx/D54CCA5F-F7CC-45A8-9FFE-A0D5DAD31E31/PCN108192-00.pdf
George
True, but even an addition to the lineup is more than the Mac mini has had. It's just stuck there, with no real official mention of it since.
Anything would be welcome about now. An addition. A price drop. Even the discontinuation of one or both of the models. A small sign that would let us know for definite whether there's life left in the Mini or not.
i agree, just any sign of apple thinking about the mac mini would be good.
i don't know if it'll get dedicated graphics anytime soon though. people who care about graphics go the imac/mac pro route. mac mini is still entry level
The Guide needs changed to reflect the 518 day draught. Absolutely, unequivocally changed.
New Mac Mini!!!
hey,
I found a picture of the new mac mini!!!
Notice the newly redesigned vents... they are now at the top instead of the bottom like the current design. This makes sense since heat rises.
I can't wait till this one is finally released, hopefully in october.
I'm buyin it.
http://www.innfusion.com/blogimages/Brick.jpg
hey,
I found a picture of the new mac mini!!!
Notice the newly redesigned vents... they are now at the top instead of the bottom like the current design. This makes sense since heat rises.
I can't wait till this one is finally released, hopefully in october.
I'm buyin it.
http://www.innfusion.com/blogimages/Brick.jpg
at a mid level price. The Imac screen choice is too limited as well. The mac pro is priced for the high end.
Wish it were true. But at this point the cynic in me believes the next mini will be nothing more than a proc bump that just shows up on the apple store one day.
Can't be just that. Intel is no longer making Calistoga-compatible notebook cpus. Time to move on or close it down.
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