Mac Mini End Of Life?

[iDave]

as has been said over and over in this thread, it is pointless to make the mini smaller unless you can provide at least some of the key elements we are mostly looking for, ie, memory and video (not to mention faster and larger hard drives).

Given that Apple believes thin is in, I'd expect a redesigned mini to be thinner, like the illustration zombitronic posted. I don't think there will be 3.5" hard drives, discrete graphics or more memory slots, so a reduction in size is to be expected if it's redesigned. And if it's not being redesigned, what the heck is taking so long?

I've been expecting a simple speed-bump upgrade to the mini for a couple of months now. But since it's so long overdue, I now think there might be more than just a speed bump, although nothing will happen until after new MacBooks come out.

 

[zombitronic]

Given that Apple believes thin is in, I'd expect a redesigned mini to be thinner, like the illustration zombitronic posted. I don't think there will be 3.5" hard drives, discrete graphics or more memory slots, so a reduction in size is to be expected if it's redesigned. And if it's not being redesigned, what the heck is taking so long?

I don't think it will be that thin, after all, that's just the USB optical drive for the Air. Still, I wouldn't mind a few fractions of an inch shorter.

Mac Mini

Size and weight

• Footprint: 6.5 by 6.5 inches (165 by 165 mm)
• Height: 2 inches (51 mm)
• Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.31 kg)

Apple TV:

Size and weight

• Footprint: 7.7 by 7.7 inches (197 by 197 mm)
• Height: 1.1 inches (28 mm)
• Weight: 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg)

​

It seems like the Apple TV traded some of the Mini's height for a larger footprint.

MacBook Air SuperDrive

Size and weight

• Footprint: 5.47 by 5.47 inches (139 by 139 mm)
• Height: 0.67 inches (17 mm)
• Weight: 0.71 pounds (0.32 kg)

​

Even if you just stack the SuperDrive on top of the Apple TV, you're only at 1.77 inches (45 mm). If you subtract for the top of the Apple TV and the bottom of the SuperDrive, because there wouldn't be the extra casing material in a single enclosure, roughly 1/4 of an inch would be shaved off the height. That would put the height at about 1.5 inches (38 mm), a half inch shorter than the current Mini.

I could go for that.

 

[oticon6]

Wow.... I remember when I used to follow this thread... 6 months ago!

Oh Apple... if I didn't give in and buy an iMac, I'd be mighty disappointed right about now

 

[maccompaq]

Mini is EOL'd sources are telling folks over at AppleInsider. This makes me think a new system is on the way. So Long Mini, Hello ....Macintosh? Im hoping for the consumer tower. Anyone think there is a chance of Apple bringing in a new machine or perhaps a cubelike redo?

Almost a year old. Heat is a computer's enemy so why do people want to make the Mini smaller so that more heat will have to be dealt with? More fans = more noise.

 

[iDave]

Heat is a computer's enemy so why do people want to make the Mini smaller so that more heat will have to be dealt with?

People don't, Apple does.

I think it's a Steve Jobs thing.

 

[yrsonicdeath]

Even if you just stack the SuperDrive on top of the Apple TV, you're only at 1.77 inches (45 mm). If you subtract for the top of the Apple TV and the bottom of the SuperDrive, because there wouldn't be the extra casing material in a single enclosure, roughly 1/4 of an inch would be shaved off the height. That would put the height at about 1.5 inches (38 mm), a half inch shorter than the current Mini.

All of this is assuming they use the same footprint. What if they were to make it super thin while expanding the footprint. Any thoughts?

 

[orangeillini14]

I really love the concept of the mini a lot but the more I think of it, the more I don't exactly see the point of it for the normal consumer. Apple's iMac have everything in one (display and computer), so why would you even want the smaller mini lying around on your desk with your other monitor?

I can see that it would be nice for people that don't have space for a 20" display...

...wait, just realized that it would be uber-portable... not so much the iMac, so I guess that's a huge benefit... I don't think I would take my computer with me like that though, I would probably just get a MBP like I already have!

 

[maccompaq]

All of this is assuming they use the same footprint. What if they were to make it super thin while expanding the footprint. Any thoughts?

What is this obsession with THIN?

 

[Cave Man]

I really love the concept of the mini a lot but the more I think of it, the more I don't exactly see the point of it for the normal consumer.

Are you suggesting those of us with Minis are abnormal?

Apple's iMac have everything in one (display and computer), so why would you even want the smaller mini lying around on your desk with your other monitor?

When an iMac fails, you have to buy everything new. With a Mini, if you monitor fails then you just have to replace it.

I can see that it would be nice for people that don't have space for a 20" display...

What if you want a 17", 22" or 30" display? What if you don't want a crappy glossy display? What if you want to use it as a Media PC for your TV/surround sound system? There are lots of reasons to get a Mini.

 

[yrsonicdeath]

What is this obsession with THIN?

I could care less either way I was just pointing it out as a possibility.

 

[CWallace]

Given that Apple believes thin is in, I'd expect a redesigned mini to be thinner, like the illustration zombitronic posted.

The thinner they make it, the more expensive it gets. Custom systemboards. 22mm CPUs (which means SL9400 and SL9350 so slower clock speeds then now). 1.8" HDDs (higher cost), and then there is cooling. Make it then, and you can't put in discrete GPUs (or if you do, it has to be clocked low in both core and memory speeds).

People carp about the current Mini's price and performance, but I could see the price easily going up $100 for roughly equal performance as we have now.

And if it's not being redesigned, what the heck is taking so long?

Because maybe they're just ignoring it?

 

[Yvan256]

The thinner they make it, the more expensive it gets. Custom systemboards. 22mm CPUs (which means SL9400 and SL9350 so slower clock speeds then now). 1.8" HDDs (higher cost), and then there is cooling. Make it then, and you can't put in discrete GPUs (or if you do, it has to be clocked low in both core and memory speeds).

What do you mean by "custom system boards"? All Macs have their own custom motherboard. And why would it need to be slower CPUs? The current Mac mini is a lot thicker than a MacBook or MacBook Pro and yet has the slowest CPUs of all current Macs.

Time Capsule is thinner than a Mac mini and yet uses a 3.5" hard drive.

A MacBook Pro is much thinner than Time Capsule and yet it has a discrete GPU.

If only Apple didn't use the lowest, bottom-of-the-barrel integrated GPU, that would be acceptable. I'm guessing the intel x4500HD would be good enough for the Mac mini (or Mac nano, or whatever the new name is).

 

[Ironduke]

making the mini smaller is just dumb, the same people would love apple to use crappy atom processors just aslong as it got smaller

 

[Ironduke]

Even though I posted that pic, I also agree. If that was the new Mini, yes, I'd buy it. However, since I'd be putting it on a skinny shelf on an entertainment center, I'd rather go with the current form factor. I wouldn't mind an aluminum case, though. Something like this:

horrible and stupid

 

[iDave]

making the mini smaller is just dumb, the same people would love apple to use crappy atom processors just aslong as it got smaller

I don't recall posts here from those wishing for a smaller Mac mini. (Perhaps I missed them.) Many have said, due to Apple's insistence on making MacBooks thinner, that it's likely. Some have suggested a thinner mini might look good, but they're not clamoring for one.

Personally, I think the mini's size is fine. A bit larger would be better to incorporate larger hard drives and more RAM slots but I don't think it will happen.

As one who intends only to use a mini as an HTPC, I'd like to see HDMI, a big hard drive and 802.11n in the new mini and I'd probably buy one.

I've already recommended the current mini at work as replacements for our aging Power Macs. Since we already have displays, it's the best solution.

 

[Ironduke]

I don't recall posts here from those wishing for a smaller Mac mini. (Perhaps I missed them.) Many have said, due to Apple's insistence on making MacBooks thinner, that it's likely. Some have suggested a thinner mini might look good, but they're not clamoring for one.

Personally, I think the mini's size is fine. A bit larger would be better to incorporate larger hard drives and more RAM slots but I don't think it will happen.

As one who intends only to use a mini as an HTPC, I'd like to see HDMI, a big hard drive and 802.11n in the new mini and I'd probably buy one.

I've already recommended the current mini at work as replacements for our aging Power Macs. Since we already have displays, it's the best solution.

but these same people refer the mini in the same light as a macbook, the mini is meant for desks and not to be moved around day to day like a macbook, making a macbook lighter is a benefit doing the same to a mini is stupid

 

[iDave]

...making a macbook lighter is a benefit doing the same to a mini is stupid

I agree but Apple must think it's a selling point, or a reason to keep the mini somewhat crippled so they'll sell more Mac Pros. Even the iMac has mostly laptop components so it can be thin, thin, thin.

 

[Purple Pelican]

Pricing, pricing, pricing. When people look down the spec sheet of the Mac Mini when they're looking at new computers, especially in a recession, the average consumer is not going to like what they see.

 

[Cave Man]

Pricing, pricing, pricing. When people look down the spec sheet of the Mac Mini when they're looking at new computers, especially in a recession, the average consumer is not going to like what they see.

Show me a computer that has a dual core processor with optical audio (up to 7.1 DD or DTS) that is virtually silent and with such a tiny footprint, then we'll see who likes what. The Mini is in a class by itself.

 

[shikimo]

I really love the concept of the mini a lot but the more I think of it, the more I don't exactly see the point of it for the normal consumer. Apple's iMac have everything in one (display and computer), so why would you even want the smaller mini lying around on your desk with your other monitor?

I can see that it would be nice for people that don't have space for a 20" display...

My set-up: mini, 22", 16:9, matte-screen monitor.

I don't see those options in the iMac lineup.

 

[PowerPC User]

My set-up: mini, 22", 16:9, matte-screen monitor.

I don't see those options in the iMac lineup.

Speaking of options,

what about multiple-type Mac minis...
...you know, like,

1. a home-theatre-type one with HDMI, Surround, "Wirelessness", larger hard-drive, etc.

AND

2. one that's just like a personal everyday computer-use-type.

So, it would be like the variations in the MacBooks (Standard, Pro & Air), but Mac mini Pro, or some other such devices.

Now, in another view point,

3. only if it were easy and cheap to be able to have a base Mac mini-type, that could be upgraded some how to the "High-definition-stuff", with minimal cost, later on when you can afford or want to really always use it. Pretty much unlikely (upgradeable mini), however, what about being able to trade in your old mini (or any Mac for that matter)
to a new one, as a trade with a smaller starting price point. (Yes, it might mean you won't have a computer for awhile, which means you would actually now mind any computer even a mini, and it would save in throwing equipment out, environment, help others who cannot afford really new technology computers... you know, it could even be in terms of a lease, but you'd always own it, just that Apple would give you a discount in trading it in. There could be a set price for a non-working, working, and partially working Mac.)

I know that may be a lot, however, please give your thoughts, we might figure something out from all this (thread/posts here).

 

[Ironduke]

Show me a computer that has a dual core processor with optical audio (up to 7.1 DD or DTS) that is virtually silent and with such a tiny footprint, then we'll see who likes what. The Mini is in a class by itself.

not any more they are all doing it now dell, asus etc

 

[shatalin]

Smaller mini? For God's sake, no! It's a desktop after all. And comparing to all other desktops out there, an inferior one. An internet surf board. A typewriter. And finnaly an ipod dock for an ipod which has been discontinued several decades ago. A computer that cannot run hd-movies smoothly during the blue-ray emerging era. Pick the one with Combo-Drive and half of the iLife pack will be useless to you. What? Software which is being advertised with it is useless? A complete delirium, if you ask me.
I just can't take the Mini seriously.

Bring back the Cube already! A headless iMac is all you and I were asking for 10 years! And why? Let me remind it. The PCs are noisy, ugly and Windows is not for normal people, but for office plankton.

 

[JG271]

Bring back the Cube already! A headless iMac is all you and I were asking for 10 years! And why? Let me remind it. The PCs are noisy, ugly and Windows is not for normal people, but for office plankton.

So just a mac mini with upgradable graphics, HDD etc?

I think the mini is fine as it is, although is long overdue for an upgrade.
Not everybody needs great power, graphics and upgradability, many just want a small, quiet, cheap and reliable machine that runs OSX.

 

[CalmEnvy]

Show me a computer that has a dual core processor with optical audio (up to 7.1 DD or DTS) that is virtually silent and with such a tiny footprint, then we'll see who likes what. The Mini is in a class by itself.

Not anymore. You have Dell and Asus that are starting to follow the trend of the mini. The mini is also way overpriced for what you get with it. For example:

Low end Mini - $649CDN
Low end Dell Studio Hybrid - $529CDN - More RAM, Bigger HDD, DVD Burner

Sure, the Dell doesn't run OSX but the Dell is $120 cheaper, has better specs, can add a Blu-ray drive, comes with HDMI port, and more. Apple really needs to update the mini or more people will go with the cheaper, alternative.