Mac mini redesign

[Confuzzzed]

I asked this on the full Apple range redesign story but nobody seemed to be thinking mini so thought I'd ask here. Are there any physical / structural reasons why a quad core processor can not be incorporated into a future mac mini redesign? Temperature? Motherboard? Space limitations? Will it make much of a difference to the current 'ultimate' spec?

 

[nufanec]

None at all. There's a qua core in the current generation server model.

 

[powerbook911]

I asked this on the full Apple range redesign story but nobody seemed to be thinking mini so thought I'd ask here. Are there any physical / structural reasons why a quad core processor can not be incorporated into a future mac mini redesign? Temperature? Motherboard? Space limitations? Will it make much of a difference to the current 'ultimate' spec?

Confuzzzed,


nufanec is exactly right. The Mac Mini Server ($999 model in U.S.) has a Quad processor right now. I'm typing on one, and they are pretty popular.

The drawback is they have integrated graphics, but not an issue for many of us.

However, the current mid-range Mini with i7 Dual Core added is not too too far behind the server in performance with much better graphics, but only one, slower hard drive.

 

[philipma1957]

right now the real problem to a killer mac mini is apple's lack of need to build one. If they kill off the mac pro the mini will be made far more powerful. Simple as that.

A mac mini with a stackable power box 1/2 inch high or a mac mini with a power brick can have a 2.2 quad and a discrete cpu even a dvd slot. Death of the mac pro may move apple to make the machine. time will tell.

 

[wrinkster22]

I doubt there will be a redesign. If the pro gets killed out i see the possibility of people daisy chaining Mac Minis together.

 

[Confuzzzed]

None at all. There's a qua core in the current generation server model.

What are the drawbacks of using the server mac mini instead of the retail versions? Can you, for instance, jailbreak these to install 'normal' non-server OS-X?

----------

The drawback is they have integrated graphics, but not an issue for many of us.

good intel. Thanks. This doesn't bother me either as not a gamer but interested to know if the dual core i7 versions have a separate GPU? Thank you

 

[Darby67]

The only difference is with Lion Server over the Client is the Server application. The first time it is launched it makes some changes to the system how it operates, other than that it is the exact same OS. If the application is never launched it is identical. Quite different than Snow Leopard Server which is quite different in appearance and functioning than the client OS.

Yes, the BTO dual core i7 has a discrete GPU as does the 2.5GHz i5

 

[Confuzzzed]

The only difference is with Lion Server over the Client is the Server application. The first time it is launched it makes some changes to the system how it operates, other than that it is the exact same OS. If the application is never launched it is identical. Quite different than Snow Leopard Server which is quite different in appearance and functioning than the client OS.

Yes, the BTO dual core i7 has a discrete GPU as does the 2.5GHz i5

From your signature it sounds like you have both the i7 and the Quad core that runs Lion server. Can you tell the difference in performance? If it helps with context, the most likely processor intensive task I am likely to undertake wil be some very basic video editing.

 

[MJL]

From your signature it sounds like you have both the i7 and the Quad core that runs Lion server. Can you tell the difference in performance? If it helps with context, the most likely processor intensive task I am likely to undertake wil be some very basic video editing.

You can find all the benchmarks here:

http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/mac-benchmarks/

 

[Confuzzzed]

You can find all the benchmarks here:

http://www.primatelabs.ca/geekbench/mac-benchmarks/

Very useful. Thank you. Anyone out there with real life comparison between i7 and Server spec quad core?

 

[paulrbeers]

I asked this on the full Apple range redesign story but nobody seemed to be thinking mini so thought I'd ask here. Are there any physical / structural reasons why a quad core processor can not be incorporated into a future mac mini redesign? Temperature? Motherboard? Space limitations? Will it make much of a difference to the current 'ultimate' spec?

The Mac Mini just got a redesign last year. Not sure why they would redesign their "lowest" end machine so quickly. Heck the old design was used for 4-5 years. MBP and iMac's are in need of redesigns. As previously stated, quad cores are already available just with the integrated graphics. The only major downside is that you can't run 2 thunderbolt displays with the integrated graphics.