Mac Mini Refresh Soon?

[Greebazoid]

I havent yet found a situation where the 1.66 Yonah in my mini is the problem. granted, I dont use photoshop and I have the full whack of 2GB RAM - my beef with the mini is when I boot into 'doze and wanna play games - that GMA950 just cant cut the mustard.

So what would make me rush out and buy a new mini (and put this one under the TV) would be a faster graphics processor.

Cant see that happening any time soon tho.

and whats with all the Prius cars? sheeeeshh.

;-)

 

[Eidorian]

Merom thread, etc...

http://guides.macrumors.com/Merom

 

[zelet]

my beef with the mini is when I boot into 'doze and wanna play games - that GMA950 just cant cut the mustard.

So what would make me rush out and buy a new mini (and put this one under the TV) would be a faster graphics processor.

Cant see that happening any time soon tho.

I agree to that. I got the Mini thinking the GPU couldn't be that bad. I was really wrong. If they up the GPU I'll buy another one and be happy. If not - I'll live with the underpowered video of the mini until Apple finally releases a headless iMac (or something equivalent).

 

[DrFrankTM]

Extended desktop on a Mini (sort of)...

am I right in thinking that there is still no way to do extended desktop (two monitors displaying different stuff) on a Mini?

Hmmm... To cook an extended desktop on a Mini (sort of), you need:

1-) A Mac Mini
2-) An old Mac with a screen - mine is an old iBook G3
3-) A router
4-) Synergy
5-) Some kind of script - Automator does the job - to turn Synergy into a start-up item on both computers

Ok, it obviously doesn't give you two screens on your Mini, but you can cut and paste between screens, and use only one keyboard and mouse to control both, which is pretty sweet. Personally, I use my Mini for any kind of heavy workloads and the iBook for the small stuff. The lack of extended desktop was almost a show-stopper for me but, in the end, Synergy provides me with all the screen space I need. If you really need more than that though, maybe the Mini isn't the right machine.

EDIT: For example, I run Skype on my iBook. There is no difference whatsoever to me whether it is on my iBook or my Mini. You can use the secondary screen for a bunch of apps like those that do not really need to run on your Mini.

 

[aswitcher]

There are no single core Core 2 processors. That's why. 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo is the bottom of the line. Cost Apple same they paid for Solo 1.5GHz Yonah.

Yeah I thought mini would go Core 2 last. But maybe Apple is getting such a huge shipment that they can go Core 2 across the board right away. I don't know. Hope Springs Eternal.

Arent Core 2s being reported in shortage by intel suppliers?

 

[netdog]

Arent Core 2s being reported in shortage by intel suppliers?

Yeah, coz Apple bought 'em all up to fill them super-secret shipping containers arriving on Sept. 5 full of bitchin' Core 2 iMacs, Minis, MBPs and MBs.

 

[Akula971]

I really do wish to see a mini or something similar with more power. At the moment I have a G4 mini (7200rpm disk, 1GB ram and overclocked to 1.58GHz), but I still need a little more power. What is my option at the moment, an Intel mini? I don't think I'd see much of a real difference, so it has to be a Mac Pro? Too much dosh. There has to be something in between for those that have a screen and keyboard, etc

 

[Night Phoenix]

Mac Mini vs Linux Media Box

Hey guys,

I will soon be getting an older Pentium 3 for free from my dad who is remodeling his office, and I was thinking of installing linux on it and turning it into a dvr / media box for my tv. Have any of you done this with a mac mini? Any opinions on this?

 

[Multimedia]

Apple Is Not Going To Keep Shipping Yonahs Any Longer Than They Have To

If they bring out a core2duo mac mini it will be faster than my 18month old power mac.

Duh. Welcome to the completed transition. I need to run a few tests to confirm this once they are out, but I think any Core 2 Mac may be faster than the Dual 2GHz G5 PowerMac from October of 2005.

cant see it happening, they might go for a faster core duo in the mac mini and macbook then core 2 duo in iMac and Macbook pro

Then you are in denial. Core Duo is already history. And Apple doesn't like to be selling historical artifacts any longer than they must - especially when the new state-of-the-art processors don't cost them any more.

I don't think we are going to see Core Duos in Apples for much longer, though it is possible that the base Mini will offer a Core Duo, and the better model a Core 2 Duo.

Still, I think it much more likely that with this revision, both Minis will sport Core 2 Duos, probably Meroms to keep them quiet and lower-powered, and will feature the 965 graphics chipset which frankly is a very nice and inexpenisve graphics solution.

What I am really hoping is that there will be an add-on base module in a similar form factor to turn any Mini into a full-blown HD/Audio media centre. Now that could really be exciting. While Tivos and Sky+ boxes are welcome in my home, we are just aching for someone to really rethink the entire home media experience. I'd love to see Apple take a shot at that.

I think the addition of the new EyeTV hybrid USB2 Digital-Analog Broadcast Tuner may be a significant part of the ticket you are looking for with a new 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo mini. Ships early September for only $150. They have combined two large bulky Firewire tuners from older products they previously sold only separately for a combined price of $500 into a tiny not-much-bigger-than-a-flash-ram-stick USB2 product that will sell for only $150. It's a miracle!

 

[Multimedia]

1.66 Core 2 Duo Mac mini Will Eat All G4's For Breakfast

I really do wish to see a mini or something similar with more power. At the moment I have a G4 mini (7200rpm disk, 1GB ram and overclocked to 1.58GHz), but I still need a little more power. What is my option at the moment, an Intel mini? I don't think I'd see much of a real difference, so it has to be a Mac Pro? Too much dosh. There has to be something in between for those that have a screen and keyboard, etc

No. Now is not the time to buy it yet. Wait for the Core 2 Duo mini and you will see a radical increase in performance. Current Core Duo too. But as long as the Core 2 Duo models are imminent, no point in not waiting. Why do you think you won't see much real difference? Are you kidding? It's night and day.

 

[Multimedia]

Intel Is Why Not Better GPU in mini and MacBook

I havent yet found a situation where the 1.66 Yonah in my mini is the problem. granted, I dont use photoshop and I have the full whack of 2GB RAM - my beef with the mini is when I boot into 'doze and wanna play games - that GMA950 just can't cut the mustard.

So what would make me rush out and buy a new mini (and put this one under the TV) would be a faster graphics processor.

Cant see that happening any time soon tho.

I can.

I agree to that. I got the Mini thinking the GPU couldn't be that bad. I was really wrong. If they up the GPU I'll buy another one and be happy. If not - I'll live with the underpowered video of the mini until Apple finally releases a headless iMac (or something equivalent).

Only thing holding back better GPU in mini and MacBooks is Intel. Apple needs to stick with IG for cost reasons. Just wating for Intel to start shipping better GPU so they can improve that ASAP. I'm with you guys. Waiting for that to improve as well. But may happen with this refresh. Don't know the IG roadmap so well. Read here the 965 set is delayed until early 2007.

Can anyone here confirm where we're at and going how soon on the Intel Integrated GPU front?

Oh as a side note. The 965 chipset which features the GMA 3000 or GMA X3000 will indeed have more features, but preliminary benchmarks show it performing even worse than the GMA 950.

Edit: And you may be quite right on your prediction of the 965 chipset. Due to a design flaw in the integrated graphics subsystem (GMA X3000/3000) the availability of the chips has been delayed to mid August, making them just in time for new Mini's in September.

Fantastic.

 

[Eidorian]

I can.Only thing holding back better GPU in mini and MacBooks is Intel. Apple needs to stick with IG for cost reasons. Just wating for Intel to start shipping better GPU so they can improve that ASAP. I'm with you guys. Waiting for that to improve as well. But may happen with this refresh. Don't know the IG roadmap so well. Read here the 965 set is delayed until early 2007.

Can anyone here confirm where we're at and going how soon on the Intel Integrated GPU front?

We're still going with the GMA950 on the mobile front. The X3000 (965) has made its debut on the desktop platform with Conroe. Still, driver issues and low chipset supply keep it from the mass market. We're not going to see a MOBILE X3000 (965) until Santa Rosa next year. Hopefully Apple can make some good drivers for OS X and the X3000. I don't know anything beyond the 965 in the integrated graphics front.

 

[Chris Bangle]

Why would updated mac minis be such a high security product. Its nothing revolutionary so why would apple want so much security on the shipping of them? Im hoping for something BIG

 

[frankie]

Intel Core pricing

I thought Yonah and Merom are basically the same cost-wise. That's why everyone thinks including merom in new systems won't raise the price of those systems.

Exactly so. For everyone's reference, here's a current Intel price chart (per CPU in lots of 1000): http://spamreaper.org/frankie/macintel.html

It makes certain options quite clear. For example:

• mini 1: replace Solo 1.50 with "OEM" Yonah 1.60 = $60 less.
• mini 2: replace Yonah 1.66 with Merom 1.66 = same price.
• iMac 1: replace Yonah 1.83 with Conroe 1.86 = $58 less.
• iMac 2: replace Yonah 2.00 with Conroe 2.13 = $70 less.
• all MacBooks: replace Yonah with Merom = same price.

Caveat: Merom is drop-in compatible with Yonah, but upgrading to Conroe would require a different mobo... which is also equal or lower in price to Yonah mobos.

Basically, if Apple doesn't update the entire product line ASAP, they're screwing over customers for no gain to themselves. Can you say "shareholder lawsuit"? I certainly hope someone is grumbling that phrase in Steve's vicinity.

 

[Eidorian]

Exactly so. For everyone's reference, here's a current Intel price chart (per CPU in lots of 1000): http://spamreaper.org/frankie/macintel.html

It makes certain options quite clear. For example:

• mini 1: replace Solo 1.50 with "OEM" Yonah 1.60 = $60 less.
• mini 2: replace Yonah 1.66 with Merom 1.66 = same price.
• iMac 1: replace Yonah 1.83 with Conroe 1.86 = $58 less.
• iMac 2: replace Yonah 2.00 with Conroe 2.13 = $70 less.
• all MacBooks: replace Yonah with Merom = same price.

Caveat: Merom is drop-in compatible with Yonah, but upgrading to Conroe would require a different mobo... which is also equal or lower in price to Yonah mobos.

Basically, if Apple doesn't update the entire product line ASAP, they're screwing over customers for no gain to themselves. Can you say "shareholder lawsuit"? I certainly hope someone is grumbling that phrase in Steve's vicinity.

THANK YOU!

I always wanted a quick source for Intel chip prices and other characteristics.

 

[Multimedia]

Core Solo Yonahs Are Not Going To Be Held Over In Lowest Priced mini

Exactly so. For everyone's reference, here's a current Intel price chart (per CPU in lots of 1000): http://spamreaper.org/frankie/macintel.html

It makes certain options quite clear. For example:

• mini 1: replace Solo 1.50 with "OEM" Yonah 1.60 = $60 less.
• mini 2: replace Yonah 1.66 with Merom 1.66 = same price.
• iMac 1: replace Yonah 1.83 with Conroe 1.86 = $58 less.
• iMac 2: replace Yonah 2.00 with Conroe 2.13 = $70 less.
• all MacBooks: replace Yonah with Merom = same price.

Caveat: Merom is drop-in compatible with Yonah, but upgrading to Conroe would require a different mobo... which is also equal or lower in price to Yonah mobos.

Basically, if Apple doesn't update the entire product line ASAP, they're screwing over customers for no gain to themselves. Can you say "shareholder lawsuit"? I certainly hope someone is grumbling that phrase in Steve's vicinity.

1. Apple doesn't pay those prices.
2. No way is Apple going to keep shipping any Yonah processors.
3. Any speed Solo Yonah will be history with this refresh.
4. It's gonna be 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo T5500 and 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo T5600 minis.
5. I expect the iMac to sport faster Conroes in a completely new designed enclosure that can deal with the additional heat a Conroe setup will generate.
6. I also think there's a chance for a 23" iMac 1920 x 1200 all-in-one model. That is, after all, the proper resolution to display native HDTV with your new $150 EyeTV hybrid analog-digital USB2 tuner.
7. iMacs will get:

Core 2 Duo E6700 - 2.67 GHz (4 MiB L2, 1066 MHz FSB) and
Core 2 Duo E6600 - 2.40 GHz (4 MiB L2, 1066 MHz FSB)

They only have TWO Cores. You think Apple isn't going to let iMac owners have half as many cores as the Mac Pro owners at comparable speeds and L2 cache?

I know that sounds a little shrill compared to where we were a year ago. But times have radically changed and they are going to radically change even moreso next year. - especially once Leopard ships.

 

[Eidorian]

1. Apple doesn't pay those prices.
2. No way is Apple going to keep shipping any Yonah processors.
3. Any speed Solo Yonah will be history with this refresh.
4. It's gonna be 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo T5500 and 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo T5600 minis.
5. I expect the iMac to sport faster Conroes in a completely new designed enclosure that can deal with the additional heat a Conroe setup will generate.
6. I also think there's a chance for a 23" iMac 1920 x 1200 all-in-one model. That is, after all, the proper resolution to display native HDTV.
7. iMacs will get:

Core 2 Duo E6700 - 2.67 GHz (4 MiB L2, 1066 MHz FSB) and
Core 2 Duo E6600 - 2.40 GHz (4 MiB L2, 1066 MHz FSB)

They only have TWO Cores. You think Apple isn't going to let iMac owners have half as many cores as the Mac Pro owners at comparable speeds and L2 cache?

1. Of course Apple isn't going to pay the per/1000 prices. They're getting better deals then that.

2. After Leopard's "64-bit" announcement I have to agree.

3. Even a "slow" Duo is worth much more then any Solo.

5. Hopefully they'll put Conroe in. The 965 chipset is hard to get. The current enclosure can handle a G5. I don't see the need for a redesign needed for Conroe. At worst it'll need a slight bump in the power supply wattage.

6. Possible, the price on the 20" model is rather low. (For education anyways) Just $1450 for me after selling my free iPod.

 

[frankie]

1. Apple doesn't pay those prices.
2. No way is Apple going to keep shipping any Yonah processors.
3. Any speed Solo Yonah will be history with this refresh.
4. It's gonna be 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo T5500 and 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo T5600 minis.
5. I expect the iMac to sport faster Conroes in a completely new designed enclosure that can deal with the additional heat a Conroe setup will generate.

1. Intel claims they stopped giving discounts to favored customers. But even if, the ratios would be the same.
2. okay.
3. OEM T2050 is a Duo. It's cheap because it's 533 bus vs 667.
4. If you say so.
5. Maybe, maybe not. Conroe is cooler than G5, which used the same case.

 

[50548]

BestBuy says that MacMinis AND iMacs are sold out...will we see faster iMacs soon as well???

 

[Multimedia]

Core 2 iMacs Need A Design Refresh In Prep For Kentsfield Heat Inside Next Year

Conroe is cooler than G5, which used the same case.

Not because they need to now, but because Apple changes enclosures every few years to keep the line looking new and improved like it is on the inside. Core 2 calls for such a design refresh to further distinguish the new from the old and to have thermal envelope specs capable of supporting Kentsfield 4 cores inside next year.

 

[milo]

Interesting...but no info about what the new models may be.

Faster yonah (if you think intel won't drop yonah prices you're nuts)? Merom? Conroe?

I'd love to see a price drop along with an update, maybe add a third model and drop the price on the basic model. I wouldn't get my hopes up for a graphics card, or any radical redesign at this point. Best shot is *better* integrated graphics, not dedicated.

The current mini configs are pretty overpriced compared to similar PC's.

I agree to that. I got the Mini thinking the GPU couldn't be that bad. I was really wrong.

Shouldn't have bought the mini if you're much of a gamer.

 

[puuukeey]

just a thought. I'd like to see at least one mini stay as cheap as possible. cheap minis are condusive to the "non desktop" or "inivisible" situations we all love them for.


creative things like
Home automation,
Home theater
automotive fun
art installations
internet radio.
cash registers
security systems
advertising kiosks(shoot me)
rhumba?

I always thought they should lay a tiny screen on them for applications like these where it's purpose doesn't need to infinitely pliable.

 

[jakemikey]

just a thought. I'd like to see at least one mini stay as cheap as possible. cheap minis are condusive to the "non desktop" or "inivisible" situations we all love them for.


creative things like
Home automation,
Home theater
automotive fun
art installations
internet radio.
cash registers
security systems
advertising kiosks(shoot me)
rhumba?

Every single one of those (except perhaps home theater) would be much better suited with a cheaper VIA mini-ITX system running Linux. The only reason you should ever choose Mac OS X over Linux is in *visible* setups, not *invisible* setups.

 

[HecubusPro]

and whats with all the Prius cars? sheeeeshh.

;-)

I don't know. It's not like I'm a granola-eating-backpacking-through-the-Appalachians hippie. I don't want to save the world. I just want to save gas.
And for some reason, Prius' and Mac Mini's go so darned well together.

 

[Eidorian]

Every single one of those (except perhaps home theater) would be much better suited with a cheaper VIA mini-ITX system running Linux. The only reason you should ever choose Mac OS X over Linux is in *visible* setups, not *invisible* setups.

Sadly, I've tried to make cheaper VIA based mini-ITX systems. I usually end up getting a better buy from a Mac Mini.