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Mac Mini Still Alive? New Model Coming?

I was amused to see the touch-screen top Mac-Mini. Perhaps you would be more satisfied if that was on your remote? Either an iPhone form factor or a 3x screen iPhone form like I want.

Steve in context said essentially he could not make a $500 MacBook (ie. with a display), he would be willing to do.

I agree with the suggestions for a mini-display port with the various interfaces, but based on what we saw at MacBook intro it may have to be third party. Heck, Apple only this rev "enabled USB 2.0!!" I strongly disapprove of that unwarranted delay.

I strongly endorse FW800 as a sole option with a 3200 enabler, eSata interface, and not mere gigabit ethernet, but faster still.

The expansion should DEFINITELY allow two laptop drives in RAID mode in lieu of a larger HD or an optical drive. It should talk to the optical drive in your other Macs as well as all the server pools contained within as well as printers and network connections, possibly even including your iPhone (remote) 3G connection.
 
jyhwkm said:
Or simply put, if it is refreshed when can I expect to buy it?
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I predicted in the now closed mini thread that November 11 would be the day for a new mini. Since that's Veteran's Day, it might be the 18th instead. But I know nothing. It's just an educated guess.

If iMacs are refreshed around then, I doubt we'll see a new mini at the same time. Apple would not want anything to dilute press coverage of the iconic iMac. :rolleyes:

Chances are, we'll see a low-key intro of a new mini in November when the new shiny display is ready to ship and then a big splash at Macworld SF for the iMacs, a new 17" MBP and more new displays.
 
mini displayport is port is for sure
usb
and probably a move to a magsafe power connection

this way the new led display can be used to power the mini without that HUGE brick supply!

add express34 slot :apple:!!!

releasing at the same time as new imacs would not be a problem. only thing new in imac will be a processor/memory/graphics change and mini displayport add. nothing major really now that we've all seen the new mb/mbp's
 
iDave said:
I predicted in the now closed mini thread that November 11 would be the day for a new mini. Since that's Veteran's Day, it might be the 18th instead. But I know nothing. It's just an educated guess.

If iMacs are refreshed around then, I doubt we'll see a new mini at the same time. Apple would not want anything to dilute press coverage of the iconic iMac. :rolleyes:

Chances are, we'll see a low-key intro of a new mini in November when the new shiny display is ready to ship and then a big splash at Macworld SF for the iMacs, a new 17" MBP and more new displays.
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I think you've called this correct, Dave. One comment though, 18 Nov + pipeline population lag is pretty late to be taking advantage of the holiday buying season, especially in a downturning economy. And people looking at a mini may very well be interested in it as a holiday present. I'm thinking the first week of Nov instead...Tuesday, 4 Nov. We typically start hearing replacement spec chatter 10 - 14 days prior so this is about the right timeframe. Trouble is, that's Election Day in the USA, a terrible time for tech coverage unless Apple truly wants a silent rollout. Or they break with tradition and don't announce on a Tuesday.

Like you, I seriously doubt Apple will release anything during the Veteran's Day week...people will take Monday, 10 Nov off before the official US holiday and make it a long weekend. Again, a bad time for tech press coverage.

So your 18 Nov educated guess may still be right on the money.
 
Regarding time: my Apple retailer (in Europe) told me in mid-september that they could hardly order a Mini for me, almost impossible to get for them. And that could have been going on for a while. It seems that only Apple Store / big chains provide them easily. So, end-of-line or close-to-update? I've got the feeling Apple does not know itself. (No plans for the future, let's sell as long as it sells?).
 
Felix: Thank you, funny thing. Over here we have elections excl. on sundays where people (usually) don't have to work.

Anyway: I'm hoping for a new mini as well, fingers crossed for Firewire (such a mess that they ripped it from the MacBook).
Other wishes: QuadCore (will remain a wish as long as not even the iMac has it), 250GB, 320GB and 500GB HD, 4GB Memory and 9400M Chipset. Maybe Magsafe + DisplayPort so it'll fit to the new Cinema Display just as well as the MacBooks do.

My Prediction:

2.0GHz Dualcore, 9400M, 160GB HD, 1GB RAM, SuperDrive for 499€
2.4GHz Dualcore, 9400M, 250GB HD, 2GB RAM, Superdrive for 699€
 
tapsevarg said:
Now being that my use is primarily as a HTPC, here's what I want (and have been waiting patiently):
UPGRADED GPU
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Not needed for video. The current one is perfectly fine, unless you're talking about HDCP, which Steve still has major issues with (and rightfully so).

CPU AND MEMORY BUMPS
INTERNAL PSU
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Those are always nice.

IMPROVED SOUND
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7.1 surround sound isn't good enough for you? You must be a real videophile.

HDTV TUNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Elgato Eye TV Hybrid does the job now.

Of course I would like Blu Ray as well.
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This would be a nice addition so that one wouldn't have boot into Windows to rip the Blu-ray discs. But Steve has serious business issues with the way HDCP is implemented at the moment. There's a lot of overhead that comes with it, and that always compromises system performance. Best thing would be for software that disables both HDCP and encryption, if you ask me.
 
iDave said:
I predicted in the now closed mini thread that November 11 would be the day for a new mini. Since that's Veteran's Day, it might be the 18th instead. But I know nothing. It's just an educated guess.

If iMacs are refreshed around then, I doubt we'll see a new mini at the same time. Apple would not want anything to dilute press coverage of the iconic iMac. :rolleyes:

Chances are, we'll see a low-key intro of a new mini in November when the new shiny display is ready to ship and then a big splash at Macworld SF for the iMacs, a new 17" MBP and more new displays.
Click to expand...

Definitely not election week.

Veterans' Day a possibility. I would say the All-In-One Mac is a veteran. iMac price drops and a new Mini.

If not then definitely the week following - just the week before Thanksgiving.
 
iPhone Dev machine

How many people here think that the requirement of a Mac for iPhone dev is helping the Mac Mini stay in the top 5 of Amazon's desktop computer list? Big companies will sell out bucks for a Mac Pro, but small (and 1 person) devs are probably snatching these things up as the cheapest way to start developing for the iPhone.
 
MM123 said:
Do you have any relevant or internal information about it? I guess no, it's just your thoughts, without any background.
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Of course it is just my background. Everyone here is spitting into the wind, yourself included.

But look at it objectively - why keep a machine with technology so out of date if it was important to you? Tell me what Apple has gained by keeping the Mac Mini on two-year old hardware with a two-year old price while every other model in their lineup has been upgraded once or twice a year.

When did Apple last actively advertise the Mac Mini? Two years ago? Three years ago? Hell, when did they last talk about it? Sure, it showed up on the slide on the 14th, but notice how they didn't even mention it? Why not? Notice how nobody in the Mac press community even asked about the Mac Mini at the Q&A? Or at MacWorld's Q&A? Or WWDC's Q&A? Or at anytime?

All these sources keep saying "New Mini's Coming!" or "Mini is Dead! Long Live the $999 MacBook!", yet not one of them has bothered to actually try and find out what Apple is thinking. Even a "we can neither confirm nor deny the status of the Mini" from Apple. Not even a "no comment".

Apple's executives doesn't seem to care about it, the professional Apple press community doesn't seem to care about it, and it looks like all but your most niche Apple customer doesn't care about it.

That should tell you something, IMO. And that something is not "New Mini Coming!". :(

Mind you, I'd like to see a new Mini coming because it fits a niche for people, but if Apple feels the model doesn't make sense in a post-PPC world, well...
 
CWallace said:
All these sources keep saying "New Mini's Coming!" or "Mini is Dead! Long Live the $999 MacBook!", yet not one of them has bothered to actually try and find out what Apple is thinking. Even a "we can neither confirm nor deny the status of the Mini" from Apple. Not even a "no comment".
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I was surprised there was no question about the mini at this week's conference call. I suppose it's too easy to get shot down with a "no comment" so they prefer to ask something else.

I really think Apple leaves the mini in the lineup because they would rather make a little money selling a mini than no money at all. They don't promote it because the profit on a mini is probably half what it is on an iMac or portable, and a quarter what it is on a Mac Pro.

If, as many are suggesting, Apple upgrades the mini to specs similar to the new low-end MacBook (which I doubt) the price would probably increase to $899 or 999.
 
I went MBP instead!

tssfulk said:
How many people here think that the requirement of a Mac for iPhone dev is helping the Mac Mini stay in the top 5 of Amazon's desktop computer list? Big companies will sell out bucks for a Mac Pro, but small (and 1 person) devs are probably snatching these things up as the cheapest way to start developing for the iPhone.
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Part of my interest in the purchase of a Mac came from the thought that I might do some software development for iPhone. But that was only part of what got me to buy a MBP! First; most of my desktop machines run Linux, Apples MacOS is a very good vehicel in that it's BSD under pinnings are very similar. Second; being an advanced amature photographer I find that some of the best apps to support that are available on the Mac. Third; the MBP comes in a nice package, it isn't just looks but supplied I/O that makes it so. Fourth; yes an interest in IPhone development.

All of the above don't out weigh the fact that I just wanted a portable. The above just made it easier to go with a Mac.

Dave
 
Mac Mini...what next?

Mac Mini as is remains a dull butter knife in a cutting edge world. Apple either should give it a real boost in power or let it fade into history.

I would prefer if Apple did the following:

Rebrand the Mac Mini, add it to the ATV line along with additional features.
Both should use the ATV footprint. The new Mac Mini should do everything the ATV does plus computing. Care can be taken to handle DRM material from itunes (rentals as well) and be provided.

The regular ATV serves as a living room only device. The Mac Mini version would serve as either computer or ATV or both.

The new ATV regular should come with 2 gigs of Ram, DVD reader and improved hardware to run 1080p. It should remain a turn key system.

The Mac Mini Version may use the same MoBo and Graphics but would
come with DVD RW and 4 gigs RAM as the base unit. Options would be only to change out the DVD RW to a Blu Ray Reader with DVD RW function.
The challenge here is for Apple to do its usual "control" of itunes and DRM via software in this more "open" system (than the ATV OS).

From a marketing point of view the ATV original but improved is only usable in a living room situation. The Mac Mini version can serve as an ATV or if used as an entry point computer remain as such until an upgrade to iMac follow and be remanded to the living room. This btw is a more green approach as there is no waste (Apple may make less toxic parts in their system but making system become outdated fast is NOT a green position to take) but now they can advertise it as such.

Apple might consider the new Mac Mini ATV to be the real answer to the MS Media Center (sans playing blu ray unless they get software involved). They can also push it into the business world for presentations. It is small enough to use like a laptop but from an AV dept's POV, its a better asset to track.

To avoid competition between the two models is simple- pricing. ATV around 250-300 dollars and the ATV+(Mac Mini) at the same price it is offered now.

Hardware potential
1) Common Mother Board
2) Non shared Graphics memory (output 1080p)
3) output - HDMI, Component, Apple's DVI
4) output - shared analogue/optical-digital audio
5) CPU - ATV 2ghrz, ATV(Mac Mini) 2.4 ghrz
6) Devices - DVD Reader for ATV, DVD RW or blu ray/DVD RW (MM)
7) Devices - 4 USB 2.0, 2 400/800 firewire
8) Comm- N wireless (a,g included), 10/100/1000 ethernet
9) Accessory - Ext Drive case same footprint as ATV that houses (1-3.5 or 2-2.5) with possible USB or Firewire Hub-ability.

Conclusion- Media playback and gaming has become driving points for a large amount of computer users. Apple needs to position products that can be flexible and in some respects improved with updates. This requires appropriate hardware and skilled market positioning. It doesn't take a genius to realize that using the standard ATV with itunes is an expensive proposition. Itunes needs to be reworked to fit into a more modern world of competition and these 2 ATV units provide a good way to start 2009.

Just my two cents.

Phrehdd
 
CWallace said:
I posit that the model is not selling and therefore Apple has made the decision to end of life it. And that it's selling so slowly that a year after Apple might have made that decision, they are still sitting on inventory...
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This one sentence moves me to write the reply and I think you are wrong. Of course I don't have any internal information, but #1 selling Mac desktop on Amazon, you can hardly buy it on Refurb Store, because they just sell very quick and the price on eBay gives another view at the so "bad selling" MacMini.
Why is it more than a year without any change? I have no clue, no relevant informations, and my crystal ball is on holiday, so I couldn't answer that question :cool:
 
Cave Man said:
All this dreaming is nice but the reality of it is...

If the Mini is updated, it will be a MacBook in a desktop configuration.

I just hope it doesn't lose firewire.
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i agree. there is NO WAY that apple is going to something out of the ordinary. i just want a flippin' upgrade!! (at the same price would be nice)

yes firewire MUST stay. i will be hooking my 3 FW HD's up to it for sharing over the network, so it needs firewire.
 
ericinboston said:
Why would you pay $1200 for a small tower? I haven't paid $1200 for any tower since about 1999.

Apple needs to get off their butt and release a desktop for the masses that is cheap. Doesn't have to be $399 to compete with HP and Compaq and Acer...but $1200 is ridiculous.
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A 2GHz Mini with 2GB ram and a measly 160GB hard drive with keyboard & mouse sells today for $1022.

With Apples pricing history what do you think a small tower WOULD sell for. I didn't say "I wish". We all "wish". I just said that I would pay $1200 for a small tower that a user could easily expand / replace / upgrade memory, hard drives, video cards etc.

Apple could easily sell a quality tower for $1200 with 4Gigs of ram a hard drive of at least 250Gigs , a fast Core 2 duo processor and the new nvidia gpu's. But they won't. Not now anyway. As the economy dumps, their sales will dump also. If Apple made high quality boxes that were more affordable, then their market share would soar. It aint going to happen right now. And I may be forced to replace my 5 year old PPC with a windows box. Apple is worth billions. But they are greedy. That greed will have an end.
 
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