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Mac Mini Still Alive? New Model Coming?

Mac mini......hmmmm

I think it would be cool if Apple were to update the mac mini to something desirable...and I hope that the graphics card is good enough to support a 30" cinema display unlike the last one. I really like the standard Mac Pro but spending $2799 on a desktop computer is ridiculous unless you're a professional and really need it. I do not want a iMac because I have my own display and will always want to keep it that way, so I'm stuck using my Macbook Pro as my main desk computer. I just wish Apple would create a regular desktop computer that isn't $2799, like PC manufacturers have.
 
Indeed, I would much prefer a range, something like the Mac Mini but in a tower form would be better than just the Mac Pro option at the moment - but keep the Mac Mini there as I'd prefer one of those myself because of its size.

I wouldn't be that fussed about a GPU either, although simply converting the current MacBook range into a Mini would be lovely.
 
Well, Mac is always targeting the higher people in sociaty, which would be the people with the cash. But, they never seem to target the regular family homes that should always have a home computer. But when they came out with the Mac Mini, that helped that "Family" target, and so did the iPod lines. So, I am sure Mac will come out with a new cheap costing Mac, but im not saying Mac Mini.

Kaos:apple:
 
Cave Man said:
...
The Dell (for nearly 50% more in cost) is only 4% faster than the Mini with Geekbench.
...
Like I said, we're all hoping for an update, but even this 2 year old Mini is competitive with the current Dell Studio Hybrid.
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Or, you could get a T8100 2.1 gHz, 2GB (3GB is only $40 more, 4GB is $75), CD/DVD burner, X3100 graphics, wireless N, 10/100/1000 ethernet, and a media card reader for $629. Blue-ray is $250, from Apple that costs...oh wait, you can't get that from Apple.

What were you saying about being competitive? It's not even close.

Although that's with a current $115 off, and you have to look at a few different models to figure out what's best. But Dell frequently gives discounts like that.
 
qtx43 said:
Or, you could get a T8100 2.1 gHz, 2GB (3GB is only $40 more, 4GB is $75), CD/DVD burner, X3100 graphics, wireless N, 10/100/1000 ethernet, and a media card reader for $629.
Click to expand...

Yeah, go back and read the thread on how shi++y the 2.1 gHz T8100 is under Winblows. The 2 gHz T7200 in the Mini under OS X blows it away in performance. Thats how sucky winblows is. If you wan an anemic computer, go ahead and spend that $629. :rolleyes:

Blue-ray is $250, from Apple that costs...oh wait, you can't get that from Apple.
Click to expand...

So go buy a winblows. It seems to suit you. Steve's made it clear he's not willing to play (pay) the licensing game with the Studios, and he (rightfully) hates the baggage that comes with HDCP compliance. Lucky for you, Steve is working this for all of us Mac users. Since iTS is doing so well with sales and rentals of TV shows and movies, I suspect Steve will eventually get what he wants by leveraging those sales figures.

Oh, and my Blu-ray drive on my Mac only cost $120. :p

What were you saying about being competitive? It's not even close.
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I'm glad you see it my way.

Although that's with a current $115 off, and you have to look at a few different models to figure out what's best. But Dell frequently gives discounts like that.
Click to expand...

That's great. If you want a sucky winblows computer, by all means go buy it. You get what you pay for. (And all this is coming from a hackintosh guy.)
 
Hugh said:
I know I haven't read the entire thread yet, but... OMG :eek: Where is this that uses that many MacMinis.

Hugh
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There has been at least one, but I imagine several uses of getting a whole lot of Minis, and pooling their power for a project, e.g. a low cost supercomputer style Mini cluster.
Escapes me for the moment, as i'm confusing it with the Virginia Tech G5/ Mac Pro cluster. I'd imagine a UNi or business cluster. Probably been retired now I guess.
 
If the new MB is any indication, it'll get nice punchy new hardware, black glass and aluminum enclosure, thinner, and get a price increase of $200. The current model will still be available at a $100 discount. :D
 
t0mat0 said:
There has been at least one, but I imagine several uses of getting a whole lot of Minis, and pooling their power for a project, e.g. a low cost supercomputer style Mini cluster.
Escapes me for the moment, as i'm confusing it with the Virginia Tech G5/ Mac Pro cluster. I'd imagine a UNi or business cluster. Probably been retired now I guess.
Click to expand...

I know there was a picture floating around and couple years ago. That showed a mini cluster at Micosoft Mac Unit. But that picture shows rows and rows of MacMinis! :eek:


Hugh
 
theLimit said:
If the new MB is any indication, it'll get nice punchy new hardware, black glass and aluminum enclosure, thinner, and get a price increase of $200. The current model will still be available at a $100 discount. :D
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The current model will run out of parts soon and at $500 2gb ram + super drive is is the way to go.

and $800 and $1000 for a desktop with on board video and no slots? with laptop parts?
 
Hugh said:
I know there was a picture floating around and couple years ago. That showed a mini cluster at Micosoft Mac Unit. But that picture shows rows and rows of MacMinis! :eek:
Click to expand...

The picture Eidorian posted earlier in the thread is from http://www.macminicolo.net/facility.html, and the caption underneath the picture says: "We host over 400 Mac minis in the facility. The number is continually growing."

minisdark.png


If you don't understand how the minis in the photo are being used and how MacMiniColo.net is related to this thread, see post #1 in this thread, i.e. "MacMiniColo.net, an internet hosting company that has a vested interest in Apple's Mac mini computers, has published a "State of the Mac mini" report in which they claim that they have heard that a new Mac mini is on the way."
 
Cave Man said:
Uhh, yeah, that's been part of the discussion for the last two pages, particularly its poorer processor performance.
Click to expand...
I would have put the Dell Studio Hybrid into my list but I want something more then the GMA X3100.

Cave Man said:
Aint gonna happen. If a new Mini is released, it'll be the NVidia MB packaged in a desktop box.
Click to expand...
Why would it be using a desktop chipset? Keep in mind the desktop version just has higher clocks but it is hotter as well.
 
The Mac Mini 1.42 Combo drive with 512MB of ram was the computer that made me switch. With the ram upgrade and Applecare I think i paid $749. While it was a great computer it was just too slow for me. I sold it and bought a windows laptop. I want to switch back and would love to see the mac mini in the current form factor just upgraded to current processors and the next generation integrated video. Bring back the $499 price point. Even if all it is, is the leftover 2.0 superdrive model.

The mini if my favorite apple computer. It is a good value as others have pointed out i just cant pay that price for the current mini at those specs.
 
Danger! Will said:
The Mac Mini 1.42 Combo drive with 512MB of ram was the computer that made me switch.
Click to expand...

Me too! - but since I quickly sold it - and virtually had evry type of Mac there is, I can't quite settle - I've had a lot of fun with Hackintoshes etc. My main problems that keep me away from Macs are:-

1. Compatibility issues, so I always need boot camp - and the 8600 chip doesn't work with my apps

2. Price - I can always get non-Mac alternatives more cheaply

3. Quirks - eg no firewire, mini=no 2nd disk, MacPro - just too damn big, iMac - wrong screen ratio as I don't like widescreen, etc

Although Macs are increasing market share - I wonder if/when this will be reversed. The smart people I know are moving from macs to the real minis like EE etc where you can have XP or Nix - or even just super PDAs or Blackberries.

The recent notebook updates, for example were pretty disappointing. And look at the votes on the Gay marriage thing here - 33% of people on this forum are bigots. I think 2009 may be seen as the Mac peak - especially with the downturn when people will want value not fluff.
 
Eidorian said:
Why would it be using a desktop chipset? Keep in mind the desktop version just has higher clocks but it is hotter as well.
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He never said it would use the desktop chipset, he said it would be a Macbook in a desktop "box" i.e. form-factor.
 
Cave Man said:
I'm not. I suggesting it will be a MacBook repackaged into a desktop enclosure of some kind, likely to fit the form factor of the current Mini or Apple TV/AEBSn.
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A repackaged MBP would be even better, but in all honestly I just want any sort of update.
 
The mini-tower shouldn't be based on laptop parts

yrsonicdeath said:
A repackaged MBP would be even better, but in all honestly I just want any sort of update.
Click to expand...

Not only are the laptop parts (CPU/chipset/graphics) more expensive than desktop parts, they're also lower performance and more limited.

The mini-tower should have at a minimum:

- dual or quad core, 8 GiB RAM max (4 slots)
- optical and 3.5" hard drive
- one free drive bay for either 2nd optical or 2nd hard drive
- integrated graphics *AND* PCIe x16 graphics slot with PCIe power connector
- two open PCIe x1 slots (TV tuners, major sound card, ...)
 
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