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Mac Mini Update Specs?

I really think it's about time the Superdrive came standard on all Apple computers, it 2006 not 1996. Hopefully the MacBook will also get Superdrive in both models.
 
AidenShaw said:
The worry is that in a few years interesting software applications will only come in x64 - companies will drop the fat binaries due to the expenses associated with multiple versions of the software.
[...]
So, not only can the 64-bit chip be significantly faster when in 64-bit mode - it is more future-proof.
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Ding, ding, ding! I buy computers around once every four years, sometimes even less frequently. A "Core Duo" without EMT64 or amd64 or whatever you want to is not a four year computer. It is not good performance for money compared to merom (especially since you have to buy a whole rest of the computer to get it), and more importantly, x86-64 only apps will exist in this 4-5 year window.

Larger companies, and general apps aren't such a big concern. They will probably be willing to supply x86 versions four years from now for all but the most demanding apps. However, independent developers working on projects making interesting niche software are less likely to want to deal with the hassle of fixing bugs on multiple architectures.

I've actually had development tasks where a single process used over 4 gigs virtual. I've never needed to do such on my personal machine so far, but it would be pretty unsurprising to cross that boundary in the next few years. With x86-64 the task can just run all night, and swap what may. With x86, it might involve lots of workarounds, or be simply impossible. This does not appeal to me!
 
MacSA said:
I really think it's about time the Superdrive came standard on all Apple computers, it 2006 not 1996. Hopefully the MacBook will also get Superdrive in both models.
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The first mac to even come with the option of a superdrive (meaning writes DVDs) was the PowerMac G4 that came out January 2001. In 1996, Macs didn't even come with CD-R drives.
 
miloblithe said:
The first mac to even come with the option of a superdrive (meaning writes DVDs) was the PowerMac G4 that came out January 2001. In 1996, Macs didn't even come with CD-R drives.
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Well......you know what I mean ;)
 
MacSA said:
Well......you know what I mean ;)
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I do, but I also love to be an ass. :)

I think Apple would enjoy being able to say "all superdrive, all 64-bit, all dual core..."

And we'd enjoy hearing it. But Apple also has to gouge us for profit. It's a two way street.
 
Let's hope that those specs aren't the final ones. That they're just to clear inventory.

I'm hoping for Merom based mac minis.. Merom costs the same so why not ?
 
Goldfinger said:
Let's hope that those specs aren't the final ones. That they're just to clear inventory.

I'm hoping for Merom based mac minis.. Merom costs the same so why not ?
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Knowing that Apple doesn't pay listed prices, it's not unreasonable to assume that Apple could get the Yonah chips for less than Merom ones.

Also, Apple has historically liked to scale its product lineup to encourage buying then next item up the scale. Some have even referred to it as "crippling" the lower machines.
 
miloblithe said:
Knowing that Apple doesn't pay listed prices, it's not unreasonable to assume that Apple could get the Yonah chips for less than Merom ones.

Also, Apple has historically liked to scale its product lineup to encourage buying then next item up the scale. Some have even referred to it as "crippling" the lower machines.
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Ahh crippling like using inferior Gpu's like in ProMac & Mini? Both GMA950 & 7300 are bottom tier.
 
miloblithe said:
Knowing that Apple doesn't pay listed prices, it's not unreasonable to assume that Apple could get the Yonah chips for less than Merom ones.
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But the same is true for Merom chips. It's not that they aren't getting volume discounts just because the chip is new..

Also, Apple has historically liked to scale its product lineup to encourage buying then next item up the scale. Some have even referred to it as "crippling" the lower machines.
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True.
 
it's not unreasonable to assume that Apple could get the Yonah chips for less than Merom ones.
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Are the Yonah chips being phased out now that Merom is coming on line?

I would think the same fab would produce the Merom chips...
 
Dont Hurt Me said:
Ahh crippling like using inferior Gpu's like in ProMac & Mini? Both GMA950 & 7300 are bottom tier.
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The 7300GT is a lot better than the name implies. It's more like a 7600 light than a regular 7300. Specs are significantly better for this card than the Radeon x1600 the iMacs use.

pilotError said:
Are the Yonah chips being phased out now that Merom is coming on line?

I would think the same fab would produce the Merom chips...
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Yes. Any yonahs around would probably be from existing stock. It's a direct replacement.
 
I just hope Apple doesn't make a habit of this "stealth" upgrade ********. I'm ready to buy now, but I'll wait a bit for an update. If I hear about people receiving core duos when core solo is written on the box, then I think my head will explode.
 
aquajet said:
I just hope Apple doesn't make a habit of this "stealth" upgrade ********. I'm ready to buy now, but I'll wait a bit for an update. If I hear about people receiving core duos when core solo is written on the box, then I think my head will explode.
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Acording the story in the link I posted above, it's happened to at least one person so far. That may be what they're going for with the Mini's. Would they do the same thing with C2D and MBP's, MB's, etc.?
 
HecubusPro said:
Acording the story in the link I posted above, it's happened to at least one person so far. That may be what they're going for with the Mini's. Would they do the same thing with C2D and MBP's, MB's, etc.?
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I can't recall Apple ever doing this on any machine besides the mini. I hope it's just an oversight of some sort. Regardless, I can already feel the pressure mounting in my brain...
 
mini Will Be Last To Get The Currently Limited Supply Of Meroms

Goldfinger said:
Let's hope that those specs aren't the final ones. That they're just to clear inventory.

I'm hoping for Merom based mac minis.. Merom costs the same so why not ?
Click to expand...
LIMITED SUPPLY of Merom for the first few months. mini will be the last to get C2D probably in November. But you've gotta give kudos to Apple for adopting the Merom Spec Yonahs into the mini right away. This way the switch to Merom in mini can be almost silent with no disruption to the flow of minis to the market.
 
Just signed up for Fall IDF...

Just got my registration, hotel and everything for the Fall IDF... (http://www.intel.com/idf/us/fall2006/)

I'll find out about all the top-secret Intel roadmap stuff nano-seconds before the rest of the universe.

And I'll be able to say "what, you're not waiting for the 6-core Snoqualamie chipset and the Sammamish CPU" with a straight face. :eek:
 
BenRoethig said:
Do you seriously want the Apple is behind/outdated mindset to sink in again?
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Personally I don't care one bit about Apple being seen as outdated, but it would just be one model. And the cheapest at that. With a dual core cpu, which most new pc's don't have at this time. In a cute little package.

I'm mostly saying that a 64bit cpu in a mini doesn't make sense until Leopard arrives and that is far enough away for another mini update before it happens.
 
Multimedia said:
LIMITED SUPPLY of Merom for the first few months. mini will be the last to get C2D probably in November. But you've gotta give kudos to Apple for adopting the Merom Spec Yonahs into the mini right away. This way the switch to Merom in mini can be almost silent with no disruption to the flow of minis to the market.
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Looks like it is still Yonah for now:

Macrumors said:


Apple has updated the Mac Mini to include all Core Duo models. Other than the processor upgrade, there does not appear to be any differences between the previous Mac Mini and today's release. The Mac Mini is available in two offerings:

1.66 GHz Mac Mini
60 GB 5400-rpm SATA Hard Drive
Combo Drive

1.83 GHz Mac Mini
80 GB 5400-rpm SATA Hard Drive
Superdrive

Both models feature:
-2MB Shared L2 Cache
-512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 RAM standard (up to 2 GB supported)
-GMA 950 Integrated graphics
-1 Firewire 400, 4 USB 2.0
-Optical Digital/Analog Audio In/Out
-Gigabit ethernet
-Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard

Of note, the Mac Mini still uses Core Duo (Yonah), not the more advanced Core 2 Duo "Merom" chip found in today's iMac announcements.
Click to expand...
 
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