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Much Smaller Mac Mini Coming?
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I hope that they will slash the price of the out going minis by 50% to clear stock..hehehhhe...i will get a mini then for my sis..hehehhehe...
Oh my God! 30 more days to May!
Oh my God! 30 more days to May!
shrink the size, shrink the price!! yeh!
what a silly post, I mean just look at the Air
Well - the point was that you cannot - hence the part about us sounding like a bunk of kids.
Why couldn't Apple start making expansion "modules" for the Mini? Make it a more modular system, wher ethe Mini itself is just the brain - CPU, Memory, OS-drive, basic video \audio, ports - then start making stackable expansions for it, delivering use-tailored minitowers that still have that apple "feel."
Have a module with a decent PCI Express-connected card (or two in SLI). A module with high-end sound, or blue-ray for those who wanted it... link it all up via USB\Firewire or some sort of proprietary port so that they could control the module market? The existence of after-market stackable drive-and-port-boxes are evidence for this being a viable product.
If they're going to make the Mac Mini smaller, then make it a brain for an extensible, modular system. I think that there IS a call for the mini as it exists, certainly, and there IS a call for a mid-range tower that would sit between the Mini and the Pro. Using the existing chassis for the Mini and airport\time machine would reduce R&D and manufacturing costs, and could open up some groovy new options.
With Apple's market share growing the way it has been, if they can manage to keep the momentum up, and the wow-factor going... well, it would be nice.
Have a module with a decent PCI Express-connected card (or two in SLI). A module with high-end sound, or blue-ray for those who wanted it... link it all up via USB\Firewire or some sort of proprietary port so that they could control the module market? The existence of after-market stackable drive-and-port-boxes are evidence for this being a viable product.
If they're going to make the Mac Mini smaller, then make it a brain for an extensible, modular system. I think that there IS a call for the mini as it exists, certainly, and there IS a call for a mid-range tower that would sit between the Mini and the Pro. Using the existing chassis for the Mini and airport\time machine would reduce R&D and manufacturing costs, and could open up some groovy new options.
With Apple's market share growing the way it has been, if they can manage to keep the momentum up, and the wow-factor going... well, it would be nice.
NEW images gone
The tiny "New" images above the MacBook and MacBook Pro vanished today on the main page of the http://store.apple.com site. Maybe making things less confusing for new products that are about to be released?
The tiny "New" images above the MacBook and MacBook Pro vanished today on the main page of the http://store.apple.com site. Maybe making things less confusing for new products that are about to be released?
Good call. I woke up at five in the morning today to check for a new iMac, badly need right now for recording work, only to find that the only change to the store was that the 'new' logos were gone. I didn't think much of it at the time before falling back asleep, but you've got to be right.
Or at least I hope you are.
Aside from pleasing people for whom Macs are fashionable accessories, shrinking the Mini would be pointless - it's a desktop. Like others, I'd like to see it just a little bigger to accommodate a 3.5" HD. Notebook drives are a concession for the sake of pure portability. They work slower, have less capacity, are more expensive per GB, and die more frequently.
If they would put in a real graphics card, that would be gravy. I'm not talking about the biggest/baddest GPU on the market, but something better than integrated. But that's not crucial.
I guess I'm one of the few who needs something a bit more powerful than the anemic Mini, can't use an iMac because I use more than a Mac (Xbox 360 and PC), but lacks the $2500 plus for a Mac Pro. We're a despicable bunch, based on the fact that every time we mention the desire for something mid-ranged, some SJ-indoctrinated monkeys spit venom at us for suggesting such a horrible thing.
If they would put in a real graphics card, that would be gravy. I'm not talking about the biggest/baddest GPU on the market, but something better than integrated. But that's not crucial.
I guess I'm one of the few who needs something a bit more powerful than the anemic Mini, can't use an iMac because I use more than a Mac (Xbox 360 and PC), but lacks the $2500 plus for a Mac Pro. We're a despicable bunch, based on the fact that every time we mention the desire for something mid-ranged, some SJ-indoctrinated monkeys spit venom at us for suggesting such a horrible thing.
Been there too many times!
Why does expandability inside imply ugly outside? So many iZealots forget that the MacPro is an expandable tower. Is it so hideous to look at? No. Does it throw "easy-to-use" out the window? No. Does it drown users in a swamp of extra cables? Not really. There's plenty of room for such a box in Apple's lineup. Will it canabalize some sale? Of course, but that's only because we've been forced into such a small set of products that we are now buying Macs that don't fit us. It won't decrease the number of Mac users, or kill the iMac or kill the MacPro. It would just be a desktop-class PC by Apple... something we've been missing ever since the $1500 PowerMacs.
-Clive
Presuming they add dual-dvi support to the new Mini.... I suppose that's not inconceivable? There's a certain funny irony to buying the biggest ACD to go with the smallest desktop (not to mention lamenting the Mini price when you're dropping so much on the display), but it would certainly help make up for space lost to the monitor.
i really doubt the mini will support dual-DVI anytime soon. i've been waiting for a while. mac mini usually lags the macbook specs and the macbook doesn't support dual-DVI yet.
smaller?
How small are they going to get? Before we know it, we'll be looking at thin air and bragging about our iCan'tSeeMyMac Intel CoreDuo's.
How small are they going to get? Before we know it, we'll be looking at thin air and bragging about our iCan'tSeeMyMac Intel CoreDuo's.
mac mini revised
mac mid? nah... I like the idea of the mini, but it could be so much more...
how about a new box called...
mac neuron
mac neuron would function as the central nervous system of your home entertainment system, also fulfilling your computing and communication needs. it would combine the features of mac mini along with Apple TV, as well as wireless internet telephone via Skype (bluetooth phone included.) simply interface the mac neuron with your HD TV or DVI monitor, plug in your wireless keyboard, mouse, phone and audio outputs and you're set.
think about it. movies and music through iTunes and the Super-Blue optical drive, record and control digital TV (complete satellite and cable support), talk on the phone via the internet and fulfill your computing needs and desires through iWork and iLife. everything you need or want at home, everything working together, one container, just like your brain. mac neuron.
iLife, iWork and OS X.5 included.
market the mac neuron at $799 including keyboard, mouse and phone. additional mac phones at $99.00.
specifications:
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 3MB shared L2 Cache
2GB SO-DIMM RAM (1 DIMM) (user expandable to 4GB)
250GB 5400rpm HD with additional user accessible bay for a second 12mm 2.5" HD
256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
Blue-ray,DVD+/-RW,CD-RW "Super-Blue Drive"
HDTV out, DVI out
Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n)
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
Five USB 2.0 ports
One FireWire 400 port
One FireWire 800 port
mac mid? nah... I like the idea of the mini, but it could be so much more...
how about a new box called...
mac neuron
mac neuron would function as the central nervous system of your home entertainment system, also fulfilling your computing and communication needs. it would combine the features of mac mini along with Apple TV, as well as wireless internet telephone via Skype (bluetooth phone included.) simply interface the mac neuron with your HD TV or DVI monitor, plug in your wireless keyboard, mouse, phone and audio outputs and you're set.
think about it. movies and music through iTunes and the Super-Blue optical drive, record and control digital TV (complete satellite and cable support), talk on the phone via the internet and fulfill your computing needs and desires through iWork and iLife. everything you need or want at home, everything working together, one container, just like your brain. mac neuron.
iLife, iWork and OS X.5 included.
market the mac neuron at $799 including keyboard, mouse and phone. additional mac phones at $99.00.
specifications:
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 3MB shared L2 Cache
2GB SO-DIMM RAM (1 DIMM) (user expandable to 4GB)
250GB 5400rpm HD with additional user accessible bay for a second 12mm 2.5" HD
256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM
Blue-ray,DVD+/-RW,CD-RW "Super-Blue Drive"
HDTV out, DVI out
Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n)
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
Five USB 2.0 ports
One FireWire 400 port
One FireWire 800 port
What I want to know is why on earth doesn't the mini have an 8 core, 3.2GHz processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD, NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 with 1.5GB of GDDR3 RAM and a Blu-Ray burner for $399?
Seriously though, the mac mini seems impossible to justify, considering it has always been poor value compared to the iMac:
Mac Mini + Apple 20" display = $2050AU
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
Intel GMA 950
20" iMac = $1700AU
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
So the iMac is smaller (more mini than mini) overall and has better specs for $350 cheaper. The only advantage of the mini setup is you get more versatility with the display.
Apple should either kill the mini off or change it into a DVR setup with HDMI, Blu-Ray, apple tv type setup with an HD Tuner.
Seriously though, the mac mini seems impossible to justify, considering it has always been poor value compared to the iMac:
Mac Mini + Apple 20" display = $2050AU
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
Intel GMA 950
20" iMac = $1700AU
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
So the iMac is smaller (more mini than mini) overall and has better specs for $350 cheaper. The only advantage of the mini setup is you get more versatility with the display.
Apple should either kill the mini off or change it into a DVR setup with HDMI, Blu-Ray, apple tv type setup with an HD Tuner.
What I want to know is why on earth doesn't the mini have an 8 core, 3.2GHz processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD, NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 with 1.5GB of GDDR3 RAM and a Blu-Ray burner for $399?
Seriously though, the mac mini seems impossible to justify, considering it has always been poor value compared to the iMac:
Mac Mini + Apple 20" display = $2050AU
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
Intel GMA 950
20" iMac = $1700AU
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
So the iMac is smaller (more mini than mini) overall and has better specs for $350 cheaper. The only advantage of the mini setup is you get more versatility with the display.
Apple should either kill the mini off or change it into a DVR setup with HDMI, Blu-Ray, apple tv type setup with an HD Tuner.
YES - the iMac allways was WAY better value. But now - it has a WAY worse display. So, I'll buy the mini.
The thing that bugs me is the lack of video in on the iMac or multiple video inputs on the Apple displays. It's like Apple thinks their customers won't every have another device on their desks. I have a PC and an Xbox 360, so my options are limited to a third-party display and either a wimpy Mini or a really expensive Pro.
They use integrated video from 2006 still.. why not?
I'm aware that it's dated, I was stating that a LOT of people would prefer a dated interface than none at all. I think the only people who'd really care would be hard core mac nerds, most people would be like, HEY I CAN PLUG A FRICKEN VIDEO CARD INTO MY MINI!!
It is a poor value, but Apple targets the Mini towards someone who already has a PC or older (PowerPC) Mac with a nice monitor, keyboard and mouse that they wish to continue using.
If you plan to replace your PC and your display, then the iMac is by far the better choice.
Because, of course, you can only buy the high-end Mac mini and you can only use it with a brand-new Apple-branded display.
People, stop calculating the cost of a display with the Mac mini (especially an Apple display, of all things). The target of the Mac mini is switchers, who happen to already have their own keyboard, mouse and display.
Mac mini 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo: 649$ CAD
iMac 20", 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo: 1299$ CAD
The iMac may have more hard drive space, faster CPU(s) and a (way) better GPU, but it's also twice the price of a Mac mini.
When I switched, I bought a Mac mini G4/1.42. At the time, the iMac would have been a G5. However, since that time I've upgraded to a Mac mini Core 2 Duo/1.83, which is a lot faster than both the G4 and the G5. For the same amount of cash, I would still be stuck with the iMac G5.
There's also the current problems with the LCDs used in the 20" iMac, which is another reason why I don't want the computer and the LCD in one unit. Why would I want to replace my display every time I replace my computer?
Make it less mini so you can fit a "proper" HDD IMHO!
I'm currently a PC user. I've also been following macs quite intently for the last year or so. I use my PC for the usual stuff + making music and run ableton live & cubase on it. It's getting a bit long in the tooth and when running FX plugins and soft synths I can get disk access speed and CPU maxing out so I'd like an upgrade, and I'd like a mac next time. My problem is I'd really like a mac pro so I can run a lot more plugins and make it future proof, or possibly a macbook pro so I can use it on the move. However, I don't have the cash for the forseeable future, so might make an intermediate change and could possibly get something like a MM. My problem is though that I could only justify the £400-£500 for a MM if it's genuinely faster. The current 2GHz MM going with "geekbench" stats is about 1.8x faster than my current PC, so is worth the upgrade. A new MM may have slighty faster CPU and FSB which is nice. However, this geekbench stat is based on memory & cpu "power" alone. My trusty old 3GHz Hyperthreading 800MHz FSB PC has 3GB of memory, and 2 mostly full HDDs totalling 550GB; with the operating system and apps on 1 HDD, and all my samples and audio files on the other to improve disk performance. Considering the disk access limitation I sometimes get to, I don't want a crap little 250GB 4500rpm, or a slightly better 5400rpm 200GB drive. So I'll have to have a firewire HDD in the firewire port, which I'd probably get a new audio interface to go in instead, or run it with a USB 2 HDD? What if I want to plug my ipod, M-audio MIDI controller keyboard, 4x MIDI I/O, other audio control surface, & a keyboard and mouse, (and sometimes possibly phone/camera/etc.). This'll surely slow down and/or add latency? Why can't I have a full size HDD that I can upgrade easily and cheaply?
The fact is I want an *overall* faster/better computer if I switch to a mac. At the moment for what I do it'll cost me £2k for a mac pro, which is money I don't have. If the mini got slightly bigger to fit a bigger better 3.5inch drive along with a CPU and max RAM uprade I might be sold, but at the moment I'd take a hit on some performance aspects of my over-4-year-old PC, which i'm not prepared to take, limit my HDD speed/upgradability, and instantly be out of HDD space unless I buy a new external HDD, which then needs more plugs/wires/sockets/fans. I'd like a mini, they are neat and small, and it *would* be handy if I could pop it in my bag sometimes, but surely I'm not alone in not *really* caring how big my PC is, but wanting as higher performance for my money as possible in a lower end machine, without blowing £2k on a full mac pro? Depending how the MM changes I might be one of those "mac switchers" next week, or I might be staying with windows XP and being bothered by it for longer, waiting to save more money for the rest of the year, and possibly trying to syncronise it with the next mac pro upgrade. Unfortunately I could be tempted in the meantime by a similar 2x CPU power upgrade to the mac mini option, but for less money, faster/bigger HDDs, in a bigger box and with XP on. Maybe it's worth looking at making a Hackintosh if that's the case!
I'm currently a PC user. I've also been following macs quite intently for the last year or so. I use my PC for the usual stuff + making music and run ableton live & cubase on it. It's getting a bit long in the tooth and when running FX plugins and soft synths I can get disk access speed and CPU maxing out so I'd like an upgrade, and I'd like a mac next time. My problem is I'd really like a mac pro so I can run a lot more plugins and make it future proof, or possibly a macbook pro so I can use it on the move. However, I don't have the cash for the forseeable future, so might make an intermediate change and could possibly get something like a MM. My problem is though that I could only justify the £400-£500 for a MM if it's genuinely faster. The current 2GHz MM going with "geekbench" stats is about 1.8x faster than my current PC, so is worth the upgrade. A new MM may have slighty faster CPU and FSB which is nice. However, this geekbench stat is based on memory & cpu "power" alone. My trusty old 3GHz Hyperthreading 800MHz FSB PC has 3GB of memory, and 2 mostly full HDDs totalling 550GB; with the operating system and apps on 1 HDD, and all my samples and audio files on the other to improve disk performance. Considering the disk access limitation I sometimes get to, I don't want a crap little 250GB 4500rpm, or a slightly better 5400rpm 200GB drive. So I'll have to have a firewire HDD in the firewire port, which I'd probably get a new audio interface to go in instead, or run it with a USB 2 HDD? What if I want to plug my ipod, M-audio MIDI controller keyboard, 4x MIDI I/O, other audio control surface, & a keyboard and mouse, (and sometimes possibly phone/camera/etc.). This'll surely slow down and/or add latency? Why can't I have a full size HDD that I can upgrade easily and cheaply?
The fact is I want an *overall* faster/better computer if I switch to a mac. At the moment for what I do it'll cost me £2k for a mac pro, which is money I don't have. If the mini got slightly bigger to fit a bigger better 3.5inch drive along with a CPU and max RAM uprade I might be sold, but at the moment I'd take a hit on some performance aspects of my over-4-year-old PC, which i'm not prepared to take, limit my HDD speed/upgradability, and instantly be out of HDD space unless I buy a new external HDD, which then needs more plugs/wires/sockets/fans. I'd like a mini, they are neat and small, and it *would* be handy if I could pop it in my bag sometimes, but surely I'm not alone in not *really* caring how big my PC is, but wanting as higher performance for my money as possible in a lower end machine, without blowing £2k on a full mac pro? Depending how the MM changes I might be one of those "mac switchers" next week, or I might be staying with windows XP and being bothered by it for longer, waiting to save more money for the rest of the year, and possibly trying to syncronise it with the next mac pro upgrade. Unfortunately I could be tempted in the meantime by a similar 2x CPU power upgrade to the mac mini option, but for less money, faster/bigger HDDs, in a bigger box and with XP on.
Maybe it's worth looking at making a Hackintosh if that's the case! mini
I'm guessing this too. It's not going to have a real graphics card, just the upgrade to 3100. I'm waiting for the "new" $599 version to put one in my entertainment center, attach it to my 26" LCD HDTV, and have it be my "Apple TV".
I'm guessing this too. It's not going to have a real graphics card, just the upgrade to 3100. I'm waiting for the "new" $599 version to put one in my entertainment center, attach it to my 26" LCD HDTV, and have it be my "Apple TV".
What if someone were to make a case that you could use to mod your Mac mini, allowing the use of a 3.5" drive?
I've posted a sketch here.