But it does fit their M.O. It might work in laptops and all in ones, but the "less is more" philosophy doesn't translate as well to desktops, even basic ones.
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Much Smaller Mac Mini Coming?
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But it does fit their M.O. It might work in laptops and all in ones, but the "less is more" philosophy doesn't translate as well to desktops, even basic ones.
Geez, why all the negativity?
I love my mini, but it could be smaller.
How about a mini in the form factor of a USB Drive? Plug it in to the back of a display anywhere & you're set! Ok, maybe not this next revision, but circle back in 5 years & this might not seem so absurd.
I love my mini, but it could be smaller.
How about a mini in the form factor of a USB Drive? Plug it in to the back of a display anywhere & you're set! Ok, maybe not this next revision, but circle back in 5 years & this might not seem so absurd.
If you have great/perfect vision, go for it! I did BUT i just could not handle the small 7 inch screen. My eyes were killing me. So I sold it and picked up a macbook and now I can read comfortably and also have OSX!
Give it a go and see what you think.
im guessing this kind of update will not happen soon but they will upgrade mac mini and imac to penryn soon!! hopefully next week
I doubt (or at least hope not) that they will put Atoms in the next Minis. Atoms are absurdly slow.
I've been waiting for a Mini with 2.4GHz Penryn and that Santa Rosa GMA 965. That is exactly the power that I need, and I have a 26" monitor and fancy mouse so I certainly won't pick up an iMac. I was hoping that the cooler Penryn + Santa Rosa would get along nicely with the Mini's form factor.
If they're going to shrink it anymore, temps go up, performance goes down, argh! Why oh why? Maybe I should mod one for liquid cooling, har.
I've been waiting for a Mini with 2.4GHz Penryn and that Santa Rosa GMA 965. That is exactly the power that I need, and I have a 26" monitor and fancy mouse so I certainly won't pick up an iMac. I was hoping that the cooler Penryn + Santa Rosa would get along nicely with the Mini's form factor.
If they're going to shrink it anymore, temps go up, performance goes down, argh! Why oh why? Maybe I should mod one for liquid cooling, har.
I hear ya! What's with this obsession with size? Especially for a desktop like the mini! It's crazy I tell Ya!--)))
I'd rather have functionality over a smaller mini! But, eh, that's just me!
Smaller is good.... yet I agree.....
The fact is, nobody I know really *needs* a thinner Mac Mini. Like you say, it's not a notebook computer, and it's really lacking in graphics capabilities. In a perfect world, sure. I'd want Apple to invest in updating the graphics on it before I'd ever say "Please, make it smaller!"
That said, Apple computers are supposed to be eye-catching, stylish machines. You get form with the function. The Mac Mini used to have bragging rights as the smallest desktop PC on the market. Since then, the PC clone competition has caught up and even surpassed it in that area. Now, people no longer eye the Mini and think "Wow, that's amazingly tiny!" They simply consider it an entry-level Mac that uses notebook type components.
If it doesn't take much effort on Apple's part to chop the thickness by 1/3rd or 1/2, I can see why they'd go ahead and do it. It makes it clear it's a new model - and might help them gain back the original "smallest PC" bragging rights it started with.
The fact is, nobody I know really *needs* a thinner Mac Mini. Like you say, it's not a notebook computer, and it's really lacking in graphics capabilities. In a perfect world, sure. I'd want Apple to invest in updating the graphics on it before I'd ever say "Please, make it smaller!"
That said, Apple computers are supposed to be eye-catching, stylish machines. You get form with the function. The Mac Mini used to have bragging rights as the smallest desktop PC on the market. Since then, the PC clone competition has caught up and even surpassed it in that area. Now, people no longer eye the Mini and think "Wow, that's amazingly tiny!" They simply consider it an entry-level Mac that uses notebook type components.
If it doesn't take much effort on Apple's part to chop the thickness by 1/3rd or 1/2, I can see why they'd go ahead and do it. It makes it clear it's a new model - and might help them gain back the original "smallest PC" bragging rights it started with.
no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).
The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating
hope not
I hope the new models come soon.
But I hope the MINI does not get smaller. A lot of people here would like to have a full size disk drive which would make the mini wider and deeper, around the size of the
TV. If the height is reduced, then you have less space for cooling. The use of laptop parts is probably one of the main reasons the price of the MINI is too high.
Lets use high quality desktop components, let it have a full disk and lets drop the price. If the mini was cheaper (100 to 200 less) it would fly off the shelf.
I hope the new models come soon.
But I hope the MINI does not get smaller. A lot of people here would like to have a full size disk drive which would make the mini wider and deeper, around the size of the
TV. If the height is reduced, then you have less space for cooling. The use of laptop parts is probably one of the main reasons the price of the MINI is too high.Lets use high quality desktop components, let it have a full disk and lets drop the price. If the mini was cheaper (100 to 200 less) it would fly off the shelf.
no no no! Stop it, apple! The mini is a *desktop,* get it? Miniaturizing the Air is one thing because there's a real need for the smallest possible laptop. But there's absolutely no reason to make a desktop any smaller than the mini, especially when doing so is going to a) raise prices, or b) reduce power (even further).
The current form factor is great. All the mini needs is some penryn chips and a $100 price drop (and some low-end dedicated graphics, as long as I'm hallucinating
It would be kind of funny though to misplace a mini on the desk among all the papers and bills. ... okay, I said "kind of funny".
That Blue Ray will add about $600.00 ( go check prices on Blue Ray burners) to the price, and in turn kill it. It is a beginner system for switchers and others that want minimal power but want to use a Mac.
The primary target of the Mini is not the average geek in MacRumors and is not for gamers either. Apple made it close to the MB which does not have a video card and it is not intended for professional artists or gamers. That was intentional.
Apple is not being run by a bunch of idiots. I hear it all the time .... If only Apple would have done this instead of that, the system would be so much better, it would sell better than sex and I would buy one.
If the mini in its current form does not meet your needs then it is the wrong Mac system for you, get a different one or go with a Dell.
I hope Apple really goes radical with the Mac Mini:
Imagine a computing appliance 4 inches square and only 1/2" thick.
Use a MacBook Air type motherboard and Processor (4"X4", with soldiered RAM) and 1.8" HD and make it as small as possible with a corresponding small power brick.
This would be an awesome appliance. It would be perfect for web browsing, iTunes, iChat, home word processing/spreadsheet and many more uses. It would be perfect for a large group of people who don't even need the power of a current Mac Mini.
My mom has a 20" 2.4 GHz C2D iMac and uses it for iTunes (for her iPod), to get recipes off the web and occasionally write a letter.
I would venture to bet that the average home computer user does not need the power and speed of an iMac and instead need a computing appliance that performs basic internet functions well.
For the few thousand (or even hundred thousand) people who post on Mac Rumors, or the relatively small percentage of gamers, do not effectively represent a typical home computer user.
Imagine a computing appliance 4 inches square and only 1/2" thick.
Use a MacBook Air type motherboard and Processor (4"X4", with soldiered RAM) and 1.8" HD and make it as small as possible with a corresponding small power brick.
This would be an awesome appliance. It would be perfect for web browsing, iTunes, iChat, home word processing/spreadsheet and many more uses. It would be perfect for a large group of people who don't even need the power of a current Mac Mini.
My mom has a 20" 2.4 GHz C2D iMac and uses it for iTunes (for her iPod), to get recipes off the web and occasionally write a letter.
I would venture to bet that the average home computer user does not need the power and speed of an iMac and instead need a computing appliance that performs basic internet functions well.
For the few thousand (or even hundred thousand) people who post on Mac Rumors, or the relatively small percentage of gamers, do not effectively represent a typical home computer user.
Anyone who has ever opened up their mini can see that there is simply no room to make it any smaller! A different form factor perhaps, but smaller no.
Unless they get rid of the optical drive however it is still a desktop computer - if your hooking it up to a screen, speakers, mouse and keyboard it still takes up a fair amount of room - so why compromise on features for a smaller unit?
Unless they get rid of the optical drive however it is still a desktop computer - if your hooking it up to a screen, speakers, mouse and keyboard it still takes up a fair amount of room - so why compromise on features for a smaller unit?
Most of the time smaller means more expensive. We have plenty of people complaining that the mini is too expensive (me included), that would make it worst.
Take a look at the Air ..... You start with a basic MB at 1000, get an older CPU and make it smaller, trow away the DVD, remove most of the ports and put them all on one side, change the size of the case and eliminate the door to change the battery. After removing all of that, then tack on an additional 700 to the price. That old MB has less features, looks cool, weight less and cost 700 more.
Apply that to the MINI whose target audience are switchers and people that just want some very basic features, and tell me if they would be interested in paying and additional 500 to make the mini 8 ounces lighter and .5 inch smaller. Maybe and SSD drive for just 900 more would also make it more attractive to the non-existing customer.
Oh Oh I forgot ... add another 600 for Blue ray, and another 75 for a video card. Guys you could have purchased a Quad Mac Pro for that with a heck of a lot more power expandability, lots of disk space and a nice video card.
Lets get real.
Take a look at the Air ..... You start with a basic MB at 1000, get an older CPU and make it smaller, trow away the DVD, remove most of the ports and put them all on one side, change the size of the case and eliminate the door to change the battery. After removing all of that, then tack on an additional 700 to the price. That old MB has less features, looks cool, weight less and cost 700 more.
Apply that to the MINI whose target audience are switchers and people that just want some very basic features, and tell me if they would be interested in paying and additional 500 to make the mini 8 ounces lighter and .5 inch smaller. Maybe and SSD drive for just 900 more would also make it more attractive to the non-existing customer.
Oh Oh I forgot ... add another 600 for Blue ray, and another 75 for a video card. Guys you could have purchased a Quad Mac Pro for that with a heck of a lot more power expandability, lots of disk space and a nice video card.
Lets get real.
I like how you think, sir! 64GB, 1GB onboard RAM, Bluetooth and wifi for peripherals and internet connectivity.
How do you come up with your statistics?
The average computer user doesn't need computational power?
MacRumor posters are not representative of the average user?
These are such unbelievably subjective opinions.
It seems very obvious from the posts that most users do want more power and could not care less about reducing the size.
Exactly why do you want a desktop computer to be 1/4 inch thick
Apple.....Stick in Penryn and release the sucker please!
instead of making it smaller. why not squeeze the power brick in there. having that outside the mini is misleading to the space it takes up.
yeah i don't understand the rationale for this. it's already small enough. just increase the specs already!
yes, but the Macbook Airs seem to be flying off the shelves, so clearly
is doing something right
My Mac Mini Predictions
My predictions are:
-That the Mac Mini will be renamed Mac Nano, will shrink (similar to how the iPod Mini became iPod Nano).
-The price point will stay the same, or at most, drop $49. Most likely the price will not change since it will include improved hardware.
-Will continue to be available in white but a black model will be introduced (similar to the MacBook). It is unlikely to go aluminum and glass (like iPhone/iMac) at this time, to keep cost low.
-Faster CPU as various rumor sites have suggested. This is fairly obvious.
-Upgraded video (will address the biggest complaint most people have had). Probably on par with the MacBook.
-Inclusion of 802.11n wireless. Up until now it has been the only current Mac not to support the "n" standard.
-Minor upgrade to support latest Bluetooth standard (2.1 with EDR vs. 2.0 with EDR that it has had up until now).
-Larger hard drive (160 GB standard, 250 or 320 GB optional) - still no solid state drive available.
-Remote control likely to still be included, but may be sold separately at $19 (again to keep cost of the overall machine lower).
-Ability to install and utilize 4 GB of RAM.
-Possibly faster FSB (front side bus).
Remember, you heard it here first.
My predictions are:
-That the Mac Mini will be renamed Mac Nano, will shrink (similar to how the iPod Mini became iPod Nano).
-The price point will stay the same, or at most, drop $49. Most likely the price will not change since it will include improved hardware.
-Will continue to be available in white but a black model will be introduced (similar to the MacBook). It is unlikely to go aluminum and glass (like iPhone/iMac) at this time, to keep cost low.
-Faster CPU as various rumor sites have suggested. This is fairly obvious.
-Upgraded video (will address the biggest complaint most people have had). Probably on par with the MacBook.
-Inclusion of 802.11n wireless. Up until now it has been the only current Mac not to support the "n" standard.
-Minor upgrade to support latest Bluetooth standard (2.1 with EDR vs. 2.0 with EDR that it has had up until now).
-Larger hard drive (160 GB standard, 250 or 320 GB optional) - still no solid state drive available.
-Remote control likely to still be included, but may be sold separately at $19 (again to keep cost of the overall machine lower).
-Ability to install and utilize 4 GB of RAM.
-Possibly faster FSB (front side bus).
Remember, you heard it here first.