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New Intel Mac mini
- Thread starter drift1492
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photomaniac said:
Oh for the love of God! DVI IS THE SAME THING AS HDMI, without the audio! You do not need a converter! And if you go to the store and insist that they give you one, they will laugh you out of there!
Can I ask you a question? Do you have a cable to plug your Mac mini into your TV already? If you don't, then you have to buy one. So, when you go to your electronics store, you'll say to the nice man "can I have one of those DVI-HDMI cables, please?" And he'll give you one. And it will be the EXACT SAME THING as the "regular" HDMI-HDMI cables, just one side will be bigger than the other! The price will be the same! They do the exact same thing! If you still insist on buying a "converter", I can make you one for only twice the price of a DVI-HDMI cable. Then, I would like to sell you a bridge.
Romanesq
macrumors 6502a
Regretfully,
I will disagree with you on this for a couple of reasons. First from experience I can tell you that Apple Express produces extremely good audio wirelessly. Test measured in Stereophile showed a substantial improvement by using the Apple Express' optical capability.
I personally have a twice modded Sony 777ES SACD player. The two mods benefited both regular CD and SACD. I've done tests for CD many times and even with just an analog connection, the AE connection was very impressive. (I'm listening to it right now in fact.)
I wanted to be able to have greater mobility of using my G4 15" as a mobile jukebox. In order to do so, I needed to lose the firewire attachment to my laptop. (It's a 400GB drive.)
Many people were already using the mini as the basis for a home stereo system with impressive results. In addition to CD players, many people also have stand alone DACS. Either way, there's going to be folks out there who move ahead with this audio experiment for multiple reasons.
If an Apple Express can meet my expectations on a double modded Sony 777ES, than I'm sure this can work out using the optical on the mac mini. Even if the hardware is a short miss, you still have the option to use the mini as an audio link via Apple Express. And that frees it up to be somewhere in another room on a desk doing double duty. Either way, it's a win.
Thanks Apple!
kugino said:
I will disagree with you on this for a couple of reasons. First from experience I can tell you that Apple Express produces extremely good audio wirelessly. Test measured in Stereophile showed a substantial improvement by using the Apple Express' optical capability.
I personally have a twice modded Sony 777ES SACD player. The two mods benefited both regular CD and SACD. I've done tests for CD many times and even with just an analog connection, the AE connection was very impressive. (I'm listening to it right now in fact.)
I wanted to be able to have greater mobility of using my G4 15" as a mobile jukebox. In order to do so, I needed to lose the firewire attachment to my laptop. (It's a 400GB drive.)
Many people were already using the mini as the basis for a home stereo system with impressive results. In addition to CD players, many people also have stand alone DACS. Either way, there's going to be folks out there who move ahead with this audio experiment for multiple reasons.
If an Apple Express can meet my expectations on a double modded Sony 777ES, than I'm sure this can work out using the optical on the mac mini. Even if the hardware is a short miss, you still have the option to use the mini as an audio link via Apple Express. And that frees it up to be somewhere in another room on a desk doing double duty. Either way, it's a win.
Thanks Apple!
Spanky Deluxe said:
Thanks for the comparison! So even though this is "integrated graphics", it's still quite a bit better than the old card. They should have called it something other than IIG! By any other name, people would be happy to have it!
matticus008
macrumors 68040
DTphonehome said:
Well, in the interest of fairness, there is such a thing as an HDMI connector. More specifically, this connector is not physically interchangeable with a DVI connector. It looks like this:
If your display has this kind of connection, you will need an adapter, regardless of remote control, audio, or HDCP concerns.
CanadaRAM
macrumors G5
Yeah - Apple's information is inconsistent.Yvan256 said:
Learn More link
Mac mini contains 667MHz (PC2-5300) double data rate, synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR2-SDRAM), one of the fastest memory technologies available today. Your Mac mini comes standard with two 256MB SO-DIMM chips for a total of 512 megabytes (MB) of memory. You can select additional memory up to 2 gigabytes using a maximum of two 1GB SO-DIMMs filling the two accessible memory slots. To maximize memory performance, it is recommended that memory SO-DIMMs be installed in pairs. You can upgrade your memory later by taking your system to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or doing it yourself.
The photo is definitely a SO-DIMM
The Technical Specifications differ - they say 512MB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) on two DIMMs; supports up to 2GB
Howver a few things -- I dont think there is room in the chassis for 2 full length DIMM sockets, and the DIMM definition technically includes 240 pin DIMMs, 200 pin SODIMMs and MicroDIMMs -- although it is common to call the full length ones DIMMs. The Apple technical specifications doesnt state the number of pins. Apple has set the precedent on using SODIMMs in desktops with the iMac Core Duo.
It may take another day or two to clarify the data from Apple. Crucial has bet with the 240 DIMM, Kingston hasnt decided.
Edit: CanadaRam beat me to the punch...
Crap. It's SO-DIMMs. Not DIMMs. Looks like I'll be paying a restocking fee
on the memory I ordered. Should have waited until I knew for sure, but
since the old Mini took DIMMs, it never occured to me the new one would.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...twfZE/3.0.19.7.0.8.3.49.1.0.1.9.0.0.3.1.1.3.0
"Mac mini contains 667MHz (PC2-5300) double data rate, synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR2-SDRAM), one of the fastest memory technologies available today. Your Mac mini comes standard with two 256MB SO-DIMM chips for a total of 512 megabytes (MB) of memory. You can select additional memory up to 2 gigabytes using a maximum of two 1GB SO-DIMMs filling the two accessible memory slots. To maximize memory performance, it is recommended that memory SO-DIMMs be installed in pairs. "
Crap. It's SO-DIMMs. Not DIMMs. Looks like I'll be paying a restocking fee
on the memory I ordered. Should have waited until I knew for sure, but
since the old Mini took DIMMs, it never occured to me the new one would.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...twfZE/3.0.19.7.0.8.3.49.1.0.1.9.0.0.3.1.1.3.0
"Mac mini contains 667MHz (PC2-5300) double data rate, synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR2-SDRAM), one of the fastest memory technologies available today. Your Mac mini comes standard with two 256MB SO-DIMM chips for a total of 512 megabytes (MB) of memory. You can select additional memory up to 2 gigabytes using a maximum of two 1GB SO-DIMMs filling the two accessible memory slots. To maximize memory performance, it is recommended that memory SO-DIMMs be installed in pairs. "
ezekielrage_99
macrumors 68040
Most people are still missing the point.....
The Mac Mini is an ENTRY level machine, the operative word being ENTRY.
And it's still much better value than the entry level Dells. They don't have Front Row, an Intel Core Duo, 512MB DDR2 @ 667Mhz, a Intergrated GMA950, a Superdrive, a Firewire Port, a Gigabit Ethernet Connector, BlueTooth, Apple Airport Extreme iLife '06 or Mac OSX.
The new Mac Mini I really do think Apple has done an excellent job in building this and if you compare it to the other "entry level" computers out there the Mac Mini blows them out of the water. There is no comparision and I do beleive people are missing sight of that.
The Mac Mini is an ENTRY level machine, the operative word being ENTRY.
And it's still much better value than the entry level Dells. They don't have Front Row, an Intel Core Duo, 512MB DDR2 @ 667Mhz, a Intergrated GMA950, a Superdrive, a Firewire Port, a Gigabit Ethernet Connector, BlueTooth, Apple Airport Extreme iLife '06 or Mac OSX.
The new Mac Mini I really do think Apple has done an excellent job in building this and if you compare it to the other "entry level" computers out there the Mac Mini blows them out of the water. There is no comparision and I do beleive people are missing sight of that.
bluebomberman
macrumors 6502a
Hope people have calmed down.😉
I'm betting this machine will run HD video without a hitch, even with the integrated graphics, because most of the work will be done in the CPU anyway.
The Mac Mini's going to suck for games, but hey, my iMac G5 Rev. A was pretty bad at games when it came out (only Warcraft III and Neverwinter Nights runs acceptably at a high resolution; Homeworld 2 brought the machine down, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King has an annoying memory leak, Knights of the Old Republic still stumbles at the lowest settings in certain locations, and Battlefield is barely playable.). Heck, it can't even run 1080 HD without stuttering. Regardless, I still think it was worth every penny I paid for it.
So I think the new Mac Minis are much better computers and a much better fit as a home theater component. Want games? Don't buy this. (Heck, probably don't even get a Mac. Get an XBox/PS2/360/GameCube/etc)
As for price, yeah, it should be cheaper. But the G4 chips were probably about as expensive as Pringles chips. Besides, the home theater crowd don't sound like the type to worry about an extra hundred or two when they're trying to hook these things up to their 42" plasmas.
I'm betting this machine will run HD video without a hitch, even with the integrated graphics, because most of the work will be done in the CPU anyway.
The Mac Mini's going to suck for games, but hey, my iMac G5 Rev. A was pretty bad at games when it came out (only Warcraft III and Neverwinter Nights runs acceptably at a high resolution; Homeworld 2 brought the machine down, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King has an annoying memory leak, Knights of the Old Republic still stumbles at the lowest settings in certain locations, and Battlefield is barely playable.). Heck, it can't even run 1080 HD without stuttering. Regardless, I still think it was worth every penny I paid for it.
So I think the new Mac Minis are much better computers and a much better fit as a home theater component. Want games? Don't buy this. (Heck, probably don't even get a Mac. Get an XBox/PS2/360/GameCube/etc)
As for price, yeah, it should be cheaper. But the G4 chips were probably about as expensive as Pringles chips. Besides, the home theater crowd don't sound like the type to worry about an extra hundred or two when they're trying to hook these things up to their 42" plasmas.
iHeartTheApple
macrumors 6502
mrgreen4242 said:
Exactly MrGreen! That's the first thing that crossed my mind when he told me the story. We may see the existing G4 minis take a dip (hopefuly a plunge?) in price in the next few weeks to jumpstart the market. I think that the average consumer (read: not us) doesn't go into an Apple Store knowing exactly what they want. So, they enter with a price in mind, but as a result of the dazzling sexiness that is an Apple Store (and their lack of knowledge regarding compies) they are easily swayed by the sales associates to purchase the higher priced item (i.e. new intel mini).
So in that sense, it's easier to see Apple's motivation for keeping the minis in the retail stores, but *not* in the online store. Only show the best of the best on the billboard (online store), but still offer the base model "in the trenches."
Whilst I'm not 100% bowled over by these new announcements, I'm not entirely 100% against them either, then again I wasn't building myself up for a massive, life shattering introduction.
To put things in perspective, having read all of the posts here, it appears that the negatives are surrounding the graphics (obviously!) or lack of them. A lot of potential switchers I know of are folk who know nothing of graphics cards in a pc and to be honest really don't care, they're not into gaming but just surfing the net and basic e/m stuff and for them this is perfect, it'll just work. For all the people that use pc's for gaming either stick to a dedicated console or pc, I'm sure that if apple want to enter this area or for a media pc type app, it'll be a peach, and be designed from the ground up to serve that purpose.
When Steve intro'd the ipod, all the naysayers voted negative, all the media frowned upon the price - they were proved wrong. People will always pay for a service/product no matter what it is if they can justify it, if they can't they won't, that's where personal choice comes in. For all the posters complaining about price, ie. the mini's too expensive etc. buy an imac etc. again in perspective (at least for U.S. pricing - don't start me on prices in the U.K.) the mini starts at only $200 more that the 60Gb ipod - a considerable bargain for what you're getting. This isn't to say that the ipod's too expensive, it's just again proves what people are prepared to pay
On a personal note. I'll probably end up getting at least one of the top end mini's maybe two, I'm still waiting to see what else comes out in April/May. I've been considering getting a macbookpro, but still waiting to see the specs on the 12/13" whatever it may be. I'm also holding out to get Logic Pro which up until now only supported logic node processing on a G5, so for me I'll get the best of both worlds - portability on the road and increased processing power when I'm home (previously I'd had to have shelled out for a G5 Powermac, Xserve or imacs screens and all!) It'll be interesting to see it other apps in the future will be able to use this kind of set up also.
I'm typing this on a Bondi Rev.A (still going strong!) and equally understand that whatever I invest in, I'll always find a use for it and get the use from it!
To put things in perspective, having read all of the posts here, it appears that the negatives are surrounding the graphics (obviously!) or lack of them. A lot of potential switchers I know of are folk who know nothing of graphics cards in a pc and to be honest really don't care, they're not into gaming but just surfing the net and basic e/m stuff and for them this is perfect, it'll just work. For all the people that use pc's for gaming either stick to a dedicated console or pc, I'm sure that if apple want to enter this area or for a media pc type app, it'll be a peach, and be designed from the ground up to serve that purpose.
When Steve intro'd the ipod, all the naysayers voted negative, all the media frowned upon the price - they were proved wrong. People will always pay for a service/product no matter what it is if they can justify it, if they can't they won't, that's where personal choice comes in. For all the posters complaining about price, ie. the mini's too expensive etc. buy an imac etc. again in perspective (at least for U.S. pricing - don't start me on prices in the U.K.) the mini starts at only $200 more that the 60Gb ipod - a considerable bargain for what you're getting. This isn't to say that the ipod's too expensive, it's just again proves what people are prepared to pay
On a personal note. I'll probably end up getting at least one of the top end mini's maybe two, I'm still waiting to see what else comes out in April/May. I've been considering getting a macbookpro, but still waiting to see the specs on the 12/13" whatever it may be. I'm also holding out to get Logic Pro which up until now only supported logic node processing on a G5, so for me I'll get the best of both worlds - portability on the road and increased processing power when I'm home (previously I'd had to have shelled out for a G5 Powermac, Xserve or imacs screens and all!) It'll be interesting to see it other apps in the future will be able to use this kind of set up also.
I'm typing this on a Bondi Rev.A (still going strong!) and equally understand that whatever I invest in, I'll always find a use for it and get the use from it!
matticus008 said:
Yes, there is a HDMI connector, but you can get a cable with HDMI on one end, and DVI on the other. There's nothing magical in the cable doing some kind of conversion, they just terminate in different connectors. So yes, if you already have a DVI-DVI or HDMI-HDMI cable, you'll need an adaptor (note how I didn't say "converter"), but those are like $5, not $150.
Flynnstone
macrumors 65816
Most everything is good ... except Integrated graphics!
Most disappointing 🙁
Perhaps the new mini is for corporate.
I was looking at buying one, but not now.
Most disappointing 🙁
Perhaps the new mini is for corporate.
I was looking at buying one, but not now.
C00rDiNaT0r
macrumors 6502
Apple could've simply taken some parts off the iMac (screen, iSight, and built-in speakers) and make it a very nice DVR for about $800. But that thing would not fit into the original Mac Mini enclosure due to the size of the components (mostly because of the hard drive). If Apple were to release something like that, people would've complained about the lack of innovation; it would also ruin iMac's sales...
Maybe Steve Jobs also wants to use the sales figures of the $600 (core solo) Mac Mini to determine whether or not to put a solo chip into "MacBook", assuming they're not waiting until they can put in the merom chips into the MBP, and then release a duo core MacBook using the chips in the current MBP's.
Maybe Steve Jobs also wants to use the sales figures of the $600 (core solo) Mac Mini to determine whether or not to put a solo chip into "MacBook", assuming they're not waiting until they can put in the merom chips into the MBP, and then release a duo core MacBook using the chips in the current MBP's.
So what is really knew here? Complaints have always been extremely high regarding graphics on the mini. Someday it may be learned that the MM is not meant to be a graphics powerhouse...
The machine is intriguing as always but I think the price should be the main concern. Intel Rev 2 will be the sweet spot and maybe Front Row will have a little more oomph.
The machine is intriguing as always but I think the price should be the main concern. Intel Rev 2 will be the sweet spot and maybe Front Row will have a little more oomph.
AussieStu
macrumors regular
best Computer experience yet huh?
Well when Apple said that joining intel would give us the best possible computer yet, I think Apple in my mind has failed at this with todays new products.
Mac Mini.
Single Core 1.5 Intel or a Power PC 1.42?
The Mhz speed isn't much, I don't see it being worth the update. Plus 99% of things will run faster on the old Mac Mini.
Dual Core Intel 1.66Ghz a 1.42Ghz Power PC.
At this stage I would still go for a 1.42Ghz.
With the PowerPC version I have a Graphic Chip Set that can take a load off my CPU and main ram. New intel ones are like budget $399PC's that have onboard graphics. Shared memory. I thought Apple wanted to make a better computer. Last time I seen onboard graphics was the older PowerMac 7300's etc.
I feel they have somehow lost the direction for the Mini.
First it was for PC switches and gave basic Mac features at how cost.
Now we have this entertainment hub. Well then I want to play games. MacMini couldn't even run World of WarCraft. No Doom 3. It requires at-least a ATI or Nvidia graphic card. New computer that can't run games. Good product. And if its a digital hub for Music, watching movies etc with front row then I don't see the need for a 1000Tbase ethernet connection. I think if you were to be doing data work that requires a 1000Tbase ethernet connection you would be running a G5 or faster system.
I was looking forward to the new Mac mini as I was maybe looking at buying one.
I bet they will screw up the iBook the same way. Shared memory and other PC short cuts.
I would have changed it to a Core-Duo across the range.
Or use Freescale CPU (PowerPC G4 2.0Ghz)
DVD Burning across the range.
ATI or Nvidia Graphic card. Same as MacBook Pro.
Serial ATA Drive. 7,200rpm.
Plus the Intel MacMini Costs $300 more for base model and $300 more for the top model.
Might as well wait for Windows Vista to arrive and run it on a $399 PC.
Why pay $1,299 for a Mac Mini with near enough the same hardware specs.
I can play music and movies with a PC now and im sure Vista will upgrade these features as its playing catchup to OSX.
Well when Apple said that joining intel would give us the best possible computer yet, I think Apple in my mind has failed at this with todays new products.
Mac Mini.
Single Core 1.5 Intel or a Power PC 1.42?
The Mhz speed isn't much, I don't see it being worth the update. Plus 99% of things will run faster on the old Mac Mini.
Dual Core Intel 1.66Ghz a 1.42Ghz Power PC.
At this stage I would still go for a 1.42Ghz.
With the PowerPC version I have a Graphic Chip Set that can take a load off my CPU and main ram. New intel ones are like budget $399PC's that have onboard graphics. Shared memory. I thought Apple wanted to make a better computer. Last time I seen onboard graphics was the older PowerMac 7300's etc.
I feel they have somehow lost the direction for the Mini.
First it was for PC switches and gave basic Mac features at how cost.
Now we have this entertainment hub. Well then I want to play games. MacMini couldn't even run World of WarCraft. No Doom 3. It requires at-least a ATI or Nvidia graphic card. New computer that can't run games. Good product. And if its a digital hub for Music, watching movies etc with front row then I don't see the need for a 1000Tbase ethernet connection. I think if you were to be doing data work that requires a 1000Tbase ethernet connection you would be running a G5 or faster system.
I was looking forward to the new Mac mini as I was maybe looking at buying one.
I bet they will screw up the iBook the same way. Shared memory and other PC short cuts.
I would have changed it to a Core-Duo across the range.
Or use Freescale CPU (PowerPC G4 2.0Ghz)
DVD Burning across the range.
ATI or Nvidia Graphic card. Same as MacBook Pro.
Serial ATA Drive. 7,200rpm.
Plus the Intel MacMini Costs $300 more for base model and $300 more for the top model.
Might as well wait for Windows Vista to arrive and run it on a $399 PC.
Why pay $1,299 for a Mac Mini with near enough the same hardware specs.
I can play music and movies with a PC now and im sure Vista will upgrade these features as its playing catchup to OSX.
matticus008
macrumors 68040
Right. I didn't say it was expensive, but an HDMI-DVI cable *is* an adapter. A Type B -> A USB cable is also an adapter. They don't have to be expensive...I'm just saying s/he probably got confused by the different standards and connectors and the trouble of successfully navigating them.DTphonehome said:
KindredMAC
macrumors 6502a
The price increase just dawned on me!!!
This is Apple's way of offering their new "Entry Level" Mac lineup.
Think about it, the eMac has been EOL'd for a while now, leaving only the Mac mini and iMac for consumers' desktops. This new Mac mini has now offically filled up the vacancy in the $799 range where the bottom eMac was. Now if only they would have offered a $399 or $499 Mac mini still.
I could have swallowed the integrated graphics if they still had the $499 model.
Now if they put integrated graphics in the iBook and do not offer an $899 or $999 model I will be annoyed!
This is Apple's way of offering their new "Entry Level" Mac lineup.
Think about it, the eMac has been EOL'd for a while now, leaving only the Mac mini and iMac for consumers' desktops. This new Mac mini has now offically filled up the vacancy in the $799 range where the bottom eMac was. Now if only they would have offered a $399 or $499 Mac mini still.
I could have swallowed the integrated graphics if they still had the $499 model.
Now if they put integrated graphics in the iBook and do not offer an $899 or $999 model I will be annoyed!
mrgreen4242
macrumors 601
adamcz said:
Not sure where you are seeing the 7200rpm drives in these... it's pretty clear on the tech specs page they are 5400rpm... http://www.apple.com/macmini/whatsinside.html
ezekielrage_99 said:
Can I throw in a few operative words? Thank you.
Raised price by 100 big ones. DUMB, sorry, but thats mentally handicapped thinking
Superdrive. Yes, since trhe switcher needs to burn DVDs...what happened to the "check your e-mail listen to music and a few other things?"
Integrated Graphics. Puke. My aunt was looking to switch to a Mac, I suggested Mini but told her to wait...maybe now she can get a 1.42 for cheap.
Still no cheap monitor...GRRR! And Apple, what happened to quality control on your pristine website! it used to be good, but I still cannot figure out why the D in BYODKM means Monitor...I know it means display so do you! fix it!
Link:
http://www.apple.com/macmini/link:
...
Apple said:
This is moving away from entry level and towards upper entry level. Not what Apple needs, unless it wants to stay at 5% forever..didn't seem like The Steve wanted that at MWSF, and nor do I. I think this was a bit of a step backward for Apple. Very disappointing.
matticus008 said:
Or you just buy the proper cable that has the HDMI connector in the picture on one end, and the DVI connector on the other end. If you search for "HDMI DVI cable" at amazon.com, you'll find plenty, starting at US$13.99. They do not cost more than a straight HDMI cable. I have one of those to hook up my cable box (HDMI) to my TV (DVI).
This is very much like 9-pin and 25-pin serial ports that used to be common before USB took over. The 25-pin connector carried some additional signals for advanced modem control that were rarely used.