That's a good thought. With HDMI I can see people simply upgrading their Mac minis every couple of years instead of going bigger and bigger with their iMacs. I bought a 24 refurb because I think 27 is way too big. Next time round im seriously considering going the mini route. I'm not a huge computer gamer.
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New Mac Mini Announced! [MERGED]
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That's a good thought. With HDMI I can see people simply upgrading their Mac minis every couple of years instead of going bigger and bigger with their iMacs. I bought a 24 refurb because I think 27 is way too big. Next time round im seriously considering going the mini route. I'm not a huge computer gamer.
AppleTV size is 7.7" by 7.7"
New Mac Mini is 7.7" by 7.7"
Only height slightly differs. Despite being a hobby, ATV sold well and Apple needs to make sure Google doesn't get too close for comfort with the Studios via GoogleTV.
Next step is obvious:
+ same shell for the ATV with less ports
+ internal HD instead of SSD to keep low price point
+ 1080p capable
+ A4 chip instead of intel
+ iOS instead of MacOSX
+ optional new multitouch pad to benefit of iOS and increase user experience on the HDTV (free remote app for ipad/iphone users)
I'd love to see a bluray drive but for some reason Apple really has a chip on it's shoulder about Bluray and I don't see 1080p streaming from iTunes.
So 99USD for the above and 299USD including bluray, PVR and a bit more memory.
New Mac Mini is 7.7" by 7.7"
Only height slightly differs. Despite being a hobby, ATV sold well and Apple needs to make sure Google doesn't get too close for comfort with the Studios via GoogleTV.
Next step is obvious:
+ same shell for the ATV with less ports
+ internal HD instead of SSD to keep low price point
+ 1080p capable
+ A4 chip instead of intel
+ iOS instead of MacOSX
+ optional new multitouch pad to benefit of iOS and increase user experience on the HDTV (free remote app for ipad/iphone users)
I'd love to see a bluray drive but for some reason Apple really has a chip on it's shoulder about Bluray and I don't see 1080p streaming from iTunes.
So 99USD for the above and 299USD including bluray, PVR and a bit more memory.
Of course they will fix prices. New iMacs are going to be more expensive, so Minis will be much cheaper than iMacs again!
Not exactly what I had in mind, but likely.
I am still a little surprised that got rid of the 24". Its the prefect size. Maybe they will bring it back in the next upgrades?
Blu-Ray
To many of the folks that say they don't want Blu-Ray I'd like to say that many people don't just want it for movies, many of us would love to see a Blu-Ray burner in there for backups and just to store stuff on in general. I know there's Time Capsule (have one), external drives (have a bunch of those too), and online backup solutions (Mozy, Dropbox, etc.) but some stuff I just want to burn of to physical disk(s) for the backup. Especially stuff I'd like to put in a lock box or something. I doubt I'm the only person thinking of Blu-Ray as a storage solution as much as an entertainment thing.
To many of the folks that say they don't want Blu-Ray I'd like to say that many people don't just want it for movies, many of us would love to see a Blu-Ray burner in there for backups and just to store stuff on in general. I know there's Time Capsule (have one), external drives (have a bunch of those too), and online backup solutions (Mozy, Dropbox, etc.) but some stuff I just want to burn of to physical disk(s) for the backup. Especially stuff I'd like to put in a lock box or something. I doubt I'm the only person thinking of Blu-Ray as a storage solution as much as an entertainment thing.
Sleeker Mac Mini with HDMI? It's now perfect recommendation for HTPCs. Matches the newer remote nicely.
I'd love to have one of these and then plug in my iPad as the monitor but I doubt it's possible to have a HDMI to iPod Connector.
I'd love to have one of these and then plug in my iPad as the monitor but I doubt it's possible to have a HDMI to iPod Connector.
I use our 360 as a media extender but its god-awful noisy for movies. Good thing my amp can overwhelm the "leaf blower" effect of the 360.
IMO, the PS3 makes a better media extender. Quiter, BD support, doesn't pack a fit with uPNP streamers.
Undoubtedly, but the game selection is better on the 360 plus there is Live. When Sony offers a $99 PS3, maybe I'll bite.
Undoubtedly, but the game selection is better on the 360 plus there is Live. When Sony offers a $99 PS3, maybe I'll bite.
I like to play more than FPSes and PseudoRPGs rendered in the spectrum of brown. (I know the PS3 has those too, there's just a lot less)
My current thing is Demon's Souls. Bloody hard RPG.
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Eh, Live is subjective. I don't like little kids swearing and squealing in my ear when something goes wrong. Plus im not a big fan of online Multiplayer. The last online multiplayer I played for a notable amount of time is UT3.
Since the choice of platform is not mine but my sons', it doesn't matter what I think.
Live is good if that is what all your friends have. I have also noticed than many titles are now dual-platform so its no longer the issue that it once was, IMO.
Since the choice of platform is not mine but my sons', it doesn't matter what I think.
Live is good if that is what all your friends have. I have also noticed than many titles are now dual-platform so its no longer the issue that it once was, IMO.
Its too expensive to stay exclusive now, the demand for more gimmicky and prettier games takes a toll on funds.
Eg: Bungie, Insomniac (There's rumours for Naughty Dog too) have announced cross-platform content.
Apple has never felt a need to normalize the specs to price ratio. For example, take the MB Air (please).
And some of us just want blu-ray so we don't have to buy the same movie 2 or 3 times (blu-ray, dvd/iTunes)!
Crap!
This just in, in an e-mail from SMALL DOG ELECTRONICS, an APPLE reseller,on an inquiry from me, re the new MINI
"In terms of the mac mini, it does look like the drive is not user installable, and after looking through the service manual, it may not be possible to install a 3rd party drive at all. It appears that Apple has integrated one of the thermal sensors onto the drive, and the only way to get a new sensor is to buy a new replacement drive from Apple".
FYI! So much for 7200 RPM upgrades
This just in, in an e-mail from SMALL DOG ELECTRONICS, an APPLE reseller,on an inquiry from me, re the new MINI
"In terms of the mac mini, it does look like the drive is not user installable, and after looking through the service manual, it may not be possible to install a 3rd party drive at all. It appears that Apple has integrated one of the thermal sensors onto the drive, and the only way to get a new sensor is to buy a new replacement drive from Apple".
FYI! So much for 7200 RPM upgrades
Next step: make it aluminium also on the back, like they did with the iMacs.
Make the the FrontRow able to sort movies by genres, like the AppleTV can.
Movie the ugly superdrive slot to the bottom so those who use discs can flip the thing over and put it in the bottom hole like a discman. Also that hideous black spot (ir receiver) has to go...
SSD option... would help also to cool it down, would it not get hotter with an internal power supply. It will probably be as hot as the AppleTV...
Make the the FrontRow able to sort movies by genres, like the AppleTV can.
Movie the ugly superdrive slot to the bottom so those who use discs can flip the thing over and put it in the bottom hole like a discman. Also that hideous black spot (ir receiver) has to go...
SSD option... would help also to cool it down, would it not get hotter with an internal power supply. It will probably be as hot as the AppleTV...
The new mini is almost how I imagined it since February 2009.
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7138855&highlight#post7138855
Only Bluray support is missing now to be perfect!
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7138855&highlight#post7138855
Only Bluray support is missing now to be perfect!
Exactly what are you on about? What exactly do I have to get used to? My HTPC already has Blu Ray, plus multiple TB of internal storage and is much more powerful than anything Mac short of the Pro and cost closer to the mini in price.
All that lack of Blu Ray is, is one more reason to never buy a Mac. Hardly something to cheer about if you are a Mac fan and hardly a point down to PC buyers that actually have a choice.
It puts the Mini back in the position of merely being a Laptop without a screen... or a battery... or a keyboard ... or a pointing device.. A whole lot missing for a high price.