New Mac Mini at Macworld San Francisco 2009?

[ddTaylor]

The Mac Mini is in a difficult position.

If it upgrades its internals anymore it will encroach on iMac sales..

Plus of course they dont want people using IT as a HTPC, when they should be buying an Apple tv.

I think it will:

Same 1.83 and 2ghz processors
Same 1gb ram
Slightly upgraded hard drives (base imacs is 250gb so...)
Nvidia integrated graphics
100% aluminum enclosure
Displayport

I think that is closer to accurate than those who are calling for the upgrade to be more like an iMac. Good call - but a bit disappointing for me. I would like to use one as a music server with my USB DAC and the current Mini I own (G4 1.25GHz is not enough for that purpose). I hope you are wrong, though.

D

 

[That-Is-Bull]

It sounds like it, and probably also thinner than the 1st Generation.

Yes, because thinness is very useful in a desktop computer. My desk has a shelf behind my monitor a few inches high and my Mac Mini is under it, and if the Mini were just a little bit taller it wouldn't be able to fit. Also, my desk at home happens to be in the exact shape of the current iMacs. The only reason I didn't buy an iMac before the aluminum model is because they were just so damn thick and wouldn't fit in my desk. Never mind power and expandability, being thin is more important.

 

[mags631]

But if you want a cheap PC, there are options cheaper than the dell "mini".

That may be true -- however, I did not claim that it was the cheapest PC, or even a budget PC, only that it will be the cheapest Mac, and Apple may market it as such (among other things) to attract budget-minded consumers.

Many users could care less about the form factor, they just want the cheapest mac available.

Yet, some do.

 

[iWizzard]

$599 good enough?

To much for a media center, atleast with current exchange rate 1 usd = 8 Sek a few month ago it was 1 usd = 6 sek. 3500 sek or $415 is more in line of what I would like to pay for a mediacenter (Boxee)

 

[jdw17G4]

Has anyone noticed the mini is #1 on Amazon's desktop best selling list today...it has been in the top 10 for some time now.

 

[Capt Crunch]

Here's what I hope (and think is reasonable):

2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo
2 GB of Ram
120 GB HD
$500

Why? So I can get a previous gen for $300 as an HTPC for Plex and my library of 1080p movies.

 

[tomjleeds]

Mini DisplayPort eh? They sure as hell better bundle a (choose-able) adapter in the box then.

 

[Thomas2006]

I guess what will what it INCLUDE and what will it DROP

Cough..Firewire..Cough

Would love to see the mini with similar specs to the macbook but please include the firewire..for the sake of this forum

FireWire400 is definitely getting dropped, but eSATA, being faster than USB 2.0, FireWire400, and even FireWire800, would make a nice replacement for it; however, Apple might find it easier to either drop FireWire completely or start using FireWire800.

 

[Count Blah]

Has anyone noticed the mini is #1 on Amazon's desktop best selling list today...it has been in the top 10 for some time now.

Yeah, it's a shame Steve hates it so. I mean, why would he want more and more market share that a constantly updated mini would give him. That would just be silly.

And if it is a mini display port, there better be a min->VGA/DVI adaptor in the box, or there will be a lot of confused people.

 

[Capt Crunch]

Yeah, it's a shame Steve hates it so. I mean, why would he want more and more market share that a constantly updated mini would give him. That would just be silly.

I dunno, right now he's selling <$200 worth of hardware for close to a grand... seems like he's smarter than we thought.

 

[Superman07]

This may have come up in other threads, but I figure it's worth posting in here as well.

I have already been in contact with at least one company that plans to solve the Macbook to HDTV issue. MonoPrice.com, a wholesale distributor of computer cables and accessories based in California, has informed me that Apple fans are on their radar and a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI video adapter is on the way. “Yes, we will carry this item soon. However, it won’t be available until end of January 2009 or so,” a company representative said via email.

http://www.macyourself.com/2008/12/11/macbook-owners-rejoice-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter-soon/

However, since I was thinking the Dell 24" Ultrasharp would go nicely with this, the fact that there isn't a mDP->DP adapter also seems weird.

 

[stinhoutx]

Now, to figure out the equation based on the new specs, new price (if any) and whether I will regret finally grabbing a mini at 30% (Live CashBack) off two weeks ago...

 

[diamond.g]

Aluminum enclosure. Mini DisplayPort.

As for the guts, think AppleTV + Mac Mini

Perhaps an AppleTV with DVR capabilities?

Starts at $499

With or without Cable Card?

 

[milo]

I will tell you one thing....

If they DON'T have a new Mac Mini at MWSF.....

I AM GOING TO build a new hackintosh.

I have been waiting as long as I can, and this is pretty much the do or die for me and apple's hardware relationship.

I suspect there are quite a few people in that situation. A number of mac lines are overdue for updates, and if those updates don't come in January, or if those updates are underwhelming, those holding out may take a serious look outside of apple options.

$599 good enough?

Probably not, especially if the machine is as underwhelming as the mini historically has been.

Yet, some do.

Which is why I said MANY as opposed to ALL. And it's not good enough for apple to hype a machine as "the cheapest mac" if there are PCs that are considerably less (and often with superior specs).

I dunno, right now he's selling <$200 worth of hardware for close to a grand... seems like he's smarter than we thought.

But we don't know how many of those are selling. I don't think anyone doubts they could sell WAY more if the machine wasn't so outdated and overpriced.

 

[Eric S.]

FireWire400 is definitely getting dropped, but eSATA, being faster than USB 2.0, FireWire400, and even FireWire800, would make a nice replacement for it; however, Apple might find it easier to either drop FireWire completely or start using FireWire800.

eSATA is only a replacement for storage devices; it's not going to help audio and video users who need Firewire. And of course it doesn't offer anything to people who currently own FW devices.

 

[kingtj]

Sorry, DisplayPort it is....

There's practically NO chance the new Mac Mini won't switch to Mini DisplayPort - especially since these systems are built around notebook-centric components, and Apple already has DisplayPort on all the new notebooks.

What they might very well do, however, is include the Mini DisplayPort to DVI and/or VGA cables in the box with the new Mini -- since they realize it appeals to people who want to "bring their own monitor, keyboard and mouse" from standard Windows PC setups.

if this is true ill be highly interested, all i ask is firewire since we know we will never get esata and well thats really all there is to ask for, also dont only give me display port, i need dvi

 

[VoR]

esata is basically free to add to their new machines, it's just another item to add to the 'why on earth didn't they/isn't there....X feature' list

 

[Mal]

eSATA is only a replacement for storage devices; it's not going to help audio and video users who need Firewire. And of course it doesn't offer anything to people who currently own FW devices.

None of those people are in Apple's target market for the Mac mini. It's a switcher machine, and hardly any PC users have much in the way of FireWire devices (the one exception is a FireWire video camera, where there's definitely a valid reason for keeping it, but it's not enough apparently to convince Apple FireWire needs to stay on a consumer machine).

There's practically NO chance the new Mac Mini won't switch to Mini DisplayPort - especially since these systems are built around notebook-centric components, and Apple already has DisplayPort on all the new notebooks.

What they might very well do, however, is include the Mini DisplayPort to DVI and/or VGA cables in the box with the new Mini -- since they realize it appeals to people who want to "bring their own monitor, keyboard and mouse" from standard Windows PC setups.

That would be reasonable. At least include DVI (pretty much all monitors made in the last few years include DVI), although there would be some frustration stemming from the lack of DVI-I availability, which isn't really going to change most likely.

jW

 

[tom53092]

I'd like to see Apple release a 'headless iMac'.

It'll be a Mini only. Predictable specs a la MacBook. Price points high enough to make you wince but not so high that you won't buy it. And Apple will again leave millions on the table by not offering a headless consumer desktop, giving us only the choice of a Mini. ...and I'll buy it, and like it.

 

[Mousse]

I pray to the Apple gods to bless me with a core i7 mini but I know they will just put the macbook in a new box :-(

I'm hoping the new box will be a Cube? *crosses fingers...all twelve of them*

 

[Cave Man]

Like the higher-end MacBook and MacBook Pro, the 2.3-GHz Mac Mini will ship with an Nvidia video card, making this higher-end model a decent gaming device.

Nice. Driving a 30" display at native resolution on a Mini would be kick-@ss. Let's just hope we don't need one of those $100 adapters.

 

[kingtj]

Ok, but here's the thing .....

With Apple, when you buy into the "mid range" or "high end", you start getting much more "bang for the buck". Only at the low end do you run into this big "gap" in price vs. raw performance (largely because you're paying for the OS X license and Apple's generally superior level of support, no matter how low-end a product of theirs you select). There are some big expenses associated with operating hundreds of retail stores, all of which allow customers to bring in any system in warranty for drop-off service. If you don't think this is part of the "Apple tax" you pay, ask companies like Gateway how cheap it was for them to run their "Gateway Country" retail stores (and why they're all gone today!).

I am curious about a mac, but I'll never pay the same amount of money for something with half the features and power.

 

[Cave Man]

I am curious about a mac, but I'll never pay the same amount of money for something with half the features and power.

Then I guess you'll soon be buying a Mac.

 

[DaBrain]

Let the betting begin How do you think Apple is going to cripple the new Mini so that only the most need-nothing users are able to use the mini? My bet is on

1) no firewire

2) only display port for video out.

I fear your probably right. Although you might add they will include a mini 5 " glossy only display built in the top and no display out!--)))) Nothing would surprise me as I look at past trends. Perhaps then Apple will add an option for display out port for an additional $200?--))

 

[DaBrain]

I dunno, I've had my iMac since they came out with new Minis in August 2007. They've since updated the iMac twice. It's time for Apple to put it on the line. Kill the Mini or come up with a killer new way for it to work out. If it turns out to just look like the TV, then it will be a waste. It needs something bigger like a 300 dollar price tag or a new display (17" anybody?) to come with it.

Naaaa, cause ya know El Jobso will make it Glossy only! But, perhaps he'll include a mirror and 802.11g only?