Next Up: Mac mini Updates?

[clayj]

Follow my logic... Since the Mac mini was released early this year, we've had:

- Powermac updates
- Powerbook updates
- iMac updates
- eMac updates (whee)
- iPod updates
- OS update (Tiger)

Seems to me like next in the update queue should be Mac mini updates... I would definitely upgrade to a newer Mac mini if they were to add better graphics (something that fully supports Core Image), a faster CPU, and more HD space and RAM.

OK, maybe iBook updates are next... but Mac mini updates should be no further back in the queue than second place.

 

[wordmunger]

I don't know... with the eMac only at 1.42, I'm not sure where the mini could go. I guess the Mini was faster than the eMac before, so you may be right.

 

[robbieduncan]

It seems possible that the 1.67Ghz cores from the latest PowerBooks could be used. As the Mini uses laptop drives 100Gb is the upper limit at the moment. Any sensible graphics core is possible, the most likely being the 9600 as used in the new iMacs.

RAM, well 512Mb seems like a given?

 

[cube]

Only upgrading the graphics would be OK.

 

[clayj]

Only upgrading the graphics would be OK.

Yeah, I'd actually be OK with that, too. I have plenty of free HD space and am in no danger of needing more than 1 GB of RAM, and the CPU speed seems OK to me. Still, a faster CPU to go with the improved GPU would be nice.

 

[MacSA]

It seems possible that the 1.67Ghz cores from the latest PowerBooks could be used. As the Mini uses laptop drives 100Gb is the upper limit at the moment. Any sensible graphics core is possible, the most likely being the 9600 as used in the new iMacs.

RAM, well 512Mb seems like a given?

The NEW low end eMac just released today still has 256MB of RAM.... so I wouldn't be too sure of 512 in a future mini.

 

[robbieduncan]

The NEW low end eMac just released today still has 256MB of RAM.... so I wouldn't be too sure of 512 in a future mini.

True. Personally if/when I buy another Mini (it might well happen) I would consider 512Mb the miniumum needed (I have 512 in my current one).

A faster CPU would only be worth while if it enabled playback of 720p HD content without skipping (my 1.25Ghz Powerbook manages about 15fps on the HD trailers from Apple's website).

 

[Yvan256]

Seems to me like next in the update queue should be Mac mini updates... I would definitely upgrade to a newer Mac mini if they were to add better graphics (something that fully supports Core Image), a faster CPU, and more HD space and RAM.

Next Mac mini rev.:
- same CPU speeds or maybe 1.33/1.5 (or maybe both models at 1.42?)
- Radeon 9600/64MB (on par with the new eMacs)
- 5400 RPM Hard Drives (4200 is useless, the Mac mini doesn't run on batteries)
- Dual-layer superdrive (for the superdrive model

Aside from these (and maybe a 3rd USB 2.0 port) I don't see anything else happening.

Edit: removed 512MB default since new eMac doesn't have 512MB. Would be nice to go with iBook-like RAM though: 256MB on-board, leaving the memory slot FREE for an upgrade (making a total of 512/768MB inexpensive, which is the goal of the Mac mini).

 

[Spectrum]

Only upgrading the graphics would be OK.

I agree. Upgrading to a 9600/64Mb or even just the FX5200Ultra/64 that was in the old iMac G4(and G5) would enable me to fully justify the purchase to my parents.

512 would be nice, but I'd make them upgrade to that amount anyway.

Although 256 on board with a free slot would be a killer.

 

[cube]

Although 256 on board with a free slot would be a killer.

512 on board so that it matches the Cube and one does not need to upgrade right away (to wait until 1 GiB sticks become cheap).

 

[Lancetx]

I bet that they'll hold off on Mac mini updates until the back to school season in late summer. Remember that the current ones have only been around since late January, so it's only been about 3 months so far. If they're on a 6-8 month update cycle like most everything else Apple has is, that would put the next revision in August, give or take a month.

 

[cube]

I bet that they'll hold off on Mac mini updates until the back to school season in late summer. Remember that the current ones have only been around since late January, so it's only been about 3 months so far. If they're on a 6-8 month update cycle like most everything else Apple has is, that would put the next revision in August, give or take a month.

Yeah. But there is the Core Image exception.

Just graphics now. e600 next time.

 

[Lancetx]

Yeah. But there is the Core Image exception.

Just graphics now. e600 next time.

True, but somehow I doubt that core image is a big deal to those in the market for a $499 computer. The eMacs and iMacs were overdue for updates anyway, so it's no surprise they got the graphics updates so quickly after Tiger's release. I guess we'll see what the iBook gets since that's really the update that will be coming next...

 

[Spectrum]

512 on board so that it matches the Cube and one does not need to upgrade right away (to wait until 1 GiB sticks become cheap).

True, but that means 1: throwing away the 512 stick, and 2: opening up the mini (not a good option for many)

256 onboard, with a free slot so that you can BTO to 768, is always going to be cheaper, and I'm sure, more than enough memory for the mini.

Of course, they could alway solder 512 onboard AND still leave a free slot for more Then we'd all be happy.

 

[cube]

Of course, they could alway solder 512 onboard AND still leave a free slot for more Then we'd all be happy.

That's what I said.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The Mac mini will be upgraded no earlier than the iBook it shares hardware with. I would guess that the two will be updated at roughly the same time.

Expect fairly a minor revision...a Geforce5200 and new hard drives. Maybe a faster SuperDrive. Perhaps they'll include that built-in iPod dock too, to avoid being upstaged by HP an their iPod dock-equipped computer.

They SHOULD give it 512MB RAM standard too, but don't hold your breath.

I'm not sure about giving the Mac Mini a speed bump; IIRC the Mac mini uses a 745X series G4 with L3 cache. If they switch to a 7447 series CPU from the laptops, there will be little or no performance gain despite the speed increase, just like we see with the 1.7/1.8/2 GHz 7447 series G4s offered as upgrades by Giga Designs and Sonnet. Actually I don't think that the CPU is weak in the Mini anyway - the GPU and hard disk are the bottlenecks.

 

[Spectrum]

That's what I said.

Aahh. I see.

Great minds think alike

 

[cube]

The mini uses a 7447.

 

[cube]

5200 would be a bummer after the eMac update.

 

[SiliconAddict]

I don't know... with the eMac only at 1.42, I'm not sure where the mini could go. I guess the Mini was faster than the eMac before, so you may be right.

Where to go? Hmmm

-1.42Ghz -> 1.5Ghz. 1.25 -> 1.42Ghz
-5400 RPM Drives across the board with 7200 RPM drives optional.
-512MB RAM standard.
-64MB ATI 9600 (Still slow but easily good enough.)
-2 USB -> 4USB
-10/100/1000 NIC
-1FW 400
-1FW 800
-1 Audio in
-Get rid of the blasted plastic clips and just allow users to slide in 4 tabs on the bottom allowing easy access to the guts. IMHO that was a marketing gimmick on the part of Apple to get people to visit the Apple store for a RAM upgrade.

Honestly Apple left nowhere to go but up with the Mac Mini. Its a good starter Mac but with only one or two minor tweaks, IMHO, it could be MUCH better without cannibalizing any of their other product lines.

 

[SiliconAddict]

It seems possible that the 1.67Ghz cores from the latest PowerBooks could be used. As the Mini uses laptop drives 100Gb is the upper limit at the moment. Any sensible graphics core is possible, the most likely being the 9600 as used in the new iMacs.

Keep in mind heat. The CPU sits at the bottom of the system with all the other components ontop of it. How does heat travel? There is only one fan pulling air out of the system. A 1.67Ghz chip may very well run too hot to put in the thing. Heck my previously suggested 1.5Ghz may run too hot.

 

[iGary]

Add a bloody RAM slot.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Without some reengineering the 9600 or FX 5200 Ultra might be too hot for the compact chassis. I think someone else mentioned this. Same way with a higher speed G4. The Mini is against a lot of odds when it comes to higher performance components that produce more heat. Knowing Apple engineers however, they will find a way.

 

[CubaTBird]

new mac minis could come with a go 5200 32 meg card.. remember this is a value machine and that card does support the "ripple" effect in tiger just fine.

 

[cube]

Where to go? Hmmm

-1.42Ghz -> 1.5Ghz. 1.25 -> 1.42Ghz
-5400 RPM Drives across the board with 7200 RPM drives optional.
-512MB RAM standard.
-64MB ATI 9600 (Still slow but easily good enough.)
-2 USB -> 4USB
-10/100/1000 NIC
-1FW 400
-1FW 800
-1 Audio in
-Get rid of the blasted plastic clips and just allow users to slide in 4 tabs on the bottom allowing easy access to the guts. IMHO that was a marketing gimmick on the part of Apple to get people to visit the Apple store for a RAM upgrade.

I'd rather have an extra video port than 2 more USB and extra FireWire port
(you can always put just one FW800) if there's not enough space.