Odds of 2011 mini next week ?

[beertapper]

I wonder if apple will release the new imac and mini at the same time, with the imac getting the spotlight?

If not, the old mini would be a tough sell, as it would be the only (consumer level) mac without the latest intel core processors.

 

[tredstone]

Appleinsider just posted an article about how their sources are confirming an iMac refresh in the coming week... and again the absence of any mention of the Mini just seems to reiterate that it won't be part of the update.

 

[lvlarkkoenen]

About the AppleInsider article:

Thunderbolt iMacs are just the first of several Mac product refreshes Apple has planned for the months leading into and through this year's educational buying season.

several Mac product refreshes

It then points towards MBA's. MBA's + iMacs = 2, and I find 2 not to be several. I wouldn't expect Pro's to fit into the back to school season, so if AI indeed points to more refreshes it's probably the Mini/MacBook. However, if AI is right on the money it's more 'soon' than 'next week'.

 

[C64]

If they do not come out next week, maybe they'll launch 'em together with Tiger in the summer?

 

[glitch44]

I think the chance of a mini refresh alongside the iMacs is almost zero. We've heard no rumors whatsoever and they're not a priority like the iMacs and Macbook Pros-- they don't sell as many units and Apple's margin must be much lower.

 

[thogin]

If they do not come out next week, maybe they'll launch 'em together with Leopard in the summer?

That's what I'm waiting for anyway. No sense buying a Mac and paying another $130 for Lion a couple months later.

 

[steve2112]

The Mini is based off the Macbook (the white one, not the Macbook Pro), so they will probably get updated around the same time. Historically, the Mini gets updates after the Macbook.

 

[Michael383]

It would be nice to see a refreshed mini next week but I doubt it.

 

[Esquare]

Historically, the Mini gets updates after the Macbook.

Not that it means anything, but only last year the Mini got updated after the MacBook. In October 2009 they were updated together, and earlier in 2009 the Mini showed up two months before the updated MacBook.

 

[zedsdead]

The Mac Mini usually gets updated alongside the iMac.

Mini Updates:

9/2006 (w/iMac)
8/2007 (w/iMac)
No update in 08'
3/2009 (w/iMac)
10/2009 (w/iMac)
6/2010 (one month before iMac)

In 2008, there was rumors about Apple dropping the Mini altogether, and it did not see an update. If it did, it likely would have been alongside the iMac as well.

This does not mean there will be an update with the iMac, but it is more likely than not.

 

[gregorsamsa]

Don't be too surprised if we see nominal updates before Lion, but nothing significant. Maybe 4GB RAM, slightly bigger HD.

This is Apple we're talking about, so they'll be sure to keep the Mini specced well below the cheapest iMac which makes far better profit margins.

If they update iMacs next week, it probably makes sense to do the Mini also to catch some of the more impatient buyers who've already held back for weeks. That increases likely sales of Lion as a separate purchase later.

Whatever happens, if I buy a new Mini I'll hang on for Lion in the summer. If the new Mini gets the inferior HD3000, I may buy the current 320M Mini at a discount.

 

[Undo Redo]

Whatever happens, if I buy a new Mini I'll hang on for Lion in the summer. If the new Mini gets the inferior HD3000, I may buy the current 320M Mini at a discount.

I think you can count on the HD3000. Do you think 2010 minis will still be available when Lion comes out?

 

[gianly1985]

I think the chance of a mini refresh alongside the iMacs is almost zero. We've heard no rumors whatsoever and they're not a priority like the iMacs and Macbook Pros-- they don't sell as many units and Apple's margin must be much lower.

Maybe that's why pre-refresh shortages are not evident ---> no rumors.

 

[gregorsamsa]

I think you can count on the HD3000. Do you think 2010 minis will still be available when Lion comes out?

If we see Mini updates as early as next week & Lion late summer, you may find other retailers (eg. John Lewis in UK) still have older 320M Minis, but Apple probably only as refurbs. In fact, almost certainly they'll still be available as discounted refurbs, but then they'll come with Snow Leopard.

I'm still undecided. It may be that Lion rocks far more than Snow Leopard, in which case I'd compromise on the HD3000. However, if the general consensus here about Lion is fairly muted, then I'd get a 320M refurb if I couldn't find a discounted brand new model from another retailer. JL appeals as they also offer a free standard 2-year guarantee on all Macs & PCs, + you can get a 3rd year's cover for a lot less than Apple Care.

 

[thogin]

I'm still puzzled why people think the HD 3000 is inferior to the 320M. Every benchmark I've looked at, including games, suggest the 3000 is slightly faster in most cases. Is it embarrassing that the 3000 is only "slightly" faster than the aging 320M? Sure it is. But is that reason enough to give up Sandy Bridge and Thunderbolt?

Someone show me a current benchmark that demonstrates the 3000 being vastly inferior to the 320M. And then I'll shut up.

 

[gregorsamsa]

I'm still puzzled why people think the HD 3000 is inferior to the 320M. Every benchmark I've looked at, including games, suggest the 3000 is slightly faster in most cases. Is it embarrassing that the 3000 is only "slightly" faster than the aging 320M? Sure it is. But is that reason enough to give up Sandy Bridge and Thunderbolt?

Someone show me a current benchmark that demonstrates the 3000 being vastly inferior to the 320M. And then I'll shut up.

I haven't seen those benchmarks. But being a gamer, if you can post one of those links here I'd appreciate it greatly, then I'll shut up. Certainly the consensus on this forum suggests otherwise.

FWIW, I posted these recent benchmarks (more games tested inside link) on another Mini thread a few days ago. They suggest HD3000 is relatively pants compared to 320M, in both OS X & Windows 7:

Stats below for MacBook Pro (2010) with 320M v MacbookPro (2011) with HD3000, in both OS X & W7:

http://www.techyalert.com/2011/02/25/macbook-pro-2010-vs-macbook-pro-2011/

Overall, 320M is better than HD3000, but what's interesting is how much better Windows 7 64-bit performance is with both cards over OS X 10.6.6.

For example: In Windows 7 64-bit: Left 4 Dead (SP Campaign “No Mercy”)

Low Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 57
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 69

Medium Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 49
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 64

High Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 36
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 43

In OS X 10.6.6: Left 4 Dead (SP Campaign “No Mercy”)

Low Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 51
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 48

Medium Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 41
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 44

High Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 27
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 30

 

[glitch44]

Maybe that's why pre-refresh shortages are not evident ---> no rumors.

The rumors I'm thinking of are independent of sales shortages / ship dates. I'm talking about guys saying iMacs are on cargo ships bound for the US or photos of cases / parts that appear. I'd consider shortages and ship dates just to be anecdotal evidence that could reinforce a rumor.

 

[thogin]

Stats below for MacBook Pro (2010) with 320M v MacbookPro (2011) with HD3000, in both OS X & W7:

http://www.techyalert.com/2011/02/25/macbook-pro-2010-vs-macbook-pro-2011/

Overall, 320M is better than HD3000, but what's interesting is how much better Windows 7 64-bit performance is with both cards over OS X 10.6.6.

I think you just proved my point with that link. The HD3000 is the same or slightly better than the 320M on the Mac. It's not "inferior". Look at the Left for Dead 2 benchmark:

High Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 31
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 20

As for 64bit Win7 performance, do we care about that? This is a Mac mini forum. Unless you're talking about PC gaming under Boot Camp? In which case, I would recommend picking up a cheap gaming PC w/dedicated video card for that. Both the 3000 and 320M are pretty weak for gaming.

 

[srf4real]

Not that it means anything, but all Apple inventory is on sale at BestBuy currently. Not much of a sale, but with thunderbolt and usb 3.0 I imagine that Apple is ready to move on to the next level with all their current lineup. I expect everything to be refreshed some time this year, hopefully the mini sooner rather than later...

I vote for this week!

 

[philipma1957]

The Mini is based off the Macbook (the white one, not the Macbook Pro), so they will probably get updated around the same time. Historically, the Mini gets updates after the Macbook.

the mini has matched the 13 inch macbook pro more then once and in fact for 3 months or more the mini was better then the 13 inch macbook pro go to wiki and search for mac mini and macbook pro. go to the oct 2009 mac mini and realize that it was better then the macbook pro 13 inch until a few months later.

 

[Brenzo]

Apple should offer a Mini built like the server edition (no optical drive), but without OS X server loaded on there. I want a Mini with with the OS on a reasonably priced SSD, a 1-2 TB hard drive for storage, and 4 GB RAM as the base option (ideally 8 GB RAM). I have no need for an optical drive and one could always purchase an external drive for less than $50.

 

[blevins321]

I just picked up a Mini yesterday for use as an HTPC. Hopefully if they are doing a refresh soon, it'll be within the next 14 days lol.

 

[gregorsamsa]

I think you just proved my point with that link. The HD3000 is the same or slightly better than the 320M on the Mac. It's not "inferior". Look at the Left for Dead 2 benchmark:

High Settings
2011 MBP with Intel HD 3000 (avg fps) = 31
2010 MBP with nVidia 320m (avg fps) = 20

As for 64bit Win7 performance, do we care about that? This is a Mac mini forum. Unless you're talking about PC gaming under Boot Camp? In which case, I would recommend picking up a cheap gaming PC w/dedicated video card for that. Both the 3000 and 320M are pretty weak for gaming.

By not providing the links I asked you for, then ignoring ALL benchmarks that prove otherwise, you've just proved you're a waste of my time even responding to beyond this brief reply.

As for Windows 7 comparisons: this is an open forum, not just for fanboys. Who are you to talk about "do we care", as if you represent the collective forum? You don't, I don't, no-one does.

If you can't provide even 1 link out of those you claim you saw showing benchmarks that the HD3000 is generally better than the 320M, I doubt whether you've even seen them.

 

[Westyfield2]

Odds of 2011 mini next week ?

Nil. I'd put it at a few months after the iMac.

I'd buy it if they did though .

 

[radiohed]

I really needed a computer and already had a 27" monitor, and Apple KB and MTP. Rather than wait, I bought a refurbed Mini server, even though I don't need the server functionality. I figure when Lion is released, I can do a clean Lion client install. I really like having the TB of storage. Seems like a speedy machine and certainly suits my needs.