Penryn iMac and Mac Mini Updates Soon?

[duncyboy]

I hope this is true. I've been saving for an entry-level iMac for a while, but an improved Mini would be a cheaper way to buy my first Mac, I can buy a nice display to go with it after and then save for a better model iMac (or even wait for the next revision in 12 months) and transfer the Mini to HTPC duties.

Forgive the dumb question (Please? ) but how much of an improvement would the rumoured graphics change be? Are they that much better? I'm well out of date with such. How much of a competitor are they to the 2400 in the entry-level iMac?

 

[bigwig]

Wouldn't it be more logical that Mac mini updates are only in the fall?

Maybe. Remember that mobile Nehalem is scheduled for release in Spring 2009. Why not update the Mini now, and again the same time next year to Nehalem?

 

[swingerofbirch]

What the mini needs is HDMI out: that would make it perfect for living rooms.
Also lowering the price back to $499 would be nice, as would making it a bit larger so it could internalize that monster power brick.

As for a skinnier iMac: would the point just be to make it smaller until it starts overheating? Leave a little breathing room!

 

[milo]

You have completely missed what Mac Mini is for, what it's target customers are and what it should accomplish.

It's a low end computer to attract non-Apple customers to introduce them to OSX and for people who only do basic wok on PC likve Ofiice apps and Internet.

Actually, I completely agree with you, that's absolutely one big segment that it could and should be for. But that customer has ZERO need for the machine to be tiny - going with a larger case and desktop components would be a much better design for that customer. In addition to beefing up the specs, a bigger case with desktop parts would also allow a wider range of models that could include a machine that's CHEAPER than what apple will ever be able to offer with the current mini design. Would a wider range of options really be so bad for the mini?

I suggest you buy a Shuttle PC, put a Q9550 chip in it, add 4x2GB RAM and equip with GeForce 9600GT with dual link/dual DVI-I. Happy gaming and leave me my small low end mac.

Wow, you completely miss the point. I'm not interested in gaming at all, and that's pretty much the opposite of what I'm looking for in a machine in every way. Size isn't really important. Nor gaming (did you even read my post, where I said gaming performance is a low priority?). Options are a good thing, and an empty PCI slot (even one) is a good option. More ram slots allows not just more ram, but the option of moderate amounts of ram for cheaper.

Seriously, why is "small" so important to you, particularly in a desktop machine? I guess some people value it, but I'd bet that the vast majority of people would pick better performance or lower price (or both) over tiny size. Apple could easily do a machine with desktop parts and MUCH better value and probably not have to go that much bigger.

 

[darkblu]

Would you please find me a notebook chipset that uses the GMA3100?

My original post on the GM965 is still valid.

true. here's the reference table on the recent gma series.

 

[milo]

Apple's USB-to-Ethernet Adapter is your friend....

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables&nplm=MB442Z/A

Not if it doesn't get gigabit performance. I assume you were joking about leaving ethernet and optical drive off the mini?

It makes sense on a portable when the goal is minimal size and weight. But on a desktop, it makes no sense at all - the cost of those two is barely anything, as evidenced by windows LAPTOPS that have DVD burners for less than what the mini costs. There's no question the mini is overpriced with the current version, but apple could make it even cheaper if they went slightly bigger with desktop parts.

 

[Anaxarxes]

Seriously, why is "small" so important to you, particularly in a desktop machine? I guess some people value it, but I'd bet that the vast majority of people would pick better performance or lower price (or both) over tiny size. Apple could easily do a machine with desktop parts and MUCH better value and probably not have to go that much bigger.

Because as well as Mac Mini serves to be an entry PC for low-end computer users, it also serves as an HTPC for many people out there. SFF is important and useful in HTPC environment.

What Apple needs to do is to make Mini's case more accessible for hardware changes ( RAM and HDD )

A 2.4Ghz Mac Mini with 4GB of RAM and 2.5" 7200rpm SATA-II drive will be quite a performer...

 

[Tattoo]

Jim Kramer "Mad Money" CNBC Show

Rumor: New Mac minis and iMacs to be announced ahead of Apple stock split?

Bring on the new 30-inch black iMac with the (single Processor) 2.8Ghz Dual-Core Xeon, support for 4GB of RAM, standard with a 7200 RPM 500GB Drive and optional Digital TV tuner.

 

[Analog Kid]

Yes! Keep the Mini alive! I love that little thing... I can think of a dozen projects I'd use them for if I had the time-- it's the time, not the product that's kept me from buying more. Be patient with me, Apple.

A price drop would be nice too-- the G4 mini's were priced in the sweet spot IMO.

 

[basesloaded190]

not going to lie, that looks very badass!

 

[milo]

Because as well as Mac Mini serves to be an entry PC for low-end computer users, it also serves as an HTPC for many people out there. SFF is important and useful in HTPC environment.

But does it need to be as small as it is? Apple could go with desktop parts and probably make it the size of the average DVD player. What would be wrong with that?

And I'd bet the market is far bigger for entry level computers than it is for HTPC.

Rumor: New Mac minis and iMacs to be announced ahead of Apple stock split?

Bring on the new 30-inch black iMac with the (single Processor) 2.8Ghz Dual-Core Xeon, support for 4GB of RAM, standard with a 7200 RPM 500GB Drive and optional Digital TV tuner.

Huh? Xeon doesn't fit the profile of the iMac at all, it runs hotter, it's even more expensive and has practically no benefit if you're running a single chip configuration. Is this a real rumor (link to Cramer if he covered it) or did you just make this up?

 

[nsbio]

Ultra-slim desktop iMac would be just great. It could be made even slimmer by getting rid of an optical drive and most of the ports - who needs those anyway - ports are overrated! (sarcasm)

 

[macbook129]

To be perfectly honest, i can't imagine more than simple speed bumps / ram upgrades for the Mini. I have a 2.0ghz mini and love it, but i cant see apple changing the design or wasting any time or money re-designing a product they never fully embraced. I think if they cut the mini, would be a bad move since the Mini lures PC Windows users to the Mac world.

Same for the iMac i think, just ram, cpu upgrade and hard drive bump. They dont need to change the iMac design yet, its a beautiful desktop machine and wouldnt expect a minor design change until atleast June event

 

[ruckus]

Great to get an iMac update but i think the direction on this desktop is really more like a laptop on a stand with an attached keyboard.
Why can't Apple give both mac mini and iMac an real refresh adding better hardware rather than focusing on hardware that merely makes it slimmer and smaller?

thUe iMac could really use:
1- upgradable graphics card (even if it is a small one, the basic chip used in imac stinks or is lower range)
2- Blu-Ray (instead of having a superdrive, add a Superdrive that can read Blu-Ray)
3- include the apple remote, the latest macbook pro cut it out, will be interesting to see if apple is getting cheap and is cutting back on this lil device that probably costs less than 1 dollar to make and they charge retail.

The iMac market isn't geared toward techie ppl that want to fool around with innards...its for mom and pops to have a fancy computer in their kitchen. You are right, it is just a laptop that isn't portable. I love it for what it is, because it is "pretty".

The market you are looking at is the mac pro. The price is steep to get in on that, but as long as the iMac uses laptop hardware, there will ne no upgrading graphics.

 

[asdavis10]

Makes sense. The same "Limited Time Special Price" has been on these refurb Macs for the last two weeks just like the were on MB and MBP's just before they were refreshed. A refresh of the mini is good but I'm still wondering if and/or when they will discontinue it in favor of the fabled "mini tower" (totally unfounded rumor banter).

 

[milo]

To be perfectly honest, i can't imagine more than simple speed bumps / ram upgrades for the Mini. I have a 2.0ghz mini and love it, but i cant see apple changing the design or wasting any time or money re-designing a product they never fully embraced. I think if they cut the mini, would be a bad move since the Mini lures PC Windows users to the Mac world.

I don't think anyone expects much more than speed/ram bump, just slight video "card" and wifi bumps which are along the same lines.

Honestly, I think the fact that apple (and seemingly, consumers) has never really embraced the mini is all the more reason to dump the design for a true desktop machine. Apple simply misjudged what people want - they made a mistake, and fixing it is way overdue.

 

[Cph901]

Mac "mini" getting a larger footprint. Now thats funny.

 

[CWallace]

Rumor: New Mac minis and iMacs to be announced ahead of Apple stock split?

Bring on the new 30-inch black iMac with the (single Processor) 2.8Ghz Dual-Core Xeon, support for 4GB of RAM, standard with a 7200 RPM 500GB Drive and optional Digital TV tuner.

The Xeon is not available in a mobile form and if Apple wanted DVR functionality, they would have released it with the tv Take 2.

 

[macbook129]

I don't think anyone expects much more than speed/ram bump, just slight video "card" and wifi bumps which are along the same lines.

Honestly, I think the fact that apple (and seemingly, consumers) has never really embraced the mini is all the more reason to dump the design for a true desktop machine. Apple simply misjudged what people want - they made a mistake, and fixing it is way overdue.

Very much so. But for my needs, the Mac Mini is a great machine and does all the basics very well, Any design work, i just use my MBP. Main bonus of the mini, it uses so much little room and is great if you move around alot because you can just take it with you.

 

[Anaxarxes]

Apple will not do any design changes to it's current product lie simply because there upgrades are actually a "must" because of Intel's "wipe out 65nm parts fast" policy.

Probably with the introduction of Montevina, Apple might plan bigger updates like design changes, and even maybe integrate Intel Robson2 along with Intel WiMAX Adapters

 

[SiliconAddict]

The only thing nice about this is that it will drop the price of the outgoing Mac Mini's. Sorry but what is in the mini isn't worth $600. Most I would pay would be $500 considering how craptastic the GPU is in the thing.

 

[MacSA]

Like I've said in countless other threads, Apple can get rid of the Ethernet port and the built-in optical drive (users can use "remote disc" or the MBA Superdrive) and drop the entry price to $499..

Who needs Ethernet or the Optical Disc anyways?

(runs and hides...)

With it's current appalling specs.. it should be selling for $299. The cheaper Mac Mini will still come crippled with a Combodrive...

 

[Anaxarxes]

With it's current appalling specs.. it should be selling for $299. The cheaper Mac Mini will still come crippled with a Combodrive...

I agree that Mac Mini should be priced at $399/$599 at these specs

Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1Ghz
1GB 667Mhz DDR2
Intel GMA X3100 graphics
120GB HDD
Combo Drive
Airport Extreme (Draft 802.11n)
Dual Link DVI-I

-------------------------------------

Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4Ghz
2GB 667Mhz DDR2
Intel GMA X3100 graphics
160GB HDD
Superdrive
Airport Extreme (Draft 802.11n)
Dual Link DVI-I

 

[ABM]

*cough*

Refurb section is empty and the "Limited Time Special Price" offers are gone in UK Online Store and German Online Store... no more discount items in there / or "out of stock"... ... ... at the moment!

 

[Bubba Satori]

Great to get an iMac update but i think the direction on this desktop is really more like a laptop on a stand with an attached keyboard.

Why can't Apple give both mac mini and iMac an real refresh adding better hardware rather than focusing on hardware that merely makes it slimmer and smaller?

the iMac could really use:
1- upgradable graphics card (even if it is a small one, the basic chip used in imac stinks or is lower range)
2- Blu-Ray (instead of having a superdrive, add a Superdrive that can read Blu-Ray)
3- include the apple remote, the latest macbook pro cut it out, will be interesting to see if apple is getting cheap and is cutting back on this lil device that probably costs less than 1 dollar to make and they charge $19 for retail.

A 3870 X2 and a quad core Penryn, too, please.