Video of 'Leaked' Next-Gen Mac Mini?

[chillywilly]

Real or fake... who knows, but the video looks like the real deal to me. Of course, there's a lot of FCP and Photoshop experts out there that can make anything look real.

I guess we'll find out once it comes out.

 

[redwin11]

If it is fake, then someone's gone to a lot of effort.

I'm sure we'll find out in the coming weeks whether it's true or not, but really, there's no need for people to get worked up over it.

It's only a Mac Mini, and the majority of us won't be buying one anyway.

 

[DoFoT9]

i still call fake, the fella who posted it is a "newbie" (by status) so he clearly either

a) doesnt really care for macs and has just decided to make a fake
b) actually stumbeled across this and decided to join.

i think a is correct..

 

[Ironduke]

Im not really bothered with what apple do with the mini anymore, without them incorporating appletv/pvr capabilities, large hardrives and real gaming gfx capable of 1920x1080 it just wont come close to my Silverstone SG03 Hackintosh with Quadcore @ 3ghz & 3x1TB drives & 9800GT.

Infact only the mac pro can.

I still wish apple would take on shuttle & the midi PC's

 

[Marlor]

i still call fake, the fella who posted it is a "newbie" (by status) so he clearly either

a) doesnt really care for macs and has just decided to make a fake
b) actually stumbeled across this and decided to join.

i think a is correct..

Or:

c) He's posting it with a second account so he's harder to trace if Apple send in the lawyer attack dogs. Hell, he probably even posted it via Tor. I would.

I can't see any reason why this would be fake. Sure, some people would prefer black plastic and all that, but I doubt Apple really cares enough about the Mini to redesign it. Just look at how long it's been without updates. They probably would have canned it if it wasn't for the small but thriving Mac mini colo industry.

The same old mini with better hardware is probably good enough for Apple. And it's good enough for me. I've been waiting for an update for more than 12 months, so I really don't care what the case looks like. It could be Bondi Blue and I'd still snap one up.

 

[DoFoT9]

Or:

c) He's posting it with a second account so he's harder to trace if Apple send in the lawyer attack dogs. Hell, he probably even posted it via Tor. I would.

I can't see any reason why this would be fake. Sure, some people would prefer black plastic and all that, but I doubt Apple really cares enough about the Mini to redesign it. Just look at how long it's been without updates. They probably would have canned it if it wasn't for the small but thriving Mac mini colo industry.

The same old mini with better hardware is probably good enough for Apple. And it's good enough for me. I've been waiting for an update for more than 12 months, so I really don't care what the case looks like. It could be Bondi Blue and I'd still snap one up.

yes i am in the same boat as you, been waiting for at least 18months for a refresh. i refuse to buy the outdated hardware of the mini.. but i think apple doesnt want to just update the inside, they are going through a hardware 'refresh', so i believe they would update the whole thing both inside and out.

 

[bernr]

Try this at home

If you own a mini, try to rotate it in the same matter. It will not work because of the weight. I believe the body that is seen in the video is empty.

 

[Cecco]

The video looks EXACTLY like the current Mini except for the port configuration, which is what you would expect from a prototype unit.

Exactly what I thought, when I saw the video first. This might be a real prototype unit from Apple but in the old housing.

So probably we'll see a similar all aluminum unibody design in the end ?!?

What is more interesting than the housing are the connectors as these might be what we see in the final product. It is good to see Firewire 800 is present. Also 5 USB Ports is good as it saves you from buying an additional USB hub. The miniDisplay port - well it had to be there after Apple went that route in the MacBook, although I don't like it. But why the hell this miniDVI port? I don't know of any monitor with a miniDVI port so you need an adapter anyway. And then you can use a miniDisplay to DVI Adapter.
I would have preferred DVI + HDMI. Other than on the MacBook there is enough space on the back of the Mini. If you use the MacMini in a hometheatre setup, a hdmi port would have been much more usefull - especially if the MacMini would be offered with a "blu-ray drive build to order" option.

Cecco

 

[NetScheduler]

I've been waiting

I've been waiting for an updated Mini for a long time. At first, I thought a new mini with more standard RAM, a faster front side bus, standard DVD burner, 802.11n wireless, and NVIDIA graphics would be exactly what I wanted.

However after looking through the 20 plus pages of comments, I realized that what I thought I wanted in a secondary computer is not important. My God, the Case hasn't changed!!!! As many long time Apple users have pointed out features and performance is not important (that's the way us old PC guys think).. What is really important in a Mac is that it looks "sexy", "gorgeous", and ohhhh so ever "elegant".. And God please let the case be "thinner"!!!

I've only been a Mac user since 2006. Please forgive me for not understanding what's really important to "Mac Users" and why this has to be a fake.

 

[dwl017]

If it is fake, then someone's gone to a lot of effort.

I'm sure we'll find out in the coming weeks whether it's true or not, but really, there's no need for people to get worked up over it.

It's only a Mac Mini, and the majority of us won't be buying one anyway.

I wonder the same thing since it is only a entry level computer why are people getting so worked up no one will be camping out over night to get the new Mini when ever it does come out.

 

[Tallest Skil]

I wonder the same thing since it is only a entry level computer why are people getting so worked up no one will be camping out over night to get the new Mini when ever it does come out.

You'd be surprised how wrong you are. No new converts will be camping out, but the people who already use Macs that want a Mac Mini have been patient for a year longer than they should have had to be.

 

[AmunRa]

Exactly what I thought, when I saw the video first. This might be a real prototype unit from Apple but in the old housing.

So probably we'll see a similar all aluminum unibody design in the end ?!?

... only it isn't in the original housing - the edging around the top is more rounded than the current mini; why tweak something as difficult as the entire metal shell for a prototype?

Also - why be so 'cautious' turning it around - if it was a real prototype and you're gonna bother to film it then pick it up, show us the whole thing.

Reminds me of the fake iPhone / video iPod (can't find a link now - sorry) where an initial video came out of the guy turning it around in his hand and everyone was convinced it was real. Then a few days later he released another video showing the ends of it and it was just a piece of glossy paper glued into a flattened cylinder.

 

[happydude]

Exactly what I thought, when I saw the video first. This might be a real prototype unit from Apple but in the old housing.

So probably we'll see a similar all aluminum unibody design in the end ?!?

What is more interesting than the housing are the connectors as these might be what we see in the final product. It is good to see Firewire 800 is present. Also 5 USB Ports is good as it saves you from buying an additional USB hub. The miniDisplay port - well it had to be there after Apple went that route in the MacBook, although I don't like it. But why the hell this miniDVI port? I don't know of any monitor with a miniDVI port so you need an adapter anyway. And then you can use a miniDisplay to DVI Adapter.
I would have preferred DVI + HDMI. Other than on the MacBook there is enough space on the back of the Mini. If you use the MacMini in a hometheatre setup, a hdmi port would have been much more usefull - especially if the MacMini would be offered with a "blu-ray drive build to order" option.

Cecco

probably one of the more constructive posts on this forum lately, thanks! a build to order blue-ray option would be key. that would finally allow this thing to become a true media center device! incorporating functionality of apple TV into it would be nice as well, obviously. i would love a apple TV/mac mini hybrid to become the true media center SJ has always bee talking about. time to take his "hobby" and make it something that works for everyone!

 

[dwl017]

You'd be surprised how wrong you are. No new converts will be camping out, but the people who already use Macs that want a Mac Mini have been patient for a year longer than they should have had to be.

Don't you mean the hand full of Mini users / lunatics that live on this site who clearly do not represent the average John Doe user. People who do not know about this site are still buying the current Mini and having tons of fun with their new Mac.

Its only the lunatic fringe that are trying to make the little entry level kids room computer into a media / video work station.

Enjoy

 

[Tallest Skil]

Don't you mean the hand full of Mini users / lunatics that live on this site who clearly do not represent the average John Doe user. People who do not know about this site are still buying the current Mini and having tons of fun with their new Mac.

Its only the lunatic fringe that are trying to make the little entry level kids room computer into a media / video work station.

Enjoy

Quite a few fringes here.

There's the xMac crowd that demands that the Mac Mini become a standard PC tower.

There's the not on here crowd that will buy a 565 day old machine for twice what it should cost.

There's the home theater group that demands that the Mac Mini, a computer, get an HDMI port for whatever reason.

And then there's the mainstream group that will use the Mac Mini for its intended purpose and are waiting for the update to buy something that doesn't cost twice what it is worth to use as a second computer or first-time Mac.

 

[dwl017]

You'd be surprised how wrong you are. No new converts will be camping out, but the people who already use Macs that want a Mac Mini have been patient for a year longer than they should have had to be.

Another quick thought, if this user has been a hard core Mac user for a few years now why hasn't he or she graduated from the ranks of a little Mini to a more advanced work station instead of just buying Mini after Mini. For the cost of two or three high end Minis this user could have bought one Mac Pro work station.

Not trying to start anything with you but this would make more sense then throwing money at the Mini every time a new one comes out or get a small speed bump.

 

[Tallest Skil]

Another quick thought, if this user has been a hard core Mac user for a few years now why hasn't he or she graduated from the ranks of a little Mini to a more advanced work station instead of just buying Mini after Mini. For the cost of two or three high end Minis this user could have bought one Mac Pro work station.

I don't know; ask a Mac Mini owner.

Some people don't need or want a Mac Pro... because they're consumers. Some people don't want an iMac. Therefore, if they want a desktop, they'll buy a Mac Mini or a PC.

 

[liquidtrend]

Another quick thought, if this user has been a hard core Mac user for a few years now why hasn't he or she graduated from the ranks of a little Mini to a more advanced work station instead of just buying Mini after Mini. For the cost of two or three high end Minis this user could have bought one Mac Pro work station.

Not trying to start anything with you but this would make more sense then throwing money at the Mini every time a new one comes out or get a small speed bump.

just because they are a "hardcore" user...that doesnt mean they get the most high end available.

just because i have a mbp and not a mp does not make me any "less hardcore" than someone with a mp.

just because a user choses a mini over a mp does not make THEM any "less hardcore".

now there are also other reasons why someone does not have a mp when they could have saved up the cost of 3 high end minis...

a) they do not have the room. i personally have no space to set up a mp in my residence at the moment.

b) because they dont want to spend the cost of 3-4 high end minis.

c) because they dont need it.

to me...if a user has accepted (c) this, to me, makes them more "hardcore" than others...because they are smart enough to distinguish their needs from a mac.

 

[dwl017]

I don't know; ask a Mac Mini owner.

Some people don't need or want a Mac Pro... because they're consumers. Some people don't want an iMac. Therefore, if they want a desktop, they'll buy a Mac Mini or a PC.

Understood but if this user is on there 3rd Mini it just seems more logical to invest in a work station rather then going with a 3rd Mini.

*G4 Mini
*Intel Mini CD2
*2009- 2010 Model Mini - TBA

Total from above = $2000 or more depending on the model Mini plus the cost of peripherals hubs etc.. not to mention a decent monitor if you are a serious user not just checking email.

Just food for thought.

 

[liquidtrend]

Understood but if this user is on there 3rd Mini it just seems more logical to invest in a work station rather then going with a 3rd Mini.

*G4 Mini
*Intel Mini CD2
*2009- 2010 Model Mini - TBA

= $2000 Plus the cost of peripherals hubs etc.. not to mention a decent monitor if are serious.

Just food for thought.

food for thought : not everyone has 2k right out the door. a g4 to a 2010 mini has got a couple years in between the two.

why by a Chevy is you can just get a Cadillac?
why get the Toyota if the Lexus dealership is right next door?

 

[Tallest Skil]

Total from above = $2000 or more depending on the model Mini plus the cost of peripherals hubs etc.. not to mention a decent monitor if are serious.

Spread out over a period of five years.

Would you rather they just take out a loan to buy it and be paying for it LONG after it is outdated?

Some people. Can't afford. A Mac Pro. And they're the people who need it the least!

Have a consumer buy a Mac Pro; they'll NEVER use the full power of it, even if they keep it for five years before upgrading. It's a waste of money and power.

 

[liquidtrend]

Have a consumer buy a Mac Pro; they'll NEVER use the full power of it, even if they keep it for five years before upgrading. It's a waste of money and power.

ahhhh...but tallest skil, what about all these DVDs i need to rip?!

 

[dwl017]

food for thought : not everyone has 2k right out the door. a g4 to a 2010 mini has got a couple years in between the two.

why by a Chevy is you can just get a Cadillac?
why get the Toyota if the Lexus dealership is right next door?

Ok lets say the new 2009 - 2010 high end Mini comes out with a price tag of $799 or higher plus a new new LED display then what is your argument? we all know full well that the $799 price tag is being generous for the high end model.

 

[Tallest Skil]

ahhhh...but tallest skil, what about all these DVDs i need to rip?!

If that's all that you're doing, do it overnight.

Sure, the Gainestown Mac Pro should be able to do a HandBrake rip and encode in <30 minutes, but you have four hard drive bays to work with.

Power and storage are proportional. You rip more slowly, but you have less space, anyway.

 

[Yvan256]

Another quick thought, if this user has been a hard core Mac user for a few years now why hasn't he or she graduated from the ranks of a little Mini to a more advanced work station instead of just buying Mini after Mini. For the cost of two or three high end Minis this user could have bought one Mac Pro work station.

Not trying to start anything with you but this would make more sense then throwing money at the Mini every time a new one comes out or get a small speed bump.

I've switched to Macs with a Mac mini G4/1.42. I'm now using a Mac mini Core 2 Duo/1.83. The CPU is more than enough, however I'd like a better GPU, the ability to have more than 2-3GB RAM and a SuperDrive (granted, I could install a SuperDrive myself right now).

What choices do I have if I want to upgrade?
- iMac, which starts at 1300$CAD and forces me to pay for a built-in display which I can't control (panel type, size, etc) not to mention that my ViewSonic VP171s still works as good as new.
- Mac Pro, which starts at 2900$CAD (too expensive, way too powerful for what I do with a computer)
- Mac mini, which (currently) starts at 650$CAD. No, I'm not buying the high-end model simply to get a CPU that's only 200-300 MHz faster and has 40GB more storage space. I already need a 1TB external drive anyway so an extra 40GB in the Mac mini is pointless.

If I had to buy a ~3000$CAD Mac Pro at the beginning I would never have switched. And even if I did, I would be stuck on a G5 which according to most rumors Snow Leopard won't even support.

So, for the same price as that single G5 Mac Pro I'll have bought more than FOUR Mac minis (waiting on 3rd one), and I'm pretty sure the fourth one will probably be more powerful, by then, than the 8-years old dual-core G5 Mac Pro.

edit: and yes, I do rip my DVDs overnight, because I'm not using my Mac mini when I sleep.

edit2: who buys a 1000$CAD display for a 650$CAD computer anyway? You don't have to buy an Apple Cinema Display for your Mac mini, even if it has a mini DisplayPort. Like the previous and current Mac mini, it will probably come with an adapter (I'm only wondering if it will be mini DisplayPort to VGA or mini DisplayPort to DVI).