Video of claimed next-gen Mac Mini surfaces online

[AppleInsider]

After being challenged over a still image, the source for what seems a leaked future Mac mini has now posted a video that shows the device from all sides.

While its authenticity has been disputed, the mystery system has gained what appears to be supporting proof of its existence from MacRumors forum poster "monthy," who on Friday posted a brief video tour of the Mac mini shown in the photo.

The clip shows a case which is fundamentally identical to the current compact desktop, including its wrap-around aluminum skin, white plastic top, and slot-load optical drive, but continues to show the exact same change in ports as before. A fifth USB port has been added, while Mini DisplayPort and mini DVI replace the earlier, full-size DVI video connector. FireWire 800 also replaces the earlier FIreWire 400 port.

No voice-over or other commentary is provided with the video, though in the previous leak the forum poster also claimed to know the system has architecture largely similar to a modern MacBook: the update would contain a 2GHz Core 2 Duo with a 1066MHz system bus, 2GB of DDR3 memory and a Serial ATA-based SuperDrive.

The video is labeled "Mac mini 2009 edition," clearly asserting that the system is intended for a release this year.



While the video and the image that inspired it haven't yet been corroborated, the two lend support to beliefs that Apple will revive its long-dormant budget computer efforts after roughly one and a half years of silence. Those familiar with Apple's intentions in the past have maintained that the Mac mini will use an NVIDIA platform that gives the desktop faster graphics and support for technologies like DisplayPort.

[CREB]

Although a Mac Pro user, I've always liked the Mac Mini a great deal. This one might convince me to buy one for the fun of it.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

... The clip shows a case which is fundamentally identical to the current compact desktop, including its wrap-around aluminum skin, white plastic top, and slot-load optical drive, but continues to show the exact same change in ports as before. ...

The lid/top looks different to me also.

And let me be the first to say that if this is real .... yawn, yawn, yawn.

[Dlux]

You can see the zipper!

(ref. to early monster movies using cheesy costume designs)

So all you people who claimed it was a fake in the earlier thread: happy now?

It's still possible that it's either a) an internal prototype that may never see the light of day, or b) a very clever and well-constructed mock-up with no functionality. But at this point, it's hard to claim that the object in the video is the result of a Photoshop exercise.

[Dueces]

Good thing you posted this article, someone may have missed it in the mac mini thread from a mere day ago.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Dlux

You can see the zipper!

(ref. to early monster movies using cheesy costume designs)

So all you people who claimed it was a fake in the earlier thread: happy now?

It's still possible that it's either a) an internal prototype that may never see the light of day, or b) a very clever and well-constructed mock-up with no functionality. But at this point, it's hard to claim that the object in the video is the result of a Photoshop exercise.

I agree, I think Photoshoping video like that is a lot more work than it is worth, and so is making a fake video using 3D rendering.

So it really is likely to be a physical object. Now it's a question of the true nature of that object.

[jamisen.sc]

I have a hard time believing, after about a year and a half, that Apple would release something so similar looking to the predecessor. Why wouldn't they go with the black and aluminum theme?

[Dlux]

Originally Posted by Dueces

Good thing you posted this article, someone may have missed it in the mac mini thread from a mere day ago.

Some of us stop reading after the first 120 comments or so (unless it's a particularly useful thread). Round-and-round talk about 'fake or not' gets boring after a while.

[Boogerman2000]

Fake, meaning it appears homemade to me. I'd very surprised if that turns out to be a new Apple product. Nice design, but seems somewhat antiquated.

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

I agree, I think Photoshoping video like that is a lot more work than it is worth, and so is making a fake video using 3D rendering.

So it really is likely to be a physical object. Now it's a question of the true nature of that object.

Yeah, those ideas are totally unrealistic ... It's obviously a physical device, and most certainly some type of prototype he got his hands on..

[m2002brian]

I was thinking about why it would need 5 USB ports, and then it hit me. This computer, although portable, is meant for the Multimedia Room. That would mean you need 1. ATV, 2. TimeCap, 3. iPod / iPhone dock, and two for whatever (USB Flash, EXT HD, camcorder, etc). This makes sense to me because being the size the mini is, a usb hub would kind of clutter it's area. Also, I believe they left firewire on it because many cable companies are required to include firewire on their boxes, and firewire is also found on many other CONSUMER LEVEL A/V equipment (multimedia).

[Dlux]

Originally Posted by m2002brian

I was thinking about why it would need 5 USB ports, and then it hit me. This computer, although portable, is meant for the Multimedia Room. That would mean you need 1. ATV, 2. TimeCap, 3. iPod / iPhone dock, and two for whatever (USB Flash, EXT HD, camcorder, etc).

If this is expressly intended as a multimedia computer (which I don't think is true, since it doesn't include HDMI), why would you need an Apple TV? And even so, ATV and Time Capsule connect via Ethernet, not USB.

If Apple is including five USB ports, it's because someone there is finally fed up with cable/hub clutter in their own home and pushed to have that many on the Mini. It's too bad the new 24" monitor only include three, however.

[fraklinc]

Well if this is fake then they really got me this time

[Banalltv]

I had a mini a few years ago and the on button on this one in the video looks bloated and swollen and un-elegantly un-Apple-like.

Anyone?

[CU10]

Fake IMHO.

[matthawaii]

Originally Posted by Dlux

If this is expressly intended as a multimedia computer (which I don't think is true, since it doesn't include HDMI), why would you need an Apple TV? And even so, ATV and Time Capsule connect via Ethernet, not USB.

If Apple is including five USB ports, it's because someone there is finally fed up with cable/hub clutter in their own home and pushed to have that many on the Mini. It's too bad the new 24" monitor only include three, however.

I need five USB ports:

1. Keyboard
2. Printer
3. Still Camera
4. iPod
5. Video camera

-Matt

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by m2002brian

I was thinking about why it would need 5 USB ports, and then it hit me. This computer, although portable, is meant for the Multimedia Room. That would mean you need 1. ATV, 2. TimeCap, 3. iPod / iPhone dock, and two for whatever (USB Flash, EXT HD, camcorder, etc). This makes sense to me because being the size the mini is, a usb hub would kind of clutter it's area. Also, I believe they left firewire on it because many cable companies are required to include firewire on their boxes, and firewire is also found on many other CONSUMER LEVEL A/V equipment (multimedia).

Note the FireWire 800 port to the right of the Ethernet port. If this thing is real, it's a smart move and a real plus!

FireWire is perfect for external hard drives, USB is NOT. USB is poor for streaming video or audio or for large or sustained file transfers. USB is perfect for input devices, that's about it.

http://www.usb-ware.com/firewire-vs-usb.htm
http://www.cwol.com/firewire/firewire-vs-usb.htm
http://www.barefeats.com/usb2.html

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by Banalltv

I had a mini a few years ago and the on button on this one in the video looks bloated and swollen and un-elegantly un-Apple-like.

I don't see that being a big deal, for one, it's probably a little quicker and easier to find by touch. This kind of complaint sounds a lot like the complaints people had about the leaked "fat" nano design, or the vertical screen nano.

The thing that's the most curious is the dual video port. Display Port supposedly can operate multiple displays out of one jack, and Apple's implementation does allow for a DVI adapter too. So why the mini DVI? I haven't heard of any actual use of the display chaining feature though. Apple's own display doesn't seem to use it, so you'd have to use some adapter to do that, and it sounds like it could be expensive.

That said, if this mini actually comes out and uses the new nVidia chipset, and can power both video ports at the same time, then I would be very interested. I'm not placing bets for this to be made, but given the video, I'm not going to bet against it. That's because the people that make the loudest, strongest claims about something being a fake tend to turn out to be the most wrong statements when the actual product comes out.

[DCJ001]

Originally Posted by matthawaii

I need five USB ports:

1. Keyboard
2. Printer
3. Still Camera
4. iPod
5. Video camera

-Matt

Don't forget, Matt, that the Apple keyboard has two USB ports. So, if you plug the Apple keyboard into one USB port, on the Mac Mini, you'll have two USB ports on the keyboard, and you'll only need two more, making it three total, on the Mac Mini.

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by DCJ001

Don't forget, Matt, that the Apple keyboard has two USB ports. So, if you plug the Apple keyboard into one USB port, on the Mac Mini, you'll have two USB ports on the keyboard, and you'll only need two more, making it three total, on the Mac Mini.

The new Apple Keyboard provide two powered hi-speed USB ports for the iMac, but doesn't provide power when attached to any other current Mac as far as I know. Perhaps I should make a tally of my USB devices?

Mouse, keyboard, two USB hard disk drives, iPod dock, phone, several USB keys, charging cord for my bluetooth headphones, camera. I do not own a printer, however. You can never have too many USB ports.

[juanorfrankie]

all i want on my imac is hdmi and how bout blueray if possible, that would be nice

[wobegon]

Well, looks like I was wrong about the dual display outputs. I figured Apple would simply bundle a Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI adapter with each Mac mini, but now I'm guessing they'll just include the cheaper mini DVI-to-DVI adapter. I'm a bit surprised they didn't change the plastic from white to black, but then again, there is a white iPhone 3G.

The fact it doesn't look much minier (i.e., smaller) or really different at all, should remind people that Apple has very little incentive to make this Mac any more appealing than it already is. It's 1) not very profitable and 2) competing in the saturated, sub $1000 computer market. The mini is targeted at hesitant switchers and to make Apple's entire Mac line seem more affordable, in contrast to the alternative of every Mac being $1000 and up. It's also used as an embedded system for hotels and cruise ships and for businesses who want a Mac test drive (and perhaps some underfunded schools as well).

In addition, it's new FW800 port should strengthen the argument that the MacBook's lack of Firewire altogether was likely due to space constraints first, and MacBook Pro up-sells second. And who knows, maybe FW800 will reemerge on future MacBooks, just as the first Intel MacBook Pros lost FW800 and then regained it.

[bdkennedy1]

As usual, if it's real Apple will have it removed.

My opinion is that there's no way Apple is going to use the same materials and look that it has for the past 4 years and this machine does not fit in with Apple's other products.

[Fast Fred 1]

I don't know about you guys...to hell with the mini I like the rest of the videos
on that site. I give that site 5 Smokies

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by bdkennedy1

As usual, if it's real Apple will have it removed.

My opinion is that there's no way Apple is going to use the same materials and look that it has for the past 4 years and this machine does not fit in with Apple's other products.

Oh really?

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/05/i...eal-spy-photo/

Apple also didn't stop XSKN from advertising cases of the then unannounced iPhone 3G.

Apple's learned that when they instruct sites to take down spy shots of products, they are inadvertently confirming whatever it is actually exists.

[astrosmash]

Originally Posted by bdkennedy1

My opinion is that there's no way Apple is going to use the same materials and look that it has for the past 4 years and this machine does not fit in with Apple's other products.

They're not going to create an aluminum unibody Mac mini just so it matches their laptops. The mini is their econo-model, they're going to manufacture it as cheaply as possible.

Most minis are actually purchased by corporations for use in server and processing farms (Microsoft uses hundreds of minis to run the builds and automated tests of their Mac software). It matters very little what they look like. But if this video isn't fake then Apple are clearly continuing to aim at cost-sensitive PC users with this thing.

[Hudson1]

Originally Posted by astrosmash

They're not going to create an aluminum unibody Mac mini just so it matches their laptops. The mini is their econo-model, they're going to manufacture it as cheaply as possible.

Most minis are actually purchased by corporations for use in server and processing farms (Microsoft uses hundreds of minis to run the builds and automated tests of their Mac software). It matters very little what they look like. But if this video isn't fake then Apple are clearly continuing to aim at cost-sensitive PC users with this thing.

Percentage? Link?

I have nothing to back this up but I'd be very surprised if your assertion is true.

[hobBIT]

I'd be very surprised if the final product would have a white top surface. It will be black - like all others these days.
It is possible that this is a prototype model that Apple at some point thought of releasing.


Or will we get both?

Unless Apple will do both, i.e. completely re-design the mini like they did with the MacBook, but keep the old white model with low-end specs for the really cheap price.
And what we're looking is the 'new' mini equivalent of the current white low-end MacBook model. While there will also be a new unibody Mac mini with black features at slightly higher prices.

[matthawaii]

Originally Posted by DCJ001

Don't forget, Matt, that the Apple keyboard has two USB ports. So, if you plug the Apple keyboard into one USB port, on the Mac Mini, you'll have two USB ports on the keyboard, and you'll only need two more, making it three total, on the Mac Mini.

I use a Logitech keyboard/mouse with my mini so I don't have the extra ports.

Can't wait for wireless USB, that way I could have 2+ USB ports in my wireless keyboard.

-Matt

[greenwire]

I bought the first mac mini model because my new Epson R1800 required OSX drivers. (That mini has two USB and one FW 400 port) It is 1.25 GHz PowerPC with a 167 MHz bus. I love the quiet little box! Very soon afterward, I added a NewerTech MiniStack for storage and the additional ports.
(The MiniStack is also the scratch disk for Photoshop.)

Five USB ports is what I use now:

Keyboard/mouse (some USB devices need more than keyboard power)
External drive (faster) uses one FW and one USB
External DVD burner (faster)
Printer
Flash memory/card reader

If these new specs are true, the 2009 mini would be:
6X faster bus speed
2X RAM
2X FW
Dual Core Intel at nearly 2X GHz (certainly faster)

Snow Leopard will not support PowerPC.

I may be salivating.

[elliots11]

HMMMMM... Now if they could find a way to plug this up to an Apple TV and have them act as if they were a single device......


Apple gets sales, people who want to use mini as media computer are happy, albeit with lighter wallets.

[KenC]

Now we know that the original image was NOT Photoshopped, so the "expert" who said it was photoshopped based upon macroblocking, and artifacts and crooked USB ports, is an idiot. The macroblocks is an artifact of the Bayer pattern around solid colors.

[MacTel]

Looks ok. They don't put much effort into the system it appears. Same look as before. This is a yawner.

[KenC]

I imagine that the power button is the way it is, so that people who use it in a home theater setup, can find it by feel.

[1984]

Originally Posted by astrosmash

They're not going to create an aluminum unibody Mac mini just so it matches their laptops. The mini is their econo-model, they're going to manufacture it as cheaply as possible.

Yes but black plastic isn't any more expensive than white plastic and black matches the new family of displays. Apple is particular about aesthetics.

[paxman]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

The lid/top looks different to me also.

And let me be the first to say that if this is real .... yawn, yawn, yawn.

I'd add YAWN YAWN YAWN to that. It would be SHOCKING if this is the enclosure.

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by juanorfrankie

all i want on my imac is hdmi and how bout blueray if possible, that would be nice

HDMI only supports 1920 x 1080.

Any display of 24" or larger support 1920 a 1200 resolution, or more, and would NOT be fully supported by HDMI. DVI covers a much larger array of display possibilities than HDMI.

HDMI also transfers audio, but since the mini is considered a computer and not (necessarily) a multi-media type of device, it doesn't really make much sense to include it. Also, isn't one of HDMI's selling points copy protection/DRM?

Keep it, I say!

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by 1984

Yes but black plastic isn't any more expensive than white plastic and black matches the new family of displays. Apple is particular about aesthetics.

Black plastic doesn't match either the Airport Extreme, Time Capsule or the TV.

So, maybe the Mac mini is being repositioned as something somewhat apart from the computer lineup? OR a thing that straddles the line between the computers and the media/network/backup devices?

For me, the mini would be PERFECT (if it had a DECENT video card) to strap to the back of my HDTV. In other words, a PERFECT compliment to my Mac network, Blu-ray player and audio system. TV is a crippled and limited device for me.

A mini with a REAL video card would be a kick-ass media handler for my wants. I don't actually NEED any of it!

Call of Duty 4 on my 40" Sony Bravia? Oooh, yeah!

[rpsx]

boring. boring. boring. fine for those who want an entry level machine, of course. but, i want a new mac cube! 1 quad core processor, up to 8gb of ram, imac level nvidia graphics, and up to 1tb 7200rpm drive. please! i cant afford a mac pro, dont need all that empty space for expansion anyway. but, i already have drives keyboard and monitor... i just need a decent little box for graphic design. at the least, give me top-of-the-line imac specs in my box (and, use use of full 4gb of ram). and, make it $999. i would pay that in a heartbeat. bring back the cube!

[ascii]

They really don't put much effort in to the poor old Mini do they? I guess it's logical. It's a budget computer, so it gets budget industrial design. You gets what you pays for.