Mac mini Rev. B Speculation
Ok, I've seen lots of Powermac threads but no Mac mini threads...
What's your guess on when it will arrive and what it will have in it?
Here's my guess...
Base Model:
1.5GHz Single Core
Dual RAM Slots (2x256MB)
60HD (4500RPM)
Radeon 9600 w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$499US
Top Model:
1.67MHz Single Core
Dual RAM Slots (2x256MB)
100GB HD (4500RPM)
Radeon 9600 w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$599US
Still no built-in AirPort, Bluetooth or SuperDrive (8x + DL), but BTO. Maybe they'll have an option for a 5400RPM drive too...
I've no idea on the release date... but I'm hoping for June/July
What's your guess on when it will arrive and what it will have in it?
Here's my guess...
Base Model:
1.5GHz Single Core
Dual RAM Slots (2x256MB)
60HD (4500RPM)
Radeon 9600 w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$499US
Top Model:
1.67MHz Single Core
Dual RAM Slots (2x256MB)
100GB HD (4500RPM)
Radeon 9600 w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$599US
Still no built-in AirPort, Bluetooth or SuperDrive (8x + DL), but BTO. Maybe they'll have an option for a 5400RPM drive too...
I've no idea on the release date... but I'm hoping for June/July
Comments
The bump:
Price points stay the same.
Processors bumped to 1.5 & 1.67 Mhz.
Standard memory bumped to 512 Mb.
Video card upgraded to full Core Image compatibility.
Hard Disk bumped to 5400 rpm.
Introduced with Tiger or soon after.
Rev B:
Price points stay
Everything is more, better, faster.
The primary difference will be design change to allow secure stacking of third party "slices". The addition of FW800 will ensure slices have plenty of bandwith to the mini.
August introduction.
Originally posted by fulmer
Ok, I've seen lots of Powermac threads but no Mac mini threads...
What's your guess on when it will arrive and what it will have in it?
Here's my guess...
Base Model:
1.5GHz Single Core
Dual RAM Slots (2x256MB)
60HD (4500RPM)
Radeon 9600 w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$499US
Top Model:
1.67MHz Single Core
Dual RAM Slots (2x256MB)
100GB HD (4500RPM)
Radeon 9600 w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$599US
Still no built-in AirPort, Bluetooth or SuperDrive (8x + DL), but BTO. Maybe they'll have an option for a 5400RPM drive too...
I've no idea on the release date... but I'm hoping for June/July
Base Model:
1.5GHz Single Core
512MB RAM Standard
60GB (5400RPM)
FW400 10/100
5200FX w/64MB VRAM
Combo Drive
$499US
Top Model:
1.67MHz Single Core
1GB RAM Standard
80GB (5400RPM)
FW400 10/100/1000
Nvidia 6200
Superdrive
$599US
Originally posted by alliancep.s.i
Im saving up for one, think well see it before april 25? whens tigers release?
I would be very surprised. Any updates they do to the mini until summer will be essentially shuffling parts around between "standard" and "BTO," because those are relatively easy to do. Even so, Apple will only do that in order to put out fires (e.g, the recent upgrade to 512MB standard, because everyone was griping about the 256MB standard RAM).
What I would not rule out is the introduction of a new, different model. Apple introduced the 12" and 17" PowerBooks barely more than a month after rolling out an updated 15".
I'm not saying it's likely, but I'm not ruling it out, either.
A long shot, I know, but one can dream
A G5 based system with more System on a chip capabilities.
Meaning I expect Apple to develop a hardware platform makes it easy to create small systems (STB, etc)
Thus I'd love to see.
Mac mini G5
2.2Ghz G5
Chipset includes Airport, Bluetooth
Add eSata to the FW400
Add Expresscard support (no need for PCI)
HDMI output
The more we integrate the cheaper and more powerful the mini can become.
Digital Audio Output
IR receiver built in
You can get these things as clunky add-ons, with a USB hub almost inevitably thrown into the mess, but if these features were built in the, iMac mini would be ready to go, right out of the box, into a home theater system, paving the way for both great living room iTunes access and to TiVo-like PVR applications.
Of course, some basics like shipping with 512 MB and 64 MB video RAM would be nice too. I don't see dual RAM slots happening, however, because that would take a lot of mobo redesign.
A focus and several questions (including "what would you most like to see included: 512MB RAM, SuperDisk, or Keyboard/Mouse") was the built-in RAM, so I expect Apple is aware of the shortcoming and plans to add 512MB to all future revisions (and other products).
A keen interest in where/how the Mini was used, but without an option (among the 5 provided by the survey) as a Home Theater Mac, which suggests that Apple is still overlooking the Living Room...
Digital Audio Output
IR receiver built in
HDMI in the future can handle both Digital Video and Audio. I forgot about IR. That would be handy as well.
I figure Bluetooth could make for a kickass remote that could display Track info.
All I see it needing is one "slice" This would hook up to a new mini via FW800 (perhaps snapping to the bottom via a non-standard connector) and it would carry a large 3.5" HDD, some port replication, and video-in for PVR functionality. Also included in the box would be a dongle for various A/V out options (though most HDTV's can accept a DVI-in)
Mark it as the ideal home station. We have a 720P capable DLP set -- at 56" wide it's more than capable of delivering a nice interface for couch surfing, when 1080p sets emerge, it's only going to get better.
I've been saying this for a while, so I don't mind saying it again, HDTV is going to really change "home" computing, it already has, we just don't know it yet... what is needed now is for someone to make it simple, accessible and reliable...
Consoles could do it, but they're too proprietary. Mini is very console-like, but it has the benefit of a well supported, relatively open, standards based approach.
Originally posted by Matsu
Consoles could do it, but they're too proprietary.
Shhhh, don't tell Microsoft. You'll break Steve Ballmer's heart.
Mini is very console-like, but it has the benefit of a well supported, relatively open, standards based approach.
Here's hoping that Apple doesn't get greedy and forget how much of their success depends on that "relatively open, standards based approach."
Originally posted by alliancep.s.i
Im saving up for one, think well see it before april 25? whens tigers release?
Why do you want it on or before April 25?
I think it will take longer until we see an update.
If you want a Mac mini, just buy it now and get it over with.
Originally posted by bka77
Why do you want it on or before April 25?
I think it will take longer until we see an update.
ill have the bills then
I wonder what kind of horsepower it would take to play them well - is a 1.67GHz G4 enough, for instance? GPU accelerated video is a possibility, too.
I don't expect radical changes to the mini. Rather I would expect a slightly bigger new Mac using desktop hard disks, possibly a G5 on the slow side. If there is a video Mac it is not going to be a mini.
Apple is very good at that sort of thing, and that's the solution I would expect...