Well I would like to see something like Mac Mini inside a keyboard. It would spare a cable and make the Mac easier to transport. That would probably lead to sacrificing optical drive. But it could be pretty cool for some people to have a notebook without screen and battery that can be attached to 24" at home, 20" in dormitories/in school etc.
What do you do for audio from the mini? The AppleTV with its toslink is supposidly able to produce the 5.1 from ripped content....being the mini dosnt have fiber, are you limited to stereo only from the audio out port?
Someone else already pointed out that the mini has optical out (I think all Macs have it now?), but also, the AppleTV can not do 5.1 surround, which is a MAJOR drawback. It can do 4 channel matrix surround (mixing it down to a 2 channel signal), but that technology is decades old. It can not do discrete, 5.1 channel sound, at least not in any way that current home theater receivers can work with (it can theoretically do 5.1 AAC, I think, that that will get you nothing).
[QUOTE=JeffDM;1156724 It would be nice to keep some form of a "switcher" machine around. The base mini is about half the price of the base notebook and base iMac. I would not have taken the plunge on the Mac platform except for the fact that the original G4 mini was announced. I've since bought a couple more expensive models.[/QUOTE]
You're right, it seems like for switchers price keeps coming up as the main issue for not switching even if it is a myth that Mac's are more expensive.
I don't feel that Apple puts enough effort into this part of the market. The starting 20" iMac is a pretty good deal for what you get at 1199.00 seeing it includes a 20" display.
The issue is in most cases if the cost is about the same fear will keep switchers from making the jump because they often feel like they have to buy new software which adds to the cost.
Also ive seen many times sales people talk customers out of a Apple product if someone is on the fence. Best Buy that sells both is a perfect example.
I believe still if Apple made a Macbook line with a 15" and 17" option with a decent graphics solution they could grab a nice share of that market they now lose. People see they can get a fully loaded Toshiba or HP 17" laptop for 1800.00, Apple has nothing to combat that. Best they can offer is a Macbook Pro at 1000.00 higher most aren't going to buy into that cost difference.
When it come to home cinema I want something easy and not a stack of components my wife can't figure out.
The Apple TV makes no sense without a DVD drive, while the Mac Mini's front Row is just ok, I reckon Leopard going to address the front row thingy anyway. But still it's a long way off.
I'd love to have a Apple system in my living room , but I mean no DivX support what's that about ?
I have over 300 dvds filling my shelves, I want to rip them all into DivX and store them on a hard disk and free some space!
I've already seen in the local supermarket network hard drive with video output which supports DivX.
Come on Apple! Do what you did for music for video. (and stuff the Hollywood morons)
Another thing I always thought they should have bundled an Apple Keyboard and Mouse with the Mac Mini, that's usually why I never bought one for any of my switching friends or clients.
Its new eye candy thats about it. The world isn't redesigned for 139.00.
You are on crack if that's what u think. There are so many under the hood changes. The GUI stuff is the least of the features. It's just what everyone notices first.
Ha! Do you actually believe anything they say? If this ad-galore site gets anything right it will just be by mere luck, and not by some insider information they don't have.
The Mac mini is the best Mac ever sold by Apple. Why? Because it is quiet, yet powerful.
I only hope that if the Mac mini is discontinued, Apple will offer an alternative. And, better yet, a true Mac mini tower (if possible, fanless and with the option of Solid-State hard disk inside):
THE MAC mini TOWER (my dream Mac):
45 nm quad-core processor. Option for 2-quad-core chips (octo-core).
4 GB RAM for quad-core model. 8 GB RAM for octo-core model (thus, 1 GB RAM per core).
Solid-State disk inside (optional). Option for two disks inside (possibility to run it as RAID 1 mirroring for the ultimate safe backup on real time!)
eSATA II ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
FireWire 800 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
USB 2 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
NO PCI lots. Save on that!
SuperDrive slot on the side (not on top like the Mac Cube had, which collects dust!). Option for Blu-ray drive. Option for two SuperDrives.
Bootable from fast external 1TB disks or larger (via eSATA II and FireWire 800).
Connector for one gorgeous Apple Cinema Display 23-inch.
Fanless (if possible) or at least extremely quiet (bedroom quiet!).
Any chance, Apple? I will pay any price for this marvel. But if it is to become a best-seller, the price should be just right.
I'd love to have a Apple system in my living room , but I mean no DivX support what's that about ?
I have over 300 dvds filling my shelves, I want to rip them all into DivX and store them on a hard disk and free some space!
I've already seen in the local supermarket network hard drive with video output which supports DivX.
If you're going to be ripping your DVD collection anyways, why does it matter what format they're in? Just grab Handbrake and rip them to H264 and be done with it.
Yes. But i think it could be much smaller these days having the size comparable to the new flat ketboards as there seemed to be some place between desk and the top aluminium plate. Could be enough to put some notebook like stuff inside.
I can feel my fingers burning already.
Maybe I should start a company that makes thermal iGloves in anticipation.
I am wondering if Silverthorne is more powerful then the current Pentium M inside AppleTV. After all it has Hyper Threading and reach up to 1.8Ghz. And runs lower power as well as cooler. ( If possible sticking two of them inside wouldn't hurt either ).
Would this be the cheapest way to build the next Mac Nano?
Well I would like to see something like Mac Mini inside a keyboard.
Reminds me of the Sinclair QL (1984?) or the Schneider CPC-series home computers.
Anyway, I don't see the end of life of the Mac mini. Over here (Germany) Apple's got to offer at least one machine in the lower price segment (Macs are -at first glance- still more expensive than off-the-shelf PCs, but you know better only later).
People also like to choose their flat screen display from a wide range of products. Mine's a 22 inch HP ww2207 which seems to me a near perfect combination.
At work (school) I have finally managed to convince my headmistress to buy yet another Mac mini. She doesn't understand much about computers and isn't prejudiced against Macs. She -like everybody else- is impressed by the machine's size and design, very much so, especially when compared to bulky desktop PCs. And last but not least it runs Windows XP and associated software which is an overall requirement in German schools.
Personally I think the Mac mini is a cute little machine and I'd feel very sorry if this design was given up. Keep improving it, Apple!
noo the mini makes a great birthday present for my friends now what do you want me to buy them a imac ? sorry apple im not that rich at least replace it with something around its value
noo the mini makes a great birthday present for my friends now what do you want me to buy them a imac ? sorry apple im not that rich at least replace it with something around its value
Apple generally knows their market and probably has the sales numbers to back it up. I have wanted to buy a mini, but I never put the money down to get one. The real reason for me wanting a mini was a compact home network server and web server, which my old PowerMac G4 does at the moment (albeit no compact), but since the current solution was still doing its job, I didn't bother.
If you want to simply a central HD and printing capability, then the Airport tends to fit the description. On the other hand if you want a bit more and while not an Apple solution and not designed to run MacOS X, the Fit PC certainly looks tempting. Having a home server that only burns 5W and can act as a web server is certainly something worth looking at.
45 nm quad-core processor. Option for 2-quad-core chips (octo-core).
4 GB RAM for quad-core model. 8 GB RAM for octo-core model (thus, 1 GB RAM per core).
Solid-State disk inside (optional). Option for two disks inside (possibility to run it as RAID 1 mirroring for the ultimate safe backup on real time!)
eSATA II ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
FireWire 800 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
USB 2 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
NO PCI lots. Save on that!
SuperDrive slot on the side (not on top like the Mac Cube had, which collects dust!). Option for Blu-ray drive. Option for two SuperDrives.
Bootable from fast external 1TB disks or larger (via eSATA II and FireWire 800).
Connector for one gorgeous Apple Cinema Display 23-inch.
Fanless (if possible) or at least extremely quiet (bedroom quiet!).
Any chance, Apple? I will pay any price for this marvel. But if it is to become a best-seller, the price should be just right.
I don't know why Apple just can't release a regular mini-tower in a smaller Mac Pro style case. While the above specs are impressive, it would probably be cost-prohibitive. How about the following...could it be done for a decent price?
MicroATX size/style motherboard with matching Mac Pro style casing, or something better?
Core 2 Duo processors (same speed offerings as iMac)
1GB RAM standard, 4 slots, 4GB RAM Max
250GB SATA drive standard, 320GB or 500GB drive options
1 Superdrive
2 PCI slots
One 16x PCI Express slot occupied by 128MB Video Card standard, 256MB Video option
Two USB 2.0 ports (ind.), One Firewire 800 (ind.), One Firewire 400 (ind.) and one eSATA port (bootable)
Keyboard and mouse
If I hadn't gotten impatient and purchased an iMac, I would have jumped all over something like this...if it was only available.
Comments
Well I would like to see something like Mac Mini inside a keyboard. It would spare a cable
Ah, you must be talking about my old Atari ST's.
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=20
Things were bigger in those days. this machine was a marvel of compactness.
It was also more powerful than the Mac of its day, and had better graphics, in color or greyscale.
Also, the first machine with 1 MB RAM for $1,000.
What do you do for audio from the mini? The AppleTV with its toslink is supposidly able to produce the 5.1 from ripped content....being the mini dosnt have fiber, are you limited to stereo only from the audio out port?
Someone else already pointed out that the mini has optical out (I think all Macs have it now?), but also, the AppleTV can not do 5.1 surround, which is a MAJOR drawback. It can do 4 channel matrix surround (mixing it down to a 2 channel signal), but that technology is decades old. It can not do discrete, 5.1 channel sound, at least not in any way that current home theater receivers can work with (it can theoretically do 5.1 AAC, I think, that that will get you nothing).
You're right, it seems like for switchers price keeps coming up as the main issue for not switching even if it is a myth that Mac's are more expensive.
I don't feel that Apple puts enough effort into this part of the market. The starting 20" iMac is a pretty good deal for what you get at 1199.00 seeing it includes a 20" display.
The issue is in most cases if the cost is about the same fear will keep switchers from making the jump because they often feel like they have to buy new software which adds to the cost.
Also ive seen many times sales people talk customers out of a Apple product if someone is on the fence. Best Buy that sells both is a perfect example.
I believe still if Apple made a Macbook line with a 15" and 17" option with a decent graphics solution they could grab a nice share of that market they now lose. People see they can get a fully loaded Toshiba or HP 17" laptop for 1800.00, Apple has nothing to combat that. Best they can offer is a Macbook Pro at 1000.00 higher most aren't going to buy into that cost difference.
Just my opinion.
The Apple TV makes no sense without a DVD drive, while the Mac Mini's front Row is just ok, I reckon Leopard going to address the front row thingy anyway. But still it's a long way off.
I'd love to have a Apple system in my living room , but I mean no DivX support what's that about ?
I have over 300 dvds filling my shelves, I want to rip them all into DivX and store them on a hard disk and free some space!
I've already seen in the local supermarket network hard drive with video output which supports DivX.
Come on Apple! Do what you did for music for video. (and stuff the Hollywood morons)
Another thing I always thought they should have bundled an Apple Keyboard and Mouse with the Mac Mini, that's usually why I never bought one for any of my switching friends or clients.
Well I would like to see something like Mac Mini inside a keyboard.
Funny as I just realized a few days ago that this would be a cool "80s revival" form factor.
Anyway, I too was waiting for Leopard to be released to go Mac Mini and definitely switch from XP.
Too bad if a Mini replacement does not come soon, I'll have to stick to PCs.
The starting 20" iMac is a pretty good deal for what you get at 1199.00 seeing it includes a 20" display.
Maybe but then, the 20" display is a crappy TN+film display.
I own a very good IPS display, 20" wide made by Fujitsu Siemens, perfect for photoshop works and other graphics-intensive tasks.
Then the 24" iMac I use at work has a great display but does not play in the same league.
I really need something macish to attach to my own, home display.
The BYODKM concept is (was?) great.
Just go for a dual-display set-up. Since the iMacs when Intel they're no longer crippled to Mirror only.
That said we do need a mid-range Mac.
Dual monitors that aren't the same brand let alone panel suck when trying to match colors.
Its new eye candy thats about it. The world isn't redesigned for 139.00.
You are on crack if that's what u think. There are so many under the hood changes. The GUI stuff is the least of the features. It's just what everyone notices first.
macosrumors.com has an article about a forthcoming "Mac Nano" to replace the Mac Mini.
http://www.macosrumors.com/
Ha! Do you actually believe anything they say? If this ad-galore site gets anything right it will just be by mere luck, and not by some insider information they don't have.
I only hope that if the Mac mini is discontinued, Apple will offer an alternative. And, better yet, a true Mac mini tower (if possible, fanless and with the option of Solid-State hard disk inside):
THE MAC mini TOWER (my dream Mac):
45 nm quad-core processor. Option for 2-quad-core chips (octo-core).
4 GB RAM for quad-core model. 8 GB RAM for octo-core model (thus, 1 GB RAM per core).
Solid-State disk inside (optional). Option for two disks inside (possibility to run it as RAID 1 mirroring for the ultimate safe backup on real time!)
eSATA II ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
FireWire 800 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
USB 2 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
NO PCI lots. Save on that!
SuperDrive slot on the side (not on top like the Mac Cube had, which collects dust!). Option for Blu-ray drive. Option for two SuperDrives.
Bootable from fast external 1TB disks or larger (via eSATA II and FireWire 800).
Connector for one gorgeous Apple Cinema Display 23-inch.
Fanless (if possible) or at least extremely quiet (bedroom quiet!).
Any chance, Apple? I will pay any price for this marvel. But if it is to become a best-seller, the price should be just right.
I'd love to have a Apple system in my living room , but I mean no DivX support what's that about ?
I have over 300 dvds filling my shelves, I want to rip them all into DivX and store them on a hard disk and free some space!
I've already seen in the local supermarket network hard drive with video output which supports DivX.
If you're going to be ripping your DVD collection anyways, why does it matter what format they're in? Just grab Handbrake and rip them to H264 and be done with it.
Yes. But i think it could be much smaller these days having the size comparable to the new flat ketboards as there seemed to be some place between desk and the top aluminium plate. Could be enough to put some notebook like stuff inside.
I can feel my fingers burning already.
Maybe I should start a company that makes thermal iGloves in anticipation.
Would this be the cheapest way to build the next Mac Nano?
Well I would like to see something like Mac Mini inside a keyboard.
Reminds me of the Sinclair QL (1984?) or the Schneider CPC-series home computers.
Anyway, I don't see the end of life of the Mac mini. Over here (Germany) Apple's got to offer at least one machine in the lower price segment (Macs are -at first glance- still more expensive than off-the-shelf PCs, but you know better only later).
People also like to choose their flat screen display from a wide range of products. Mine's a 22 inch HP ww2207 which seems to me a near perfect combination.
At work (school) I have finally managed to convince my headmistress to buy yet another Mac mini. She doesn't understand much about computers and isn't prejudiced against Macs. She -like everybody else- is impressed by the machine's size and design, very much so, especially when compared to bulky desktop PCs. And last but not least it runs Windows XP and associated software which is an overall requirement in German schools.
Personally I think the Mac mini is a cute little machine and I'd feel very sorry if this design was given up. Keep improving it, Apple!
THE MAC mini TOWER (my dream Mac):
45 nm quad-core processor. Option for 2-quad-core chips (octo-core).
4 GB RAM for quad-core model. 8 GB RAM for octo-core model (thus, 1 GB RAM per core).
Solid-State disk inside (optional). Option for two disks inside (possibility to run it as RAID 1 mirroring for the ultimate safe backup on real time!)
eSATA II ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
FireWire 800 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
USB 2 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
NO PCI lots. Save on that!
SuperDrive slot on the side (not on top like the Mac Cube had, which collects dust!). Option for Blu-ray drive. Option for two SuperDrives.
Bootable from fast external 1TB disks or larger (via eSATA II and FireWire 800).
Connector for one gorgeous Apple Cinema Display 23-inch.
Fanless (if possible) or at least extremely quiet (bedroom quiet!).
What you are describing is, except for the PCI slots and the two instead of four drives, a Mac Pro.
In short you want a Mac Pro in an enclosure a quarter of its size, fanless and probably for half the price.
...because Leopard will work on "any" new computers like Windows does once it's released! :-P.....
Mmmm I'd love to try what you're smoking
noo
Can I be your friend?
If you want to simply a central HD and printing capability, then the Airport tends to fit the description. On the other hand if you want a bit more and while not an Apple solution and not designed to run MacOS X, the Fit PC certainly looks tempting. Having a home server that only burns 5W and can act as a web server is certainly something worth looking at.
A hacked AppleTV might even fit the bill.
THE MAC mini TOWER (my dream Mac):
45 nm quad-core processor. Option for 2-quad-core chips (octo-core).
4 GB RAM for quad-core model. 8 GB RAM for octo-core model (thus, 1 GB RAM per core).
Solid-State disk inside (optional). Option for two disks inside (possibility to run it as RAID 1 mirroring for the ultimate safe backup on real time!)
eSATA II ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
FireWire 800 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
USB 2 ports (4) - Not shared as a hub but independent ones!
NO PCI lots. Save on that!
SuperDrive slot on the side (not on top like the Mac Cube had, which collects dust!). Option for Blu-ray drive. Option for two SuperDrives.
Bootable from fast external 1TB disks or larger (via eSATA II and FireWire 800).
Connector for one gorgeous Apple Cinema Display 23-inch.
Fanless (if possible) or at least extremely quiet (bedroom quiet!).
Any chance, Apple? I will pay any price for this marvel. But if it is to become a best-seller, the price should be just right.
I don't know why Apple just can't release a regular mini-tower in a smaller Mac Pro style case. While the above specs are impressive, it would probably be cost-prohibitive. How about the following...could it be done for a decent price?
MicroATX size/style motherboard with matching Mac Pro style casing, or something better?
Core 2 Duo processors (same speed offerings as iMac)
1GB RAM standard, 4 slots, 4GB RAM Max
250GB SATA drive standard, 320GB or 500GB drive options
1 Superdrive
2 PCI slots
One 16x PCI Express slot occupied by 128MB Video Card standard, 256MB Video option
Two USB 2.0 ports (ind.), One Firewire 800 (ind.), One Firewire 400 (ind.) and one eSATA port (bootable)
Keyboard and mouse
If I hadn't gotten impatient and purchased an iMac, I would have jumped all over something like this...if it was only available.