The Great (mini) Debate
The fate of the Mac mini has got to be one of the most posted about topics and while a lot of people have predicted an EOL I thought that the latest RSS feed from Apple could point against this...
http://www.apple.com/business/profil...sr=hotnews.rss
It seems unlikely that they would be promoting the fact that author Elliot Aronson's work was done on a mini if it is to be discontinued from the product line?
Maybe nothing, but then, maybe something...
I for one hope this is a brief glimmer of hope that the little fella will live on
http://www.apple.com/business/profil...sr=hotnews.rss
It seems unlikely that they would be promoting the fact that author Elliot Aronson's work was done on a mini if it is to be discontinued from the product line?
Maybe nothing, but then, maybe something...
I for one hope this is a brief glimmer of hope that the little fella will live on
Comments
The fate of the Mac mini has got to be one of the most posted about topics and while a lot of people have predicted an EOL I thought that the latest RSS feed from Apple could point against this...
http://www.apple.com/business/profil...sr=hotnews.rss
It seems unlikely that they would be promoting the fact that author Elliot Aronson's work was done on a mini if it is to be discontinued from the product line?
Maybe nothing, but then, maybe something...
Not much of a debate. AI thought it would be discontinued. Few others did.
It is a great product with many miles left in it yet. I use mine (1.83 Core Duo SD) on a daily basis, It serves me well, supplying my 42 plasma with video (DVD and streaming) plus it is a fantastic music server connected via optical to a decent Onkyo system. 85,000+ songs on an external HD! Frontrow operated via remote and viewed on the plasma never fails to blow my visitors minds when I give them a demo... beat that Dell et al
Long live the Mac Mini!
When it gets updated it better be a Penryn/Montevina configuration and not a Penryn/Santa Rosa, or God forbid, Merom/Santa Rosa configuration.
Apple needs to treat it like a first-class citizen. I am not expecting it to have bleeding-edge hardware or even the fastest processors, but having current hardware is not too much to ask.
Agreed. The mini is due for a serious refresh. In addition to the features that others have mentioned I'm looking for a larger (7200 RPM) hard drive. Bring it, Cupertino.
Almost everyone wants a 7200rpm drive. But that almost guarantees a change in the form factor.
Probably so, due to heat. In the absence of 7200 drives, let's at least see the hard drive max out at 250 gig.
Probably so, due to heat. In the absence of 7200 drives, let's at least see the hard drive max out at 250 gig.
7200rpm 2.5" drives are designed for laptops so heat shouldn't be a huge problem. You get 200GB Seagate drives with perpendicular recording for just £85. Apple could offer it as BTO.
...Updating the mini would be a start!
...Integrating that power supply into the mini would be a great upgrade.
...Combining it with the AppleTV as one complete computer would be phenomenal...
Regardless, I don't think the mini concept will be going away from Apple's product matrix, as we see Apple's competitors showing prototypes they plan to release soon. If only Apple would get off its butt and update the damn thing...along with its displays!
C'mon, Apple!
Apple should do a lot of things...
...Updating the mini would be a start!
...Integrating that power supply into the mini would be a great upgrade.
...Combining it with the AppleTV as one complete computer would be phenomenal...
Regardless, I don't think the mini concept will be going away from Apple's product matrix, as we see Apple's competitors showing prototypes they plan to release soon. If only Apple would get off its butt and update the damn thing...along with its displays!
C'mon, Apple!
Apple just need a little competition to get them off of their butts.
7200rpm 2.5" drives are designed for laptops so heat shouldn't be a huge problem.
You're right, which makes one wonder if Apple purposely "cripples" the mini—a matter that surely has been discussed ad nauseam elsewhere.
Apple should do a lot of things...
...Integrating that power supply into the mini would be a great upgrade...
I don't understand the constant harping about the power supply. Leaving it outside reduces heat and the chance of a malfunction frying your logic board. It also sits out of sight, so there's no real reason to increase the Mini's size just to accommodate it.
I say give the Mini a 7200rpm drive, a 4GB RAM limit and graphics to drive the 30" screen.
That's all it needs.
I'm amazed at how well these machines hold their value on eBay - seems you pay as much on older machines as new.
I'm so ready to get a Mini to use as a media center to sit under my tv,
This is probably the reason it's been abandoned... no one uses it as a computer,but as some media centre, which is what the Apple TV was intended.
This is probably the reason it's been abandoned... no one uses it as a computer,but as some media centre, which is what the Apple TV was intended.
But the Mini isn't format-limited like the aTV... The FrontRow interface does everything (plus more formats and a DVD slot) that the aTV interface will do except rentals. And you still have a fully functional computer/OSX to use as well.
My experience has been that the Mini makes a WAY better TV device than the AppleTV.
You're right, which makes one wonder if Apple purposely "cripples" the mini—a matter that surely has been discussed ad nauseam elsewhere.
I wonder if Apple is concerned with the Mac mini cannibalizing iMac sales. I know I would get a Mac mini before an iMac, once it gets Montevina or better.
no one uses it as a computer,but as some media centre, which is what the Apple TV was intended.
there - you said it!
apple offer two TV devices, but no screen-less desktop for less than $2000...
maybe apple should make the mini a bit more fitting for desktop use, rather than cabinet use.