Where's the new stuff?

2

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  • Reply 21 of 60

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Winter View Post


    It would be nice to see a quad-core/discrete graphics mini for $999.



    I'd like to ask does Apple have a strategy for the Mini which precludes Winter from getting what he wants?


    I could go for that myself. image

  • Reply 22 of 60
    seanm9seanm9 Posts: 6member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Relic View Post



    I would like to see an external graphics card similar to what Sony introduced last year that connects via Thunderbird. That way I could use it on my Mini and MacBook Air. I know you can now buy an external PCIe box with four slots but it costs a small fortune.


     


    Quote:

    Originally Posted by hmm View Post


     


    You don't seem to be alone in this kind of thinking, but it still makes no sense to me. At the point you start investing quite a lot in the mini, the imac starts to make seemingly more sense for most things. 


     



    But the iMac has TB also... so it would be come expandable.... and when the MP get TB... expansion becomes exponential!!!!

  • Reply 23 of 60
    dhagan4755dhagan4755 Posts: 2,152member


    Perhaps something is in fact happening with the Mac Pros.  Just logged into the Apple Store for Education Institutions where I buy computers for my school & it shows a 1-2 week wait time on the top end Mac Pro.  But oddly enough, when you click on it to configure it says "2-4 days."  In the past when I've seen it jump from 1-2 weeks or longer, it's a sign that updates are coming.  But all of the models need to say this (1-2 weeks).


     


    Screen Shot 2012-05-07 at 4.16.25 PM.png

  • Reply 24 of 60


    absolutely agreed.


     


    Although, maybe b/c AAPL destroyed the last quarter, they figured they could wait off on 'new' announcements for the lull after the storm? And, if they stretch iPhone 5 to October as per rumours, then they need jolts of sales and PR in the summer back to school season: new kind of PM and slimmer sexy screen MBP/Air. Also if this IGZO thing is true, maybe that's delayed mad thin designs and batteries etc for the latter; think that would be harder redesign than the 'plan b' iPad 3.


     


    hopefully something soon....

  • Reply 25 of 60
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    I'd like to ask does Apple have a strategy for the Mini which precludes Winter from getting what he wants?
    I could go for that myself. :lol:

    So could many of us! The fundamental problem with the Mini is that performance lagged fairly badly given its price. The qualification there being that the Mini uses low power parts.

    Can Winter get what he wants? With Ivy Bridge I don't think it is totally impossible. We would be talking a 35 to 45 watts processor along with a GPU and GPU memory in the box. That is a lot to deal with, though Apple might be able to limit power disapation dynamically as Ivy Bridge has support for that. In any event I consider quad core very important for any desktop purchase so they would have to do something there.

    The interesting thing is the so called server model that Apple currently ships which is quad core. I believe it is a 45 watt chip, so let's think a bit about that translated to Ivy Bridge. At 45 watts you would get a respectable CPU speed increase in combo with a new generation of GPU. That would be one hot little box! Such a platform, hooked up to a decent monitor, would make a great development platform but sadly not a more general workstation. This however doesn't represent the performance you could expect out of a descrete GPU or even AMDs Fusion processors.
  • Reply 26 of 60
    hmmhmm Posts: 3,405member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Seanm9 View Post


     


    But the iMac has TB also... so it would be come expandable.... and when the MP get TB... expansion becomes exponential!!!!



    Not really. The thunderbolt controller feeds off existing lanes. You'd gain the ability to use the thunderbolt display and share accessories in breakout box form with your laptop. That could be quite valuable for some people. 

  • Reply 27 of 60
    junkyard dawgjunkyard dawg Posts: 2,801member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wizard69 View Post





    So could many of us! The fundamental problem with the Mini is that performance lagged fairly badly given its price. The qualification there being that the Mini uses low power parts.

    Can Winter get what he wants? With Ivy Bridge I don't think it is totally impossible. We would be talking a 35 to 45 watts processor along with a GPU and GPU memory in the box. That is a lot to deal with, though Apple might be able to limit power disapation dynamically as Ivy Bridge has support for that. In any event I consider quad core very important for any desktop purchase so they would have to do something there.

    The interesting thing is the so called server model that Apple currently ships which is quad core. I believe it is a 45 watt chip, so let's think a bit about that translated to Ivy Bridge. At 45 watts you would get a respectable CPU speed increase in combo with a new generation of GPU. That would be one hot little box! Such a platform, hooked up to a decent monitor, would make a great development platform but sadly not a more general workstation. This however doesn't represent the performance you could expect out of a descrete GPU or even AMDs Fusion processors.


    Agreed.  The Mac community wanted a headless iMac so Apple gave them a headless MacBook and told them to like it. 


     


    It would cost less to build a Mini using larger desktop components.  Add a larger case and a little more expandability, and the build cost is probably about the same.  Then there's no need to fuss over a few watts, Apple could drop in whatever CPU they pleased.  


     


    The Mini is an example of Apple intentionally not building the best computer they could.  It's so obviously designed to sucker people into buying a high margin Apple product without any innovations to justify the high margins.  Totally opposite of the Mac Pro, where one look at the case, inside and out, is enough to convince anyone that it's brilliantly laid out design AND a work of art.  I've spent more time than I'd like to admit just gazing at my Mac Pro with the case open, the attention to detail and usability is simply breathtaking.  The Mac Pro shows respect for Mac users, while the Mini shows contempt.

  • Reply 28 of 60
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Junkyard Dawg View Post


    Agreed.  The Mac community wanted a headless iMac so Apple gave them a headless MacBook and told them to like it. 


    Exactly! Even that wouldn't be all that bad except that they never bothered to fill in the midrange with something else. The Mini wouldn't be bad as a low end machine, if it was priced a bit lower. The problem is they have yet to bother with a model that addresses performance we.

    Quote:



    It would cost less to build a Mini using larger desktop components.  Add a larger case and a little more expandability, and the build cost is probably about the same.  Then there's no need to fuss over a few watts, Apple could drop in whatever CPU they pleased.  

    Much of that cost is not due to the chipset which at best adds a hundred or so tot he price. The problem with the Mini is that they could have targeted higher performance simply by using the mobile processor used in the MBPs. Really is it that much of a problem to have a entry level Mini and a beefed up model?

    By the way I don't really believe this is a power supply issue, even if I think moving the power supply internally was a mistake.

    Quote:

    The Mini is an example of Apple intentionally not building the best computer they could.  It's so obviously designed to sucker people into buying a high margin Apple product without any innovations to justify the high margins.  Totally opposite of the Mac Pro, where one look at the case, inside and out, is enough to convince anyone that it's brilliantly laid out design AND a work of art.  I've spent more time than I'd like to admit just gazing at my Mac Pro with the case open, the attention to detail and usability is simply breathtaking.  The Mac Pro shows respect for Mac users, while the Mini shows contempt.


     

    I'm not sure I buy that it is a machine to sucker people into buying other hardware. It is a low end low power machine which many people find to be very desirable.

    The Mini existence isn't a problem per say. Rather it is the lack of rational mid range machines that is the problem.
  • Reply 29 of 60
    junkyard dawgjunkyard dawg Posts: 2,801member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by wizard69 View Post


     

    I'm not sure I buy that it is a machine to sucker people into buying other hardware. It is a low end low power machine which many people find to be very desirable.


     


    I wasn't very clear, what I meant was the Mini is designed to sucker people into buying the Mini, which I suspect has far higher margins than warranted for gimped, entry level product.  


     


     


     


    Quote:


    The Mini existence isn't a problem per say. Rather it is the lack of rational mid range machines that is the problem.



     


    Totally agree.  The Mini is sufficient for the needs of many users, like my parents.  And it is nice to be able to upgrade a display or the Mini without having to replace both the display and the Mini.  That should be a given, but Apple's obstinacy regarding all in one desktops actually makes it a feature. 

  • Reply 30 of 60
    xioniumxionium Posts: 9member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by DHagan4755 View Post


    I'm starting to grow weary, forgive me.  It seems like things are taking a really long time.





    I am growing weary too dude, *takes a seat next to you on bench* I've been waiting since FEB thinking the new MBP is 'right around the corner now!!! *each day goes by where I eagerly check A.I. for news that the new MBP is ready to order, then get sad when I don't see it and instead see a new 'launch' date set a month away*

  • Reply 31 of 60
    xgmanxgman Posts: 159member
    dhagan4755 wrote: »
    I'm starting to grow weary, forgive me.  It seems like things are taking a really long time.

    I'm with you. All across the board.
  • Reply 32 of 60
    xgmanxgman Posts: 159member
    dhagan4755 wrote: »
    Perhaps something is in fact happening with the Mac Pros.  Just logged into the Apple Store for Education Institutions where I buy computers for my school & it shows a 1-2 week wait time on the top end Mac Pro.  But oddly enough, when you click on it to configure it says "2-4 days."  In the past when I've seen it jump from 1-2 weeks or longer, it's a sign that updates are coming.  But all of the models need to say this (1-2 weeks).

    LL

    Well today it's all "in stock" as usual, and 12 core 2-4 days. It's like there is an endless supply of this old stuff. Maybe that's why. Stale technology and overpriced.
  • Reply 33 of 60
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    xgman wrote: »
    I'm with you. All across the board.

    WWDC, WWDC!

    Repeat WWDC, I'm not sure what the issue is here, just look at Apples past behavior. At best Apple will release the minor updates one to two weeks before WWDC if there are any.

    Apples only real problem is Intels lack of Ivy Brdige chips suitable for some of Apples machines. That does put a kink in the program but Apple could do us all a favor and put Trintiy into things like the Mini.
  • Reply 34 of 60
    not1lostnot1lost Posts: 136member


    The Apple store will be down tonight....

  • Reply 35 of 60
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by not1lost View Post

    The Apple store will be down tonight....


     


    For what?

  • Reply 36 of 60
    not1lostnot1lost Posts: 136member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    For what?



    I just think it will

  • Reply 37 of 60
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by not1lost View Post

    I just think it will


     


    Mind over matter only works for your own body, not Apple release schedules. Believe me, I've tried. image


     


    And developed the ability to eat just once every other day, walk without making any noise, and answer unspoken questions from the people around me! So there's that.


     


    Doesn't really do much in the Apple realm.

  • Reply 38 of 60
    winterwinter Posts: 1,238member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by geneking7320 View Post


    I'd like to ask does Apple have a strategy for the Mini which precludes Winter from getting what he wants?


    I could go for that myself. image



     


    I actually bought the base mini and put an SSD in it. I am happy with it. I am just saying that if Apple wanted me to spend a bit more, I would spend more based on that option.


     


    @wizard69 - I don't think I will be upgrading until Haswell anyway. I was a bit disappointed by the fact that Intel cheapened out on the thermal paste for Ivy Bridge.


     


    In addition, the quad/discrete option under a grand I thought would be perfect for me to play Diablo III on (as well as possibly other games in the future). Right now, I really have no interest in playing Diablo III.

  • Reply 39 of 60
    not1lostnot1lost Posts: 136member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post


     


    Mind over matter only works for your own body, not Apple release schedules. Believe me, I've tried. image


     


    And developed the ability to eat just once every other day, walk without making any noise, and answer unspoken questions from the people around me! So there's that.


     


    Doesn't really do much in the Apple realm.



    I dont know about that... I'm working on Steve Jobs 'reality distortion field'....

  • Reply 40 of 60
    not1lostnot1lost Posts: 136member


    I can still be right...

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