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2011 Mac Mini - Speculation

CaoCao said:
They aren't going to redesign the Mac mini again...
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They wouldn't have to. I don't see a logicboard update (which is inevitable if going SB) being a redesign. If they can squeeze all of our wishlist into the current logicboard form factor, all that's preventing this from happening is whether or not Apple wants to do it.

All this would most likely come with a significant price increase so if Apple were to go with this, it would most likely be BTO. I doubt Apple would want another Cube-like flop.
 
CaoCao said:
Actually it is possible the Mac mini could switch to desktop processors without upgrading cooling much in the form of the i5-2390T which normally operates at 2.7GHz, but can boost to 3.5GHz while running at 35W TDP, but Apple is unlikely to do this as this downgrades to Intel HD 2000 which is weaker than the 320M
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Ah yes, I did see that one but didn't realise it's probably low power enough to go in a Mini.
But I guess I'd rather still have the HD3000 + mobile processor than a desktop processor and HD2000. (i5-2390T with dedicated GPU though, om nom nom!)

Also, someone mentioned Llano. I guess I'd like a Llano based mini, but it's not going to happen. As they don't seem to have a low power desktop part, it'd be a laptop Llano, and those, I guess, just have too low CPU frequency. The highest they could go is 2.1 with a dual core. Quad-cores go up to 1.5 @ 35W, 1.9@45W. I think Apple wants a faster CPU.

All in all, I still expect them to use the same parts as the 13" MBP, even though it's been 4 months already.
 
As the Mac Mini and 13" Macbook normally have the same specs, i dont see a mini upgrade till the 13" gets upgraded. Intel HD Graphics, Tunderbolt, maybe the current MBP base CPU (i imagine the MBP getting spec bumps soon), nothing out of the ordinary.
 
Undo Redo said:
This is what hashholly wrote: "i imagine the MBP getting spec bumps soon" Perhaps I'm confused.
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I consider a spec bump to include an increase in HD capacity, memory, and CPU ghz bump.

The 2011 MacBook Pros got an overhaul: whole new architecture (Sandy Bridge) which brought faster SATA speeds, thunderbolt, new graphics, and new Processors.

So, as I said once the current MacBook Pros get a spec bump you'll see the MacBook go Sandy Bridge along with the Mini, sporting the same specs.
 
hashholly said:
I consider a spec bump to include an increase in HD capacity, memory, and CPU ghz bump.

The 2011 MacBook Pros got an overhaul: whole new architecture (Sandy Bridge) which brought faster SATA speeds, thunderbolt, new graphics, and new Processors.

So, as I said once the current MacBook Pros get a spec bump you'll see the MacBook go Sandy Bridge along with the Mini, sporting the same specs.
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Thanks for clearing that up. If you're right, then we shouldn't expect refreshed white MacBooks or minis until fall. MBPs won't likely see another refresh before then.

But somehow I believe we'll see refreshed minis and MacBooks well before August, regardless.
 
Undo Redo said:
Thanks for clearing that up. If you're right, then we shouldn't expect refreshed white MacBooks or minis until fall. MBPs won't likely see another refresh before then.

But somehow I believe we'll see refreshed minis and MacBooks well before August, regardless.
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Honestly i hope for a new Mini sooner rather than later, I wonder if there's a lower clocked I5 they could put in them now? In a perfect world I would be able to replace my Ubuntu Server with a Mini Server using thunderbolt externals.
 
So if the new mac mini's switch to an i3/i5 cpu does this mean they are more likely to have an Intel graphics card or and AMD (ATi) one?

If they come with Intel + i3, would it be better the get that or the nVidia + C2D that exists now?
 
thepanos said:
So if the new mac mini's switch to an i3/i5 cpu does this mean they are more likely to have an Intel graphics card or and AMD (ATi) one?

If they come with Intel + i3, would it be better the get that or the nVidia + C2D that exists now?
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Just wait and see.
 
Tulpa said:
As silly as it is to wait for a refresh that may never come, it's even sillier if you might just be buying the old model anyway if it does come.
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Not necessarily. Waiting to see what happens and then deciding the old version is better value for what you want is quite viable. Especially since the old version will probably be cheaper to come by one way or another.

Also, if Apple wants to buy enough C2D's, I'm pretty sure Intel will keep a factory open somewhere. Apparently, Intel is merely stopping to market C2D's in the fall of this year. I still find that a significant signal that they're too outdated to use in new machines though :D Especially since the ones in the low end Mini right now aren't even the latest version of C2D's.
 
I expecting the MBP hardware inside...not percent, but a great jump from the current model while all quad iMacs make them different enough to warrant sales and not eat into the line.

I wish Apple took better care of the Mini, it meets the needs of so many, but I'd have trouble recommending it to ever the lightest user just because the hardware is so dated.
 
zap2 said:
I wish Apple took better care of the Mini, it meets the needs of so many, but I'd have trouble recommending it to ever the lightest user just because the hardware is so dated.
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same. Just *once* put some competitive hardware in there Apple, and see how it goes.. I'm sure there are a ton of 'already' mini fans waiting for a decent spec bump to upgrade, and it'll help them evangelise to their friends. 2010 refresh was just treading water really. I just hope the new, stupidly tiny form factor doesn't stop them, or tempt them to go A5 in it and just use it as a fancy appleTV...
 
I've been holding out for an upgraded Mini for some time now. Was hoping they'd announce a new one at WWDC but it's looking less promising all the time. With Lion, iOS5, and iCloud being the focus of of the conference, there's little room left for hardware upgrade announcements.

I'm now thinking that Apple's marketing plan may be to save some of these hardware upgrades for their Back to School promotion later this summer. They've used the Mini to promote Back to School in the past.

I've resided myself to the fact that I have to wait until August to make a purchase. :(
 
thepanos said:
So if the new mac mini's switch to an i3/i5 cpu does this mean they are more likely to have an Intel graphics card or and AMD (ATi) one?

If they come with Intel + i3, would it be better the get that or the nVidia + C2D that exists now?
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There's no physical room in the chassis for discrete graphics - mentioned many times before.
 
on the plus side, if lion comes out before the new mini... buyers shouldn't have to fork out extra dough to upgrade right ?
 
lvlarkkoenen said:
Not necessarily. Waiting to see what happens and then deciding the old version is better value for what you want is quite viable. Especially since the old version will probably be cheaper to come by one way or another.
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The waiting game is kind of strange without inside info. Let's say that the mini still hasn't been refreshed at the end of July. Do you still wait, or do you worry that they'll refresh it in August? If it hasn't been refreshed in October, do you still wait just in case they refresh in November? The longer you wait the more losses you commit to... because you've traded the use of the computer for the time you were waiting for nothing. That's also the case if it gets refreshed and you choose to buy the old model anyway.

Considering that used, non-refurbished 2009 minis are still selling for over $500 on ebay, I'm also a tad skeptical that the 2010s are going to be much cheaper than $599 (which the refurbished ones are already selling for).

Bottom line: if you have use for the mini now, buy it now (refurbished if possible). The waiting game is for the birds.

zap2 said:
I wish Apple took better care of the Mini, it meets the needs of so many, but I'd have trouble recommending it to ever the lightest user just because the hardware is so dated.
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Oh please. Most users are not going to be bumping up against the edge of the 2010 mini's capability for years. Latest and greatest obsession is a sad thing to see.
 
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