Or why I bypassed my Mini vs Mini Server inner argument and built myself a Hack Pro for less than the cost of a 2010 Mini...
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2011 Mac Mini - Speculation
- Thread starter Nanker/Phelge
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The one thing I wish they would do on the mini would be support changing the optical drive for bluray - Id take one as a home theatre solution then.. (Currently have a Intel 1.6 Mini hooked up for the very small amount of iTunes stuff I watch on a TV) - if it had bluray as even a user-addable-option without having to mess about inside Id replace it without question.
it is really frustrating when I see a {mini knock off pc } launch with blu ray and every thing i want in a mini. look at these links
http://lowcarbonpc.com/FIRE-Stylish...werful-Mini-PC-Computer-100-400.htm#configure
http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Stylish-...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1296606526&sr=8-1
same company a startup I know nothing about. these machines are what mac mini users want.
1 esata port
2 usb3 ports
it is really frustrating to see the mac mini being pushed towards a streaming device for netflix due to the 720p limit for content.
I have two or three friends with projector hdtv 96 inch screens 720p is not good enough 1080p would be better. If the unit above is any good he will have to go in that direction.
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I dont care for USB 3 or eSata (I have a Mac Pro at my disposal, so really really dont need those), I just want Bluray to make it a decent HTPC - I refuse to use Windows (ugh, its horrible), and Linux just doesnt have the software, so older Mac Mini I shall continue with till I find either a new Mini with Bluray, or a method of hiding an older Mac Pro round the back (See the early Quads go for under £1000), and using that.
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I not going back to windows so I hear you. I am thinking about getting an xserve or a second mac pro myself.
I am like you I no longer need the esata or the usb3 ports on the mini I am using. I have a small 1 bay nas that holds up to 2tb and use it to move files around from mini to nas in holding then pro. or from imac to nas in holding to pro. I just had too much recorded to use just a mini or an imac.
I am like you I no longer need the esata or the usb3 ports on the mini I am using. I have a small 1 bay nas that holds up to 2tb and use it to move files around from mini to nas in holding then pro. or from imac to nas in holding to pro. I just had too much recorded to use just a mini or an imac.
I know the feeling, I have a PowerMac G4 setup as a Media Server (MDD simply as it has 5 drives inside over 4 in an XServe G4 as im using the second OptiBay - it has 5 250GB Drives inside, and Dual Gigabit Ethernets hooking it up, it works well enough for now - hence the plan to eventually jump all my families media to a Pro.)
We're getting close to an "expected" refresh according to the Buyer's guide.
I'm looking to get a Mac mini Server. I really don't need any graphics horsepower, so for me the biggest concern is having the Core 2 Duo (Penryn) stuck inside.
I would love to see the current Core i3 (Arrandale) in the Mac mini, as in the low-end iMac. But that won't happen, for the same reason it's not in the 13" MacBook/MacBook Pro or MacBook Air: it would require Apple to use Intel's integrated graphics OR provide a discrete graphics card. The Intel graphics are too slow for Apple, and there just isn't room in the case or in the price for there to be discrete graphics in anything smaller than the 15" MacBook Pro or iMac.
So, now we can start to look at Sandy Bridge, which looks like it's going to solve the problem of poor performance with the Intel integrated graphics. Eventually, I'm sure the Mac mini will receive Sandy Bridge at some point (unless Intel ends up not supporting OpenCL, which would probably be a deal breaker for Apple). So it's a question of when. The problem with Sandy Bridge at the moment is pricing and availability -- forget the SATA design flaw, the platform is very new and may not be available yet in the quantities Apple needs. Additionally, because it's so new, the Sandy Bridge components are significantly more expensive than the current components being used (which have now been available for 2+ years).
Also, I would expect the 13" MacBook Pro to receive the first refresh with Sandy Bridge (assuming that's going to happen), maybe with the white MacBook getting updated at the same time. But the MacBook Air (certainly) and Mac mini (probably) would be updated at a later point in time.
So with all that in mind...how long until the Mac mini finally leaves the Core 2 Duo behind? I'm planning on waiting this week out to see if there are new MacBook Pros that get released, as maybe that will provide some insight on the future of the Mac mini. (And if we're really lucky, maybe even a new Mac mini this week!)
I'm looking to get a Mac mini Server. I really don't need any graphics horsepower, so for me the biggest concern is having the Core 2 Duo (Penryn) stuck inside.
I would love to see the current Core i3 (Arrandale) in the Mac mini, as in the low-end iMac. But that won't happen, for the same reason it's not in the 13" MacBook/MacBook Pro or MacBook Air: it would require Apple to use Intel's integrated graphics OR provide a discrete graphics card. The Intel graphics are too slow for Apple, and there just isn't room in the case or in the price for there to be discrete graphics in anything smaller than the 15" MacBook Pro or iMac.
So, now we can start to look at Sandy Bridge, which looks like it's going to solve the problem of poor performance with the Intel integrated graphics. Eventually, I'm sure the Mac mini will receive Sandy Bridge at some point (unless Intel ends up not supporting OpenCL, which would probably be a deal breaker for Apple). So it's a question of when. The problem with Sandy Bridge at the moment is pricing and availability -- forget the SATA design flaw, the platform is very new and may not be available yet in the quantities Apple needs. Additionally, because it's so new, the Sandy Bridge components are significantly more expensive than the current components being used (which have now been available for 2+ years).
Also, I would expect the 13" MacBook Pro to receive the first refresh with Sandy Bridge (assuming that's going to happen), maybe with the white MacBook getting updated at the same time. But the MacBook Air (certainly) and Mac mini (probably) would be updated at a later point in time.
So with all that in mind...how long until the Mac mini finally leaves the Core 2 Duo behind? I'm planning on waiting this week out to see if there are new MacBook Pros that get released, as maybe that will provide some insight on the future of the Mac mini. (And if we're really lucky, maybe even a new Mac mini this week!)
It definitely isn't supported, but replacing the optical drive can be done. I have put a blu-ray inside a current mini. You want to look for a 12.5 - 12.7mm SATA slot load replacement drive. I used this one http://www.sonynec-optiarc.com/products/slim_slotbdcombo/index.html
With all of the problems coming up with Sandybridge it really makes me wonder if Apple would consider switching the Mac Mini to an AMD processor. Many of the newer AMD powered lappies have been getting a lot of good press and reviews for speed, graphics, power consumption and most importantly heat. Doubt it's gonna happen though.
I'm sorta stuck between the iMac and the Mac Mini because I really don't want an iMac but the Mac Mini is just too underpowered for what I want, but not by much. If I could get a 3.06ghz i3 Mac Mini with a 7200RPM drive minimum, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'd really like to have an SSD in a mini but after it's all said and done, you should have just bought an iMac for the amount of money you spent
I'm sorta stuck between the iMac and the Mac Mini because I really don't want an iMac but the Mac Mini is just too underpowered for what I want, but not by much. If I could get a 3.06ghz i3 Mac Mini with a 7200RPM drive minimum, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I'd really like to have an SSD in a mini but after it's all said and done, you should have just bought an iMac for the amount of money you spent
Excuse my ignorance on this question, but I really have not been following the Apple computer brands.
I am starting my search for a new computer and a friend highly recommended the mac mini.
While I know Apple products cost a few hundred extra I figured I would at least give the Mini a chance. In my research I came across this sites buyers guide which says not to buy the mac mini.
Is it just speculation that a new one will come out or does a new one come out every year on a consistent basis like iPhones?
I am starting my search for a new computer and a friend highly recommended the mac mini.
While I know Apple products cost a few hundred extra I figured I would at least give the Mini a chance. In my research I came across this sites buyers guide which says not to buy the mac mini.
Is it just speculation that a new one will come out or does a new one come out every year on a consistent basis like iPhones?
Mac releases are less consistent than iPhone releases (largely because for Macs, Apple is dependent on the release schedule of other companies like Intel). That said, given that the new Sandy Bridge chips are arriving this week for the MacBooks, it's reasonable to assume that we'll get an update in the next few months.
What are you planning to use the Mini for? If it's basic stuff like web browsing, Office, iPhoto, etc, the current Mini is fine. If you plan on doing some low-end gaming or a lot of video editing, it's probably best to wait for the update.
What are you planning to use the Mini for? If it's basic stuff like web browsing, Office, iPhoto, etc, the current Mini is fine. If you plan on doing some low-end gaming or a lot of video editing, it's probably best to wait for the update.
Anyone else seen this Bob Cringely article about linking Mini's with lightpeak cables to replace XServes
http://www.cringely.com/2011/02/attack-of-the-minis/
Interesting ideas there.
http://www.cringely.com/2011/02/attack-of-the-minis/
Interesting ideas there.
I am not a huge computer gamer, but the system will need to run Diablo III for whenever it comes out. I have been saying for the past 2 years that I am getting a new computer for that game.
Other than that it will be pretty casual use. I might do some video editing but nothing extreme.
Wait until tomorrow. It's possible (although pretty unlikely) that a new Mac mini will be released alongside new MBPs. If that doesn't happen, expect there to be a new Mac mini released in the very near future that has similar specs to the new MBP 13".
Will the new mbp's be released tomorrow? Is tomorrow the new update for some of the mac products?