I seriously doubt the x3000 is anywhere near a match for the Go 7600 mxm II card which fits in many a 14" notebook
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any rumors of an improved Mini?
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I seriously doubt the x3000 is anywhere near a match for the Go 7600 mxm II card which fits in many a 14" notebook
The mini's logic board is less than 6x6 inches. The mainboard in a laptop has about twice that to work with. The point wasn't that the x300 would be as good as the best mobile GPUs, though. The point was that the x3000 will fit inside the mini, be very cheap to implement, and will satisfy the majority of people who buy a mini.
You can get a refurb. Mac Pro for $1899. That fills the gap pretty well for now:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=G0359LL/A
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=G0359LL/A
Socket 478 motherboards have been available for a while with 965GM chipset with x3000 onboard, etc., but there are currently no such configurations available for socket M, the type cpu the (current) mini uses.
Intel's (currently available) laptop/mobile chipsets: Intel
Why don't they just make the mini a bit bigger and offer all that stuff we want? Even if it was as big as a cube yet had more upgradable options...There's your entry-level/mid range-pro/headless mac/entertainment system that will last for years right there. Keep the price under 1200 usd, please?
While a mini would do me fine as it is, I don't want to be stuck in the same situation as I am with my ibook; wishing it just had a little more space, upgradability, and power.
Waiting for upgrades on either a mini or the imac 24, but not for long...
While a mini would do me fine as it is, I don't want to be stuck in the same situation as I am with my ibook; wishing it just had a little more space, upgradability, and power.
Waiting for upgrades on either a mini or the imac 24, but not for long...
Yeah, you're right; it's highly unlikely, perhaps 100% impossible, that Apple would use the mini to launch the Santa Rosa era. So, unless they're going to live danerously and unleash a bunch of new hardware at once, the C2D upgrade that is overdue--an upgrade that would also bring 1GB of RAM, .11n and maybe another small treat or two--is still by far the safest bet...
...but it's going to have to be soon, ay? If the May SR release is accurate, it would be counterproductive to stock boatloads of C2D minis if we get too much closer to May.
There was a March 20 rumor going around a while back...maybe that's the one
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That's pretty much a given, since the GMA950 does (which is why the Macbook supports screen spanning with an external monitor). Whether Apple will put two DVI ports on an updated Mini is an entirely different question, though.
Duh, I always forget they use the laptop components in most of their desktops. Stupid Me.
Well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?
I worked on a contract job awhile back where we were deploying some (Windows) systems for a customer that had a 2 display requirement (screens facing the customer and the worker displaying different information). The hardware we deployed had a single DVI port, but used a small splitter cable that connected to the DVI port and terminated in 2 VGA ports which the displays used.
Now, using dual VGA isn't IDEAL but if you NEED multi-monitor support on a mini then it could work... just curious if anyone's tried it?
If your talking about the port I think you are that isn't DVI.
It's a freaky hybrid port that contains two DVI-I ports in a single socket. This allows you to have two break-out leads, one that gives 2 pure DVI-D and the other that gives 2 DVI-A/I which can be switched to VGA.
Ah, that could be. I didn't build the systems, just deployed them so I'm not 100% of the hardware that went into it. I think the GPU was made by ATI. In any case, it'd be nice of Apple to build the new mini with something like that, and bundle in the box a small adapter that gives you a regular DVI port, and one that gives you a regular VGA port. Then do their normal charge you $29 for the adapter that gives you dual DVI (or VGA if that's your need).
Yes the iMac is a very slick design and the mini is cute, but I just don't get Apple's devotion to them as the only solutions for every home user. Add a few external HDs and all that cuteness and slick design is obscured by a rat's nest of wires. If the mini were a little less mini, it could use desktop components (it is after all a desktop) and they could put out a more powerful box with a greater number possible configurations for the same if not less money.
Just a standard 3.5" drive would allow much more storage, more suitable as an aTV server. Isn't that what Apple wants; lots of people buying and storing lots of TV and Movies? I think the mini is an also-ran in their minds. It's simply something to get people started on a Mac. What a shame.
darn! I was excited for a minute there. I'm thinking about a mini, but it would have to have better graphics or no sale. The x3000 seems pretty impressive (near 7300 level performance?), but I guess we need Santa Rosa to get it in to the mini, and that's not coming for a while.
darn! I was excited for a minute there. I'm thinking about a mini, but it would have to have better graphics or no sale. The x3000 seems pretty impressive (near 7300 level performance?), but I guess we need Santa Rosa to get it in to the mini, and that's not coming for a while.
Intel's "Santa Rosa" (Socket P) line is expected to include Intel's "Crestline" North Bridge chip, , the 965GM, and the ICH8M South Bridge. Intel’s Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3000 integrated graphics engine is contained on the 965GM chipset.
Unless Apple changes the mini to use a graphics "card" (e.g., Nvidia 7400Go, etc.) the mini is likely to retain the Intel GMA 950, which currently is the latest-and-greatest onboard solution available from Intel for Socket M boards.
Santa Rosa is expected to be available in early May and possibly officially announced by Intel in April. Several laptop manufacturers have already demoed their new Santa Rosa prototypes to select groups. In other words, "it's right around the corner."
Just a standard 3.5" drive would allow much more storage, more suitable as an aTV server. Isn't that what Apple wants; lots of people buying and storing lots of TV and Movies? I think the mini is an also-ran in their minds. It's simply something to get people started on a Mac. What a shame.
Psst! If you're hacker inclined, you would upgrade the mini's hard drive to 3.5" without giving the need to cut out a small hole in the mini a 2nd thought...
Core2Duo and 802.11n are given - it's possible to upgrade the current mac mini with these already.
I just hope the next mini offers dual-link DVI. I don't care about dual-head if I can drive a 30" ACD. I don't need (and won't buy) a mac pro to run a web browser and a bunch of Terminal.app windows. But I'd buy that 30" ACD in a heartbeat if a mini could drive it...
I just hope the next mini offers dual-link DVI. I don't care about dual-head if I can drive a 30" ACD. I don't need (and won't buy) a mac pro to run a web browser and a bunch of Terminal.app windows. But I'd buy that 30" ACD in a heartbeat if a mini could drive it...
You don't think apple will put Santa Rosa in the mini? Why not? I realize it's a different socket, but it's still the next mobile chipset from intel, isn't it?
If the mini get Socket P, the wait for that could be a while longer... since there's been no official word from Intel re: Santa Rosa (yet)... but that could come anytime...
Today @ CeBIT 2007, Intel is expected to announce its Bearlake chipsets for desktops, and possibly reveal some new FSB1333 processors -- the C2D 6650 (2.33 GHz), 6750 (2.66 GHz) and 6850 (3.0 GHz).
Also at CeBIT, the Nano Abox V2.0 Mini-PC, a mini wanna-be, is expected to be displayed...
Apple is scheduled to make a presentation at CeBIT... will that be centered (only) around the iPhone, or will Apple reveal something new and exciting for its computer line? Who knows?
Today @ CeBIT 2007, Intel is expected to announce its Bearlake chipsets for desktops, and possibly reveal some new FSB1333 processors -- the C2D 6650 (2.33 GHz), 6750 (2.66 GHz) and 6850 (3.0 GHz).
Also at CeBIT, the Nano Abox V2.0 Mini-PC, a mini wanna-be, is expected to be displayed...
Apple is scheduled to make a presentation at CeBIT... will that be centered (only) around the iPhone, or will Apple reveal something new and exciting for its computer line? Who knows?
I think the theory goes something like this:
The mini is awfully long in the tooth--I think it's clearly the worst value in the Apple line right now--and needs an update to once again be price-competitive. Also, most don't think Apple wants to have the mini as its showcase piece for Santa Rosa. Thirdly, the mini is the only line left operating completely on Core Duo CPUs. Thus, a near-term update to C2Ds, .11n, an option of 1GB stock RAM in the higher model, a price adjustment or some combination thereof would serve as a nice little appetizer while SR gets its time in the sun with higher-end products.
This all made PERFECT sense a month ago, and I think it's still fairly likely, but it becomes less and less of a sure thing as time passes. Nothing says they can't update to C2Ds after the SR release, but it seems a bit odd...I still get excited every Tuesday, but if we get deep into April with last September's minis still for sale I'm going to start rethinking the situation.
That's no theory, the Mini s probably the worst value computer you can buy from ANY manufacturer right now.
Compared to the iMac it's terrible value, and in the Windows PC world you can buy computers with 19" monitors, keyboard/mouse and DVD burners for the same price or less than the Mini. They certainly need to do something with it soon if they want it to attract switchers.
I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the Mini from their lineup at some point.
As I've posted before, IMHO, we will be disappointed (again) with the mini upgrades. I think they are just going to go to C2D so that Apple can say that's the new min.
I think the midrange will come with the redesigned Mac Pros (called just a "Mac"?).
They can take newer and smaller case for the new Mac Pros and put an iMac spec'ed board in it - and you have a midrange Mac!!!
I think the midrange will come with the redesigned Mac Pros (called just a "Mac"?).
They can take newer and smaller case for the new Mac Pros and put an iMac spec'ed board in it - and you have a midrange Mac!!!
My friend just bought a Dell w/ Vista, and spent about as much as I did on my Mini over Christmas.
I have no problems. He has nothing but.. His most frustrating is when the computer has to burn a disc and asks for a CD-R. He puts one in and hits okay, then the computer spins the disc, and then asks for him to put in a CD-R.... he ejects the disc and put it in again and hits okay, then it spins the disc, then asks him to put in a CD-R, (again, and again, and again)...
Don't drop the Mini, what are people who have $600 to buy a Mac going to do? Make them buy a $1,100 iMac?
I obviously have no insight in what hardware it was they were using (and this is going a bit off topic), but this thing _could_ be accomplished with a DVI-I to VGA adapter and a Matrox DualHead2Go.
I hope they don't drop the Mini, but I've been fearing this as well.
I'm guessing sales are lackluster which will have them thinking people just don't want Minis.
Well, people don't want Minis--at least not the way they are now. I think with upgrades along the lines everyone is talking about will make a huge difference.
I'm guessing sales are lackluster which will have them thinking people just don't want Minis.
Well, people don't want Minis--at least not the way they are now. I think with upgrades along the lines everyone is talking about will make a huge difference.