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Current Mac Mini's will run Snow Leopard?
- Thread starter stanny
- Start date
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SL will be supported on all Intel Macs...or at least I can't see Apple doing it any other way.
I don't see any way that any Intel-based Mac won't run Snow Leopard. The graphics card usually isn't a big deal in basic operation of the OS. In fact, I'd bet it'll run on any G5 system, maybe some faster G4 systems.
heard they might drop 32 bit as well which means the first intel macs will be out of luck
i hope its not true as i have a core duo machine
its not overpriced if it does what you want in a form factor you want. I bought a used 2GHz mini after macworld and it'll play 1080p as a front end for plex under my TV. Thats all I really want.
If a new mini comes out, what differences will there really be for what I want? N wireless (I'm using a wire), faster processor (can already handle 1080p on the current mini), faster GPU for fancy CUDA stuff (don't need it)
If you're buying as a general purpose computer, I would be tempted to wait a little longer to see if Apple have an event. but for HTPC use the current ones are fine.
If a new mini comes out, what differences will there really be for what I want? N wireless (I'm using a wire), faster processor (can already handle 1080p on the current mini), faster GPU for fancy CUDA stuff (don't need it)
If you're buying as a general purpose computer, I would be tempted to wait a little longer to see if Apple have an event. but for HTPC use the current ones are fine.
I think the benefits of SnowLeaopard won't show through on an intel Macmini ... it has a poor on-board GPU ... it seems that snowleopard really wants a high-power GPU to shine... with grand central etc .... it'll work but given no major new feature i think it might be a waste of cash
Yeah I do think it's overpriced currently given the specs, however as said, it will do whatever I want just fine. I ain't doing any intensive 3d work or games so the GPU doesn't really matter to me. But still, if I buy a new one at full retail price and suddenly after 2 weeks the Mini refresh hits, I would still feel like crap.
The MacMini today is REALLY overpriced for spec.... i bought one 6 months ago and it was still more than i wanted to pay for what you get .... but i did want a mac and at the time i couldn't afford an iMac
I'm now waiting eagerly for new iMac's to be annouced ... i'll be 1st in line to pick one up
I'm now waiting eagerly for new iMac's to be annouced ... i'll be 1st in line to pick one up
if it does that, then just return it and get the new one.
If it does what you want and you are willing to pay the price, then buy one. Don't fuss about snow leopard, I can't see it giving any benefits for the current mini. Just get the current one and you'll still get ilife '09 for free or the cost of postage, and enjoy it.
They definitely will... Apple is not going to cut off models purchased 1 year ago even though they can be pigs and not give suppport to some computers. I.E. first generation CD macbook because it is not 64bit and SL is going to be only 64-Bit
The longer you wait to more your money will buy, but the longer you will have to go without enjoying a new computer.
At some point you just have to go for it and know that there will always be something newer and better coming along.
the 2009 mini will run SL in all its full glory..
not only is it fully 64-bit compatible, but the geforce 9400m graphics processor will also take full advantage of the other features in SL.
I have a 2009 mini and I am blown away by what this little thing can do!
I am selling my old PC desktop now, because I use the mini all day every day for everything...even watching all my movies and everything..its the best there is!
my "old" pc is a core i7 3.8ghz, and I had it setup as a hackintosh for a while too...but its just too much of a hassle and too loud/hot for me most of the time.
I just used it for video conversions mainly....everything else is easier on the mini!
not only is it fully 64-bit compatible, but the geforce 9400m graphics processor will also take full advantage of the other features in SL.
I have a 2009 mini and I am blown away by what this little thing can do!
I am selling my old PC desktop now, because I use the mini all day every day for everything...even watching all my movies and everything..its the best there is!
my "old" pc is a core i7 3.8ghz, and I had it setup as a hackintosh for a while too...but its just too much of a hassle and too loud/hot for me most of the time.
I just used it for video conversions mainly....everything else is easier on the mini!
Mini and hardware refresh
I too was waiting to see what would happen to the mini as the 2Ghz one was way over priced and really end of life. When Christmas 2008 rolled round, still no refres, Macworld and new aluminium MacBooks, and still no new Mini. I started looking second hand. I got a 6 month old one for NZ$900 with 2GB RAM and 120GB HDD. Pretty much top of the mini heap. Then a few months later, the new Minis get announced. Grrr, oh well. Saving up to buy a 2.25 GHz one for this Christmas. I'll only get 1GB RAM and the smallest drive though as now I have done some open heart surgery on my current Mini I have no problems cracking the case myself and putting in the fastest SSD drive and 4GB RAM I can buy, but not at Apple prices. My old mini will become the lounge room computer for the family (I love the parental controls with time limits for the kids 8))
The mini is still pretty pricy, but so much better built than any PC in the small form factor I have ever seen.
I really do wish I could just buy an iMac without the screen though. I already have a good 24" screen I am quite happy with and not enough desk space to run two screens (thats why I want a mini.)
Oh, and why should the wireless KB have all the really useful keys removed?? No number pad and no page-up/page-down/delete/home/end?? Minimalism can be a real pain when functionality is removed too.
But anyway, a new copy of 10.6 is flying my way now, so should be fun to upgrade later this week.
I too was waiting to see what would happen to the mini as the 2Ghz one was way over priced and really end of life. When Christmas 2008 rolled round, still no refres, Macworld and new aluminium MacBooks, and still no new Mini. I started looking second hand. I got a 6 month old one for NZ$900 with 2GB RAM and 120GB HDD. Pretty much top of the mini heap. Then a few months later, the new Minis get announced. Grrr, oh well. Saving up to buy a 2.25 GHz one for this Christmas. I'll only get 1GB RAM and the smallest drive though as now I have done some open heart surgery on my current Mini I have no problems cracking the case myself and putting in the fastest SSD drive and 4GB RAM I can buy, but not at Apple prices. My old mini will become the lounge room computer for the family (I love the parental controls with time limits for the kids 8))
The mini is still pretty pricy, but so much better built than any PC in the small form factor I have ever seen.
I really do wish I could just buy an iMac without the screen though. I already have a good 24" screen I am quite happy with and not enough desk space to run two screens (thats why I want a mini.)
Oh, and why should the wireless KB have all the really useful keys removed?? No number pad and no page-up/page-down/delete/home/end?? Minimalism can be a real pain when functionality is removed too.
But anyway, a new copy of 10.6 is flying my way now, so should be fun to upgrade later this week.
The 9400m is NOT a poor onboard GPU, it's a really great one actually. The 9400m has CUDA support and can also be used in OpenCL. On the Macrumors frontpage there is this article about OpenCL support which is mentioning the following:
Note the difference between the "weak" 9400m and the "powerful" 9600m GT... The "weak" one can keep up with the "powerful" one, that's how "weak" it is...
Not to mention the 9400m does a great job at supplying a 30" monitor with the necessary data. It runs effects/animations from Spaces, Exposé, etc. smoothly on a 30" monitor. The same goes for 2 24" monitors.
The problem lies in the older Mac minis since they have the Intel GMA950 as a graphics card. This card currently does not support features such as CUDA and OpenCL and also is not able to drive a 30" monitor. However, it can do some amazing stuff and run the effects/animations from Spaces, Exposé, etc. smoothly at a resolution of 1920x1200.
So if you've got the 9400m mini it will be able to do everything Snow Leopard is able to do, including OpenCL. If you've got a GMA950 mini than you'll just lose the OpenCL feature (as some MacBook Pro's and iMacs will do as well
). If that GMA950 mini also has the Core Duo and not the Core 2 Duo cpu you will miss out the ability to run 64 bit. Missing the 64 bit ability can be somewhat of a problem in the near future since it is likely most developers will be upgrading their software to take advantage of this, even though users won't necessarily notice the difference between 32 and 64 bit. Snow Leopard will be able to run just fine on any of those mini's even without features like OpenCL and 64 bit so you do not need to worry about it not working.
Do note that I covered everything from the GMA950 to the now used 9400mDo note the date of that post - January, two months before the current minis
Aren't necroposts fun?
You how ever willingly and knowingly choose not to include the part about the GMA950 in your quote, apparently just to troll.
Isn't trolling fun? No.
Snow leopard will be able to on all intel based mac mini's that already have leopard 10.5 installed on it. You can check on apple website for the required specifications that your mac will need in order to run Snow Leopard 10.6 http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html
However your mac mini may not be able to take full advantage of Snow Leopard's 'OpenCL' and 64-Bit Programming, so you would probably be better off to buy an iMac that can take full advantage of these new features in Snow Leopard.
However your mac mini may not be able to take full advantage of Snow Leopard's 'OpenCL' and 64-Bit Programming, so you would probably be better off to buy an iMac that can take full advantage of these new features in Snow Leopard.