Mac Mini 2010 hardware refresh predictions?

[belltree]

As Intel shifts gears away from Core 2 series into the Core i3/5/7 family I am interested to hear what any of your predictions are for next year's hardware refresh of the Mac Mini (in terms of CPU & GPU). This will of course likely mirror whatever the MacBook Pro hardware eventually becomes next year as well.

With the licensing issue between Nvidia and Intel for their post Core2 chipsets it will be interesting to see what step Apple takes in going forward.

Update: the 2nd poll option should say "CPU: Core 2 Duo/Quad, GPU: AMD/ATI Radeon series".

 

[300D]

None. It will likely get the 9600m and 2.6/2.8/3.0 C2D processors.

 

[alphaod]

If they get the Arrandales then probably mobile i5s or i7s. GPU if we're lucky some variant of the GT3xx.

 

[Kashchei]

I appreciate the optimism, but Apple is parsimonius when it comes to upgrades. I'm afraid I'm with 300D.

 

[DannySmurf]

If they get the Arrandales then probably mobile i5s or i7s. GPU if we're lucky some variant of the GT3xx.

That's incredibly optimistic. If they get one of the new chips, I'd be SHOCKED if it was more than a Core i3. MAYBE an i5 in the highest BTO version.

There almost certainly will be no quad-core minis next year. That would cannibalize iMac sales (which likely WILL see more quad cores next year).

 

[300D]

Also, the Mini is a reflection of the MacBook's hardware specs, not the MacBook Pro.

 

[Hellhammer]

I think Mini will get one update with Core 2 Duos before it will move to Nehalems. So, maybe 2.53GHz, 2.66GHz and 2.8GHz with GT 230M/240M or something similar. 8GB as maximum amount of RAM and maybe a redesign (finally)

 

[zerohp]

I doubt there will be a hardware update during 2010. Maybe a memory/hard drive bump. Look how long they went without an update before the Nvidia switch.

 

[DannySmurf]

I doubt there will be a hardware update during 2010. Maybe a memory/hard drive bump. Look how long they went without an update before the Nvidia switch.

True, but they seem to be paying more attention to it now. This is the second (third? can't remember...) mini update in the past year.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

They may have a AMD cpu + 790gx with side port ram.

 

[flopticalcube]

No changes save for CPU speed and HD/RAM. The GMA950 mini stuck around well past its sell-by date.

 

[300D]

They may have a AMD cpu + 790gx with side port ram.

Or they may have a 6-core Gulftown and Quadro FX 5800 too.

 

[09iMac=Fail]

I'd love to see the minis get beefed up. If they upgraded them as much as they just upgraded the iMAcs, I could easily see myself going for a mini as opposed to waiting for the iMac issues to get ironed out. I've gotta get something to replace this Dell ASAP.

How many miles do you have on your Benz 300D?

 

[53x12]

I could easily see myself going for a mini as opposed to waiting for the iMac issues to get ironed out.

And if the Mini has problems, do you see yourself going with the new Mac Pro as opposed to waiting for the Mini issues being ironed out?

 

[mercuryguy]

I'd love to see the minis get beefed up. If they upgraded them as much as they just upgraded the iMAcs, I could easily see myself going for a mini as opposed to waiting for the iMac issues to get ironed out. I've gotta get something to replace this Dell ASAP.

How many miles do you have on your Benz 300D?

I was in the same boat, to go with the 21.5 imac or the mac mini. I went with the mini and dual 22 monitors and am very happy. Mini is very zippy with 4G ram and nvidia graphics.

 

[09iMac=Fail]

And if the Mini has problems, do you see yourself going with the new Mac Pro as opposed to waiting for the Mini issues being ironed out?

Since most of the iMac problems seem to be related to the screen, I'd hope the mini updates would be smoother. I'll never buy a Pro, unless I win the lottery, if that's the case, I'll buy you one too.

 

[09iMac=Fail]

I was in the same boat, to go with the 21.5 imac or the mac mini. I went with the mini and dual 22 monitors and am very happy. Mini is very zippy with 4G ram and nvidia graphics.

I might need to reconsider waiting for the iMacs, thanks for sharing. I've been working on this beater Dell for years, even the base mini would be a huge upgrade.

 

[53x12]

I'll never buy a Pro, unless I win the lottery, if that's the case, I'll buy you one too.

I'll take you up on that.

Seriously, if you can really swing it the 27'' iMac is definitely worth it. Especially if you were to order now it seems like you would get a computer without issue. It is a bit pricier than the mini and external display, but oh is it so nice and fast. Either way would be a great setup. Just depends on how much $ you have to spend.

 

[mercuryguy]

I might need to reconsider waiting for the iMacs, thanks for sharing. I've been working on this beater Dell for years, even the base mini would be a huge upgrade.

This mini is my first mac, I went with the base mini but with a 4G ram.
On black friday i found good deals on monitor, 80$ each.

I can run windows 7 in VM and put that window on one monitor. So I can have win 7 and os x side by side with one mini.

 

[09iMac=Fail]

I'll take you up on that.

Seriously, if you can really swing it the 27'' iMac is definitely worth it. Especially if you were to order now it seems like you would get a computer without issue. It is a bit pricier than the mini and external display, but oh is it so nice and fast. Either way would be a great setup. Just depends on how much $ you have to spend.

Yeah, the 27" is beautiful. Every time I see that screen I get a chubby! Haven't seen a defective one yet in person. Gotta think about it some more. Mostly use my computer for digital photography/editing/storage. That 27" would be sweet for that.

 

[dave92029]

i3 for the mac mini in 2010

I feel that Apple will add the i3 to the Mac Mini in 2010 and slightly increase it's size so that they can improve cooling for more powerful graphic cards.

Oh, and a HDMI port for direct connect to HDTV's.

Apple will also add an option to purchase the wireless mouse and keyboard at a discount when purchasing the Mini.

That's what I would like to BUY...

 

[xtend]

None. It will likely get the 9600m and 2.6/2.8/3.0 C2D processors.

+1

 

[flopticalcube]

The mini has not had a discrete card since the G4 days. It usually shares the HW of the MacBook. I don't see the MB getting a discrete card (at least not of the caliber of the 9600m) so I don't see the mini getting it either.