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Mac mini 2013/2014 refresh.

Apple should reduce the form factor even more by using solid state memory blades (like those in the OWC Accelsior) for the OS/Boot.

Maybe this would leave room for a discrete GPU, surround processor, and DAC.
Join the ATV into Mac Mini line, but with all the I/O ports and CPU power.

You could just tailor storage for your individual needs e.g. RAID enclosure, NAS, individual TB or USB3 drives.
 
CrazyNurse said:
Apple should reduce the form factor even more by using solid state memory blades (like those in the OWC Accelsior) for the OS/Boot.

Maybe this would leave room for a discrete GPU, surround processor, and DAC.
Join the ATV into Mac Mini line, but with all the I/O ports and CPU power.

You could just tailor storage for your individual needs e.g. RAID enclosure, NAS, individual TB or USB3 drives.
Click to expand...

Apple is not going back to discrete GPU in the mini. If you want one you need to buy an external one. The mini already have a DAC, so I don't see your point. It can also manage up to 7.1 but you have to use the hdmi port for that, otherwise you have 5.1 on that toslink output.
 
I wanna grab a Mac Mini but I also don't want to wait a month, lol

I'm assuming the quad core i7 edition would be pretty damned good for awhile, right?
 
hmm

Bacong said:
I wanna grab a Mac Mini but I also don't want to wait a month, lol

I'm assuming the quad core i7 edition would be pretty damned good for awhile, right?
Click to expand...
webshops are running out of stock (even amazon)
I'd wait...
 
The wait is killing me because I want to get a Mac Mini so bad but want to get the latest. The worst part is I'm still on a windows XP system that is 7 yrs old and I've maxed the ram at 4gig and it's just time for a new system. I want to jump from windows to mac and now is the perfect time, yet my Norton subscription is due to expire end of Feb and I don't really want to renew it (want to get the mini) but if it doesn't happen soon, I'll probably have to let it renew and continue to wait for new mini.
 
MrGuder said:
The wait is killing me because I want to get a Mac Mini so bad but want to get the latest. The worst part is I'm still on a windows XP system that is 7 yrs old and I've maxed the ram at 4gig and it's just time for a new system. I want to jump from windows to mac and now is the perfect time, yet my Norton subscription is due to expire end of Feb and I don't really want to renew it (want to get the mini) but if it doesn't happen soon, I'll probably have to let it renew and continue to wait for new mini.
Click to expand...

Don't you get a security license from your ISP?
Anyway I use the Microsoft free security suite...sorry forgot the name...in my XP virtual machine works fine.
 
MrGuder said:
The wait is killing me because I want to get a Mac Mini so bad but want to get the latest. The worst part is I'm still on a windows XP system that is 7 yrs old and I've maxed the ram at 4gig and it's just time for a new system. I want to jump from windows to mac and now is the perfect time, yet my Norton subscription is due to expire end of Feb and I don't really want to renew it (want to get the mini) but if it doesn't happen soon, I'll probably have to let it renew and continue to wait for new mini.
Click to expand...

Cancel the subscription and either use free AV software and do not go to sketchy websites or click sketchy email links and you will be fine and save good money. Comcast gives it free here. Maybe your ISP does the same.
 
slayerizer said:
Apple is not going back to discrete GPU in the mini. If you want one you need to buy an external one. The mini already have a DAC, so I don't see your point. It can also manage up to 7.1 but you have to use the hdmi port for that, otherwise you have 5.1 on that toslink output.
Click to expand...

Yeah, sorry I was talking about a processor like Qdeo or ABT and an audiophile DAC.

I was thinking outside the traditional PC box for a future convergence product between the ATV and Mac Mini, since many want to use it as a HTPC.

My point is that maybe it could be a more versatile A/V product.
 
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Bacong said:
I wanna grab a Mac Mini but I also don't want to wait a month, lol

I'm assuming the quad core i7 edition would be pretty damned good for awhile, right?
Click to expand...

I bought one a couple of weeks ago - the 2.6Ghz i7 with 256GB SSD. Very happy with it. I use it for Lightroom, Photoshop, VMware and 'general stuff'. I tied playing Call of Duty 4 on it and it's not a gaming machine. Very good for everything else though.
 
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CrazyNurse said:
Yeah, sorry I was talking about a processor like Qdeo or ABT and an audiophile DAC.

I was thinking outside the traditional PC box for a future convergence product between the ATV and Mac Mini, since many want to use it as a HTPC.

My point is that maybe it could be a more versatile A/V product.
Click to expand...

Qdeo is related to video processing: image enhancement, upscaling. That kind of thing that you don't need anyway in a computer. Mac`s are already doing those conversion on the graphic card which is more powerful than the Qdeo (in processing power). The Dac chip inside 'popular DAC' cost around 1-10$ (even in audiophile DAC). They sell them at high price to cover R&D and materials. Power supply, discrete signal path, chassis, ... they drive the cost to a high price but they take make good profit too.

In order to be able to be a good HTPC would be to give the possibility to bitstream audio tracks directly to the HDMI port. Right now, it can only send 7.1 in raw PCM.

If you don't need 7.1, any mac can be a valid HTPC device.

But I built a dedicated windows machine for less money and it supports bitstreaming..

Still love the mac, but not for everything.
 
Cape Dave said:
Cancel the subscription and either use free AV software and do not go to sketchy websites or click sketchy email links and you will be fine and save good money. Comcast gives it free here. Maybe your ISP does the same.
Click to expand...

Are you telling me that my cable fees help subsidize windows uses?
 
"Priorities" Mike!

CavemanMike said:
So, this is now a matter of life & death (ok, a bit dramatic).


Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, i don't know what you plan to use the Mac mini FOR, but if you are not doing anything super-intensive processing-wise, i would NOT wait. OK, maybe give it till the end of February to see if this latest rumor is true, but if not, you should just jump in.

Your health is WAY more important, don't you think?

In my case, i wanted to switch to the mini last JULY, and a "knowledgeable source" told me that the refresh was coming "by the end of August, FOR SURE". That was 6-7 months ago, and he's STILL wrong. So, i waited until December. Finally, i could wait no longer and i jumped in (my PC is on its last legs). I did the SSD upgrade, upgraded the RAM to the max and moved the shipped drive to be the second drive (in other words, "the standard upgrade"). I am VERY pleased, my Mini runs MUCH faster, and i am MUCH happier.

My point is that your health is more important. If you look at all the rumors, no one is really saying that the rumored new version will be much more (or any) more powerful, in terms of processing power. It will just be more energy efficient. If you are not doing something super-intense from a processing standpoint, the current mini will do you JUUUUUST fine.

It is working great for me, but i upgraded mine (and you should too). If another mini appeared tomorrow, i would not be bummed about my decision, i would buy a second machine! :D

Those are my thoughts, don't compromise your health just to have "the latest and greatest". ;)
cheers,
jim.
 
jlanpheer said:
Mike, i don't know what you plan to use the Mac mini FOR, but if you are not doing anything super-intensive processing-wise, i would NOT wait. OK, maybe give it till the end of February to see if this latest rumor is true, but if not, you should just jump in.

Your health is WAY more important, don't you think?

In my case, i wanted to switch to the mini last JULY, and a "knowledgeable source" told me that the refresh was coming "by the end of August, FOR SURE". That was 6-7 months ago, and he's STILL wrong. So, i waited until December. Finally, i could wait no longer and i jumped in (my PC is on its last legs). I did the SSD upgrade, upgraded the RAM to the max and moved the shipped drive to be the second drive (in other words, "the standard upgrade"). I am VERY pleased, my Mini runs MUCH faster, and i am MUCH happier.

My point is that your health is more important. If you look at all the rumors, no one is really saying that the rumored new version will be much more (or any) more powerful, in terms of processing power. It will just be more energy efficient. If you are not doing something super-intense from a processing standpoint, the current mini will do you JUUUUUST fine.

It is working great for me, but i upgraded mine (and you should too). If another mini appeared tomorrow, i would not be bummed about my decision, i would buy a second machine! :D

Those are my thoughts, don't compromise your health just to have "the latest and greatest". ;)
cheers,
jim.
Click to expand...

I did the same upgrade on my new 2.3 quad last weekend. It also is running really strong. If a new significantly better mini is released this summer I may replace the poor old 2010 MP with a new mini as my main computer.
 
Just noticed that Amazon US has the 2.3 i7 Mac Mini for $739. This is their lowest price ever. More supporting evidence?

http://amzn.com/B007477COO

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Apple-MD388LL-Desktop-NEWEST-VERSION/product/B007477COO
 
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