mac mini timeline and October expectation

[c.s.]

$599 model over time
9/2006 > 8/2007 > 3/2009
1.66 GHz > 1.83 GHz > 2 GHz
512 RAM > 1 GB RAM > 1 GB RAM
60GB HDD > 80 GB HDD > 120 GB HDD

.01 GHz per month
17 MB RAM per month
2 GB of HDD space per month

Given the track record, can we really expect anything more than a 2.1 GHz, 2 GB RAM (pushing it?), 160 GB HDD low-end model? I'll be shocked if we get anything like quad-core in a computer marketed for how green it is.

 

[opeter]

Given the track record, can we really expect anything more than a 2.1 GHz, 2 GB RAM (pushing it?), 160 GB HDD low-end model? I'll be shocked if we get anything like quad-core in a computer marketed for how green it is.

Nope. You've calculated right.

 

[zedsdead]

I agree that the internals of the Mini are not going to change much, but it is long overdue for a case redesign (if nothing else, replace the white top with black to better match the current lineup).

 

[MacMini2009]

Or apple will pull a "mac mini" and keep the 2ghz in the lowend and finally put the 2.26ghz in the high end like they should of done in march.

 

[skye12]

You guys may be right, but I am expecting a little more of an improvement
in the coming upgrade.

Let's hope its not black.

 

[Hellhammer]

Or apple will pull a "mac mini" and keep the 2ghz in the lowend and finally put the 2.26ghz in the high end like they should of done in march.

Yea, 2.26GHz is maybe 5$ more expensive from Intel...

I think next gen Mini will use Arrandale, maybe Core i5 Arrandales which are 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz respectively.

 

[iMacmatician]

I think next gen Mini will use Arrandale, maybe Core i5 Arrandales which are 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz respectively.

Pretty optimistic there…unless you're talking about a late 2010 Mac mini.

 

[Hellhammer]

Pretty optimistic there…unless you're talking about a late 2010 Mac mini.

Why Penryns if Arrandale is available too? Core i5s because they are cheaper than i7s. Of course Apple may stick with Penryn and again put 200MHz faster CPU, but I think Mini needs a complete overhaul and so do iMac as well.

 

[drrich2]

What may make or break the new Mini for me (vs. other options) are the options offered. What's the fastest processor? Largest HD? Best graphics card? How many RAM slots are available, & how easily upgradable by the end user?

I want at least 4 gig RAM in a modern computer system. I like some head room, especially on a Mac where Fusion or Parallels & a copy of Windows XP or 7 is apt to be running in the background from time to time, eventually.

Richard.

 

[iMacmatician]

Why Penryns if Arrandale is available too?

They've been trailing a generation compared to, say, the iMac. And if the rumors of an October update are true, then I would expect Penryn.

 

[MacDSmith2]

The processor family is not likely to change; the diminitive PC board in the Mac Mini is amazing! But I expect the mHz to go up some. One thing no one is talking about is removing the 4 GB memory limit. That would be nice. Obviously the standard memory choices will improve as well as the hard disk options. Apple will want to stop people from cracking the case to upgrade the hard drives.