Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac Mini - what do we expect?

M

minusten

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 17, 2009
64
0
I notice there is a thread speculating on what's next for the iMac but hadn't seen one for the Mini. So what do you think is coming next, and when do you think we'll see it?

I am curious to know if anyone thinks the next updates to the Mac Mini could make it less attractive than it is now. The best example I can give is that when the MacBook Pros were updated, it didn't seem a popular decision to make the battery non-user replaceable and remove the Express Card slot. What do you think? I appreciate the two examples I gave do not relate to the Mini.

Finally, I know there have been reported rumors that the next batch of iMacs will see price drops, but is this expected for the Mini? If looking to make a Mini purchase in 2009, is now a good time?
 
First post so go easy!

I ordered a mini 2.26 from the refurb store the other day and have been on the apple website ever since looking at software and other bits and pieces. The upgrade to snow leopard is obviously of interest so I looked and the qualifying criteria.....now I'll get to the point...under Mac mini there are the previous and current generation models but also mac mini 2.6

http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/macosx-upgrade-qualifying-refurbished-systems.html

I've had a look on the site and googled it but haven't found much info. Could it mean a new model in the near future?

Forgive my ignorance if there is a simple explanation as I am new to Apple.

I know there was a long time before the current model was introduced, I assumed I was safe buying one now.

Thoughts anyone?
 
A search on Google suggests this probably should say 2.26 rather than 2.6.
2.6 would be quite a jump for the Mini, and it would be impossible for them refurbish something they haven't even produced yet as new product. Some might think Apple can work miracles but I think even that is beyond them. Good spot all the same Frank-lee, and do post and let us know how you get on with the Mini when it arrives. Are you planning to self upgrade the RAM and HDD?

Back on topic, does anyone think the next range of Minis will see a price drop?
 
Apple already sells the Mac Mini with next to no profit margin. Unless the parts get cheaper, you will not be seeing a cheaper Mini.

A while back, I started a Mac Mini Wishlist, so you can see what people are hoping for.

I checked the link offered by Frank-lee and it really does specify a "Mac mini 2.6". I do think this is a typo, not a new product, because the product numbers are the current products.
 
Any price drop, if any, would be negligible. If you want one now, just buy it.

Apple is unlikely to upgrade the mini for a while, and even if they did it would probably just be a modest processor speed boost.

The memory and hard drive can be easily upgraded yourself so at worst you would end up paying for a slightly lower spec, something that you can upgrade anyway.

A dedicated GPU in the high end model would be excellent, but I didn't see a lot of room for one when I was last inside!

I'm also hoping for them to drop the 'MagSafe' power connector in favour of something that might actually stay connected when reaching behind for a display port...
 
dubhe said:
I'm also hoping for them to drop the 'MagSafe' power connector in favour of something that might actually stay connected when reaching behind for a display port...
Click to expand...
The Mac Mini doesn't use the MagSafe power adapter, nor has it ever done so.
 
geoffreak said:
Apple already sells the Mac Mini with next to no profit margin. Unless the parts get cheaper, you will not be seeing a cheaper Mini.
Click to expand...

In the UK the base Mac Mini sells for £499 ($825) with estimated manufacture costs of under $400 that seems like a reasonable profit margin to me :apple:

The single biggest cost is the CPU - prices for those drop month by month, so Apple could easily drop the price over time, even in the US. Of course Apple hasn't developed a premium brand by competing on price (as these threads discuss endlessly). So - could they - sure. Will they - I can't see why (unless its in markets such as the UK where the Mac Mini is seriously overpriced).

Just my 1.21p :D
 
ABG said:
In the UK the base Mac Mini sells for £499 ($825) with estimated manufacture costs of under $400 that seems like a reasonable profit margin to me :apple:
Click to expand...

Add in the extra shipping to the UK as well as VAT. This comes out much closer to the $100 that Apple makes off of US Mac Mini sales.
 
Apologies minustin for hijacking the thread temporarily.

I can see either a minor speed bump or a £50 price drop here in the UK but not both and not in the near future. At least I hope not having just ordered one.:D

Upgrade wise I'll be tackling the RAM and HDD as soon as I feel brave enough to open up the case!
 
Nothing. They'll make a big deal about 100 mhz more processor clock speed and it being "greener".
Or they'll completely change it into a user-customizable computer, with a socket mounted processor, 4 ddr3 ram slots, pci-e slots, and a few sata slots, maybe with SAS support. :D
More likely the former.
 
geoffreak said:
The Mac Mini doesn't use the MagSafe power adapter, nor has it ever done so.
Click to expand...

What I was referring to was the power adapter connection is as loose as a MagSafe connector, and easily disconnects. I would hope to see a more robust connection on future models.
 
dubhe said:
What I was referring to was the power adapter connection is as loose as a MagSafe connector, and easily disconnects. I would hope to see a more robust connection on future models.
Click to expand...

My power connector on both my current Mini and my last gen one were very stable and would require a good tug to pull out. They aren't easy to remove in any way.
 
Frank-lee said:
Upgrade wise I'll be tackling the RAM and HDD as soon as I feel brave enough to open up the case!
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it, just get a really thin putty knife, actually 2 would be best, work on a towel or similar soft surface and jump in to it. After the nervousness of the first prying wears off, it is really simple. I have opened up about 6 of them in the last couple years, and not so much as a scratch on em, let alone any big problems, and that was with using metal putty knives, which some say don't use:) Looking inside of them is actually very pleasing, you gain more respect for the pretty little thing, and can truly see why it is a little more expensive than what many people think it should cost.
 
geoffreak said:
Add in the extra shipping to the UK as well as VAT. This comes out much closer to the $100 that Apple makes off of US Mac Mini sales.
Click to expand...

Extra shipping :confused: - isn't the Mac Mini made in China? If so it's circa 5,000 miles to the UK or 5,000 miles to California.

I'd guess the 8% sales tax difference is still more than offset by the $200+ premium.
 
Royale w/cheese said:
Don't worry about it, just get a really thin putty knife, actually 2 would be best, work on a towel or similar soft surface and jump in to it. After the nervousness of the first prying wears off, it is really simple. I have opened up about 6 of them in the last couple years, and not so much as a scratch on em, let alone any big problems, and that was with using metal putty knives, which some say don't use:) Looking inside of them is actually very pleasing, you gain more respect for the pretty little thing, and can truly see why it is a little more expensive than what many people think it should cost.
Click to expand...

Just make a note of everything you disconnect for when you put it back together. I missed off the little ribbon connecting the two halves when I did my HDD and had no sound until I worked it out!

geoffreak said:
My power connector on both my current Mini and my last gen one were very stable and would require a good tug to pull out. They aren't easy to remove in any way.
Click to expand...

Ok, I was being a little dramatic with my description, but you must admit it could be more secure. Either that or I need to take mine to the apple store for a new cable :D
 
donuttakedonuts said:
Nothing. They'll make a big deal about 100 mhz more processor clock speed and it being "greener".
Or they'll completely change it into a user-customizable computer, with a socket mounted processor, 4 ddr3 ram slots, pci-e slots, and a few sata slots, maybe with SAS support. :D
More likely the former.
Click to expand...

Muhaahaa - it "being greener". Isn't that the truth.

Just buy one - I got my about a month ago and love it.
 
dubhe said:
Just make a note of everything you disconnect for when you put it back together. I missed off the little ribbon connecting the two halves when I did my HDD and had no sound until I worked it out!
Click to expand...

Not trying to sound sarcastic, but that should be a given.;)
 
God i am not buying a mini. No way. I know you guys say theyre great, but they are so unappealing to me. If i want a desktop, i will get a real desktop: a hackintosh. I'm sorry, but there is no real apple desktop besides the mac pro. I will retract that statement when I see a gtx 295 crammed into a mac mini or imac. For the imac, real desktop parts too.
[/rant]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back