I don't think we will say farewell ... just yet ..
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Saying Farewell to the Mini...
- Thread starter gkarris
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Do you know something we don't?
Hope it continues. I'd just like a more powerful mini (though i know i can update it myself). Failing that I'll be forced to get a MacPro! (don't like the iMac - never liked any all-in-one solution*).
*excludes Laptops
*excludes Laptops
Well, I hope they do update the mini as I'd be tempted if they did. The current model seemed good value a year ago but I can't believe it hasn't been updated or been corrected sufficiently in price for its age.
If they updated it with a Core2, and ideally an option for HDMI then I'd be sorely tempted to buy one. It would be ideal as a Vista media centre extender but also as a way to play with OSX too for us technophiles. OEM vista home premium dual boot with leopard would be the ideal compliment to my HDTV.
If they updated it with a Core2, and ideally an option for HDMI then I'd be sorely tempted to buy one. It would be ideal as a Vista media centre extender but also as a way to play with OSX too for us technophiles. OEM vista home premium dual boot with leopard would be the ideal compliment to my HDTV.
I also feel the mini will not be dropped anytime too soon. I think Apple are happy to have this machine right now.
I wouldn't presume that .. I just feel it's day's are not quite over ..Do you know something we don't?
To much compitition with the iMac line?
With the introduction of VESA mounts for mac Mini, is this just another reason to kill the Mini? Doesn't this make the Mini a "low cost" threat to the iMac line? Seems like Apple has a on again off again parnoia about compitition accross their own product line. Sometime Apple does not seem care at all with load of overlapping products (12" G4 iBook vs 12" G4 Powerbook for a recent example). But the current trend at Apple seems to be the other way, NO OVERLAP. Just gives Apple another excuse to kill the Mini.
With the introduction of VESA mounts for mac Mini, is this just another reason to kill the Mini? Doesn't this make the Mini a "low cost" threat to the iMac line? Seems like Apple has a on again off again parnoia about compitition accross their own product line. Sometime Apple does not seem care at all with load of overlapping products (12" G4 iBook vs 12" G4 Powerbook for a recent example). But the current trend at Apple seems to be the other way, NO OVERLAP. Just gives Apple another excuse to kill the Mini.
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here's my prediction... August 7th mac mini will be updated with bluray and/or hddvd support. Fastmac.com has been offering a bluray drive for a while now but apple is about to release software so we could actually watch the bluray movies. This would make the mini the perfect media center computer.
How about a Mac Shuffle?
No video out, but you can VNC into it. Or just push the button on the front and it randomly runs a program for you.
Hmm, same Core Duo processor, new $1000 price tag, only addition is BR/HDDVD.
Hi def is overrated.
The average consumer just doesn't care.
I think they HAVE to update the processor 1. Because it's outdated 2. Needs 64-bit for Leopard. The MB/MBP line got speed bumps earlier this year, now the iMac and Mini need it on the eve of Leopard.
Leopard doesn't need a 64-bit processor, it just supports 64-bit processors fully. It will still run correctly on a 32-bit processor, such as the G4 or Core Duo. However, Apple will probably put a 64-bit processor in the updated mini for marketing reasons. They could then claim "World First: 64-bit for everyone" or something much catchier than that
.I really hope they don't kill off the Mac Mini. I had one of the original G4 1.42GHz models and I still think getting rid of it about a year ago was one of the worst ideas I've ever had. It's a lovely little machine if supported and specced correctly and not allowed to sink into the realms of "token gesture for the budget market" which it seems in danger of becoming.
Actually the Mac Mini would have been great had it been combined with the Apple TV - a limited but capable Mac designed as a streaming media hub and aimed at being run through a TV.
Actually the Mac Mini would have been great had it been combined with the Apple TV - a limited but capable Mac designed as a streaming media hub and aimed at being run through a TV.
Why? Doesn't the mini already do everything AppleTV does and much more? The Mac mini is a real Macintosh. AppleTV is just a limited device used to show pictures and purchased TV shows on your TV. I know what I'd rather have even at twice the price.
My cash has been ready since December to buy a Mac mini. Just waiting for the Core 2 / 802.11n upgrade. I'm not going to buy last summer's computer.
Apple would be very foolish to dump the mini. They're already being ridiculous waiting so long to upgrade it.
iDave - Does the Mini have the same interface and sync wirelessly? I guess I could hack it to have that same screen as AppleTV which I like. And the ports, etc. of the AppleTV? That's important to me.
But either way, I too am waiting for any type of upgrade to it. Unless they leave it alone and lower the price. It's not cheap as it is since it's outdated.
EDIT: And I want it to do 1080 or at least 720 on a 56" screen. I'd also like surround sound capability, etc. etc. A true TV computer.
But either way, I too am waiting for any type of upgrade to it. Unless they leave it alone and lower the price. It's not cheap as it is since it's outdated.
EDIT: And I want it to do 1080 or at least 720 on a 56" screen. I'd also like surround sound capability, etc. etc. A true TV computer.
The user interface is not exactly the same but Front Row is very similar and just as capable as AppleTV, as far as I know. (Plus, you can use a wireless mouse as well as the Apple remote.)
The mini doesn't have component out, but it has DVI out which works fine with a DVI to HDMI adapter; and it has digital optical audio out.
The mini supports 1080p, unlike AppleTV which only supports 720p. You can do some casual web surfing on your TV using the mini, unlike AppleTV. (Admittedly, you wouldn't want to do much surfing on a TV.) With the network TV websites offering shows online, you can watch reruns of most of the network shows for free. (ABC.com's player is near DVD quality.)
You can use the mini as a DVR if you have a TV tuner such as Miglia's or Elgato's.
And yes, you can sync wirelessly to your server if necessary. I don't believe the syncing is quite as sophisticated as AppleTV but it does work. (Playing movies that are on the server using QuickTime Player or Front Row for instance.)
i would be very surprised if the mini got discontinued....then the cheapest desktop mac will be pretty expensive....i am telling you now..the mini will not be discontinued...i dont like it but it wont be discontinued....
The Mini price and features are an ideal switchers machine. I can only see it getting an upgrade - C2D, 802.11N, a real graphics card, bigger HDD, cheaper
+ some possible wildcards
- HDMI
- Front audio/video controls
- PCI slot / Express card slot
- Dual HDDs
+ some possible wildcards
- HDMI
- Front audio/video controls
- PCI slot / Express card slot
- Dual HDDs
I for one came to the beautiful world of Mac via a Mini ...
Surely this computer is still acting as a Mac magnet for switchers, but it certainly could do with some serious upgrades ...
Leopard doesn't need a 64-bit processor, it just supports 64-bit processors fully. It will still run correctly on a 32-bit processor, such as the G4 or Core Duo. However, Apple will probably put a 64-bit processor in the updated mini for marketing reasons. They could then claim "World First: 64-bit for everyone" or something much catchier than that
Oops, I didn't technically mean need per se, but rather should. And I think you're right that it would be advantageous for all of its current computers to be 64-bit for Leopard.
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