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Should I get a Mac Mini now or wait?

Too many groups thinking things are going to be updated. People who want a new Mac Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini or iMac ALL think their respective products will be updated at WWDC. Sorry, not going to happen.

Here's the most likely situation: 2/3rds of the keynote will reveal the new iPhone and further discuss iPhone OS 4.0. The last 1/3 of the keynote might reveal ONE updated Mac product. Definitely not four updated products.

Worst case scenario is that there not even a mention of any Mac products. If Steve does this, I would be VERY surprised.

As for which Mac product will be updated, no one knows, but I believe the Mac Pro is slightly more likely.
 
As to the question, I'd wait a bit. The Mini is most likely going to be updated along with the iMac, whenever that may be. It shouldn't be too far off, as the last update was in October. I'd at least wait a few weeks.

And with that said, if and when the Mini is updated, I wonder if Apple will finally give it a new form factor? The old one is old-hat and looks more on par with Apple products circa 2005ish.
 
rajbonham said:
Too many groups thinking things are going to be updated. People who want a new Mac Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini or iMac ALL think their respective products will be updated at WWDC. Sorry, not going to happen.

Here's the most likely situation: 2/3rds of the keynote will reveal the new iPhone and further discuss iPhone OS 4.0. The last 1/3 of the keynote might reveal ONE updated Mac product. Definitely not four updated products.

Worst case scenario is that there not even a mention of any Mac products. If Steve does this, I would be VERY surprised.

As for which Mac product will be updated, no one knows, but I believe the Mac Pro is slightly more likely.
Click to expand...

Right, that's all well and good, but there have been quiet refreshes in the past after the keynote. June 8th, perhaps.

As I mentioned in a prior post, any update to the mini won't be monumental, because it can't outpace the 13" MBP, and it can't use the i-line processors because of GPU issues. So it only makes sense, as you said, that it won't be in Steve's presentation.

The best of possible scenarios--given technological limitations and economic realities--is a C2D speed bump, an HDD capacity bump, incorporation of 320M, and, perhaps, increased standard RAM.

...I can easily see the above being a quiet update in the days following the keynote. IF, however, they tack HDMI onto the mini with the above updates, that would be worthy of a footnote in the keynote (say that ten times fast).
 
I'd go for it if you need a new computer now, or wait if you don't. The refresh is unlikely to bring a massive hike in performance - this is the entry-level model - but you never know.

I'm happily using mine for music production with Logic Pro 9, loads of softsynths, Reason and Record, ... and have yet to run into a hiccough let alone a problem.
 
rajbonham said:
Too many groups thinking things are going to be updated. People who want a new Mac Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini or iMac ALL think their respective products will be updated at WWDC. Sorry, not going to happen.

Here's the most likely situation: 2/3rds of the keynote will reveal the new iPhone and further discuss iPhone OS 4.0. The last 1/3 of the keynote might reveal ONE updated Mac product. Definitely not four updated products.

Worst case scenario is that there not even a mention of any Mac products. If Steve does this, I would be VERY surprised.

As for which Mac product will be updated, no one knows, but I believe the Mac Pro is slightly more likely.
Click to expand...

As I've been saying all along.....new Mac Mini on Tuesday 06/08.
See http://apple.com/store on that day ;).
 
I just bought myself a Macmini 2.66ghz/4GB Ram/320gb HDD model on Tuesday on eBay for $720 brand new with Apple Care, can't resist that kinda deal. I think it's well worth it, the new upgrade for Macmini won't be a big jump like Macbook Pro. Just go for what you need, I don't really play any FPS graphic intensive game now day, if I do I will just play it on my PS3 or X360.
 
$MacUser$ said:
...I can easily see the above being a quiet update in the days following the keynote. IF, however, they tack HDMI onto the mini with the above updates, that would be worthy of a footnote in the keynote (say that ten times fast).
Click to expand...

I tried and didn't even make it to 5x really fast:eek:
 
Latest "Insider" rumor: Apple running low on inventory of current Mac Minis ... Possible small design changes in the offing like DisplayPort updates, removal of mini-DVI port (DisplayPort to DVI adapters = <$30) , more RAM space, bigger drives, etc, FireWire ports? Unknown. More USB ports? maybe.... Likely on sale by July.

I'll get one if so, but I won't give up the other Minis I already have (one at home, two at the office). I'll just replace my aging Winders Wonders with the more reliable Minis.

Open secret: Apple & LG Electronics are making more than one million displayport equipped monitors & TVs this summer ... and the Mini is being positioned as a full featured media center / wireless hub to drive these ... home theater, videophone over IP, etc.... ;)

I would not hesitate to by the current Mini and may do so next quarter, anyway ... The current Mini is already equipped to do what it takes in the office.

(Cool office equipment: Quality microphone(s) plus 24 bit FireWire DAC / ADC, High resolution FireWire "machine vision" camera(s), big screen display = DVD quality (1080i or 1080p) videophone conferencing over the Internet ... with a single Mac Mini in the middle.)
 
I threw a tantrum at work this past week and smashed my Dell laptop on the floor. If the mini gets an update, that will be its replacement. I use Apple at home, so it will be nice to now make the transition to Apple at work. :D
 
Amazon is out of the base model. MacConnection only shows the server model in stock. MacMall shows 5-7 days. I think that this is pretty good indication of a update. The question is how big of an update?
 
mac-remi said:
Good morning,

I am currently an owner of the Mac Mini and it is my opinion that you should wait.

My reasons are that the Mac Mini has not been "seriously" updated since early January 2009. Some of the components, such as the Nvidia GeForce 9400M are terribly old and there is a high risk of new features to be added in the Mac Mini, such as an HDMI port and a Blu-Ray drive (in my dreams :) ).

Nevertheless, I want to congratulate you for choosing what I think is the best computer Apple has in its lineup!
Click to expand...

Forget about the BD ;)
they Are just going to upgrade the cpu with a faster core2duo (2.4-2.66 at minimum) , use the 320m graphic and maybe add an hdmi port.
My two cents
 
Eithanius said:
Even with only 2GB RAM...? Mind sharing what you do with your Mini...?

I'm in the market for one to complement my MP, and was wondering if 2GB is usable, since my MP comes with 10GB of RAM, I've never run out of memory before... :eek:
Click to expand...

2 Gb are absolutely enough for "general usage" like mail, web browsing, office and iTunes .
You are going to need 4 Gb only if you do photo/video editing or if you virtualize with parallel/vmware .
Looking at my Mini (4 gb) most of the time the page outs value stays at zero.
I need the extra memory only when using Aperture 3
 
Max(IT) said:
and maybe add an hdmi port.
My two cents
Click to expand...
I hope they do, I really hope they do, but something tells me they want people to go towards the appletv rather than the mac mini for their media (for those of us who want to use the mac mini that way).
 
I'm glad I ordered the refurb when I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have one. :)
 
" ... 2 Gb are absolutely enough for "general usage" like mail, web browsing, office and iTunes . You are going to need 4 Gb only if you do photo/video editing or if you virtualize with parallel/vmware . ..."

The RAM upgrade is a bit tricky = a bit of a chinese puzzle to get the case open, but RAM is cheap and plugs right in. :D
 
FastEddy said:
" ... 2 Gb are absolutely enough for "general usage" like mail, web browsing, office and iTunes . You are going to need 4 Gb only if you do photo/video editing or if you virtualize with parallel/vmware . ..."

The RAM upgrade is a bit tricky = a bit of a chinese puzzle to get the case open, but RAM is cheap and plugs right in. :D
Click to expand...

Does the RAM impact HD video playback at all, or is that purely a processor/video card issue?

I have a 2.26 Mini with 2gb ram (Nvidia) and it chokes a bit on some 1080p, but is usually buttery smooth on all 720 content.
 
turbineseaplane said:
Does the RAM impact HD video playback at all, or is that purely a processor/video card issue?

I have a 2.26 Mini with 2gb ram (Nvidia) and it chokes a bit on some 1080p, but is usually buttery smooth on all 720 content.
Click to expand...

Hmm...I have a 2,1 C2D 1.83 GHz w/ 1 gig ram, and although it does take a while to render video and the like, I've never once had a hiccup with playback, including HD content.

I was putting strong thought into buying a new Mini, but realistically this one does everything I need it to do. I'm getting the occasional beach ball, so I'm probably going to do an overhaul at the end of the summer (RAM, SDD, Superdrive). I can't imagine any C2D speedbump that will make the current crop of Minis exponentially faster than this one with the aforementioned upgrades.

Now, that being said, if Apple decides to do a proper refresh of the mini within the next few months, I'll just eBay this one and put the difference toward the latest and greatest. But I just don't see that happening. On the other hand, 320M and saving myself the headache of a physical upgrade might be worth it. We'll see...
 
FastEddy said:
" ... 2 Gb are absolutely enough for "general usage" like mail, web browsing, office and iTunes . You are going to need 4 Gb only if you do photo/video editing or if you virtualize with parallel/vmware . ..."

The RAM upgrade is a bit tricky = a bit of a chinese puzzle to get the case open, but RAM is cheap and plugs right in. :D
Click to expand...

ram upgrade is a 15 minutes work, and there are several tutorial on YouTube ;)
 
turbineseaplane said:
... I have a 2.26 Mini with 2gb ram (Nvidia) and it chokes a bit on some 1080p, but is usually buttery smooth on all 720 content.
Click to expand...

1080P rules, baby :D:apple:

Just back from InfoComm Trade Show, 1080P (30 frames per second / 1920×1200) is THE STANDARD

Of course Apple can and does beat this a bit with DisplayPort (30 FPS / 2560x1600)

If you are into pro movie making (TV or not to TV, cartoons or whatever, broadcast or theatrical release), gotta have 1080P as a minimum base line and that higher priced equipment that goes with it.

FYI: Daisy chained, multiple Mac Minis can and do network over FireWire 800 for co-processed CGI graphics ala The Simpsons, et al, now all converted to and produced @ 1080P (even though it doesn't need to be). :apple:

(If you just concentrate on your camera quality (1080p capable) and edit through an HD-SDI / HDMI Director's Mixer, passing the gas to a couple of Mac Minis and with decent editing software, you too could produce a sitcom for the 2011 season. ... Or a really great music video ... No kidding)
 
Just got another Mac Mini!! Surprise, surprise, it has all the new Mac TV stuff built in plus DisplayPort output ... I might just get another for home theater. :D
 
Mac tv stuff? I just sold my 2008 Mac pro and ordered a 2.66 mini to hold me over for awhile. Figured a mini with hdmi wouldn't be to bad. Already ordered a 8gb ram upgrade from OWC so both should be here by the end of the week. Can't wait to see how it works with my 50 inch rear projection tv. Just wish apple would have put an i5 processor in it. Would have bought 2. You mentioned daisy chaining these. Can this be done for video editing?
 
bearcatrp said:
Mac tv stuff? I just sold my 2008 Mac pro and ordered a 2.66 mini to hold me over for awhile. Figured a mini with hdmi wouldn't be to bad. Already ordered a 8gb ram upgrade from OWC so both should be here by the end of the week. Can't wait to see how it works with my 50 inch rear projection tv. Just wish apple would have put an i5 processor in it. Would have bought 2. You mentioned daisy chaining these. Can this be done for video editing?
Click to expand...
No.
And you won't see an i3/i5/i7 in there anytime soon, rather a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo. The only Core-i chips you can put in there are i7-620LM w/ 2GHz (2.8GHz w/ Turbo) and i7-640LM w/ 2.13GHz (2.93GHz w/ Turbo) because the Mini only houses 25W CPUs - they cost $300 and $330 if you order 1000 pieces (The C2Ds cost $241). They have HD graphics on the CPU, which would be a step backwards from the 320M.

Intel should just go ahead and conquer nVidia, like AMD did with ATI - or ST✿U and develop CPUs and leave GPUs alone.
 
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