What’s next for the Mac mini?
The last time Apple updated their only sub-$1,000 desktop was on Aug 7, 2007. That said, it’s the last product still stuck with Intel’s GMA 950 integrated graphics and, like its close cousin the plastic MacBook, is likewise hobbled by a 667MHz front-side bus.
No matter how you slice it (specs), the Mac mini is in dire need of a mercy killing or a top-to-bottom overhaul. So, assuming Apple will keep their smallest, cheapest desktop around for a while longer, what can we expect inside and when will it ship?
The best guestimate to date on the timing comes from Dennis Sellers at Macsimum News—pencil in Tuesday, Nov. 11 as the next likely occurrence of the Apple Store going down.
As to what we’ll find inside, there’s no clear information available, though there’s no doubt what we all would like to see—nVidia’s 9300-based desktop solution. With its greatly superior graphics and memory performance, nVidia has indeed opened a can of whoop ass in the integrated desktop space, easily besting Intel’s GMA 3100 solution.
According to Macminicolo.net, they’ve confirmed that the next Mac mini will ship with Apple’s new mini display port, the ability to take up to 4GB RAM and a SATA optical drive (ie swappable for a second HDD). The Mac mini collocation service believes 802.11n networking is a shoo-in, as well.
If all of the above showed up in a black-framed, Aluminum enclosure styled like the iMac and new MacBooks, that would be a beautiful thing.
Still, it’s more likely that Apple will low-ball the next-gen Mac mini and ship it with Intel GMA 3100 integrated graphics. Such a product would share much of its design and parts list with the current entry-level (ie plastic) MacBook. Furthermore, a 3100-based Mac mini would slot neatly into Apple’s technology / pricing matrix, right below the plastic MacBook.
Is the above just a pretty pipe dream? Then again, maybe the mothership really will release a revised Mac mini in a little more than a week’s time…
What say you?
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October 31st, 2008
They’ll kill it. Nice idea that didn’t go anywhere.
November 2nd, 2008
I thought all apple products were “Innovative and best in class”. “Better than a PC at any price.”
Your consistency needs some work.
The Mini will remain overpriced and underpowered. Until the Mini gets an LCD screen and runs off battery it will not slot anywhere in Apple’s laptop line.
The iMacs are the line it slot’s into. The Mini gives an “inexpensive” way for Microsoft users to try a Mac, and it makes the base iMac look better in comparison. It’s like a plain woman who stands next to heavy ones at a dance.
It’s not a bad product, I have a friend who uses one for a HTPC, but after adding an external drive and upping the RAM it was pretty expensive in comparison to some of the other SFF models. But Apple isn’t about the best hardware cost, it’s about the whole experience.
November 3rd, 2008
Well, its all rumors. And despite of that, i really start to wonder, how a simple single IT company from Las Vegas can start such a mass media discussion.
November 3rd, 2008
perhaps as the biggest consumer of mac minis they have inside knowledge?