Intel Mac mini Revision 2

[Urbz]

According to 123macmini.com (who got it's info from AppleInsider and FreeMacBlog) the mini is getting it's next iteration just after labour day!

 

here's the full story:

 

Mac mini updates soon?

Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 9:03 PM EST

 

The FreeMacBlog and AppleInsider are reporting that Apple may release updated Mac minis shortly after Labor Day. "I needed to order another bunch to use as Mac mini servers (and to add to my great wall of Apple boxes) but I was told by the reseller (name withdrawn so they don't get in trouble) that they can't take big orders (again), but after Labor Day they'd be able to ship plenty of the new model," writes Brian on the FreeMacBlog. Back in February, Brian reported that he was unable to obtain a large order of PPC-based Mac minis for his colo. Within days of the report, Apple introduced its Intel-based Mac mini line.

 

AppleInsider also is reporting that a Mac mini update may be imminent. "Bolstering the blogger's latest report is independent confirmation from a well-placed AppleInsider source who claims that Apple's refusal to fill large orders is worldwide. Mac mini availability is expected to improve within two weeks time when new shipments begin, the source said," writes Katie Marsal for AppleInsider.

 

We reported back in July that the Mac mini had reached its average of 20 weeks between updates. Therefore, we believe the timing of these rumors may have some legs.

 

If this is true, and it does make sense, could it also mean a refresh of other lines at the same time in time for the US Thanksgiving and worldwide holiday season? We'll certainly see...

 

-Urby

[bofors]

I will be very interesting to see which chipset Apple uses with the "new" Mini. The G965 is possibililty, but so are the 945G and 946G.

 

Another important issue is whether Apple stays with the GMA 950 or moves up to the new X3000.

 

Then, of course, is the question of Merom, Conroe, or perhaps even keeping Yonah in the Mini.

 

Personally, I hope Apple leaves the Mini "as is" and just makes it dirt cheap to drive Mac market share, and offers somekind of mid-tower based on Conore and the 965 instead.

[gwprod12]

If they could produce and sell a midtower analog to the imac 17, I'd probably buy one.

[bofors]

If they could produce and sell a midtower analog to the imac 17, I'd probably buy one.

 

What Apple does with the Mini will certainly gives us more clues on its intentions, but based on how Apple is marketing the Mac Pro (i.e. as a "workstation") and the demand for Conroe, I am convinced that Apple will give us what we want this time.

 

And if they don't they are just plain stupid (and doubly so for their lack of OS X market share). I mean, what kind of a mainstream computer company doesn't offer a single CPU tower for about $1299 (but Mini's, iMacs and workstations instead)? At the moment, Apple's line-up is clearly backwards, the mid-tower should be the certer of the line-up, not the "missing-link".

[Swad]

They really do need a midtower, beefier than the Mini but smaller than the Pro.

 

I'd buy one too.

[Technobob]

Same here I don't like the mini or iMac because of the limited upgrade path and the pro is too much money for me. I hope by next spring when I buy my first Mac they will have something by then.

[rollcage]

Same here I don't like the mini or iMac because of the limited upgrade path and the pro is too much money for me. I hope by next spring when I buy my first Mac they will have something by then.

 

By next spring I'd like Apple to ship what I'll call the "Mac Tablet". Basically a tablet pc, but better because it would be made by Apple and run OSX. I think they would make a killing in the student market with those things. I know that the only reason that I am considering not getting a mac for college is because I think a tablet pc might be more functional.

[aberracus]

mmmm

why they need a medium tower?

 

they sell products, not user upgredeable computers.

 

they have the mac pro for the professional

and the imac for the consumer

 

the ethusiast market is not theirs and as a product company they sell stand alone products, not computers.

 

But i think they really have a weak link, the HTPC media center pc and the phone is gona absorb ipod users (anyone have seen chocolate from LG?), and im sure they will fill those gaps with products like the iphone and the iHome or something like that.

 

Probably we will se an ehome with tv plenty of hd space (space for 2 hds) a Conroe processor a slim case, wifi , bluetooth, good video and audio ouputs, remote and probably no screen included, and it will sell for around 1299, who wants one?

 

Imac wil be upgraded with merom, conroe probably will be too hot, but i cant say its a no go.

 

 

Oh that Tablet Mac would be loved by students, but im not too sure if apple will dive into the tiny market of tablet pcs. Anyway if apple made one it wil be fantastic, lets hope...

 

just my two cents

[learning_bird]

I also expect the mythical xMac for September.

[embries]

By next spring I'd like Apple to ship what I'll call the "Mac Tablet". Basically a tablet pc, but better because it would be made by Apple and run OSX.

 

I don't want to see Apple tackle this project right at the moment. Although I'm sure they could do it better and "more polished" than the Windows equivalent, there's still a few bits that have to be worked out on this platform before it will become really useable by the "mainstream" and the resources and effort it would take Apple to iron out those problems could be used better by Apple at this point in time. I will say, however, that I have confidence that Apple knows this segment and will address the need at some point in the future. They've filed several similar patents like this one from '04, this one from earlier this year, and several others in between (these just caught my eye at the time and I remembered what to type into Google to get my results).

 

Anyone remember the Newton? For those of you that don't look here.

[Urbz]

Personally, I'm not so sure about the Mac tablet (although that's what i think the iPod will evolve into at some point) but i'm convinced they'll come out with a sub-notebook by the end of '07. I miss the 12" PB and iBook! And the Macbook really isn't that small.

Anyone else actually like the Origami project? Sure I wouldn't buy it (bought my last PC last year!) but it's a great idea for students and people who want more than a PDA without a much bigger footprint. So i want some small device. I'd be happy with a 10" or 11" widescreen notebook. Macbook mini anyone?

[dtm3dd]

Historically apple has aimed its products at 2 main areas - "pro " and "Consumer". This was changed with the mini but only slightly ( I would class the mini as "budget" but im sure others disagree).

This could mean that Apple plans to branch out into other areas - we'll see.

I don't think however that Apple buy the expandability issue - I agree I would love an easily expandable, moderately priced mac but Apple tend to see expandability as a "Pro" option (as demonstrated by the easily expandable Mac Pro) so I don't think there will be an expandable iMac.

[retroz]

I will be very interesting to see which chipset Apple uses with the "new" Mini. The G965 is possibililty, but so are the 945G and 946G.

 

Another important issue is whether Apple stays with the GMA 950 or moves up to the new X3000.

 

Then, of course, is the question of Merom, Conroe, or perhaps even keeping Yonah in the Mini.

 

Personally, I hope Apple leaves the Mini "as is" and just makes it dirt cheap to drive Mac market share, and offers somekind of mid-tower based on Conore and the 965 instead.

 

 

Well I see it as this, Apreture won't run on anything less than a iMAC as it needs a good GPU, they can probably do the same with future releases of FCP. So you have to ask yourself, if the MB didnt get it, why would the mini?

 

I know going to a dedicated GPU for MB and mini would increase Apple share by at least 3% as gamers interested in MAC OS, would shell out the cash but not for something either to big (iMAC) or non portable meaning the MB or Mini would have to have dedicated. Dual display would also increase market share, can only hope.

[aberracus]

Apperture runs prety well in G950

[twood33]

well i hope that this is true. looks like we'll find out soon enough

[retroz]

Apperture runs prety well in G950

 

 

Really?

 

When I go to install it on my GMA 90, it tells me my GPU is in-suffencient! How did you get around this.?

 

Thanks

 

[learning_bird]

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

 

It's done.

 

The mini maintains Dual Core's ( so no Merom as in the new iMacs ) and the old GMA950 ( it maybe still using the old 945 G mobo, no new 965 chipset here ). Speeds of 1.66 and 1.83.

 

Prices of US$599 and $799.

 

New Mac mini european prices ( with and withot taxes ):

 

France: 1.66 €619 - €517 1.83 €799 - €668

 

Germany: 1,66 €599 - €516 1.83 €779 - €671

[Bearcat]

Really?

 

When I go to install it on my GMA 90, it tells me my GPU is in-suffencient! How did you get around this.?

 

Thanks

 

 

I think this is somewhere else, but I can't find it right now. To allow aperture to install on an insufficient mac you need to do the following:

 

Start Disk Utility

 

Drag the Aperture.dmg to the left pane in Disk Utility

 

Click on Aperture.dmg in the left pane to highlight it.

 

Press the Convert Icon in the icon bar, for "image format" select read/write and press Save, (this will convert the dmg to a writeable format for editing)

 

When it's finished it will create another Aperture.dmg in your /Users/xxx directory. Click on it to highlight it, and then press the Open Icon to mount it.

 

Then Open a terminal window.

 

cd /Volumes/Aperture/Aperture.mpkg/Contents

 

Edit a file Distribution.dist, like "vi Distribution.dist" or "nano Distribution.dist"

 

A little way down is a function " function installationCheck() {"

 

After this line insert a line "return true;"

 

save and exit the file.

 

then click on "Install Aperture" from the mounted image, and it should continue past the system checks.

 

 

Hope that helps

[retroz]

I think this is somewhere else, but I can't find it right now. To allow aperture to install on an insufficient mac you need to do the following:

 

Start Disk Utility

 

Drag the Aperture.dmg to the left pane in Disk Utility

 

Click on Aperture.dmg in the left pane to highlight it.

 

Press the Convert Icon in the icon bar, for "image format" select read/write and press Save, (this will convert the dmg to a writeable format for editing)

 

When it's finished it will create another Aperture.dmg in your /Users/xxx directory. Click on it to highlight it, and then press the Open Icon to mount it.

 

Then Open a terminal window.

 

cd /Volumes/Aperture/Aperture.mpkg/Contents

 

Edit a file Distribution.dist, like "vi Distribution.dist" or "nano Distribution.dist"

 

A little way down is a function " function installationCheck() {"

 

After this line insert a line "return true;"

 

save and exit the file.

 

then click on "Install Aperture" from the mounted image, and it should continue past the system checks.

Hope that helps

 

 

Interesting,

 

Well using info I got the exact path and it was on desktop...said permission denied after making a copy.

 

The interesting thing is that the mpkg does NOT show up on this new copied disc whereas it does on the original.....wondering if there is another work around using BBedit and Pacifist?

 

Thanks, much appreciated!

[Bearcat]

Interesting,

 

Well using info I got the exact path and it was on desktop...said permission denied after making a copy.

 

The interesting thing is that the mpkg does NOT show up on this new copied disc whereas it does on the original.....wondering if there is another work around using BBedit and Pacifist?

 

Thanks, much appreciated!

Sorry that didn't work for you.

 

A good site for Mac Minis is http://www.123macmini.com/

check out the forums for interesting information.