Swad Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) Think Secret is reporting that Apple’s first Intel-based Mac will be a Mac Mini built as a media center. From the article: Apple's Mac mini will be reborn as the digital hub centerpiece it was originally conceived to be, Think Secret sources have disclosed. The new Mac mini project, code-named Kaleidoscope, will feature an Intel processor and include both Front Row 2.0 and TiVo-like DVR functionality. The new Mac will supposedly be launched in January at the Macworld Expo. Steve Jobs is a man of vision, and it would appear that computing (and computer tech in general) is moving in the direction of entertainment - the smaller/prettier/easier, the better. Windows Vista will no longer have a separate Media Center edition, but wil instead have multimedia functions built into every distribution. It makes perfect sense for Apple to want to strike first in the home entertainment arena – I think it could lead to the capturing of a market that hasn’t largely been tapped commercially. If these reports are true, one must wonder if Apple can become the dominant force in living room computing. Is it possible that “Kaleidoscope” will become as ubiquitous as the iPod? Edited November 30, 2005 by Mashugly Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
zidane Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) Kewl, should absolutely kill the media center on vista, but wasnt Kaleidoscope a skinning program for OS8/9? i wonder how that will go with trademarking etc... Edited November 29, 2005 by zidane Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32345 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swad Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 That may just be the code name. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rata911 Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Not too happy about that as I've already put some cash aside for an x86 PowerBook...but I'll continue dreaming Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnniecarcinogen Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 the built in ipod dock is a good idea, especially with ipod videos. smart. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32370 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sHARD>> Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Thank god I haven't bought a mini recently Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrana Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Just a code name. I'd buy this and/or a new powerbook. But the Intel roadmap shows dual core chips in Q1, with single core Yonah in Q2, so I'm a bit intrigued. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32378 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swad Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) Do you think this is a direction in which Apple can really carve out a big market chunk like the iPod? Edited November 29, 2005 by Mashugly Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32388 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrana Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) I think it'll depend on the price point. The xbox360 (+ mce) has some if not all of these features, but it isn't obviously targeted as a PVR really. If this can accept HDTV somehow (not sure how they'd do that due to the restrictions HDTV providers put on their content...not to mention QAM and all), it'd be quite amazing. Plus, Apple stuff is usually fairly stylish and they get their UI's right. I want to see Front Row 2.0. Edited November 29, 2005 by cyrana Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32394 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesley Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 No doubt this will boost Mac's market share and/or mindshare... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32426 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohnjr Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 I would buy one if I could my record tv shows and then burn them to dvd's. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Do you think this is a direction in which Apple can really carve out a big market chunk like the iPod? In a word, "no". Not unless Apple launches a very aggressive clone program. To put it very simple, main street business will not even consider Apple hardware, and people want the same OS at home that they have a work. And then there is that gaming problem, OS X has yet to be adopted by gamers. Damm, I feel smart tonight. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagar Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 ignore games.. thing TiVo's market.. think a gizmo that plays videos & music & maybe surfs the web, looks good in your living room.. sort of xbox without the gaming influence, set-top-box with styling... tv-style remote as main input device, nothing to configure or install.. I think people would flock to a product like that in droves.. regardless of what chip is inside. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam_the_killer Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 What might be the final configuration of these MEDIA CENTERS that are to be shipped in Mid January. Will they be the same as that of Developer machines. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32578 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zerozerosix Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Eh this is Chrithmas before the day : All my dreams come true : I can try Mac OS on my PC, I will have soon the posibility to have a REAL Mac (so smart, beautifull etc), with Mac OS and Windows to play games (he he we must not forget priorities ). And now my last dream : a Mac mini as a media center (have you seen PC media center : bulky, hideous...). And who is Father Christmas : Steve Jobs (of course I don't forget the Father Christmas' brother in my thanks : Maxxuss Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrana Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) What might be the final configuration of these MEDIA CENTERS that are to be shipped in Mid January. Will they be the same as that of Developer machines. I pretty much doubt that, with 100% certainty. More likely some 945G chipset variant with a Yonah, a Pentium 4 System would be too big, I expect this to be more "Mini-sized", or maybe cable-box sized. Edited November 30, 2005 by cyrana Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32590 Share on other sites More sharing options...
domino Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 I'll bite if Apple uses a SFF/ Mini-ITX/ mATX board for the next Media Center Solution. I always wanted a computer in my bookshelves. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32650 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrana Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Well, if this box has yonah, it could be the same size as the current Mini (which is tiny). But if they add a 3.5" drive this time around, it'd be a little bigger (but still small). Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32656 Share on other sites More sharing options...
domino Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Let me get this straight, the Mini only had a 5400rpm drive in it? I would expect this Media center box to have at least 200gig HDD and no less than 10k RPM SATA and a gigabit lan. I also hope it has an external 400w PSU. Crossing my fingers... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32661 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrana Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) Hehe, no way in hell it'd have that. I just hope it has a 7200RPM drive this time around. They need to keep it within certain price points after all. But, no word on if this is a supposed Mini replacement or an entire separate product line I guess (sounds like the latter, I mean the CPU itself is like $300US). They don't even sell powermacs with 10k rpm drives do they? Edited November 30, 2005 by cyrana Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32666 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swad Posted November 30, 2005 Author Share Posted November 30, 2005 Why is it that for some Apple models, the hardware is cutting edge (Quad-core PowerMacs) but some of their bestselling items have hardware that positively sucks! I understand all of the stuff about margins, etc, but seriously. How can a company that is known for attention to detail (ie iPod design and UI) settle for such poor features (ie no gapless playback in iPods). Most likely, if this rumor is true, it'll consist of a cool looking box with measely hardware and a great interface. I hope that's not the case, but it wouldn't surprise me. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32708 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrana Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Why is it that for some Apple models, the hardware is cutting edge (Quad-core PowerMacs) but some of their bestselling items have hardware that positively sucks! I understand all of the stuff about margins, etc, but seriously. How can a company that is known for attention to detail (ie iPod design and UI) settle for such poor features (ie no gapless playback in iPods). Most likely, if this rumor is true, it'll consist of a cool looking box with measely hardware and a great interface. I hope that's not the case, but it wouldn't surprise me. That'd definitely sound like Apple. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32713 Share on other sites More sharing options...
domino Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Well, if this hardware is available and can be broken down, "hack" brings a whole new mean to OSx86. I came from the pencil trick (Duron) and the Silver Pen (Athlon) erra and I wouldn't hesitate to solder and bridge IC pins just to get .5 volts to the CPU. I wouldn't think twice about hacking the hell out of this product when I get my hands on it. I just hope Maxxuss is around on the kernel end of things. But I really hope it doesn't come to that. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32716 Share on other sites More sharing options...
willvg Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 windows media center is far better at this point look at the reviews at winsupersite.com of apples media center vs windows media center. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32730 Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoy Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 ROFL, winsupersite! ZOMG Paul Turrot!! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/5092-first-intel-macs-to-be-media-centers/#findComment-32738 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts