Rumor has Apple updating Mac Mini

Apple will announce an upgraded Mac Mini, according to a rumor reported by Wired.com.

(Credit: CNET)

Apple will announce a long-overdue upgrade to its Mac Mini during the Macworld Expo next month, according to a Wired.com report.

The report was attributed to an alleged corporate employee at Apple who wished to remain anonymous--"to keep his job," Wired noted. While he was apparently comfortable disclosing that a new desktop would be announced in January, he balked at disclosing any other details.

Rumors have been circulating for more than a year that Apple was getting ready to kill the little cube, and Gizmodo speculated that the end was near when it reported in October that two European retailers were told they can no longer order the $599 box from Apple. However, it's possible Apple was simply gearing up to update the internal hardware in the Mac Mini, which has languished for quite a while with outdated chips.

The Mac Mini was an experiment in affordability and minimalism on Apple's part back in 2005. The small desktop was initially a hit with critics and consumers, but as the world's PC preferences tilted strongly in favor of notebooks over the last several years, Apple spent more time updating and promoting the MacBook and iMac all-in-one desktops than the cute little cube.

The Mini could desperately use a hardware boost, but Apple has made clear that it considers mobile computing the future of its business, and the Mac Mini simply doesn't fit in to that strategy.

CNET News' Tom Krazit contributed to this report.

[ikramerica--2008]

Mac Minis are used in applications many wouldn't expect. Server farms, surveillance systems at casinos, "mobile computing" in custom cars/vans, etc. Because they are intel based, they can boot Mac OSX, Windows, Linux, etc., etc. Apple would be foolish to discontinue them, but I assume that they waited to update as long as possible as well. Now with the switch to non-Intel graphics on their mobile platform, Apple needs to switch the Mini over as well. I'd expect similar specs to the aluminum MacBooks.

But apple would be VERY stupid to remove the FW ports from the Mini like they did with the MacBook. It would kill off many sales?

[BigGuns149]

I have read articles recently about how Mac Minis are being used, but if not for several articles I have recently I would be surprised at how many unorthodox places it is being used. I remember seeing a Mac Mini at an art display at the Getty Museum in LA where they had a FW camera hooked up to a Mac Mini that overlayed the person in the line of sight of the camera onto a background that was then displayed on a LCD display.

Except for that display I can't say that I have seen almost ANY Mac Mini actually using the FW port. Since Apple has added UVC support to Mac OS the FW isn't really mandatory anymore for a camera, although for obvious reasons it would be nice to retain because there are some camera that are FW only.

Honestly, I am a bit surprised that as many people are still buying the Mac Minis as they are insofar as it hasn't been updated since August 2007 and spec wise except for a better CPU and the optical drive the Mac Mini would be basically comparable to ASUS' eeeBox, which sells for half the price. Save for the Mac Mini being a Mac there isn't much else that makes it appealing when there are laptops selling for about the same price with similar or even better specs.

Apple really needs to bump up the graphics up to Gefore 9400M like the Macbook to really give the Mac Mini sufficient processing power to make the Mac Mini even remotely competitve. Furthermore, they really need to move the CPU up to at least a low end Penryn (T8100?) to make the Mac Mini at least decent performance wise. Obviously they don't want it to one up the iMacs, but the current processors in the Mac Mini are being discontinued so they don't have much choice, but to update the CPU.

[SkateNY]

Since its inception, the Mac Mini has been a sleeper. Apple always has sleepers. Until, of course, they become big hits. My Mac Mini has run, and continues to run, my in-home network. And it does a very good job. I won't she too many tears if it goes away, if only because I know I can easily replace it with another low-cost Apple product. In the interim, I can only tell you that the Mac Mini has been a huge work horse for what it does.

[pjhenry1216]

what other "low-cost" Apple product are you going to replace it with?

[SkateNY]

I apologize for the spelling errors.

[zato_3]

"The Mini could desperately use a hardware boost, but Apple has made clear that it considers mobile computing the future of its business, and the Mac Mini simply doesn't fit in to that strategy."

What the hell does that mean?
Apple has never "made it clear that it considers mobile computing the future of its business"

"and the Mac Mini simply doesn't fit in to that strategy"??
Then why are you repeating the wired article?

Doing whatever you can to kill mac [mini in this case] sales, CNet?

[murbo]

geez guys, this is not a rumor. apple has to do this for quite some time now. and with the upgrade of macbooks which by the way had exactly the same components as the mac mini until a few weeks ago, its only a matter of time which will be probably right after the holiday season. thats exactly the time im expecting an iphone with a PA Semi chip in it also or at least with a faster processor. and ikramerica--2008 im sorry but apple will remove the FW ports on it if they keep the architecture same as the macbook.

[montex66]

I think the removal of the Firewire port on the Macbook was a decision based on available space on the side more than elimination of the technology from the motherboard. Apple put all the ports on the left and didn't have room for two USB and a Firewire port. I'm sure that Apple can put the port on the new Mac Mini since it will likely use the new (smaller) display port, thus freeing more space on the back of the Mini.

[jc2m]

We cluster mac minis:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gvzujm76478

Would hate to see all our little helpers out of a job, so definitely got all my fingers crossed for a new mac mini to come out soon!

[Juan Del Pueblo]

Agree with SkateNY as to how great the miniMac is.

It doesn't fit into Apple's mobile computing strategy? The article's author obviously doesn't own one. It's all about being mobile. I can disconnect and take it anywhere. I once took one with me and hooked it up to a flat large screen while on a seperate work assignment. So I was able to work on a large screen and then view videos from the Internet and also watch DVD movies. Mobile, versatility.,,

[pjhenry1216]

All things you can do with a laptops which are about the same price or cheaper. Even not counting non-macs, the new low end macbook doesn't cost much more than the mini and is superior in hardware. The Mac Mini offers zero advantage other than being the cheapest entry into the mac world, but unfortunately its also the biggest rip-off in terms of power for money.

[gslv]

I considered getting a mini to add to my PC system. But there's such a limitation with Macs regarding a variety of things like video inputs, added drives, etc.

[montex66]

I dispute your claim. Most people use Firewire to import video into a Mac from a Video camera. But there are several USB TV tuners that do the same thing. Just because there isn't a video card to plug into doesn't mean it's impossible.

And just because you can't mount another hard drive internally on anything other than a Mac Pro, doesn't mean you can't add an external hard drive to any Mac.

I get so tired of PC users constantly making these baseless claims. It's true that the Mac is not exactly like Windows XP on a generic box. But that is it's greatest strength. It wouldn't kill you to be honest in your criticism of the Mac. A man of integrity would do a little bit of research to check and see if his claims are accurate. (This is the part where you figure out that you haven't any integrity).

[pjhenry1216]

@montex66: What comes standard in decent video cards for a PC, you'd need to buy adapters for with the mac mini (not sure about other macs, but i'm currently reading the tech specs for the mac mini as we speak). All it has is a DVI output. It comes with an analog adapter, but then its kinda cheap on their part to say it has composite and video output, but then note you need to buy an adapter for the DVI output to achieve that. So, really, out of the box its only DVI output and VGA output (with the included DVI to VGA adapter).

In terms of external drives, you'll have 1 firewire and 2 USB ports left after using the other 2 USB ports for keyboard and mouse. Thats on par with a cheap PC, a decent PC would usually have at least one other firewire and maybe 2 extra USB ports. In any case, yes you can have external drives, but honestly, some people don't like external drives. Contrary to what you may think, PC users like being able to put everything into the case, whereas Mac users have gotten used to most things being external.

So, his remarks aren't really off base. Its your knee-jerk reaction into thinking that everybody would love the configurations that Apple offers thats kind of off base.

The Mac Mini doesn't fit everyone's needs. I'm sure it doesn't even fit some Mac user's needs. Unfortunately its the only cheap Mac thats at a price where some PC users may decide to give the Mac a chance and its severely underpowered for its price.

[montex66]

I'm typing this on a 2.0GHz Mac Mini and I think it is one of the most fantastic Macs Apple has ever built. Yes yes yes, there are cheaper PC's with better specs out there - but they are not Macs and they don't run OS X. This can't be stated enough times especially when you've got people convinced that the mini compete on specs alone. It is a class act in a room full of clowns. I wouldn't trade my mini for a PC with twice the specs.

Look at it this way: the original 1.24GHz PPC Mac Mini is currently selling on eBay for about $220. How many 4 year old PC's out there have kept 40% of their original value? Even with a processor that is end of life, the Mac Mini continues to be viable.

PS. Please, Steve, don't take away the firewire port in the mini. It's damn useful and better than anything on the PC.

[pjhenry1216]

Since when does a PC not carry firewire? Mine has two firewire ports. Even a cheap PC I bought my dad had firewire. Firewire is not exclusive to Macs. Someone with integrity would do research before stating something as such. Also, those cheap PCs may not run OS X, but they can run Linux, which not only is cheaper, but in many ways, superior to OS X. So, I can't say it enough: PCs don't have to run windows.

[JWilliams06]

pjhenry,

As someone who has used various different "flavors" of Linux (PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, and others ... more or less the ones that are more "home-user friendly") I can tell you that while Linux is fast and efficient, it's set up is more difficult and the integration of software does not compare to Apple's OSX.

Apple's OS has the speed and efficiency of a unix or linux based system but the usability and just easy to use standard of many Windows products. (On very many cases it far exceeds Windows on the general "ease of use" category. E.g. Try installing an application on OSX; it's really child's play.)

I don't see how in any way you could consider Linux to be superior to OSX, may be because of its customization, which on that front Apple loses big time. (As OSX is highly proprietary and closed.) However, that type of nonsense loses many customers just looking to do the basics on their computer; and maybe do more if it was easier and presented in a "no nonsense" way, such as editing video for home movies or working with photos. Sure, there's plenty of other options out there that may offer better choices and more flexability, but in terms of speed, efficiency, "no nonsense" usage, and general "Gee, why didn't microsoft implement that into their latest OS?' Apple wins hands down. While I say I'm probably not a Apple user for life, because I can easily handle both OS's easily ... I can honestly say I understand why a lot of people pay the premium and keep them for A LOT longer than their traditional PC counterparts.

[mpitogo]

You know to add to the other uses is HTPC. I have an 160GB AppleTV but besides being useful for renting HD movies and watching youtube its just been a dead brick. The processor is slow slow and it can't be extended in useful ways. The MacMini I put to work at home is in a specialized position. Using DVI connected to an HDMI HDTV and optical out to a receiver and upgraded with 2GB RAM and 500GB HDD paired with a trio of software Elgato's EyeTV HD Tuner/DVR, Boxee and FrontRow, its become my main media hub. EyeTV is just spectacular to watch and record primetime HD. Boxee is great for watching netflix, hulu, cbs, wb, youtube and a misc of other content. Then FrontRow which is 80% of AppleTV's features. If only I can get the ATV Finder interface instead of FrontRow, I can finally dump the ATV. All the mini is missing is HD rentals.

[celticbrewer]

My sister got an original mini and returned it for being so slow and buggy. If apple boosts the power without boosting the price, it'd be a very attractive machine and probably bridge a lot of people over.

[pjhenry1216]

If they upgrade the Mac Mini and keep it at that price, it will be the first Mac I'd ever buy (not counting the iphone 3g... which I hope isn't a sign of the quality of their desktop OS... it crashes infinitely more times than even my windows pc).

[Vegaman_Dan]

Perhaps the new Mac Mini and a potential Mac Netbook might share the same architecture or hardware internals to help spread the costs of production around? I can see that both would have about the same specs so it is something that could be done.

[amigosito]

Would be great to see two Mac Mini models: One for use as a server, and one for home that merges the Mac Mini and Apple TV products. Obviously one all-purpose model would be more cost-effective but I doubt the server guys are clamoring for an HDMI port.

[BigGuns149]

I have to agree with you on this. Obviously, one chassis keeps production costs down because you don't have to have separate assembly lines for different chassis, but I think Apple really could have one small Mac that serves as a media center that has one large capacity(1TB?) 3.5" drive with a really nice UI designed to go in a TV stand, which would be Apple's DVR/AppleTV box and they could retain the current design for people who like the current design for small servers and other tasks that the current Mac Mini is well suited.

[VUDUPAL]

If you like the elegance of the Mac, you'd love the UI on Vudu. And we just announced today new Vudulabs that pulls any video content on the Web directly to the TV. Watch online HD content from your living room today. Also largest HD library anywhere with more than 1100 titles watchable instantly.

www.vudu.com

[tipoo_]

This one's easy:

In an astounding feat of engineering, Apple managed to create a Unibody Mac Mini with GeForce 9400 graphics and somehow manages to get the entire computer into an enclosure with no openings.

[z1221]

The only thing I can't see happening is the price drop. If anything, I'll bet that Apple will jack the price on the computer. Remember the new aluminum Macbook? There was a price increase there.

[gallerytoku]

come on !Mac Mini!

[bakedpatato]

Finally. The Mini has a GMA 950 and a Core 2 Duo 65nm...only new computers with that kind of specs are netbooks, and most netbooks cost less than $600..out of the factory, they can't play spore(for example) while a netbook with simliar specs(Atom instead of C2D) can.

[lawadvisors]

Let's hope the Mac Mini sticks around. I own one and use it as my Media Center PC. It's connected to my 50" inch Pionner Plasma and my home theater system. Even at 1360 x 768 the picture is gorgeous on my Plasma and I use the Mini as a home jukebox, internet browser, and for watching downloaded TV shows and movies. The Front Row interface is great. So for my uses, the Mac Mini is perfect. It's small size also fits great in my entertainment cabinet compared to a full size desktop so that pleases the wife as well. I do understand however that the mini might not be an ideal choice for business, gamers, or other users who require more processing power and graphics power, e.t.c. But I don't think Apple desinged the Mac Mini with those users in mind. I'm guessing Apple had someone like me in mind.