2009 Mac Mini discussion thread

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

racolvin

Golden Member
Jul 26, 2004
1,254
0
0
lol .. well if Apple would just make a Mac in a Shuttle form factor I wouldn't be having this discussion :) I've passed on the Hackintosh idea since I don't want to deal with the issues it entails. I don't really want a MacPro mega-beast form factor, so the only way to get a headless mac is to buy a Mini and spend a few $$ tweaking it
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,603
7,254
136
Originally posted by: racolvin
lol .. well if Apple would just make a Mac in a Shuttle form factor I wouldn't be having this discussion :) I've passed on the Hackintosh idea since I don't want to deal with the issues it entails. I don't really want a MacPro mega-beast form factor, so the only way to get a headless mac is to buy a Mini and spend a few $$ tweaking it

You could try an EFI-X chip:

http://www.efi-x.com/

All you have to do is buy compatible hardware listed on their HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) and install Leopard. Easy as pie :)
 

tefleming

Golden Member
Dec 1, 2003
1,128
0
0
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: racolvin
lol .. well if Apple would just make a Mac in a Shuttle form factor I wouldn't be having this discussion :) I've passed on the Hackintosh idea since I don't want to deal with the issues it entails. I don't really want a MacPro mega-beast form factor, so the only way to get a headless mac is to buy a Mini and spend a few $$ tweaking it

You could try an EFI-X chip:

http://www.efi-x.com/

All you have to do is buy compatible hardware listed on their HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) and install Leopard. Easy as pie :)

Yeah, but an EFI-X chip at the going rate of roughly 1.5 Hackintoshes.
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: racolvin
lol .. well if Apple would just make a Mac in a Shuttle form factor I wouldn't be having this discussion :) I've passed on the Hackintosh idea since I don't want to deal with the issues it entails. I don't really want a MacPro mega-beast form factor, so the only way to get a headless mac is to buy a Mini and spend a few $$ tweaking it

You could try an EFI-X chip:

http://www.efi-x.com/

All you have to do is buy compatible hardware listed on their HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) and install Leopard. Easy as pie :)

First you have to actually buy one of those chips though.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,603
7,254
136
Originally posted by: tefleming
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: racolvin
lol .. well if Apple would just make a Mac in a Shuttle form factor I wouldn't be having this discussion :) I've passed on the Hackintosh idea since I don't want to deal with the issues it entails. I don't really want a MacPro mega-beast form factor, so the only way to get a headless mac is to buy a Mini and spend a few $$ tweaking it

You could try an EFI-X chip:

http://www.efi-x.com/

All you have to do is buy compatible hardware listed on their HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) and install Leopard. Easy as pie :)

Yeah, but an EFI-X chip at the going rate of roughly 1.5 Hackintoshes.

:laugh:
 

JC86

Senior member
Jan 18, 2007
694
0
0
quick question regarding the audio out options on the new Mac Mini . . . the tech specs on apple's website says its a combined optical digital audio input/audio line in. As far as I can tell looking at the photos online, its a 3.5 mm audio line in jack. I have a 5.1 set of logitech speakers with optical audio inputs. How does Apples combined optical line in work with that if it does at all?
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,603
7,254
136
Originally posted by: JC86
quick question regarding the audio out options on the new Mac Mini . . . the tech specs on apple's website says its a combined optical digital audio input/audio line in. As far as I can tell looking at the photos online, its a 3.5 mm audio line in jack. I have a 5.1 set of logitech speakers with optical audio inputs. How does Apples combined optical line in work with that if it does at all?

Yup, you just need an adapter: (the 3.5mm jack is a mini optical jack combined with a regular analog minijack)

http://www.amazon.com/Toslink-...-Adapter/dp/B0002MQGRM
 

magnux

Platinum Member
Sep 12, 2002
2,713
0
76
Well, it appears the new Mac Mini does not have a socketed CPU. So, scratch those dreams of quad-core! [Link]
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,603
7,254
136
Originally posted by: magnux
Well, it appears the new Mac Mini does not have a socketed CPU. So, scratch those dreams of quad-core! [Link]

Well that stinks :(
 

magnux

Platinum Member
Sep 12, 2002
2,713
0
76
Oh, and just to put the nail in the coffin.. here's photo proof. [pic]

Guess it's time to update the OP. :(

[more]
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
Originally posted by: magnux
Oh, and just to put the nail in the coffin.. here's photo proof. [pic]

Guess it's time to update the OP. :(

[more]
I swear Apple is purposely trying to drive people away this time.
 

racolvin

Golden Member
Jul 26, 2004
1,254
0
0
sheesh ... apparently I'm destined to be Mac-less forever if Steve keeps this sort of crap up. I was prepared to shell out $$ to upgrade the CPU but oh well :(
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Originally posted by: Kaido
Mac Mini 1TB Kit: ($249)

http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Pa...-Upgrade-Kit/IF107-070
An external unit designed to fit under the Mini would be much more practical, IMHO.

And if they used 2.5" instead of 3.5" drives they could probably fit 2 of them side by side under the mini, thus making the stack shorter. The whole appeal of the Mini to me is that it isn't much bigger than your average external optical drive, but it is an entire system in that space.

Sure, it isn't the most powerful system on the block, but for a file server, or an HTPC system it would be more than enough.
 

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
12
81
Originally posted by: tefleming
Has anyone found any updates on the CPU status? (Upgradable, if so, how far?)

Look a few posts up... it's soldered in.

I guess that doesn't mean it's impossible, but my willingness to hack a computer probably ends with soldering the CPU.
 

tefleming

Golden Member
Dec 1, 2003
1,128
0
0
Originally posted by: silverpig
Originally posted by: tefleming
Has anyone found any updates on the CPU status? (Upgradable, if so, how far?)

Look a few posts up... it's soldered in.

I guess that doesn't mean it's impossible, but my willingness to hack a computer probably ends with soldering the CPU.

Thanks, I missed it amidst the HDD discussion.

That sucks.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,603
7,254
136
Originally posted by: tefleming
Originally posted by: silverpig
Originally posted by: tefleming
Has anyone found any updates on the CPU status? (Upgradable, if so, how far?)

Look a few posts up... it's soldered in.

I guess that doesn't mean it's impossible, but my willingness to hack a computer probably ends with soldering the CPU.

Thanks, I missed it amidst the HDD discussion.

That sucks.

Yeah...it's a really really huge bummer. The Mini had a lot of potential if the CPU was socketed...this move by Apple is just going to drive more people to build Hackintoshes, unfortunately.
 

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,603
7,254
136
FWIW, the rep at my local Apple Store said that the Mini could only drive one (1) monitor at a time, not two :(
 

Phobic9

Golden Member
Apr 6, 2001
1,822
0
71
Originally posted by: Kaido
FWIW, the rep at my local Apple Store said that the Mini could only drive one (1) monitor at a time, not two :(

100% false. I'm using the new Mini on 2 24" LCDs (via HDMI out to displayport & mini-DVI) right this very second. I'd be happy to provide pics if you want.
 

Shlong

Diamond Member
Mar 14, 2002
3,130
59
91
Originally posted by: Phobic9
Originally posted by: Kaido
FWIW, the rep at my local Apple Store said that the Mini could only drive one (1) monitor at a time, not two :(

100% false. I'm using the new Mini on 2 24" LCDs (via HDMI out to displayport & mini-DVI) right this very second. I'd be happy to provide pics if you want.

I believe you but pics are always good. :D