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New Mac mini - core solo, core duo and ipod hifi
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Yeah, I now he tends to hype things, but if you watch the clip in that link above, he doesn't really hype the iPod Hi-Fi initially and seems to only rave about it in closing and seemingly off the cuff.
Obviously, we won't know for sure until a lot of people have actually heard it for an extended period of time.
Obviously, we won't know for sure until a lot of people have actually heard it for an extended period of time.
It'd probably play the content just as well as any of the other Core Duo systems, since AFAIK Mac OSX x86 doesn't support any of the hardware-accerated HD playback capabilities that are built into the newer ATi cards. The Radeon X1xxx equipped Macs might benefit down the road if there is an update to OSX that adds Avivo support, but for now I think the Macs are doing all the HD content decoding and playback entirely in the processor. If anyone knows differently, please correct me.
Eug
Lifer
I'm not a big fan of that box either, but that's not true at all. A speaker is not the same thing as an iPod boombox. Remember, that thing integrates the iPod, and comes with an infrared remote.
P.S. It has 3 drivers. If the right and left are independent, then they are fully justified in calling it stereo. I am disappointed about the fact it has no tweeter though, considering the pricetag.
You are correct. Anand confirmed this.
For general system usage... as a computer... the difference is huge.
Yes, if you run everything at the same time. Plus, although it has improved a lot with the last revisions, Safari still is a memory hog. It's not uncommon to get well over 200 MB real memory usage with Safari alone. Add on iPhoto, some Dashboard widgets, and a few other things and you've eaten up all your RAM.
I consider 512 MB the bare n00b minimum, with 1+ GB recommended.
Depends what you're doing, but Core Solo is quite a fast chip and that sounds like somewhere in the right ballpark for a lot of stuff.
I saw a clip of today's Mac Mini presentation ( http://zdnet.com.com/1606-2_2-6044210.html ) and, based on memory of the new iMac presentation, the system seems slightly sluggish in response compared to the iMac. Or does it seem as "snappy" as the 512 MB Intel Imac?
If both systems have 512 MB of RAM, should this be true (big differences would be graphics card and slightly faster core duo cpu).
If both systems have 512 MB of RAM, should this be true (big differences would be graphics card and slightly faster core duo cpu).
The old mac minis used to use a far slower integrated radeon, something like 7000ish series.
Bleh, something doesn't sit right with me about Apple trying to sell PC hardware as something special. The Mac Mini form factor is fine, but if by Hi-Fi they're referring to the Intel Azalia audio that comes standard with practically every mobo now.....ugh.
Oh, did the old mac mini use an integrated 9200 gpu? Well anyhow, I still wouldn't be surprised to find the gma 950 is faster.
If you compare apples to apples (pardon the pun), it comes out pretty much the same if you build it yourself:
Socket 479 SFF barebone w/integrated graphics: ~$300
Core Duo T2300: $260.
2x256MB PC5300 DDR2 RAM: ~$40
80GB 2.5" hard drive: $100
Slot loading slim DL DVD burner: ~$100.
As you can see, if you try to buy the same sort of components thy put into the Mini, you are going to get up to $800 before you even add in OS and apps. I even lowballed the prices of the Pentium-M barebones a bit in my example (they can go up to $400 if you get a Shuttle brand one). Even if you get a cheaper s939 barebones, an X2 processor, and go for cheaper desktop optical and hard drives, you're still going to be coming in around $800 when you add in the OS and apps (not to mention Bluetooth and WiFi).
Cerb
Elite Member
No. The first gen Mac Minis have a separate Radeon 9200, with its own dedicated RAM. I can't see INtel's being faster w/o at least having dual-channel RAM. OTOH, it ain't a gaming box.
Batmanuel: nothing you can do will make people think Mac prices are competitive, even though they are, and have been for at least two years, now. There's always some people thinking it's at least 30% more than everyone elses. I'm sure it's cheaper inside, but the cost to buy it is similar. The iMac is the only one slightly higher, but it's in line with similar laptops, which is what it really is.
Batmanuel: nothing you can do will make people think Mac prices are competitive, even though they are, and have been for at least two years, now. There's always some people thinking it's at least 30% more than everyone elses. I'm sure it's cheaper inside, but the cost to buy it is similar. The iMac is the only one slightly higher, but it's in line with similar laptops, which is what it really is.
I strongly believe Apple should have stuck with the X1600.
Imagine what they could have said to all of their developers:
Develop for the Mac/Intel machines! We can guarantee that *every single one of them* will have at *least* ATI Radeon X1600 graphics! No need to worry about low-end graphics hardware for your game or GPU-intensive applications - we have you covered.
Oh well. 🙁 << Not impressed with new mini.
Eug
Lifer
P.S. Although I said that I think 512 MB is the bare n00b minimum, it doesn't really apply here directly, since actually 512 MB on an Intel Mac mini is actually only 432 MB (since the GPU chews up a minimum of 80 GB). That makes things even worse.
I hope someone does some gaming benches with 1 stick vs. two.
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
I agree; that's a good thought. They should have at least offered it as a BTO option on the dual-core Mini. It's easy to get all excited about the machine initially...a dual-core 1.66ghz Intel Core Duo with a 2mb l2 cache, 2gb ram, nice big 120gb 5400rpm 2.5" hard drive...and integrated graphics. Granted, the graphics chip is definately more oriented towards media than gaming, but still...kind of a disappointment there. Maybe the Intel Mini rev. B. will have one. I'm still going to order a Core Solo Mini as a set-top box for my TV, but I won't have an Intel Mini sitting on my desk anytime soon. I wonder if the Intel iBooks will have integrated graphics too...
Eug
Lifer
A CTO X1600 in a Mac mini? What do you want, a $999 Mac mini? 😛 Remember, it'd have to be a completely different motherboard, since the GPU is soldered onto it. If you're getting into that price territory, you may as well buy a 17" iMac (which has a DVI output too for a second external screen) for $1299. Mind you, I do agree there would be some home theatre enthusiasts, who would pay $1000 for an X1600 Mac mini. The question is whether or not it would be worth the headache for Apple. My guess is no, considering they're not offering it. 😉
I also wonder if including the integrated graphics made it easier to save space, for the other features like the second memory slot.
BTW... The Joy of Tech 🙂
I also wonder if including the integrated graphics made it easier to save space, for the other features like the second memory slot.
BTW... The Joy of Tech 🙂
Goosemaster
Lifer
LOFL@ the $99 case guy
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
No no no no no...not an x1600 for home theater enthusiasts. The integrated Intel 950 video card is more than fine for home theater use, which is what I'll be using it for. An x1600 would be for other people who want a fairly powerful desktop in a compact size. For most applications, a 1.66ghz Core Duo wouldn't be anything to laugh at. For example, my mom would have no use for an x1600, so the integrated video would be fine, but my dad would want to play X-plane on a Mini if he got one. The Mini is an excellent option for both of them since they both have large CRT monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and speakers, as well as Dells under the desk (as a seperate note, the 32mb Radeon 9200 in the previous models supposedly played X-plane okay, and since the Intel 950 is supposed to be slightly better, it should handle it too).
Tu13erhead
Diamond Member
.
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Goosemaster
Lifer
someone let me know about the ifis quality if they get to hear it
Tu13erhead
Diamond Member
Lucky? Bah! I've been saving and waiting for this thing for months!
Next-day delivery, so it should be here Friday! w00t!
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