With all this talk about the iPhone 3G and upcoming Macbook/Pro refresh...

[slugg]

One thing I like about the Mac Mini is that it's a "cheap" way of getting into the world of Mac. The problem is, however, is that it hasn't been updated in forever. It truly is a piece of crap for the price.

Is Apple abandoning consumer-centric computers without a built-in monitor? Has anyone heard any rumors regarding a desktop without a built-in monitor (other than the Mac Pro)?

I'd seriously rather have a MacBook and a refreshed Mac Mini than a lone MacBook Pro. That's just me.

 

[Kmax82]

I think they will refresh the Mac Mini, but I could be wrong. I think that they are going to either upgrade the internals and leave the case the same, or there will be a massive overhaul between now and September.

As for the Macbook, I think that will get a design shift probably around Spring when the MBP is updated as well.

 

[randomlinh]

I would even take a bump down in price as the update... and finally drop the combo drive from the system. Maybe make it sleeker looking. But price it down some. And finally introduce a really headless mac that's not a mac pro.

 

[bearxor]

Yeah, the Mini's not dead. It's just the red-headed stepchild.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: slugg
One thing I like about the Mac Mini is that it's a "cheap" way of getting into the world of Mac. The problem is, however, is that it hasn't been updated in forever. It truly is a piece of crap for the price.

If you add up the parts cost, it's not a piece of crap. It's actually a decent value for the money - cheaper fully configured than the other Mini PCs that run Windows. If it had an X3100, it would meet most people's needs even better. They need to upgrade it with the following:

-Penryn CPU (45nm dual-core)
-4GB RAM max
-500gb 5400rpm hard drive
-8x DL DVD burner
-802.11n Wifi
-X3100 video card

Then at least it would be like a Macbook. I also think it needs some cosmetic upgrades. Needs to go silver & black or something.

 

[slugg]

^^ if it had those specs, it'd definitely be nice 🙂

 

[Parasitic]

BTW does anyone know if I could swap the Core Duo 1.83 CPU for a 2.0 C2D? That'd make my Mini 64-bit compliant for Leopard and maybe Vista x64 right?
Been thinking about putting in more memory and maybe doing some minor upgrades in that thing for awhile.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: slugg
One thing I like about the Mac Mini is that it's a "cheap" way of getting into the world of Mac. The problem is, however, is that it hasn't been updated in forever. It truly is a piece of crap for the price.

If you add up the parts cost, it's not a piece of crap. It's actually a decent value for the money - cheaper fully configured than the other Mini PCs that run Windows. If it had an X3100, it would meet most people's needs even better. They need to upgrade it with the following:

-Penryn CPU (45nm dual-core)
-4GB RAM max
-500gb 5400rpm hard drive
-8x DL DVD burner
-802.11n Wifi
-X3100 video card

Then at least it would be like a Macbook. I also think it needs some cosmetic upgrades. Needs to go silver & black or something.

Originally posted by: slugg
^^ if it had those specs, it'd definitely be nice 🙂

definitely.😀

Originally posted by: Parasitic
BTW does anyone know if I could swap the Core Duo 1.83 CPU for a 2.0 C2D? That'd make my Mini 64-bit compliant for Leopard and maybe Vista x64 right?
Been thinking about putting in more memory and maybe doing some minor upgrades in that thing for awhile.

you can go up to a 2.33ghz meron 🙂 That one is going for $600+ so I'd stick with something around 1.8-2ghz. I was about to do that + the esata hack when I sort of got bored and decided to wait for ht refresh so I can give this one away to a friend or use it as a htpc.

 

[slugg]

If they do a Montevina update on the mac mini, I'll buy one (most likely).