Possible Mac Mini Changes @ MacWorld '08?

Ok, so there's a lot of buzz brewing for a new ultra-slim MacBook (which would be awesome) and WiMAX (which would be tubular). But, there hasn't been much talk of Mac Mini updates. One thing I would certainly hope for is the ability to make the memory easier to upgrade in it. The current model available requires some dissassembly, which I'm not too keen on performing even though I have done memory upgrades on other machines.

Whats the latest rumor to surface specifically for the Mac Mini?

 

Most resources say that Apple is planning on discontinuing the Mac Mini, not updating it.

 

No! Say it ain't so!

I'm contemplating on either replacing my desktop machine with an iMac or a Mac Mini, and was waiting to hear from MacWorld '08 to see what changes might come about for those...

 

Well, its a 50-50...some rumours of a discontinuation, some rumours of a completely revamped Mac Mini, possibly called Mac Nano. No idea.

 

Guess I'll be left in a total state of wonder on what to expect Tuesday... as is the rest of the Mac community.

 

Yes, unfortunately...what happens at Macworld can affect the entire 2008 year of Apple, and everyone's watching this one closely, seeing if they can match or possibly even surpass Macworld 2007.

 

Of course it is not going to be the same!!! IPhone versus a slightly better lineup of computer processors!!!!

 

Just get an external display, keyboard, and mouse for your MBP. It's more powerful than the Mini anyway.

 

Well, right now there are so many things possible, it may upstage the iPhone, really...iTunes movie rentals + possible launch of more DRM-free music with the new record companies that signed onto DRM-free...MacBook "Air"/"Lite"...new MacBook Pro (just Penryn, probably), possible demos of iPhone 2/iPhone Nano...possible Apple TV 2...

 

One of the rumors that struck me as at least making some sense is that the Mac mini as we currently know it would disappear, and would be sort of replaced with an AppleTV successor that would serve some of the same purpose, running a full OS X, etc.

In that sense, the "new" Apple TV would be something more akin to a Windows Media Center PC, perhaps.

I don't know that there's anything to it, but ever since the AppleTV was launched (and I think people started figuring out how to run the full OS X on it), it made the Mac mini seem potentially redundant. The lack of attention to the Mac mini since then, other than minor updates, has always reinforced that in my mind.

We'll see though.

-Zadillo

 

It's going to be really hard to top the iPhone... I am interested in this Macbook Air thing though.

 

I agree...
except for the word "air". I just think it'll sound really stupid.

 

That's what they should've done with the AppleTV in the first place. The ability to use a fully functional computer in the living room is infinitely more valuable than a glorified digital media player.

I thought that about the Wii. You never know.

 

Yeah, I though the AppleTV was a dumb idea as well. If they mix the AppleTV and MacMini together, that would be superb. Previously, the Mini's were really only good for clustering or setting up a cheap grid setup.

Something in the air... new AppleTV wil have built in antenna for local channels j/k

 

AppleTV is so close to being a real winner. If they can get HD content on it and allow for purchasing and renting through iTunes from it, I am in. For someone like myself who refuses to pay for cable, a truly HD AppleTV with rentals would be perfect.

 

I hope they don't discontinue the Mac Mini. It's the only Mac I'd now consider buying. My bedroom doesn't have a lot of space, and with a PS under my desk already, I want a really small computer to use as a media server and torrent box.

 

Yeah, Apple TV's limitation is the content, really. More video downloads on iTunes, movie rentals, buying a movie right from the Apple TV instead of going to iTunes to download it, and the Apple TV could reach a much larger audience.

 

With internet prices as they are here, the Apple TV will never take off. Downloading movies just puts too much of a drain on bandwidth, and HD content means your monthly quota is gone with one movie.

 

seconded ...I always loved the Mac Mini, this kinda reminds me of the whole eMac thing. I personally loved it as the budget consumer/education PC it was, I almost convinced my stepmom to get one, but it was always outshadowed by it's iMac brother.

 

You think Stevie Wonder is reading these posts and considering extending the life of the Mac Mini?

 

Naw, I don't think Apple follows NotebookReview...they do follow some forums, its known, but probably not NotebookReview...if they did, can I have an iPhone please, Steve?

 

Not just extend the life, but replace the superdrive with an 8600GT.

Oh, I wish.