Comments on: Five things Apple needs in the new Mac Mini

By: robygoof

robygoof — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:06:59 +0000

The mac mini (intel) has already an optical audio output, via TOS-link

By: Ben Sillis

Ben Sillis — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:23:08 +0000

@jbc Touche. But would Apple really risk alienating all of those “wonderful” third-party iPod dock making companies by doing that?

By: PeterSW

PeterSW — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:22:07 +0000

I think that HDMI and E-SATA connectivity are esssential upgrades needed for the MacMini.
The NVidia and CPU upgrades are a no-brainer but the two above would support for EVERY plasma and LCDTV out there and provide FAST external HDD access (3.2G bps vs 400mbps for Firewire 400). Don’t upgrade the firewire – give us ESATA!!!
If they want to sell the MacMinis by the truckload that is what I would add. The HDMI would cost less than $20 to add (licensing costs) the ESata less that $1. The SATA chipset is already on the mobo all they need is an external connector. The third thing to add would be TV in support but ElGato do a great job with their Eye-TV – maybe Apple could bundle the Eye-TV for a supported Home Media Center setup. This would be sweet.

PeterSW

By: jbc

jbc — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:54:43 +0000

@Sillis Like the Mercedes A Class? It’s small, entry level, but it still costs a ton more than its rivals (let’s not forget who Apple thinks it is here – think niche, think expensive and yes, think more money than sense)

Now, wouldn’t an iPod Dock on the top be a much more sensible idea?

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:51:30 +0000

This is tricky. Personally, I’d rather have DVI than DisplayPort on the Mac mini.

Remember that this is a low-end machine for the cost conscious who are going to be a little miffed to get it home and discover that it only works with an $899 Apple display, or that you had to buy a $29 to work with the DVI display at home.

Have a DVI to DisplayPort adapter for those who want to buy an Apple display with their Mac mini.

By: Ben Sillis

Ben Sillis — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:11:15 +0000

Couldn’t agree more – Apple should have at least one entry level model with an actual entry level price. It’s wishful thinking, but a little bit more in there for a bit less, and you could sell a whole lot more. Economics was never my strong point though!

By: Jones

Jones — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:06:37 +0000

I’ll tell you one thing the Mac Mini needs – a lower price tag. I can get a £300 PC with LOTS more features. Why does Apple always think a shiny box will make me hand over my credit card? computers are for using, not expensive paperweights. idiots.

By: James Holland

James Holland — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:32:07 +0000

I’ve a feeling the mini’s a bit too small for tinkering inside, other than swapping the optical drive for a hard disk. Still, it’d be great if Apple sold them without the optical drive and with an extra hard disk as a build to order option… The mini’s such a perfect little server, I’d gladly bung all my media on it to stream around the house, and tap in to through the TV through Front Row (or Back Row!)

By: Leflyman

Leflyman — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:30:02 +0000

Nice ideas, but it sounds like what you really want is an upgraded Apple TV, not a Mac mini.

Some of the features you ask for are already covered, while others are non-starters:

With DVI already included, there’s no need for an HDMI port, since the Mini is a computer not a component.

BackRow is unnecessary as Front Row is already an included app, along with remote control.

Buyers can currently purchase a Bluetooth wireless keyboard/mouse for the Mini. The concept is Bring-your-own-keyboard-mouse-and-display.

NVidia video chips are likely, as Apple tends to switch between video chip lines every few years.

However, Blu-ray is a no-go on the low-cost Mini. Jobs already nixed that notion.

One thing that the Mini *should* include is a front USB connection and an optical audio output.

In short, though, it seems what you’d like is Apple’s version of the Dell Studio Hybrid: http://www.dell.com/hybrid

By: Newton Poetry

Newton Poetry — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:22:49 +0000

Let’s not leave out some options for expandability. With all your recommended changes, wouldn’t it be nice to open up the Mini and perform some DIY upgrades?