Hi guys

Is apple gooing to update mini with the "new" GMA X3100 soon?
Is there a big diff betting GMA X3100 & GMA 950 (its worth waiting)?

Thx for the help

Well, I've been holding off on a mini purchase for the same reason. The mini refresh/redesign is still nothing but rumors, there's no official word yet.

The first rumors were that an updated mini might be launched with Leopard, which obviously didn't happen. The next rumors are that an updated mini might be released in the second half of November. So far, that doesn't seem likely. Personally, I'll probably order mine at the end of this month either way.

If there is no update this month, I think the next most likely launch would be at MacWorld in January.

Besides the X3100 update (which may just be wishful thinking), another rumor was of a possible mac nano smaller mini, between the mini and appleTV. A third rumor is that the current mac mini line will be discontinued and they may or may not replace it with a completely new model.

Anyway, I've waited a couple months (since an older Mac died), so I'll be ordering at the end of November whatever happens or doesn't happen. January is too long to wait.

If I had been waiting or in need of a Mac for the typical home theater tasks we talk about here, I'd be getting that $499 refurb 1.83 C2D in the store right now, shipping with Leopard and iLife '08.

Regardless of what Apple does (or doesn't do) in the future, that's a nice little machine for the money.

The mini was just speed bumped with faster processors and bigger hard drives in October, though the update did not add 802.11n wireless or an improved video card with separate memory. Also, a rumor predicting a new "nano" form factor proved to be untrue (for now). See this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=887025&highlight=Mac+mini+update

History tells us that Apple typically goes 12-18 months between changes in a product. Time will tell. More recently, rumors are starting to surface about improvements to AppleTV that may be coming, including larger hard drives and even an optical drive. Could it be Blu-ray? I doubt it as these drives remain quit expensive, but a DVD drive certainly is possible.

Since it is long overdue, I look for the possible introduction of the following, but not until MacWorld in January:
- HD movie sales AND rental download service
- Improved AppleTV
- New Cinema LCD displays w/ built-in iSight cameras, HDMI & HDCP, and a new 40-inch (or so) model
- A new Mac mini (or nano) form factor for the home entertainment center. I point out that a couple of months ago, Apple released a new, small wireless keyboard for the living room, although it did not have the built-in trackpad we all expected. Something new has got to be coming to go with that device...

But then, I expected all this last January. The key to when this finally happens will be whether Apple has made any progress in getting distribution contracts signed with the movie studios, many of which fear Apple, and thus seem to be dragging their feet on this point.

Since it is long overdue, I look for the possible introduction of the following, but not until MacWorld in January:
- HD movie sales AND rental download service
- Improved AppleTV
- New Cinema LCD displays w/ built-in iSight cameras, HDMI & HDCP, and a new 40-inch (or so) model
- A new Mac mini (or nano) form factor for the home entertainment center. I point out that a couple of months ago, Apple released a new, small wireless keyboard for the living room, although it did not have the built-in trackpad we all expected. Something new has got to be coming to go with that device...

But then, I expected all this last January. The key to when this finally happens will be whether Apple has made any progress in getting distribution contracts signed with the movie studios, many of which fear Apple, and thus seem to be dragging their feet on this point.
I see no evidence that the studios will stop dragging their feet anytime soon. Remember -- iTunes/iPod came out before there ever was an iTunes store. iTunes started out as the Rip! Mix! Burn! program. Apple should go ahead and release the darned hardware. Especially the new Apple Cinema Displays, including a 40" model!!!

If I had been waiting or in need of a Mac for the typical home theater tasks we talk about here, I'd be getting that $499 refurb 1.83 C2D in the store right now, shipping with Leopard and iLife '08.
That's exactly what I'll be ordering in a couple weeks.

is there a reason why they wouldn't just wait until Q2 of '08 and update it with the GMA X4500?

Man could you imagine a smaller mini with GMAX4500, 802.11n, 150+gb HD, HDMI/DisplayPort/Optical outputs and Blueray/HD burner

drool....... :D

is there a reason why they wouldn't just wait until Q2 of '08 and update it with the GMA X4500?The x4500 has support for DisplayPort. Apple supports the competing new UDI video display interface. so hard to tell. Maybe Intel will make a version with UDI, but they are on board with DisplayPort. interesting roadmap full of conflict. Maybe Intel has something special up its sleeve for a new Mac.

Man could you imagine a smaller mini with GMAX4500, 802.11n, 150+gb HD, HDMI/DisplayPort/Optical outputs and Blueray/HD burner There's just no way Apple will make a Mini as the first Blu-ray burning Mac. No way, no how!

AppleTV or Mac Mini with a Blu-ray player might be a possibility in a couple years, though I doubt it. Steve seems intent on banishing acrylic disks to oblivion.

We debate whether it's rational or delusional, but Steve's Commandment seems to be "Thou shalt not...." I doubt even slumping AppleTV sales will convince him otherwise. Remember, AppleTV is just a hobby project.

Mac Rumors has a good buyers guide for most mac products. It tells you the last update, how long it typically takes for the next update and if it is a good time to buy.

h t t p : / / buyersguide . macrumors . com / #Mac_mini
(Take out the spaces)

shipping with Leopard and iLife '08.


FYI: I purchased my refurb 2GHz C2D Mini a month or so ago and it indeed had Leopard, but iLife '08 was nowhere to be seen.

FYI: I purchased my refurb 2GHz C2D Mini a month or so ago and it indeed had Leopard, but iLife '08 was nowhere to be seen.

You sure about that? Did you double-check your install disks? I purchased a 1.83 C2D mini the week after the speed bumps (September or October) and it includes iLife 08.

Darn, I guess I missed out! My 2.0 C2D had Tiger installed on it (the Tiger DVDs were also included) and the single Leopard DVD in a sleeve was thrown in the box. I wiped the disk and installed Leopard. The only extras on the DVD were Xcode, etc. iLife would be on a separate disk, no?

Bummer. I guess I gotta pony up the $$$ for iLife '08. :(

I would expect that the intent was for you to install iLife '08 from the Tiger disks since they are not directly related to the OS.

My family pack update Leopard is only one disk.

DMW

You can install iLife '08 from the Tiger disc with the bundled software installer.

You can install iLife '08 from the Tiger disc with the bundled software installer.

Right on, I'll give it a go. I ASSumed iLife would be on a separate disc. Thanks!

I'd probably buy a Mac mini IF it got these spec updates:

1) 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo
2) GMA X3100
3) HDMI with HDCP support

...but it won't. Well, possibly #2, in the spring.

'd probably buy a Mac mini IF it got these spec updates:

1) 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo
2) GMA X3100
3) HDMI with HDCP support
And QT ability to send AAC surround out via HDMI.

I'd probably buy a Mac mini IF it got these spec updates:

1) 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo
2) GMA X3100
3) HDMI with HDCP support Numbers 1 and 2 seem possible. #3 isn't at all likely. If anything gets HDMI with HDCP it will be AppleTV 2.0, but such a product is far from certain.