New Mac Mini

[bwana]

Two new mini models announced today:

Single core model:
1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
60GB Serial ATA hard drive
Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

Dual Core Model:
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
80GB Serial ATA hard drive
Double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

Think I'll be ordering the dual core one pretty soon.

 

[Darth Garth]

S.A pricing ???.

What do you think of the iPod boombox ???.

 

[bwana]

Boombox looks pretty cool - maybe for Xmas or my bday

Who knows how much they'll add on to the mini locally - going to check the amazon prices tomorrow, hopefully they'll have updated it by then. $799 (r5000) isnt all that bad.

 

[Darth Garth]

I want to get one one for my eldest daughter ... want to protect her from the horrors of life under Windows.

 

[Person]

I want to get one one for my eldest daughter ... want to protect her from the horrors of life under Windows.

whats going to protect her from the Horrors of Mac ?

@ Tibby, can you send me that Ek's dom Eskom logo plz.

 

[bwana]

I want to get one one for my eldest daughter ... want to protect her from the horrors of life under Windows.

Good plan. Stick on a decent lcd and she'll be set.

I'm going to keep mine in the living room now that it comes with a remote. Nice little addition to the home entertainment centre.

 

[ap0c]

Am I correct in saying it doesnt come with S-video out etc? Whats the best way to hook your TV up to this?

 

[bwana]

Am I correct in saying it doesnt come with S-video out etc? Whats the best way to hook your TV up to this?

I use the dvi output to my plasma but you can always buy the DVI to Video Adapter which gives you s-video and composite video. They're listed at $19.99 on apples site and r197 locally at zastore.co.za - as far as audio its got combined optical digital audio output/headphone out.

Glad to see theyve kept firewire and added 2 more usb2's http://www.apple.com/macmini/whatsinside.html

 

[bwana]

Maybe you can help. The optical out on the Mac mini and new Macbook pro are "mini optical jacks" the Audigy 2 for notebooks also has the same mini jack but I cant find a mini optical to normal optical jack anywhere! So the opotical out is pretty much useless

Have a look at Apple.com's store - they have a Belkin PureAV Digital Optical Audio Cable with Mini-Toslink Adapter which might do the job.

 

[Rewind]

Nice machine, one problem: Integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics which shares RAM. Cheap Apple.

Rather wait for an Ibook or something, once you've bought a nice LCD screen, a keyboard and a mouse your looking at a large expense.

Am I correct in saying the core solo version is essentially the same as the old centrino chips or is it some sort of upgrade?

 

[nGAGEd55]

Am I correct in saying the core solo version is essentially the same as the old centrino chips or is it some sort of upgrade?

its supposed to replace the pentium M/Centrino chips, AFAIK its a new core and is built on a 65nm fab process, which means its cooler and uses less power.

 

[bwana]

Nice machine, one problem: Integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics which shares RAM. Cheap Apple.

Rather wait for an Ibook or something, once you've bought a nice LCD screen, a keyboard and a mouse your looking at a large expense.

Am I correct in saying the core solo version is essentially the same as the old centrino chips or is it some sort of upgrade?

Perhaps it was more of a size issue sharing the RAM like that - the dimensions of the box probably dont leave much room to spare. Also its a low end machine geared towards PC users who would most likely already have a screen, keyboard and mouse. I'll be using mine exclusively with a tv and 90% of the time accessing it via remote desktop so its really a non-issue to me.

@Bwana - Would upgrading to 1GB ram on an Apple make a big difference as it does with windows?

Yeah - it made a big difference on my Powerbook so I'd expect the same with the Mini - esp as its sharing the ram for video. I'd even consider putting more in it if the price is right. (note to self - check amazon ram prices )

There is a monster cable on zastore.co.za that might also be a mini optical to full size converter. They're really good there at responding to enquiries so it wouldn't hurt to ask. Otherwise try Amazon - they might ship it to SA.

 

[bwana]

Thanks again for the help and advice Bwana, now that the Intel Mini's are here I just have to get the cash then I am gonna buy one.

Glad to have been of help I figure the inexpensiveness of the mini is a perfect way to get my feet wet with the universals and rosetta and then get a new MacBook Pro next year when Adobe releases their updated CS suite.