Mac mini: How about some dual-drive action?

[admin]

Mac mini: How about some dual-drive action?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Posted by: Brian

One of the more fascinating rumors about the next Mac mini (assuming it retains the name plate) is about Apple switching the optical drive connection from IDE to SATA. Not only would this increase the performance of the optical drive, it would allow you to swap out the optical drive itself for a second 2.5" SATA hard drive. Based on what's on the market today, this would bring up to 1TB of internal storage to the Mac mini. In fact, rumor has it that Apple will offer the Mac mini configured this way as a build-to-order option. So, that leads me to my question. How would you order your Mac mini, with an optical drive or two internal hard drives? Now don't forget, you might be able do this upgrade on your own and save some money. However, there may be cosmetic (like a case without an optical drive slot) and internal (like including a real drive cage) features you can only get from Apple.



http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/1102.html

[Ben Tex]

I would probably order it with the two internal drives. You can always go external with the burner just as easily. Plus, I would be using this new Mac mini as a pure play digital media center computer. I don't really need it for playing DVDs or ripping.

[jrt1]

I would go with the dual hard drives over a SuperDrive. It would be nice if Apple enabled the DVD/CD sharing feature like the MacBook Air has though.

[Fazzy]

I still have my fingers crossed for Blu-ray. I know Steve thinks it's a bag of hurt, but I'm more than willing to take a beating.

[TonyMontana]

I'd cut a second slot and go with two optical drives.
_________________
MacMini 2.0GHz C2D (2009)
MacMini 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
Dell Mini 10v *OSX 10.6.4*

[Ben Tex]

[TonyMontana]

I'm old school, just a red hot razor blade.
_________________
MacMini 2.0GHz C2D (2009)
MacMini 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
Dell Mini 10v *OSX 10.6.4*

[Texark]

I think it's funny how most Apple TV owners want an optical drive for playing DVDs and USB expansion for more storage. Some Mac mini owners are willing to sacrifice the optical drive for a 3.5" drive or another 2.5" bay. Can't we find a middle ground here Apple? Maybe something like the Mac mini with two drive bays, an optical drive and include the Apple TV 2 software on it instead of Front Row so it can be used as a more complete media center. Just call it the "Mac" and slap an $800 price tag on the system. I'll be first in line buying one.

[edmetric]

[devo]

I won't be buying one of the new Mac minis, but I believe that I would still get one with a SuperDrive. Even maxed out, internal storage only gets you so far these days. At some point you're going to go external. It's also a better method for backing up or storing your data. I mean, from a massive failure standpoint. You still need to make backups of your backups, backups on an external.

[mojofrojo]

[Huff]

I'm just happy that a new Mac mini appears to be coming. I've literally been waiting since last summer. I'm not new to the Mac though. Well, I'll be new to Intel Macs. It's a an old eMac that I'm looking to retire.

[Cypher]

I hope they don't bring out a new Mini I might be tempted to buy one
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

[don731]

[don731]