Three things to make the Mac mini even better?

[admin]

Three things to make the Mac mini even better?
Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Well, according to our Buyer's Guide, it appears that the Mac mini has reached its average of 20 weeks between updates. Does that mean updates are coming soon? Your guess is as good as ours. But we'd still like to know what upgrades or improvements you would like to see Apple make to the next Intel-based Mac mini. This can include anything from processor and hard drive upgrades to hardware fixes and exterior styling. So raise your voice and let your opinion be heard! What are three things Apple can do to the Mac mini to make it even better?



http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/498.html

[Tenex]

Include a 3.5" HDD.
_________________
iMac intel CoreDuo 17" 1Gb
WD My Book Premium fw320Gb x2
Logitech S530, iPod Nano 2Gb

& a PPC Mini bought for my Mother

[offabroadway]

1. Drop the CoreSolo and move to 1.83 and 2.0 Core Duo Yonah chips (the iMac is supposedly going to move to Core2Duo Meroms by year's end)

2. Upgrade the graphics horsepower. Even if they gave us the ATI X1600 with 64Mb of VRAM it would be better than the Intel integrated setup. Better yet, dump the 128Mb ATI chipset in there and bump all other models to 256Mb VRAM.

3. Faster SuperDrive. Burning CD-Rs at 32x was last in style in 1999.
_________________
~Mac Mini Core Duo / 512Mb / 80Gb / Tascam US-122~
~iPod Video 30Gb~
~JVC R-X60 Vintage Audio~

~GF to get an iMac? Converting the masses... *grin*~

[Bandit Bill]

[curt]

1. I would like to see them bring back a model for under $500.

2. Dump the Solo. It probably just confuses the average buyer.

3. Bring back a dedicated graphics card.
_________________
1.42GHz Mac mini
1.66GHz Intel Mac mini
2.0GHz 2009 Mac mini
46" Sony LCD
50" Sony KDS-50A2000
EyeTV 250 Plus
My Setup

[dgpdx]

I want DVI and stereo audio inputs that are sent to FrontRow and optionally stored on disk. Make the Mini a truly complete home theater solution for digital cable TV.

[sross]

A new port on the back which will enable an optional external videocard. So you have the port, you buy the apple external videocard chassy, buy a supported card, plug it into the mini and then have a high end gaming rig. Technically possible? I don't know, but I'd buy it in a heartbeat..

[SOCOMRAIDER]

-offer only Core Duos
-option for a 7200 RPM drive direct from Apple
-an all aluminum enclosure (they can figure a way out for WiFI and Bluetooth)
-get either an embedded ATI or Nvidia chip on the Logicboard
-or up the cap on the integrated graphics to its full potential 224MB
-like a MacBook, give an option for an black enclosure (charge for it if need be)
-use the magsafe power connector
-include the modem dongle (at least on the entry config.)
-not charge as much for the 2GB upgrade

I know it's more than three, but I couldn't help myself..lol
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[microfox]

I'm perfectly happy with my mini.

Seems to me most of the answers so far are from people needing a PC !!!
_________________
iMac 2010, 21.5", 8Gb of RAM

2.0GHz Core2Duo Mac mini, 2 Gb RAM,120Gb HD + 1Tb LaCie external HD, Hauppauge PVR 950 USB TV Tuner stick, running 10.8.2

iPad 3rd generation, 32Gb

IPod Touch 4th generation 32Gb

[pompeyjon]

1. Drop the Solo
2. Include a TV Tuner
3. Charge less for 2Gb RAM

[greg]

1. 3.5" HD
2. Easy-open case (toolless)
3. integrated iPod dock
_________________
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
miniStack 500GB
Dell 1905FP
Logitech Wave Cordless Desktop

[SOCOMRAIDER]

[kaidomac]

1. Add in a better video card. An x1600 would be great. If they can put it in a 14" Asus w3j laptop, they can put it in a Mini. They don't want to because it would make it on-par with the Pro-level machines. However, the MacBooks can do 99% of the stuff the MacBook Pros can do (even run Final Cut!), so what's the big deal? It would definately entice more people to switch - a small, cute computer with a graphics card that rivals some gaming systems would definately be appreciated!

2. Easier to open case. I'll go with greg on this one. It doens't have to be toolless, but all they need is 4 plastic posts on the lid and some screws on the bottom and it'd be infinitely easier to modify. Of course, that would hurt their profits from the $300 they charge for 2 gigs of ram...

3. Profit?

[picaman]

1) A CableCard (preferably 2.0) slot.

2) Merom

3) All the rest of the above.



Jamie

[MiniMoe]

1. I'd also like to see the Mini drop the Core Solo and get the same processors as the MacBook, 1.83 and 2.0 Core Duos. But Apple could stick with a Core Solo or Core 2 Solo on the bottom of the line. Just an opinion, and everyone has one, but I don't think the Mini and MacBook will get Core 2 Duo for awhile. All of these options are easy production changes.

2. I'd like to see not just the Mini, but all Macs get the 1GB base memory OS-X really needs, but I don't think Apple's going to give up that extra $100 profit. And I don't think they're going to stop overpricing the 2GB at $300 for the Mini and an insane $500 for the MacBook because lots of memory gives a computer a longer life and Apple wants you to buy new computers. That's also the reason we may find that Apple didn't implement the last address lines from the Northbridge to the memory sockets to use > 1GB memory modules on the Mini and MacBook motherboards (I hope I'm wrong about that).

3. Given that the 160GB 5400 rpm notebook drives are debuting, I'd like to see them added as a BTO option and the base Mini hard drive raised to 80GB/100GB.

I don't expect much more than this until Apple has to redesign the motherboards for Santa Rosa, due for production in the first half of calendar year 2007.
_________________
Moe
1.66GHz Core-Duo Mini, 2GB/120GB, Apple 23" Cinema HD Display
Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse, Apple iSight Camera
Apple USB Modem (for faxing), Bose Companion 2 Speakers
2.0GHz white MacBook 1GB/80GB