Just thinking out loud...

[usarcher]

So I have been happy with my AppleTV waiting to add a Mini into the setup and I started think about what was coming next.

I know there has been a lot of talk about Apple dropping the mini, obviously since the thing hasn't ben updated for over a year now. The AppleTV is in the same boat but even longer for update. Yes it has had an OS update and added a 160GB version, but in hardware terms (excluding the hard drive) it is the same machine it was when released.

Now enter the rumors of a new mini design change. What I am thinking is that Apple is going to merge the two together and offer new top of the line AppleTV. Just think of it as new Mini but with the added features of the AppleTV including HD rentals and the HDMI output I can only wish for a Blu-ray drive (come on Apple, how long have you been on the Blu-ray board and haven't released anything that uses it)

I am sure that this has been talked about before on the web but the longer both units go without updates, the more likely I think this might actually happen. Just think we would then be able to actually turn off the thing without having to unplug it, or put it into a real sleep mode

[g5g5]

Personally, I think they will keep the products separate. But a new Mac mini with Blu-ray and HDMI would be totally sweet, especially if it can dual boot. Meaning into an Apple TV 2.0 or Leopard. The problem here is pricing. The Apple TV doesn't require much hardware wise, but people want something a little more powerful on the desktop. I just don't see how that works out in the end. Apple already seems hesitate to update the Mac mini in fear of it cannibalizing other Mac sales. How would they ever release a little Atom type box that runs Leopard for $199?
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1.25GHz Mac Mini / 1.8GHz iMac G5 / 2.0GHz C2D Mac mini (2009)
4GB iPod mini / 2G iPod shuffle / 16GB iPhone 3G
Apple TV 2
iLife's a Bitch!

[usarcher]