Rumor: Mac mini to use NVIDIA's Ion Platform?

admin · Site Admin Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 2047 Location: U.S.A

Rumor: Mac mini to use NVIDIA's Ion Platform?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Posted by: Brian

Will the next-generation Mac minis be based on NVIDIA's new Ion platform? That's what the folks over at Tom's Hardware seem to be saying today. According to their sources, the new Mac minis will indeed be based on this platform. A platform that utilizes Intel's new dual-core Atom 330 processor and the same GeForce 9400M integrated graphics used in the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. It also features CUDA technology, which unlocks the processing power of the GPU to accelerate video transcoding. Tom's Hardware also thinks the new Mac minis will be smaller in size, remain at the same price points, and begin shipping in March.

Now, with that being said, we cannot confirm this with any of our sources. It's possible that Apple is looking to use NVIDIA's Ion platform, but with another product like the Apple TV. There was also that discovery of an extension file in the latest unibody MacBooks, which contains the string "CFG_MCP79" and the year 2008 for the Mac mini. That string seems to indicate the NVIDIA MCP79 chipset being used with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor in other Macs.

http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/1118.html

Fazzy · Member Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 98 Location: CA

NO ATOM!!!! Sad

g5g5 · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

I probably wouldn't be happy with an Atom either for daily computing. I don't know how the new dual-core Atoms perform, but the single core in my Asus 1000H netbook isn't that great. It barely handles the basics. So in my eyes, this would be a major step back for the Mac mini. I really hope Apple stays with the C2D. I may want to buy another one of these things down the road.
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LaserCobra · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 70

Could this be the low cost "netbook" everyone was hoping for?

I would hate to find out the AppleTV is getting a refresh that adds more graphics power weeks after I finally got mine. All I want is Netflix streaming... you know... for a time when there's some content of interest available. Rolling Eyes

afromo · New Member Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 3

I would test one at the Apple store, but I think they just lost me at Atom. I wouldn't be thrilled about paying $600-$800 dollars for one either. That's crazy expensive for an Atom-based system. You can pretty much buy two Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo or MSI netbooks with a screen for that kind money. What the heck is Apple thinking these days? Do they just want everyone to build or turn something into a Hackintosh, instead of buying something from them? Excuse me, but I don't get it. Can I please take over for Steve Jobs now? Idea

Zuma · Member Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 148 Location: CA

I don't know, but I bet Apple would sell a ton of these for around $399 with the option to dual boot between Leopard and the Apple TV software. I would more than likely buy one.

jrt1 · Member Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 139

They current Mac minis aren't sounding that bad all of a sudden, are they now? Wink

Huff · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 149

An Atom? If true, this is absolutely horrible (I mean horrible) news. I can't believe that Apple would be this stupid. Although, this is another way to stick it to people that want a headless Mac and make killer margins. The latter seems to be the main thrust for Apple these days.

Aargh-a-Knot · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:01 am Post subject:

If its any consolation, it is a dual core Atom. I really doubt they're going to put it in the mini though. The AppleTV, maybe. With that 9400M, it would make a pretty nice front-end with 1080p capabilities.

epic_ed · Member Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Indiana

I'm with Darth Vader when it comes to using the Atom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s

Smile

OGN · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:39 am Post subject:

usarcher · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:46 am Post subject:

warp9 · Member Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 74

so, to put it crudely, the Mac Mini is about to have its 'nads clipped if the Atom rumor is true.

good gravy.

w9
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Proud owner & user of 2 G4 Minis Running Tiger, 2010 13" MBPro, Mt. Lion and 2009 Mac Pro, Mt. Lion

fhall1 · Member Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 128 Location: Upstate NY

If this is true it'll soon be time to buy an Efix module and I'll build my own Mini using a SFF case and components

scooper · Veteran Member Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 988

This seems like one step forward for the graphics and two steps back for the Atom and system bus speed.


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