Three things to make the Mac mini even better?

[dahl]

Im happy with my "modefied" mini. But its to hard to open.

Would be nice with a real gfcard.
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Macmini
Merom 2,0Ghz
2gb Ram
120gb Disc
WINDOWS XP!

[Weee]

First off, the Mac is probably the coolest computer I've ever purchased. I won't be upgrading to another one for a while, but these are the things I would suggest.

1. Better Airport reception and performance.

2. Make the Mac mini slightly bigger to accommodate a 3.5" hard drive or bump up standard 2.5" drives to 80GB and 100GB like some else suggested. My only concern with going with 3.5" drives would be the extra noise they might create. I really like how quiet the mini is.

3. Upgrade the processors to 1.83GHz and 2.0GHz Core Duos. I would say Merom, but it seems like they will end up in the Pro Macs first. Just trying to be realistic.

I could keep on going

4. Put the power button on the front. I hate where the power button is located.

5. Make the case easier to open like someone else suggested.

6. Change the AC input to a MagSafe connection. Mine connection always seemes loose. The slightest movement of the Mac mini almost makes it fall out. I lost power once or twice while messing around with USB.

7. Double the power LED as a hard drive status indicator.

8. Offer a black top with a silver or white Apple logo.

9. Include an Apple keyboard and Mighty mouse. Every computer should come with a freaking keyboard.

10. Incorporate an iPod dock on top. I think that would be a cool idea.

[houttbe]

Dual video out would be perfect for a home theater computer, with one of the displays being a touchscreen.

[picaman]

[Airborne2k4]

integration of a dual DVI for the 30" Cinema (I was upset that I could not get that big of a screen for the mini

[NeroZero]

[ecking]

My wants:

Realistic

1. make the core solo mini 499

2. make the core duo mini 649

3. make a 1.83ghz mini 799 with 100gb hd

4. make the case eaiser to open

5. BTO 160gb hd

6. Remove GPU Cap once OSX detects 1gb ram or more

Unrealistic

1. Make the mini bigger for a 3.5" hd

2. offer 2.0 mini for 849 with 100gb hd + 1gb ram

3. offer 1.83 mini for 649 with 80gb hd

4. once again core solo at 499

5. dedicated gpu on all 64mb for 499 model 128mb on all models up

6. dual dvi for 2 displays up to 23" or one 30"

7. imac 256mb standard, mbp 256mb standard

8. macbook gets the same gpu as mini


If my realistic list came to be I'd be happy.

If my unrealistic list came to be I'd ecstatic.

[greg]

And when all our wishes are granted by Apple it will look something like this:


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2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
miniStack 500GB
Dell 1905FP
Logitech Wave Cordless Desktop

[SOCOMRAIDER]

[MiniMoe]

[NeroZero]

[MiniMoe]

I don't think it's likely they'll make any consumer-grade announcements at a professional developer conference, but I could be wrong about that.
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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

[devo]

Here's what I think will happen with the next update…

Realistic:
Processor and hard drive bumps.

Unlikely:
GPU upgrade.
iPod dock.
TV tuner.

I don't know about you guys, but when I look at my mini and miniStack stacked together, I can't help to think… Why doesn't Apple just increase the overall height of the Mac mini by two inches and throw a 3.5" drive in there? It's not like those two inches are going to turn the mini into a massive machine. If for anything else, it would probably help them cut costs. The last time I looked 2.5" drives were still more expensive than 3.5" drives. The increase in height would also give them more room for things like a TV tuner and iPod dock. At this point, I really think increasing the mini's height would be the best thing Apple could do. Unfortunately, I don't think this will happen because Apple still has Cube paranoia.

[diulei]

Hm, realistically, I'd just ask Apple to put in a real video card.

[Drake]

dont you guys know how much the merom chip costs? Of course they are going to only use it for pro machines - apple has recently said they want a distinction between their lines of products, and the new processors is what is going to make the difference

macbook - Yonah (I'm sorry - but they will not put an expensive merom chip in one of these things)

macbook pro - Merom

iMac - Conroe

Mac pro - Woodcrest

Xserve - Woodcrest

MacMini - Yonah (neither will they put merom in one of these)

results in the past have shown it to be on par with the ibook. now that the macbook has beefy 1.83 and 2.0 processors, I think the mac mini will get these as well, or at least 1.66 and 1.83

As for the graphics chip? I dont see them realistically putting even an embedded Nvidia or Ati one ine there. They are with intel, and the majority of general 'consumer level' products only have a crappy integrated chip in them. So face it - I'd like to see a dedicated graphics chip inside the mac mini or macbook as much as you guys, but its not going to happen.

I can honestly say that I think the mac mini will get a few more minor processor / hard drive revisions, but I reckon in the next generation of minis they will be focused more towards a media centre. Yes, think dual DVI, etc. but not anytime soon - Apple has not made it clear that it has a place for this machine yet. However, we can see the development of the technology is there (frontrow, remote, small form, integration with Itunes (movies/television shows) etc.)

One thing to look forward to however is a price reduction in Yonah chips with the release of core 2 (Merom) - which means a more likely processor increase and price reduction on the minis, a good thing for everybody

I think thats the end of my rant

oh, one more thing apple - make your cinema displays better (faster response time, they suck ass at 16ms) and cheaper - Dell uses the same panels and charges half the price - I know, Apple is Apple (and thus cool) but if they want people making all-apple cool mac mini set ups, they need a second look at their displays (bring back the 17"!)

now thats the end
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