Mac mini generation 2 concept...

[JahTS]

Getting rid of the modem is a bad idea. Here's what I think they shoud do. Keep the left side of the back alone. Have three USB ports and one Firewire on the back right side. By all means slide the audio output to the top and add an audio input. Keep the security lock for schools and libraries. In the inside upgrade the G4 to 1.5GHz, make 512MB standard, and add a faster hard drive.

[nick8ascot]

I am in favour of replacing the modem - most people have broadband now, and since when has Steve Jobs shirked away from moving things on a bit?

[bani]

getting rid of the modem is a great idea. it's a crappy software winmodem anyway. anyone who really wants a modem can buy a real usb modem. a modem might make sense on a laptop but on desktops most people have broadband.

audio in/out and usb on front please. not top or sides. i have stuff on top and side of my mini.

[devo]

[erickg]

[billabong]

[nick8ascot]

Quote: Getting rid of the modem wouldn't be all that great. Granted, most people have broadband now, but the modem can be useful for sending and receiving faxes too.

Doesn't a broadband modem send/receive faxes as well? We all argued about the demise of the floppy drive when the original iMac came out, and we thought it would alienate so many of the target audience, but the decision was proved a correct one. I think the same is true here.

There's a lot of space saved with no modem included. What could take its place as well as just extra ports?

[bani]

a lot of money would be saved too by omitting the modem. apple could use the saved money for better video.

[Brendan]

[bani]

aspire to mediocrity eh? well it is rather underpowered for broadband so i guess you are right, apple's target market is entry level and dialup users.

that slow notebook drive is so annoying

[andp]

1.5GHz-1.75GHz G4
80GB - 100GB 7200RPM hard drive.
64MB - 128MB ATI Radeon 9600.
Audio in.
Dual-Layer DVD.

Good enough for me!

[curt]

I don't think Apple will move around the USB/FireWire ports and audio jacks like his concept shows. It would take a major re-tooling and cost big bucks for Apple, however, I think they have enough room to include an audio-in jack without much fuss.
_________________
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

[mproud]

Here's what I'd like to see:

Same DVI-out
Same sound-out
Same 10/100 Base-T ethernet
Same 256 MB RAM
Same combo drive
Same power
Same security hole
Same Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme-ready/upgradable

New 1.42 GHz/1.6 GHz
New 60 GB/100 GB HD (anything larger would be too expensive)
New ATI Radeon 9600 64 MB RAM graphics (same as eMac)
New 3 USB, 2 Firewire (same as eMac)
New built-in microphone

No modem

I think the sound-in port isn't necessary. Most people using this computer won't need it. You will notice the inclusion of a microphone. I think this would work well as a substitute and would allow people to buy iSights, for example, and take advantage of video chatting.

The modem is also not a necessity. Broadband has taken off and external modems are not out of the question. Axe it and use the space for something else.

No need for more ports than necessary. 3 USB and 2 Firewire is more than enough, and is exactly what's on the eMac.

64 MB RAM graphics card is a must. Nothing fancy, but enough to make the computer able to play The Sims 2 and the like without any trouble.

Perhaps the faster configuration should come with 512 MB RAM? Not sure, though. RAM prices are often pricey.

[andp]

[resuna]

Yeh, the "patent pending" top-loading port. *snort*