Apple docks Mac mini iPod dock?
By Ryan Block 
posted February 14th 2006 10:55AM
posted February 14th 2006 10:55AM
Yup, got another Apple rumor for ya here,
step aside people. No, it's not word on the supposedly-forthcoming Mac we want oh so much, the media Mac mini, but it
does have to do with the iPod dock that device was supposed
to have. According to ThinkSecret, Apple's first run of Intel Mac minis that are now going into production overseas
had their top-loading integrated iPod docks swiped at the last minute. Yes, we know this isn't as big a deal as the
media mini itself, but there are a fair number of people out there who were pretty stoked for some hard iPod on Mac
mini action. And to them we say: well, it was only a rumor anyway, wasn't it?
Eh, I’m just hoping for a new mini. It seems like a iPod dock on a mini would look a little bit tacky.
Most users wouldn't have used it anyway, so it's better to leave some room for other things, for example 3,5" hard drives... quite obvious for a media-centric computer...
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This is great news for all iPod fans.
that iPod is a 3G.
That iPod is a 4G. 3G iPods have the top row of 4 buttons. I'm still rockin' my 10GB, waiting for the true video iPod to emerge.
you're right. 4G.
my point though, is that it is not a 5G or Nano.
which seems odd.
Its called photoshop people, they probably just clipped in a stock Ipod shot to quickly make the icon and put it up with the news.
Anyways, go media center Mac Mini!
"Apple's first run of Intel Mac minis that are now going into production overseas"
This means we should be seeing an announcement soon.
Maybe before their April anniversary.
Sadly, no mention of the DVR capabilities or lack thereof. Or if it will contain a cablecard slot or a TV tuner.
I think a Mac Mini media center type unit would be great ... with a dock for the rumored video iPod (3.5 inch screen). Then, you can upload your shows to the iPod and take it on the go. Then, you add a cable to hook it up to your in-car dvd system to watch on the car's screen. Just a guess, I guess . . .
I think a Mac Mini media center type unit would be great ... with a dock for the rumored video iPod (3.5 inch screen). Then, you can upload your shows to the iPod and take it on the go. Then, you add a cable to hook it up to your in-car dvd system to watch on the car's screen. Just a guess, I guess . . .
Meh.
If it were a doc via inserting the iPod in a port in the front, so the entire iPod is inside, and the bottom is flush with the front, and the iPod appears as an external drive (or as a bootable drive)
THEN I'll be impressed; otherwise I'm not easily impressed by Photoshops.
The original Mac minis were built to have an iPod dock in the top-- I've talked to an Apple engineer on the day the mini came out (he was showing off the insides of the mini to people outside the Apple store Valley Fair) and he confirmed that the mini has an extra FireWire bus (wouldn't be useful now since new ones can only use USB2.0) that's not wired to anything still in it. They could flip the switch on that one any time they wanted to practically. Looks like it almost came back with the Intels, but maybe it was for the same reason.
The reason why it never happened was plain and simple: Steve didn't want it to.
THIS IS NOT A RUMOR! THIS IS TRUE!
The Mac mini was rumoured to once have an iPod dock before, all current models have an unused Firewire port on the top of the computer but seeing as no current iPod supports Firewire syncing, it would require a slight redesign to stick a dock on top.
Using the ipod screen as a 2nd monitor, or as the main monitor (a mini frontrow for it?) can be a nice integration. Can be usefull to display widgets too (weather, stocks,...)
Anything that is stacked on top of the Mini will greatly reduce the reception/transmission of both the Airport and Bluetooth. Even by simply removing the top shell of the Mini would improve your range and quality of signal.
So having something on top would only hinder some of the operation of the Mini. Plus if you push the iPod on too heavily while the optical disc is in use. You could interrupt the operation of disc media.
I hope so, the iPod Shuffle already has a built-in dock on all the mac's
I will second #13's comment. He is correct. Steve said no before, so I doubt this will happen...
There had better be a non-dock model. I don't want no freaking ugly hole in my mini I won't even use and wouldn't use if I had it.
Number 13 (b nystedt) The only problem I have with your summary is that the new iPods, including the nano, are not Firewire compliant -- they are USB 2.0 compliant. Therefore, why would a "hidden" Firewire Bus help iPods that don't use Firewire?
To trecko,
Didn't Jobs also disagreed with the idea of an iPod playing videos sometime back?