Apple's Intel Mac minis: Core Duo at 1.67GHz, Core Solo at 1.5GHz

It should come as no surprise that the first thing Apple announced at today's event was a revamped Mac mini. And while the updated diminutive computer may not be the Mac media center many had hoped for, it does have Apple's Front Row media management software, and comes in both Core Solo and Core Duo versions, which Apple says makes the machine anywhere from 2.5 to 5.5 times faster than the G4 version. Although the machine has the familiar mini form factor, new additions include an IR port for the Apple Remote, two more USB 2.0 ports (for a total of four), SPDIF, Gigabit Ethernet, standard Bluetooth and WiFi. The new mini also comes with an updated version of Front Row with Apple's Bonjour networking technology, which allows sharing and streaming of media, including audio, video and photos, among all Macs on a local network. The Core Solo version, at 1.5GHz, and including a CD burner, 512MB RAM and a 60GB drive, is $599; the Core Duo at 1.67GHz includes an 80GB drive and a dual-layer DVD burner, and sells for $799. Both models are available immediately.

[Ed @ Feb 28th 2006 2:06PM]

First post.... now, is this the first mac with integrated video?

[Baumann @ Feb 28th 2006 2:06PM]

Man! That graphics card is CRAP! This certainly couldn't be used in Molten Core.

[Alex @ Feb 28th 2006 2:06PM]

Cool
The old mini's disappeared from the store

[Jorgen Veisdal @ Feb 28th 2006 2:07PM]

The way I understood it, you can share media (video, audio and pictures) throughout all pcs and macs on the network, as long as they run itunes.

[ken @ Feb 28th 2006 2:08PM]

The video memory is now shared! BOO!!!!!

[Ethan @ Feb 28th 2006 2:08PM]

More important than anything, this machine now supports Core Imaging in Tiger :) That is a happy thing indeed, as it brings this up to a true usable home theater device.

[J @ Feb 28th 2006 2:09PM]

Uhhh, there's no SPDIF port in the picture.

[Dave @ Feb 28th 2006 2:09PM]

Had a look at the specs over at the Apple Store... who the hell thought it would be a good idea to put an Intel graphics processor in these? It looks like it feeds off of the RAM too!

I would have totally sold my Powerbook for one of these if it actually had a decent graphics processor.

[kenny @ Feb 28th 2006 2:09PM]

it not having a tv tuner/ the media center capability is kind of depressing...

but the fact it can connect and stream stuff from a computer....possiblly slingbox like ease?....good...now its easy to get pornz on my tv from my computer without lugging either to the other, or burning DVDs...

but still not the mac mini i was hoping to see...

[arkowi @ Feb 28th 2006 2:09PM]

Anyone care to comment on how well these would handle high def video playback?

[puh_fifer @ Feb 28th 2006 2:10PM]

Holy disappointment Batman. That integrated graphics is a huge handicap, as well as the pricetag. I was all about this thing til now.

I just did some number crunching, and with the 64MB to video and the 80MB OSX takes, over 28% of your ram is used the minute you turn it on.

How they could go from having a card with dedicated memory to this integrated pile of junk is beyond me. They gave the iMacs and Macbook Pro's X1600's if I remember correctly and the mini gets intel integrated.

I think Im gonna cry right now.

[meety @ Feb 28th 2006 2:10PM]

i thought it was a 1.66 GHz inter core duo. either way, why not just buy an iMac instead?

[David @ Feb 28th 2006 2:11PM]

Media streaming among all macs AND PC's on a network (iTunes).

[goobimama @ Feb 28th 2006 2:13PM]

The Optical out (SPDIF) is the same port as the analog out...

[apainter @ Feb 28th 2006 2:13PM]

They can handle 2x1gb RAM now. I'm guessing they went to laptop ram like the iMac?

[Fuzz @ Feb 28th 2006 2:14PM]

Qucik! Someone tell Steve Jobs to fire the guy that labeled the ethernet port 10/000/1000!

[Nathan @ Feb 28th 2006 2:14PM]

Shared memory?!?! Ouch... Oh well, I'm still going to get one. It'll be the first thing from Apple I've ever purchased.

[Rob @ Feb 28th 2006 2:14PM]

Integrated graphics SUCK!!! - what a step backwards to an otherwise nice upgrade!

[Jeff J @ Feb 28th 2006 2:15PM]

As I sit here thinking of this new Mac Mini, I'm left thinking, "That's it? That's all you you have?" For the same reason that I have not yet bought an iPod, I am still wanting more than these over-hyped and under-delivered Sony-esque products.

Dear Apple... you come so close, yet you're still so far away. It's no wonder that the PC world continues to pass you by.

Sincerely, a creative that has yet to lose his mind to the Apple drug.

[Jcee @ Feb 28th 2006 2:16PM]

Yeah, the Apple store does not specifically say SPDIF out, but does say digital audio out, so I assume SPDIF.
The integrated graphics processor is junk....no decent game or accelerated video playing on this thing. Is this not a downgrade from the mini mac ver. 1?
No component video out (just composite and s-video), no PVR capability.

Forget this thing...

[George @ Feb 28th 2006 2:16PM]

Man, that 10/000/1000 Ethernet should really fly on 000 mode.

:)

[Tom Schoellhammer @ Feb 28th 2006 2:16PM]

I've never seen an ethernet port that runs at 000 ... look closely at their pic.

[hh83917 @ Feb 28th 2006 2:16PM]

intel integrated GPU kills the buy!

[J @ Feb 28th 2006 2:18PM]

"The Optical out (SPDIF) is the same port as the analog out..."

How the hell is that supposed to work? Is there some new way of sending light through a piece of copper?

My guess is that this is like the Creative Labs "SPDIF" which uses 3.5mm audio cables and only allows you to connect it to Creative brand speakers.

This is BAD. You will definately not be able to use it with a standard stereo and optical cables. WTF?

[Josh @ Feb 28th 2006 2:19PM]

wow, a $600 media extender... you know, I'd rather just get an xbox 360 for that since it can stream media, also play games, and costs a couple hundred dollars less.

[rich @ Feb 28th 2006 2:21PM]

its the begining of the end for apple
i was going to buy a mini if it was anything better than this but i've had so many problems with intergrated graphics i won't buy a computer of any sort that uses one of them mac or otherwise.

[Leicafanboy @ Feb 28th 2006 2:22PM]

I guess the entry level system makes sense. But if I were to get the Core Duo config, I might as well just go all the way to a 17" iMac. The extra $400 is well worth it.

Touched by FSM's noodly goodness

[Jerome @ Feb 28th 2006 2:22PM]

23 you numpty, combined optical and 3.5mm analog connectords have existed since Minidisc was invented. Wakey Wakey.

[JamesBrown @ Feb 28th 2006 2:23PM]

the mini is still a good product for the price. the core duo model will be very fast... but it seems to me you might as well just get an iMac.

this event was certainly disapointing but i bet april 1st will be the shit. video iPod for sure...

[Chris Barker @ Feb 28th 2006 2:26PM]

J said: How the hell is that supposed to work?

I think you will see that there is a thing called an optical mini connector that happens to be the same size as a 3.5 mm standard analog mini connector. Thus the one size fits all.

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/lifestyle/2001/lMiniOpticalPlug.jpeg

[Giovanni Paolo Coia @ Feb 28th 2006 2:27PM]

in response to 23. - its quite simple really

The port has the copper wiring for 3.5mm jacks and also an optical part at the tip. Mini Disc players have used them for years. Its just like an SPDIF jack in the shape of a 3.5mm headphone jack.

[aparrish @ Feb 28th 2006 2:28PM]

I am very sad about the integrated graphics. :'( If they pull that same shit on the new iBooks ...

[Karl Viklund @ Feb 28th 2006 2:28PM]

Both the Core Duo and the Core Solo got Integrated graphics card or just the Core Solo?

[Ricardo Chavarria @ Feb 28th 2006 2:28PM]

Only things I don't like is the price tag...and the SUCKY integrated graphics...totally a step backwards from all the previous efforts!

[Alric @ Feb 28th 2006 2:29PM]

For my TV I need HDMI input. Is there such a thing as a DVI-HDMI cable with SPIF input?

Cheers,

[vectorbug @ Feb 28th 2006 2:31PM]

Josh:
I agree, although 360's are about as expensive unless you can actually find one without a bundle.

Actually, if you can even find a 360.

The mini was announced today, and they're already available to buy. The 360 has been out since before xmas and you still can't find any.

[amanda @ Feb 28th 2006 2:31PM]

"24. wow, a $600 media extender... you know, I'd rather just get an xbox 360 for that since it can stream media, also play games, and costs a couple hundred dollars less."

AMEN. MCE2005 + xbox kills this on price, plus PVR functionality by far.

[c kizer @ Feb 28th 2006 2:33PM]

The new shared video is a boom, because it uses memory from the 667mhz bus, and you won't notice it missing. You can now easily play 2 1080p h.264 streams at full speed with this video card.

It's an excellent choice.

[Joe @ Feb 28th 2006 2:34PM]

They had me until $799 (or for that matter $599).

[Dipster @ Feb 28th 2006 2:36PM]

Integrated graphics?? You've got to be kidding. Lack of a discrete video card is the last thing I imagined possible in the new mini.

That just killed a buy from me.

[Jani Tarvainen @ Feb 28th 2006 2:36PM]

Intel GMA950 graphics processor - nooo! Looks like it's heading for the iBook/Macbook too :(

[smckane @ Feb 28th 2006 2:40PM]

What a huge disapointment - that could have been great - instead it's just a stop gap product until they get a media centre together.

Not gonna be in my wish list any time soon!

[PodMonkeys @ Feb 28th 2006 2:43PM]

Bummer. I was hoping on the X1600 like the MacBook Pro and iMac. Theres goes my upgrade plan.

[Ben Nelson @ Feb 28th 2006 2:44PM]

2 things that stop me from buying it.

1.) Integrated video card
2.) They should have announced upgraded quality in ITMS videos. Who wants to watch 320x240 video on a TV.

[Russ @ Feb 28th 2006 2:46PM]

I can't help but laugh every time Apple announces a new Intel Mac that is now 2/3/4 times faster than it's old PowerPC counterpart.

And I thought all these years Jobs was telling me how much faster PowerPC chips were...

[JohnS @ Feb 28th 2006 2:47PM]

How long until someone hacks MCE 2005 onto this thing? With that, this unit would make sense for my 2BR apartment. The integrated graphics does have me concerned however. Shouldn't be too bad since its mainly for TV (no gaming) though.

[David @ Feb 28th 2006 2:49PM]

Do you think it is at all possible to put windows or MCE on this thing, cuz if you can Im already ordering it.

[James @ Feb 28th 2006 2:55PM]

How the F--- do you get optical audio out of a headphone jack?

[Ricardo Chavarria @ Feb 28th 2006 2:56PM]

I wonder if this will apply to the Mac Mini...

"Upgradeability� Expand your view across two monitors for more workspace. Option requires Advanced Digital Display 2 (ADD) card for additional display connectors. PCI Express* x16 port available� to upgrade to higher performance graphics card if required for extreme gaming."

From Intel's GMA950 Documents

[MrFloppy @ Feb 28th 2006 2:57PM]

I really, really love the Mac Minis, but... just this?
Very dissapointing. I want the Mac Media Center, Jobs!