Mac mini update rumors flare as Apple sales dip

Although Apple just posted some ridiculous quarterly numbers, it doesn't seem like it's going to escape the current economic conditions in the US unscathed -- like pretty much everyone else, monthly sales are down in Cupertino, according to the NPD Group. The drop is only one percent total, but it's against a two percent rise in overall PC sales, which could indicate that Apple's premium pricing is hurting it as shoppers turn to netbooks and other bargain machines. That dovetails nicely with chatter we're hearing today about updated Mac minis making a debut at Macworld -- although Steve famously proclaimed that Apple doesn't "know how to make a $500 machine that's not a piece of junk" during the last earnings call, it sure sounds like he's going to try, with a $499 2.0GHz mini in a new MacBook-esque unibody enclosure rumored to arrive onstage in January. If you believe Wired, it'll be accompanied by a $700 2.3GHz version with NVIDIA graphics, and both models will feature mini DisplayPorts -- nothing shocking there. We'll see when we see -- we've been waiting for the mini to be updated forever, and while Apple did just uncharacteristically slam rumors of a new model, times like these could lead to drastic measures.

Read - Mac mini rumors
Read - Apple monthly sales drop

[Cody @ Dec 15th 2008 11:38PM]

I'd buy one

[John @ Dec 15th 2008 11:33PM]

what's the point of a tiny computer designed for aesthetics? I get a small computer to put it out of the way, not to be able to hide it when I'm not getting off to how great it looks.

[projekt84 @ Dec 16th 2008 2:08AM]

It's a bargain, plus it'll look great next to your $1,000 monitor.

[ArcticFox @ Dec 16th 2008 5:32AM]

You do realise all video players have some sort of basic DXVA video acceleration support?

While it doesnt fully offload the decoding from the CPU having a good GPU does help.

[iKurt @ Dec 15th 2008 11:34PM]

macbook mini ftw!!!

[CT A @ Dec 15th 2008 11:55PM]

Who the hell cares anymore.

[CT A @ Dec 15th 2008 11:57PM]

*Besides Engadget, Gizmodo, and iFans

[crescentdavid @ Dec 15th 2008 11:59PM]

God bless the mac mini fans. They prove there's a market for ANYthing. Hope springs eternal within the rotting corridors of capitalism.

[nerdtalker @ Dec 16th 2008 12:30AM]

I agree, whatever happened to pushing the device that was going to fuel the "Halo Effect?" I really did want a mac mini, I still do, but I'm not paying $499 for one with subpar intel graphics and a whopping 700 for one with probably a Nvidia 7400; that's absurd.

I thought the new unibody manufacturing process was supposed to make things cheaper and more efficient. Why then is the price going to stay the same for (now generation-old) Core 2 Duo hardware?

As someone looking for entry-point stuff, I'd much much rather get an MSI wind/Acer Aspire 1 and use OSX86 on it, especially considering the Realtek driver leak this morning. C'mon apple, if you made a cheap OS X running netbook, people would be all over it in a heartbeat. Don't spout the "piece of crap" "bag of hurt" nonsense. You're supposed to be the industry innovators here.

[Patriks7 @ Dec 16th 2008 12:59AM]

"and a whopping 700 for one with probably a Nvidia 7400; that's absurd"
Knowing how Apple uses the same parts in it's MacBooks and Mac Minis/iMacs, it will most likely be a 9400...

[NoAndThen @ Dec 16th 2008 1:06AM]

I do.

If they hold the price points, but throw in 9400M graphics, with an optional upgrade to 9600M, it's going to be my new home server/XBMC rig in the living room.

I really hope they update these, I've been waiting like forever.

[N3XuS @ Dec 16th 2008 5:28AM]

@NoAndThen: You realise XBMC only relies on CPU power. I personally dont give a toss about the graphics card, i just want a faster CPU so i can 1080p files nicely on the mac mini through XBMC *drool drool*

[clholly @ Dec 15th 2008 11:36PM]

It's about time they update this thing.....how many years has it been since this thing has been completely refreshed??

[who? @ Dec 15th 2008 11:40PM]

About the same as the Shuffle, which is the only other white/aluminum mix styled product they sell. Say! You don't think... ?

[Serge @ Dec 15th 2008 11:48PM]

the silver 6g ipod is silver and white :-P

[who? @ Dec 15th 2008 11:54PM]

I wasn't counting buttons as styling, then I would include the external usb and wireless keyboard, along with the iPod nanos (excluding black and silver) as well.

[who? @ Dec 16th 2008 12:04AM]

*slight amendment to my earlier statement, the nano does have a white top and bottom.

I still think it would be very Apple-ish to redo their smallest cheapest, and oldest computer design and smallest, cheapest, and oldest iPod design in unison.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 15th 2008 11:35PM]

" which could indicate that Apple's premium pricing is hurting it as shoppers turn to netbooks and other bargain machines."

REALLY?

could the fact that every single Apple computer seems ridiculously overpriced have something to do with a rise in PC sales?

that's like comparing apples and oranges :P

[dBs @ Dec 16th 2008 1:41AM]

People keep saying that but to the average consumer (ie not you or I or Engadget), they are no different, they are a computer, period. That means apples and apples...er PCs.

[ScooterDe @ Dec 16th 2008 11:34AM]

agreed. I am building an i7 PC for $1000 including Nvidia 9800 graphics. Sure, the ATX box is way bigger, but Apple pricing is unbelievable.

[who? @ Dec 15th 2008 11:37PM]

They'll drop the price, firewire, and make the white parts either aluminum or black. Maybe a bit smaller or, as in the case of the iPod Touch 2g, 'slimmer'.

I'm ready to be disappointed, so I win no matter which how this goes!

[who? @ Dec 15th 2008 11:38PM]

*how--->way

[Chizzed @ Dec 15th 2008 11:41PM]

No matter the "refresh" they are still going to charge a premium for the name. That's the most expensive part of an Apple product

[who? @ Dec 16th 2008 12:20AM]

That's funny, I always thought I was paying for the pretty bag :D

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 16th 2008 6:30AM]

I thought it was the huge glowing light that comes on to indicate it's off.

[Serge @ Dec 15th 2008 11:42PM]

irrelevant: for some reason engadget is letting me post this using my password, but its not letting me "log in" from my profile page to change my picture and stuff using the same password. wtf^^

relevant: why would apple change the form factor of this thing? no one buys it for how it looks. they buy it because its the only legitimate way to use os x for well under a grand.

[James @ Dec 16th 2008 12:26AM]

Did that to me too a few months back, i have no clue how to fix it but i made a new account and this one works fine.

[who? @ Dec 16th 2008 12:27AM]

You're asking why Apple would redesign something? Are you feeling ok?

[scott @ Dec 16th 2008 1:04AM]

lol. I got a macbook, printer, and iPod for 1100. sold the printer and ipod for a total of 250. So, in essence, I got a macbook for $850.

[ebob9 @ Dec 16th 2008 1:13AM]

I had the same thing happen to me. Figured out that you have to submit a new comment, and get a temporary password to update your account info. I cant remember the exact steps, but I'll try it out after this post if nothing else :)

[ebob9 @ Dec 16th 2008 1:16AM]

Ah yes, now I think I remember. Submit a comment as a 'new user', with your current username and email address. It will mail you a temporary password. Use that to change and update your profile pic. (I still haven't found a good one, though).

[oneMadRssn @ Dec 16th 2008 8:52AM]

I hope this works...

[mac @ Dec 15th 2008 11:46PM]

I bet apple make this thinner to match the base station size, and of course add the wow factor

[Legion @ Dec 15th 2008 11:47PM]

' Steve famously proclaimed that Apple doesn't "know how to make a $500 machine that's not a piece of junk" ' - Yeah, they only know how to make a $4000 machine piece of junk.

[mac @ Dec 15th 2008 11:54PM]

Steve was referring to a $500 notebook.

[who? @ Dec 16th 2008 12:10AM]

That's why it'll be $400! Suck on that!

[DorianGray @ Dec 16th 2008 10:31AM]

I have a Mini in my living room. It's connected via GigE to the NAS in the office closet. Plays my little girl's Disney movies by day using VLC (easy enough to train the nanny), my wife's Desperate Housewives torrents (very high wifey approval factor) and my 720p torrents of True Blood and The Unit at night. Plays 1080p rips I get from my buddy with no probs. It's ripped me a nice 400+ movie library from Netflix using MacTheRipper & Handbrake.

It works, it's unobtrusive, it's not too much of a headache (although any true Mac fan out there who says OSX is more stable than either Vista or XP is friggin' SMOKING CRACK). So I spent $600 two years ago. If the new one is better, the old one will go into the playroom and forevermore be a FrontRow Disney movie engine and the new one will reside in the living room.

Don't hate until you try one.

[who? @ Dec 16th 2008 3:22PM]

You know, they used to go for $499. If they move back down that wouldn't be such a big deal...

[Brad @ Dec 16th 2008 5:59PM]

@DorianGrey

Weird, my XBOX360 does all that for half the price. And it plays video games. The WAF is much higher, too, especially since NXE dropped. Also, Netflix HD streaming is fantastic.

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it.

[who? @ Dec 17th 2008 1:09AM]

@Brad

The mini doesn't scratch disks though :P EPIC _ _ _ _

[yowhatsupdog @ Dec 15th 2008 11:48PM]

The thing is, as apple has shown us in their keynotes, desktop sales are way down and the majority of consumer sales are laptops. Since the Mac Mini is not a laptop, and at $500 will not include a monitor, speakers, (keyboard and mouse?), I don't think there are really any big savings going on here for the consumer, or anything that is going to help apple pump up marketshare. Even if it's smaller and unibody, etc., It still doesn't compare well with a budget $500 desktop.

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 16th 2008 1:42AM]

Apple will just try to sell their Cinema displays to the mini buyers, LOL!!

[Gad Get @ Dec 16th 2008 2:02AM]

"Would you like a $1000 display with your $500 computer?"

"Yes please, and some $50 fries for good measure."

[KA @ Dec 16th 2008 3:16AM]

Mac mini + 19" display with built-in speakers + Apple keyboard + Logitech mouse ≈ £500 ≈ $750. That's my setup, and I love it.

[KA @ Dec 16th 2008 11:54AM]

iFries. They look good, are incredibly thin and are crafted from a solid block of potato. Best to leave them for a while to download any software updates. Then eat them. Any problems? http://bugreport.apple.com/

[chispito @ Dec 16th 2008 5:40PM]

An HDMI port would be nice.

[Cardbored @ Dec 15th 2008 11:52PM]

does that mean there will be a Psystar Mini?

[mac @ Dec 15th 2008 11:58PM]

If Pystar are smart they will make a $399 netbook

[obo @ Dec 16th 2008 12:05AM]

"If Pystar are smart they will make a $399 netbook"

and call it the "PSI Windy"

[avirji @ Dec 16th 2008 10:21AM]

@ obo

And then be in court facing not one but TWO companies =).. "Oh the weather outside is frightful..."