New Mac mini mentioned in third party press release

It seems like the signs are pointing to a refresh of the Mac mini when this year's Macworld rolls around. According to a press release by SeeFile, their new (version 4.6) web server software can be purchased bundled with a Mac mini server with 1 terabyte of storage -- which is odd enough, since the largest internal drive that ships with the thing is 120GB. And how about the release itself, indiscreetly titled: "New Mac Mini Hardware to Be Supported by Revolutionary SeeFile Web Sharing DAM Software." Of course, this could all be mere speculation, rumors and innuendo. We'll find out soon enough, won't we?

[Via Yahoo]

[Byrdman @ Jan 5th 2009 3:44PM]

if its cheap enough and actually be a good machine this could be a good buy

[CX1 @ Jan 5th 2009 3:49PM]

it will be slow and over priced as with every other mini

[Byrdman @ Jan 5th 2009 4:01PM]

that is why I said "if" it is

[KarlW @ Jan 5th 2009 4:01PM]

Every other mini has basically been a refresh of the old one. If the rumours are correct, this is a whole new model. It could be very different.

I'll buy one if it has the GPU from the MBP (even as a BTO option). It's not great for games, but it's a lot better than the X3100 I've currently got to suffer with. At least I'll finally be able to play Bioshock...

[Aguiluz @ Jan 5th 2009 3:46PM]

"New Mac Mini Hardware to Be Supported by Revolutionary SeeFile Web Sharing DAM Software."

Is that another word for DRM?

[Aguiluz @ Jan 5th 2009 3:49PM]

(Offtopic: I uploaded my regular non-christmas avatar 5 times already! Why won't it update?)

[Josh Ladella @ Jan 5th 2009 4:00PM]

How is that a Christmas avatar?

[Danny @ Jan 5th 2009 4:06PM]

He had a flashing Rudolph nose..

[captainpease @ Jan 5th 2009 4:11PM]

DAM stands for Digital Asset Management. Basically any file that can be stored on your computer is considered a digital asset. These management systems have been around for 10+ years but have only gained momentum in the past few, due largely in part to the boom in digital content like video and social media. The DAM server is just a database that houses all the digital assets with their associated metadata (IPTC, XMP). Think Adobe Bridge on a corporate level...

I manage an in-house enterprise DAM system here at National Instruments that grants 500+ of our international marketing users access to our 60,000+ digital assets via an online portal. We also have a plug-in app for our InDesign print designers and a couple of standalone thick clients as well.

This software looks to meet the needs for small to medium sized businesses looking for an entry level DAM. Nothing too new or exciting here...

[Galley @ Jan 5th 2009 5:36PM]

I've tried many, many times to update my avatar to no avail.

[Brent Summers @ Jan 5th 2009 5:40PM]

At least the one your stuck with isnt that bad...

[Adam @ Jan 5th 2009 3:46PM]

This + Boxee + HDTV = new computer/media center for me.

[Chris @ Jan 5th 2009 3:48PM]

It's still gimped if it doesn't have a tuner.

[strang @ Jan 5th 2009 3:55PM]

Not if you live in Canada. No ATSC over the air HD anyways so who cares if the box has a tuner or not...?

[Chris @ Jan 5th 2009 4:12PM]

@strang When I think media center, I think computer/DVR. For just streaming content might as well use an Xbox or a PS3. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

[matt @ Jan 5th 2009 4:20PM]

Errm, USB?

[Steveorevo @ Jan 5th 2009 8:19PM]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Frontrow with an external tuner card would augment or completely replace my Windows Media Center crap I've got going now. iTunes / Frontrow allows me to 'find' (read: browse) my 300 CD collection in about 3 seconds. Windows Media Center takes about 12 minutes FOR EVERY LETTER I PRESS IN THE DAMN SEARCH BOX or almost an hour to lookup the work 'Rock'.

I've tried new and old versions of Windows Media Player too, on quad cores and the like and I'm sorry but M$ is crap in the media usability department when compared to even the lowest Apple running OSX (yes its overpriced sub-cutting edge hardware -but Apple supported none the less).

Its the Software Stupid!

[Andrew @ Jan 6th 2009 12:55AM]

I record ATSC OTA in Canada. I get 3 channels!

[aphex @ Jan 5th 2009 3:47PM]

Kinda makes sense I guess if you take that along with the other reports that have been circulating. Some reports have said that the Mac Mini will be able to accept two internal hard drives (if you take out the optical), and with 2.5" hard drives up to 500gb now, pop two of them in there for a cool 1TB Mini.

[Dean @ Jan 5th 2009 5:39PM]

With two drives spinning in a tiny enclosure, "cool" probably isn't the best word to use.

[aardWolf @ Jan 5th 2009 3:50PM]

Good thing... I'm purchasing a new Mac tomorrow, and the detailed specs will determine whether I'm buying a Mini or an iMac.

[Aaron @ Jan 5th 2009 4:01PM]

you do realize that Apple wont have them in the stores tomorrow... right?

[MarbleMind @ Jan 5th 2009 4:18PM]

@Aaron

You do realize that Apple has one of those newfangled web thingamajigs called online shops and that their particular one will, at the latest, be updated right after the keynote... right?

[d0mth0ma5 @ Jan 5th 2009 6:09PM]

@Marblemind
It'll be updated at the earliest right after the keynote, 4:30pm GMT that baby is going down for updating and won't be seen from again until 6ish.

[David Hildreth @ Jan 5th 2009 3:51PM]

You don't keep secrets by telling crappy third party vendors. I'd say they got their info from the same places we all do.

[Byrdman @ Jan 5th 2009 4:03PM]

third party vendors get the info before anyone else because they are making products that are designed to work in conjunction with them. that is why you see all of the ipod cases before the actual ipod.

[TVGenius @ Jan 5th 2009 5:09PM]

I just find it hard to believe Apple can keep anything a secret, since the leaks from these third parties keep getting worse (or more accurate, I should say).

[James @ Jan 5th 2009 3:51PM]

I'm gonna make love to the old mini before the new one comes out in less than 24 hrs...

[Danny @ Jan 5th 2009 3:56PM]

Already have a Mini + Plex (superior to Boxee, although boxee does have a few more features.. for now) + HDTV. But have to say I'm chomping at the bit for a new Mini. I'd love to see a beefed up Mini come out tomorrow.

[Cheese McBeese @ Jan 5th 2009 4:13PM]

I've been trying to get my Mini and my Apple TV to mate in the hope that their offspring will offer the best media center functionality on the market.

[Chris @ Jan 5th 2009 4:19PM]

Ha!

[CraigJ @ Jan 5th 2009 4:19PM]

getting a Mac Mini from Apple as an authorized Apple reseller and swapping in a 1TB drive isn't exactly difficult, but hopefully Apple will release a new, higher spec'd Mini...

[Bryan @ Jan 5th 2009 4:49PM]

Never taken apart a mini I assume? It's no simple task. And the mini uses laptop hard drives so you're limited to 2x500GB to get the 1TB you're after. That would also mean you'd be removing the optical drive.

[spyder @ Jan 5th 2009 4:23PM]

Time Machine + Mac Mini in one?

[Frankenstein Black @ Jan 5th 2009 4:26PM]

Meh!

[numerwan @ Jan 5th 2009 4:55PM]

Give me HDMI and a tv-tuner... And i'll throw in some Boxee and be IN LOOOOOVVEEEEE...

[Macbeth @ Jan 5th 2009 5:20PM]

So is the new mini a retal for windows home server boxes?

[BD 4 u @ Jan 5th 2009 5:24PM]

It WILL have BluRay.

WIll it beat a PS3 as a TV entertainment hub? I think so....

What's the price point gonna be?

[Jordan @ Jan 5th 2009 5:35PM]

Hock your wares elsewhere.

[sam @ Jan 5th 2009 5:48PM]

@Jordan: It's 'hawk', if you mean selling. 'Hock' would mean taking them down to the pawnshop. Otherwise, very good point, the kind of point it would be even easier to make with the superb new text editor I'm selling at http:// ... joking.

Mini's great (if expensive) - the same as everything else Apple makes, I don't know why people would be surprised that the hardware-for-your-money value is less than with alternatives... I definitely won't be considering a new one since it's not that long ago I got my current one. Unless the new one has Blu-ray and SSD options, that would tempt me... (SSD probably still too expensive atm though - and yes I know I could plug one into my existing mini, but you practically need a degree in rocket science to even open the damn thing, I know because I upgraded the memory in my previous one.)

[Tyler Willis @ Jan 5th 2009 6:03PM]

Perhaps this is the rumored Media Server (possibly with an update to iTunes to make it a little more network friendly)?

[elizabeth282 @ Jan 5th 2009 6:04PM]

i think is the best roundup of macworld rumors (thus, the above fits in perfectly with the predictions):

http://buzznewsroom.com/tech/best-macworld-rumors-predictions/

[Das Gluten @ Jan 5th 2009 9:45PM]

This could be the chance Apple desperately needs to delve back into the sub $1k group again. Not that the mac mini hasn't been here before, but it could certainly use the update. Hopefully it'll actually include some good surprises as well, not just covering the previous generation with aluminum. (And no, I'm not criticizing the new Macbooks, I understand that considerable upgrades were made the graphics card, etc.