Rumored Mac Mini refresh said to be Ion-based
By Laura June 
posted Jan 16th 2009 10:29AM
posted Jan 16th 2009 10:29AM
People trading in salacious gossip have been counting on an update of the Mac mini for ages now, with most of the rumors centering on it making its appearance at Macworld. Well, the festivities came and went without a peep about the mini -- but that hasn't stopped the rumors from swirling. The latest we're hearing is that the refresh will be built upon NVIDIA's new Ion platform, which houses a 9400M GPU -- the same graphics processor as the new unibody Macbooks -- and could mean an even minier mini than the one we already know. Tom's Hardware, the source of this newest rumor, also speculates on a March release date, though they're not guessing on the price just yet. 
It's "more complex" then previously thought.
Of course its gonna be thinner! They'll remove the disk drive!
Just like what they did to air.
It will then be dubbed the Mac Nano.
I trusted source (My uncle's brother's son) told me that it will be small, shiny, expensive with Apple logo on it.
Dude, of course it will be expensive. It costs $399.99 for the computer and $500.00 for the Apple Logo!
dude your uncles brothers son would be your cousin...
(or second cousin)
I think he meant "Himself". His Uncles Brother could be his Father, and his Father's Son, could be him.
I mean myself.
@Saad
I don't want to be weird or anything, but over the past year or so I've noticed your avatar slowly turning to the right. Is the next iteration just going to be the back of your head?
I'm OK with the GPU but not with the processor
Most likely, Intel will see to it, so there shouldn't be a problem. the air came out with a custom made Intel processor remember?
Agreed. Even the fastest Atom is slower than the slowest 45nm Core 2 Duo - besides it's NOT a laptop. It has no battery to get some precious minutes out of. It may use laptop parts for its diminutive form factor and thermal load - but that doesn't mean it needs "nettop" parts.
I'd be happy for a regular Core 2 Quad desktop for under $1,000.00
Oh pooh - haha the Processor is fine if you need Blistering speed - get Mac Pro Silly - I'm a System Admin and I use a core 2 duo mini every day as my main computer averaging around 10 open apps at a time - it works fine - sheesh
A lesser overall processor performance but an higher price knowing Apple if the specs are true.
I'm not. I was hoping the move to NVidia chipsets would mean better graphics, possibly as a BTO potion.
Nothing too fancy, but the GPU from the MBP would be nice. You know, this is a desktop machine. Maybe it's not meant to be that powerful, but putting the MBP GPU in isn't really going to compete with the Mac Pro.
@KarlW - sure, the mini is a desktop machine, but practically the whole point is that it's made with laptop parts - meaning it's got low power consumption, relatively low noise (fan could be quieter... I'd love a fanless one), and really small.
Agree they don't need to make the processor any slower (and I can't believe they would; competing with lowest-common-denominator net-tops doesn't sound like an Apple move to me), but expecting this to be just as powerful as the latest tower-box monstrosity is definitely wide of the mark.
I imagine these rumors are simply confused. Apple is not going to put a CPU in a new Mac mini that is slower than the Mac mini from 2 years ago. I'd bet that the Atom is going into AppleTV, and the mini will get a real CPU.
so it's going to be failing like every other nvidia chip currently on the market
The 330 would be powerful enough for most people, and if Apple could shrink the footprint of the system and the price, they could have a winner on their hands. Think EeeBox, Apple style.
If this is true, I would be curious about with this would be what they would do with the Apple TV. a dual-core mini pc with hardware HD decode and HDMI (or Displayport) could eat heavily into the Apple TV's market.
kinda want. I just hope it's cheap. Oh wait, it won't be.
lol it can't be confirmed if its still a rumor. We see how all the Mac Mini "confirmed rumors" worked out before the most recent Mac World (not saying you all are wrong or anything)
I was thinking the same thing. I'll go one step further and confirm that the new mini will have Blu-ray and can make waffles.
The price better be like $200-$300 if they've moving to Atom - even if it's the dual-core variant.
i confirm that article is a bunch of BS
That's stupid and uncorfirmed:
1. What speaks again the ION? The performance, the actual Mac mini has a Core 2 Duo processor which is faster. Now the ION would not compete with it.
2. Why take a smaller processor and a better graphics? This is illogical
3. I dont believe this rumor, and thats confirmed!
Balance Grasshopper.
The mini has an awsome processor... but just like the old white Macbook a processor that would have been king of the desktop hill when mini was released is strapped to integrated graphics decelerator.... making a $250 processor essentially useless for all but email. Switching to even an Atom with Nvidia graphics will make the overall system faster... things like basic Windows games (Sims2/WoW) will actually be playable now. I was wondering when Apple would smarten up and stop putting those really expensive C2D chips in. They're nice for servers, but the $50-$75 premium (versus chips used in other $500 PCs) to use a higher bin C2D will be better served with better graphics and a lesser processor. That also serves to differentiate the Mac Mini from the iMacs.
They may be seeing Apple TV rumors though. Apple TV is a low end single core ULV celeron with an integrated Nvidia 7300. Atom + Ion was designed for just that application. Apple knew even then the mini's GPU was junk!
how is that confirmed!? its still rumour.
Stop putting up headlines that make me click through to find the actual article bears no relation to the headline!
Considering the atom processor seems like this would be a better update to the appletv then the mac mini. I just don't see the atom having the umph needed for a regular desktop environment.
Appleinsider has a similar story up from yesterday but the article also states that this could be rubbish and they are still going with the C2D processors. I guess we'll find out in March, huh?
If Apple are sensi-bubble, this machine will really be the perfect cloud computing and media box. IE, a combination of a Mac Mini and an Apple TV. Fairly snappy at Internet and media browsing and playback, rather than suited to power apps like Photoshop and Final Cut etc. Ideal for the living room, small home office and small business. If internat storage is optional, then that will allow people to use it as a server too - while others may be happy to stream media and run their lives in the cloud only. Mobile Me, Google Docs etc are for that.
Students and power users are really going for laptops now, so they are not really in the market for a Mac Mini.
All said, it would be great if Apple would launch a £500 solid state notebook/netbook. MacBook Mini? As long as the keyboard is decent, it runs OS X as fast as a normal MacBook, has internal 3G/3.5G connectivity (HSDPA modem?) and can connect to an external monitor, we'll be sorted.
Stevie, while you're getting better, be thinking about this and keep on the case. Wonder if he reads Engadget? Be well, if you do! :-)
Oops, 'internat' should read 'internal'.
I addition, the price really does have to start at a more Dell like £300, or perhaps less if poss - while retaining the excellent built quality of the current Mini. We are in a recession!
I could see Atom + Ion as a mac mini/Apple TV crossover box. The combination is exactly what they use in Apple TV right now... the proposed is a line item upgrade, and Atom on my Acer Aspire plays iTunes video at 10x7 so 720p content would also work with the additional graphics boost. I don't see need any upgrade to 1080 simply because file sizes for HD are already hard to download on 3meg DSL and even harder to store.
I see mini as being too good, and too expensive. If Apple adds 9400, then it competes with iMac at less than half the price.. and they really need mini to be cheaper. If they dial down the processor, then it's clearly good enough to be a "mac", and slightly faster than the original intel mini's because of better graphics... without stepping on the iMac market. They could combine the two devices manufacturing, adding the HDMI + Component port for Apple TV and the mini-DVI + MIni-DP for Mac Mini. Buying the same CPU/GPU for both lines would save Apple a bundle of $$ also.
it will NOT be ion, thats dumb. there is no reason for the mini to go Atom.
it will be Core 2 Duo combined with the 9400M GPU, just like the internals of the unibody MacBook.
duh.
seconded.
Here's a fun unsubstantiated rumor! The new Mac mini is also the new Apple tv! Apple will discontinue selling the Apple tv and focus on selling the new lower-spec Mac mini at a base price of $399. Apple tv is a dead product--without a monthly subscription model there's no reason for consumers to pick it over Roku, Xbox 360 or other devices capable of streaming Netflix, Vudu etc.
However, the new Mac mini will support dual-boot capability: it can boot to OS X and allow the use of applications, web browsing etc. OR you can boot in "instant-on" mode to a Front Row-like environment for access to all your media via the Apple remote.
An AppleTV can be turned into a normal PC if you are
persistent enough. At 3 times the price of a mini, that's
a lot ot motivate someone. An AppleTV is at least price
competitive with similar network media players.
The mini, like many things Apple, only really appeals
to those willing to trade money for time/bother.
after watching this:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/12/nvidia-ion-platform-gets-demonstrated-at-ces/
it seems like the atom could be fine.
but, i think apple with go with the C2D for speedier iLife and iWork
eh....
Wait. did we know "The new Mac mini is going to house a 9400m" from the rumors before the Macworld keynote already?
I mean "didn't we":)
Only the mac cult could even imagine purchasing a less powerful computer for more money than it's worth just because it is smaller. Mac mini Ion would be less powerful than a mac mini as is. It would cost the same amount... but it would be smaller. So you'll be paying like $700 for a $300 computer. This would only work if the Ion mac mini sold for under $500.
The ION platform will be Atom. I think it will be Core 2 Duo + 9400 GPU which is not the Ion platform. In other words. You got it wrong after being confused. The Ion Platform is the Atom processor and no other Processor. It's confusion and that is it.
too bad it's apple and it's going to cost us 2 ION pcs in 1, with the actual power of 1.
=(!
anyone has any idea if there's an available ION powered pc out there already? i'd love to get one of these. although, i would like to get a better processor like VIA or a dual atom or something
My take on this is that the ION platform is destined for the new Apple TV, which is probably due for a refresh around March. I cannot imagine that even Apple could get away with shoving an Atom in a headless MAC and selling it for $500-700.
$500: yes; $700: no
So it turns out they might be using A dual core atom that may be specific to apple. An over clocked atom or something along the lines.
What is the purpose of the mini? The iMac already combines a monitor and a PC, making the smallest form factor possible.
And if you want to hook something to your TV, get an Apple TV with Boxee firmware. The mini does not have a practical purpose.
The mini is for people like myself and others that want an Apple desktop, already have a pretty decent monitor, and don't need or want to pay the high cost to get a Mac Pro. It's the perfect computer for a large slice of the market.
Right now the target market for the Mac Mini is a bit muddled. My guess is it's meant to attract PC desktop users except that it really doesn't offer any of the benefits of a PC desktop (inexpensive, expandable, etc.). Now if the Mini had a real desktop hard drive and dual monitor support the system would be much more interesting to an existing Mac user like myself by filling a huge gaping hole in the current Mac lineup - an entry level desktop.
Right now if you want a Mac desktop with dual monitor support (as in *your* dual monitors, not an all in one plus one of your monitors) you've got one choice: the $2400 Mac Pro.