Apple refreshes Mac mini lineup with GeForce 9400M graphics
By Paul Miller 
posted Mar 3rd 2009 8:41AM
posted Mar 3rd 2009 8:41AM
Mac mini, $599:
- 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 1GB memory
- 120GB hard drive
- 8x double-layer SuperDrive
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
Mac mini, $799:
- 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2GB memory
- 320GB hard drive
- 8x double-layer SuperDrive
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
Just want to see what those who screamed "Fake" on the first leaked images of Mini have to say now...
Yep, I called it in the earlier posts. Engadget and its readers have a terrible track record when it comes to spotting Apple fakes.
More Apple overpriced bullshit... this is basically the Ion with a new label... an og, double the expected price... if its white, its shite...
I wonder if they will actually go back and eat crow on the podcast ths weekend after all that they said.
I'm anything but a fan of Apple, but I think they did pretty well here. It would certainly make an excellent everyday computer or HTPC unlike the relatively weak previous version.
I called fake and I was wrong. Glad to see the refresh but $600 for 2ghz and 1gb RAM and a low end vid card? I guess you are paying for the small form factor but still a bit high.
How easy is it to add RAM to these? Apple (and many other hardware vendors) seem to really rape you on RAM which is ridiculously cheap these days. I might consider the base model so I can run Final Cut at home but only if I can add another gig or two. It's not worth another $200 for me to bump up to 2gb.
Re: RAM upgrades - I've popped my Mac Mini open a few times now to upgrade the RAM and HDD, it's not that difficult at all, though not as easy as it should be. Start with ifixit's guides, there's some on Youtube too. Pay attention as different models have slightly changed internals
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Mac-Mini-PowerPC-RAM/273/1
£100 (25%) more expensive than the old model on the UK website. :(
Shame, I really wanted one.
The reason might be that the pound isn't worth a lot at the moment, so they took the opportunity to adjust the price.
Could well be, though Apple products have always been overpriced in the UK, even when the pound was strong. They never passed any of the savings on during the good times.
Whatever the reason, the base price plus the lack of a remote as standard means that I won't be replacing my current Mac mini.
The old 2.0GHz Mac mini with 2GB of RAM, a 120GB hard disk and a SuperDrive would have cost you £537. The new Mac mini with the same basic spec is £539 today, but has a faster CPU and faster graphics. So it could be worse.
@Bob: How is a 2GHz Core 2 Duo faster than a 2GHz Core 2 Duo? They sound the same to me... are they really faster, different models or something? Or the article above is wrong, or what?
Engadget seems perplexed by the USB ports - that's the only sane thing about this upgrade. Everything else is, well, not much of an upgrade at all. Okay there's some graphics but seriously, you play games on a Mac Mini? Why? But we could all could use more (powered) USB ports...
Basically not that surprising that an incremental minor upgrade doesn't make any major changes, but you do wonder why they bothered. Maybe because 10.6 will be all but requiring a fancy graphics chip?
@Sam it is the bus speed of the processor it used to be 667MHz (I believe) and is now 1066MHz
@sam
GeForce 9400M lets you play 1080p video without stutter. The Mac Mini is now the REAL AppleTV.
Also, the memory is not DDR3.
You could squeeze 1080 P at 30FPS out of the old one (barely). with the 1066 FSB and the Nvidia Chipset 1080P should look pretty good.
crap. not = now.
$ 800 for a mac mini? I'll pass
get the 999$ white macbook then.. I'm typing on one and I love it!
Call me crazy, but isn't $999 more than $800? Why would he want to spend more?
I'm pretty sure the point was that the Mini is still overpriced. You can't buy a PC with 1GB of RAM anymore, even on sub-$300 systems. The $800 Mini should be considered the baseline. It would probably be a bargain at $400. $500 seems appropriate. $800 is just crazy, and easily double what a comparably spec'd PC would cost.
For less than the cost of the $999 MacBook, you can get a netbook AND a desktop PC that's more powerful than a MacBook and a Mini combined.
Apple is really out of touch, but obviously that's nothing new.
@Mike Cerm
I think his point was that, for $200 more, you get:
- The EXACT same computing specs
- A battery
- A display
- A keyboard
- A touchpad
- Oh yeah, it's portable
Asking $800 for this machine is absolutely bullshit. I want NOTHING to do with anything Apple released today. It's a shame.
Wow those are some steep prices most sub $600-$800 laptops come with at least 2GB of ram. These are why the Mac cloners exist in the first place you could build a higher spec machine for that price granted it wouldn't be as tiny, but SFF chassis do offer space for larger parts such as full sized hard drives and video cards.
Completely agreed
This is why Apple will steadily lose marketshare once the iPhone craze dies out / better phones take its place. The iPhone was a concept phone - something to inspire designers - but it's far from permanent.
Really glad more and more people are seeing through their crap.
I specced a low noise HTPC with a decent case the other day for $399.99, if you wanted to go completely silent you can splurge and get a silent CPU cooler for ~$50-$60 bucks. It also had better specs than the Mac Mini
Yeah, the honeymoon is over. Windows 7 just runs so well that this Apple upswing is going to fall out.
Its one thing to skip out on the features and having questionable prices. It's Apple, we've come to expect that from them. The scary thing is that these prices are happening in a recession and you'd think they'd learn after the abysmal sales during the holidays after those laptops updates.
I was definitely hoping for more, but the graphics update alone will suffice it for a home theater companion Mac :)
Except for the fact that is doesn't have and HDMI output. With the specs it has, all this computer is worthy of is HTPC duty, but without the HDMI, it fails at even that task.
@ Mr_Armageddon
Guess you haven't heard of the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable being released soon by Monoprice.
Whats its like going through life just tossing out uninformed BS as you go. These Mac Minis may not be a bargain and may not be a great update, thats subjective. But the HDMI comment you made is just dumb. Especially with the upcoming cables and audio out, even an old mini-dvi adapter + audio cable would work. I just don't get your comment. I guess two cables is too much for you to figure out...
But I should know you are just being contrary, and not feed the troll.
@Justin
DisplayPort doesn't support TrueHD or DTSHD and an adaptor doesn't solve the issue so his point is valid as these are current codecs used in home theater. HDMI also supports 12 bit xvycc colorspace and DisplayPort doesn't.
Mr_Armageddon,
HDMI is exactly the same as DVI except it contains Audio. Why would you want these in the same cable when they go to two different places?
Only a noob would rely on their TV speakers to play their music and film sountrack, there is opitical out for a reason, and that is to run digital sound straight into your amplifier and not have to run it through your TV which in all probablity only has phono-out to your amp.
If you want decent sound, or even want to listen to music without having your TV on, you run seperate cables.
Sailbot.
First of all, many of us have receivers that switch HDMI, so the HDMI isn't going to our TV, it's going to the receiver.
Second, the audio on HDMI is better than the audio on S/PDIF. You can get 8-channel discrete lossless audio, even at 96KHz or higher on HDMI. S/PDIF doesn't go past 2-channel discrete or 6-channel lossy audio.
Thank you "icfleming" and "why not the LS2LS7?" for your input regarding my HDMI remark. I should have been more specific, as I rip all my Blu-ray movies to my HTPC/Media Server. The HTPC uses HDMI pass-through with an Asus Xonar HDAV1.3, (which supports Dolby True HD & DTS-HD) therefore my video and audio are transmitted through one cable to my HDMI switching Yamaha receiver where the 7.1 audio is processed, and the video signal is then sent to my HDTV.
I guess I should have given more background as to why I think the lack of an HDMI cable is huge negative, for those considering the Mac Mini as an HTPC, especially with the HD audio options now available.
Looking to making a boxee box for my HT =)
A little expensive, but the size, and the fact that boxee works with the apple remote makes it tempting.
Look again dude - the apple remote isn't included...
About time, but couldn't they have dropped the price by another $100?
No? Guess not.
Wow. A $200 premium for a slightly bigger HD and slightly more RAM. This is an even worse proposition than last time, when that $200 netted you a faster CPU, more RAM, bigger HD, AND a SuperDrive.
Way to go Apple...
And the graphics memory is up on it as well to 256MB
Say what? They both have the same integrated graphics.
Actually the $200 nets you more GPU memory (256mb vs 128mb), a faster processor (2.0Ghz vs 1.8Ghz), more RAM (2Gb vs 1Gb), and a bigger hard drive (320Gb vs 120Gb). All in all it's not a bad upgrade.
Apple has made it that if you only have 1GB RAM, the graphics will only steal 128MB, but if you have 2GB RAM or more the graphics will take 256MB. So to update your graphics all you have to do is add more ram. Having 256MB taken out of 1GB will render a SLOW system. Not that I would recommend less than 2GB anyways...
Well I should've checked Apple.com first - apparently both are 2.0Ghz. But still, you *DO* get the graphics upgrade.
No, according to the Apple store both are 2.0GHz. And both machines have the same integrated graphics, which means they both use shared memory. I see no reason why the lower-end Mini can't do 256MB for graphics memory as well. If Apple locked it down such that the framebuffer can't be expanded to 256MB without purchasing the more expensive model, that would be very, very lame of them.
LJKelley: Just for the record, that's a feature with nvidia graphics. I've seen some other non-Apple computers like that too.
DDR3 is nice as well.
The graphics on the new Mac Minis are not integrated in the same sense as the older Intel chipsets. They sport their own memory separate from the system's memory.
The $600 mini has only 128MB of video ram, the $800 mini has 256MB of video ram, + 1GB main memory ram + larger hard drive.
The extra memory and larger hard can both be applied to the cheaper Mini, but if you add both of them, you'll wind up paying about $25 more than if you had specced the unit with the larger graphics ram.
This is interesting because in the past the differentiators between the high and low end minis has been a) core solo vs core duo b) dvd/cdrw vs superdrive (dvd+/-R/W) c) bluetooth/wlan and d) processor speed (highest speed was only available in the priciest config)
I bought a $600 one, with the bumped processor ($150 to get to 2.25GHz is expensive, but I find the form factor compelling) and will be adding my own 4GB of ram for an extra $80 from crucial.
It sits under my TV and looks (and sounds) wonderful.
My Sony Vaio Z has integrated 9300 Nvidia graphics with 256MB of DEDICATED memory. There's also a version of the laptop with only 128MB of likewise dedicated memory. It's not using CPU memory at all. So it is quite possible that you're getting double video memory in that $200 upgrade, separately from that 2GB of RAM.
I was hoping to see the dual hard drive (sans superdrive) option...
I realize this is a tiny form factor and some of the price is just to fit all of that in there... but come on. STARTING at $600? Couldn't throw a cheaper one in there?
Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic Apple.
Given the number of people who have been wating for this, and what do you give us? A slightly larger hard drive and an extra USB Port. At least give the damn thing dedicated graphics, because you certainly don't include anything else.
I was actually waiting for this one, it was perhaps going to be my first foray into the Apple cult, as it were. But seeing what pitiful specs this has, and for what will probably be somewhere around 1500 dollars here in Australia, I'd much rather get a Studio Hybrid.
I was going to go for the Hybrid too. But I'd much prefer the DDR3/Nvidia mini to the DDR2/Intel
I would have thought the 9400M counts as a dedicated graphics. But yes, don't we all want more power for the premium price?
I'm pretty sure the 9400M is integrated. It shares the RAM with the processor.
Pathetic was the word that came to my mind too. When I'd originally read about the mini retool, I was excited. I've been looking for an excuse to get a mac and I thought this would be the way to do it. After reading the specs, I almost feel like Apple is trying to insult people. This is like thinking you were getting an Xbox 360 for Christmas and unwrapping it only to find a Virtual Boy instead.
I think deep down Apple want to kill this machine off.
They also added HDCP support (which might allow more HiDef content playback) and 802.11n.
Still, I agree, the price is awful.
Same here man, I though the mac mini retool would be the one that make me switch to mac again. But this is a huge slap in the face. It's expensive, slow and under spec-ed. A sub $600 acer notebook is better spec-ed and faster, not to mention looks better too.
The default price of a studio hybrid is lower ($449), but that's with a Pentium CPU - to upgrade to a T6400 takes you up to $549. Not that much of a difference and it's lacking bluetooth, OS X. I'm not sure if the X3100 in the Dell is better or worse than the mini.
I see lots of posts saying that it's possible to build your own box with the same specs for $300, but no one actually lists the components. I'd like to see that because I baulk at paying $600 as well.
Very disappointing, for £500 a 2Ghz 1GB system is overpriced. The graphics are nice and im sure 10.6 will get more out of them , but i was really hoping for a better value system to truly compete at the low end
No HDMI port? guess if they did that it would truly kill the AppleTV
I was hoping for HDMI as well. Would have made a sweet htpc, but I have no interest getting adapters to hook it up to the TV
Quitcher whinin', a new Mac Mini is a good Mac Mini. If you don't like the prices, don't buy them. There will be others who will. Apple doesn't care about you.
I do, however, realize that a LOT of broke college students like Minis for stuff like HTPC, servers, etc, and this IS a bit pricey for that. When you look at it as a cheap Mac solution, though, this is a pretty good deal.
Didn't you just say that it's "a perfect college machine"?
"Apple doesn't care about you" is actually part of the problem. This machine is perfect for those who wanted a more powerful Mac Mini three years ago.
Time Capsule and Airport Extreme have been updated as well!
Oh goodie! An overpriced external hard drive and an overpriced wireless router!
Oh, sorry - those aren't names that test well with marketing....
"Hey Bob - Lets call them "Time Capsule" since it can back up your work from a previous time and place -- and "AirPort" -- since you are connecting to your destination using 'air'....Oh, and Bob - Lets change the name of the airport actually...the kids really like the word 'extreme' - add that one there - and charge 100 bucks more!"
Lame.
Hahahaha so funny. Everybody waits for updates and then get ripped off.
i am not a huge apple fan at all, but i was willing to spend some tax return money on a lil mac mini to sit next to my tv. sitting here waiting with cash in hand, and now i find out i got to pay 600 bucks for a damn 1GB!.
i cant wait to have new PC running 4GB of ram, better processor, similar graphics... oh well it wont be a Mac
Hey Engadget, what about giving away this too? You know as the recession antidote...
Make it international too.
The old model came with an apple remote in the box. Now it is an optional extra.
Can't you use an iPhone now to control macs? Why would you need another remote?
Hmm overpriced Apple remote $30-50 (I'm guessing) or an iPhone ($200 - $300 plus 2 year contract ~$100/month) for $2,600 that you might not own. I guess all the people that are buying a Mac Mini they have to be a fanboy, since they are so overpriced, and and thus also would have an iPhone. Now I have your logic. Idiot much?
@Dave T.
They really love your kind at Apple :) "Why bundle a remote with it? I'll just give you another $300 for that"
And i just bought a mac mini feb 1 :(
Rumors of a new mini have been swirling around a while.
Take it back?
You could burn it in a ritual !
If you're not in the US, you've just saved yourself a bundle, so well done ! :)
More proof apple needs Steve. They can't even change a simple box without him.
Yes I'm sure he had nothing to do with this.........
You think this was planned, developed and launched in the couple of months that Steve's been on his leave of absence? Dude, what's wrong with you?
Anyone else notice that the Gallery photo of the back of the Mini has FPO plastered across it?
i hope apple reads these posts! crap i tell ya... crap. but i bet you that the funds saved from such a weak product upgrade was used to buy all the flash memory from samsung :P is okay.. ill forgive them if the make the iphone right this year around :]
Check the specs page: http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html
Processors listed at 2.0GHz or 2.26GHz.
Hmm....
Ugh it's actually a $150 upgrade on either model.
Wow yeah. This is horrible.
Yeah, the 2.26Ghz is available as a CTO option when you add it to your cart...
Shame this new version is £100 more expensive here in the UK.
Holy shit that's overpricef rofl
Ah Mac fools and their money. Keep that economy going boys!
Can't believe people would buy this...sad really..
What I find interesting is that they have restricted the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics from running at 2560 x 1600, even though it is perfectly capable according to the Nvidia website.
Yet another example of apple handy capping models so that people who require niche things have to buy more expensive hardware. I love it how it costs $1000 to upgrade from 4GB memory to 8GB, even though its about $100 for the memory itself from crucial and only requires a screw driver to fit.
What? The tech specs page says 'Simultaneously support up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on a DVI or VGA display; up to 2560 by 1600 picels on a dual-link DVI display using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adaptor.'
1920x1200 is the limit of single-link DVI (which the mini-DVI connector is). 2560x1600 is the limit of mini-DisplayPort.
Why the hell aren't the plastic parts black? On every other computer Apple is shipping now they change it to black, so why not on the Mini?
Except the $999 MacBook. And the white iPhone... And all the Apple Remotes. And the Headphones. iPod docks. The keyboard. The Mighty Mouse.
You're right. Except for all those things, everything is black.
I was waiting for the new mini to hook up to the home theatre. Right now, I plug my MacBook Pro into DVI an Toslink hooked into my TV and receiver. I wanted to stop doing that by getting a Mini, but not now. I like the 5 USB ports, and the Dual Video outs, but it's not worth $800 to me.
Looks like I'm back to using the 'ol MacBook Pro for it. Maybe I'll get one of those Dell Mini9's and Hackintosh it. Then, I can leave my Pro behind on shorter trips...
It's comical you expected something different from a company like Apple rofl
Who are you kidding, you'll buy one anyway. Otherwise you might not be trendy anymore.
Must be a lot of trendy people in the world then since Apple's doing so well? If only everyone were as smart as you...
I'd say about 2 million of them.
me too for the hybrid version
Price sucks :(, I wanted one for music server for the apartment.
A thousand curses on anyone who uses the word "innovation" with Apple.
These stink Mac Minis have officially been priced out of the market.
Apple Innovation!
AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
(dies to knife thrown through the internet)
Now check out the Eee Box 206 and compare it to the Mac Mini. 300€ vs 600€ O_o
F'in hilarious!
AST ! --- Apple Sales Tax
Sure.. except the B204 and B206 are still vaporware. (I say that with honest regret.. I'd have bought one months ago if I could)