FireWire is certain to disappear, sadly. And I don't think you'd really want an internal power supply - that would require a small fan, which means big noise. I hope this happens - I'll buy one on the spot, and I imagine many others will too. Despite the comments made during the quarterly report, I think this is the change that will most affect Apple's margins. If the mini has gigabit Ethernet, it will make a fine pro 2D machine... one that would allow the choice of a non-glossy screen up to 30" (or a Cintiq)

I'm building my own mid power mac... see link

http://gizmodo.com/5049756/review-efix-dongle-perfectly-transforms-pc-to-mac

It would be a smart time for Apple to change the Mini to use the same main board as the new MacBook. After all:

0. The engineering has been done
1. The production line is in place
2. Simple case redesign
3. No battery, LCD, keyboard, trackpad

This would be a quick and easy move for Apple. It would substantially reduce the redesign costs and warranty costs, and the lack of an LCD, battery, trackpad, and machined case would reduce the overall cost of the device.

Just don't look for additional features. Firewire? No way - that'd require a new mainboard. SATA port? No, that'd be atypical for the Mac platform. NVIDIA chipset? Of course.

Perhaps the only "add" would be more USB ports, freed up by the lack of a keyboard and trackpad.

Optical drive? Maybe. But clearly Apple could lean on their optional MacBook Air optical drive to lower the cost. All I know is that I have a $25 aftermarket DVD drive I use with my current mini, and it works great.

This new Mini could even use the MacBook power adapter, but with a locking MagSafe socket (as standard MagSafe suggests an on-board battery). But it might be cheaper for Apple to design the case with an internal power supply. If there is ANY power brick, I suspect it will be very familiar.

Or, alternatively to all this, Apple could go nuts and use the new MBP board in the new Mini. Now THAT would get people excited, but it might raise the price too much. I think Apple will instead reuse the MBP board in the next iMac.

The change...would significantly free up space on the crowded back of the computer, allowing Apple more room for expansion or cooling.

Yes, because we know Apple is all about adding MORE expansion to its computers.

A swap for an NVIDIA platform would be much more significant for the Mac mini than any of Apple's portables, as the desktop until now has had to use two-year-old GMA 950 integrated video

It would be significant because it would probably mean the end of Firewire there (which is fine, its a Pro interface, didn't you know that?), as isn't that the same mobo used by the MacBook?

And to quibble on semantics, Apple hasn't "had to use" the crappy video. It has been their choice not to upgrade the computer.

A last but more contentious claim suggests that Apple will switch the optical drive from Parallel ATA to Serial ATA; by using the more recent storage bus, the company would let users custom-order the Mac mini with a second hard drive in place of the optical drive if hard drive space is more important, such as with servers.

Not a chance. They might go sata on the drive (they did in the macbook), but they aren't going to add a custom-order option "such as with servers". Apple in no way wants anyone to think about using a mini as a server. That's what the xserve is for.

Plus this would leave an ugly slot in the case, and apple couldn't have that.

And you can't even replace the optical drive in a MacPro. Why would Apple waste that effort on their cheap-o model. Cost is too high to get someone to swap it out to warrant the option.

to keep FireWire!

It needs Wireless-N.

The 4-Gb RAM increase would be good.

Definitely needs a graphics card update.

First posted 23-10-2008 20:03

at last - somebody who believes in life after death! Look out people for the mac nano! Apple will give us the perfect living room pc/htpc/media centre/ - MacBook or MacBook pro spec without bluray drive ( but Amex digital can provide) - its just a matter of when! The margin for apple would be outstanding (since they save on cost of screen and keyboard) perfect for business and consumers during these lean times and just what they need to compete with the sub £500 junk out there and again satisfy demands of shareholders and mac fans.

The mac mini has always had potential to be apples Trojan horse - hit the living room, hit the switchers, hit those that just want their stuff to do everything, that just works and looks (black) ice cool. That can be controlled by an updated Remote app on their ipod touch or iphone. Did I mention game console potential, with app store capability!

Earlier in the week, the Mini was dead and gone. A few days later it's being replaced with an updated version. You people hang on to the slightest news that basically has no verification whatsoever.

AppleTV and the MacMini need to be combined because at the present point in time they're likely the least purchased items in Apple's entire computer lineup. Might as well make one really useful product instead of two next-to-useless products.

Has anyone noticed on the BTO options they show a standard hard drive and a SSD icon to the left like the do for the notebooks? The iMacs/Pros don't show this...

...combining the mini and the atv into a more powerful device would be welcome. i'm a fan of the ATV - it has literally changed overnight how i interact with my media. it centralized all my music and SD/HD video and photos. and with Remote on the iPhone, i have whole house music control via WiFi. threw away the Harmony.

but the youtube interface just gives you a taste of being on the net with it. add in a wireless keyboard and mouse and we finally have a great digital media hub.

I love my mac mini, and I have the Core Duo 1st gen of the Intel processors. I would definitely buy a new one if they refresh them again!

C'mon, let's not make this a reality by accepting it already. I (we?) do want Firewire on the Mac mini so let's make it clear to Apple. It's not like they won't have space on the back now that the DVI connector is replaced by the Mini DisplayPort.

Firewire is great for so many things (external devices, TDM, IP over Firewire), let's hope they put in two Firewire ports rather than just one. In fact, let's expect two rather than one, rather than accepting it's already gone.

Please Apple.

Cheers,
Ashley.

C'mon, let's not make this a reality by accepting it already. I (we?) do want Firewire on the Mac mini so let's make it clear to Apple. It's not like they won't have space on the back now that the DVI connector is replaced by the Mini DisplayPort.

Firewire is great for so many things (external devices, TDM, IP over Firewire), let's hope they put in two Firewire ports rather than just one. In fact, let's expect two rather than one, rather than accepting it's already gone.

Please Apple.

Cheers,
Ashley.