Whither the Mac mini?
Gizmodo is citing two major European retailers, who have said they are not expecting any more Mac mini shipments from Apple. This could mean one of two things: either a new model is soon to be announced, or the line will be discontinued as early as today's Q4 conference call.
Many people love their Mac minis, turning them into everything from low-cost web servers to roll-your-own DVRs. It was originally intended for switchers who didn't want or need to replace their screen, keyboard or mouse, but wanted the Mac experience.
On Amazon.com, the MacBook continues to be Apple's best-selling computer, followed by the 15-inch MacBook Pro. The Mac mini comes in third, ahead of the 24-inch iMac.
As someone with a family member interested in a Mac mini, this doesn't bode well. What do you think this means? Will Apple have another ultra-low-cost Mac waiting in the wings? Leave us a comment with your predictions.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
YodaMac said 2:39PM on 10-21-2008
As long as the Mini stays among the top sellers, I can't imagine Apple discontinuing it without a replacement product.
I love my Mini and plan on buying another Mini to replace it. (we'll see...)
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Tomas said 2:44PM on 10-21-2008
My parents just bought a Mac Mini a week ago from my advice and are very happy, I'd hate to see it go, but if it does I'm glad they got it just in time, but if they update it, I feel sorry for them for buying a soon to be out of date machine.
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Josh Wardell said 2:46PM on 10-21-2008
It better just be getting upgraded or at least replaced.
Home users that like to choose their own screen have no other choice but a insanely overboard Mac Pro.
After 2.5 years, I've had no regrets at all "downgrading" from a previously high end G4 to a mini, which still has plenty of power for desktop and photo apps.
But perhaps they are taking advantage of the smaller macpro motherboards to make a smaller mac mini.
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Ozbone said 2:48PM on 10-21-2008
I love my Mini and hope it survives. That said, given its commonality with the old MacBooks, Apple will be forced to either update it or just let it fade away. I'd guess we'll see an update.
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Jeremy said 2:51PM on 10-21-2008
Seriously, this article answers it's own question. The Mac Mini is quite popular (3rd at Amazon). What company ever discontinues one of it's more popular products and replaces it with nothing?
Are you guys *trying* to be dumb, or just whoring for comments and page hits?
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-wsn said 3:08PM on 10-21-2008
Hi
While I see the point you are making about it's 3rd place spot on Amazon, companies DO kill products that are popular.
What is popular with consumers may not be popular with the bean counters, for example.
Not saying this is the case w/mini, but some popular items may not have enough profit in them to justify themselves, or make up for it's cost in volume to cover it.
I don't wanna see the mini go away, but I think what this article is saying/asking is that what might happen if it does, and there is more than one possibility, thus I don't think it was posted just to answer itself.
Cheers
-wsn
directeco said 3:36PM on 10-21-2008
I'm not sure how much you can go by Amazon's ranking alone. Until recently I worked at an Apple retail store for about a year and we barely ever sold minis.
That's not to say I want to see it go. I would love to see it get updated with newer processors and the new nVidia chip from the MacBooks so it would be a suitable media center PC with enough power to play 1080p video.
SubGenius said 5:13PM on 10-21-2008
iSight
iPod HiFi
XServe RAID
PowerMac Cube
12" PowerBook
12" iBook
14" iBook
eMac
Newton
eMate
Ross said 2:51PM on 10-21-2008
There was a rumor that Apple was developing a Mac Mini with integrated Apple TV. I hope this proves true.
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directeco said 3:41PM on 10-21-2008
Minus a few things, front row basically is Apple TV.. All it would take is a front row software update.
Joe said 2:52PM on 10-21-2008
I've been hanging out for a mini refresh before I get a new one for a long, long time now...
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cbenitez said 2:52PM on 10-21-2008
A unibody mac-mini!
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fishbert said 2:52PM on 10-21-2008
People have been predicting the Mac Mini's demise for more than a year now. I, for one, hope it continues to thumb its nose at those naysayers for many years to come.
That said... a Mac Mini with NVidia's 9400M would be quite nice. =)
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Aron T said 2:55PM on 10-21-2008
I love my Mac mini and I hope there is a suitable replacement in the event it ever dies!
Currently, I use it as a DVR via Plex, a webserver for my site, and a remote controlled seedbox with Transmission.
I lurve it very much!
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grifmx said 2:55PM on 10-21-2008
Don't have a Mini cause I've been patiently waiting for an upgrade.
Mini is ideal for:
Livingroom entertainment computer.
Kid's room computer.
Anyone who already has a nice screen.
Multi-computer studio for more virtual instrument power.
Kitchen computer.
Car computer.
Hidden computer.
Computer-screen-mounted-on-the-wall computer.
etc...
I will be sorely disappointed if Apple drops it!
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mabhatter said 12:55AM on 10-22-2008
I think the mini should be merged with the Apple TV. They share most of the same parts. If you look at the new macbook as an example: Macbook and apple TV have integrated Nvidia graphics, both only have USB and few other connections.
I think they could make a sweet Mac Mini using the Macbook design, but with a T or E-series processor (slower and much cheaper), dual DisplayPorts, the MagSafe adapter, and 4 USB ports/gigabit ethernet/analog-optical/etc. Firewire would probably be out, again, to keep costs down. They'd sell the base unit that would exactly match the new display's pigtails so all the other stuff.. keyboard, mouse, power adapter would be add-on co$t$... that would put it right at the same price as an iMac even though the base was very low. It would be very slim like the Apple TV due to simplified designs and smaller ports, it would be extra cool if they used dual-boot to have the device be a regular OSX computer and Apple TV at the same time.
Jeff said 2:58PM on 10-21-2008
As to popularity, remember that the iPod mini was the most popular iPod model when Apple axed it.
Granted, they had the Nano waiting in the wings...
I'd love to see a new Mac Mini (or Mac Nano?) with AppleTV functionality baked in. I'd jump on one of those.
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Josso said 3:00PM on 10-21-2008
If there won't be any product to replace the MacMini, my mom ain't getting a mac the next few years...
So simple...
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-wsn said 3:00PM on 10-21-2008
Probably one of 3 things...
1) New Mini
2) Bye Bye Mini
3) Convergence of Mini and aTV. (more Mini than aTV)
I would like to see 1 or 3.
If 1 or 2, those needing a FW mini better start hitting ebay fast, if the mini goes on, I don't see FW staying around. (Think new MB guts)
Either that or the 999 MB is the new mini. (799 vs 999) and get that includes a laptop keyboard/lcd/proc bump.
We'll see...
Cheers
-wsn
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Jesse Hogue said 3:00PM on 10-21-2008
I see a Mac Mini with the new nvidia chips, makes total sense, and depending on the price point, I will be first in line to buy one.
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