Rumor: New Mac mini video?
In the last couple of days some images of what purported to be the next Mac mini have popped up on the Mac web, and then were also apparently shot down. The new machine was claimed to have a FireWire 800 port, mini DisplayPort, and five USB ports among the visible features, with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo and 2GB of DDR3 RAM on the inside. Now, adding fuel to the fire, a Macrumors forum participant posted the above video that looks mighty convincing.
Of course it could be an elaborate hoax, but if it is a fake I think it's impressive that they've gone to this much trouble. Naturally we'd like to see it actually connected to a monitor and booting up. In any case, if this turns out to be fake, somebody has really upped the ante on the usual Mac rumor diet of bad Photoshop jobs and blurrycam shots.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FSM129 said 7:33AM on 2-22-2009
Why make it so the video can't be viewed on the iPod?
I, personally am thinking of buying a mac mini, so if apple makes a newer, awesomer one, I'll be sure to buy it.
(awesomer?????)
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Gilbert Palau said 7:42AM on 2-22-2009
This is old news... Its been in macrumors.com for almost a week now...
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Matt Hoult said 8:01AM on 2-22-2009
As Gilbert says, it's old news now, a bit of a disappointment. General consensus is that there is no reason to have 2 display ports (mini-DVI and mini-displayport), and the original photo was thought to have been faked.
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dagamer34 said 10:31AM on 2-22-2009
Ask yourself, if the Mac Mini is supposed to be used with a customer's "existing monitor and keyboard", how is that accomplished if the mini only has a Mini-DisplayPort port on it?
Matt Hoult said 10:51AM on 2-22-2009
@dagamer34 This is a question which has been asked, and has been answered with the Mini-DisplayPort to DVI adapter. The same could be said of the Mini-DVI connector. Otherwise, I don't understand your point.
mabhatter said 8:40AM on 2-23-2009
remember, that some iTunes video doesn't display out the mini-DP port using a converter. Hence they need a non-DRM mini-DVI port for BYOM people, and a mini-DP to match the new 24" monitor and mini-DP theme going forward.
Cycomachead said 2:13AM on 2-24-2009
ok, but many many many people still use vga monitors...the MacMini has always has DVI, which requires an adapter and VGA was more ubiquitous when the macmini was released. Apple doesn't have a problem with selling a $19 or $29 accessory, because well they make more money and it's still way cheaper than even a bad monitor. Also if you're upgrading from windows there's a chance you'll have a PS2 based keyboard and mouse which will work, but again w/an adapter-so apple doesn't care.
It's just that miniDP offers everything miniDVI does, and more. It means a MM could drive a 30" display, and a 24" as well...but would Apple do that on a cheap machine? I mean I get display port especially since apple discontinued the 20" monitor.
Randy said 8:23AM on 2-22-2009
I'm still of the mind that this a mod to the existing mini. Albeit, a very clean and convincing mod.
People in other forums keep asking why the mini above doesn't have a mag-safe power adapter. The reason is simple; it's not a laptop, and if the power cord gets yanked, there's no battery to keep the mini powered up.
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mabhatter said 8:57AM on 2-23-2009
I would have expected it to have Mag-safe to match the 24" monitor connectors. Then the baby "desktop" would have that "Apple simplicity".. added to the monitor (power, miniDP, & USB), it wouldn't have any extra cords coming home from the Apple Store. (because we all buy Apple BT kbd and mouse right!)
The mini is just a "Macbook in a box" anyway and the power supply of the display is rated for Macbook Pros. Then Apple would not need to provide another SKU for Mini's and make the base unit cheaper having you buy the Macbook power brick separately (because they want you to buy the display with power included).
HB said 8:59AM on 2-22-2009
Apple would NEVER put a Firewire 800 port on this machine. How many people do you know that use a Mac Mini for professional video editing? - don't think Avid would run very well on a gimped out Mini.
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Reality Checker said 10:42AM on 2-22-2009
Before getting too worked up over this, please be aware that the guy who posted the photo and now this video on MacRumors refuses to plug it in, take photos of it running, and he claims "some guy sold it to him on the subway."
How does that even work? Some dude with a trench coat whistles you over, opens his coat, and reveals a treasure trove of unreleased Apple products?
I don't think so.
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Matt Hoult said 10:51AM on 2-22-2009
A very good point, and one I forgot to mention. Case closed I'd say. (You know that will come back to bite now though right?)
cmuska902 said 2:55PM on 2-22-2009
He may be saying that he bought it from some dude on the subway simply because if he says the real reason he would be fired. Apple doesn't take kindly to its employees leaving images of upcoming products.
Samuel said 1:18PM on 2-22-2009
I think its fake
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goingblind said 2:09PM on 2-22-2009
Plus there is a modem port on this mini, which have been fazed out on all the others macs. Fake
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Kyle Derouen said 2:14PM on 2-22-2009
I don't see a modem port :/
goingblind said 3:16PM on 2-22-2009
Course that's the ethernet port, still seems fake though
foxtrotuniform81 said 3:58PM on 2-22-2009
I would think that the top of the casing would be all aluminum with just the apple logo on top instead of keeping with the white plastic motif, to make it more in line with the rest of the Mac product lineup.
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Bill Kearney said 7:59PM on 2-22-2009
It's most likely a prototype. Tooling up molds for new cases is not inexpensive. It's not uncommon for a new design to continue using an existing case during development. It's also a way to have the boxes in the field look enough like the originals to avoid being discovered by rumor-mongering idiots.
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kankurou said 10:27PM on 2-22-2009
I've started a website about this: http://www.newmacmini.com
Check it out! Has all the juicy rumors that have been floating around!
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