Filed under: Apple Corporate, Hardware, Rumors, iMac, Mac mini
Rumor: mini packaging and an Apple event
Update 7:30p: More of our friends around the Mac web are starting to dig out the details on the expected hardware updates tomorrow, and they could be substantial. MacRumors, Hardmac, Engadget Onemorething.nl are all pointing to the following details:2 new Mac mini models, with USB and display configuration matching the spy shots (color us surprised!)
4 iMac models, with an entry-level 20" and 3 high-powered 24" SKUs
MacPro refresh including 16-core models (!)
DisplayPort standard across the line, and minor updates to the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule
We'll be waiting eagerly by the Apple Store door...
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It's time to take part in a late winter tradition. I don't mean digging out from beneath another Nor'Easter. We're talking Apple rumor time, and we've got two.
The word on the street is that Apple will hold a press event on March 24th to announce some new hardware. What that may be -- and who will deliver the news (our money is on Phil) -- is unknown.
The Mac mini has been tagged as needing an update, and we recently saw a video that claimed to show a new model. Likewise, iMac rumors have been swirling about for a while now.
We haven't seen official word yet, but we'll let you know if and when we do. Mark your iCals for the 24th with the status set to "tentative."
Also from the mill is the above image of what is supposedly the new Mac mini retail packaging, as posted by the Dutch site One More Thing. From what we can tell, the mini on the box bears the same army of ports that we saw in the video: FireWire 800, mini DisplayPort + micro DVI, and five USB ports.
In a recent talkcast, I called a big old "Bogus" on that model, citing all those USB ports as the issue. If I'm as wrong as wrong can be, you'll be the first to know.
Even though the current Mini features its port lineup on the back of the box, something doesn't look quite right about this layout. Is that processor icon in the center an NVIDIA GPU, or an Intel chip? Maybe the box is legit, maybe it's a fake based on the info from the video.
What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bernie said 1:19PM on 3-02-2009
I am going for REAL. It will be NVIDIA, it will have Wireless N and come with a mini-DVI to DVI dongle in the box.
Reply
disturbedmaggot said 1:18PM on 3-02-2009
this is obviously fake. it is easy to see that the wifi symbol was photoshopped in. And when did apple start showing the back of their products?
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gui said 1:26PM on 3-02-2009
you should explain what makes it "obviously" fake or why it's "easy" to see that the wifi symbol was photoshopped.
the fact that apple hasn't shown wifi on the back of a box in the past is not good evidence that a new product shot is fake.
people are two quick to call "obvious fake" when it is obviously...not obvious.
Preston said 1:34PM on 3-02-2009
go to macrumors website to see a larger photo. the background of the wifi symbol is not consistent with the background of the packaging. thats what i meant by it was photoshopped in.
http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/02/latest-mac-mini-spy-shot-probably-fake/
Matt said 1:41PM on 3-02-2009
I'm going with real. This is not as you say 'obviously' Photoshopped, the reason for touting wireless is (obviously) that it's now got 802.11n. The two corroborating images, and video make for very compelling evidence, but as with any Apple news, I'll only believe it when it's announced.
Assuming this is real, it marks a shift in the mini's target (and presumably price-point). FW800 is a premium feature, as are dual display ports. It looks as if Apple will stop calling this a low end Mac, maybe jack up the price, and sell it as, basically, a headless iMac.
brian said 1:51PM on 3-02-2009
It's possible Apple will change their packaging design but if they did it probably wouldn't go this way. #1: Apple doesn't do stickers.
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/08/why_no_intel_in.html
#2: They introduced AirPort wireless nearly TEN YEARS AGO.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPort#Overview
Why would they make it so prominent on the box NOW?
#3: Is this supposed to be the front of the box? Geeks like ports. Steve Jobs doesn't. He does NOT advertise how many ports his products have. He advertises their cleanliness (at least from the front.) Look at every single product Apple makes. Clean as can be from the front; clutter hidden. Thank God he finally relented and allowed SOME ports on the front of the G5 & Mac Pro. 'Cause, you know, they're USEFUL. :-) No way would he put this view on the front of a box.
#4: More regarding the Mini itself, rather than the box, but... 2 display ports? I can't imagine it. If Steve won't put plain DVI on the MacBook Pro, no way is he going to put it on the Mini.
Michael Rose said 2:11PM on 3-02-2009
If you look at the current Mac mini box, you'll see a similar picture of the back of the machine.
Russ said 3:08PM on 3-02-2009
For you non-believers heres the un-edited large version. Can't see anything wrong with the AirPort symbol and who said this was the front of the box?
http://images.appleinsider.com/macmini_full_size_090302.jpg
babadudu2001 said 12:29PM on 3-03-2009
lol @ u now!
Preston said 1:10PM on 3-03-2009
I guess i was wrong! :P oh well. it still looks photoshopped to me tho.
Omar Jasso said 1:25PM on 3-02-2009
Fakeitty fake fake fake.
The Apple logo on the top of the Mac mini displayed on the back of the box is oriented in the same way the one on the front is, when it should be upside down since we're looking at the machine from a rear perspective. I really doubt Apple would make that sort of dumb mistake.
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superSebas said 1:28PM on 3-02-2009
http://images.apple.com/euro/macbookpro/images/overview-graphics20090106.jpg
is the picture in the middle - the nvidia-logo
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OtavioCC said 1:28PM on 3-02-2009
If this is true, it's a NVIDIA graphi chip.
Check the image here: http://twitpic.com/1swmu
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Brian Allen said 2:50PM on 3-02-2009
The chip image should not stop the reflection, but the reflection stops at the chip and then restarts after it.
Fake!
David Frantz said 2:30PM on 3-02-2009
Fake or not I missed your talk cast so I don't know what your reasoning is about the five USB ports is. Let me tell you though this would be a huge improvement to the product line. For the average desktop user they may never get fully used but for commercial and industrial users it means that little box will be as useful as many desktop machines.
In fact the idea that the machine has 5 ports gives these images a little more credibility as that is exactly what Apple needs to do to accelerate commercial take up. Now that is a slight increase in credibility, with the long delay in the new revs arrival I'd be surprised if it will be made out of the same basic box. If we are getting the same basic box and Mac Book generation inards then what the hell has been the hold up. I really hope this isn't a sign of a major screw up at Apple.
Dave
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Wizzkid41 said 1:40PM on 3-02-2009
the wifi icon looks like its been cut and stuck =/ look around the right and left edges (up and down sides) :S
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Preston said 1:47PM on 3-02-2009
thats what i've been saying. i'm glad someone else saw this
Sam said 1:45PM on 3-02-2009
FAKE! The iLife logo is '08.
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pundit said 1:50PM on 3-02-2009
Well, it may be fake, maybe not. It appears that if it's real, this is being aimed at the group of people who need the dual 30" displays without the power of the MacPro. Our school newspaper would be an example: our photo editors use a MacPro to run Photoshop and twin 30" displays. I'm sure top Mini could do this just as effectively, and much cheaper. The Mini is the computer we want on our boat. Very compact, can run the Nav gear (if Ubuntu or Vista is installed), and can house all the media we listen to/watch.
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brian said 2:07PM on 3-02-2009
You can try two Mac minis connected with Synergy.
http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/
Lets you use one KB & M with multiple computers, each with their own display. I hate having multiple monitors (I prefer one big one) but I love having multiple machines like this. Works especially great when one is busy (or hung)--you can just slide over to the other and work. :-) Not so much an issue at home (where I have a Mac Pro) but great at work (where I have a G4 and a G5.) Overall it works great, only a few small quirks, like scrolling not being as smooth on the second display.
Just remembered--not sure if the Mini can drive a 30" or only a 24".