Synaesthesia Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Gotta agree with you there Knuckles. Except I don't think Apple's concerned about the Hackintosh scene. In fact, judging from this forum, we're quite good marketing for them! If they made the mini $499 (or below!) with a 965 board and the new cheap processors from intel like the e4300 or the e2000 range. That would be sweet. Or, like macgirl said, the return of the cube! It's got a 3.5" Hdd, right? So there's you're mid-tower, in all it's apple glory. Actually saw someone who did a cube/mac mini hybrid like that. It struck me as the perfect computer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estuardo4 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 The last time I tried using a Mini was in an Apple store before the Intel transition. Honestly, my first impression was "wow, this is a slow little piece of {censored}." I don't know if they've honestly improved performance since then, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're still unbearably weak. I don't know anybody who uses one for normal computing purposes. As a computer, it sucked, and as a media center, Apple TV outshines it. I use a Mac Mini as my everyday computer. I used to have a hackintosh first, but I got rid of it because it was LOUD. Then I had an iMac CoreDuo. I got rid of it because of the bulk. The Mini is fast enough for my purposes, almost as fast as the iMac I used to have, and quicker in some areas to my hackintosh. Do I want a faster machine? Yes. Do I need it? No. The only way to have a fast, silent machine now is to buy a Core2Duo Macbook Pro, and I don't need another laptop. If you can tell me of a way to have a quicker, silent computer (hackintosh or other) that is not a laptop or an iMac, then I'm all ears. I want a Mac Mini with Core2Duo processor and a way to have dual displays connected. I think it is an error to get rid of this wonderful line. GB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda75 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Come on Apple, the R&D has been done for you: http://geektechnique.org/blog/64/g5-cube Take that design and mass produce it so we can get on with our lives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuro Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I don't think cubes are a very good idea from an engineering stance. Look at the Mac Cube and even Nintendo GameCube. Both of them were sort of flagged as the "black sheep" of the Apple and gaming families. I'd still love a Mac that's sub-$1,000 without any built-in screen like the iMac. I have a perfectly fine widescreen monitor and it wouldn't make any sense to pay for the lower-end iMac and pay for a smaller screen in the end. They definitely do need a low-cost line of Macs, but I think the Minis were a little on the extreme side. It shouldn't be all (iMac) or nothing (Mini.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMX-Knuckles Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I like that G5 Cube design... make it a bit larger so it could accomidate a PCIe x16 slot and it would be perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBK.Xscape Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 yea, i think what many people are looking for is a PCIe x16 slot, or maybe 2, so we can upgrade our computer as time goes along Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMX-Knuckles Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I suppose the biggest problem I forsee with a midrange Apple desktop is that it would fit sort of an odd niche between the iMac/Mac Mini and Mac Pro and could likely pose a threat to both ends of the range. The more I think about it the less likely a mid-tower form factor system seems. If we see a more expandable sub-$1000 desktop it'll be in a cube type form factor, and chances are all but the base model will be over $1000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandro17 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Gotta agree with you there Knuckles. Except I don't think Apple's concerned about the Hackintosh scene. In fact, judging from this forum, we're quite good marketing for them! Very true. And I believe we are more than that. We are an invaluable workshop. In order to get the free info they get from the hackintosh scene, they'd need to invest a fortune. Come on Apple, the R&D has been done for you: http://geektechnique.org/blog/64/g5-cube Take that design and mass produce it so we can get on with our lives Wow!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Ingus Posted May 25, 2007 Author Share Posted May 25, 2007 I like that G5 Cube design... Yep that's one sexy looking cube They could make it out of clear Plexiglas and call it the 'ice cube' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardFanning Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 The last time I tried using a Mini was in an Apple store before the Intel transition. Honestly, my first impression was "wow, this is a slow little piece of {censored}." I don't know if they've honestly improved performance since then, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're still unbearably weak. I don't know anybody who uses one for normal computing purposes. As a computer, it sucked, and as a media center, Apple TV outshines it. You are out of your frame of reference (Donny). You tested an early version of the Mac Mini with either a 1.33ghz or 1.42ghz PPC processor and most likely 256mb of ram. I am sure it was pretty sluggish. The Intel Mac Mini is a completely different animal. Six months ago I got a brand new 1.83ghz Mini with a superdrive, airport, and bluetooth for $610 delivered, not from the Apple store of course. Would I have paid $799, not likely, and that was six months ago, Apple absolutely needs to change the price points on the Minis or offer a significant upgrade for the prices they are asking. However, is the Intel mini unbearably slow? NO. Can it be used for normal computing purposes? YES. Can it be used for professional audio recording? YES. It is not unbearably weak especially if it has more than a gig of ram. The only area it would be weak in is graphics intensive operations, which if you are doing the Mini is not for you. After I upgraded to a gig of ram my mini scored a 120 on Xbench, the old minis were lucky to get 50. Thats a huge performance increase. So next time before you make a sweeping generalization I suggest you personally research or try out what it is you are referencing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naquaada Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 If Apple would replace the MacMini against an official OSx86 I wouldn't complain... To this cube-case... I really like the Mac design at all, but this thing has no Apple-style slim and elegant design, it's just clumsy. Remembers me on the Amiga Walker, this thing also wasn't realized... fortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soündless Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 Come on Apple, the R&D has been done for you: http://geektechnique.org/blog/64/g5-cube Take that design and mass produce it so we can get on with our lives anyone want to make a mini itx sized case like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMX-Knuckles Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 If I had the money I'd do it. Problem is, ITX stuff is pretty expensive. I already have OS X running fine on my laptop so I don't really want to replace my desktop in favour of something that's smaller but less powerful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandmanfvrga Posted May 27, 2007 Share Posted May 27, 2007 Well this isn't a surprise for me. I mean the Mac Mini is nice, but always seems to be falling behind somewhere. From the 256 meg models, to the next Powerpc models with to few usb ports and no audio input. Then onto Intel, you have he Solo and the Duo, then two different duos and STILL no ram upgrade. *shakes head* I had a 1.25 G4 with 512 ram, but it is a model that is so good in some areas, but lacking in others. I don't hate the Mac Mini at all, but if Apple ade it a model that was up to date, then it would not be on the chopping block (hypothetically till official). A small tower like in the image is needed with 2 things: Upgradable Ram PCI Ex Slot Then you could have a nice Apple that is upgradable and can grow, but not kill your pocket. I hope that IF the Mini is gone and small tower comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinface Posted May 27, 2007 Share Posted May 27, 2007 Nooooooooooooooo. It makes such a sweet HTPC and is used in so many Car Mods. It is one the most useful machines ever made. Well then youy can just build your own, faster mac mini look-a-like with OSX86... cheaper too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pcharles25 Posted May 27, 2007 Share Posted May 27, 2007 there is going to be a (one quad core)(with hyper-threading) Mac Cube... you can bet your under-shorts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMX-Knuckles Posted May 27, 2007 Share Posted May 27, 2007 Intel's bringing back HT? Are you being sarcastic... That's news to me. That would require a major redesign of the P6 architecture if it would even be possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soündless Posted May 27, 2007 Share Posted May 27, 2007 what does the 5th avenue apple store have to do with this pcharles25? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollcage Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Why would they even bother with HT anymore? They could probably just as easily add more real cores, they don't need to virtualize them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacVertigo Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Apple needs to come out with a middle of the road, non-screen included computer. Something for 700-800. Something that people can easily upgrade RAM, HD, stuff like that. PC people love to know that they "can" upgrade. Most never do, but its that mind set. When i look at the iMacs and see that everything is crammed into that box with the screen I can understand why people get turned away. The "what is something goes wrong" comes in to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMX-Knuckles Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 what does the 5th avenue apple store have to do with this pcharles25? Look! A Cube! Look! Another Cube! Coincidence? I think not! I smell a conspiracy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac-mini Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Well this isn't a surprise for me. I mean the Mac Mini is nice, but always seems to be falling behind somewhere. From the 256 meg models, to the next Powerpc models with to few usb ports and no audio input. Then onto Intel, you have he Solo and the Duo, then two different duos and STILL no ram upgrade. *shakes head* I had a 1.25 G4 with 512 ram, but it is a model that is so good in some areas, but lacking in others. I don't hate the Mac Mini at all, but if Apple ade it a model that was up to date, then it would not be on the chopping block (hypothetically till official). A small tower like in the image is needed with 2 things: Upgradable Ram PCI Ex Slot Then you could have a nice Apple that is upgradable and can grow, but not kill your pocket. I hope that IF the Mini is gone and small tower comes. they both have upgradable RAM and the PPCs had standard 256mb and the intels have 512MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naquaada Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 But only buying a Mac Mini just because its an Mac Mini isn't worth it. A nice AMD-Asus-ATI Hackintosh-System with 2 GB RAM, 800GB HD, DVD-Burner and more costs less than 700 Euro, Case, Keyboard/Mouse and a good PSU included. I don't think it wouldn't be possible to get an original Apple computer with this equipment for this little money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soündless Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Look! A Cube! Look! Another Cube! Coincidence? I think not! I smell a conspiracy! it all makes sense now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Ingus Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 A nice AMD-Asus-ATI Hackintosh-System with 2 GB RAM, 800GB HD, DVD-Burner and more costs less than 700 Euro, Case, Keyboard/Mouse and a good PSU included. Give me some of what you're smoking Show us where you can buy an aftermarket case the size if the mini. Oh wait, I guess that's why they called it the MINI The point isn't to whip up a cheap-o computer. Anyone can do that. The point is to do it like Apple did (either in a mini case or a cube style case). They need to either update the mini, or replace it with the cube style that was shown on the previous page. I'm betting that Apple does one or the other when Leopard comes out. Whichever one it is I'll be buying it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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