Apple announced today an upgraded Mac mini. If it wasn't for a couple issues, this would be a decent upgrade: Front Row, SATA drives, gigabit ethernet, more USB ports, SPDIF, plus Intel Core Solo and Duo CPUs.
Integrated graphics. A low-performing GPU that takes up 64MB of system RAM. I wouldn't run one of those without upgrading the RAM...512 is barely enough to run Tiger acceptably, let alone Tiger and a graphics subsystem.
The base model has a 1.5GHz Core Solo. Intel doesn't make a 1.5, meaning Apple is underclocking a 1.67GHz chip. It annoys me that they'd underclock the CPU to further differentiate from the dual-core model.
Minor disappointments:
• No more sub-$500 model
• No DVR/PVR capability
• Still using 2.5" HDs
I was really hoping Apple would take this chance to release an 'entertainment Mac'...a machine solely intended for living-room use. 17" wide case (conforms with AV equipment), 3.5" SATA HD, DVR/PVR capability through Front Row, standard Bluetooth keyboard/mouse, enhanced remote control like some Windoze Media Center PCs have.
Also announced: iPod Hi-Fi. A $350 speaker dock that, IMO, doesn't live up to Apple's usual high industrial design standards and is pretty pricey; iPod leather cases at $100 which will probably be selling for $40 in the not-so-distant future.
Apple's 30th anniversary is coming up fast (April 1); I wonder what Steve has up his sleeve for that. Speculation: I'm expecting the iBook to give way to the Intel-based MacBook, maybe along with expanded MBP offerings. It would make sense to get the base laptops ready by then so they're out for the education buying season.
Hey Roar!
You are such a geek. :0) But I guess I love ya anyway. We just talked on the phone. I couldn't hear half of what you were saying. Anyways do you have yahoo IM? You can see my web cam if you do when we chat. I set your web page up as my home page so I can keep track of you. So much stuff is going on in both our lives that we've gone weeks without talking! I'm not used to that and I don't know how it happens. You are so fucking lucky that you were able to go to that concert. I had already requested Sunday off so that I could go and then I got sick and couldn't work. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! I so fucking wanted to see DT with you! I remember the Steve Vai concert. I enjoyed that so much because anything I wanted or needed to know....you were right there to tell me. Roar, I really miss you! I want those pics your Pa took. K? And I want video and pics and whatever else you can send me about the concert. Even though I missed it I still want to have some part of it. Besides you being my friend of coarse. When I get my finances in order. Which should be next month we should figure out another concert to go to. I promise you it won't happen a second time. Even if I have to dance naked in front of a bunch of midgets! I'm serious! I would so do that so we could hang out and catch a show together. Well, I know this is long but I had to write it here because my damn hotmail account isn't working. TTYL, Bridge