Kasper JadeApple Computer has begun to inform service providers of a revision to its Mac mini desktop computer that is now expected to quietly make its debut in a matter of days.
Sources say Apple will continue to market the three new Mac mini configurations at the current price points of $499, $599, and $699. All three models will ship standard with Mac OS X 10.4.2 and include faster hard drives operating at 5400-rpm. The current Mac minis include 4200-rpm drives.
In the graphics department, both the mid-range and high-end 1.5GHz Mac mini configurations will see their video memory doubled via ATI's Radeon 9200 64MB graphics card with AGP 4X support. The low-end 1.33GHz Mac mini will continue to ship with 32MB version of the card, sources said.
Updates to the Mac mini's wireless technologies are also expected in the revision. Sources say Apple has redesigned the Mac mini's mezzanine board to accommodate a revised AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth combo card, which will ship on the 1.5GHz models and include Bluetooth 2.0+EDR technology. While remaining backwards-compatible with Bluetooth 1.x, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR is up to three times faster, offering a maximum data rate of 3Mbps.
Finally, sources say the high-end 1.5GHz Mac mini configuration will also gain an 8x double-layer SuperDrive capable of double-layer DVD burning.
All models will continue to ship with MPC7447A PowerPC G4 processors from Freescale and 512MB of PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM.
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174 Comments
Great, but where are the PowerMac and PowerBook updates?
I guess the usage of the word 'significant' is all relevant.
I'd say this is a rather nice update, all things considered. Slightly faster CPU, now an acceptable amount of VRAM, and, most importantly, a faster harddrive. If I were in the market for a Mac mini, this update would make me pleased.
Many 40GB mini drives from the stock 1.25 original config are in fact 5400 RPM 2MB cache OEM Seagate ST940110A (mine is), while the 80GB units were primarily 4200 RPM 8MB cache drives, so the 'bump' in drive speeds is only a bump for the 80GB machines... though if they get 5400 RPM and 8MB cache, it will be a wee bit more noticeable
The Freescale 7448 is still conspiciously MIA...