Rumor: New Mac Mini Coming to Macworld 2009 | Hacker News Reader

Rumor: New Mac Mini Coming to Macworld 2009

blog.wired.com

12 pointsraju25 comments

Jesus motherfucking christ... How could I have missed this: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/apple-adds-copy.html This makes me want to throw my MBP across the room.

Except that as of right now, it's only for HD content that has been purchased from the iTunes Store. But it's only for specific content from a specific location. A HDCP monitor isn't required for anything else.

(I know it's a 'not my problem' issue, but if you want something to happen start blaming Big Content since this is their idea. Do you really think the all the low-level engineers at Apple really want to go through all this effort to benefit the consumer?)

Why? Is there some system under which you can play rented HD content without HDCP? Does this remove any functionality which you previously had?

I currently use a Mac Mini as a media center with a Panasonic projector. Its a little slow playing HD movies, so I am looking forward to better graphics support. I am concerned though that I might not be able to play iTunes movies via it if they have DRM crippled the display port.

The Mac Mini is long overdue for something, but I'd be less surprised to see something in the same ballpark, but new. They've left the mini alone too long for just a simple update.

Kind of interesting, but really it would have been a safe prediction even without the supposed leak.

Now if there is a leak concerning the mythical OS X Netbook, I'm all ears...

Maybe with this update they'll kindly address the following:

* When I run front row, and one of my kids accidentally presses a key it doesn't understand, don't exit frontrow!!! How is that a sane decision? I'd expect that sort of idiocy from MS Media center. Not from Apple.

* For the love of god please fix the idiotically bad Dolby 5.1 support (Or lack of it). Trying to get 5.1 output is ridiculously hard unless you stuff an actual DVD in the thing.

Apart from those 2 issues, I'm pretty pleased with my mac mini, higher resolution output wouldn't hurt, and the wireless keyboard could do with a little trackpad, but can't think of much else.

A better graphics chip and easier user-upgradeability would be nice. Even if they had to make the unit a little taller, it would be a good tradeoff.

Could be Apple's way of addressing the recession. Give people a viable, lower cost option to continue moving from Windows to Mac. People who were willing to pay for a MacBook to move from Windows to Mac last year might be more price sensitive next year.

And let me guess - comes with Mini DisplayPort. And no new Displays yet (or adaptors).

The new Mini DisplayPort adapters are insanely expensive. Since I need one for my external monitor as well as presenting on a projector, I dropped a total of $60 on the DVI and VGA adapters. Even worse for those who have to power their 30" screens with $100 adapters. :/

At the office we have some new MBPs and old ADC Cinema Displays, so you need a $30 DisplayPort to DVI cable and a $100 DVI to ADC converter. What a pain.

Apple's 24" cinema display supports Mini DisplayPort and they have already released a Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI/VGA adapter.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB382?mco=Mjc5MTU3OQ

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570?mco=MTkzODk0NQ

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572?mco=MTkzODk0Nw

I have a last gen Macbook Pro. So what I really need is a DVI to Mini DisplayPort.

Why do you need DVI-to-Mini DisplayPort?

To plug his last-gen (not current) laptop into the new screen. They only put DisplayPort on the new display which is ridiculous. It's literally only compatible with the new MacBook/Pro. You can get an adapter one way (DisplayPort -> DVI) but not the other (DVI -> DisplayPort).

The display is about 3x overpriced anyway, it's not like it will be a hot seller.

So, what's the big deal? Get a display that works with your MacBook. If everything you own needs to be from Apple then get the discontinued 23".

I don't think the price is unreasonable for a 24" LED-backlit display. What are some cheaper models with the same specs?

I was just noting why you would need the DVI-to-Mini DisplayPort connector. I don't have the newest MacBook or that display, but there was confusion as to why that adapter would come in handy.

I am not interested in the display, I'm happy with my Dell 24".

$400 would be a better price point to really get their sales going.

Please wake me up when MacBooks start shipping with a matte 4:3 UXGA display.

Widescreen is here to stay, I'm pretty sure.

Until "Tallscreen" is released in 2015 or so.

Now get taller screens! Yes throw away all your existing screens, tall is in, wide is out! buy buy buy!

That'd be a Xerox computer then.

I know you're joking, but I've heard that two 24" monitors rotated is a pretty nice setup. Any monitor with a VESA mount (ahem Apple) can be pretty easily rotated. A 1920-pixel-tall screen gives you room for huge editor windows.

You can buy VESA mounts from Apple for the pre-LED Cinema Displays. Don't know about the LED-based 24" display, but I'd imagine so.

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