Apple today unveiled the new Mac mini with the Intel Core Duo processor, delivering performance up to four times faster than its predecessor and providing even greater expansion in the same innovative and incredibly compact design.* Starting at just $599, the Mac mini is the most affordable way to enjoy iLife ’06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications, and features the Apple Remote and Front Row so you can play your music, enjoy your photo slideshows, watch your DVDs, iMovies, music videos and television shows from across the room.
“With the new Mac mini, Apple has now moved 50 percent of its entire product line to Intel within 60 days—a record transition,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing in the press release. “The new Mac mini is now up to four times faster with the Intel Core Duo, includes even greater expansion in the same incredibly compact design, and is the most affordable way to enjoy Front Row and iLife ‘06.”
Featuring the next generation of Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience, the new Mac mini gives customers a simple way to enjoy their digital lifestyle content on the Mac mini including music, photos and videos from across the room using the Apple Remote. With the latest version of Front Row, customers can now effortlessly access shared iTunes playlists, iPhoto libraries and video throughout their home via Bonjour, Apple’s zero configuration wireless networking built into Mac OS X.
The new Mac mini offers a completely new system architecture for performance up to four times as fast as the previous Mac mini, including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new Mac mini now includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and a total of four USB 2.0 ports, twice as many as the previous generation. Mac mini includes a DVI interface and a VGA-out adapter to easily connect to a variety of displays, including many of today’s most popular flat panel televisions, and now features both analog and digital audio outputs to easily connect to a home stereo.
The new Mac mini includes iLife ‘06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring major new versions of iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and introducing iWeb, a new iLife application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and Podcasts and publish them on .Mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click. All the iLife ‘06 applications are Universal applications that run natively on the new Intel-based Mac mini for maximum performance.
Every new Mac mini comes with the latest release of the world’s most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV and Front Row, running natively. Mac OS X Tiger includes an innovative software translation technology called Rosetta that lets customers run most Mac OS X PowerPC applications seamlessly.
The new Mac mini is shipping today and will be available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
The new 1.5 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:
• 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable up to 2GB
• a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive
• 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm
• Intel GMA950 graphics processor
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T)
• four USB 2.0 ports
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
• Infrared Apple Remote.
The new 1.66 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US), includes:
• 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 2GB
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive™ with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm
• Intel GMA950 graphics processor
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T)
• four USB 2.0 ports
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately)
• Infrared Apple Remote.
Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB, 100GB and 120GB Serial ATA hard drives, iWork ’06 (pre-installed), AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Wireless Mouse, Apple USB Modem and the AppleCare Protection Plan.
See the new Mac mini here.
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Related MacDailyNews article:
Old Apple Mac mini G4 vs. new Mac mini’s graphics and video specs – February 28, 2006
Something is wrong.
Things are not going right in Apple land.
Disappointing MacWorld, then this hyped up announcement is just so, so much ado about nothing.
Overpriced minimacs – crap graphics. $100 buck cover for an iPod. $400 for a pair of speakers. Sheesh. No wonder Apple stock is dropping.
But still no viruses!!!
LOL
Man… this was one SERIOUSLY underwhelming presentation. I can’t believe they are going with a built in graphics chipset. I really can’t believe they’ve done this. And where’s the front row with DVR capabilities? I mean, they hire the president of El Gato and they DON’T add EyeTV style recording capabilities to a box that is PERFECT for it. If there’s ever been a perfect media PC, the Mini is approaching it and to come up short at this point in the game is really gonna hurt.
Re: Nick
Wireless isn’t built into the Intel chipset, though the module is bundled in Intel’s pricing on their website. The price difference between the T1300 set (1.67 Core Solo) and T2300 set (1.67 Core Duo) is only $32 at the non-discounted rate. BTW, the cost of the chipset and the wireless module apparently only makes up about $65 of the cost, so the wireless by itself is probably half of that. So Apple using a 1.5GHz (which is not even on Intel’s list) and charging $200 more for the Duo is inexcusable. The price difference for the 60->80 hd and optical drive are fairly small and certainly don’t make up the difference on the $200 increase. The whole mess is just price stratification, which annoys consumers.
http://intel.com/intel/finance/pricelist/index.htm
HAHAHAH…the POS has an crap intel integrated video. Look at its pitiful performance: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2427&p=1
Hey MDN, first viruses, now integrated video. It seems only yesterday you were laughing it up how only winblows boxes had integrated video. What do you have to say for yourself now???
WE WANT ANSWERS
here is the answer:
The integrated VGA is on the PCI express chain, pci express has direct access to the system ram, and the system ram being DDR2 is as fast or faster than most ram on most mid range video cards. therefore, ergo: the ‘integrated’ video on this platform is not that bad. the only downside is the fact that you are losing some system ram. solution: get at least 1GB ram… hell get 2GB…….
I love Apple as much as the next Apple-ite, but today’s announcement was anemic at best. I think they may be drinking a little too much of their own Kool-Aid.
Shared-Memory-Graphis in a Mac is like a 3-cylinder-engine in a BMW – no fun!
What is the CoreDuo processor good for anyway with this crappy graphics?
The definitely best buy is a 17″ iMac now.
You’re all missing the point on the Mac Mini, it’s aimed at technophobes. So look at it from that perspective and it looks pretty good. Me thinks this will fly of the shelves.
“Huh”:
integrated graphics suck because
1) way slower than any other graphics solution
2) they gobble up your main memory.
<i>Huh – “Ignorant question:
What’s the deal with integrated video whatchamacallit? Why’s that so bad? This is a sincere question.”
NOT an ignorant question. Integrated video uses system RAM instead of dedicated RAM that is on a card. Therefore, it’s eating up memory on you – basically with either of these two models a memory upgrade is probably nescessary and that means more $$.
I noticed that Apple didn’t push out the delivery dates of the mini’s before the announcement. They are getting wiser to the clues of thier new product releases…
People… GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS!
The MacMini WILL NEVER HAVE BUILT IN DVR FUNCTIONS…
Apple is in the business of SELLING TV CONTENT on the iTMS.
They’d be pissing off a lot of network partners and shooting themselves in the foot if they introduced a Mac that records free tv content, while they are trying to sell that same content at the iTMS for $1.99 per episode..
A MacMini DVR WON”T HAPPEN!!
Get it???
NO… NOT… NEVER… GIVE IT UP ALREADY!
Apple stock is tanking on these announcements. Time to buy.
The only thing I find significant about this is the $100 increase.
Great that they moved to Intel, but I always thought the great thing about the mini was that it broke the $500 price barrier.
“.”
Wow, $32 difference is even lower than I thought. I found that if I configured the 1.5Ghz Core Solo mini to be identical to the 1.67Ghz Core Duo, it was $100 difference at the Apple Store. So Apple is charging $100 extra for a $32 more expensive CPU, and justifying it by underclocking the 1.67Ghz Core Solo to 1.5Ghz.
I hate price stratification.
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m NOT buying one now. C’mon Apple, integrated video is cheesy crap.
Does this mean the iBook has a good chance of integrated video?
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INTEGRATED VIDEO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I truly hope I’m wrong but this doesn’t bode well for the revamped iBook wrt integrated graphics.
Just went to the site and spec’d one out –
Core Duo model, added: 1GB RAM, keyboard and mouse, and AppleCare – 1,126.00
Like I said, too close to the iMac 17″
And if you don’t have a display…..there is no reason NOT to get a iMac 17″
4 times faster than what, an ipod? Intel Macs are a joke.
Is everyone forgetting about the speed gains of the new Mini’s.
These processors are brand new technology and a minimum of twice the speed of the antiquated g4 chips… They also cost alot more to manufacture…
The price increase is no big deal.. for 100 bucks more you get.
1. Significant speed gains.
2. Front Row
3. Remote control
4. Bluetooth and airport standard.
The integrated graphics is a bit of a bummer, but this is not a hi end machine so it’s really not a big deal..
With the HDI output, this is truly a media center… I’m with Aiden in that we will not see a Mac with built in DVR functions..
Overall, this a very nice upgrade.
Didn’t the original Mac Minis have only 32 MB of VRAM, like the current iBooks? Seems to me, that given what the previous fellow said regarding PCI Express, this is in fact a graphics upgrade. More VRAM (32 is useless) and better memory interface. Not to mention we now have dual core processor that will add a decent speed boost a few months down the road with more Universal Binaries. That has to help performance as well. I think this is an improvement.
What a bunch of Fusking winers. I guess you should all switch to Dell now. After all you all know how to run a company better than the folks at Apple.
RE: integrated graphics
Problem is it eats up valuable RAM for video. The higher the resolution you want your screen to be, the more RAM you lose for other uses. When using Rosetta you need as much RAM as possible. Less RAM will significantly affect system performance.
Also, don’t forget that CORE graphics and many cool eye candy that is built into the Quartz engine cannot be used. If Apple wants to wow technophonbes, you want the eye candy.
The Intel Chipset is not as fast as other chipsets like the ATI. There is also poor graphics performance which limits what resolution and image quality you can run games. This may not be important to mac users initially, however, to PC users who crave games, it may be. Also, I do not know if the Intel CPU and the graphics chipset can do 1080p, or 1080i. This is important to know if you want to attach it to your nice plasma TV and get a decent resolution. Currently, the G4 mini can’t do 720p.
I don’t think gamers should, in general, be using Mac Minis.
The mini can do CORE graphics
according to a footnote on the Apple website, “The Intel GMA950 graphics supports Tiger Core Graphics and the latest 3D games. “
They really didn’t need a media event for this. I think it actually HURT Apple’s momentum.