Check out the new Mac mini

No digital output it seems!!


-----edit------

I take it back it has a 3.5 mini jack for optical!

Excepting HDMI, Firewire, and 4 x USB....!

I'm presuming the 3.5mm is also an optical, though I haven't looked yet...

I love the design - this is perfect - I may actually get one!

Still no Blu-Ray.

I'll buy one when they add Blu-Ray

Wow... amazing engineering.... Things really are getting interesting as PCs/Macs start to get used as htpcs... Just depends whether they can decode hi-def video properly.

quote:

Originally posted by SC:
They kept this one quiet...! Available immediately, of course...

Well not quite

This really is one tidy design, no power brick either. I want one.

Well its an all alloy case so having it painted black is and easy option.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy S:
Wow... amazing engineering.... Things really are getting interesting as PCs/Macs start to get used as htpcs... Just depends whether they can decode hi-def video properly.

This will be fine
Considering an ion based atom pc can decode bluray and 1080p files with about 30% processor usage

Yikes I just bought a mini few weeks ago...

quote:

Originally posted by Occean:
Considering an ion based atom pc can decode bluray and 1080p files with about 30% processor usage

Ahh yes, googling a bit leads to the fact it has an Nvidia 320M in it so it should do nicely

That's really nice. To pick nits, surprised no Bluray as option because at that price it could have taken some of those sales. eSATA would have been nice but overall there's much to like.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
That's really nice. To pick nits, surprised no Bluray as option because at that price it could have taken some of those sales. eSATA would have been nice but overall there's much to like.

Do Macs have a BluRay playback solution without hacks? I thought it was only Windows.

Also, is audio over HDMI enabled and how does that interact with the audio out you need for bit perfect. I only ask as my Ion htpc can't output 44.1 over HDMI so I have to disable it and output via the SPDIF which can do both 44.1 and 48 (needed for most movies).

AppleTV plays 1080p so this should be a breeze

Shame no SSD option, would a killer with that

512GB SSD's cost £1100 alone.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy S:
Do Macs have a BluRay playback solution without hacks? I thought it was only Windows.

I don't think Apple like the DRM bull$h!+ that is required for Blu-ray.

Blu-ray will be coming to an end in a few years time anyhow.

and there will be adifferent mini by then too. Never stopped anyone before but that's not a slam. Bluray is touchy and maybe they didn't want the hassle.

Previous mini lasted 5-6 years IIRC

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:

I don't think Apple like the DRM bull$h!+ that is required for Blu-ray.

I think Apple depends its life on DRM. They LOVE it. Yes they dont restrict their iTunes downloads with it anymore. But music is only a tiny slice of what DRM is all about.

Apple uses DRM as much as any global technology company, maybe more.

-patrick

Any DRM apple has 'imposed' has never effected me. I would be interested to read where you think they are applying DRM that they in turn were not legally obliged to do so Patrick?

You don't even need a serial for the OS.

Gary,

They sue people/companies constantly for infringements as is their right to do so.

I am not saying DRM is a negative thing at all. How else are people/companies to protect themselves?

Well I have vested interest to dump on this new machine since I bought the old version just 2 weeks ago after waiting years for the next generation.

Losing the power brick is good. But cramping so much inside such a little box may mean a noisy interior.

No external power brick means difficulty to tweak with an external PS.

Still no Blu Ray. Well Blu Ray is not taking up fast enough, but what are the options for high def video?

I kind of like the old solid sandwich box form factor. It seems looks nice and solid on the hifi rack.

Overall I am just jealous and feel the need to justify the old one.