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New Mac Mini for in time for MacWorld?

by on05 January 2009

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Likely powered by the Nvidia MCP79 chipset

As MacWorld draws closer and closer, our shadow dwellers in the land of Jobs are telling us to expect a new Mac Mini that should break cover at MacWorld as one of the major announcements.

As we have suggested before, the Mac Mini has been in serious need of an update for a while now, and the Jobs Squad has apparently found the time to get it done. We think, based on whispers that we are hearing, that while the Mini needed updating, it has more to do with attractive chipset pricing and packaging from Nvidia that had made the project go.

While we have seen pictures of a very slim aluminum chassis that has been suggested to house the new Mac Mini, we have been unable to confirm this at present. What is more likely is that the new Mac Mini will use the Nvidia MCP79 platform, according to those in the shadows.

We are hearing that we can expect some new features because of the switch to the MCP79 chipset, including the addition of both a Mini DisplayPort and a Mini DVI connector which could enable the possibility of dual video output. It is expected that the Mini will also do away with the FireWire 400 in favor of FireWire 800 support. It is also rumored that Apple will add a fifth USB port, as well, to the mix on the Mini.

While we do know that it will be powered by an Intel processor, at present it is still a bit sketchy as to which one Apple will choose to go with, but our sources are suggesting that it will be dual-core, which will be a boost over the previous generation.

With the specs that we are hearing, Apple might be looking to cash in on those Mini owners that are looking to upgrade, but either don’t want to drop the major coin necessary to get into the iMac when compared to the more reasonable prices of the Mini. Still, from whispers that we are hearing, we look for the fully loaded new Mini to cost more than the previous offerings.
Last modified on 05 January 2009
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