I have always been a big fan of the Mac mini, and still have one at the centre of my multi media set up, but was always disappointed that it wasn’t possible to run the Mac mini in dual screen mode.
Well it looks like rather than killing it of as many had predicted Apple are about to give the Mac mini long awaited dual screen capabilities if Apple Insider are to be believed:
Those familiar with the company’s plans say the small form factor desktop will have both the Mini DisplayPort connector first introduced on unibody MacBooks but also a Mini DVI connector.
The reason for the addition is unclear, though it would potentially give the budget Mac dual display support that it has lacked since it was introduced as a PowerPC G4 model in 2005. All other current Macs either already include a built-in display and only need one video output or else use full-size video cards, such as the discontinued Power Mac G5 or today’s Mac Pro.
Such an update is helped in part by details that Apple itself has unintentionally confirmed through software leaks, which show the Mac mini using the GeForce 9400M chipset in a significantly new model that would, as a result, have the faster video performance and support for DisplayPort that are both missing in the current model’s Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics.
It also indirectly supports notions of a more flexible design that in past leaks has suggested might include the option of replacing the optical drive with a second hard drive.
People aware of the update, however, contradict claims of a partly black plastic enclosure and say that none of the material seems visible on the design, suggesting it won’t quite fit the black-and-silver color scheme of the iMac or other current Apple computers.
The new model is widely expected to bow at Macworld and may be accompanied by a new iMac at the same time.
Although I personally have no need for a dual screen Mac mini at the moment (never say never), I am really pleased that this could be the case, although the mention of a possible new iMac does keep the Marshall curse of new Macs after a purchase alive, although this time it is my fathers iMac that may be the curse!
I guess that would be pretty cool. I am excited for some reason on this years Macworld. How I’ll be setting up the house this year will depend on what they come out with in a couple of days. I am hoping that the rumors about some kind of server to rival HP’s Home Server will come true. I would love to see Apple come out with some kind of home media server. Otherwise, I think I will get a new, (or even a used,) Mac mini and turn that into my own home media server. I just have got to get a handle on this media stuff and where it’s at. It’s all over everyone’s computer, and it is a nightmare trying to find it. If they don’t come out with a home server, I’m going to have to get Darren Davies to help me out with what my wife is starting to call “Wayne’s Great Matter”, in a nod to Henry VIII.
Speaking of something else that is coming out at Macworld, I’ve been playing around with the new Toast Titanium 10 Pro for a few days. It’s pretty amazing all the applications that they are including with it. It’s got an embargo until… I don’t know, either the 5th or the 9th, so I can’t really say much in a public blog. 😉
A server would be cool, but the Mac mini does a pretty good job as far as I am concerned 🙂