Mac mini HD: "One More Thing" for WWDC?

[Paul Daniel Ash]

The Worldwide Developers Conference has often been a venue for new product announcements, and it's abundantly clear that this year's event will be all about the next-generation iPhone, which has been talked about for so long and in such detail that one sometimes forgets that it hasn't been announced yet. But Steve Jobs has also used the "oh, and one more thing" trope during his keynotes, which usually give him an opportunity to drop some surprise on the audience. AppleInsider had a report out yesterday that indicated the Mac mini is in short supply, suggesting that a refresh of the small-form-factor desktop might be in the offing.

The Mac mini last got an update in October of last year, which brings it close to the end of its average 249-day product cycle. The last refresh brought faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors as well as a server model without optical drives that opened up both drive bays for dual 500GB hard disks. That processor upgrade followed a similar upgrade of the low-end MacBook, and - given that the Mac mini shares so many components with the MacBook - it makes sense that this refresh may bring the 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo CPU from the latest MacBook refresh to the Mac mini.

Another possible upgrade involves the video out on the Mac mini, which for the last few product cycles has included a DVI port and a Mini DisplayPort. Leaks from Apple's verification test labs back in March indicated the company would replace the legacy DVI connector with an HDMI port. At present, only the "hobby" Apple TV device supports HDMI, and hints have been growing that Apple will be implementing the high-end digital video-out standard on more of its line. Given that one of the uses people put Mac minis to is as a home media server, it'd make sense for the Mac mini to be the first to see an HDMI upgrade.

AppleInsider said that four separate sources reported supply constraints on bulk orders for Mac minis. Individual order backlogs are more common ahead of new school years as Apple redirects stock for big university purchases, but holdups in volume orders usually means apple is clearing stock for a new model. According to one of AppleInsider's sources, "Every time this has happened in years past, it means that the item we ordered would be revised."

[The Maestro]

Now my brand new Mac mini will get outdated, this always happens

[Wolftamer]

Now my brand new Mac mini will get outdated, this always happens

It's computers, the minute you buy it they become "out dated"

[applekid80]

Looks cool but the new Google TV looks like a better choice

[cpkirkley]

Looks cool but the new Google TV looks like a better choice

+1. I'm holding on buying a new 3d TV until I find out which one of them is going to support GoogleTV and which phones will be able to use the Harmony software.

[whereswaldo]

i've always liked the mac mini

[MetallicaFan1991]

Do iMac's have HDMI?? I'm sure Apple only supported Mini Displayport otherwise they would have put an HDMI port on the MacBook Pro.
I'd rather get an iPad than the Mac Mini.

[ForumSnoBorderRK]

thats not a "one more thing" type of thing.

[Bluprint]

Steve - We shall call it HDMI. Once again our experts in apple is revolutionizing our products in HD. *standing ovation*

[01grander]

Once again apple will say they are being innovative.....

[santacruzlocal]

DAM ... I just ran out of HDMI Ports on my TV, Maybe the iPad 2G will have HDMI out !!!!

[DisneyRicky]

DAM ... I just ran out of HDMI Ports on my TV, Maybe the iPad 2G will have HDMI out !!!!

They make HDMI splitters, and they are relatively inexpensive

[DjCasey]

I can't wait until this comes out.

[n00neimp0rtant]

Mac mini? Come on, how about our MacBook Pros? Buying 3 cables/adapters to get my screen on a TV (without sound, nonetheless) is ridiculous.

[reanimationxp]

Mac mini? Come on, how about our MacBook Pros? Buying 3 cables/adapters to get my screen on a TV (without sound, nonetheless) is ridiculous.

Dude you bought a Macbook. Those things are for working in photoshop, making video, editing sound... why would you want to.. oh.