me either... if i have to wait more than a month ill die...

Then buy it. Waiting is silly.

Apple learned some time ago that waiting for specific dates to release things was Bad for Business. People were Waiting, not Buying. Existing models of stuff were clogging the supply channels. Now, they release everything without any fanfare, and little or no warning.

Oh, and for those thinking about a Mini for HTPC? Don't bother. Even a C2D-equipped Mini won't be able to handle things that many dedicated media-player units can, for half the cost or even less. Read my posting about the Mvix 760 here and see why it will crap on both an advanced Mini and the AppleTV from a great height.


Brains

But a Mini with 802.11N wont slow your N wireless network down.
C2D is going to help for H264 HD stuff.
If they do a HT version it will have decent HDD space.
The mini is really overpriced next to the iMac...I smell a price drop.

Agreed on March/April.

I wrestled with this one for some time...
I wouldn't have it any other way though!

My Mac mini has given me months of enjoyment and use... and matches my Sony Bravia X Seried HD LCD TV perfectly!

So I have had months of enjoyment and use instead of waiting and worrying what the next thing is going to be. Must admit even with the AppleTV announcement - I think my Mac mini provides a bigger range of high quality options and performance than AppleTV still!

If you want a Mac mini, need a Mac mini, or even are just overdue buying a new gadget... or even sometimes we just need to go buy an Apple to satisfy a fix!

im still holding off.. perhaps ill wait for OSX lep

I personally don't get the TV, as it offers a fraction of the functions of existing solutions at a greater cost. Maybe if there are some interesting hacks for it that make it more useful, but still wont be as useful as my current Intel Mini is.

i agree, currawong. When i told my girlfriend about it the morning it was released, she was like 'well my $70 divx dvd player pretty much does that already' except the wireless bit

Could some comment on the quality of the playback on the Mini's????

After seeing the apple TV I thought I was definately going to get a mini as I wanted a full media center. (that is : play music, pictues, DVDs including divx, but also recored and watch TV) I then found this article which now has me wondering what to do?

Among the comments made in this article,

"The Mac Mini's DVD- and video-output quality was marred by false contouring (banded or splotchy colours), moiré patterns (line distortion) and jagged diagonals. We've seen $50 DVD players perform better."


http://http://www.cnet.com.au/deskto...htm?ref=search

Can any season vets comment on this ???
would be a great help? Do I have to do the unthinkable and go down the HTPC pc road if i want good qualty.

They must be talking about the S-Video adaptor. I'm using VGA and the picture is every bit as good (if not better) than my high def $550 LG set top box. If I was using DVI/HDMI it'd probably be even better.

I think the main issue is can you use VGA or DVI/HDMI to plug the mini in? Good VGA to component adaptors aren't cheap, so if you only have component and composite inputs, then the quality might be an issue.

That means pretty much all new LCDs and Plasmas should be fine, but older CRTs might not be. There's also some issues with connecting minis to widescreen CRTs I believe (don't have one here to test on).

I use a DVI to HDMI for my mini into my HD LCD TV and I've never noticed any problems with it... instead it is actually the reverse! I get lots of comments how amazing it all is.

I'd like to update my mini now, but my G4 mini will have to do until they make the minis Core 2 Duo and Leopard comes out.

The speed difference between my MacBook pro and the G4 mini is getting a bit noticible though

It is my belife that if you wait by the time leopard comes out Apple will have moved to Intels Mobile 965 Chipset which will give you a faster core 2 experience over just plonking in a T7400 into a current mac mini because the 965 chipset was designed for the core 2 and is more optimised. Also with the 965 Mobile Integrated graphics chipset (mac mini/Low end imac) there is the much improved X3000 Graphics processor that actually has dedicated programable pipelines (these are not software/CPU processed piplines like the GMA950 but real hardware processed piplines using the actual graphics processor)and driver enabled DX 10 support. The X3000 is theoretically similar in speed to the 7300GS which means that true HD video should be fairly easy and even games become possible as resolutions above 800X600.

so can I actually ask what is the likely hood that a new mini (core 2) will be released in the next couple of months, Has there been semi reliable whispers? or is it just hoping???
Like many I am keen for my apple HTPC but dont want to rush it......

I couldn't wait either, but wasn't keen to pay $1249 for a mini, so yesterday I bought a new 1.5 core solo off compnow for $699.00. It should arrive here at the end of next week. As this model can be upgraded to core 2 for $300.00, I figure I'm well in front should I feel the need for some extra speed. What do you think?