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Was the Mac mini Intended to Have an iPod dock?
Posted by
CmdrTaco
on Tue Mar 01, 2005 11:18 AM
from the sure-why-not dept.
from the sure-why-not dept.
RMH101 writes "Was the Mac mini originally designed to have an integrated iPod dock? The Register
has an article that appears to suggest it was. This opens up the option of homebrewing your own dock into a mini for yourself..."
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Homebrew Cases (Score:5, Insightful)
I may be easily asmused... (Score:5, Funny)
It would a good to have this dock as optional, but that will be in the next flurry of updates?
Re:I may be easily asmused... (Score:5, Funny)
Hmm.. They are planning on having an option where you can order repair droid with your Mac Mini!
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Not an iPod doc (Score:5, Insightful)
This ties in nicely to the way that the mini seems tailor-made to be a media-center PC. If some sort of tuner card were plugged into this slot (say in a "Mac Mini Media-Center Edition" or something) you could plug a mini into your TV and be basically set with the ultimate convergence box.
That's my opinion, anyway. Be looking for a Media Center version of the Mini soon.
Re:Not an iPod doc (Score:5, Interesting)
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Re:Not an iPod doc (Score:5, Informative)
from MacWorld [macworld.com]
Media Centers and digital video players
Oppenheimer articulated Apple's current philosophy when it comes to "media center" computers -- PCs designed to work in the living room as a component of a home entertainment system, recording video, playing back music and more. While Oppenheimer admitted some consumers may be interested in media center PCs and that a Mac mini might be suitable, he said that "most customers" would prefer to have a more powerful computer in their office or den and leverage wireless networking to stream content to their home entertainment system.
As a practical example, Oppenheimer pointed to AirTunes -- a feature of iTunes that works in conjunction with Apple's AirPort Express wireless networking hub. The AirPort Express features an audio jack that can connect to the home entertainment system using a mini jack or a digital optical cable. Music can then be streamed from the computer playing iTunes to the stereo.
The iPod won't be getting video capabilities any time soon if current players are any indication, said Oppenheimer. Today's crop of portable media viewers are too bulky to carry as comfortably as the iPod, yet have screens he said are too small to enjoy a movie the same way you would on a TV or laptop. "Our view is that they've failed in the marketplace," said Oppenheimer.
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Coralized link (Score:5, Informative)
-P
iPod Docks (Score:5, Insightful)
Sorry it was the price... (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm sorry but what made ME (as a "PC" user) to switch to the Mac platform was the price. $499 for the base model is 100% perfect. I have said it here before (and I am saying it again)... Once Apple created a computer that was reasonably priced I would purchase one and I did.
It's nice that it runs cool, near silent, and that it is snappy for what I use it for (with 512MB) but it's super nice that it was priced right.
I don't own an iPod and I likely will never own an iPod so the iPod dock wouldn't make me switch. I highly doubt that PC users would switch just because of an iPod docking feature.
YMMV.
Re:Ha! That's still too expensive... (Score:5, Funny)
I won't get one until they're free inside a box of specially marked cereal.... but only if the cereal is on sale and I have a dollar-off coupon.
Beat that cheapo.
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Re:Sorry it was the price... (Score:5, Informative)
Next time, try blaming the real source of the problem: yourself.
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That's where you plug... (Score:5, Funny)
I think... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I think... (Score:5, Funny)
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Probably a little internal fight over it (Score:5, Informative)
Also, since I have karma to spare, with I googled for mac mini ipod dock I got a picture of this crazy contraption [hackaday.com]. Just thought I'd share.
- Cary
--Fairfax Underground [fairfaxunderground.com]: Where Fairfax County comes out to play
In other news... (Score:5, Funny)
Yes, But Killed Early On (Score:5, Informative)
I know what it is (Score:5, Funny)
It will be in the 2nd version of the mini (Score:5, Interesting)
Sell version 1 w/ minimal features
get everyone hooked
release version two with extensive features
profit
look at the shuffle, the chip has the ability to recieve FM, they will add a screen and FM tuner in 1-2 versions to bump sales up. brilliant.
Re:Makes sense (Score:5, Interesting)
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Re:Makes sense (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Makes sense (Score:5, Insightful)
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Re:Flexibility is good (Score:5, Insightful)
Nah..
An extra connector is always a charm but a slot for your pod? hrmm.. considering future changes to the form of the ipod I wouldn't go there. The 60gb is thicker than the 40 and the pod mini... ugh just forget about ok? fugeddabaatit ok?
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Re:Redundant? (Score:5, Funny)
In fact, the moderator was correct -- you managed the rare feat of an entirely redundant first post. Particularly impressive given that the blurb is only three sentences long!
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iPod dock for next gen of Sawtooth G4 (Score:5, Insightful)
This got me thinking - my Sawtooth G4/400 has an internal Firewire port [lowendmac.com]. Clearly, the designers intended the next generation of G4s to have integrated iPod docks.
It's not uncommon for features to get added early in the mobo manufacturing process because it's cheap and relatively simple. This is probably an example of Apple doing a CYA 12 months ago and then abandoning the idea (whatever it was - dock or something else).
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