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Simon · Jun 12, 2006, 02:18 PM

Some guy just did it - now there's a Core 2 Duo Mac mini.

http://macenstein.com/default/archives/323

Eug Wanker · Jun 12, 2006, 02:24 PM

Cool!

Actually I'm a little surprised it worked. Some of the Intel boards apparently need a firmware update to run Merom.

Too bad he didn't bench the mini with the original Yonah chip.

Simon · Jun 12, 2006, 02:26 PM

Absolutely. I can't imagine how somebody could do such an upgrade and not think about taking 'before' data. The excitement must have taken over.

I'm pretty sure it won't be long till we see others do something like this and hopefully somebody will do a proper Yonah vs. Merom benchmark with an otherwise identical system.

harrisjamieh · Jun 12, 2006, 04:30 PM

Please, excuse me for being a total idiot, but I didnt think Merom was out yet?

Eug Wanker · Jun 12, 2006, 04:44 PM

Several engineering samples are already out there.

cornwallstone · Jun 12, 2006, 08:51 PM

Yet another...

Eriamjh · Jun 15, 2006, 08:30 PM

Where is the Merom iMac?

F*ckDell · Jun 15, 2006, 08:39 PM

Now that we can put Merom into Mac Minis, could someone like myself buy a Mac Mini with the Solo Core and swap in the Merom? Would I run into problems or would I just be saving some cash...?

brokenjago · Jun 22, 2006, 11:22 PM

Personally, I would put a Conroe in an iMac, as it is Intels' desktop version of the Core 2 Duo. Not so sure about the Mac Mini, considering the space and heat constraints, but I'm sure it would also work quite well.

harrisjamieh · Jun 22, 2006, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by brokenjago

Personally, I would put a Conroe in an iMac, as it is Intels' desktop version of the Core 2 Duo. Not so sure about the Mac Mini, considering the space and heat constraints, but I'm sure it would also work quite well.

You'd have possible heat issues if you did that

Simon · Jun 23, 2006, 12:09 AM

Somehow I think it's OK if the mini stays with Yonah and Merom since it's really all about being compact, silent, etc. The iMac I think is a perfect candidate for Conroe whereas the MP and Xs should just go Woodcrest altogether. Woodcrest is slightly more expensive, but they offer a higher bus speed, more L2 cache (depending on which Conroe you compare with) and they have basically the same TDP.

If the Mac mini were more of a budget tower I'd want Conroe in there, but since it's more like a headless MB, I'm perfectly fine with Yonah/Merom.

Actually, I think it's about time Apple bumped the mini to a CD 1.67 GHz and 1.83 GHz. The Solo just doesn't make a lot of sense with the upcoming C2Ds and the price drop for Yonah - and it's kinda isolated on the Mac platform.

Grrr · Jun 25, 2006, 03:10 PM

Are intel iMac CPU's on a socket too then?
For some reason I thought only the Mini's did.

harrisjamieh · Jun 25, 2006, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Grrr

Are intel iMac CPU's on a socket too then?
For some reason I thought only the Mini's did.

Yes.

F*ckDell · Jun 25, 2006, 04:38 PM

Would anyone besides myself like to see Steve release a Mac Mini with C2D, HDMI output, and a high end video card (decoding 1080p and our current 3D games).

How much would you guys pay for something like this?

stwain2003 · Jun 25, 2006, 07:03 PM

I would like to see that. I would like to see a Mac Pro have that, but I highly doubt it will.

kaido · Jun 25, 2006, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by F*ckDell

Would anyone besides myself like to see Steve release a Mac Mini with C2D, HDMI output, and a high end video card (decoding 1080p and our current 3D games).

How much would you guys pay for something like this?

Even if it's just an x1600 upgrade I'd buy it

I don't think there's any real way to put a C2D in there without significantly increasing the noise due to cooling issues (I'm assuming the Conroe will output more heat than the Merom). Also for those of you who think they could fit a 3.5" drive in there, it's not going to happen without making the Mini a lot bigger. I was playing around with a 3.5" hard drive next to my Mini just to check sizing and there's just no way. But give me a 2.33ghz Merom Mini with an x1600 and I'd buy it

mduell · Jun 25, 2006, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by F*ckDell

Would anyone besides myself like to see Steve release a Mac Mini with C2D, HDMI output, and a high end video card (decoding 1080p and our current 3D games).

C2D is a given, eventually it will get Merom after Yonah dries up; HDMI is already supported by GMA950, it's just a change in pinout (which you can do with an adapter on the current mini); a high end video card is not going to happen. GMA950 already has support for decoding HD-resolution hi-bitrate movies.

Simon · Jun 26, 2006, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by kaido

I don't think there's any real way to put a C2D in there without significantly increasing the noise due to cooling issues (I'm assuming the Conroe will output more heat than the Merom).

TDPs:
• Yonah: ~31 W (LV model is lower)
• Merom: 35 W
• Conroe: 65W (the extreme edition X6800 actually has 95W!)

The Mac mini will eventually get Merom, but Apple's certainly in no big hurry. It will likely stay with integrated graphics due to cost concerns.