[macintologist]

As you know, the new Intel Mac Minis sport an awful Intel Integrated Graphics with shared VRAM which basically means that this is the lowest-end graphics capable Mac since the PowerMac 6100 12 years ago.

To make matters worse, Apple themselves criticized the use of Integrated Graphics before they used them.

This is what Apple had on the old Mac Mini graphics page:
http://web.archive.org/web/200503050.../graphics.html

Your Mac mini uses its dedicated graphics chip to offload visual tasks from the main CPU. So the G4 processor doesn’t have to worry about layering windows, moving them around, scrolling through web pages or worse, figuring out the pattern umpteen laser beams make when reflected off a shielded spaceship during combat. The Radeon 9200 takes care of all that, and does a better job than a general purpose CPU since it’s designed especially for such tasks. Even better, the Radeon 9200 gets to use 32MB of dedicated memory, which lets the G4 processor use all of its RAM for other tasks. That means you can run many more programs at once.

Or one 3D game. Go ahead, just try to play Halo on a budget PC. Most say they’re good for 2D games only. That’s because an “integrated Intel graphics” chip steals power from the CPU and siphons off memory from system-level RAM. You’d have to buy an extra card to get the graphics performance of Mac mini, and some cheaper PCs don’t even have an open slot to let you add one.

Apple: They were against integrated graphics before they were for them

[Judge_Fire]

The integrated GMA950 certainly isn't impressive. But it isn't as if Apple was against it, they just stated the facts. Therefore, this should now be read as a feature:

"Go ahead, just try to play Halo. An “integrated Intel graphics” chip steals power from the CPU and siphons off memory from system-level RAM."

Awesome!

J

[ism]

although it's rubbish, I'm sure this is a benefit (to Apple) of moving to Intel and part of the reason why they did. Must be cheaper for them.

[Judge_Fire]

Cheap is good in the Mini. Performance-wise, I don't think it's a step backwards, either. It's just not a very elegant or efficient step forward.

With the new CPU, I'm sure the OS and iLife apps, for example, will perform quite nicely. One of my machines is an original Mini and am quite happy with it (for the tasks I use it for). Gamers and people looking to work on very large files aren't the target group, I guess.

As for Mac gamers, the new, substantially more compact desktop ('power')Mac should be more interesting. [/guesstimation]

J

[powerbook867]

I'm just curious if the new ibook is going to follow the same path as the mini in terms of video card and price increase. I hope not....

[Maflynn]

so what exactly is PWN or PWNAGE

I see pwn floating around forums from time to time, but I have no idea what it means?

[Hawkeye_a]

ptttfffttt... i sure hope not.

Im not totally against integrated graphics, althoug id prefer an older GPU (Ala Radeon 9200) instead anyday...

if it brings the price down on entry level machines, while supporting things like Quartz Extreme, Core video & image....im all for it. lets face it....Gaming on the mac...isnt the reason why ppl buy Macs....most of us have a console anyway for our gaming fix.

Cheers

[Kevin]

If this was a pro-level computer I would say pwnage.

This is the very beginning of entry level. Some people are acting like it should have pro features for entry prices.

You get what you pay for.

[Spliffdaddy]

In reality, Apple used the integrated graphics for their new Intel-based machines because it's already present in the Intel chipset. And while it isn't a great GPU - it's quite capable of playing all but the most demanding 3D games.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Maflynn

so what exactly is PWN or PWNAGE

I see pwn floating around forums from time to time, but I have no idea what it means?

Just type PWN in Google and follow the links.

[greenamp]

Integrated graphics sucks big time, but one thing worth mentioning is that the new Mini with the Intel chip, faster memory, faster bus speed, and integrated graphics most likely outperforms the old G4 Mini with dedicated graphics.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

I'd agree with all the people saying "well if it brings down the price..."...if it, you know, had actually brought down the price.

greg

[Krypton]

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

I'd agree with all the people saying "well if it brings down the price..."...if it, you know, had actually brought down the price.

greg

Bingo

[tooki]

This was already covered in every major Intel Mac mini thread here. It doesn't need its own.

tooki