MacVroom » Hardware

Apple Updates the Mac mini

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:58:29 +0000

Apple announced a revamped Mac mini today. The latest revision retains the same form factor but features improvements in graphics performance, larger hard drives, additional USB 2.0 ports and an optional BTO 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The new Mac mini is also the world’s most energy efficient desktop, using less than 13 watts of power when idle (great for conserving your cars battery).

The new Mac mini is available in two models that feature a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, up to 320GB Serial ATA hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 and a SuperDrive. The new Mac mini features NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics for up to five times better graphics performance than before and now with dual display support can drive two Apple or third-party displays with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections.

The new 2.0 GHz Mac mini has a suggested retail price of $599 (US) and includes:

2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
1GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
five USB 2.0 ports;
one FireWire 800 port; and
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

The $799 model, includes 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB and a 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm.

Build-to-order options include a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB RAM, 120GB, 250GB or 320GB hard disk drives.

The Mac mini Rides On!

admin — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:38:44 +0000

Contrary to some reports of the Mac mini’s demise, Apple updated our little buddy with 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo processors. The upgraded Mac mini includes up to 2GB of RAM, integrated GMA 950 graphics, gigabit ethernet, 802.11g wireless and bluetooth 2.0. You can also upgrade to a 160GB hard drive for all your music and video needs.

Here are the two updated configurations…

1.83GHz: Combo Drive Model

1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
80GB hard drive
$599.

2.0GHz: SuperDrive Model

2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
$799.

Both models are available now.

The Mac mini comes bundled with the amazing new iLife ’08, Front Row and includes the Apple Remote (a nice little companion for controlling a Mac’d Ride). Another sweet accessory, just announced by Apple is the new ultra-slim, anodized aluminum wireless bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard features special function keys for one-touch access to Mac features like play/pause, volume, etc. The keyboard looks sleek and compact for stashing away under a car seat when not in use. The new wireless keyboard retails for $79.

Apple Unveils Mac mini with Intel Core Duo

admin — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 03:54:20 +0000

Today Apple unveiled two new Intel-based Mac mini systems that are up to four times faster than previous G4 models. The high-end model sports a 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor and the lower-end model comes with a 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor. Both systems now include built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, built-in AirPort Extreme WiFi, built-in Bluetooth, four USB 2.0 ports (up from two in previous models), one FireWire 400 port, an optical digital and analog audio in/out, and built-in mono speaker.

The systems come bundled with Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, iLife ’06, iWork ’06 (30-day trial), Front Row, Big Bang Board Games, Comic Life and OmniOutliner. The base price of the new Mac mini has been increased $100, bringing the price up to $599 for the Solo and $799 for the Duo.

Thankfully the design and footprint of the Mac mini have not changed and will continue to be an idea in-car media solution – we can’t wait to get our hands in one of these powerhouses. It’s great to have FrontRow and the Apple Remote officially supported and included with the Mac mini. The additional two USB ports will help to simplify our installs by taking a USB hub out of the equation. Overall an excellent upgrade for the already capable Mac mini. Both new models are available today.

Hacked Prius In-dash Display

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:56:20 +0000

One of our forum members just posted an interesting hack to attach a Mac to their Prius in-dash touch screen…

So my goal was to get a mac working on my Prius’s MFD display, and be able to use it’s touch screen to control the front end (currently Front Row)

I don’t have audio hooked up, figured the video would be the hardest part.

I’m going through a Can-View which normally is just used for display the car’s CAN data http://hybridinterfaces.ca/, but has RGB+S in and outputs the MFD’s touchscreen through a serial cable.

I tried using SwitchResX to output the 640×480 at 15.75khz with no luck (got it working with powerstrip on a pc) Ended up buying a used scan converter off of ebay that outputs RGB+S.

Wrote a perl script to listen to the serial port (keyspan USB->serial converter) and sends Front Row commands through apple script. Broke the screen up into a 3×3 grid (9 boxes) Up, Down, Left, Right, center for enter/play/pause, and left top for menu/escape.

Here is what I have so far. This is just the prototype phase. I need to figure out audio, and then I’ll actually get a mac mini and try to hide all the components.

You can see additional pictures and a video of the system in action here.

Apple Quietly Updates the Mac mini

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 05:53:23 +0000

Rumors have been bandied about in the blogosphere regarding the anticipated Mac mini revision. Well, the wait is over and the new 1.5GHz (formerly 1.42GHz) and 1.33GHz (formerly 1.25GHz) models are now shipping.

What else do you get in the revised models?

An updated Boot ROM version 4.9.4f0
Hard drives were upgraded to 5,400-rpm models
The SuperDrive equipped Mac mini features a new 8x dual-layer SuperDrive from Matshita (Panasonic), which supports 5x DVD-RAM burning along with 8x DVD+/-R support, 4x DVD+/-RW support, and 24x CD-R Support. DVD-RAM support is not enabled on the Apple drive, however.
The graphics card is still the ATI Radeon 9200, but now has 64MB VRAM at 64MB (up from 32MB). However, it still cannot support Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger’s Core Image technology.
The new Mac mini features Bluetooth 2.0+EDR support.

The update to the Mac mini is pretty minor. But there were some surprises – don’t be alarmed if the outer box has is mislabeled with the older configuration!

Apparently, the box labels will continue to list the older specifications without any indication if there is a newer or older system inside. The theory is that it will help Apple to clear out current inventory without lowering prices.

Essentially, they are promising customers that the Mac mini they purchase will include specifications “at least” equal to the label, but that their system may exceed those. However, if you ended up with the “older configuration,” you can’t return the system in the hopes of getting the newer configuration without paying a restocking fee.

Make Your Own iPod nano Sleeve

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 15:33:48 +0000

MacVroom was lucky enough to score the last 4GB iPod nano in-stock at our local Apple Store. We are planning on integrating the iPod nano into our Mac mini MR2 install. For those of you that have not experienced the nano in person, it is an amazing must-have (and hold) gadget. We have been previously toting a 60GB iPod, but the diminutive size of the nano drove us to test it out as a pocket-friendly replacement.

Our only disappointment with the iPod nano was that Apple chose not to include any type of case to tote it around. Additionally, because the nano is so new, no other third-party cases are available yet for it. Like other iPods, the nano has a shiny chrome back and the face is a high-gloss white or black plastic, which are both fairly easily marred.

We decided to take matters into our own hands and make a simple protective sleeve for our new nano…

We started with something that would be both protective and useful to shine up the iPod nano – a soft chamois cloth. Chamois is also fairly thin and will not add much bulk. Lucky for us, Apple includes one of these cloths with their Cinema Displays, so we had one on hand.

If you don’t have a chamois, we recommend picking up the iKlear Apple Polish Kit (available online or at your local Apple Store). The kit includes a bottle of the iKlear spray polish (which is great for cleaning all kinds of computer surfaces), a large chamois and a small travel micro-chamois which is a perfect size for using as an iPod nano case.

We simply folded the chamois around the nano and cut it slightly larger (roughly 4 1/2″ wide by 3 3/4″ high).

Next we took the cut chamois, folded it in half and sewed a simple overlock stitch along the two cut edges. The finished edge is left open and allows for inserting the nano into the sleeve.

To finish the sleeve, simply turn it inside-out and slide in the nano. VoilÃƒÂ ! Now our beautiful little nano will be nicely protected in our pocket and also ready for a nice shining!

Apple Updates the Mac mini

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 14:13:00 +0000

Today Apple introduced updated Mac minis. Each Mac mini now comes with 512MB of RAM standard. Wireless Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme are now included on the two 1.42GHz models and the top model now includes a SuperDrive.

There are now three models:

Base Model: 1.25GHz G4 CPU, 512MB RAM, 40GB Hard Drive, and Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive ($499)
Faster Wireless Model: 1.42GHz G4 CPU, 512MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive, both Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme networking ($599)
Faster Wireless Model with SuperDrive: 1.42GHz G4 CPU, 512MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) drive, both Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme networking ($699)

800 x 480 Resolution AppleScript

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 01:36:11 +0000

This AppleScript is for use with the Xenarc 700TSV LCD display. It allows you to easily change your Mac mini’s resolution to 800 x 480 upon startup. The script requires the cscreen application (see instructions below). Additionally, an 800 x 480 resolution must also be already configured via DisplayConfigX – see this post for more info on how to do this.

Instructions…

Download the cscreen application here
Mount the cscreen disk image by double-clicking on the “cscreen.dmg” file that you just downloaded
Open the Terminal (located in Applications/Utilities) and enter the following command:
sudo cp /Volumes/cscreen/cscreen /usr/local/bin/
then hit return
(you will be prompted for the administrators password)
If you get the message “directory /usr/local/bin does not exist” enter the following commands:
sudo mkdir /usr/local/bin/
then…
sudo cp /Volumes/cscreen/cscreen /usr/local/bin/
Download the “chres800x480.sit” StuffIt file here
Expand the Stuffit file and copy the “chres800x480″ AppleScript file into your Applications folder
Open the System Preferences and choose “Accounts”
Select the “Startup Items” tab and then hit the “+” button
Locate and highlight the chres800x480 AppleScript located in the Applications folder, then hit the “Add” button.
Quit out of System Preferences

Everything should be installed now. The next time you reboot your computer the chres800x480 AppleScript will run, and your monitor will be automatically set to 800 x 480!

If you are comfortable using the Script Editor, you can easily create other resolutions. Here’s the single line of AppleScript code….
do shell script “/usr/local/bin/cscreen -x 800 -y 480″

Xenarc 700TSV Images

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 22:58:08 +0000

Apple Introduces the Mac mini!

admin — Thu, 13 Jan 2005 14:48:17 +0000

On Tuesday, Apple introduced the Mac mini, a diminutively sized and fully capable desktop computer that starts at only $499. The Mac mini is available with either a 1.25 GHz or 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and comes with 256MB of DDR SDRAM (upgradeable to 1GB), a 40GB or 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive and an ATI Radeon 9200 processor with 32MB of dedicated DDR video memory. Both configurations also include a slot-load Combo drive, One FireWire 400 port, two USB 2.0 ports, 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking and a 56K modem. Additional options include, up to 1GB of RAM, SuperDrive, AirPort Extreme Card, and internal Bluetooth module.

The new Mac mini is also BYODKM (bring your own display, keyboard and mouse) and will work with most USB keyboards and mice (including three-button mice). The Mac mini supports any display that has a DVI or VGA connector at resolutions up to 1920 by 1200 for DVI and 1920 by 1080 VGA. Users can simply use their existing Mac or PC peripherals with the Mac mini.

The Mac mini comes loaded with the latest version of OS X and the newly introduced iLife suite of digital media applications. It’s 1.25GHz or 1.42GHz G4 processor makes it a very respectable machine capable of running the thousands of available OS X software titles.

While Apple touts the new Mac as being ideal for anyone looking to get started with Mac OS X, the small size and capabilities of the Mini make it a perfect solution for a Mac based home or mobile media center. The physical size of the Mac mini is 6.5″ deep by 6.5″ wide by 2″ tall, a perfect size for in-car installation – stay tuned!