Mac mini

Macworld San Francisco 2009 starts next week – so MacRumors put together a Rumor Roundup summarizing speculation on what will be announced.

We already know that Steve Jobs is not planning to make an appearance and that Apple is not planning on participating in future events. This suggests that Apple is likely to save its most important announcements for 2009 for its own events, rather than Macworld. 

Here are the highlights of Apple rumors for MacWorld:

• New iMac and Mac mini - The latest versions of Mac OS X include references to NVIDIA-based iMacs and Mac minis. The NVIDIA chipsets were just introduced into Apple’s notebook line and promise faster graphics hardware for these new models. Rumor suggest that updated iMacs with Quad-Core processors are in the pipeline, and that updated Mac minis will support up to 4GB RAM and dual monitors. More powerful Mac minis would be welcome – but Apple doesn’t sell what you want, they sell what they think you will want in the future. 
• 17″ MacBook Pro – Fixed Battery - Aside from adopting the NVIDIA chipset and aluminum unibody design, the most notable change expected is the elimination of a removable battery. While most people may not have to replace their batteries, the change would be a real inconvenience for power users that do have to change or replace their batteries. 
• iLife ‘09. iWork ‘09 - Apple may make a major effort to turn portions of their iLife and iWork products into Internet services. This would allow some or all of iWork and iMovie to be accessed from your web browser and possibly your iPhone. 
• GarageBand – Apple may begin selling “celebrity music lessons” to GarageBand customers.
• iPhone and iPhone Nano – few expect major iPhone announcements at MacWorld
• Cinema Displays / Mac Pros / Home Media Server / Tablet or PDA – no confirmation on rumors for these items. 

All in all – it seems likely to be a fairly quiet MacWorld, with Apple saving its big ammo for its own events. 

I’d like to see updated minis, an Apple TV update that turns the system into an iPhone-like software platform, as Apple did and some sort of expandable media server. 

What do you expect from Apple at Macworld? Anything that will affect how you make music?

Apple today unveiled two new Mac mini computers with the Intel Core Duo processor. The new models are more powerful, and at $599 and $799, more expensive than ever.

The new Mac minis feature the Apple Remote and Front Row so users can play music, enjoy photo slideshows, watch DVDs, iMovies, music videos, video podcasts and television shows from across the room.

“The new Mac mini is now up to four times faster with the Intel Core Duo, includes even greater expansion in the same incredibly compact design, and is the most affordable way to enjoy Front Row and iLife ‘06,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. Read more…