[konut]

New Air
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air?mco=MTM3NjU3MDM

New Mini
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/mac_mini?mco=MTM3NjY1OTU

[Berto]

No optical drive b/c Apple says you don't need one just buy compressed audio from Itunes says Apple in not so many words.

 For a pure music server im not unhappy I bought a 2010 Mini one month ago, thunderbolt is nice but nothing yet to make use of it.

[John151]

No optical drive b/c

I have been waiting for a faster mini (mine is so slow it is nearly useless), but no optical drive is a deal breaker for me!

[genjamon]

No optical drive should not be a deal-breaker.  I busted mine while swapping my hard drive for an SSD.  No problem - just bought a usb external optical drive for $40 or something.  No biggie, and probably would help to reduce production costs for Apple.  I wonder if they pass along those cost savings to the customer... 

[Chromisdesigns]

No optical drive should not be a deal-breaker.  I busted mine while swapping my hard drive for an SSD.  No problem - just bought a usb external optical drive for $40 or something.  No biggie, and probably would help to reduce production costs for Apple.  I wonder if they pass along those cost savings to the customer... 

Won't that void the (new and improved) Apple warranty...?  Probably not, I suppose, at least right now.  But if they keep going in the iXXX direction, it wouldn't surprise me.

I guess they think nobody ever watches DVDs on their Mini, either. 

[genjamon]

Actually, I just looked at the "features" tab on their website, and it looks like they have a USB external optical drive already for the Macbook Air that they're encouraging Mini purchasers to consider.  $79

[jrebman]

No optical drive?  Ah, finally!   Never use it but once in a blue moon, and the slot loaders are not very reliable in the long run and are definitely not going to last long  if used to rip your cd collection.

As Ben said, I've got a tiny, external usb drive that works just fine for when I need it, and an external tank of a plexstor drive for cd ripping.

Going to take a look in more detail shortly, but a new mini is in my future for sure, though most likely not for full time music playback.

-- Jim

[SET Man]

Hey!

   I was at Apple's Soho store on Monday with my co-worker. He and his girlfriend a want to buy a new computer and thinking of getting their first Mac.

   I feel that Mac Mini fit them best. But! They didn't buy it yet because I told them to wait for a new update Mini. They were a bit surprise that I wouldn't let them buy one yet. 

   I told them I don't know when the new one will come out but look like it could be up to 3 more months til the new one come out but should be worth it. Look like I will have a good news for him tomorrow.

   Anyway, I'm surprise that the new one don't have optical drive. But even if it dose it wouldn't be Bluray anyway. Still I think external optical drives are not that expensive anyway if needed.

Take care,
Buddy

[Jon L]

 For a pure music server im not unhappy I bought a 2010 Mini one month ago, thunderbolt is nice but nothing yet to make use of it.

I wish Mini would go back to the external power supply, which is much easier to upgrade not to mention the switching PS noise inside the computer..

[OzarkTom]

New to a the apple core site, would that $200 Lion server option on the new mac mini make any improvement in sound qualiity? Or would that be a waste of $200? 

Going to order one today.

[neekomax]

Does anyone envision an audio application/advantages over USB for Thunderbolt?

[arthur]

I too am interested in that question, and also wondering if having 4 cores will also extend the date when it will become obsolete.

 For example, will the lowest model be able to stream 24/192, or 60/1080p video if/when such services become available online? My 6yr old PowerBook is pretty much useless in displaying streaming video even at today's compressed rates (eg The Daily Show, etc).

[skunark]

New to a the apple core site, would that $200 Lion server option on the new mac mini make any improvement in sound qualiity? Or would that be a waste of $200? 

Going to order one today.

Lion vs Lion Server is the same basic OS, just with more applications running on top of it.   Less you have running in the background the better off those USB DACs will be.    I would probably consider more RAM and the SSD drivers though.  It might not be possible to upgrade the HDD in the short term as Apple started to use the new standard connector with thermal sensors.   So if that is concern, might wait for a tear down  before deciding.

[dmccombs]

I got to listen to the new 2011 Mini for a few minutes today (using our OSX 10.6.8 software).  I think the new mini is going to work out nicely.   

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

[Mike Nomad]

No optical drive...

Well, there's a little more draconian going on than that: The big push with the release of Lion is to move aware from bootable, physical media.

(and)

Frankly, I see it in part of a capitulation on their unwillingness to include a truly universal (as in Blu-ray capable) drive. I've been running one of their Mini Server for quite a while, and have not missed their standard slot-loading piece of junk at all.

[dmccombs]

Well, we got 3 Mach2 Music Servers setup today. The 2011 does sound better that the 2010.  We feel the timing is more precise and there is better separation between instruments.  The sounds seems a little more detailed as well.

We have 2 Mach2 Servers on battery power right now, and 1 running standard power.

Darrell
www.mach2music.com