14 DAY TRIAL // A forum user going through the extension files that ship with the Late 2008 MacBooks has discovered references to a “Macmini3,1” and “iMac9,1,” sources inform. The entries for the unannounced Mac models list their chipset as the exact same ones employed by the NVIDIA-powered unibody MacBooks.
AppleInsider points out to a member of the InsanelyMac forum who, “rifling through the extension files that ship with the latest MacBooks and MacBooks Pros,” stumbled upon listings that confirmed upcoming iMac and Mac minis boasting chipsets identical to the platform employed by the unibody MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Air – the NVIDIA MCP79. Not surprisingly, the same records show the currently selling notebook models listed as MacBook5,1, MacBookPro5,1, and MacBookAir2,1.
Mac fans will agree that, while the iMac was definitely on track to receive such an upgrade, an updated Mac mini wasn't something one could put their finger on. Some have even speculated that the low-end desktop Mac would even be discontinued, since Apple practically forgot to refresh the computer for years in a row.
However, a Wired report emerging last week suggested that an upgraded Mac mini was indeed on track for a January 2009 release. According to it, citing an Apple corporate employee, the launch is supposed to take place at Macworld 2009, Moscone Center, San Francisco. The information found by the above-mentioned forum user in the configuration file seems to fall right into place with the rumor.
The alleged new Mac mini will sport a silver enclosure composed of a block of aluminum, filling up the hole (so to speak) in Apple's aluminum Mac line, while some of the internal parts will be PVC-free, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to remove as many toxic materials as possible from its products. This accomplishment, coupled with the computer's small size and low power requirements, will nab the refreshed mini the title of “greenest Mac ever.” Other changes will include the controversial Mini DisplayPort, a CD-DVD slot loader (no Blu-ray), 2 GB of RAM (for the low specced model) expandable to 4 GB, higher clock speeds for both models, NVIDIA video card (low) and Intel video card (high).