14 DAY TRIAL // Recently, there have been a few reports of users unable to order large quantities of minis, something that hinted at a possible revision in the near future. Now, users are reporting having received quietly upgraded models of the mini.
"SuperG" reports over on MacBidouille: "I have ordered a Mac mini Core solo with 1GB of RAM last Saturday to use it as a server, and what a surprise when I received the box! My Mac mini has been upgraded: - Core Duo 1.66GHz instead of Core Solo 1.5GHz; - HD 100GB instead of 60GB; - And a SuperDrive instead of a Combo! On the box, the specifications are those of a Mac mini Core Solo..."
Such 'stealth upgrades' have happened before. In September 2005, Apple upgraded the Mac mini without an announcement, bumping the processor from 1.42GHz to 1.5GHz and including a faster SuperDrive as well as more video memory. Apple commented that the box specifications represent what customers can expect at the minimum, and that some Mac minis may be better equipped.
This move is most likely intended to help clear inventory without having to resort to price cuts. With CoreDuo2 processors now available, it is not entirely out of the picture that Apple will introduce and release new models for most of its computers, both desktop and portable, but it is unlikely that the Mini will come in a CoreDuo2 configuration.