Eric Carroll @ Feb 24th 2006 12:43AM

Hey Ben,

Don't get me wrong I think I would LOVE a Mac Mini with true HDTV out put, and I think it WILL happen... eventually. But the question was do I think it will happen this week... The answer to that is no, I don't think that will happen. That being said, I HOPE I AM WRONG, I would LOVE to see an TRUE HDTV supporting Mini, in-fact I will order one on day 1 if that is introduced...

To address some of your points: Are you saying the no VGA without a Dongle is a downside for like the iBooks with their little MINI-VGA port? Or do you want PowerBooks to have both DVI and VGA (which in my opinion would be a waste of space since I mostly use DVI and don't need the YET another port on the side of my PowerBook, that and I don't mind carrying a DVi to VGA dongle for the times I need to use VGA). But as you are pointing out, Apple wanted a way to keep their 12" laptops small, so they invented a port you need an adapter to use, which if you'll go back to my comments, I did say that the possibly of them coming up with some proprietary port was a possibility. As far as the DVI-to HDMI cord being an option, I guess, but again, it doesn't seem very... APPLE to me. and sure a lot of TVs now have HDMI, but for example MINE doesn't so I better be able to get it with out that cable since by Apple Math I am sure this will add $50 if not $150 dollars to the price. And see thats is where it seems "in-elegant" and looses the Apple feel, in my opinion.

Concerning Content: Perhaps Apple is ready to roll out a full-fledged movie distribution network, but I have to say I work for Apple (no not in the Retail Stores, I do work for Apple Corporate, but also I won't pretend I am some engineer with access to any secret labs, I am in Sales) and I've yet to hear any rumblings to suggest this is happening right now. But honestly, would they throw these movies up on iTunes? How are they going to price it, I have to assume places like NetFlicks, Wal-Mart, BlockBuster, etc. wouldn't be too keen on it being EASIER and CHEAPER to buy movies from Apple and since THEY, control the DVD sales/rental industries I have to assume the studios would listen, not to mention they probably have delusions of starting their OWN paid downloading sites. Also what does this mean for the iPod content that is up there now, do I have to Re-buy LOST to get it in HD? do I get the iPod formatted copy for free with the purchase of an HD piece of content? Or do I have to choose, and or pay twice to have it in HD and iPod formats... Again this is where is gets, messy and I don't see it working just yet...

Apple is able to call a lot of shots with the Music industry right now because they OWN the MP3 player market. So the fact that music you buy from iTunes only plays in iTunes and on iPods is allowed by the industries. I doubt Apple has a killer pitch for explaining why it should be able to sell other people's HD content which can only be played on machines with iTunes (or maybe even JUST Macs). Until they "own" the living room the way they "own" the music in our pockets, I am not sure they are going to hold the attention of the studios.

I LOVE the movie trailers and I love them in HD, but I certainly couldn't justify buying a Mac Mini with HDTV out to be able to watch HD movie trailers on demand...

Don't get me wrong, I think Apple has plans for this "space"... i also LOVE Apple, so none of my comments are supposed to be "anti-Apple", and I agree with you that it is entirely POSSIBLE, as it the technology IS THERE. I just feel like it hasn't matured to the point Apple can polish it up and resell it to us in a nice shiny little package, which is what they do so well...

(Also, thanks for actually replying to the comment, nice to be talking in a place where people read and reply, not say, "What? HD Rules ur DUMB - APPLE 4ever!")