Recalling the facts, it is based on a GPU 9400M intended for the ATOM processors.
Even though the performance of this platform are far from being ridiculous once the ATOM 33O is fitted with in two cores as these first tests show, however we do not think that it will be used to equip a Mac mini. Even if they could decrease the size, clearly the new models would see the raw performances of the CPU part dropping in a very significant way. One would certainly have in exchange an important gain with the video part, but it would not be sufficient to convince. On the other hand, we continue to think that ION would be quite simply perfect to equip a new generation of the Apple TV:
- The installed capacity of the CPU is additional and would be higher than that of the current models, using the ancestors of the ATOM.
- The 9400M is able to decode 1080p without effort and also to decode the sound.
- Its SATA connectors would make it possible at Apple to propose models with significantly higher capacities, 500 GB currently.
- Size, or rather the area of the Apple TV could be divided by 2 or 3 thus making it really tiny.
Everyone pleads in favour of this product. But it is possible that Apple will release a Mac nano to replace or in addition to the Mac mini which would come to play the role between the keyboard and the screen. Such a product, if its price were acceptable would make certainly make a massacre of the competition.
