Except that as of right now, it's only for HD content that has been purchased from the iTunes Store. But it's only for specific content from a specific location. A HDCP monitor isn't required for anything else.
(I know it's a 'not my problem' issue, but if you want something to happen start blaming Big Content since this is their idea. Do you really think the all the low-level engineers at Apple really want to go through all this effort to benefit the consumer?)
I currently use a Mac Mini as a media center with a Panasonic projector. Its a little slow playing HD movies, so I am looking forward to better graphics support. I am concerned though that I might not be able to play iTunes movies via it if they have DRM crippled the display port.
The Mac Mini is long overdue for something, but I'd be less surprised to see something in the same ballpark, but new. They've left the mini alone too long for just a simple update.
Maybe with this update they'll kindly address the following:
* When I run front row, and one of my kids accidentally presses a key it doesn't understand, don't exit frontrow!!! How is that a sane decision? I'd expect that sort of idiocy from MS Media center. Not from Apple.
* For the love of god please fix the idiotically bad Dolby 5.1 support (Or lack of it). Trying to get 5.1 output is ridiculously hard unless you stuff an actual DVD in the thing.
Apart from those 2 issues, I'm pretty pleased with my mac mini, higher resolution output wouldn't hurt, and the wireless keyboard could do with a little trackpad, but can't think of much else.
Could be Apple's way of addressing the recession. Give people a viable, lower cost option to continue moving from Windows to Mac. People who were willing to pay for a MacBook to move from Windows to Mac last year might be more price sensitive next year.
The new Mini DisplayPort adapters are insanely expensive. Since I need one for my external monitor as well as presenting on a projector, I dropped a total of $60 on the DVI and VGA adapters. Even worse for those who have to power their 30" screens with $100 adapters. :/
At the office we have some new MBPs and old ADC Cinema Displays, so you need a $30 DisplayPort to DVI cable and a $100 DVI to ADC converter. What a pain.
To plug his last-gen (not current) laptop into the new screen. They only put DisplayPort on the new display which is ridiculous. It's literally only compatible with the new MacBook/Pro. You can get an adapter one way (DisplayPort -> DVI) but not the other (DVI -> DisplayPort).
The display is about 3x overpriced anyway, it's not like it will be a hot seller.
I was just noting why you would need the DVI-to-Mini DisplayPort connector. I don't have the newest MacBook or that display, but there was confusion as to why that adapter would come in handy.
I am not interested in the display, I'm happy with my Dell 24".
I know you're joking, but I've heard that two 24" monitors rotated is a pretty nice setup. Any monitor with a VESA mount (ahem Apple) can be pretty easily rotated. A 1920-pixel-tall screen gives you room for huge editor windows.
