By Katie Marsal
Published: 09:00 AM EST
Around the same time that Apple Computer introduced Core 2 Duo updates to its 13-inch MacBook notebooks on Wednesday, the company also dropped hints that it may be mulling a similar update to its Mac mini line of petite desktop computers.
Specifically, tipsters point to an Intel Core Duo graphic on the left-hand side of Apple's Mac mini
specifications page that links to a
non-existent Mac mini Core 2 Duo product info page.
The Cupertino, Calif.-based Mac maker last boosted the specs of the Mac mini this Sept., when it
quietly updated the miniature desktops with faster Intel Core Duo processors at no added cost and dropped the one existing Core Solo configuration.
The $799 model was upgraded to a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor from a 1.66 GHz Core Duo chip, while the $599 model saw its aging 1.5 GHz Core Solo processor replaced with a 1.66 GHz Core Duo chip.
Each of the current models includes 512MB of of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300), Intel's GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM, one FireWire 400 port, four USB 2.0 ports, a DVI output, VGA output, S-video port, built-in speakers, 10/100/1000BASE-T ethernet, AirPort wireless connectivity and a built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module.
The $799 Mac mini includes an 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive and SuperDrive, while the $599 model packs a 60GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive and Combo drive.
It should be noted that Wednesday's conspicuous reference to Core 2 Duo Mac minis may have been a mistake on the part of an Apple webmaster while revamping other parts of the company's site to reflect the new Core 2 Duo MacBook models.
Update: Apple has removed the link mentioned above, which was more than likely a mistake. The Intel Core Duo logo on the Mac mini specs page now returns viewers to the main Mac mini product page.
