Three pictures acquired (don't ask, don't tell, don't know) by The Unofficial Apple Weblog, which last week suggested that the next version of OS X will be dubbed "Snow Leopard" (I'm disappointed: I was hoping for the more zeigeist-y "Lolcat"), suggest that Apple is going to release some new hardware today called the "Fusion".
The machine looks like a flatter version of the Mac Mini, with what is clearly an optical slot in the front. Below it is the text:
Bridge the gap.
(Apple OS logo, Windows logo, Linux logo)
Leave Windows behind. Build your Apps for OS X.
Building your applications for the Mac has never been easier. Mac Fusion was designed exclusively for new developers wishing to port their existing programs to the Mac, without breaking the bank. Mac Fusion allows you to explore the power and stability of Mac OS X while keeping the ability to run alternate operating systems, such as Windows or Linux, via Boot Camp.
Powerful processor. Small space. (Core 2 Duo pic.) Inside every Mac Fusion is a super-fast Intel Core 2 Duo chip. This gives you quick performance in any operating system environment, even if running in a virtual machine. (blah blah marketing blurb)
Certainly the Mac Mini has suffered from slow updating; the Macrumors Buyers Guide says it's been 307 days since it was upgraded - that's about ten months in old money - and the model presently in the UK Apple Store still chugs along, at the bottom end, with a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo chip, 1GB memory and 80GB drive, for £399. Could do better - and the Fusion looks like it is better. Await takeoff in four hours or so..
