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Mac Mini to be Discontinued?
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Another problem
Another problem with updating the mini just occurred to me. Apple stated clearly that they were moving their entire product line to the mini display port.
If Apple were to update the mini or redesign it, that would mean adding a display port. There are very few monitors outside of Apple's that have that port. In other words, the whole idea of adding a mini to your existing peripherals would be mute if it had a display port that was not backward compatible.
The mini is already old and in desperate need of updating. I just can't see them wasting engineering effort to redesign it.
I really think they are going to kill it. It's a shame really.
Another problem with updating the mini just occurred to me. Apple stated clearly that they were moving their entire product line to the mini display port.
If Apple were to update the mini or redesign it, that would mean adding a display port. There are very few monitors outside of Apple's that have that port. In other words, the whole idea of adding a mini to your existing peripherals would be mute if it had a display port that was not backward compatible.
The mini is already old and in desperate need of updating. I just can't see them wasting engineering effort to redesign it.
I really think they are going to kill it. It's a shame really.
The only reason I want it, is to run a headless webserver. low power compared to standard pc's, nice size, perfect for my needs. It will only need a to have my wife's monitor plugged in when I first configure it.
Mac's Super Low End
With the lack of any recent updates & a price much too high for the current state of the Mac Mini. If Mac Mini sales are low it is the result of Apple's lack of keeping it even somewhat up-to-date. Thus Apple will ensure that the Mac Mini can be set for deletion.
Combing the Mac Min with the Apple TV would as others have said make an interesting computer. But does Apple want to do anything in this type of an area. They only seem to be interested in the iPhone, iPod & to a certain extent the FW excluded Intel MacBook.
With the lack of any recent updates & a price much too high for the current state of the Mac Mini. If Mac Mini sales are low it is the result of Apple's lack of keeping it even somewhat up-to-date. Thus Apple will ensure that the Mac Mini can be set for deletion.
Combing the Mac Min with the Apple TV would as others have said make an interesting computer. But does Apple want to do anything in this type of an area. They only seem to be interested in the iPhone, iPod & to a certain extent the FW excluded Intel MacBook.
You are a comedian. If you think I am going to spend $1000 to buy the "entry level" Apple product you are dreaming. The Mini works as it is much cheaper than the other Apple products (value for money is debatable now) and you could connect your existing PC hardware without worry. It was an entry level product so you could comfortable with the "new world". At $1000 you are making a pretty significant investment for something you may not necessarily be 100% confident in (as a switcher from windows).
Object-X said:
Not really, as much as we have panned Apple lately for all the adapters you need, the mini display port isn't all that bad in this case as for the majority of the time you would not be moving the Mini so an adapter isn't something so easily lost in comparison to adapters for portables that are always travelling. A $30 adapter that allows you to keep your very nice existing monitor, whether it be an older ACD or a more PC orientated brand is a suitable compromise.
My fantasy
I didn't read the thread, sorry. Nevertheless, I can see Apple releasing a new product, somewhat larger than the mini, but acting as a full multimedia machine. It's a Mac Mini, plus TV tuner and DVR functionality. HDMI to power my plasma. DVD player, probably not Blu Ray. Mini price would make it huge, IMO. Built in airport, since it would be connected to my cable modem.
I didn't read the thread, sorry. Nevertheless, I can see Apple releasing a new product, somewhat larger than the mini, but acting as a full multimedia machine. It's a Mac Mini, plus TV tuner and DVR functionality. HDMI to power my plasma. DVD player, probably not Blu Ray. Mini price would make it huge, IMO. Built in airport, since it would be connected to my cable modem.
Apple TV Kills Mac Mini
Like a lot of my friends I purchase a Mac Mini to connect to my TV and use as a media server. I watch a lot of tv off the net and want to do it off my nice TV sitting on my Sofa. I don't want to be subject to the Vendor lock in of a Netflix box of an Apple TV. Sure it is a little more expensive but in my view worth it to get the freedom. It is also a lot easier that having to plug in my lap top.
My personal dream was that Apple would upgrade the Mac Mini with a HDMI port and Blu Ray.
David
Ps I also run Oracle through Parallels as my G5 can not do it and I need Oracle for work.
Like a lot of my friends I purchase a Mac Mini to connect to my TV and use as a media server. I watch a lot of tv off the net and want to do it off my nice TV sitting on my Sofa. I don't want to be subject to the Vendor lock in of a Netflix box of an Apple TV. Sure it is a little more expensive but in my view worth it to get the freedom. It is also a lot easier that having to plug in my lap top.
My personal dream was that Apple would upgrade the Mac Mini with a HDMI port and Blu Ray.
David
Ps I also run Oracle through Parallels as my G5 can not do it and I need Oracle for work.
HDMI Screen-Less MacBook to replace Mac Mini...
I remember my first computer a Sinclair back in 1984 or so... Then came a Commodore-64 and then Atari 512... All inclusive keyboard and computer that u hooked up to a TV.
Why did they stop doing that?
Give me a super thin MacBook without the screen and an HDMI and DVI output for $699 and I will definitely get one. I think it's totally doable.
I remember my first computer a Sinclair back in 1984 or so... Then came a Commodore-64 and then Atari 512... All inclusive keyboard and computer that u hooked up to a TV.
Why did they stop doing that?
Give me a super thin MacBook without the screen and an HDMI and DVI output for $699 and I will definitely get one. I think it's totally doable.
Or you could just have an adapter:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570?mco=MTkzODk0NQ (Mini-DisplayPort -> DVI)
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572?mco=MTkzODk0Nw (Mini-DisplayPort -> VGA)
The Mac Pros don't currently have DisplayPort either.
You seem to be very short sighted
Apple has a very limited choice of computer models as it is. With increased sales one would normally expect to see more models. But the reverse seems to be true. The Mac Mini is a few generations behind, the Intel MacBook is missing a FW400 port, the 15" Intel MacBook Pro is also missing this same FW400 port. The so called new 17" Intel MacBook Pro is really just last years model with a 70GB larger hard drive. Does this mean that it will follow the Mac Min & the FW400 Intel MacBook into just the history books? Also the iMac is only made in the 20" & 24" models, i.e. no 17" model. The Intel Mac Pro is just updated on a 16-18 month interval. So it seems that support is lacking there. So very more sales comes fewer choices. If sales go much higher then additional models will have to be cut. I was happier when Apple's Mac sales were smaller. At least they had to spend some time & listen to those that are purchasing the Mac product. Apple seems to have gotten too big for its old reliable customers.
If we don't like it what are we to do. Windows is not a very good alternative for most of us. Linux will do for some of us. A Mac Clone do for some others. A Mac used to do for all of us though. Now with Steve Jobs more interested in the switcher market or some other market than the old reliable Mac User, the choices for all are getting smaller.
This is not whining. This is just giving you my opinion of where the Mac is & where it is going I've purchased countless number of Macs since my first Mac 128 in 1984. I went straight from my HeathKit H-8/H-89 group of computers to the Mac. I never have owned a MS-Dos or Windows PC, so don't tell me to go get a Windows PC.
Apple has a very limited choice of computer models as it is. With increased sales one would normally expect to see more models. But the reverse seems to be true. The Mac Mini is a few generations behind, the Intel MacBook is missing a FW400 port, the 15" Intel MacBook Pro is also missing this same FW400 port. The so called new 17" Intel MacBook Pro is really just last years model with a 70GB larger hard drive. Does this mean that it will follow the Mac Min & the FW400 Intel MacBook into just the history books? Also the iMac is only made in the 20" & 24" models, i.e. no 17" model. The Intel Mac Pro is just updated on a 16-18 month interval. So it seems that support is lacking there. So very more sales comes fewer choices. If sales go much higher then additional models will have to be cut. I was happier when Apple's Mac sales were smaller. At least they had to spend some time & listen to those that are purchasing the Mac product. Apple seems to have gotten too big for its old reliable customers.
If we don't like it what are we to do. Windows is not a very good alternative for most of us. Linux will do for some of us. A Mac Clone do for some others. A Mac used to do for all of us though. Now with Steve Jobs more interested in the switcher market or some other market than the old reliable Mac User, the choices for all are getting smaller.
This is not whining. This is just giving you my opinion of where the Mac is & where it is going I've purchased countless number of Macs since my first Mac 128 in 1984. I went straight from my HeathKit H-8/H-89 group of computers to the Mac. I never have owned a MS-Dos or Windows PC, so don't tell me to go get a Windows PC.
That's a good point. But it does add additional cost and complexity to the equation. It may seem silly to suggest adding an adapter is complicated, but for PC users considering the switch, many of them have no idea what connector their monitor uses thus which adapter to buy.
Consider an Apple Store scenario: a customer walks in and thinks they might like to try a mac and the mini is suggested because they don't need to replace their monitor, keyboard, and mouse. "Well, you will probably need a display adapter if you have an older monitor", the Apple sales person says. "What adapter do I need", the confused customer asks? VGA? DVI? None? A lot of people wouldn't know and neither would the Apple staff. Customer would leave to find out and never come back. Too much trouble. Sad but true.
My dearest Steve,
I am glad that, at long last, you may be killing off the outdated and underpowered Mac Mini. I am not so happy that there's no indication that something will replace it any time soon.
I need computers for two reasons: firstly, to surf the web and write stuff on. For this, the MacBook range works well. Second, like an increasing number of punters, I have realised the advantages and delights of having a computer hooked up directly to my TV and hifi as a media centre.
However, you seem determined to ignore this sector of the market.
You may argue that I could use an Apple TV, but the Apple TV lacks the codecs needed to play the myriad of different file types available out there on the interweb (no, I don't want my viewing limited to what's on the iTunes store). It also lacks the grunt to handle more than the most rudimentary HD.
I don't want an iMac, because it has a screen that's redundant, and won't slot into a hifi rack easily.
I don't want a Mac Pro, because they're stoopidly overpowered and overpriced for HTPC duties.
I really don't want to have to run Windows Media Centre (despite the fact it's much better than Front Row) and have to worry about updating virus checkers and all that crap.
The Mac Mini, for all its limitations as a media centre (starting with the 2.5" HDD), fits the bill admirably.
Without it, the only real option open for a Mac HTPC is to go down the Hackintosh route. It's a course I desperately want to avoid, but I will take if necessary.
So, please release a new Mac Mini (or even better a Mac Maxi with a 3.5" HDD). Even better, when you've worked out the 'bag of hurt' licensing issues, drop in a Blu-ray drive.
I'll be lining up to buy.
Yours in the reality distortion field
Sam
I am glad that, at long last, you may be killing off the outdated and underpowered Mac Mini. I am not so happy that there's no indication that something will replace it any time soon.
I need computers for two reasons: firstly, to surf the web and write stuff on. For this, the MacBook range works well. Second, like an increasing number of punters, I have realised the advantages and delights of having a computer hooked up directly to my TV and hifi as a media centre.
However, you seem determined to ignore this sector of the market.
You may argue that I could use an Apple TV, but the Apple TV lacks the codecs needed to play the myriad of different file types available out there on the interweb (no, I don't want my viewing limited to what's on the iTunes store). It also lacks the grunt to handle more than the most rudimentary HD.
I don't want an iMac, because it has a screen that's redundant, and won't slot into a hifi rack easily.
I don't want a Mac Pro, because they're stoopidly overpowered and overpriced for HTPC duties.
I really don't want to have to run Windows Media Centre (despite the fact it's much better than Front Row) and have to worry about updating virus checkers and all that crap.
The Mac Mini, for all its limitations as a media centre (starting with the 2.5" HDD), fits the bill admirably.
Without it, the only real option open for a Mac HTPC is to go down the Hackintosh route. It's a course I desperately want to avoid, but I will take if necessary.
So, please release a new Mac Mini (or even better a Mac Maxi with a 3.5" HDD). Even better, when you've worked out the 'bag of hurt' licensing issues, drop in a Blu-ray drive.
I'll be lining up to buy.
Yours in the reality distortion field
Sam
Being a Helpdesk person for a long time I can't disagree with you on that, though these days many (most?) monitors either have both a VGA & DVI cable or one cable with an adapter for the other port type. At least they are generally color coded, blue for vga & white for dvi. And given how the aftermarket is, I wouldn't be surprised to see a dongle come out that has both connectors.ie a v shaped cable and you just use whatever.
Hackintosh
Apple wants us to go the hackintosh route for cpu's under $1000?
I'm looking into a Dell Quad-Core Xeon 2.4 GHz with 2x160GB hard drives 2gigs of ram for $479. Or maybe a Dual-Core 2.53 GHz, 2x160GB, 1 gig ram for $399.
If Apple won't even TRY to offer me a decent Mac for under $800, then hackintosh is the way I'm going.
Apple wants us to go the hackintosh route for cpu's under $1000?
I'm looking into a Dell Quad-Core Xeon 2.4 GHz with 2x160GB hard drives 2gigs of ram for $479. Or maybe a Dual-Core 2.53 GHz, 2x160GB, 1 gig ram for $399.
If Apple won't even TRY to offer me a decent Mac for under $800, then hackintosh is the way I'm going.
Geez, Apple can't keep SFF computers going, can they? It's like "Hey, we'll design one and put it out there for cheap (compared to their other offerings) and then we'll just completely abandon it."
The Cube, now the Mini. And no Mac can be bought for less than 1 grand now. Hmmm. Stevie must be preparing for retirement.
The Cube, now the Mini. And no Mac can be bought for less than 1 grand now. Hmmm. Stevie must be preparing for retirement.
The Mini was a switch box aimed at non Mac users to win them over it was never intended to be a main stream desktop unit for current Mac users sorry if you all fell in love with a product that was never intended for you in the first place. It was intended to be a stepping stone for new users who would eventually abandon it and buy the higher price products once they had a taste of the good life.
Even in its hay day my local Apple stores which are some of the largest on the east cost only had one on display hidden over in the corner.
Has anyone else pondered the idea of the mac mini joining the apple tv family?
Consider this: Apple has 3 main areas of concentration; Macs, iTunes and iPods, and the iPhone. The Apple TV has done considerably well by introducing a home media center to the average user. But what about the higher end user? The ones that get a Mac mini for what features the Apple TV lacks. Of course you can always hack your Apple TV to do some amazing things, but its still not a full on OS. Apple knows that its iMacs sell, they aren't concerned about the minority of switchers that don't want to go full on and get an iMac. They know people will buy the iMac even if they have to shell out an extra 500 bucks for it. I think Apple realizes the need for a more advanced home media center solution. Since the majority of people getting the Mac Mini are using it as a media center anyways why not either merge a higher end AppleTV with the Mac Mini.
Apple needs to (I'm sure they already have) make a decision. Either drop the Mac Mini and introduce a new revamped version of Apple TV with 1080p support and some other needed features, or make the Mac Mini stand apart from the media center. I mean, your either a computer or a dedicated computer.
Don't get me wrong all you readers saying HEY! what if I like using my HDTV for my Mac Mini computing needs AND my media center??
I agree with you! Which is why the Mac Mini needs the update or needs to get out (its just costing them money if they aren't selling as many). I mean, if you want your computer on your HDTV then great, so do I, but I want a real computer on my HDTV, not a Mac Pro, not a low spec Mac Mini, but a REAL computer. Anything between the Unibody Macbook and the 24" iMac would suffice for a majority of users.
Let me know your thoughts? Just putting my 2,3...4 cents out there. lol
Oh and ps: Even with my thoughts on what Apple should do, I highly doubt Apple would tell its employees to take down all the model Mac Mini unless they are making room for something else. OR if its getting replace. If Mac Mini is EOL, the Apple Retail Stores will know the day of, just like us.
Consider this: Apple has 3 main areas of concentration; Macs, iTunes and iPods, and the iPhone. The Apple TV has done considerably well by introducing a home media center to the average user. But what about the higher end user? The ones that get a Mac mini for what features the Apple TV lacks. Of course you can always hack your Apple TV to do some amazing things, but its still not a full on OS. Apple knows that its iMacs sell, they aren't concerned about the minority of switchers that don't want to go full on and get an iMac. They know people will buy the iMac even if they have to shell out an extra 500 bucks for it. I think Apple realizes the need for a more advanced home media center solution. Since the majority of people getting the Mac Mini are using it as a media center anyways why not either merge a higher end AppleTV with the Mac Mini.
Apple needs to (I'm sure they already have) make a decision. Either drop the Mac Mini and introduce a new revamped version of Apple TV with 1080p support and some other needed features, or make the Mac Mini stand apart from the media center. I mean, your either a computer or a dedicated computer.
Don't get me wrong all you readers saying HEY! what if I like using my HDTV for my Mac Mini computing needs AND my media center??
I agree with you! Which is why the Mac Mini needs the update or needs to get out (its just costing them money if they aren't selling as many). I mean, if you want your computer on your HDTV then great, so do I, but I want a real computer on my HDTV, not a Mac Pro, not a low spec Mac Mini, but a REAL computer. Anything between the Unibody Macbook and the 24" iMac would suffice for a majority of users.
Let me know your thoughts? Just putting my 2,3...4 cents out there. lol
Oh and ps: Even with my thoughts on what Apple should do, I highly doubt Apple would tell its employees to take down all the model Mac Mini unless they are making room for something else. OR if its getting replace. If Mac Mini is EOL, the Apple Retail Stores will know the day of, just like us.
OMG THAT IS SO CUTE :O
Apple Arbitrary Behavior
Sometimes I think Apple is not interested in the Mac Minis, the Minis aren't receiving enough promotion and they're the last to receive update or then they aren`t upgraded. I can`t understand this behavior, the Mini is the
computer of the masses and if to receive the adequate updatings would be the appropriate secret weapon to enter every household around the world.
Lately, I think Apple is acting in an arbitrary manner. First they are elimanating fireWire and now they want end with the Mac Mini. What will be the
next? And what about users?
Sometimes I think Apple is not interested in the Mac Minis, the Minis aren't receiving enough promotion and they're the last to receive update or then they aren`t upgraded. I can`t understand this behavior, the Mini is the
computer of the masses and if to receive the adequate updatings would be the appropriate secret weapon to enter every household around the world.
Lately, I think Apple is acting in an arbitrary manner. First they are elimanating fireWire and now they want end with the Mac Mini. What will be the
next? And what about users?
Totally agree with you. Apple is not thinking in consumers. If they continue for this way then they will become the next Microsoft.
Here you have more information about the possible disappearance of the Mac Mini.
http://applediario.com/2008/10/21/el-mac-mini-muerto-otra-vez/
Did anyone bother to read this? Steve clearly says NO! $500 junk box meaning no he will not give the green light for a new Mini in the $599 $600 range. If you ask me his mind is made up! if you want Apple products then you better pony up some cash! like it or not his tone seems a bit harsh towards the average Joe on a budget if you ask me. Personally I don't like his tone at all after reading this from top to bottom with a fine tooth comb.
https://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/21/apple-reports-1-14-billion-profit-for-q4-2008/
https://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/21/apple-reports-1-14-billion-profit-for-q4-2008/