2011 Mac Mini - Speculation

[Tulpa]

you can use an existing display or buy an non apple display with a macbook or any mac computer.

No need for a UPS battery back if you have a macbook as well if you where planning on buying one for your mac mini.

300$ bike rack is 6 times more then 50$. the Macbook is not even 2 times the mini in cost.

with a free ipod touch, better resale value , no UPS battery back, one could make an argument that the Macbook total cost of ownership is less.

I was exaggerating with the bike rack comparison of course, because I always hear people trying to minimize price differences by adding a bunch of irrelevant costs. It's not just a Mac thing. And yes you can use an existing display with any mac, but then the price difference is going to be a higher percentage of the combo price....the poster I was responding to was trying to make the case that the difference was insignificant.

If you don't want/need an ipod touch (and that giveaway may not happen anyway) or a UPS (how often are you expecting the power to go out?) then there's no comparison with the prices. Not sure about that resale value either; refurbished 4/2010 MBPs are selling for $300 off in the Mac store while the 6/2010 minis are only selling for $100 off. So you may lose $200 in resale value in a single year by going the MBP route, probably more since you're not offering the buyer a one year warranty like Apple does for the refurbs.

 

[cfedu]

I was exaggerating with the bike rack comparison of course, because I always hear people trying to minimize price differences by adding a bunch of irrelevant costs. It's not just a Mac thing. And yes you can use an existing display with any mac, but then the price difference is going to be a higher percentage of the combo price....the poster I was responding to was trying to make the case that the difference was insignificant.

If you don't want/need an ipod touch (and that giveaway may not happen anyway) or a UPS (how often are you expecting the power to go out?) then there's no comparison with the prices. Not sure about that resale value either; refurbished 4/2010 MBPs are selling for $300 off in the Mac store while the 6/2010 minis are only selling for $100 off. So you may lose $200 in resale value in a single year by going the MBP route, probably more since you're not offering the buyer a one year warranty like Apple does for the refurbs.

the refurbished prices are not accurate once the mini is updated, the 2.4 unibody mac mini will go down another 100$.

If you don't want or need the ipod touch you sell it for something that we call money. I you don't want money then you can send it to me.

In canada the ipod touch is 250$ and they sell for 200$ on craigslist sealed.

With the 200$ for the ipod touch the macbook costs 800$, factor in the better resale value and they cost the same. Factor in the UPS battery backup, KB and mouse the Macbook is cheaper.



I agree with you that if you 2 lazy to sell your brand new sealed ipod touch and you have lots of money, a mac mini might be better a better option.

 

[Tulpa]

the refurbished prices are not accurate once the mini is updated, the 2.4 unibody mac mini will go down another 100$.

The 2009 minis (ie, from the previous upgrade) are still selling for $500 or more on ebay, which is again only a loss of $100 in value from the original purchase price.

If you don't want or need the ipod touch you sell it for something that we call money. I you don't want money then you can send it to me.

In canada the ipod touch is 250$ and they sell for 200$ on craigslist sealed.

With the 200$ for the ipod touch the macbook costs 800$, factor in the better resale value and they cost the same. Factor in the UPS battery backup, KB and mouse the Macbook is cheaper.

I agree with you that if you 2 lazy to sell your brand new sealed ipod touch and you have lots of money, a mac mini might be better a better option.

Wow, you're a pleasant one, aren't you? And again with the keyboard and mouse, lol. Are these gold-encrusted keyboards that we're buying with the mini now?

And I take it you mean the ipod touch that may not actually be a BTS deal for? And of course last year the maximum value of the rebate was $200 and that value has been declining since 2008 when it was $299, so it's likely to be less even if the deal does occur. Either way you're not getting $200 back from resale.

 

[cfedu]

The 2009 minis (ie, from the previous upgrade) are still selling for $500 or more on ebay, which is again only a loss of $100 in value from the original purchase price.



Wow, you're a pleasant one, aren't you? And again with the keyboard and mouse, lol. Are these gold-encrusted keyboards that we're buying with the mini now?

And I take it you mean the ipod touch that may not actually be a BTS deal for? And of course last year the maximum value of the rebate was $200 and that value has been declining since 2008 when it was $299, so it's likely to be less even if the deal does occur. Either way you're not getting $200 back from resale.

On ebay the last macbook sold for 900$ in the USA, and A 2010 mac mini with magic mouse and wireless KB for $630.

Cost off ownership for the macbook 100$ or -$100 If he got the free ipod touch and sold it(that means this guy could have made money having a macbook for a year)

Cost of ownership for the mac mini plus Kb and mouse $220


Even without the free ipod touch the cost of ownership will be close and favor the macbook.

For me unless I find a great deal on a mac mini I would just get the macbook or macbook pro. It ends up costing the same and you have more versatility with the macbook.

If you have a 20,000$ home theater and money is no object a nice Mac mini might be the right choice for that person.

For a cheap A$$ like me who will do everything to save a 1$, the macbook is a better choice even without the free ipod touch. With a free ipod touch and playing the buying a selling cycle right you can get a macbook or macbook pro for 0$ cost of ownership. I might even make money if all the stars align properly.

Last june I bought a used unibody mini, magic mouse and KB for $600. I used it for a few months and sold it for $650. At the time the mini alone was $750 in Canada. Would I have have ever paid retail for it? Never.

 

[Minicube]

I think the appeal of the Mini is for people like me who also have a laptop. I use that for mobility, but the screen is small to use for graphics apps. When I get home I like to fire up the Mini with it's two big matte finish screens and work that way. Of course I could just hook my Macbook up to a larger screen, keyboard, etc., but that seems like a bit of a hassle, not to mention that I want to have two computers in case one goes south. At other times I am rendering video and work on one computer while the other does that. If I was broke and could only afford one computer, yes, I guess the Macbook would be it since I do need the mobility.

 

[mrklaw]

what about something to throw under the TV? Is a MBP happy to be sat there closed, powered up 24/7 as a HTPC?

Almost an option I could take - I have a 2008 unibody MBP and if I sold it I could probably do a straight swap with a 2010 mini. Or just put the MBP under the TV as a HTPC, with the added benefit of occasionally being able to use it as a regular laptop if necessary.

 

[thepanos]

No announcement of a new mac mini in the keynotes, does this mean there is not going to be an update???

 

[lvlarkkoenen]

No announcement of a new mac mini in the keynotes, does this mean there is not going to be an update???

Not at all. WWDC (especially this year) is all about software. Next Mini update will probably be silent anyway.

 

[Icaras]

No announcement of a new mac mini in the keynotes, does this mean there is not going to be an update???

It just means no Mac Mini update today. WWDC is for software development and is not at all reserved for hardware refresh announcements, though it has happened before.

 

[thepanos]

It just means no Mac Mini update today. WWDC is for software development and is not at all reserved for hardware refresh announcements, though it has happened before.

So do I buy a mac mini, or should I wait? I mean it's due for an update isn't it?

 

[lvlarkkoenen]

So do I buy a mac mini, or should I wait? I mean it's due for an update isn't it?

Depends entirely on your situation - as has been pointed out numerous times. It could be months away, so if you really want/need a new Mini, buy now. If it's strong enough for your needs, there's no reason to wait anyway.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

No announcement of a new mac mini in the keynotes, does this mean there is not going to be an update???

WWDC stands for DEVELOPER CONFERENCE. The Mac mini is not targeted for developers, at all.

 

[thepanos]

WWDC stands for DEVELOPER CONFERENCE. The Mac mini is not targeted for developers, at all.

I can argue that point, but won't get too much in detail. I will just say it is not unheard of that they would announce hardware products @ WWDC

Depends entirely on your situation - as has been pointed out numerous times. It could be months away, so if you really want/need a new Mini, buy now. If it's strong enough for your needs, there's no reason to wait anyway.

I really want one, but I guess I will have to wait. The question is how long will I have to wait. The waiting will kill me however, buying one and finding out that if I waited 1 more month I could have gotten the new one which is twice the machine will annoy the hell out of me.

 

[anonymouse99]

Has anyone heard any news about the mac mini yet? Maybe someone should query Jobs when he entertains a question or two from the audience

 

[mdgm]

It would make sense for Apple to release the 2011 Mini with Lion pre-installed since this machine is targeted at switchers from Windows. I guess the refresh might come in August or September.

 

[hinchesk]

It would make sense for Apple to release the 2011 Mini with Lion pre-installed since this machine is targeted at switchers from Windows. I guess the refresh might come in August or September.

It'll be interesting to see how the Mini Server will be done now that Lion Server is a $50 add-on. In theory it should be cheaper since the OS is cheaper.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

It would make sense for Apple to release the 2011 Mini with Lion pre-installed since this machine is targeted at switchers from Windows. I guess the refresh might come in August or September.

It is a good point about the switchers. But why August/September? On 6/15 it will be a year since the last update. I hope it comes out this month.

 

[Minicube]

It is a good point about the switchers. But why August/September? On 6/15 it will be a year since the last update. I hope it comes out this month.

Lion will become available in July. A new Mini with Lion could become available after that. BUT, I'm hoping before then; as I recall my 2009 Mini was released with Leopard and I was then sent an offer to get Snow Leopard for $10. That way Apple isn't giving away it's new OS with its lowest-priced product; they at least get partial compensation. Just a theory.

 

[mdgm]

It is a good point about the switchers. But why August/September? On 6/15 it will be a year since the last update. I hope it comes out this month.

When the Golden Master build is released it'll still take a bit of time to build a lot of new machines and get it installed onto it.

I could be wrong about Apple waiting, but I think it would be a bad idea for Apple to ask it's low end users to download a 4GB update so soon after purchasing a newly released product.

Apple did wait over a year between the 07 and early 09 Minis, so it is possible they could do it again.

 

[InfiniteLoop]

Got it. I agree, it is not likely there will be a new mini before Lion is out, though I would not complain about paying $10 for the new OS or downloading GBs of update. Anyhow, cannot wait anymore, I am likely to buy the current mini.

 

[cjgonzales1900]

Got it. I agree, it is not likely there will be a new mini before Lion is out, though I would not complain about paying $10 for the new OS or downloading GBs of update. Anyhow, cannot wait anymore, I am likely to buy the current mini.

Said before, if it does what you need then get it and dont look back. I have a mac pro 1,1 that i am selling to buy a Mini when the new ones come out hopefully soon. If not then current gen it is lol. I am putting a SSD in mine thats why i am getting it, the mac pro does to much for me.

On another note. If they do update the Mini, i suspect only minor updates. still core 2 duo or i3. Maybe they will wait for the newer i3 that intel is coming out with that take 26 Watt and are faster??

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I can argue that point, but won't get too much in detail. I will just say it is not unheard of that they would announce hardware products @ WWDC

No, but again, the Mac Mini is not targeted at developers.

 

[danielsmu]

No, but again, the Mac Mini is not targeted at developers.

Quite the blanket statement there. I know multiple people who bought minis for the sole purpose of developing iOS apps.

 

[lvlarkkoenen]

Quite the blanket statement there. I know multiple people who bought minis for the sole purpose of developing iOS apps.

Targeted doesn't mean sole purpose.
Same way Microsoft created something targeted at gamers (Kinect) that is used for different purposes as well.
Just because you're quite able to develop stuff on it doesn't mean it's targeted to do so.
One could go on a holiday in a battleship, that doesn't mean battleships are targeted at holidays.

 

[danielsmu]

Targeted doesn't mean sole purpose.
Same way Microsoft created something targeted at gamers (Kinect) that is used for different purposes as well.
Just because you're quite able to develop stuff on it doesn't mean it's targeted to do so.
One could go on a holiday in a battleship, that doesn't mean battleships are targeted at holidays.

That analogy is a bit extreme; however, it doesn't prove anything in terms of why the mini is *less* targeted towards developers than another mac model.

I would argue that since it's the cheapest mac one can buy (new), it's the ideal machine for a new iOS developer who is dipping their toes in the OSX water and presumably doesn't want to pay extra for a monitor/screen they don't need.

If I've somehow missed the television ads where apple is specifically "targeting" developers with other mac models, please feel free to correct me. Otherwise, it sounds to me like you're trying to state your opinion as fact.