Apple Announces New iMacs, Mac Minis, AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule

[Tivoli]

Oh joy !!!
I can now order a 2.26 ghz Mac Mini and it will cost almost as much as a 2.66ghz iMac complete with a 20" screen, keyboard and mouse.
Now that's value for money.
If only they would print a Gucci logo on it or sell it with a letter stating it was owned by Yves Saint Laurent.

mini=apple=

 

[Gloops]

Lemme ask you this: Is the hardware/software setup from Apple reliable?

From what i've heard Apple's OS is streamlined to run with the hardware they choose to use in the imac, mini, etc. I build my own Pc's and I can tell you that I'm sick of defective DOA motherboards, memory, and other components coming from manufacturers.

I have two PC's waiting for new parts because of failing parts. Every time I receive replacements something is dead, piss poor QC'in on the manufacturer end.

This is my main reason for considering an imac even with the older specs. I don't want to run a hacked system (meaning Hackintosh) with PC parts that will possibly fail. From what I see, Apple hardware seems to be lasting longer than most...But maybe that is because there are more PC users...I dont know...just a thought.

The other great part is applecare. With PC components you have to RMA, which is a pain in the ass; pay for shipping, wait, receive it dead again...

any thoughts?

Reliability is one thing to be said in Apple's favour. I've been using Mac's for over 10 years and I've never had a component failure... knock on wood. My brother has my old Bondi blue iMac and it's still going strong.

On the other hand, back in the PowerPC days you could kid yourself that Apple's "megahertz myth" line was true. Now their hardware really does look pretty feeble in comparison to the PC side, and it's hard to justify the inflated prices purely for quality design and build.

 

[ABG]

I do see that overnight macs have become substantially more expensive and as i said at first glance I was shocked, but if Apples strategy is not to lower prices in the current climate then the UK prices are correct. I'm from the UK by the way, but it seems ironic that when for once the prices in the UK are actually equal to or better than the US prices (after conversion) everyone moans more than ever, but when Apple was taking a massive "ripoff Britain" tax (when £1=$2), people got over it. Its difficult for Apple, I don't know what they could have done as technically they have lowered prices in the UK substantially, its just that the currency doesn't reflect that. I mean I'd be pretty angry if i had been waiting to buy a mac, but Apple isn't responsible for the value of the pound.

EXAMPLE

in november 2007 when the mac mini was last updated with leopard, the low end version cost £399. divide by 1.175 to take away tax then = £340

in dollars at the time this was about $680

in march 2009 low end mac mini, (with more features) costs £499. divide by 1.15 to take away VAT = £433

which converted to dollars at the current rate is $606.

TECHNICALLY. the UK has received a price cut, for more features. As I said, if you aren't happy with it, blame Darling.

With the greatest of respect that sir is utter nonsense (IMO).

To suggest that Apple priced the Mac Mini in 2007 based on unexpected and unsustainable £1:$2 ratio is a unique approach to multinational business.

I'm not even going to discuss the issue that manufacture and costs are in China and not the US.

Given how long ago it was that the Mini was updated I'd also strongly argue with the "more features" element of your argument.

I do admire your ability to construct a version of reality which allows you to feel Apple has done an excellent job in pitching at a competitive price.

This morning I could buy a "new" (2 year old) 2Ghz Mac Mini for £487.50, after the "refresh" I can now buy a 2Ghz Mac Mini for £500. It has slightly better integrated graphics. Same tiny RAM, same tiny HDD. The refreshed specs that I had expected sell not for £500, but £650.

Having seen the iMac pricing I'm delighted I bought my iMac 24" 3.06 last July - in 20+ years of computer buying its the first time I've seen updated models present worse value for money.

 

[seb-opp]

It doesn't make it more compatible, as there's not a single display that uses a mini-DVI port. All it does is make it so that you can't run 2 of the mini DisplayPort displays, so you have less functionality than just having 2 mini DisplayPorts.

I think Wetrix means it appears more compatible, not that it actually is, its a marketing tool.

Also my thoughts on UK pricing:
As we are in a recession the higher prices will most likely reduce sales. I think Apple should have lowered their profit margins in their products because they aren't struggling financially, and the higher sales would likely make up for lower margins equalling the same revenue as they are getting at the moment. They would also get more market share, which can only be a good thing.

 

[APPLENEWBIE]

New $599 MINI: WINNER!

Lets see.

Now supports dual monitors.
Now has much better graphics
Now supports 4GB of ram and at $150 extra over 1 gb, that is not too bad...


I really like the ability to have dual monitors on a mini! I probably wouldn't have bought my last imac if this mini was available then!



Now I just gotta find a good reason to get one...

 

[dolphin842]

Here's hoping BareFeats will get their hands on the new hardware and post benchmarks sooner rather than later.

 

[headfuzz]

TECHNICALLY. the UK has received a price cut, for more features. As I said, if you aren't happy with it, blame Darling.

You're example is mathematically accurate, but functionally flawed.

Your logic assumes people in the UK can buy at US prices. This is not the case, at least not without travelling to the USA, so you can add on several hundred pounds for flight right there.

By your own post:

in november 2007 when the mac mini was last updated with leopard, the low end version cost £399. divide by 1.175 to take away tax then = £340

in march 2009 low end mac mini, (with more features) costs £499. divide by 1.15 to take away VAT = £433

2.5% VAT reduction does not negate the fact that £499 > £399 by the tune of £100. If VAT had remained the same at 17.5% (and Apple's price point was tied to the rate of VAT) the price of a Mini would be £509.85...

£1 of salary last year is still £1 this year. The fact we are in recession means you can buy less with that £1 this year, except where manufacturers have adjusted their pricing down accordingly. Apple have down precisely the opposite.

A price reduction would have occured one of 2 ways;

1) Apple setting the Mini's UK price point below £399, perhaps at £349 or better yet, £249, or

2) Apple leaving the UK price point at £399 and the VAT reduction to 15% bringing the price down to £390.51.

New Mini = £100 more than old Mini, during worst recession the world has ever seen. FACT.

 

[nm156]

Reliability is one thing to be said in Apple's favour. I've been using Mac's for over 10 years and I've never had a component failure... knock on wood. My brother has my old Bondi blue iMac and it's still going strong.

On the other hand, back in the PowerPC days you could kid yourself that Apple's "megahertz myth" line was true. Now their hardware really does look pretty feeble in comparison to the PC side, and it's hard to justify the inflated prices purely for quality design and build.

Thanks for this input. I agree it's difficult to justify the cost, but, I think we can all agree that the hardware is attractive. Unfortunately, that's not the only thing to think about when making a purchase this big. If I do buy, I'd like the machine to last for at least 5 years, in which case FOR ME it will have paid for itself. I know this wouldn't work for everyone, they expect the top of the line for the money they are paying and they are right to do so. I waited for this release because I thought there would be a good spec bump. I'm among the disappointed however, and had hoped for more.

 

[dolphin842]

Now supports 4GB of ram and at $150 extra over 1 gb, that is not too bad...

OWC has a 4GB kit for $65.

 

[Blair230]

Eating Crow?

Where are all those who cried fake on the mac mini leaked pics? They are oddly silent...


I have to admit I am a small bit bummed (bought my iMac back in late Sep 2008) and would like to have had the option of the Radeon 4850 (got the 8800gs).

That being said I am extremely happy with my mac. I have been a mac user since the plus (oh the memories) and dont plan on leaving anytime soon. Windows sucks and I just dont have the time or inclination to go poking around in Linux.

Of course with that[ being said, I dont think Apple is infallable or think Jobs deserves a golden idol.

 

[headfuzz]

Now supports dual monitors.

One of which has to be an expensive new generation Apple Cinema Display for the foreseeable future.

 

[Seawolf]

How much?

Delighted to hear about the new Mac Mini. But: 599 USD, 599 EUR and 499 GBP? At current exchange rates that's 753 USD for those of you lucky enough to live in Europe and 702 USD for those in the UK (499 GBP is 558 EUR). Strict exchange rate price parity doesn't happen of course, for a variety of reasons, but these transatlantic differences are taking the micky.

 

[Curren~Sea]

Ok, I think this thread is definite proof that the majority of Apple enthusiasts have little business acumen, and are overly concerned with specifications.

YES, Macs are more expensive, and now seem highly pricey in the UK economic climate, but Apple is not catering to teenagers and/or college students on a budget.

For their target market, Core 2 Duo nearing 3Ghz is truly BLAZING fast, and for the majority of their customers the graphics card never goes beyond iMovie.

Moreover, they have no obligation to make their computers more affordable for anyone. It is their prerogative to lose customers but make a higher profit per machine. In fact, it could be a deliberate ploy, since it is much easier to maintain a smaller user base while maintaining profits.

I don't agree with it, as a matter of principle, but it is very solid business strategy, because the people willing to pay over the odds for a mac without grumbling are the people who will come back in 2-3 years time for another, and will be most aware of the imac screen size, rather than the number next to the $ sign.

Everyone swearing blind about price is honestly not in Apple's target market, sorry.

Not a bad post. However, the mini is squarely targeted at the budget conscious consumer who wants the Mac experience.

As has always been the case, a person will get more horsepower for their money out of a wintel. But the hardware is only half of the equation. Most (not all) Mac users accept the premium in cost to get that warm fuzzy feeling. What I think will be interesting is when W7 comes out and gives consumers that warm and fuzzy feeling also (much more so than Vista)

My biggest gripe is that it's too small of a speed bump. I expect Apple to make substantial improvements to these specs over the next 6-8 months.

 

[APPLENEWBIE]

OWC has a 4GB kit for $65.

As I said "no too bad"... considering how overpriced apple ram has been in the past... it's only about 2X over priced now. Thats progress! Seriously, it does save one from having to crack open the little beastie...

 

[archer75]

Any guess if the mini display port will carry multichannel audio? The display spec shows that it's capable of it however it's not enabled on the macbook and macbook pros.
Just curious if it is on the new imac and mini. I guess we won't know until they start shipping.

 

[AlexisV]

Lets see.

Now supports dual monitors.
Now has much better graphics
Now supports 4GB of ram and at $150 extra over 1 gb, that is not too bad...

By that reckoning the machine would become more expensive with every single refresh.

2007 specs in 2007 don't cost less than 2009 specs in 2009.

 

[danp]

Having seen the iMac pricing I'm delighted I bought my iMac 24" 3.06 last July - in 20+ years of computer buying its the first time I've seen updated models present worse value for money.

Agreed. I rather wish I hadn't convinced myself to hold off on the purchase.

I live in hope that retailers like Cancom and PC World will be slow on the uptake regarding the new model, potentially discounting the older stock as a bonus. That said, discount or not I'd rather buy the previous models at previous pricing.

Look at me, I rarely ever post on this board and I've managed two in one night. Let that be the ultimate illustration of my disappointment

 

[APPLENEWBIE]

One of which has to be an expensive new generation Apple Cinema Display for the foreseeable future.

Question, are there no mini-display port adapters yet?

 

[APPLENEWBIE]

By that reckoning the machine would become more expensive with every single refresh.

2007 specs in 2007 don't cost less than 2009 specs in 2009.

OWWW! You made my head hurt...

 

[Eric S.]

Where's the xMac?

The same place it's always been - in our dreams (see below).

why can't they make an iMac that is graphic, HD, and processor upgradable?

Yeah, and then if they'd just make the display external we'd be talking!

They better start lowering the price before Windows 7 comes out in-order to compete.

Apple has been getting a free ride from Vista's PR disaster. But the way the tech columnists are swooning over Windows 7, the competition is about to get a lot more serious.

 

[headfuzz]

I live in hope that retailers like Cancom and PC World will be slow on the uptake regarding the new model, potentially discounting the older stock as a bonus. That said, discount or not I'd rather buy the previous models at previous pricing.

Call them first thing tomorrow to get first dibs. Previous gen models are treated as (semi) dead stock and should be reduced from their original list price. My mate got a good deal from Cancom on a final gen aluminum (non unibody) 15" Macbook Pro from Cancom because he didn't want to carry a scan converter with him everytime he wanted to connect it to an analogue video output.

Given the general consensus of Apple's pricing policies in this thread, I'd be bloody quick if you want to get the previous gen models.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

Isn't the 24" now cheaper?

No, the bottom-end 24" (which isn't as good processor/ graphics card wise as the old 24") saw a price rise of £74. The 3.06 GHz model has increased by a massive £449.

 

[headfuzz]

Question, are there no mini-display port adapters yet?

If you see one, let me know.

EDIT: No, I stand corrected, they do exist now. For the cheap as chips price of £84.99 (with £10 off RRP)

 

[*LTD*]

Nice updates.

Time to pick up a Mini. My MBP is getting lonely.

 

[Achillyse]

@ABC

hahah. i have to be careful not to contradict myself from earlier. But all i was trying to show was the other side of the debate which is under represented. Its too easy to just be one of the masses moaning at Apple's price hikes.

But i do think that they are way too high (given the circumstances. my earlier posts were just to show that these prices were probably worked out numerically, by an souless accountant ) , I do think that Apple should have just accepted lower profit margins in the UK (I assume, it is quite a small market).

Just as Apple never took into account the £1=$2 they are not taking into account the fact that the pound is falsely low.

So I do think Apple have overpriced in the UK, I'd love to recommend my family to get a Mac but there is no way I can justify those prices for them. But i was showing how the prices could be considered "correct"

PS. As a sidenote, is it not a problem that where everything else is subject to inflation, we expect computer prices to fall, not just by the fact that every year you get better specs for the same cost (usually ) but also that everytime there is an update people are expecting a literal £50 - £100 drop.

PPS. I always think comparing Dell prices is a bit pointless anyway, I mean, there is more to a mac than just components and a plastic box.