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Apple Announces New Mac Mini Starting at $499
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If there is a new cinema display in the making, then it will be unusable with the mini anyway. Mini can't handle anything above 2560x1600 and still have usable frame rates. Next Cinema Display will probably be 5K.
Agree with most of that but the "Server" SKU is pointless as you just download the Server App from the MAS. Any Mac can run as a server now. You could theoretically upgrade the processor yourself. I know there are 3rd parties that do just that for you, PowerMax is one I believe.
Pretty sure they did this as a result of the line-up change as a whole. With the entry level 21" iMac using the same base i5 that was always where the Mac mini was going to start as well. The mini still has the most connectivity of all the Macs though up tp the Mac Pro. They know what most consumers want to use it for - an HTPC connected directly to a TV or projector, a beastly ATV if you will.
The iris GPU is waaaaay better than the HD4000.
For most of single threaded tasks, the higher clocked CPU is going to be better.
They could have done this update 1 year ago, and they should have kept the quad-core option.
For most of single threaded tasks, the higher clocked CPU is going to be better.
They could have done this update 1 year ago, and they should have kept the quad-core option.
Yeah, the design hasn't changed at all, so the RAM will still be accessible. Another thing to note is the PCIe based storage. This is a big upgrade for the actual user experience with an SSD option.
As a basic home media hub or entry level Mac, this is going to be a nice little machine and a decent upgrade from the package that was available before.
I am rather disappointed.
- At work we have several Mac Mini servers. This has been discontinued apparently.
- At home I was hoping to get a new Mini with 4K support. But this won't work either. Maybe the next iteration 2 years from now...
If the soldered RAM is also true, then this is an even bigger let-down.
- At work we have several Mac Mini servers. This has been discontinued apparently.
- At home I was hoping to get a new Mini with 4K support. But this won't work either.
Maybe the next iteration 2 years from now...If the soldered RAM is also true, then this is an even bigger let-down.
For me the proprietary nature of Apple is very frustrating. Then to add on to that, the money grabbing techniques of making decisions like soldering RAM for NO reasons other than:
- forcing your RAM purchase through Apple at crazy prices
- forcing you to get it fixed through them when RAM fails (you would likely just buy a new machine which is convenient for them.
- forcing you to buy a new machine when you need more RAM as needs arise
There is NO reason for Apple to solder RAM on a Mac Mini with the same form factor as previous models without it.
Having loved the MAC for so long, I was holding out that Apple would not make these kind of decisions on desktop computers. Shame on Apple!!
I really don't like to get into "fits" within a forum but I'll just say that Apple is jerking its Mac Mini fan base around.
I can understand the on board GPU being part of this type of device but not offering a quad core is just plain stupid. Candidly, none of the Minis should be offered in dual core. Why are we taking a step backwards?
If I get a Mini, it will be another quad 2.6 and call it a day. I'm tired of being jerked around by Apple telling us what we want rather than listening.
I can understand the on board GPU being part of this type of device but not offering a quad core is just plain stupid. Candidly, none of the Minis should be offered in dual core. Why are we taking a step backwards?
If I get a Mini, it will be another quad 2.6 and call it a day. I'm tired of being jerked around by Apple telling us what we want rather than listening.
I am rather disappointed.
- At work we have several Mac Mini servers. This has been discontinued apparently.
- At home I was hoping to get a new Mini with 4K support. But this won't work either.
If the soldered RAM is also true, then this is an even bigger let-down.
The new Mini will support 4k but I agree with you that the soldered RAM is a huge letdown. Soldered RAM on a desktop computer is just unacceptable and a deal breaker for me.
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The Specs on Apples site indicate the Mini supports 4K over HDMI.
That base model price is, I believe, an excellent tactic by Apple. The company has been winning over many customers who were only familiar with Windows on their computers, yet the iPhone and iPad introduced them to the Apple way of doing things, and some went on to buy Apple computers. No longer are Apple's products considered 'exotic' by the mainstream user/consumer. Apple's computer sales will surely continue to benefit from that.
For those now willing to further their familiarity of Apple gadgetry by trying the Apple computer experience but who lacked enthusiasm for the entry level MacBook Air laptop and more expensive iMac desktop, the Mac mini will surely prove a much more tempting price point now. The specs will be absolutely fine for the majority of such users, I imagine. (Theyre fine for me, too.) We'll thus see more people migrating from Windows, I reckon, to Mac. The halo effect from iPhone and iPad hasn't faded yet, and Apples affordable Mac mini will capitalise on that very nicely.
Yes, its unfortunate for those using the mini already and hoping to get more bang for their buck, but I guess Apple isnt focusing on them too much since the company began to expand market reach in the post-computer era.
For those now willing to further their familiarity of Apple gadgetry by trying the Apple computer experience but who lacked enthusiasm for the entry level MacBook Air laptop and more expensive iMac desktop, the Mac mini will surely prove a much more tempting price point now. The specs will be absolutely fine for the majority of such users, I imagine. (Theyre fine for me, too.) We'll thus see more people migrating from Windows, I reckon, to Mac. The halo effect from iPhone and iPad hasn't faded yet, and Apples affordable Mac mini will capitalise on that very nicely.
Yes, its unfortunate for those using the mini already and hoping to get more bang for their buck, but I guess Apple isnt focusing on them too much since the company began to expand market reach in the post-computer era.
The more I think about it, I feel this is Ive & Co's fault. He probably is pushing his already dated "simple is beautiful" crap into the product matrix itself.
Plus fewer options mean it doesn't take more than a sentence to get the point across and that makes the webpage for the device look better... More room for macro shots of the device so people understand and appreciate his "design prowess".
I meant this as a joke, but it's hard to take it as such...
Plus fewer options mean it doesn't take more than a sentence to get the point across and that makes the webpage for the device look better... More room for macro shots of the device so people understand and appreciate his "design prowess".
I meant this as a joke, but it's hard to take it as such...
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I live chatted with Apple Apple 3 different times yesterday and none of their responses matched. They have NO CLUE.
#1 it is the same Form Factor with a removable bottom plate
#2 removing a cover does not void warranties unless they put tape/sticker indicating so. I have never seen Apple do this with any product.
#3 In the United States, they can NOT legally void a warranty if you replace a common part like a drive or RAM. They only voiding they can do is based on you causing damage to the machine which is not likely during a RAM or hard drive upgrade.
I find that in Apple Stores and when chatting or talking to Apple employees, VERY FEW really have a clue. Occasionally you can get someone that is knowledgable but in general, they are reading scripts or in the case of voiding warranties, they are just flat making it up.
It's orgasmic. Just give me the base model I will (AND CAN) upgrade the rest myself
Ram and Storage and be upgraded?
vote with your wallet and don't buy this crap.
while the style and performance of the keynote was great, i am still puzzled by the tagline "it's been way too long".
they have stripped the entry macbook pros of dedicated gpus many years ago, imacs followed and now they further cripple imacs and mac mini entry pricepoints with 1.4ghz i5 cpus. it's pathetic. this performance/price structuring is tims doing. that's where he is coming from.
tim is talking the whole frigging time about selling and numbers. and then he quickly adds how important the user experience is. unconvincing. unpolished software everywhere.
while the style and performance of the keynote was great, i am still puzzled by the tagline "it's been way too long".
they have stripped the entry macbook pros of dedicated gpus many years ago, imacs followed and now they further cripple imacs and mac mini entry pricepoints with 1.4ghz i5 cpus. it's pathetic. this performance/price structuring is tims doing. that's where he is coming from.
tim is talking the whole frigging time about selling and numbers. and then he quickly adds how important the user experience is. unconvincing. unpolished software everywhere.
I think he is right. Apple has soldered the RAM to force Apple pricing for RAM. No other reason. If they would just charge a reasonable price, it would not be so bad. I can buy 16GB for the Mini for $130, why would I have to pay Apple $300 + Tax and then let them keep the 4GB?
I would like to know how they get epeat ratings like they do. Soldering RAM makes devices obsolete sooner and make them much less recyclable. If your RAM dies, you need a complete logic board. Any then Apple will claim on their website they are the greenest company or "Apple takes a holistic view of materials management and waste minimization. Learn more about how to recycle your Mac." Unreal...
It's at least a $100 lamer.
Anybody with the base processor, RAM and that "hunk 'o' junk" hard drive will be underwhelmed by the performance.
"It's been too long..." since the MAC side of Apple listened to their customers.
hmm no display port/firewire i wonder how we will be connecting VGA/DVI monitors now.
unless we're forced to go HDMI. i don't mind, but then per say if you're upgrading your whole office, its going to force you to buy all new monitors.
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isnt it a downgrade form last year the base model before being 2.5 GHz and now its 1.4
unless we're forced to go HDMI. i don't mind, but then per say if you're upgrading your whole office, its going to force you to buy all new monitors.
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isnt it a downgrade form last year the base model before being 2.5 GHz and now its 1.4
that's wrong. the ports are actually good. 1 hdmi and 2 thunderbolt 2 ports. u can hook up anything with an adapter.
There is actually *very* little difference between the 1.4GHz ULV i5 and last year's 2.5GHz i5. Less than 150 difference in passmark scores.
The 1.4 is, however, MUCH more energy efficient.
MBP needed dedicated GPUs since integrated graphics back then were dire. Now with the HD4000/5000/5200 - iGPUs are generally more powerful than the dedicated GPUs used a few years back - http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/inde...-pro-graphics-5200-mobile-vs-geforce-9600m-gt
We're at a point now where most users don't need a dedicated GPU, so why should the cost of one be added to the product?
You seem to be very sour about the keynote - were you hoping for something in particular?
i really hate this soldered in crap.
first it was the MacBooks , the iMacs, and now the Mac minis?
lol sooner or later its going to be the Mac Pros.
how bad does Tim Cook want to help PC sales?
Edit:
we were going to replace all of our computers with Macs, but i highly doubt it now. Only iOS Developers should be on macs now.
I'm going to assume Everything is going to be soldered in the iMac 5K
might as well make it so you can only use magic mouse and apple wireless keyboard as it as well.
this is simply mind blowing
first it was the MacBooks , the iMacs, and now the Mac minis?
lol sooner or later its going to be the Mac Pros.
how bad does Tim Cook want to help PC sales?
Edit:
we were going to replace all of our computers with Macs, but i highly doubt it now. Only iOS Developers should be on macs now.
I'm going to assume Everything is going to be soldered in the iMac 5K
might as well make it so you can only use magic mouse and apple wireless keyboard as it as well.
this is simply mind blowing
I've just had a Live Chat myself, and after asking whether memory would be upgradeable after purchase, was told:
"I am sorry to say that due to the new board used on the Mac mini we have just released the RAM cannot be upgraded after the point of sale."
And after stating that I presumed it would be the same deal for HDD swap-outs:
"I am sorry to say not either, it has been now built with the Uni-Body design like our other Mac range."