Apple lowered the prices of Mac Mini upgrades! and now 8x Superdrive!

[Sun Baked]

Re: If you already have your mini...

Not sure if anybody just outright said this because I read through most of the posts, but I didn't read the last couple pages... Apple *will* refund the difference in price between your purchase price and the new prices if you already have your Mini. You must talk to them within 14 days of it having shipped, and they will create a credit for the amount of the price difference and credit your original form of payment with it. I just called and spoke with them and in about 2 minutes, I got a $28.89 credit! Good job Apple!

Nice to know that it wasn't too much trouble.

But it sure was nice of Apple to correct some of their pricing problems now instead of waiting for the speed bumped machines to do it.

Which has been the problem with Apple extending the dates between speedbumps/changes -- the BTO option start to look very out of whack when you wait 6-12 months between changes, to make the changes.

If these BTO options looked bad now, they would have looked seriously silly 6-12 months from now.

 

[12thgear]

You're from the Windows world, aren't ya.

Riiiiiight... because Mac users never pirate. They're all saints!

Piracy is a serious issue on all platforms. Macsoft overestimated Mac users by not instituting a CD-ROM check with the OS X release of Halo. They were rewarded with rampant piracy that hurt their bottom line. Since then, updates to Halo OS X require the game CD to be mounted.

 

[papersushi]

8x SuperDrive is typo

8X super drive option on Mac mini is definitely a typo, it means 8x reading speed, still 4x writing speed. If you click on the "Learn more" link next to optical drive option when you config a mac mini, it will shows the following:

The SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) allows you to create music and data CDs, read DVDs, and create DVD-video discs for playback on most standard DVD players. Along with Apple's iDVD software, your Mac mini is a full-featured DVD authoring studio. The SuperDrive reads DVDs at 8x, writes to DVD-R at 4x, writes to DVD-RW at 2x, writes DVD+R at 4x, writes DVD+RW at 2-4x, reads CDs at 24x, writes to CD-R at 16x, and writes to CD-RW at 8x. The drive supports CD-ROM, CD-Audio, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-I, Mixed Mode CD, Photo CD, Video CD, Enhanced CD, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, and DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW media.

When you do the same on a PowerMac G5 Dual, it shows the following instead:

Apple's revolutionary SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) allows you to create music and data CDs, read DVDs, and create DVD data discs and DVD-video discs for playback on most standard DVD players. Along with Apple's iDVD software (included on systems with SuperDrive) your Power Mac G5 is a full-featured DVD authoring studio. All models include a SuperDrive that reads DVDs at 10x, writes to DVD-R at 8x, reads CDs at 32x, writes to CD-R at 24x, and writes to CD-RW at 10x. The drive supports CD-ROM, CD-Audio, CD-R, CD-RW, CDI, CD Bridge, CD Extended, CD Mixed Mode, Photo CD, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, and DVD-R media.

 

[dicklacara]

If the Mac mini now comes with a UJ-835 model Superdrive then it can write to DVD-R at 8x (unless Apple crippled it).

Check it out here:
http://www.dfwdepot.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=139

That's interesting.

If true, the Mac mini has a faster superdrive tnam the one in the iMac G5, an uj-825

http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-Panasonic_DVD_RW_PANASONIC_UJ_825_B_OEM

 

[zimtheinvader]

Riiiiiight... because Mac users never pirate. They're all saints!

lol, yeah some windows products have gone so anti-piracy crazy that they don't even work at all for legal users... personally, that's definitely one of the appeals of macs for me, no crazy "codes" or "activation" games, I hope they never implement them!! Customer/stability first!! Plus its nice not having to fret over having to reinstall products!!

 

[kepsworth]

UK Pricing

Although the Apple store prices haven't changed (yet), I ordered a mini Mac on the night they came out, and have been tracking the order status page ever since. Hey, when it says 'on or before 28/1/05', I can hope for earlier!

As of this evening, the price on the order status page has disappeared, it now simply says 'Open'. At at least 1PM today, this had an actual value. This would suggest that UK prices will also be discounted.

I ordered an Apple mouse/keyboard at the same time, this is also now listed as Price: Open. No email from Apple as yet.

 

[billystlyes]

Sucks for people who have just received their mini Mac.

Wonder if they are caught under Apple's price protection.

It's not right for those people that selected those options to drop the price thta much so soon.

 

[Sped]

Sun Baked,

I cracked up when I saw your avatar.

 

[Peyote]

It's not right for those people that selected those options to drop the price thta much so soon.

As has been stated time and again...Apple is giving those customers a refund.

 

[12thgear]

lol, yeah some windows products have gone so anti-piracy crazy that they don't even work at all for legal users... personally, that's definitely one of the appeals of macs for me, no crazy "codes" or "activation" games, I hope they never implement them!! Customer/stability first!! Plus its nice not having to fret over having to reinstall products!!

Oh man I've been bitten by overzealous copy protection on my PC lately. I don't mind attempts at making CDs impossible to copy. I don't even mind activation. But don't you dare install some sort of active copy protection that makes my legally purchased games refuse to run and makes my machine unstable. Most recently Call of Duty and Doom 3 gave me grief. I heard Half-Life 2 is bad too, but I got mine through Steam and it's been fine. I've had to crack games I bought just to get them to run. This kind of crap can stay on Windows. Windows is a superior gaming platform... when it works. But I for one hope consoles inherit the earth when it comes to gaming. You can own the big 3 consoles for the price of one high end video card. And setup is painless.

Apologies for getting so off topic.

Anyway, does anyone think Apple is going to just standardize on 5400 RPM drives for the mini, and they're just trying to burn through excess supply of 4200 RPM drives? Or do you think they're eating profits and using 5400 RPM drives when necessary temporarily to keep up with demand? I hope it's the former but worry it's the latter, like their use of PC3200 RAM.

 

[live4ever]

Note that that is a different model number than the number people who have received Minis are reporting. They are reporting the model number as UJ-835-F.

My guess would be that since the model numbers are so close, the Minis drives are probably firmware crippled.

I bet the letter has something to do with burning to DVD-RAM (the DFWDepot can-mini can't).

Also I know the UJ-825 is currently the 4x in the PBooks and iMacs, and MCE Tech is selling the UJ-845 which is 8x DVD-R but will DVD+R DL capability.

 

[Stewdy]

ok, i'm still a few months away from buying a new desktop but i'm starting to try to try to figure out what i'm gonna get. in light of the current mac mini price drops, i figured it was a good forum to get opinions on the actual value of the 3 major desktop macs available. some background: my current desktop (windows) is about 5 years old, so that's about how long i figure my new mac will be around before i replace it. for now i basically just use my ibook for my usual daily activities (internet, email, itunes) and use my desktop when i need to hook into the vpn for work. anyway, within the next 5 years i figure that video editing and dvd burning will become part of my "normal" routine too so a superdrive is a must. anyway, considering that all 3 of these systems below will technically do what i need it to do, which of these 3 configurations gives the best bang for the buck? money is an an object because i don't want to spend money that i don't have to, but i could afford any of the 3 systems below. all prices are w/ education discounts and i tried to give all three approx the same memory/wireless capabilities etc... the mini doesn't look like too good a value when you get it loaded.

1. Powermac Single 1.8
• 1GB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x512
• 160GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
• ATI Radeon 9600 XT w/128MB DDR SDRAM
• Apple Cinema Display (20" flat panel)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Bluetooth Module
• 56k V.92 modem.
• 8x Super Drive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• Apple Keyboard & Apple Mouse - U.S. English
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
• APP for Power Mac (w/ or w/o display) - Enrollment Kit

Subtotal $2,900.00

2. imac 20"
• 1GB DDR400 SDRAM - 2 DIMMs
• 160GB Serial ATA drive
• AirPort Extreme Card
• None - Bluetooth Module
• Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
• APP for iMac/eMac - Enrollment Kit
• 20-inch widescreen LCD
• 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra w/64MB video memory

Subtotal $2,280.00

3. mac mini 1.42 ghz
1GB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive
• 8x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Internal Bluetooth + AirPort Extreme Card
• Wired Keyboard & Mouse Set - U.S. English
• 56K v.92 Modem
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
• APP for Mac mini - Enrollment Kit
• 1.42GHz PowerPC G4

Subtotal $1,201.00
20" Cinema Display: $899
Total $2,100

Based on these #'s I think imac or Powermac considering that when I'm ready to buy in a few months the base G5 should be 2.0 or 2.2. That said, I like the mini's footprint and separate monitor and the $800 between it and the powermac would buy a decent video camera. Opinions?

 

[dicklacara]

ok, i'm still a few months away from buying a new desktop but i'm starting to try to try to figure out what i'm gonna get. in light of the current mac mini price drops, i figured it was a good forum to get opinions on the actual value of the 3 major desktop macs available. some background: my current desktop (windows) is about 5 years old, so that's about how long i figure my new mac will be around before i replace it. for now i basically just use my ibook for my usual daily activities (internet, email, itunes) and use my desktop when i need to hook into the vpn for work. anyway, within the next 5 years i figure that video editing and dvd burning will become part of my "normal" routine too so a superdrive is a must. anyway, considering that all 3 of these systems below will technically do what i need it to do, which of these 3 configurations gives the best bang for the buck? money is an an object because i don't want to spend money that i don't have to, but i could afford any of the 3 systems below. all prices are w/ education discounts and i tried to give all three approx the same memory/wireless capabilities etc... the mini doesn't look like too good a value when you get it loaded.

1. Powermac Single 1.8
• 1GB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) - 2x512
• 160GB Serial ATA - 7200rpm
• ATI Radeon 9600 XT w/128MB DDR SDRAM
• Apple Cinema Display (20" flat panel)
• AirPort Extreme Card
• Bluetooth Module
• 56k V.92 modem.
• 8x Super Drive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• Apple Keyboard & Apple Mouse - U.S. English
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
• APP for Power Mac (w/ or w/o display) - Enrollment Kit

Subtotal $2,900.00

2. imac 20"
• 1GB DDR400 SDRAM - 2 DIMMs
• 160GB Serial ATA drive
• AirPort Extreme Card
• None - Bluetooth Module
• Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
• APP for iMac/eMac - Enrollment Kit
• 20-inch widescreen LCD
• 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra w/64MB video memory

Subtotal $2,280.00

3. mac mini 1.42 ghz
1GB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive
• 8x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Internal Bluetooth + AirPort Extreme Card
• Wired Keyboard & Mouse Set - U.S. English
• 56K v.92 Modem
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
• APP for Mac mini - Enrollment Kit
• 1.42GHz PowerPC G4

Subtotal $1,201.00
20" Cinema Display: $899
Total $2,100

Based on these #'s I think imac or Powermac considering that when I'm ready to buy in a few months the base G5 should be 2.0 or 2.2. That said, I like the mini's footprint and separate monitor and the $800 between it and the powermac would buy a decent video camera. Opinions?

I have:
17" PB 1 GHz (early) 1 Gig RAM 60 Gig HDD
iMac G5 20 2 Gig RAM, 250 Gig HDD
Mac mini 1 Gig RAM 80 Gig HDD

If you want the most in one sexy box get the iMac w/BT kb & mouse

I plan on using the mini as a home media center.

Fun choices!

 

[illumin8]

Unfortunately this is only valid in the US-store. In Europe the additional 1 GB RAM is still 360 Euro (= 470 US$).

Sorry, I guess that's just Stevo's way of getting revenge for the fact that the US dollar is so low... Remember all the comments at Macworld?

The funny thing is I would think it would be just the opposite. The weak dollar should make American goods cheaper in other countries.

 

[illumin8]

This is weird.

Supply and demand. Lots of people are talking about what this means as far as the computer and early adopters and such. But... apple is a buisness-the only logical reason to cut the price is if there isn't enough demand. But isn't there a wait on the mini's? Maybe apple sees that it's only an early adopter phenomanon, and they want demand to exceed supply for a while longer, to build hype? I thought these were selling well, but price cuts indicate the opposite. Then again, maybe mini's are selling great, just not with BTO options, and so it's simply price cutting in those...

I think you're reading the wrong thing into it. Maybe Apple wants to sell more BTO systems since they make a premium on the memory upgrades (even at the reduced price), and figured out that nobody in their right mind would pay 3 times market value for a 1GB DIMM, so they decided to become more reasonable.

Let's face it, there isn't much profit margin in a base $499 mini. Just like in a new car, the profit is all in the floormats...

 

[illumin8]

The current SuperDrives can READ dual-layer DVDs. They just can't WRITE to dual layer DVDs.

All DVD drives can read dual layer DVDs. Most movies you get at Blockbuster are dual layer, and have been for years. It's only the single-layer burners that are crippled.

 

[nagromme]

Based on these #'s I think imac or Powermac considering that when I'm ready to buy in a few months the base G5 should be 2.0 or 2.2. That said, I like the mini's footprint and separate monitor and the $800 between it and the powermac would buy a decent video camera. Opinions?

Yes, get a G5 since you can afford it. PowerMac advantage: you can upgrade the video card alone, or upgrade the whole computer while keeping your display, or upgrade the display while keeping the computer. Plus with the PowerMac you can get a better graphics board--and optical digital surround sound--right out of the box. And add more hard drives internally whenever you like. All good things for video editing. Plus if your display ever needs service, it's nice to be able to get it fixed without shipping your computer away as well.

You have the same "zero footprint" with both the iMac and PowerMac--if you put the PowerMac on the floor. And both G5 machines are very quiet, and very easy to work on inside. The iMac has the advantage of portability--to a degree--but you already have a laptop.

And with either machine, if you can afford an even faster G5--or dual G5s!--by waiting for the next revision, then you're really ahead of the game. Wait for Tiger to be included too, if you can.

The PowerMac has many advantages, but that's why there's a price difference--they are BOTH good buys. I do recommend some G5 Mac over a Mini, though, for your needs. You have high-end needs, and buying the low-end on a system you plan to keep a while doesn't make sense--even though yes, the Mini CAN handle those tasks.

 

[canyonblue737]

Sounds like the Mac Mini wasn't selling at the rate Apple expected and needed them to. This probably will help get the numbers up a bit, I'm expecting.

I am sure the mini is selling well but Apple likely didn't expect how many people would be willing to open the case to put in aftermarket RAM, HDs etc. I think they were finding too many folks were not picking the big profit margin "upgrades" and going for the plain jane models and this is a response to that. it works for me because i now can get a 1 GB ram chip from Apple (with education discount) that is only about $50 more than the crucial.com RAM i was going to get. that $50 premium is worth it to me to not have to even chance opening my case or finding out the RAM didn't work etc. before i would have opened the case for sure and Apple would have lost a sale.

 

[~Shard~]

Wow, this seems unlike Apple! But hey, no complaints, I think it's great - it should entice even more people to buy Mac Minis now, which is excellent.

 

[krollster]

UK Price Increase? Gotta be an error

As of this morning the combined airport express and bluetooth BTO has gone up to the (not so cheap) price of £152.88! If that's not an error I don't know what is...so it does look like they're currently adjusting the UK prices. Yay!

 

[sockgap]

Where are the Dual Layer drives?

Superdrive my ass. All the other manufacturers are shipping dual layer DVD drives that can burn 8 gig DVDs. These things are wicked cheap. When are Apple going to get with the program and ditch these lame-ass 4 gig single-layer DVD burners?

 

[takao]

YESSS they lowerd the prices here as well
but they didn't wrote 8x Superdrive, so the chance of it being a typo etc. might be high

(so far no email from apple ... and when i check my order it stil lsays the old price... looks like i'm going to wait a few hours and then call if nothing happens)

i suspect the other euro stores got the price drop on the RAM + bluetooth/airportextreme as well

 

[24C]

As of this morning the combined airport express and bluetooth BTO has gone up to the (not so cheap) price of £152.88! If that's not an error I don't know what is...so it does look like they're currently adjusting the UK prices. Yay!

Yes, they're adjusted, I just gotta out of that care home and I've checked in again...1Gb RAM upgrade was £325..then £290 last night..now it's £561? and as you noted Airport & BT goes up from £84 to £152.88

Way to go Apple UK, must be a huge shortage on these products, they're trying to kill the demand.

 

[cwedl]

In America the prices have dropped! In england the Prices have GONE UP!!!

For bluetooth and Airport its now £153 ($286.028) it used to be £99, which is still a lot compared to what americas pay anyway!

I am disgusted! - This better be a mistake, otherwise no MacMini for me!!!

 

[cwedl]

In America the prices have dropped! In england the Prices have GONE UP!!!

For bluetooth and Airport its now £153 ($286.028) it used to be £99, which is still a lot compared to what americas pay anyway!

I am disgusted! - This better be a mistake, otherwise no MacMini for me!!!

Opps! Didn't read the other posts, sorry!