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Apple Releases New Mac Mini

Blah. What the hell is going on with Apple nowadays? Uninspired upgrades and Tiger still a buggy trainwreck.

I was going to upgrade the mini in my house, and all I wanted was a faster HD and better GPU.

Apple went 0 for 2, so no money for them.

I wonder what the hell is working on nowadays:

1. Tiger is buggy as hell
2. Mac upgrades pathetic
3. iPod upgrades equally pathetic
4. iLife is getting long in the tooth
5. iWork, specifically Pages, is a joke.

It seems like Apple is coasting right now, which is a shame because the Microsoft monopoly is so vulnerable. Maybe Apple is content being in 5th place except for music.

If so, it'll be opportunity squandered.
 
Plecky said:
Also, why did the iBooks get ATI Radeon 9550 while the Mac Minis stayed with the Radeon 9200. It seems to me if they could fit/work inside a 12" iBook it could fit/work within a Mac Mini. I don't know what the difference between the two are considoring the only other spec I'm aware of is they both offer 32 mb of vram. Just another I'd point out was updated on the iBook but not the Mac Mini.
Click to expand...
In Mac Mini and all of Apple's notebooks (I think?) the GPU is directly mounted to the motherboard not attached via a card or connector. Adding a new, more powerful GPU may have caused other issues with heat or the motherboard layout and so they passed.

The iBooks had other significant changes such as CPU bumps, change in system bus speed, larger capacity RAM chip soldered onto the board, etc. While Apple still might be able to use the same basic mobo there are clearly much more substantial changes to the iBooks than Mac Mini's in this update - I think this is the main reason why we see a new GPU in the iBooks and not the Minis.

The Mac Mini update was mostly just repricing and tweaking the positioning their budget consumer line. Nothing was really changed in terms of the offerings, just shuffling the built-in options and price points. In terms of actual change to the design the removal of the built-in modem on the top-end models is probably the most significant change - which isn't significant at all. This really isn't an update to the Mac Mini. It is a price-cutting move except that the price points remain the same and now you just get more for those pricepoints. I think it's a good move by Apple.
 
I , for one, love my mac mini - which I purchased 1 week ago for $800 - with the exact same config as today's high end mini (1.42, 512/80/SD/APX/BT).
And yes, was shocked to see the price drop today - but just got back from the apple store and they refunded the difference :p although the first apple person I spoke to on the phone was an ignorant wretch who said they wouldn't refund the $. :mad: Fortunately I'm relentless and found out the truth. Apple's training of their phone operators looks sketchy.

I'm also upgrading the RAM and HD to 1Gig/5400RPM 80 Gig, so it should last me until next year when I sell it (assuming I do, it's really a great box) for a macintel DualCore PB (or maybe the year after...) :D
 
MudLake said:
It's been documented in numerous places (Macworld I believe is one) that Quartz 2D Extreme only fuctions on GPUs that support Shader 2.0 or DirectX 9; in other words "programmable". The fallback to the software/CPU implimentation is not Q2DE.
Click to expand...

I never said it was--the CPU fallback is for Core Image.

Q2DE (which to my knowledge NO Macs currently have!) is different--and as I said, it offers speed (in theory), not new functionality.

And there IS a fallback for Q2DE: we're using it now :)

But details aside (and I'm always happy to learn more of them!) the conclusion is inescapable: the Mac Mini is a very functional machine, and priced competitively--and nothing to do with CI or Q2DE prevents that from being the case.

Some people suggest that CI issues make the Mini "worthless" etc. But what IS it that they want to DO that the Mini can't, while other $499 PCs can? What magic bullet is having CI run without the CPU going to be? In real-world "this stops me from doing X" terms?

Because if it's just speed (speed to provide an occasional ripple effect?) for most people, then the Mini is NOT worthless at all. Raw speed is not where the value of the Mini + Tiger + iLife lies.


BWhaler said:
I wonder what the hell is working on nowadays:
...
It seems like Apple is coasting right now, which is a shame because the Microsoft monopoly is so vulnerable.
Click to expand...

If only Apple has some BIG project to be working on now. Something that will really advance the platform. Something... I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy :)
 
Just came back from an apple store with a new Mac Mini $599 model and a wireless keyboard. The MM is so small. I can't believe it's a computer. :p
 
As far as I can tell, everyone is glad about the 512 MB RAM.
Many are mad about the GPU.
Some are glad about the included wireless.

Perhaps, instead of including the wireless, Apple should have done a board revision and included a better GPU. Then more people would have been happy.

Of course, who knows why they didn't. Many here have guessed why.

All I know is that, if they had done the RAM + GPU upgrade I would have already entered my order. Because they did not, I'm really going to have to think this over.

Maybe the Intel shift is a good thing. We know that we'll be abandonned on PPC anyway, so who cares if we can't have Q2DE either? Like since Tiger still has all those bugs, and Q2DE is still disabled by default, maybe Q2DE won't really matter until 10.5. And maybe we'll be screwed by 10.5 probably needing more than a G4's horsepower anyway, so let's just be happy in the meantime anyway...

Who knows?
 
nagromme said:
I never said it was--the CPU fallback is for Core Image.

Q2DE (which to my knowledge NO Macs currently have!) is different--and as I said, it offers speed (in theory), not new functionality.

And there IS a fallback for Q2DE: we're using it now :)

But details aside (and I'm always happy to learn more of them!) the conclusion is inescapable: the Mac Mini is a very functional machine, and priced competitively--and nothing to do with CI or Q2DE prevents that from being the case.

Some people suggest that CI issues make the Mini "worthless" etc. But what IS it that they want to DO that the Mini can't, while other $499 PCs can? What magic bullet is having CI run without the CPU going to be? In real-world "this stops me from doing X" terms?

Because if it's just speed (speed to provide an occasional ripple effect?) for most people, then the Mini is NOT worthless at all. Raw speed is not where the value of the Mini + Tiger + iLife lies.




If only Apple has some BIG project to be working on now. Something that will really advance the platform. Something... I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy :)
Click to expand...
I understand your argument but anyone could use it to also claim that there's no need to put a G4 in the Mini, iBook, or eMac. All you get with the G4 vs. G3 is Altivec which doesn't provide any substantial capability either; basically just speed.

Additionally, there are some new QuickTime functions that require a programmable GPU as well.

Lastly, the point that Q2DE hasn't really been implimented yet doesn't sit too well with me. For all we know it could be in the next 10.4.x update. The rumors are that Apple is trying to get the last few bugs out of it and it will be ready to go.

I still go back to most important point which you didn't address: A real upgrade in the GPU would help close the gap where Apple is weakest opposite Windows -- user interface speed on the lower end machines. And please, no one call me some Windows shill. I've been using Macs since 1988.
 
I would like to point out that the "included wireless" is ONLY on the 1.42GHz, $599 and up models, so the apple front page is lying right there ('and built-in wireless. from $499'). Would they get away with it if they said that it came with '512 MB RAM built in. from $499' and that turned out to be BTO?

A week ago, if I wanted to get the 1.25GHz -- because it's cheaper, has been unofficially shipping with faster (if smaller) HDDs, and I don't need the extra 0.17GHz -- with Airport, Bluetooth, 512MB and SuperDrive, it would have cost $750. Now it costs $700. Literally, all they did was deduct the cost of the extra RAM. That's it. Period. Nothing more.

Worse, unlike the higher end models, they won't let you remove the modem from the 1.25GHz to reduce costs, either. It's optional for the 1.42GHzs, but you're stuck with it on the 1.25GHz. Nor will they let you downgrade the HDD in the 1.42GHz models (didn't they offer that option before!?). In fact, there are FEWER BTO options available now than there were a week ago -- and they're the same frickin' machines!!
 
Originally Posted by GFLPraxis
What the heck are you talking about? Here we have a $999 laptop with a *decent* though *slightly* underpar processor, but not terrible by any means. Built in 802.11g AND Bluetooth 2.0. A Radeon 9550 graphics card. THIS IS NOT BAD. Go to your local Best Buy and try to find a laptop with a graphics card (ANY graphics card other than an 'Intel Integrated' with 0 MB of VRAM) for under $1500.
Click to expand...

Lord Kythe said:
Ok, ok, no MHz Myth crap. How 'bout this though: try finding a PC laptop under $1500 that runs Mac OS X (which, by the way let's be honest, is the only area where Apple has the edge right now, in these transition times).

Dual core Pentium D, eh? Let's be honest... right now, they can only run Windows (until Apple puts its hands on them), which means they'll run at less than 50% their potential, which makes the G4 1.42 GHz pretty competitive still. And don't give me that "Mac fanatics always trash Windows for no reason". I have a P4 3.6 GHz PC at home, and I use it for the only task it does right: gaming. It doesn't come close to my 1.25 GHz G4 tower's efficiency running Photoshop, AfterEffects, WebObjects, not even talking about multi-tasking because... well just not talking about it so that I don't go crazy and put my PC in the trash right now. Call it whatever you like: MHz Myth, OS issues, the Banana syndrome, I don't care. Windows won't deliver the goods as long as it's, well, crappy.
Click to expand...

Well I'm not going to get into the 3.6ghz P4 vs 1.42 G4 running Photoshop, AE etc. thing because you sound like you're off your rocker but here are some nice notebooks.

Notice that almost everything in this link has a Radeon 9700 and the prices start at $949 for a 15 incher.
http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/notebook.asp

14 inch HP @1099 with a Radeon 9600
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=331771&pfp=cat1

15inch WSXGA 1680X1050, High definition 7.1 audio, SPDIF, Geforce 6600 on an upgradable module, DVD burner etc. $1315

From my favorite notebook maker, Acer:
Acer TravelMate TM4402WLMi Notebook --- $1250
1.6GHz Turion 64 ML-30, 512MB DDR, 100GB, DVD±RW DL, Windows XP Pro, 15.4" TFT, Radeon X700 PCIe,
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Acer_TravelMate_TM4402WLMi_Notebook,__9855013

Less than $700 after rebates but I'm betting it's A64+Radeon Xpress 200 with 128 shared would destroy those new ibooks.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1115365776587

Here's one with an A64 3500+ and a Radeon Xpress 200 with 128mb's of dedicated (not shared) vram for $1100
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1118839463450

17 inch widescreen, 100GB HD, Radeon X700 $1450.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1117177722001

A64 3700+ (2.4ghz), 100GB, 1GB ram, Radeon X600-- $1400
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1117177722061

Another...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1115365776413

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...ding=notebooks&category=hp_pavilion&aoid=1426

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspn_9300?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/latit_d810?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/latit_d610?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

The last few links are just to HP and Dell. From the way you write is seems like you've never been there before so I wanted to save you the trouble of Googling.

http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodhmseries.asp?seg=hm&gcseries=gtwym520&clv=Btn1
http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodhmseries.asp?seg=hm&gcseries=gtwym680&clv=Btn1
http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodhmseries.asp?seg=hm&gcseries=gtwym460&clv=Btn1

Compaq has a number of options too:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...notebooks&category=compaq_presario&aoid=11075

http://www.pctorque.com/sager-3880-gaming-laptop.php
Radeon 9700 under $1200
http://www.pctorque.com/sager-4381-gaming-laptop.php
http://www.pctorque.com/builder.php?type=75
or just about anything at PCtorque.com

More HP/Compaq:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/321957-64295-89315-321838-f1.html

More:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/321957-64295-89315-321838-f33.html

Even a Media Center with a built-in TV tuner:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=4773725#description
 
This really isn't a bad update.

At first I thought this was a crappy update, but after thinking about it for a couple of minutes I realize this is actually a pretty nice update.

I wanted one of these when they first came out to use as a home media center. I saw the $599 and started to get the credit card warmed up... and then I realized I'd need to add $75 for a RAM upgrade (ya, I could do it myself but....) and $99 for WiFi and Bluetooth. Now I can get all of that plus the Superdrive for $699 whereas yesterday it would've cost $873.

Now when is Elgato going to come out with their new EyeTV that has IR out!!!

I noticed a funny thing too that maybe others in this thread caught. You can order a low-end Mac Mini for $499, then add wireless, a harddrive upgrade, and a Superdrive all for $748!!! Almost $50 for the same thing as the $699 model only you get a slower CPU! I wonder how many morons will order this configuration??? :rolleyes:
 
Broke down and ordered one

I've been wanting a Mac for home for a while (one besides my laptop from work). I don't want to spend iMac-money right now, and $699 for a 1.42ghz machine w/ 512mb of RAM, Superdrive and wireless sounds like a good deal to me.

$708 from Outpost.com with Overnight shipping! Not in stock right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if I got it this week! :D :D :D
 
MudLake said:
I understand your argument but anyone could use it to also claim that there's no need to put a G4 in the Mini, iBook, or eMac. All you get with the G4 vs. G3 is Altivec which doesn't provide any substantial capability either; basically just speed.
Click to expand...

It's a matter of degree: a G4 does open a lot of possibilities vs. a G3. Hardware accelerated CoreImage, on the other hand, is a bit on the obscure side. So by my measure of what you can DO with your computer, a G4 has a lot of value.

MudLake said:
most important point which you didn't address: A real upgrade in the GPU would help close the gap
Click to expand...

A higher GPU would be better--I'd never argue otherwise.

I only argue against those who say the Mac Mini isn't worth buying because of the GPU. That's going too far.
 
Mac Mini is great for Switchers

Let's not forget the motivation for the Mac mini ... Apple's objective is to market it as the "The most affordable Mac ever" hence, the goal is to expose potential Mac switchers to the platform.

I agree that the revision is not very exciting but considering that Apple is seeing evidence of the "iPod Halo Effect" I think it was wise on Apple's part to upgrade the RAM to make the decision for potential switchers to the platform a bit easier. I do like the Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth on the $599 amd $699 models.

Overall, I think the mini is a great system to offer to potential switchers.
 
Yes , I'm Generalizing.

I'm disappointed. Not in the update, but in the Mac Community.
I'm sure when I read all of these posts, I won't be alone.
This is an entry level computer.
Are G3 users like myself(Still using a iMac DV SE 400MHz & a 600MHz iMac) supposed to turn our nose up at the Mac-mini because it Only has 32MB of Vram?!? The DV has a ATI Rage 128... a huge 8MB! The 600 has an ATI Rage PRO2 with, get this... 16MB!!! My bus speed on this machine is, wait for it, 100MHz! Am I the only one? Far from it. Think about the number of users this could represent.
Do you think I will feel like the mini will gives me a poor user experience?
Should I wait for revision C?
This is an entry level computer.
Look at how it can be used!!!
http://team.gobanzai.com/home.html
Another view to look at...
The Mac Mini will bring #'s.
A large user-base with a system that encourages software writers to produce for a ppc with a reasonable graphics card. If they write every program for only the latest and greatest, not only are they cheating themselves from larger sales, but also the customer of their goods. :rolleyes:
 
tex210 said:
Do you think I will feel like the mini will gives me a poor user experience?
Should I wait for revision C?
This is an entry level computer.
Look at how it can be used!!!
http://team.gobanzai.com/home.html
Click to expand...

Yeh.. but like seriously, it took THREE mac mini's to drive that volkswagon.. and it's an automatic. I mean jeez... these things are way under powered. :rolleyes:
 
tex210 said:
I'm disappointed. Not in the update, but in the Mac Community.
I'm sure when I read all of these posts, I won't be alone.
This is an entry level computer.
Are G3 users like myself(Still using a iMac DV SE 400MHz & a 600MHz iMac) supposed to turn our nose up at the Mac-mini because it Only has 32MB of Vram?!? The DV has a ATI Rage 128... a huge 8MB! The 600 has an ATI Rage PRO2 with, get this... 16MB!!! My bus speed on this machine is, wait for it, 100MHz! Am I the only one? Far from it. Think about the number of users this could represent.
Do you think I will feel like the mini will gives me a poor user experience?
Should I wait for revision C?
This is an entry level computer.
Look at how it can be used!!!
http://team.gobanzai.com/home.html
Another view to look at...
The Mac Mini will bring #'s.
A large user-base with a system that encourages software writers to produce for a ppc with a reasonable graphics card. If they write every program for only the latest and greatest, not only are they cheating themselves from larger sales, but also the customer of their goods. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

^ All of the above is correct, and would have been a fine thing to point out say, 6 and a half months ago, when the Mini was first released.

The issue isn't that we think the Mini sucks because of the VRAM issue. What sucks is that Apple is expecting us to believe this is a "new" mini with "more" options, when, after almost 7 months (a normal time interval for updates on many mac products), all they've done is shuffle the BTO options around a little and upgrade the base RAM to the level of "NOT a slap in the face." And that, apparently, they don't give a damn about their existing PPC products now that they've announced their switch to Intel.

Noone is saying the Mini is crap, or that you shouldn't get one if it seems like the right computer for you. Just that this "update" was.. well, insulting is the best way to put it. And I hate it when the apologists try to sugarcoat it by reducing it to 'essentials' like the OS or the price -- that isn't the issue being covered in this thread, since all of that stuff was just as true a week ago as today. The issue is the update, or lack thereof. And this was a bad one.
 
O... k...

BGil said:
Well I'm not going to get into the 3.6ghz P4 vs 1.42 G4 running Photoshop, AE etc. thing because you sound like you're off your rocker but here are some nice notebooks.

Notice that almost everything in this link has a Radeon 9700 and the prices start at $949 for a 15 incher.
http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/notebook.asp

14 inch HP @1099 with a Radeon 9600
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=331771&pfp=cat1

15inch WSXGA 1680X1050, High definition 7.1 audio, SPDIF, Geforce 6600 on an upgradable module, DVD burner etc. $1315

From my favorite notebook maker, Acer:
Acer TravelMate TM4402WLMi Notebook --- $1250
1.6GHz Turion 64 ML-30, 512MB DDR, 100GB, DVD±RW DL, Windows XP Pro, 15.4" TFT, Radeon X700 PCIe,
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Acer_TravelMate_TM4402WLMi_Notebook,__9855013

Less than $700 after rebates but I'm betting it's A64+Radeon Xpress 200 with 128 shared would destroy those new ibooks.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1115365776587

Here's one with an A64 3500+ and a Radeon Xpress 200 with 128mb's of dedicated (not shared) vram for $1100
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1118839463450

17 inch widescreen, 100GB HD, Radeon X700 $1450.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1117177722001

A64 3700+ (2.4ghz), 100GB, 1GB ram, Radeon X600-- $1400
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1117177722061

Another...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...t&productCategoryId=cat01174&id=1115365776413

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...ding=notebooks&category=hp_pavilion&aoid=1426

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspn_9300?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/latit_d810?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/latit_d610?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

The last few links are just to HP and Dell. From the way you write is seems like you've never been there before so I wanted to save you the trouble of Googling.

http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodhmseries.asp?seg=hm&gcseries=gtwym520&clv=Btn1
http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodhmseries.asp?seg=hm&gcseries=gtwym680&clv=Btn1
http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodhmseries.asp?seg=hm&gcseries=gtwym460&clv=Btn1

Compaq has a number of options too:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...notebooks&category=compaq_presario&aoid=11075

http://www.pctorque.com/sager-3880-gaming-laptop.php
Radeon 9700 under $1200
http://www.pctorque.com/sager-4381-gaming-laptop.php
http://www.pctorque.com/builder.php?type=75
or just about anything at PCtorque.com

More HP/Compaq:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/321957-64295-89315-321838-f1.html

More:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/321957-64295-89315-321838-f33.html

Even a Media Center with a built-in TV tuner:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=4773725#description
Click to expand...

Eh... Ok... My post was about finding a PC laptop for under $1500 (to follow with the posts I replied to) that runs Mac OS X... That was the essence of my entire post (the only leverage Apple has with their current line of iBooks). And I didn't bother to check out all your links, but most of them (and let me risk this: "all of them") don't run OS X. I guess you were just eager to show us your extensive knowledge on PC laptops... Good for you!
 
Lord Kythe said:
Eh... Ok... My post was about finding a PC laptop for under $1500 (to follow with the posts I replied to) that runs Mac OS X... That was the essence of my entire post (the only leverage Apple has with their current line of iBooks). And I didn't bother to check out all your links, but most of them (and let me risk this: "all of them") don't run OS X. I guess you were just eager to show us your extensive knowledge on PC laptops... Good for you!
Click to expand...

I was refering to this post:
Originally Posted by GFLPraxis
What the heck are you talking about? Here we have a $999 laptop with a *decent* though *slightly* underpar processor, but not terrible by any means. Built in 802.11g AND Bluetooth 2.0. A Radeon 9550 graphics card. THIS IS NOT BAD. Go to your local Best Buy and try to find a laptop with a graphics card (ANY graphics card other than an 'Intel Integrated' with 0 MB of VRAM) for under $1500.
Click to expand...

I do think you excusing Apple's poor specs by saying "it runs OS X" is the exact thing that makes them put poor specs int he machine in the first place. They know Apple fans will excuse nearly anything they do and buy their products no matter what. Even when the OS was a steaming POS (OS 9.2/10.0/10.1/10.2 era) the Mac faithful were still buying them. My guess is that the first Mactels will be crappy too because of all the unoptimized code and emulation (Rosetta) but I doubt the faithful will not stop buying them.

If people didn't excuse Apple's behavior so much then they would be forced to be hardware competitive with everyone else (or at least with Sony, Lenevo etc.). I highly doubt the presence of Intel processor in the Mac lineup is suddenly going to make Apple choose to be hardware competitive (screens, hard drives, ram GPU's etc.). They'll probably stay with the formula that has made them so profitable... giving Mac users yesterdays hardware at premium prices. Or in the case of the mini, last week's hardware at low prices.
 
I think the odor of my fart is more palatable than this upgrade. Going to wait until they come with a real SATA HD and more than one lousy RAM slot.
 
ccrandall77 said:
At first I thought this was a crappy update, but after thinking about it for a couple of minutes I realize this is actually a pretty nice update.

I wanted one of these when they first came out to use as a home media center. I saw the $599 and started to get the credit card warmed up... and then I realized I'd need to add $75 for a RAM upgrade (ya, I could do it myself but....) and $99 for WiFi and Bluetooth. Now I can get all of that plus the Superdrive for $699 whereas yesterday it would've cost $873.

Now when is Elgato going to come out with their new EyeTV that has IR out!!!

I noticed a funny thing too that maybe others in this thread caught. You can order a low-end Mac Mini for $499, then add wireless, a harddrive upgrade, and a Superdrive all for $748!!! Almost $50 for the same thing as the $699 model only you get a slower CPU! I wonder how many morons will order this configuration??? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I was also thinking of using the Mini as a media center box. Will the graphics card allow me to drive a large plasma tv through the DVI?
 
Mac Mini Buyers/Apologists, prepare to be schooled.

Has anyone checked the refurbished list?

Anyone who buys a mac mini needs to have their head examined. Head CT?

iMac G5 1.8GHz/ 256MB/ 80GB/ SuperDrive/ 56K/ 17-inch - Apple Certified Refurbished
Your price: $999.00

Easy Ram upgrade. Easy WIFI upgrade. Lots more power. Very nice display. Reasonably powerful. Core Image Compatible.

Remember, Mac Mini does NOT come with mouse/keyboard/display, all add to your overall cost.

Apple Refurbished is just like brand new. These aren't wiped down used computers. Sometimes they have the 1.6 Ghz iMac from $899, but the superdrive and speed upgrade is worth the extra $100.00.
 
Lord Kythe, I agree with BGil that you are a bit extreme, you are what made me not want to switch for the longest time. I can't stand MacCultists or "converters" like yourself who have to nerve to make such outrageous statements as "Go to your local Best Buy and try to find a laptop with a graphics card (ANY graphics card other than an 'Intel Integrated' with 0 MB of VRAM) for under $1500." and then when somebody tells you you're wrong you just deny everything and go back to your only defense of "runs OSX" or software. I don't think the fact that they don't run OSX means that the graphics cards in them are better then intel integrated with 0 mb of vram for under $1500. It's like a Radeon 9600 is only a Radeon 9600 when its running OSX. Yeah right, you are what make me sometimes hate being a switcher or mac-user. I have switched, I like my mac a lot, but I like PC's as well - and I'm not about to make outrageous claims or comments and be such a blind-follower of the MacCult. It is so intense, its people like yourself, more then anything, that gives Macs a bad name in my opinion. I'm not about to say that a good PC cannot be had for under 1500 dollars because we all *should* know that a very good PC can be had for under 1500 dollars, especially hardware wise! Nor am I going to drink some magic cool-aid and hop onboard of a spaceship flying behind a comet. Most of all, doesn't compition bring out the best in those competing? It's good Microsoft has Apple as competition and vice versa, and even that linux serves a little role as the middle man (since you can run linux on a Mac or Microsoft if desired). I mean sure it may be a little bit better compition if mac had more market share but there making strides and working towards that goal, especially in the past couple or so years. Also, who knows how spyware/adware/virus-proof OSX would be if it was used by 95% of computer users... Or how little spyware/adware/viruses Windows XP would get if it was only used by 5% of computer users? Etc. etc. etc. Point being of all my ramblings' is to not be so extreme/intense, you're more harmful/hurtful to Apple then beneficial/helpful. While BGil is productive in these boards and could probably easily switch me to a mac if I wasn't already there, you are more counterproductive and would turn me off and turn me away from wanting to owning a mac. I'd be afraid I'd say things like your comments in this thread... Can't we all just get along? :rolleyes:
 
jjd said:
I was also thinking of using the Mini as a media center box. Will the graphics card allow me to drive a large plasma tv through the DVI?
Click to expand...


Yes it will, but that would be a very unwise decision. Your PLASMA TV will burn in faster then... well, you get the drift.
 
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