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Apple Releases New Mac Mini
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I simply do not understand you folks.
Mac Mini configured as follows:
- G4/1.42GHz
- 80GB HD
- 512MB RAM
- SD
- Wifi and BT
- Modem 56K
Yesterday it costs: $848
Today it costs: $728
Let's see, that would be like getting a $120 rebate.
Same computer for 14% off. Pretty good deal I would say.
Additionally, you have the option of ordering the Mac Mini without an internal modem.
This results in an additional $29 savings for a total of 17.5% off.
Maybe I am brain dead, but to get almost 18% off between yesterday and today seems like a good deal to me.
Sushi
Mac Mini configured as follows:
- G4/1.42GHz
- 80GB HD
- 512MB RAM
- SD
- Wifi and BT
- Modem 56K
Yesterday it costs: $848
Today it costs: $728
Let's see, that would be like getting a $120 rebate.
Same computer for 14% off. Pretty good deal I would say.
Additionally, you have the option of ordering the Mac Mini without an internal modem.
This results in an additional $29 savings for a total of 17.5% off.
Maybe I am brain dead, but to get almost 18% off between yesterday and today seems like a good deal to me.
Sushi
Lack of Optical Out
I think what's most disturbing is the lack of optical out. I, for one, was looking to use a mini as a home theater/ media server.
Honestly, I thought this was the point of the mini: to serve as a gateway into the iTunes Movie store.
My iMate is very lonely,
-N
I think what's most disturbing is the lack of optical out. I, for one, was looking to use a mini as a home theater/ media server.
Honestly, I thought this was the point of the mini: to serve as a gateway into the iTunes Movie store.
My iMate is very lonely,
-N
sushi said:
And to call it an update is deceptive. They can lower prices any time they want; what's clear here is that they're doing this in place of an actual update. Minis will retain essentially the same specs they had in January '05 by the time the Intels come out -- assuming the Mini hasn't been phased out of existence by then.
Mini vs Dell
For all you guys ripping on the Mini update, let em point this out. I just went to Dell and configured one of their low end PCs to as CLOSE to the Mini as possible. It was pricesd at $700 and that did NOT include Wireless Internet, Bluetooth, and all the software bundled with the Mini. THe Mac Mini is a REAL value.
For all you guys ripping on the Mini update, let em point this out. I just went to Dell and configured one of their low end PCs to as CLOSE to the Mini as possible. It was pricesd at $700 and that did NOT include Wireless Internet, Bluetooth, and all the software bundled with the Mini. THe Mac Mini is a REAL value.
I wouldn't really call this an update. They added optional features and 256 RAM - that's not a new model.
Same old drive
Sorry, no dice. This (http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/hardware/mac-mini.ars) old arstechnica review of the 'old' mini clearly states ultra ata as well
mzd said:
Sorry, no dice. This (http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/hardware/mac-mini.ars) old arstechnica review of the 'old' mini clearly states ultra ata as well
sushi said:
if you need BT and AP. And if you don't need a modem. And if you aren't upgrading to 1 GB anyway (because to be honest, 512 RAM is still basically the bare minimum).
So yeah, if you were looking to get this configuration, it's a nice savings. But even so, it's only a price cut, not an update because the specs (except user-changable RAM) haven't changed.
I agree with you about the update being deceptive. But that seems to be generated more from the Rumor sites than from Apple.brianus said:
On Apple's site they use the terms New and More. While New is not the best word to use, the More part makes sense. Nowhere did I see the word update or updated used.
Sushi
sushi said:
You were expecting it to go up in price? We have always received a better value from updates but we have also always received an actual update, until now. That is the difference here. Take a look at the iBook updates. Not only do you get a better value, you also get actual improvements. A Core Image compatible GPU, a faster Superdrive, etc. This is not the case with the Mac mini.
sushi said:
And at least they didn't use the term "All New" like TV shows and auto makers use. "The all-new Ford F-150". Hmm, you mean not one single part was carried over from last year's model? Sure...
Smart to make the modem a BTO option. It's only a few bucks, but I'm sure that eliminating it helped offset the cost of making 512 standard.
TM
TM
Quixcube said:
You're right. Doesn't make it easier on me, but you're right.
However, as Macintouch (and some here) pointed out, if you want to run one of those gorgeous studio displays, you have two choices: Mini or Powermac. Even the guy at the Apple Store, in the middle of reality distortion, told me about the Power G5s, "nobody needs that much at home."
I suppose the real shame is that the iMac G5s have been such a disappointment to many. I love it on paper; I'm ambivalent in person. Factor in the horror stories about the insides melting down (Steve's right! It's a chip issue!), and reviews saying "at automatic" it's paced by G4s, and I don't want one (I'm in grad school; can't really afford to risk a six-week replacement ordeal). iMac is clearly the "consumer level" where I should be at, but the design's a dog.
I also suppose, though, that 7-10 years ago, we never would have had so many choices from Apple to complain about. Things could be worse.
Quixcube said:
I'm a mellow Mac gamer (although you almost have to be). Aspyr's doo-dad and others suggest everything I want to play will run just fine on eMac specs. Doom 3 doesn't interest me, and I've got a console. A Mini to match the eMac would have been "enough" - AND supported Core Image AND whatever's in 10.5.
Quixcube said:
Again, you're right. But what I really wanted was a nice and reliable iMac, which CERTAINLY makes sense for them. But they've dropped the ball, and thus I'm consigned to paying more for less features but peace of mind.
sushi said:
I'd say that if it takes any longer than 2-3 months to make a change, that's by definition "an update," no matter what marketing spin Apple puts on it.
In fact, "new" and "more" are like Starbucks calling a "small" a "tall" - this (512MB standard) is the Mini that should have come out in January. If anything, Apple's site should say "just enough," "at last," or "about time."
aidanpendragon said:
Umm this isn't a major rev. They updated the RAM. The release of hardware within a couple months of each other is not unprecedented
Don't mean to freak you out!1984 said:
My point is that Apple never announced an update. It was these blasted rumor sites which caused everyone to get carried away and thusly disappointed.
BTW, for the record, I would love to see an updated Mac Mini with faster CPU, bigger HD, additional FW and USB ports plus a better (64MB minimum) graphics card. Oh, and an 8X SD. ...and a new MB!
But for right now, it looks like I must be satisfied with a New offering that provides More for cheaper.
Sushi
Thanks for the correction
You're right, I was thinking laptops. After I posted, something was preying on the back of my mind
Still, double the RAM now means far fewer people will need to bother with RAM upgrades at all--meaning no more tricky decision at checkout, and no popping the case open. It's the bottom-end machine after all, so 1 GB isn't the typical need. (And if you do want 1GB, it won't cost any more now than before.)
The Mini is now a machine I can recommend out-of-the-box to more people than before.
I guess real design updates will likely wait for Intel. Hang in there! Add another USB port, move the 512 to the motherboard so the slot is free, bundle a PS/2 Y-adapter, and update the CPU/GPU, and it could be a nearly perfect low-end start for Intel Macs this winter.
I'm not one who insists that all Macs must be able to do Core Image in hardware. Why? Macs that can't still support Core Image, they just rely on the CPU instead of the GPU. What is it that you're missing out on if the bottom-end Mac doesn't have 64 VRAM? Look at bottom-end PCs sometime. I wouldn't complain about 64 or more at the bottom, but I also don't think many Mini users are truly inconvenienced by Core Image relying on the CPU.
I do think it's odd to make a modem optional on a next-to-the-bottom-end machine. And wireless standard--which IS cool (especially BT for mouse/keyboard), but makes the Mini an odd mix of low end and high end specs. Maybe the choice of wireless vs. modem was simply based on what people are demanding.
And you can use modem over Airport Extreme if you insist
Yvan256 said:
You're right, I was thinking laptops. After I posted, something was preying on the back of my mind
Still, double the RAM now means far fewer people will need to bother with RAM upgrades at all--meaning no more tricky decision at checkout, and no popping the case open. It's the bottom-end machine after all, so 1 GB isn't the typical need. (And if you do want 1GB, it won't cost any more now than before.)
The Mini is now a machine I can recommend out-of-the-box to more people than before.
I guess real design updates will likely wait for Intel. Hang in there! Add another USB port, move the 512 to the motherboard so the slot is free, bundle a PS/2 Y-adapter, and update the CPU/GPU, and it could be a nearly perfect low-end start for Intel Macs this winter.
I'm not one who insists that all Macs must be able to do Core Image in hardware. Why? Macs that can't still support Core Image, they just rely on the CPU instead of the GPU. What is it that you're missing out on if the bottom-end Mac doesn't have 64 VRAM? Look at bottom-end PCs sometime. I wouldn't complain about 64 or more at the bottom, but I also don't think many Mini users are truly inconvenienced by Core Image relying on the CPU.
I do think it's odd to make a modem optional on a next-to-the-bottom-end machine. And wireless standard--which IS cool (especially BT for mouse/keyboard), but makes the Mini an odd mix of low end and high end specs. Maybe the choice of wireless vs. modem was simply based on what people are demanding.
And you can use modem over Airport Extreme if you insist
NatronB said:
I agree regarding the Mini, but the iBook:
<i>Speakers
Turn your iBook into a home theater or rock out with external speakers. Plug in a USB subwoofer, or connect a 5.1 surround sound system via optical digital out.</i>
I still want to know if the iBook has always had 5.1 channel audio via optical output!