Apple Releases New Mac Mini

[uv23]

All the people blabbing about how the mini is a low end machine and therefore doesn't need real hardware need to stop right now. The fact is, the mini is really apple's only affordable semi-pro desktop computer right now.

Case in point:

My wife is currently using a 400MHz B&W G3 w 768mb ram. It's a brutal machine but all we've got right now. She does a lot of web work and print design but nothing extravagant like 3d modelling or video editing. She needs a new computer, perferbaly something small for our smallish pad. The PowerMacs are well out of our price range, and since we already have a good monitor, the iMac and eMac are useless. What does that leave? The Mac mini or a laptop. Let's continue. Powerbooks are just as expensive as PowerMacs so that's not an option. The 12" iBook (the 14" is worthless without extra resolution, and too expensive to boot) cannot be bought with a superdrive, which we need in the home, and has questionable external monitor compatibility sans hack. What does that leave? The Mac mini. In it's current state, I am very concerned about whether or not it will be sufficient. The lack of core image support means it's already obsolete with regards to Apple's current operating system, and having used -- and been frustrated by -- a 12" Rev B powerbook with a 32mb video card for the last year, I am worried the card doesn't have enough basic horsepower.

Conclusion: No desirable solutions that won't break the bank.

Urgh.

 

[MacSA]

im still in shock at how bad of an update that was im sorry but apple laptops are such a rip off man im really dissipionted can either the ibook or mac mini really be comsidered an "update" their still outdated especially the ibook

Yes, you're right there. Take a look at this from Dell:
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/p...2_inspn_9300_N07935?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

Processor
Intel® CentrinoT Mobile Technology with Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB) & Intel® Pro Wireless 2200 (802.11b/g )

Operating system
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Memory
512MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Monitor
17.0" UltraSharp T Wide Screen WXGA TFT Sharp

Harddrive
40GB Hard Drive

Optical Drive
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive#

Graphic Card
64MB ATI Mobility Radeon X300 Graphics card

Modem
56K Data Fax Modem

£699

 

[brianus]

I love my eMac, but then again, the eMac isn't the bottom end anymore. The Mini is.

Which is pretty ridiculous in and of itself. If you already have a monitor, as someone else pointed out in this thread, your choices are the absurdly low end Mini and the absurdly high end PowerMac. There is no in-between. Why, *why* can't they offer a (more expensive, of course! I have no problem with that) Mini with better options to fill the gap? There is no technical reason why, nor would the extremely minor upgrades most of us have asked for drive up the price of the machine unacceptably. Thus the paucity of this update really has to make you wonder if Apple has decided to discontinue this model soon.

Compare the Mac Mini--ALL the features, NOT selected ones--to $499 PCs by Dell and others, and you'll find it hard if not impossible to match what the Mini gives you for the price. I wouldn't say it's greedy to want even MORE than that, but in the absence of what we want (dual-core Pentium M Mini for $199 please), you still have a great, productive machine with no true competition out there.

There's that red herring again - "we all want a souped up supercomputer for half the cost", i.e. we're all making unreasonable demands of this update. Actually, all we're asking for is an acual update. Every other model has gotten one.

Windows can get you 64 MB VRAM cheaper than you get a 64 MB VRAM Mac. If that spec matters more than security, software bundle, and all the other benefits of the Mini and Tiger, then Windows is an excellent choice.

This is just another way of saying that the hardware makes no difference, it's all in the software. In which case, why give a **** about Apple's hardware products at all?

 

[KrysBaz]

Strange thoughts....

Having read most of this thread, and the ibook updates thread, I have to wonder how many of this great Mac community have become complete sexist.

"I won't by this rubbish update for my wife to use"
"I won't get my girlfriend this, its crap"
"I won't advise my sister this pathetic upgrade"

Give it a break, can they not make up there own minds if presented with the options of which system they want.
Do you all dictate what they can and can't buy.

The updates, might not be great, if you want massive power to run final cut pro, shake etc, but if they're wanting to run programmes like that then they might just have a clue about the specs.

If you're going to voice an opinion, why not what you're not going to buy for yourself, not for someone else.

Give them freedom of choice, like you, on what to buy and what to say on these boards.

That's just my 2 cents, and I'm sure wil probaly cause offense to many, but I thoughtI'd share them anyway.

 

[GFLPraxis]

At least the $599 model got built in Airport and Bluetooth.

 

[numediaman]

If you haven't bought a mini yet, this is an OK update.

As a mini user, I can still recommend the product.

But . . . what the mini really needs is more ports: one more Firewire and one more USB.

But, for now, more RAM and Bluetooth is nice for new buyers. It won't make me run out and upgrade, but it might spur some new buyers.

Then again, marketing would be nice . . . but this is Apple, the anti-computer marketing company. It's all iPod, all the time now.

 

[uv23]

Having read most of this thread, and the ibook updates thread, I have to wonder how many of this great Mac community have become complete sexist.

"I won't by this rubbish update for my wife to use"
"I won't get my girlfriend this, its crap"
"I won't advise my sister this pathetic upgrade"

Give it a break, can they not make up there own minds if presented with the options of which system they want.
Do you all dictate what they can and can't buy.

That has to be the most ludicrous post I've read yet on this forum. Get over yourself. Did you think that perhaps it's a matter of trust and plain ol' greater knowledge, rather than imposition of wills? Gawd.

 

[Jo-Kun]

Notice that the iBook can now be upgraded to max 1.5 MB Ram, whereas the PB can be maxed out only to 1.25?

How can one now justify the price difference of buying a PB 12" over the iBook 12"?

the Pb has a DVI output (allows to connect the 20" & 23" ACD & other DVI screens) wich allows screenspanning (without need of a hack)
more Vram (comes in handy since adding a 2nd screen splits vram in 2)
aluminum casing
better screen quality than iBooks

but if none of the above are needed go iBook ;-) I know I would because I would need something portable on location, colour corrections etc are done on my G5 anyway...

 

[sillycybin]

All the people blabbing about how the mini is a low end machine and therefore doesn't need real hardware need to stop right now. The fact is, the mini is really apple's only affordable semi-pro desktop computer right now.

Case in point:

My wife is currently using a 400MHz B&W G3 w 768mb ram. It's a brutal machine but all we've got right now. She does a lot of web work and print design but nothing extravagant like 3d modelling or video editing. She needs a new computer, perferbaly something small for our smallish pad. The PowerMacs are well out of our price range, and since we already have a good monitor, the iMac and eMac are useless. What does that leave? The Mac mini or a laptop. Let's continue. Powerbooks are just as expensive as PowerMacs so that's not an option. The 12" iBook (the 14" is worthless without extra resolution, and too expensive to boot) cannot be bought with a superdrive, which we need in the home, and has questionable external monitor compatibility sans hack. What does that leave? The Mac mini. In it's current state, I am very concerned about whether or not it will be sufficient. The lack of core image support means it's already obsolete with regards to Apple's current operating system, and having used -- and been frustrated by -- a 12" Rev B powerbook with a 32mb video card for the last year, I am worried the card doesn't have enough basic horsepower.

Conclusion: No desirable solutions that won't break the bank.

Urgh.

I'd say maybe you should look at eBay for a nice used Powermac G4. Very upgradeable and very cheap these days. last month I:

1: sold my iMac g3 500 DV on ebay and got $275 for it.
2: bought a Digital Audio G4 466 Powermac on eBay for $225
3. threw in a 1.8 GHz GigaDesigns uprgrade card for $299
4. Ordered a Radeon 9800 128mb for $179 (after rebate)

total for Powermac G4 1.8 GHz D/A upgrade from iMac 500 DV- $428

 

[Jo-Kun]

If you haven't bought a mini yet, this is an OK update.

off course, but it isn't an update its just a change in standard setup, none of the hardware parts are new... they just added some BTO as standard on the 1.42...

 

[jiv3turkey748]

which computer is it that doesnt come with a 56k modem

 

[Jo-Kun]

PS: anyone else has this same feeling as I do have now??

apple seems to be holding on 'improvements' until they go Intel... kind of keeping PPC 'alive' but not really kicking so the next hardware change will seem more spectacular??

I said as a Joke in another thread when the stores were down: and here are the new iPods... you know I would not have been surprised AT ALL if it would have been the case again, what has apple been doing the last year... selling lots of iTunes and lost of iPods, yes and some computers to go with iTunes & iPod

ok there was Tiger... but actually even that wasn't such a great update for me... because all the new features that were out there.... I don't use them... I didn't even used exposé when I got Panther... spotlight & dashboard may be great... but I don't use them... ever... I'm not interested in the fact that whenever I hookup someones external drive to my system it needs some time to index it thus slowing down everything...

don't get me wrong I love apple, wouldn't switch back for the world... but in my opinion... things have to change again... its like they are on 'hold'...

 

[Fabio_gsilva]

Tax Problems

There's a 7% tax from the federal government. But then there's also a 7.5% tax from the provincial government. Problem is, the 7.5% tax is applied AFTER the 7% tax has been added!

That means we're paying a tax on a tax! (that means there's a 0.00525% tax/amount coming from nowhere, if I calculated this correctly)

Man, if here in Brazil the tax were "only" 21% I'd be glad!!!! Here, we pay almost 40% for the Federal Government, plus 18% for our state... this is very bad...

 

[Trowaman]

If you haven't bought a mini yet, this is an OK update.

As a mini user, I can still recommend the product.

But . . . what the mini really needs is more ports: one more Firewire and one more USB.

But, for now, more RAM and Bluetooth is nice for new buyers. It won't make me run out and upgrade, but it might spur some new buyers.

Then again, marketing would be nice . . . but this is Apple, the anti-computer marketing company. It's all iPod, all the time now.

Extremely well put. I know people who wanted minis but wanted to custom with all the bells and whistles, this adds them already and the price is lower than the price of the custom jobs. Not to mention the #1 request has been more RAM, this does that. This is not an update to the mini so much as a revision.

Apple just shuffled the deck a bit to make the mini meet the requirements of switchers and first time mac users. Heck if I had a monitor lying around, I'd be tempted at the highend mini b/c Powermacs are such a rip off. For anyone with a monitor lying around, these re-invisions of the mini are perfect IMO. I don't expect anything else will be done to them for 1 year when they get Intel and they might just drop prices $100 across the whole line (Or drop the current $499 and drop the other two and give bigger hard drives or better Graphics)

 

[Yvan256]

Man, if here in Brazil the tax were "only" 21% I'd be glad!!!! Here, we pay almost 40% for the Federal Government, plus 18% for our state... this is very bad...

I'm only talking about sales taxes. That's without counting the 25 to 50% deductions on our pay checks!

 

[Trowaman]

That has to be the most ludicrous post I've read yet on this forum. Get over yourself. Did you think that perhaps it's a matter of trust and plain ol' greater knowledge, rather than imposition of wills? Gawd.

Dude, chill. He's not trying to be offensive, just making an observant statement. Some people do have the will to choose their own computer and will go against the tide of their advisors. If anyone has a ludicrous post it's you for jumping on someone's OBSERVATIONS and OPINIONS about how wrong they are.

I like Macrumors because the forums are so "nice."

Please be more respectful.

 

[quackattack]

That has to be the most ludicrous post I've read yet on this forum. Get over yourself. Did you think that perhaps it's a matter of trust and plain ol' greater knowledge, rather than imposition of wills? Gawd.

I tend to agree with you. I may have not said it in so many words, nor as harshly.

I know my family comes to me on matter of technology purposes because of my greater knowledge. This includes my mom, sister, and DAD.

There is nothing sexist about it.

Back on topic, this update is a yawn. But its hard to complain, they are better and you get more for the money. This is always positive. I am also releived that I can read about something other than "iBook updates soon!!" on this forum.

 

[Jo-Kun]

I'm only talking about sales taxes. That's without counting the 25 to 50% deductions on our pay checks!

pity monaco is so small, otherwise we could all move there

 

[Fabio_gsilva]

Having read most of this thread, and the ibook updates thread, I have to wonder how many of this great Mac community have become complete sexist.

"I won't by this rubbish update for my wife to use"
"I won't get my girlfriend this, its crap"
"I won't advise my sister this pathetic upgrade"

Give it a break, can they not make up there own minds if presented with the options of which system they want.
Do you all dictate what they can and can't buy.

The updates, might not be great, if you want massive power to run final cut pro, shake etc, but if they're wanting to run programmes like that then they might just have a clue about the specs.

If you're going to voice an opinion, why not what you're not going to buy for yourself, not for someone else.

Give them freedom of choice, like you, on what to buy and what to say on these boards.

That's just my 2 cents, and I'm sure wil probaly cause offense to many, but I thoughtI'd share them anyway.

Bravo!!!

 

[pianojoe]

On pricing

European warranty regulations are more customer-friendly than U.S. laws.

The Mac Mini base model is $499 in the USA, and 448€ in Germany (excl. VA tax), which equals $539 dollars. But you'll get 2 yrs. of standard warranty on parts and labour. This is more than a $40 value, hence the price difference. Apple Germany needs to cover the higher service cost.

 

[Fabio_gsilva]

I'm only talking about sales taxes. That's without counting the 25 to 50% deductions on our pay checks!

Neither do I!!!

This is only kind of sales taxes (ICMS and IPI).

Whe have also deductions on our pay checks: 27% for Federal Government, plus 13% for our "social securit"...

Man, this is bad.

 

[KrysBaz]

That has to be the most ludicrous post I've read yet on this forum. Get over yourself. Did you think that perhaps it's a matter of trust and plain ol' greater knowledge, rather than imposition of wills? Gawd.

uv23, calm down.
Referring to your own earlier post you, referenced that it was "we" and "our" desicions, not you imposing your will over what you and your wife need/want from a new mac.

The reference was not a direct attack on what you where saying, just an observation of some of the comments on this thread, and other threads.

you have illustrated my point exactly that I was trying to make, in that yo where stating your opinion on what you want to buy, not what you are buying for someone else.

appologies if it this did upset you so much.

 

[dontmatter]

All the people blabbing about how the mini is a low end machine and therefore doesn't need real hardware need to stop right now. The fact is, the mini is really apple's only affordable semi-pro desktop computer right now.

Case in point:

My wife is currently using a 400MHz B&W G3 w 768mb ram. It's a brutal machine but all we've got right now. She does a lot of web work and print design but nothing extravagant like 3d modelling or video editing. She needs a new computer, perferbaly something small for our smallish pad. The PowerMacs are well out of our price range, and since we already have a good monitor, the iMac and eMac are useless. What does that leave? The Mac mini or a laptop. Let's continue. Powerbooks are just as expensive as PowerMacs so that's not an option. The 12" iBook (the 14" is worthless without extra resolution, and too expensive to boot) cannot be bought with a superdrive, which we need in the home, and has questionable external monitor compatibility sans hack. What does that leave? The Mac mini. In it's current state, I am very concerned about whether or not it will be sufficient. The lack of core image support means it's already obsolete with regards to Apple's current operating system, and having used -- and been frustrated by -- a 12" Rev B powerbook with a 32mb video card for the last year, I am worried the card doesn't have enough basic horsepower.

Conclusion: No desirable solutions that won't break the bank.

Urgh.

True, you're without a good option. But I don't think the mac mini is the computer that should fill that kind of a hole, it's not designed for graphical work. Complaints to apple for sure, but that should be filled in by the now stupidly abandoned low end powermac, rather than the mini.

 

[Fabio_gsilva]

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

Another words of wisdom!
That's exactly what I think!

Expect something big from the Minitel's thats coming next year...

 

[ramuman]

Well when Apple is still considering the Powerbooks new:
http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

These "new" iBooks and Mac Minis do qualify as front page material