Best Buy Mac Mini Followup

[wrldwzrd89]

So does this mean we'll get an official announcement from Apple tomorrow? Maybe? Hopefully? I have $130 burning a hole in my pocket just waiting for that pre-order...

I feel the same way you do...except that I have to get the Family Pack because I have two Macs to install Tiger on, and I prefer to go to the Apple Store for the launch event than pre-order.

 

[Yvan256]

How many ads have you seen for the mini on TV? How many millions of $$ do you think Best Buy will spend to promote the mini in their stores?

If the answer to both questions is zero you now know the effect this will have on Apple. Besides, will selling a couple of minis more a month help you get a better OS, or a new G5? -- no.

I like my mini -- but it is not the best Apple Computer I've owned (I'd say it's a tie between my 8600 and my Apple 2e). It's been years, and years, since Apple properly promoted its computer line. Putting minis in Best Buy is a very minor event.

The Mac mini is the best Apple computer I've ever owned. It's also the first. It's also the first computer I enjoy since the days of the Amiga (even if I never had one, I did play with an Amiga 2000 at a friend's house).

I've had computers since the days of the CoCo2 (with cassette tape). Then, like "everybody else", I jumped to MS-DOS on a XT. Then a 286, then a 386/Win 3.11, then 486/Win95, etc, etc. I grew up with many options for computers (Atari ST, Amiga, Macintosh, PC), and I'm glad we're finally getting back more choices (PC/Win, PC/Linux, Mac).

This is the first time Apple has really come up with a price-tag-competing Mac (remember, most people usually don't see the "software cost" or even "tech support cost" of things, especially when they know someone who can fix their PC for free). I'm predicting huge sales of the Mac mini. We're in april, the Apple store finally isn't showing "3-4 weeks delivery" for Mac mini. Which means demand was far greater than production for at least 2 full months. That's huge, IMO.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I would like for Steve Jobs to experience what it is like to buy a Mac from a Best Buy store. He will tell them Macs are better. The PC sales guys will say "It doesn't matter", and not open up the glass cabinet.

 

[swissmann]

So the hardware has been spotted but have any Apple-intelligent employees been spotted?

 

[hartsft]

So the hardware has been spotted but have any Apple-intelligent employees been spotted?

hahaha
wouldnt bet on it

but at least they released the ipods from under the glass at my best buy too

 

[SiliconAddict]

Its also on their main site:

 

[~loserman~]

Its also on their main site:

With an add like that they can't be all bad

 

[AidenShaw]

been there, done that

...the Apple store finally isn't showing "3-4 weeks delivery" for Mac mini. Which means demand was far greater than production for at least 2 full months. That's huge, IMO.

By that criterion, the Cube was "huge" as well. We all know how that turned out.

Every Apple product has a spike in demand at introduction, and most have extended lead times soon after introduction. A few weeks or months out, production begins to keep up with demand.

If you look at the costs of production, it's apparent why Apple does it this way. The other choices are:

a) Stockpile for intro, so that the initial demand is met

Quite expensive - you have a lot of money tied up in inventory while you're waiting to get the stockpile up. If the product doesn't sell well - you've got a lot of money tied up in inventory that isn't selling.

b) Add extra production lines to build them to meet the spike

Also quite expensive - lots of equipment, setup and training costs that turn into redundant hardware and layoffs once the initial spike in demand cools. These extra costs are especially burdensome if the demand is less than expected.


So, long wait times for products soon after intro is an Apple tradition. It helps with the hype ("3 weeks backorder for the new MaxiPod"), and it helps with the all-important profit margin.

 

[~loserman~]

By that criterion, the Cube was "huge" as well. We all know how that turned out.

Every Apple product has a spike in demand at introduction, and most have extended lead times soon after introduction. A few weeks or months out, production begins to keep up with demand.

If you look at the costs of production, it's apparent why Apple does it this way. The other choices are:

a) Stockpile for intro, so that the initial demand is met

Quite expensive - you have a lot of money tied up in inventory while you're waiting to get the stockpile up. If the product doesn't sell well - you've got a lot of money tied up in inventory that isn't selling.

b) Add extra production lines to build them to meet the spike

Also quite expensive - lots of equipment, setup and training costs that turn into redundant hardware and layoffs once the initial spike in demand cools. These extra costs are especially burdensome if the demand is less than expected.


So, long wait times for products soon after intro is an Apple tradition. It helps with the hype ("3 weeks backorder for the new MaxiPod"), and it helps with the all-important profit margin.

It's not just Apple who works this way.
Most manufacturing done today is done as "just in time". It is very hard to know what demand is going to be like on a new release. So most companies announce a product and start taking pre-orders to get the supply chain going. They then start catching up to orders a few months after the release.

 

[barnett25]

My Best Buy (WV) has the iPod boxes under the counter, but has iPods out on display with the other mp3 players. They have an iPod, mini, shuffle, and photo all on cords along with the other mp3 players. That said I think the Mac mini will bomb at Best Buy. From what I've seen the employees are lucky to have a decent grasp of PCs, and the ones that do are likely to have a Mac prejudice. I think that at most locations the mini is going to have to try to sell itself...

 

[plazmyd]

agree with BB ignorance.

What is it with Best Buy and ignorant computer 'experts'. I don't mean that as derogatory, but whenever Apple tries to sell computers from BB, the sales force is generally uninformed. I remember Performa (ugh) days and early iMac days (I think, maybe I am thinking of Sears). Anyhow, has anyone ever experienced 'knowledgable' service folk at a BB when it comes to Apple computers?

 

[matticus008]

And I have a feeling this will cost more than $129 ($93 edu) based on the hype and the fact that iLife '05 got a price boost. But I won't complain. I'm dying here...

Isn't it $69 for educational pricing? Tiger's already been priced at $129. It would be pretty shady to change it after press releases already tagged the price. And I've had no trouble buying a new OS with edu pricing from an Apple store--my campus bookstore didn't stock anything very well.

 

[Superdrive]

The point we are missing is Best Buy sucks cuz they know jack about Apple. They will have some sucky monitor, if one at all, hooked up to it with some piece of sh*( keyboard and mouse. And of course, since their "computer experts" already have a hard enough time knowing anything about Winblows, i hardly think sales will boost at all when they sell them in their stores. Mac needs to send its own ppl there and have it's own lil display with mac things, and also should have fliers on their iMacs,PowerMacs and laptops, so at least they could get info on it. APPLE.. PLEASE SEND YOUR OWN PPL!!!

Yeah right. Best Buy sucks exactly for those reasons? Get real. The local Best Buy has a Mac Mini with Apple Keyboard and Mouse. Running OS 10.3.8 and a variety of sample iLife projects.

Why should Apple not sell at Best Buy? Having their own people there would cost more than a blue shirt, which Apple doesn't pay for. Why would someone interested in a $499 Mac mini need to get literature about a $2k Mac? I don't think you understand the purpose of the retail world and the Mac mini.

 

[Superdrive]

What is odd,

I was at the Richfield "Flagship" store the other day. No Mini to be found. I guess since we have 2 Apple Stores surrounding the Flagship Best Buy, we don't need to sell the Mini at that location?

Odd..

MW
Some place in MN

The articles attached say they started appearing this weekend. Other posters have said they wont get them in their stores til later in the week. I guess Apple must be shafting the less important places.

 

[Superdrive]

What is it with Best Buy and ignorant computer 'experts'. I don't mean that as derogatory, but whenever Apple tries to sell computers from BB, the sales force is generally uninformed. I remember Performa (ugh) days and early iMac days (I think, maybe I am thinking of Sears). Anyhow, has anyone ever experienced 'knowledgable' service folk at a BB when it comes to Apple computers?

Nobody calls BB computer sales people Experts. Not even best buy. They are just someone who learns what is in front of them and how to sell it. Part of your problem is you are shopping in the Fargo BB. Come to Grand Forks next time and find an enjoyable Mac experience.

 

[Parrot]

Was talking to the computer sales manager @ my bby store, and he said they are going to carry a limited selection of software to sell with the mini now. The ones he could remember: Office 2004, Tiger, and some other "apple only software."

They'll probably carry more if they do well...

 

[GFLPraxis]

Yep, my Best Buy has Mac Mini's on display. And the people were smart, I was playing Marble Blast and when I got done they suggested I try Nanosaur

 

[adamjay]

And at Target, Circuit City, The Good Guys, Fry's,....

and Guitar Center, and Costco

 

[adamjay]

does this mean its only a matter of time until BestBuy starts stocking iBooks and other Apple products?

They could move a ton of iBooks for the people that don't want the huge 15.4" widescreen 8lb PC laptops. I think bestbuy only has a couple 14" widescreen compaq/hp's as their smallest offerings in-store.

 

[Eryan]

Putty Knife

I work on the Geek Squad at Best Buy and they sent us a packet that included a Putty Knife and Sandpaper. They also had us do training's on how to add wifi and bluetooth so i am hoping they will offer those as optional upgrades soon.

 

[dornoforpyros]

hehe I remember one time I was in future shop and they had an XP machine running a rather large LCD display (prolly like 23") but the funnier thing was some one had put windoze blind on it with the Mac OS X theme.

 

[Superdrive]

I work on the Geek Squad at Best Buy and they sent us a packet that included a Putty Knife and Sandpaper. They also had us do training's on how to add wifi and bluetooth so i am hoping they will offer those as optional upgrades soon.

Same here, at our bench, it is titled the Mac Cracker. Have you opened up your Display model yet? We saw the inside on day one, and it really makes you appreciate the design. Plus it ran nice and cool while I put it through the tests.

Regards From 337

 

[Eryan]

Yeah since i am the only mac guy at my best buy i cracked that thing open in a couple of minutes.

 

[Superdrive]

Also Best Buy can install Airport, RAM, and HD upgrades while you wait. I do believe the BT boards will be available eventually, but who knows. I enjoy being able to use a real computer while on the job.

To one of the posters above. I believe the Mac Mini will be the catylist for Mac sales in places like Best Buy. If things are successful here with one computer (two models), why would they not sell more types?

 

[Eryan]

I hope they will get the sales they deserve but it seems like all the Sales Associates dislike them and/or have a negative stigma against them no matter what i tell them.