Engadget rips 2011 mini

[Sodner]

Everyone was shocked when Apple put out the 1st iMac without a 3.5" diskette drive. Doesn't seem like a big deal now, but it was back then. I like the idea that Apple is starting to move away from physical media. DVDs are starting to feel like old media. Think of all the additional battery space that would be freed up from ripping the SuperDrive out of the MacBook Pros.

Agree!

I was just in my local Best Buy yesterday after a recent remodel and I was shocked at the size of both the movie and music section. Before music CD's took up 3 or 4 very long rows and now its 2 small sections. Same for movies.

Physical media is dying people.

 

[paolo-]

I think it's kind of a stupid move that they removed the optical drive from the mini. Seriously, how much does it cost Apple? Worse part is they kept the same case just with a big hole on top. Not bad if you want to build a server setup, but from the Engadget review you can't change the HDD (at least without voiding the warranty). Basically, they removed it to keep the price lower. Mind you, lots of people use it with their TV. At least have it available as an option (it's only one cut to the case).

Mind you I don't own a TV and don't often rent DVDs so I would be okay with it, much faster than last gen, that's the only thing that counts.

Mind you, I can't wait to see the design of the macbook pros without a disk drive .

 

[-LikesMac-]

Apple could try a different approach with the Mini

If they made the Mini a cube (7.7x7.7x7.7), they could fit a lot more stuff in there...like a quad-core CPU and AMD GPU

Anyways, I just think this is another case where the thin form factor of the Mac Mini took it a bit too far this time...

 

[profets]

If they made the Mini a cube (7.7x7.7x7.7), they could fit a lot more stuff in there...like a quad-core CPU and AMD GPU

Anyways, I just think this is another case where the thin form factor of the Mac Mini took it a bit too far this time...

That's a good point actually, not having an optical drive anymore they could have tried something cool with the size/shape of the mini. I know its small, but the footprint of it feels too big.

 

[cragmr]

If they made the Mini a cube (7.7x7.7x7.7), they could fit a lot more stuff in there...like a quad-core CPU and AMD GPU

Anyways, I just think this is another case where the thin form factor of the Mac Mini took it a bit too far this time...

This is exactly why I'm disappointed with the new Mini. Not needing the optical drive in there means they could have done basically whatever they wanted with the chassis, but instead they left it exactly how it was. A quad-core i7 + beefier GPU would have been an instant purchase for me. Instead I wait to see how badly priced the Pros will be.

 

[ftaok]

I wonder if it would be possible to get the aluminum shell from previous generation mini and install an ODD in the current mini to get the benefits of a Sandy Bridge and an optical drive.

 

[Sdevante]

I wonder if it would be possible to get the aluminum shell from previous generation mini and install an ODD in the current mini to get the benefits of a Sandy Bridge and an optical drive.

I thought about getting both and doing a component swap, but then I thought, how much am I going to be able to sell a Mac Mini with Intel Core 2 Duo processor and no ODD for? I'd probably lose my hat.

 

[Tilpots]

I wonder if it would be possible to get the aluminum shell from previous generation mini and install an ODD in the current mini to get the benefits of a Sandy Bridge and an optical drive.

I understand the desire for the drive to be built in, but is your situation exceptional enough to warrant such a drastic swap rather than just buying the external one? It may be, I'm just curious.

 

[smiddlehurst]

And now the same reviewer has posted an editorial where, amongst other rather silly claims, he says:

Apple's been slyly but deliberately severing ties with a piece of hardware that most rational humans still view as essential on a full-scale computer.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/editorial-apples-officially-over-the-optical-drive-for-better/

Now just out of curiosity how many people here could make a serious argument that a built in optical drive is essential. Not wanted but required? I can think of a fair few use cases where that would be the true but the number of cases where it's not a requirement are going up all the time. Even the HTPC argument doesn't quite wash with me as, speaking just for myself here, I'd much rather have an external drive and hide the PC away. Aside from anything else if you're using the optical drive a lot I'd much rather have an easily replaced external component in case it breaks.

Hate to say it but that whole editorial really reads like someone trying to justify their position and therefore a review that they're getting a fair bit of flack for. Also... is it just me or is it kinda depressing to see a tech website (and a very large one at that) seemingly ignore the direction software and media distribution is going and refuse to even consider alternatives to their own preferences?

 

[dh2005]

I think the new Mini is a step in the right direction. And I'm on record as having had serious problems with the Mini, in the past.

I think one can now describe the connectivity on the Mini as genuinely 'good'. It lacks USB 3.0, but otherwise, it's all there.

The SuperDrive was rubbish. It was noisy, slow, slow, noisy, noisy, noisy and slow: rubbish for watching DVDs, rubbish for listening to CDs, and rubbish for ripping both DVDs and CDs. I don't understand how anybody can mourn the passing of such a rotten piece of <!!!!>.

The improved GPU in the mid-spec Mini is a nice move. I would've liked something faster - like the 6750 in the bottom-end iMac - but I credit the idea. People have been asking for a 'gaming Mini' for the two years that I've been here, and this is the closest we've seen yet.

The hard drive sucks, but at least the capacity's up to 500GB, now. And SSDs are getting cheaper all the time.


Six/twelve months from now, Apple might be able to tempt me back into the fold. Quicken-up the GPU, and make the SSD available as standard, or for an affordable upgrade price. Yep, that might do it...

 

[JRoDDz]

Why did Apple cheap out on the optical disk drive? There certainly is enough space inside, and the pricing of the mini isn't any cheaper. Seems like they should have just left it be. What can a disk drive cost them to put in? 10 bucks?

I think there may be ulterior motives at work here. Apple perhaps doesn't want you renting or watching DVD's and instead thinks it may be more lucrative for you to use iTunes for your movie fix. I think different.

 

[dh2005]

I think there may be ulterior motives at work here. Apple perhaps doesn't want you renting or watching DVD's and instead thinks it may be more lucrative for you to use iTunes for your movie fix. I think different.

Nothing ulterior about it, mate. I think it's entirely overt.

Still, I maintain: the SuperDrive is crap. No great loss, in my opinion.

 

[G4er?]

Now just out of curiosity how many people here could make a serious argument that an optical drive is essential. Not wanted but required?

I edited your comment for a reason. First I want to ask, why do you want an external drive when there is no good reason to have it? To me an internal drive makes more sense and does not detract from all of Apple's hard work fine tuning the looks of its products.

As for using optical drives we have clients that request or require from us test results, operation manuals, design criteria, etc to be provided on CD or DVD. If I need to use the things I'd rather have my office area neater and better organized by having the drive internal.
It is also one less item that needs dusting.

 

[wikus]

On desktop machines, ODD should still be there. On laptops, netbooks, ultraportables, it is acceptable.

 

[dh2005]

On desktop machines, ODD should still be there. On laptops, netbooks, ultraportables, it is acceptable.

But is the Mini really a desktop...?

 

[Tulpa]

I edited your comment for a reason. First I want to ask, why do you want an external drive when there is no good reason to have it?

One can think the optical drive is nonessential and still think there are good reasons for having it. Just like the fact that there are good reasons for having a webcam doesn't mean webcams are essential.

I think there may be ulterior motives at work here. Apple perhaps doesn't want you renting or watching DVD's and instead thinks it may be more lucrative for you to use iTunes for your movie fix.

Their clever conspiracy has a fatal flaw -- they forgot to disable the USB ports, and some enterprising users may figure out a cunning way to thwart Apple's plan for world dominance. Perhaps by going to amazon.com and typing in "mac dvd drive".

Curses!

 

[Obscurelight]

Another case of apple forcing the market to move. Even if they have to drag us kicking and screaming, they have to continue to improve technology.

 

[Tulpa]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/27/editorial-apples-officially-over-the-optical-drive-for-better/

Seriously? This guy is insane or stupid or both. From the editorial:

Last year, that bantam box arrived with a $699 price tag, pep in its step and a personality that could charm even the most hardened desktop owner. This year, a $599 model showed up on my doorstep promising the same, but instead it delivered a noticeable drop in actual functionality.

In what parallel universe is the 2011 mini, even the base model, less functional than the 2010 mini overall?

 

[dh2005]

In what parallel universe is the 2011 mini, even the base model, less functional than the 2010 mini overall?

The GPU's worse. If you do 'stuff' with graphics, the 2010's potentially better.

Plus, if you're one of the people who wants a DVD drive, there's that too.

 

[G4er?]

But is the Mini really a desktop...?

It doesn't have a battery and comes with a cord that plugs into the AC outlet in your house so yes, it is a desktop. It sure isn't portable in that configuration.

That's why Apple not making the case just a little bit bigger is so dumb. You could add half an inch or even several inches and it would still be a small desktop computer. Build it with the internal space and then offer the optical drive as an option.
Instead people are going to be stacking many third party optical drives on top of the carefully designed case of the Apple mini and hiding the computer. What good is putting the Apple logo on the top of the mini if you then force people to cover up the logo? That's real good for advertising isn't it?

I bet Apple spent a lot of time and effort thinking out the exact size that Apple logo should be on the top of the mini. Probably had a committee looking at slightly different sized logos before settling on one. Sounds like they could have saved some money and just let the janitor make the choice.

 

[Tulpa]

Is "G4er?" a joke handle? Cause every one of your posts on this topic seems to be a parody of the stereotypical superficial Mac user. "OMG they're covering up the logo?!"

The GPU's worse. If you do 'stuff' with graphics, the 2010's potentially better.

Plus, if you're one of the people who wants a DVD drive, there's that too.

From what I saw the benchmarks for gaming graphics were roughly the same for the 2011 base and 2010 mini (which is disappointing since it's supposed to be an upgrade, but doesn't make the 2011 worse than the 2010). And in any case, the gaming community is a niche market in the Macverse.

This Engadget fellow is implying that overall the 2011's functionality is lower, which is bonkers. The stock 2GB RAM may be an issue but none of the reviewers are even touching that.

 

[dh2005]

It doesn't have a battery and comes with a cord that plugs into the AC outlet in your house so yes, it is a desktop. It sure isn't portable in that configuration.

I'm talking about the existence of a new category, mate. I realise it's not a 'laptop', but what I'm suggesting is that it's not really a 'desktop' either...

... remember when the 'netbook' category first emerged? People said, "this laptop sucks! It's only got a 1GHz CPU and 1GB or RAM. Pfffff...", but before long it was recognised as a legitimate and valuable new form-factor. I think that's the kinda play that Apple are making with the Mini. I think they have been for a while, and I think that dropping the (crap) optical drive is an evolution that they've been planning for a while.


Plus, as a non-laptop, I'd say that it's extremely portable, in terms of being easy to transport from one place to another: all you need is an HDMI display wherever you're going, and they're practically-ubiquitous these days.

 

[dh2005]

And in any case, the gaming community is a niche market in the Macverse.

Getting less niche all the time, mate. And Apple are encouraging the growth of this market. This is chief among the reasons why - aside from the basic laptops - you can buy a half-decent graphics system in any Mac, today. Wasn't true a year ago...

 

[dh2005]

But is the Mini really a desktop...?

Contrary to my own, point: Apple seem to be calling it a 'desktop'...!

http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/features.html

 

[phiberbax]

Guys we need to get real here.

There is a reason Blockbusters throughout the country are going belly-up.

Disk media is dying and dying fast, there simply is no need to an optical drive

be it blu-ray or not. I bought a gorgeous Oppo-BDP-93 late last year. In the last

9 months since owning it, I've used it for one movie. Anybody want it? =)

Seriously, I have a drobo Pro FS w/ 16TB of space for all my viewing needs.

Go out and buy a $69 external Blu-Ray player(not ripper) on eBay and quit

complaining about a 1990s technology, optical drive.