iBook Turns 20: Watch Steve Jobs Unveil the World's First Notebook With Wireless Internet

[theluggage]

The Mini was supposed to be the "switch to mac" entry level desktop. Any easy way to go mac with your existing display and peripherals. Cost effective enough to get people into the ecosystem with the potential for their next upgrade to be a more fully featured mac.

The problem is it hasn't really fit in its place for a while.

The problem is, I'm not sure that place even exists any more - most "mainstream" users now want laptops, don't necessarily have displays to re-use (and if they do, they're mostly 1080p - yuk!)... and having that existing display is pretty vitally important because if you (a) want a decent display and (b) don't mind an all-in-one then the iMac is a night-and-day better deal, even by the time you've added $200 for an SSD (...and upgrading the Mini to a 256GB SSD costs the same).


The people looking for a headless desktop these days are more likely to be "power user" types - and the Mini's weak spot is that it needs an eGPU to smoothly drive anything more "power user" than a single 4k display, even for 2D work if you need to use scaled resolutions (which you probably do if you want 27" displays with sensible UI sizes). So, that's adding a few hundred bucks to the cost of the GPU for an enclosure (more if you want to use a Thunderbolt display so your only option is one of the Black Magic non-upgradeable eGPUs), a PCIe bottleneck between CPU and GPU, a list of caveats about eGPU support in various applications, and an extra box, cables and wall-wart. Sorry guys - eGPUs are an interesting possibility for laptops (and, maybe, a couple of years hence might give your iMac a few more years of service), but if you need one for a desktop on day one then something is wrong. Sure, the previous Mini hasn't had a discrete GPU since the G4 days - but people weren't plugging them into 4k+ displays, either.

The new Mini seems to have been tailor made for people running Mac Mini co-hosting services (a thing, but kinda niche) or the remaining few who desperately need a MacOS server machine.

The "switch to" Mac has long been the "classic" MacBook Air which has now gone - the recent price cut on the new model has helped, but its still psychologically on the wrong side of $1000.

 

[Trusteft]

Sure, self-centered authoritarian egotists firmly convinced that the world revolves around them are definitely the dreamers that change the world. After all what else is in need to be changed to make the world better if not making cool tech devices. It’s not like there are wars, hunger, slavery, exploitation, children that die every minute from curable diseases just so that entitled western people can keep their life style and be able to afford their shiny widget.

And what did you do to make the world a better one?

 

[dannyyankou]

Wasn't HALO also demoed from bungie? Then MS nixed it from the Mac for years.
Never released Marathon 4, and what about Oni? No executables you can run today. Only on my old iBook

That’s not the exact story. Halo was going to be a Mac exclusive with Bungie being an independent company, but then Microsoft bought Bungie.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Sure, self-centered authoritarian egotists firmly convinced that the world revolves around them are definitely the dreamers that change the world. After all what else is in need to be changed to make the world better if not making cool tech devices. It’s not like there are wars, hunger, slavery, exploitation, children that die every minute from curable diseases just so that entitled western people can keep their life style and be able to afford their shiny widget.

If you feel this way then why spend your time on a tech site that is clearly focused on cool tech devices? Obviously you also enjoy this stuff or you wouldn't be browsing and commenting. Elon Musk is an annoying person for sure, but his contributions to helping solve a real problem (automobile emissions) is something that benefits everyone even those who cannot afford the cars he makes. Steve Jobs helped push technology along and today we have super computers that are helping to solve problems that effect everyone from health to a cleaner environment. Also mobile technology has been a wonderful thing in many areas that suffered with poor communication in the past. Those areas might not be walking around talking on iPhone XS Maxes, but there are many affordable mobile options that are used in third world countries today. If companies like Apple never helped push that technology where would those areas be today?

You have to stop looking at direct impacts on everything and look at the indirect effect. There are many intelligent people that are working to help solve other problems. Just because Musk and the late Jobs did not directly solve the issues of your concern doesn't mean their contributions are not important. It takes lots of people working on a lot of different things.

 

[RogerWilco]

That basic product strategy was so damn smart. It got everything back on track.

That along with Job's ditching of the printers, cameras and Mac clones.

 

[robertcoogan]

Wow. Watching Steve on stage talking about the iBook... What a visionary. It brings back that special electricity in the air, you know?

Yeah, I miss it.

 

[macmyworld]

No SSD? Who would want one? Kidding!

The days when Apple was smaller and cooler. Jobs was the master at doing these presentations and Apple had a certain edge to it. With the size of Apple, Cook has a much different challenge. Always easier to be cool and nimble when you are smaller.

Great video.

 

[mannyvel]

Sure, self-centered authoritarian egotists firmly convinced that the world revolves around them are definitely the dreamers that change the world. After all what else is in need to be changed to make the world better if not making cool tech devices.

How dare people enjoy their lives when other people aren't. Everyone should be as miserable as the most miserable human until misery is eradicated.

 

[Halfsnap]

Yet the FaceID technology behind it most certainly is.

FaceID sucks.

 

[4487549]

Jobs: Jump.
Schiller: How high?

 

[dogslobber]

iBook was discontinued 13 years ago. It's place in history is irrelevant.

 

[ScreenSavers]

I would pay good money if they came out with an updated version of this!

I’d love to “combine” one with a 12 inch MacBook somehow...

 

[dspdoc]

Miss those days!

 

[yaxomoxay]

Well said. Every once in a while its good for some of us to take a step back from our first world discussions on here and realize that a lot of all this is just boys (and girls) with their toys.

No, it’s just not toys. These devices reshaped the economy since the 1950’s mainframes were created.
Now millions of people not only have better jobs, but they can start their own companies at home after their 9-5. They can follow their dreams much easier. They’re also great tools in education, both formal and informal. I can go online and in two clicks I can learn basic programming, watch a lecture on Plato, and find historical commentary.

[doublepost=1563721997][/doublepost]

SJW drama llama alert. This is a tech site, and the changing the world comment was made in the tech context. Go to reddit to spread that kind of nonsense.

Even in a non tech context they are changing the world. They’re a tool to generate revenue, both personal and national.
[doublepost=1563722077][/doublepost]

If you feel this way then why spend your time on a tech site that is clearly focused on cool tech devices? Obviously you also enjoy this stuff or you wouldn't be browsing and commenting. Elon Musk is an annoying person for sure, but his contributions to helping solve a real problem (automobile emissions) is something that benefits everyone even those who cannot afford the cars he makes. Steve Jobs helped push technology along and today we have super computers that are helping to solve problems that effect everyone from health to a cleaner environment. Also mobile technology has been a wonderful thing in many areas that suffered with poor communication in the past. Those areas might not be walking around talking on iPhone XS Maxes, but there are many affordable mobile options that are used in third world countries today. If companies like Apple never helped push that technology where would those areas be today?

You have to stop looking at direct impacts on everything and look at the indirect effect. There are many intelligent people that are working to help solve other problems. Just because Musk and the late Jobs did not directly solve the issues of your concern doesn't mean their contributions are not important. It takes lots of people working on a lot of different things.

Well said!

 

[Falhófnir]

The problem is, I'm not sure that place even exists any more - most "mainstream" users now want laptops, don't necessarily have displays to re-use (and if they do, they're mostly 1080p - yuk!)... and having that existing display is pretty vitally important because if you (a) want a decent display and (b) don't mind an all-in-one then the iMac is a night-and-day better deal, even by the time you've added $200 for an SSD (...and upgrading the Mini to a 256GB SSD costs the same).


The people looking for a headless desktop these days are more likely to be "power user" types - and the Mini's weak spot is that it needs an eGPU to smoothly drive anything more "power user" than a single 4k display, even for 2D work if you need to use scaled resolutions (which you probably do if you want 27" displays with sensible UI sizes). So, that's adding a few hundred bucks to the cost of the GPU for an enclosure (more if you want to use a Thunderbolt display so your only option is one of the Black Magic non-upgradeable eGPUs), a PCIe bottleneck between CPU and GPU, a list of caveats about eGPU support in various applications, and an extra box, cables and wall-wart. Sorry guys - eGPUs are an interesting possibility for laptops (and, maybe, a couple of years hence might give your iMac a few more years of service), but if you need one for a desktop on day one then something is wrong. Sure, the previous Mini hasn't had a discrete GPU since the G4 days - but people weren't plugging them into 4k+ displays, either.

The new Mini seems to have been tailor made for people running Mac Mini co-hosting services (a thing, but kinda niche) or the remaining few who desperately need a MacOS server machine.

The "switch to" Mac has long been the "classic" MacBook Air which has now gone - the recent price cut on the new model has helped, but its still psychologically on the wrong side of $1000.

I agree currently this is a bit of a disconnect between the concept of a mini and what it's practical use/ market is - but looking ahead, once Intel start shipping chips with their 11th gen graphics (slated to deliver up to GTX 1050 levels of performance) or they move over to ARM chips also with stronger iGPUs this should solve this problem. The important thing is that they've kept the machine alive in the meantime for those who want one, rather than sending it to the chopping block, even if it is a more of a goodwill gesture to an enthusiast niche.

 

[definitive]

Nice! See you guys next year for its 21st!

 

[Williesleg]

At this point an anamitronic Steve Jobs would be better than Tim Apple. Those keynotes now are unwatchable.

 

[kurosov]

The problem is, I'm not sure that place even exists any more - most "mainstream" users now want laptops, don't necessarily have displays to re-use (and if they do, they're mostly 1080p - yuk!)... and having that existing display is pretty vitally important because if you (a) want a decent display and (b) don't mind an all-in-one then the iMac is a night-and-day better deal, even by the time you've added $200 for an SSD (...and upgrading the Mini to a 256GB SSD costs the same).

It absolutely exists and 1080p is still the resolution a majority of people own.

Laptops are sometimes preferred but look at that market. The majority of laptops sold are in the sub £300-400 range. Tech has been increasingly segmenting between budget and high value with little to no middle ground to introduce the advantages higher cost systems can offer.

 

[jonblatho]

I rather keep my data private and never want to connect to unprotected networks. 4G is also way faster and more stable in many areas.

If you’re talking over HTTPS, which is now supported by default by a lot of the Web and certainly areas where any sensitive information is transferred, your data is private (from eavesdropping, at least) no matter whether the network is protected. And if you’re still bothered, though at that point it’s more paranoia than valid concern, use a VPN.

 

[truthertech]

Sure, self-centered authoritarian egotists firmly convinced that the world revolves around them are definitely the dreamers that change the world. After all what else is in need to be changed to make the world better if not making cool tech devices. It’s not like there are wars, hunger, slavery, exploitation, children that die every minute from curable diseases just so that entitled western people can keep their life style and be able to afford their shiny widget.

What a pessimistic, negative view on life! How sad for you to ignore the incredible benefits to humanity tech has brought. Just looking at Apple's contributions, how many lives have been immeasurably enriched by bringing tech that the masses could access and benefit from, both directly and indirectly?

It truly is countless, but please put aside your bitterness and start to examine the benefits. I'll start you off with a just a few:

• Access to information on a global scale. Those "cool tech" devices have been an enormous equalizer throughout the world, bringing access to information, jobs, communications, etc., that was previously limited to a tiny number of people to BILLIONS of people. People in India who couldn't afford a computer can buy a refurbished iPhone 6 from a dealer for less than $70, which is literally life changing for them in so many ways, but tell them it's just "cool tech" that doesn't improve their lives.
• Researchers having access to that "cool tech" use it in innumerable ways to improve lives. Look at the work done in any hospital, research center, etc., and tell those people their tablets are just "cool tech" and don't matter.
• Disability groups keep giving Apple awards for the ways their technology has changed the lives of handicapped people. Tell them it's just "cool tech" and doesn't improve their lives.

BTW, you apparently think "non-Western" people are all running around naked, living in huts, but news flash--those "cool tech" devices are used by more non-Western people than Western. There are an estimated 5 Billion smart phone users out of the 7 Billion people in the world! Oops!

 

[jonblatho]

Sure, self-centered authoritarian egotists firmly convinced that the world revolves around them are definitely the dreamers that change the world. After all what else is in need to be changed to make the world better if not making cool tech devices. It’s not like there are wars, hunger, slavery, exploitation, children that die every minute from curable diseases just so that entitled western people can keep their life style and be able to afford their shiny widget.

Sent from my iPhone.

 

[yaxomoxay]

What a pessimistic, negative view on life! How sad for you to ignore the incredible benefits to humanity tech has brought. Just looking at Apple's contributions, how many lives have been immeasurably enriched by bringing tech that the masses could access and benefit from, both directly and indirectly?

It truly is countless, but please put aside your bitterness and start to examine the benefits. I'll start you off with a just a few:

• Access to information on a global scale. Those "cool tech" devices have been an enormous equalizer throughout the world, bringing access to information, jobs, communications, etc., that was previously limited to a tiny number of people to BILLIONS of people. People in India who couldn't afford a computer can buy a refurbished iPhone 6 from a dealer for less than $70, which is literally life changing for them in so many ways, but tell them it's just "cool tech" that doesn't improve their lives.
• Researchers having access to that "cool tech" use it in innumerable ways to improve lives. Look at the work done in any hospital, research center, etc., and tell those people their tablets are just "cool tech" and don't matter.
• Disability groups keep giving Apple awards for the ways their technology has changed the lives of handicapped people. Tell them it's just "cool tech" and doesn't improve their lives.

BTW, you apparently think "non-Western" people are all running around naked, living in huts, but news flash--those "cool tech" devices are used by more non-Western people than Western. There are an estimated 5 Billion smart phone users out of the 7 Billion people in the world! Oops!

One of the best replies I have ever seen on MR.

 

[thekeyring]

Would love to see a product grid for today's line up, but I think we might run out of shapes and dimensions.

Does any product lineup today have more than the Mac or iPod lines during the Jobs era?

 

[inkswamp]

Actually, as far as Mac goes, one thing sticks out, the Mac mini just doesn’t belong and shouldn’t exist.

Actually, I'd argue that the Mac Mini was the new direction the personal desktop quadrant should have gone but Apple was too attached to the iMac for whatever reason. If you recall, the iMac was originally introduced at a time when the Internet was new to people and attaching all these computer components (display, keyboard, mouse, etc.) was still a mystery to many average consumers. It was easy-to-use, all-in-one at a time when people wanted to understand computers better and needed something easy to start with.

Flash ahead 6-7 years later and consumers have gotten significantly more computer savvy and understand the Internet very well. The Internet/Web is integrated into just about aspect of our lives. That was the point where Apple could have said, "Hey, people have the hang of this now. We should dump the training wheels computer approach and put out a standalone desktop computer that can interconnect with whatever peripherals and displays users prefer and allow for a degree of customization/upgradeability."

Well, they kind of acquiesced to that in their efforts to win over Windows users, but it's like they never quite worked up the nerve to make the full leap. So the Mini shows up and halfway serves the needs of Windows users but not completely. I remember so many of my PC-using friends asking me about the Mini at the time. People were dying to get off Microsoft's platform but Apple left so many in the cold. Few Windows users wanted the all-in-one and the Mini just wasn't enough. I wish Apple had gone full-force into the standalone Mac instead of the halfhearted effort of the Mini. (That sort of comment typically elicits arguments but consider how the "Hackintosh" community took off and imagine the business Apple could have done serving that segment a little better. I think, for a while, there was a huge market for Apple that went almost completely untapped.)

I'd love to see where we would be at this point had Apple discontinued the iMac around 2008 or so and put their full efforts into the Mini. I think the Mac platform would be a lot stronger than it is today.

 

[cmaier]

Yes, but your phone is out of battery in an hour if you do that. At least, that's the experience I have (had) with both my 5s and 7. Besides that a direct connection will be faster and more stable.



I rather keep my data private and never want to connect to unprotected networks. 4G is also way faster and more stable in many areas.

VPN’s are your friend.