Mac App Store...only way to get apps?

No it is not the only way to get apps ... certain apps maybe - because the developers only use the App Store, but there are other legit ways.

 

Macupdate.com
Amazon.com
developers themselves
etc.

Plenty of ways.

 

There are thousands of legit Mac apps available outside the Mac App Store. Remember, not everyone is on Snow Leopard or Lion, with access to the Mac App Store. I've never bought any apps from the Mac App Store. Come to think of it, I rarely have to buy an app, with so much good freeware available.

 

It wont operate any differently than the intel mac mini you own now.

The App store is now the main way to get apple apps now though, especially the lion update (although they do sell a usb stick for twice as much). The only thing I've downloaded from the app store is iPhoto.

No need to worry!

 

I sort of prefer to go direct to the developer, especially if it's paid app - then the developer gets all the money.

 

Do some research and compare apps in the Mac Appstore and then check their website to see if they sell it on the website. Apps in the appstore have limitations set on them and what they can interact with. So buying the versions from the developers site can sometimes give you more functionality.

 

Such As?

 

There's another current thread on this very topic that I'm too lazy to find now.

In a nutshell, the MAS offers an easy, safe, effective way to download, install, and maintain applications, and its value grows if you own more than one Mac (any Mac you manage can download the apps you've purchased at no extra charge).

There are other places to get the apps, but for any app on the App Store, there's no way I'd buy elsewhere. It's just too convenient.

As far as developers "getting more money" if you buy from them: as also was discussed elsewhere, this might be true on a single-purchase basis, but in the aggregate they will do better on the App Store due to greater exposure, ease of purchasing, lack of need for download servers and marketing budgets, and so on.

As far as App Store versions being "crippled": yes, a very few apps have a greater feature set when purchased not via the App Store. The vast majority, though, either are exactly the same app or are so similar that the differences are not discernible.

 

I would probably go ahead and use the Mac App store, but at the moment I haven't been hunting for new apps.

 

FYI, they'd probably prefer a 5-star review on the App Store. Especially if the difference is only 30 cents or a low amount like that. App Store purchases also help apps rank on the "Top Apps" lists, which can really make an app successful.