Mac Mini End Of Life?

[orangeapple]

Expansion used to be a deciding factor for me, but now I respect the complete system mentality.

With the exception of ram, I prefer a system that has everything that it ever will have.

 

[adrianjt]

the mini has its issues

but there is nothing inbetween (did the original ci come with a graphics card or was it an option?)

reincarnating as a media centre would work (most people i know prefer it for this over appletv)

thus mythical midrange minitower

i just bought 4 refurb minis to replace aging noisy slow quicksilvers

the mini is a great general mums/dads & office assistants computer

one things for sure apples marketing have demographics completely sussed

although for 2 prepress staff i just compromised & bought 2ximac 20"s running external apple 20" acd

would have preferred 8gb ram, good 24" (or graphics card) & single quad core - the touted spec of the mythical midrange minitower

these days even apple is a bit of a monolith in responding to market demand, the mmm will come....by april or june

anyway jobs has done much to get the company back on track and bring price performance competitiveness and a decent os

 

[WhiteShadow]

The only way for apple to go is to combine the mac mini and the apple tv in the most elegant tv/computer we have seen. something less clumsy then simply plugging in a computer to your screen then having to rearrange all the furniture to be closer because the resolution is ridiculous. mac mini + apple tv = simple elegant media center.

 

[OdduWon]

Tv APPLE, TV

The only way for apple to go is to combine the mac mini and the apple tv in the most elegant tv/computer we have seen. something less clumsy then simply plugging in a computer to your screen then having to rearrange all the furniture to be closer because the resolution is ridiculous. mac mini + apple tv = simple elegant media center.

It seem this combo will be enebitable. all that a mac Mini lacks, or could gain from the TV, is HDMI, and the wireless source referencing capabilities. Though there is probably software/hardware to do it now.

What is to be seen is how the age of recorded Tv will effect distributors . Will the cable/dish companies be in control of the DVR? Charter, after the Moxie box recall, installed new HD DRV boxes, Scientific Atlanta i think. The interface with Charter is terrible (on all levels). The guide menu is inefficient and cluttered. The new ON demand channels are nice, the menus are slow. Tv is not perfect by any means. They havent even started to address rapid/multitasked content browsing on large levels, as would be required by the advancing of content recording. Plus you cant navigate out of music and still listen to music. they need to work on a play/search menu, like cable, but shinier

 

[gkarris]

The only way for apple to go is to combine the mac mini and the apple tv in the most elegant tv/computer we have seen. something less clumsy then simply plugging in a computer to your screen then having to rearrange all the furniture to be closer because the resolution is ridiculous. mac mini + apple tv = simple elegant media center.

Ummmm, that would be the iMac....

We need something WITHOUT a screen if we want to hook it up to our own.

tv's are awesome. I have one upstairs. I no longer have to drag stacks of DVD's upstairs to watch them. Just place them on my iTunes server and that's it....

 

[rdf8585]

the mini has its issues

but there is nothing inbetween (did the original ci come with a graphics card or was it an option?)

reincarnating as a media centre would work (most people i know prefer it for this over appletv)

thus mythical midrange minitower

i just bought 4 refurb minis to replace aging noisy slow quicksilvers

the mini is a great general mums/dads & office assistants computer

one things for sure apples marketing have demographics completely sussed

although for 2 prepress staff i just compromised & bought 2ximac 20"s running external apple 20" acd

would have preferred 8gb ram, good 24" (or graphics card) & single quad core - the touted spec of the mythical midrange minitower

these days even apple is a bit of a monolith in responding to market demand, the mmm will come....by april or june

anyway jobs has done much to get the company back on track and bring price performance competitiveness and a decent os

http://lowendmac.com/mini/minis.html excellent profiles for all the mini's... that site has profiles on seemingly every mac

 

[Sesshi]

The only way for apple to go is to combine the mac mini and the apple tv in the most elegant tv/computer we have seen. something less clumsy then simply plugging in a computer to your screen then having to rearrange all the furniture to be closer because the resolution is ridiculous. mac mini + apple tv = simple elegant media center.

Too noisy. The G4's were a contender to an extent but the C2D's - no chance.

 

[milo]

Yeah, I agree: it's fine if experienced and knowledgable users want to talk about how entry-level mac users and switchers are getting ripped off by the Mini 'cuz it doesn't compete price-wise with low-end Windows PCs, but for many people it's just perfect: a little box that takes up no space, looks nice and runs a great OS that doesn't have the same sorts of problems cheap beige boxes tend to have.

It sounds like you're saying it's OK if people get a bad deal as long as they don't know they're getting a bad deal. But even if you're OK with that, as an AAPL stock owner, I'm not particularly happy about apple limiting their sales by offering a box that isn't competitive. I'd like to see apple see something that has better bang for the buck because it would sell more and make them (and me) more money.

This is true, especially from the standpoint of performance vs price. However, it would then no longer be mini, which is what allows my Mini to sit on the few square inches of real estate that are available on this little desk, just under the right corner of my monitor, with just enough space for a Creature speaker.

I don't really get why a mini has to be that small for most users. If it were a bit bigger, couldn't the monitor just sit on it? I have a hard time buying that people don't have room for anything bigger, since in a space THAT small there wouldn't even be room for a monitor.

I don't think this is necessarily the case. Many basic, ordinary computer users (a huge and growing category) buy Macs simply because they look cool and run an OS that doesn't (usually) treat them poorly, and a certain percentage of these people can't afford an iMac or already have a screen. For them, the mini is a great thing, even if it costs more than a similarly-equipped Windows machine with desktop parts. And there are many, many people who will never fill up an 80GB hard drive and wouldn't know what to do with a DVD burner who nonetheless spend money on new computers...for example, the other day my mother called me, all concerned that she was going to fill up her Mini hard drive because she had ripped "at least 25 CDs" that day and "might even get some more as time goes by." That hard drive is going to last her a very, very long time...but her money is just as good as ours, and there are many more like her.

That's all good and well. But assuming there is still a market for people who don't want DVD burners and want tiny hard drives, wouldn't it still be better to offer those low specs CHEAPER? If apple switched to desktop parts, they could offer better machines at the same price AND offer machines with the similar low specs even cheaper. Wouldn't your basic, ordinary users at least be able to appreciate a lower price?

And while I'd love to see an updated model with some expansion and a desktop CPU, just switching the optical and hard drives to desktop models would be a big improvement and still allow the box to be way smaller than a shuttle pc.

 

[tuc]

(did the original ci come with a graphics card or was it an option?)

The IIci has integrated video on the motherboard that borrows system RAM (just like Intel GMA). It also has 3 Nubus slots, any or all of which will accept a Nubus video card.

would have preferred 8gb ram

Is there any chance that Santa Rosa macs will support 4GB RAM modules when they exist?

 

[OdduWon]

the ipodness of the mini is a great attribute. semi mobile lifestyle archive.

 

[macsound1]

So I think the dificulty here lies in the fact that if the MacMini was combined with AppleTV then Apple would discontinue 2 products to release one new one and how would they market it?... "everything the MacMini and AppleTV couldn't do combined into one box for your ease of use!"

My thought right now is Apple should reincarnate the Macintosh but what would it do? How much would it cost? How are they going to make a mid power tower that makes sense to purchase versus the iMac? Right now that is their most cost effective product, I mean thats a lot of freaking power and display you get for about $2k. How could they make a competing product that is expandable for $1k and make it worth it compared to the iMac.

I think the iMac will be the eventual replacement for the AppleTV, a 32", a 42" and a 55" iMac with the same specs as the current 24". You would just flick out the apple remote to watch ur movies, listen to music, or TV shows that you downloaded or ripped or whatever and then when you wanted to get work done you would get out of front row or a translucent layover of an iChat conversation would come up at the bottom of the screen.

Just my thoughts
-stephen

 

[CyberBob859]

Don't discontinue AppleTV

So I think the dificulty here lies in the fact that if the MacMini was combined with AppleTV then Apple would discontinue 2 products to release one new one and how would they market it?... "everything the MacMini and AppleTV couldn't do combined into one box for your ease of use!"

I don't think Apple should kill off the Apple TV and the Mac Mini to replace it with one product. Rather, they should just beef up the capabilities of the Mac Mini a little, and position it to complement the Apple TV.

Apple TV - Good for somebody who already has a Mac or Windows computer running iTunes and wants to listen to music, watch movies, etc. on their TV or entertainment system. "An iPod for your TV" Price $299 for 80 GB and $399 for 160 GB models.

Mac Mini - Similar functions to an Apple TV when hooked up to an HDTV and entertainment system ("Front Row" is the interface), but also provides full computer functionality (just add your own monitor, mouse, and keyboard.) Includes DVD and extra I/O over Apple TV, and runs full OS/X "Leopard". $599 - with "Santa Rosa" hardware, 160 GB hard drive, 1 GB RAM.

Mac "Media" - Similar to Mac Mini, but optimized for better gaming. Faster processor, dedicated graphics chip, larger hard drive and more RAM - $799.

Mac "Media" Pro - Similar to Mac "Media", but adds HD-DVD/Blu-Ray combo optical drive. - $999


If Apple would introduce a lineup like this next year, I think they'll have a lot of options to combat anything that Sony, Microsoft, Tivo/Amazon, or the cable companies can come up with.

 

[Jim Campbell]

The only way for apple to go is to combine the mac mini and the apple tv in the most elegant tv/computer we have seen. something less clumsy then simply plugging in a computer to your screen then having to rearrange all the furniture to be closer because the resolution is ridiculous. mac mini + apple tv = simple elegant media center.

I'm not sure what the problem with the existing Mini is here ... I plugged my Mini into our LCD TV via the DVI port and the Mini automatically adjusted itself to both the TV's native resolution and aspect ratio at start-up ...

Cheers!

Jim

 

[gkarris]

I'm not sure what the problem with the existing Mini is here ... I plugged my Mini into our LCD TV via the DVI port and the Mini automatically adjusted itself to both the TV's native resolution and aspect ratio at start-up ...

Cheers!

Jim

I think he means that it's hard for some people. Like me, I don't have DVI or HDMI on my projector. But, hence, I got the TV...

 

[OdduWon]

Lets hope that the slow crawl of MM updates are because apple is developing a system to recodrs tv programs with itunes like features. Most likley will have web links, album art, episode lists. Does anyelse think that apple will try to charge people to record TV? If i can record TV then there must be a reason for me to buy content. If they offer a limited rec capacity that would kinda suck, ROKr . Perhaps you need .Mac to "host" your collection. I hope they don't play the resolution game to get people to purchase. Low resolution on a huge screen looks dirty. Is it not weird that we are now becomming more comefortable with both, HI and LO resolution images. We watch HD and also clips from Youtube. Lo resolution videos always remind me of windows movie maker.

That said, Rent, Buy, Record. How do you think it will play out?

 

[gkarris]

That said, Rent, Buy, Record. How do you think it will play out?

I don't think they'd try to compete with Tivo. I think renting and 720p content like on XBox Live is a possibility.

I can also see you being able to purchase anywhere online like Amazon Unbox and download it directly to your TV. You can bypass a computer altogether and just purchase on your TV and then sync with your iPod/iPhone - wirelessly for the Touches/iPhones (now that would be cool).

 

[0098386]

I really really don't want to see the Mac Mini die. I'd like one.

 

[zioxide]

Lets hope that the slow crawl of MM updates

they were just updated 3 months ago...

anyways this prediction is a crock of ****. AppleInsider just makes up ******** now.

they've been saying the mini is dead for like a year just because apple isn't keeping it with the latest and greatest hardware. it's a budget computer, what do you expect? it's going to have lower end/older hard ware.

 

[flyinmac]

anyways this prediction is a crock of ****. AppleInsider just makes up ******** now.

If that's true, then what does that say of MacRumors?

Usually, AppleInsider posts a story, and then MacRumors posts a story about the story AppleInsider posted.

It seems like most of the MacRumors posts are posts based on posts made by other rumor sites.

 

[milo]

they were just updated 3 months ago...

And the update was so miniscule that nobody noticed. The mini needs a REAL update, not a tiny one that still leaves it way behind other options in the same price range.

it's a budget computer, what do you expect? it's going to have lower end/older hard ware.

What I expect is that it would not have lower end hardware than units that sell for hundreds less. Or that it would have lower end hardware but cost LESS than similar units with newer/better hardware.

It fails both those criteria dismally. It's too expensive for hardware THAT low, and the hardware is too weak for a price that high.

 

[dwl017]

And the update was so miniscule that nobody noticed. The mini needs a REAL update, not a tiny one that still leaves it way behind other options in the same price range.



What I expect is that it would not have lower end hardware than units that sell for hundreds less. Or that it would have lower end hardware but cost LESS than similar units with newer/better hardware.

It fails both those criteria dismally. It's too expensive for hardware THAT low, and the hardware is too weak for a price that high.

I have two Mini's one G4 and one Intel, both are great! machines worth every penny of my money. This thread has turned into complete BS, some of you Mac geeks are complete lunatics when it comes to having the fastest Mac with the best graphics card and fastest processor etc etc.

 

[milo]

I have two Mini's one G4 and one Intel, both are great! machines worth every penny of my money. This thread has turned into complete BS, some of you Mac geeks are complete lunatics when it comes to having the fastest Mac with the best graphics card and fastest processor etc etc.

Nice, a little ad hominem, a little straw man.

Nobody has EVER said anything about "fastest Mac with the best graphics card and fastest processor".

And while I'm glad you like your minis, that doesn't make the legitimate points that the mini doesn't compare well to similarly priced PC's (and that's a verifiable fact, not an opinion) "BS". "I like mine!" doesn't really address that issue.

And you still haven't explained why you're so fanatically opposed to a move that would either 1) improve the specs at the same price 2) drop the price at the same specs or 3) both. If they were to do that, you'd really consider that a "lunatic" idea? Seriously?

 

[OdduWon]

I have two Mini's one G4 and one Intel, both are great! machines worth every penny of my money. This thread has turned into complete BS, some of you Mac geeks are complete lunatics when it comes to having the fastest Mac with the best graphics card and fastest processor etc etc.

What, we can't have different levels of Mini? There is a MPB option for a 2.2 and a 128gpu, for $2000. why not have a HEADLESS unit with the specs in the form of the Mini? Is that asking too much, to have an apple desktop that is not a im, or MP, that is of current standards? Do "desktops" even come without graphics cards now if the Mini got a new GPU, it would sell like waffles.

 

[Sesshi]

I think I've said this before, but I think it could be just a little bigger (or taller) so that most importantly it could be more silent (a big factor of the noise is the small fan) and also so that it can accomodate the X3100 with no additional noise signature. Bigger 2.5" HDD options would be nice (up to 250), but I think they should stick with 2.5.

I really don't think the primary user of a machine like the iMac needs anything more - but to be a home media hub, it cannot be a whiney Mini like it is now. I'm not convinced that a discrete GPU is necessary for a machine of this class / projected Apple price point.

 

[Silverhawk]

I think I've said this before, but I think it could be just a little bigger (or taller) so that most importantly it could be more silent (a big factor of the noise is the small fan) and also so that it can accomodate the X3100 with no additional noise signature. Bigger 2.5" HDD options would be nice (up to 250), but I think they should stick with 2.5.

I really don't think the primary user of a machine like the iMac needs anything more - but to be a home media hub, it cannot be a whiney Mini like it is now. I'm not convinced that a discrete GPU is necessary for a machine of this class / projected Apple price point.

I still say having discrete GPU makes a huge difference, especially more graphics works in Leopard and for casual gamers especially. Heck the original Mac Mini had it, Integrated Graphics cards should never be included anymore, the more independent memory for each components, it would def help from stealing memory from your RAM sticks