Mac Mini End Of Life?

[MacAddict1978]

With no offense to mini fans, I think its past time to put the Mini to bed.

I never saw much value in the mini over a entry level I-Mac. So it's great you can use your existing monitor and such, but for a few hundred more you can greatly upgrade specs and have a flat panel display.

They should have kept the pricing of the mini less than $500 to make it more appealing to the Windows consumer. The switcher market this was aimed at would opt for a $500 complete bundle at Costco or Best Buy.

WE ARE MAC FANS and can justify it's a mac and justify the price all we want. The market for this device needs more to get them in the door.

If they came out with a media-centric version of this, at its current price, with some added functions over i-tv I would jump on this. (DVR a must.)

 

[gkarris]

With no offense to mini fans, I think its past time to put the Mini to bed.

I never saw much value in the mini over a entry level I-Mac. So it's great you can use your existing monitor and such, but for a few hundred more you can greatly upgrade specs and have a flat panel display.

They should have kept the pricing of the mini less than $500 to make it more appealing to the Windows consumer. The switcher market this was aimed at would opt for a $500 complete bundle at Costco or Best Buy.

WE ARE MAC FANS and can justify it's a mac and justify the price all we want. The market for this device needs more to get them in the door.

If they came out with a media-centric version of this, at its current price, with some added functions over i-tv I would jump on this. (DVR a must.)

Sorry, I can afford $600 on a Mac and use my really nice monitor, not $1,100 with a monitor I don't need...

 

[saltyzoo]

Sorry, I can afford $600 on a Mac and use my really nice monitor, not $1,100 with a monitor I don't need...

Even if I could afford to flush the $500 on the throwaway screen, it's a bit of a pain to rip the motherboard and circuitry out of the imac to fit it in my entertainment center.

 

[snberk103]

Respectfully disagree

With no offense to mini fans, I think its past time to put the Mini to bed.

I never saw much value in the mini over a entry level I-Mac. So it's great you can use your existing monitor and such, but for a few hundred more you can greatly upgrade specs and have a flat panel display.

I think the mini is a brilliant idea by Apple, and it will never be a major seller. But it fills 2 niches perfectly, both of which make Apple money.

1) People with very modest computing needs - perhaps people who are only recently entering the digital age (some people's grandparents, for example) who just want to do email, surf the web, do online banking, check out the travel hotspots as they spend their grandkids' inheritances, etc. The mini is a very non-threatening technology. Probably someone they know has given them a used monitor, they've bought their own keyboard and mouse, and they are set. They like the idea of a Mac because they have heard that their bank accounts, etc are safer due to the lack of virii and other bad things. Apple doesn't spend a lot supporting them because the friend or family that set them up is acting as tech support. Apple may not be making $millions off them, but they are now Mac customers, who might pop into an Apple store and buy their grandkids iPods, or iMacs for school. Big profit makers for Apple.

2) People like me. I need a Mac for professional reasons, and I like to buy computers that will last me 3 to 5 years. An iMac isn't going to be the one I get - but since I am newish to Apple, and patient, I got the mini as a stop gap (I actually started with a 12" iBook for fun - but realized I needed a desktop system). I get to start collecting the software I need and that will transfer over to the Mac Pro - and I get some time to figure out exactly what kind of Mac Pro I need and when to buy it. If the mini wasn't available, I likely would have had to get the iMac and it would have delayed the my Mac Pro for at least 3 years - it too expensive to be retired sooner. The mini is transitional for me. And I can justify retiring it from professional use after only a 1.5 years because it was so affordable (for a Mac). It will continue to be used as a music hub and will become a 350 CD jukebox, so it will still be useful and productive. The iMac would have been too big for this.

I was able to switch to Apple because a lull developed in my business, and I could make the switch without too much workflow disruption. The mini I could buy on a whim (because of the price). I already knew I wanted to move to a Mac, but I didn't know which one. The mini was good enough - and I'll be adding to Apple's profit line next year.

The mini is a brilliant niche machine. It doesn't appeal to everyone, but I believe it appeals to people that are important to Apple.

Plus, my wife converted to Apple when I promised to be Tech Support for her. She got a MBP (another profit maker for Apple) and loves it, and works it hard, and will be needing another one soon. More profit for Apple because of the mini.

I hope they continue making them, though I probably won't ever be getting another one.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[gkarris]

I think the mini is a brilliant idea by Apple, and it will never be a major seller. But it fills 2 niches perfectly, both of which make Apple money.

1) People with very modest computing needs...

Actually, I got a stock $600 1.66 CD mini to replace my not-ever working $2000 PC I tried to put together for video-editing. Yea, it was going to run "some games" as well, but the whole video capture/editing/DVD burning thing I never got working right. The files didn't edit properly, the DVDs would only play in certain DVD players, or only computers with the editing software I used. Constant crashing, patches, updates. What a nightmare.

I took the little cash left and bought the stock Mini (I used an external FW DVD burner I had gotten since the internal ones I used were kind of a pain) and can easly do light video editing and DVD burning on it using iLife/iDVD. I also use it to rip DVD's for my iPod/iPhone (my iBook was taking way too long).

So essentially, a $600 Mini did what I couldn't do on a $2000 PC. Take that...

The PC I tried using I got rid of and got a great deal ($100) on a nice HP workstation which I use for Flight Sims/PC gaming...

 

[Sesshi]

It is placed 4 feet from where I am sitting and I honestly can't hear anything from it in normal use, it always surprises me when the fans do speed up when it's working hard.

I know all about loud, I once had a MDD PowerMac G4

I might have to retract my previous sayings, although I would say I'm still correct in saying that Windows-based HTPC solutions are vastly superior in terms of performance of access to media and also in the capability to play / record media in a single easy to use interface.

I've had two Minis running admittedly not very stressful software for a while at home on a desk where the ambient is about 17C... and I have to say they have been for the most part as you say, silent.

Perhaps I had a faulty Intel Mini when it was part of my HTPC system. Which would be ironic as I thought the Minis were one of the few fault-less Macs I've owned.

 

[deadkenny]

I just bought a Mini today as a x-Mas present for my Dad so I hope it's not EOL'd just yet.
Besides I think it's the most adorable computer on the planet - I don't like the iMac

 

[Roy]

I just bought a Mini today as a x-Mas present for my Dad so I hope it's not EOL'd just yet.
Besides I think it's the most adorable computer on the planet - I don't like the iMac

Your dad already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go with it or will he be looking to add those components?

 

[shikimo]

Your dad already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go with it or will he be looking to add those components?

Wait: the mini doesn't come with all those things?? I wondered why the box was so small...

 

[deadkenny]

Your dad already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go with it or will he be looking to add those components?

He will get a new Mouse and a new keyboard just for the looks. He already has a decent monitor yes

 

[Evangelion]

I never saw much value in the mini over a entry level I-Mac. So it's great you can use your existing monitor and such, but for a few hundred more you can greatly upgrade specs and have a flat panel display.

By same logic: Why buy an iPod Shuffle, when by paying a bit more you can get a 4GB nano? And paying a bit more, you can get the 8GB nano? And if you pay a bit more, you can get the 8GB touch. And just few bucks more can get you the 16GB touch...

Many people are looking for a computer that cost few hundred bucks. And they can see themselves stretching their budget to around 600 bucks, which would get them the mini. But asking them to pay over 1000 bucks would be too much to ask.

Same thing happened with iPod mini and full-size iPod. Many people asked "why pay 250 bucks for the mini, when you can get the full-size iPod with slightly more money?". And look what happened. It's A LOT easier to pay 600 bucks than it is to pay over 1000 bucks.

Just because you do not see value in the mini, does not mean that it's not there. And if you do not see the value in the mini, then I guess you also see no value in he shuffle or nano either?

 

[Yvan256]

With no offense to mini fans, I think its past time to put the Mini to bed.

I never saw much value in the mini over a entry level I-Mac. So it's great you can use your existing monitor and such, but for a few hundred more you can greatly upgrade specs and have a flat panel display.

Maybe you don't see the value, but you should check the prices again: the iMac (1200$) costs twice as much as the Mac mini (600$). You can't count the cost of our monitor/keyboard/mouse because we already have it.

So, I wouldn't call 600$ "a few hundreds more" when the Mac mini itself costs 600$. By that logic, nobody should be buying an iMac because "the Mac Pro only costs 1200$ more", i.e. twice as much as the iMac.

 

[Clive At Five]

Possibly the Mac Mini's future is as a media server? Just stretch it into a cube and you can get a couple of nice big 1T drives in there

Funny you should say that...

1, 2, 3 (CAUTION: 7 seconds of awesomely bad music ensue at the aforementioned links). Consider it my winter project. I'm just waiting for the Mini now... Anyone selling? Core Solo, please.

-Clive

 

[srf4real]

lol I can't believe all the mini haters! My g4 rocks on...

 

[MacAddict1978]

By same logic: Why buy an iPod Shuffle, when by paying a bit more you can get a 4GB nano? And paying a bit more, you can get the 8GB nano? And if you pay a bit more, you can get the 8GB touch. And just few bucks more can get you the 16GB touch...

Many people are looking for a computer that cost few hundred bucks. And they can see themselves stretching their budget to around 600 bucks, which would get them the mini. But asking them to pay over 1000 bucks would be too much to ask.

Same thing happened with iPod mini and full-size iPod. Many people asked "why pay 250 bucks for the mini, when you can get the full-size iPod with slightly more money?". And look what happened. It's A LOT easier to pay 600 bucks than it is to pay over 1000 bucks.

Just because you do not see value in the mini, does not mean that it's not there. And if you do not see the value in the mini, then I guess you also see no value in he shuffle or nano either?

I went for a Nano. I don't want to hit skip that much But, the display was a must. Two very different products, so not a really great comparison, though I do see your point. My point on the mini is more to do with a comparable system in the marketplace vs. features and price for a non-mac user who may switch. There is value in the mini, it's just not enough value. For its retail there should be more. Even a person with modest needs (email, web, a little word) is priced out of this machine. To truly be unbiased about the issue, you'd have to show an average non-mac-addict person the mini and a pc bundle for $500 and see which one goes on their credit card.

Maybe you don't see the value, but you should check the prices again: the iMac (1200$) costs twice as much as the Mac mini (600$). You can't count the cost of our monitor/keyboard/mouse because we already have it.

You didn't quote me in full context, and until recently, the i-mac started at $999. The $600 mini has a combo drive! You are looking at $800 for a mini that can even take full advantage of the i-life experience in full.

My point was that Joe Consumer could buy a complete system (monitor, keyboard, etc. and possibly a printer tossed in) with a dvd-burner for $500 with similiar specs. Again, we are Mac people and can see value in its branding. The market this device was targeted at may not, as sales have shown they haven't. I think the mini is a great device, but if I didn't have a few extra hundred dollars and I wanted a new computer, the mini would show me even less value over a bundle at Costco or Best Buy.

They just need to up its specs or drop its price or both. So I stick by my thoughts. Great for a few, but not appealing to masses.

 

[Ashapalan]

Just bought one and couldn't be happier.

It's awesome

And so small!!

 

[Roy]

Just bought one and couldn't be happier.

It's awesome

And so small!!

They say great things come in small packages, but that's a rumor spread mostly by people with small packages.

 

[penguy]

... To truly be unbiased about the issue, you'd have to show an average non-mac-addict person the mini and a pc bundle for $500 and see which one goes on their credit card.


You didn't quote me in full context, and until recently, the i-mac started at $999. The $600 mini has a combo drive! You are looking at $800 for a mini that can even take full advantage of the i-life experience in full.

My point was that Joe Consumer could buy a complete system (monitor, keyboard, etc. and possibly a printer tossed in) with a dvd-burner for $500 with similiar specs. Again, we are Mac people and can see value in its branding. The market this device was targeted at may not, as sales have shown they haven't. I think the mini is a great device, but if I didn't have a few extra hundred dollars and I wanted a new computer, the mini would show me even less value over a bundle at Costco or Best Buy.

They just need to up its specs or drop its price or both. So I stick by my thoughts. Great for a few, but not appealing to masses.

Nobody would argue that more improvements in the spec department would not be welcome. But I would argue that most people who have chosen the mini do so, not so much because of the branding, but because of the operating system itself, that and the bundled iLife s/w.

I would also be curious as to where you have seen sales data on the Mini? I have never seen it broken out from Apple's gross sales, but since it uses the same parts (for the most part) as the MacBook, any sales are likely a bonus to Apple.

 

[PCMacUser]

Just bought one and couldn't be happier.

So are you saying that you couldn't be happier, even if you were given an 8-core Mac Pro for the same price? ;-) Just kidding. Enjoy your new toy!

 

[dwl017]

So are you saying that you couldn't be happier, even if you were given an 8-core Mac Pro for the same price? ;-) Just kidding. Enjoy your new toy!

Get over it and move on, when will you Mac "Lunatics" learn that not every Mac user is obsessed with graphics cards and processor speeds etc. You nut cases need to wake up and realize that not every Mac user races home to edit video using Final Cut Pro, many of us are casual adult users that bought the Apple brand for Mac OS X and its stability and could honestly care less about having the fastest most powerful Mac on the block.

Maybe its a generation thing but as an adult user and the owner of three Mac Mini's in our family home I fail to understand the obsession of having the fastest Mac on the block with the highest specs. How fast of a machine is needed to check email and do some light surfing ?

 

[maccompaq]

Just bought one and couldn't be happier.

It's awesome

And so small!!

I am wondering if someone would perform a test for me with the Mac Mini. Go to ABC TV to select the High Definition viewer. Then watch Ugly Betty for about 5 minutes. Then report here if there is smooth playing or stuttered video. Then list the amount of RAM in the Mini.

 

[dwl017]

I am wondering if someone would perform a test for me with the Mac Mini. Go to ABC TV to select the High Definition viewer. Then watch Ugly Betty for about 5 minutes. Then report here if there is smooth playing or stuttered video. Then list the amount of RAM in the Mini.

I am watching it now and typing this email at the same time using Safari, the video is playing super fast with my browser open no stutter at all!

My specs:

Intel Core Duo Mini 1.66Ghz 2GB Ram Tiger 10.4.11

* Oh by the way I paid only $400 for Intel Mini using a Dell 24" Ultra Sharp LCD I already had , I cant make the video stutter!

Just for fun I also grabbed a screen shot of the browser and Betty in the background and crop the size using Photoshop CS while still watching the show with no stutter. Pretty tough little box if you ask me, also works great when I use HandBrake.

Are there any other test I can help with while I am using my "toy"

 

[dwl017]

I am watching it now and typing this email at the same time using Safari, the video is playing super fast with my browser open no stutter at all!

My specs:

Intel Core Duo Mini 1.66Ghz 2GB Ram Tiger 10.4.11

* Oh by the way I paid only $400 for Intel Mini using a Dell 24" Ultra Sharp LCD I already had , I cant make the video stutter!

Just for fun I also grabbed a screen shot of the browser and Betty in the background and crop the size using Photoshop CS while still watching the show with no stutter. Pretty tough little box if you ask me, also works great when I use HandBrake.

Are there any other test I can help with while I am using my "toy"

Just so folks know I am telling the truth.

 

[dwl017]

I am watching it now and typing this email at the same time using Safari, the video is playing super fast with my browser open no stutter at all!

My specs:

Intel Core Duo Mini 1.66Ghz 2GB Ram Tiger 10.4.11

* Oh by the way I paid only $400 for Intel Mini using a Dell 24" Ultra Sharp LCD I already had , I cant make the video stutter!

Just for fun I also grabbed a screen shot of the browser and Betty in the background and crop the size using Photoshop CS while still watching the show with no stutter. Pretty tough little box if you ask me, also works great when I use HandBrake.

Are there any other test I can help with while I am using my "toy"

Sorry that was not high res I'm watching it now in hi res full screen! still no stutter.

 

[bobcb]

Let me see if I can help some of you out, my local Apple store now has fewer Mac minis on display as well. They also don't have any 20" or 23" Cinema Displays, only the 30" being driven by the required Pro.

Now go check the front page of the Apple Store web site... I'll wait.

Note the lack of Cinema Displays anywhere on the front page?

Note my local CompUSA has no 20" Cinema Display in their Apple section.

Also note the lack of stand alone iSight cameras, leaving not only mini owners but Pro tower owners out of the Video iChat arena?

I'd say the more likely thing to happen is a long overdue revamp of the display line up at MacWorld and overall stock is low. The 20" Cinema is overpriced in a big way these days, as is the 23". I'd say we will get new displays with built in iSights at MacWorld.

The mini is just a repackaged MacBook, so hardly underpowered in any way, so that argument can go. I'd say we'll get a refresh, and maybe an updated form factor, but Apple needs something in the mini's position to have a complete product line. Given no options I would opt for an iMac over no Mac, but bailing on this price point would cost Apple some customers.

I think some of you really don't understand how people use computers when you try to frame the mini as nothing more than a barebones Internet appliance. I have no trouble running the iLife apps, Handbrake, MacTheRipper, Office, Pixelmator, watch movies, etc... with snappy performance at 1680x1050 on my 22" LCD. I don't dislike the iMac, and might have snagged one were it not for the glossy screen, but that said I really like my mini and don't find it limiting in any way.