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Mac Mini End Of Life?
- Thread starter Dont Hurt Me
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Decrepit
macrumors 65816
If I open activity monitor, then open up a YouTube video, my CPU utilization goes to 100%.
I updated Flash, but was only a few sub-sub revisions behind, and it now peaks around 95%. So there was some improvement there.
We'll see how Leopard handles it all. I should know next weekend. 🙂 I double checked with the bookstore where I pre-ordered, and they said I was on their reserved list for the first 5 copies they have on order.
I disagree. I've been using a Mac Mini for a couple of years, and it's absolutely fine. Not everybody wants an all-in-one or a laptop with small screen. The only thing it can't do is play games. For a cheap user-friendly photoshop machine it's terrific. Let's not forget that even a basic Mac Mini is as fast as the pro machines from only a few years ago. If if was good enough then...
Eidorian
macrumors Penryn
I never asked or wished for the Mac mini to be a "gaming platform". In fact I already own a Wii and a bunch of older consoles. The PS3 and Xbox 360 are both overpriced for what they offer.
However, games such as Starcraft 2 are never released on consoles because they require a keyboard and a mouse, hence my Mac mini GPU comment.
DakotaGuy
macrumors 601
I still think that they might merge the Mac Mini and Apple TV into one product the MacTV. A multimedia center that offers the same features that the Apple TV has, but also has an optical drive and the ability to use regular computer applications. They could even design a cool wireless keyboard with a built in trackpad to go along with the remote.
Full
TV functionality/outputs would, without a doubt, be a major selling point for any new version of the Mini.If Apple could persuade people to spend $600 on a mobile phone on the basis that it was really 3 different devices, I imagine they could market an
TV/Mini in much the same way; I'm sure a lot of people would consider it a $299/$399 added value that competing Dell/HP systems could not match.The mini was the first mac i ever owned and it was so fantastic that I now own $4k+ of apple products. This is a fantastic machine for switchers... I never would have switched without it.
They need to keep it for switchers.
They need to keep it for switchers.
Decrepit
macrumors 65816
I switched back for the Mini. If Apple doesn't have a product in the Mini category when I need to upgrade, they'll lose me again.
True, Mini was given a major handicap for the sake of iMac and that was integrated graphics. A simple option of a low end gpu and Mini would be all grown up. Its the old Apple philosophy of crippling one model line for the sake of another. Ill admit our Mini has also been terrific...G4 1.25/9200 (real gpu).
I don't see the reason for merging the TV and the Mac Mini - surely Front Row is good enough? My Mac Mini has served me well and has helped me switch from the horror that was Audio Editing on Windows. Not a single file corrupted or mysteriously vanished and I am really enjoying how Logic handles itself on this tiny little box. If it hadn't been for a low-end machine, I believe I would still be using Windows. Where as now I am about to buy a MacBook in two weeks and upgrade to Mac Pro next summer (using the Mini as a media centre and visitor's machine). I just don't see the reasoning behind getting rid of this amazing little box! 😕
Juxtaposer
TV and the Mac Mini - surely Front Row is good enough? My Mac Mini has served me well and has helped me switch from the horror that was Audio Editing on Windows. Not a single file corrupted or mysteriously vanished and I am really enjoying how Logic handles itself on this tiny little box. If it hadn't been for a low-end machine, I believe I would still be using Windows. Where as now I am about to buy a MacBook in two weeks and upgrade to Mac Pro next summer (using the Mini as a media centre and visitor's machine). I just don't see the reasoning behind getting rid of this amazing little box! 😕Juxtaposer
CRAZYBUBBA
macrumors 65816
Brianstorm91
macrumors 65816
It's too expensive/underpowered for its' price.
There are various Windows machines for a comparable price with better features.
As much as it pains me to say it.
There are various Windows machines for a comparable price with better features.
As much as it pains me to say it.
Yeah but none of them run OSX and that's what it's all about. Of course you can run OSX86 but it's not quite the same experience.
Not even half-true. The Mac Mini does exactly what it says on the tin. It runs OS X, and has performed remarkably well in all applications that I have ran. If I wanted it for games or for GPU-intensive work, then I would've bought another machine that met those needs. And the price as far as I'm concerned is good value for what I have got out of the Mini. All-in-all, it is a great switcher's Mac, and not only that but it's also a great Mac in general for it's price.
I agree, but I'd still add a Mini-plus with discrete graphics to the Mini range for those that find its graphics insufficient & don't like AIOs with glossy screens.
Mini servers rock
I have 7 Intel Mac Minis running Ubuntu as web, mail and db servers. I also have a Dell 1850 (dual dual-core Xeon 3.0) server. Even a 1.8 Core2 Mini has a much faster (at least 2x per core) CPU than the Dell, which is not bad considering they are about 18% the price.
I was at a school the other day and they were running a promo video/slideshow on a big screen with a Mini taped to the back of it - instant iMac!
I've heard Mac Nano rumours from other independent sources too.
I have 7 Intel Mac Minis running Ubuntu as web, mail and db servers. I also have a Dell 1850 (dual dual-core Xeon 3.0) server. Even a 1.8 Core2 Mini has a much faster (at least 2x per core) CPU than the Dell, which is not bad considering they are about 18% the price.
I was at a school the other day and they were running a promo video/slideshow on a big screen with a Mini taped to the back of it - instant iMac!
I've heard Mac Nano rumours from other independent sources too.
Show us some? The only ones I've seen that are the same size have piddly C3 CPUs on Epia boards, not Core2s. Things like Shuttle's barebones boxes are kind of cute (as only cheap steel pressings can be), but they are also >8x the size of a mini, and no cheaper.
twoodcc
macrumors P6
the mini was my first mac also. it's now my brother's first and only mac.
i think i've bought 6 macs total, sold 4 of them 😎
CyberBob859
macrumors 6502a
Apple giving clues?
I think there are a few things to consider when trying to determine the fate of the Mac Mini, and a possible replacement.
1st, when the Mini was introduced (the G4 models), Apple was called "Apple Computer" and their primary focus of the Mini line was to win over Windows users.
Since then, they've dropped "Computer" from their name, and while I think they still want to win over Windows users, their primary focus now is to become a larger presence in the general consumer electronics market.
2nd, Apple is not stupid, and they know how their customers use their products, looking for new features to put into future machines, and to spot trends. So, it hasn't escaped them that a number of Mac Mini sales are being used as media centers, in which their customers are figuring out how to use the machine for a function they never intended.
3rd, if Apple wants to compete in the consumer electronics market, they can't afford to give up the living room to competitors like Sony, Microsoft, and Tivo. And what you find here are various devices with various capabilities with pricing from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand.
Steve Jobs has already said that the Apple TV is a "hobby" at this point, and I think that means that he wants to scope out this living room market to figure where Apple can thrive.
So, given all of that, here's my speculation on what Apple may do (FWIW):
The Mac Mini is dead because it doesn't fit the scope of what Apple wants to do anymore.
In its place will be a machine that can best be described as Apple Media Center computer. It will have component, HDMI, and DVI outputs (with an adapter for DVI that allows VGA connection) so you can hook it up to a variety of monitors and newer TV's.
When hooked up to TV's (via component or HDMI), the "Apple TV" Front Row interface is presented (which has already been demonstrated for Leopard), and you navigate through it with the remote control.
If an LCD monitor is hooked up via DVI, along with a keyboard and mouse, you have the new OS/X Leopard interface. The original intent of the Mac Mini line is preserved, by trying to woo Windows users, where they can supply their own keyboard, mouse, and monitor from their older machine.
The "Apple Media Center" will have a DVD drive with improved video capabilites (already demonstrated and announced in Leopard), which will help for TV viewing.
Apple has already expressed a renewed interest in gaming, so if this Media Center will be hooked up to a TV, there will be a need to have game controllers available. So, I expect some type of controller announcement also.
I don't think they're going to get into the DVR market, but rather continue to focus efforts to sell or rent movies and/or TV shows through iTunes, and view video over the web. This allows residual sales beyond the initial sale of the device, whereas a DVR does not (and also complicates setup.)
Because it is a computer, it can be fully networked and find other instances of iTunes (Mac or Windows) on a network so content can be viewed on a TV or monitor. Photos from iPhoto can be fully viewed.
Hardware will be at least a 2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor with an ATi graphics chip (to handle the gaming.) I think there will be two models, differentiated by processor speed, graphics chip, and/or hard drive capability. Pricing will be close to the Mac Mini line now, but maybe a little higher. I think the "low end" goes for around $699 and the "high end" for $899.
The Apple TV line stays for those that don't want the gaming and DVD features of the full Apple Media computer, and want just an "iPod for their TV." But what will be interesting is that the Apple TV can be a "media extender" for the full Apple Media Center. The hard drive capabilities will be bumped up, bugs fixed, and a few features added, but there will still be two models at $299 and $399.
This gives Apple a presence at different price points for the living room, providing more capabilities and power at higher prices, while still offering a computer to convert Windows users.
All speculation on my part, but I think this is where Apple is going (or at least close to it.)
I think there are a few things to consider when trying to determine the fate of the Mac Mini, and a possible replacement.
1st, when the Mini was introduced (the G4 models), Apple was called "Apple Computer" and their primary focus of the Mini line was to win over Windows users.
Since then, they've dropped "Computer" from their name, and while I think they still want to win over Windows users, their primary focus now is to become a larger presence in the general consumer electronics market.
2nd, Apple is not stupid, and they know how their customers use their products, looking for new features to put into future machines, and to spot trends. So, it hasn't escaped them that a number of Mac Mini sales are being used as media centers, in which their customers are figuring out how to use the machine for a function they never intended.
3rd, if Apple wants to compete in the consumer electronics market, they can't afford to give up the living room to competitors like Sony, Microsoft, and Tivo. And what you find here are various devices with various capabilities with pricing from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand.
Steve Jobs has already said that the Apple TV is a "hobby" at this point, and I think that means that he wants to scope out this living room market to figure where Apple can thrive.
So, given all of that, here's my speculation on what Apple may do (FWIW):
The Mac Mini is dead because it doesn't fit the scope of what Apple wants to do anymore.
In its place will be a machine that can best be described as Apple Media Center computer. It will have component, HDMI, and DVI outputs (with an adapter for DVI that allows VGA connection) so you can hook it up to a variety of monitors and newer TV's.
When hooked up to TV's (via component or HDMI), the "Apple TV" Front Row interface is presented (which has already been demonstrated for Leopard), and you navigate through it with the remote control.
If an LCD monitor is hooked up via DVI, along with a keyboard and mouse, you have the new OS/X Leopard interface. The original intent of the Mac Mini line is preserved, by trying to woo Windows users, where they can supply their own keyboard, mouse, and monitor from their older machine.
The "Apple Media Center" will have a DVD drive with improved video capabilites (already demonstrated and announced in Leopard), which will help for TV viewing.
Apple has already expressed a renewed interest in gaming, so if this Media Center will be hooked up to a TV, there will be a need to have game controllers available. So, I expect some type of controller announcement also.
I don't think they're going to get into the DVR market, but rather continue to focus efforts to sell or rent movies and/or TV shows through iTunes, and view video over the web. This allows residual sales beyond the initial sale of the device, whereas a DVR does not (and also complicates setup.)
Because it is a computer, it can be fully networked and find other instances of iTunes (Mac or Windows) on a network so content can be viewed on a TV or monitor. Photos from iPhoto can be fully viewed.
Hardware will be at least a 2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor with an ATi graphics chip (to handle the gaming.) I think there will be two models, differentiated by processor speed, graphics chip, and/or hard drive capability. Pricing will be close to the Mac Mini line now, but maybe a little higher. I think the "low end" goes for around $699 and the "high end" for $899.
The Apple TV line stays for those that don't want the gaming and DVD features of the full Apple Media computer, and want just an "iPod for their TV." But what will be interesting is that the Apple TV can be a "media extender" for the full Apple Media Center. The hard drive capabilities will be bumped up, bugs fixed, and a few features added, but there will still be two models at $299 and $399.
This gives Apple a presence at different price points for the living room, providing more capabilities and power at higher prices, while still offering a computer to convert Windows users.
All speculation on my part, but I think this is where Apple is going (or at least close to it.)
ktbubster
macrumors 6502a
if that ended up happening... I'd buy one of those in a heart beat. I already am planning on getting a mini for a second computer/media pc to add to my tv set up already... but with a slightly better graphics card and apple tv capabilities that would make it a perfect system. Apple's own controller to go with it would be kinda neat too, although you can get a decent amount of USB controllers already, but with the mini also able to run windows (under intel) that might not be a bad market for apple to get into for externals too... who knows
Either way... if they combined some tv features with the mini and those things I'd definitely buy one in a second. 🙂
Either way... if they combined some tv features with the mini and those things I'd definitely buy one in a second. 🙂
motulist
macrumors 601
It'd be tremendously stupid of Apple to kill off the Mac Mini without replacing it with a similarly targeted product. My Mom has been pestering me to get a Mac for her, but she isn't willing to spend much money on it until she tries it out for a while to decide if she really wants to switch. So she's asked for my old G3 tower to try it out. But that wouldn't give her a great experience on the Mac, so I don't want her to get an unfairly poor impression of OS X just because she's using it on ancient hardware.
So I decided to get her a Mac Mini as soon as leopard comes out, because it'll totally do a great job for everything she'll want to do with it, I can afford it, and because it's an amount she'd be willing to pay if she decides to keep it. If the cheapest option was $850 for a refurb, then I'd probably just say forget it and buy her a used Mac.
As it is I think $600 is at the edge of being too expensive. Apple needs to have a product that'll perform everything that a casual user wants, at a reasonably competitive price.
So I decided to get her a Mac Mini as soon as leopard comes out, because it'll totally do a great job for everything she'll want to do with it, I can afford it, and because it's an amount she'd be willing to pay if she decides to keep it. If the cheapest option was $850 for a refurb, then I'd probably just say forget it and buy her a used Mac.
As it is I think $600 is at the edge of being too expensive. Apple needs to have a product that'll perform everything that a casual user wants, at a reasonably competitive price.
Why? Why the need for a mac that's so small? Most people just want something that's not huge. I'd much rather see the mini replaced with something a little bigger but with better features, it's a waste of money to build a desktop with laptop parts.
Has it? How many have they sold? I thought apple didn't break out numbers on specific models, and I've never heard a report of minis selling particularly well.
No, it's completely true. It's overpriced for the specs, mainly because it uses laptop parts which are more expensive. Looking at hardware, you can get a much better machine for less on the PC side. A family member just replaced an iMac with a PC. I wanted to suggest a mini, but the PC she found was tons better bang for the buck, and OSX wasn't a big enough selling point to spend more and get worse hardware. I wish I could have made a case for the mini, but sadly I couldn't.
I'm not buying the rumors that the Mac Mini is at the end of it's life. We hear that every time a new product is rumored to be released by Apple and yet it's still around. 🙄
Of course, I have my own reasons for wanting it to hang around. I WANT ONE! 😀
Of course, I have my own reasons for wanting it to hang around. I WANT ONE! 😀
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