Mac Mini Not Dead Yet?

[Silverhawk]

Just my idea pfffttt

Dude, your right on the money, heck they should treat the Mac Mini like the Macbook... the low ends are silver, and the high end gets the cool black cover...

Again, I'm just saying knowing what could be stuffed into the Mac Mini, there'd be plenty more room if they ever considered bringing the CUBE back!

 

[Bubba Satori]

Hahahahaaa... I LOVE comedians. You had me laughing pretty hard there. Oh, wait, you were serious?

Got quite a ways down the thread before the pipe dreamers started chiming in with their imaginary mini tower. Sorry folks, ain't happening, not now, not ever, get over it. You'll get your mini tower when pigs fly, cats and dogs live in harmony, there's world peace, Apple makes a Mac tablet, and other fanciful (purely delusional) things happen.

Fine, if Apple is so intent on maintaining a huge hole in their model line of non-upgradable computers with cr***y video cards, I'll build a quad core mini for $600. Jeebus they're a $50 billion company, can't they have 4 models of desktops ? Build the d*** minitower already Apple.

 

[andy721]

You mean ATI making high performance low cost video cards as opposed to Nvidia's "lets make it ever slightly more powerful than the competition, and we can double the price" tactics.

Oh and Crysis blows.

yeah it may blow on your machine but not mine but I don't like to assume, anyways I took it off because vista was being really retarded with my other games and just not acting like an operating system. ATI sucks they need to go outta business. and talk about saving money like americans do that? uhh no, here's something we should think about though, "2016 Oil will run dry. B4 that will happen 2012 predicted the world will end in some catastrophic disaster. Nov, '08 we elected the wrong president. Today Americans get overpaid & their businesses go bankrupt. Lets not forget about the war we started."

Why on earth would Apple target gamers with a computer. Apple's drive for stability wouldn't work. Gamers are notorious for installing new drivers every time they're released, hoping for that extra frame per second. And the nanosecond that Nvidia released the next generation chip, they'd go bonkers because they couldn't just plug in a new video card. Crysis is only important to a small fraction of the computing world. Apple doesn't need the headaches that gamers offer.

However Apple could go get some cheap Geforce 6800 chips from a few years ago, they could be clocked such that the heat isn't bad, but it would give them the ability to play WoW or drive very large displays. It would probably be a major jump in performance over any integrated Intel GPU, but not so new that it would need a fan on constantly.

Apple is still way ahead in many ways. Find any major manufacturer selling a 6"x6"x2" computer. We'll wait. There isn't one. Some small outfit making custom rigs doesn't count. Apple has a machine that cools itself properly and runs silent. HP's nearest PC is 10"x10"x2". I haven't found the smallest Dell yet, but you can be sure that it's not Mini sized.

It's called market segmentation. The Mini has a specific market segment. Gaming is a different segment, one that Apple has decided to avoid. I don't blame them. Doing tech support on easy stuff sucks. Doing it for 14 year olds that want their games to run is another issue completely.

• Well I think apple should support more games first your right.
• Maybe no one wants to make a 6"x6"x2" computer because it will be limited to expand until 2010 which is 2 years before the end of the world LOL so they say. But they gotta step it up a bit more to realize that us consumers get bored of the same old crap later down the road.
•Oh whos 14 years old? I hope that remark wasn't relating to me, I'll be 24 in July.

Good Day

 

[GreatOne08]

mini

I love my mini

 

[freebooter]

I've been hoping for a half-spec Mac Pro. Just cut a MP in haalf. One quad core CPU chip, two disk drives. slts for 16GB RAM all in a half tall case.

Te trouble is that every one at Apple knows that a machine like that would complete cannibalize the mini, iMac and MP products. Just think what would happen if Apple actually sold a "normal" computer.

Me, too.

I had a PPC Mac Mini, and loved it. But, the vid. card and memory limit made me upgrade to an iMac 24" white after Apple switched to Intel. I would have preferred a small tower if only to avoid having to buy external hard drives for back up. Also, with my iMac I'm stuck with only 3 GB RAM for the time being.
I live in a foreign country, and would like a home computer I can take with me easily when I go. MBPs are an option, but the tiny screen (even 17" is small) and the price premium for laptops makes them less than ideal for my needs.
My dream "Mac Medium" would have dual display capability, 2.4 GHz processor or better, a FW 800 port, two 3.5" hard drives and 4 GB RAM or better. I'm not holding my breath for this....
A Mac Mini with the above spec.s (minus the 3.5" drives) would likely be my next Apple.

 

[Luap]

Its not like its really a surprise that Appleinsider has been posting utter rubbish lately. Well, I say lately, its been bad for the last 2 years or so. Same with their associate sites.

Hope the mini does stick around in updated form. I think i could go for one

 

[mackiwilad]

Does anyone have an ETA on these new arrivals?

I want to get one for my parents and finally wean them off Microsoft.

 

[liberty4all]

You know, with VNSea on iPhone, you could use an iPhone as a remote display for the Mac Mini -- there are becoming some pretty cool possibilities in computing today...

Me, too.

I had a PPC Mac Mini, and loved it. But, the vid. card and memory limit made me upgrade to an iMac 24" white after Apple switched to Intel. I would have preferred a small tower if only to avoid having to buy external hard drives for back up. Also, with my iMac I'm stuck with only 3 GB RAM for the time being.
I live in a foreign country, and would like a home computer I can take with me easily when I go. MBPs are an option, but the tiny screen (even 17" is small) and the price premium for laptops makes them less than ideal for my needs.
My dream "Mac Medium" would have dual display capability, 2.4 GHz processor or better, a FW 800 port, two 3.5" hard drives and 4 GB RAM or better. I'm not holding my breath for this....
A Mac Mini with the above spec.s (minus the 3.5" drives) would likely be my next Apple.

 

[PhotoPhoenix]

i didn't know so many people liked them.

everyone i know that bought one, sold in right when they started using them. we're all photographers though, the computer just doesn't have enough performance with the shared memory.

 

[Noobish]

Is there any way to plug a second monitor into a Mini?

Yeah, unplug the first one.

 

[quantumbits]

I'm torn between an Apple TV and a Mini for my entertainment system. I would definitely go for the former if I didn't fear that Apple would continue to find ways to subvert all video media not branded iTunes content. Also, I'm on the fence about whether I want to use the box to record tv content.

In any case, I'm glad the mini is sticking around. A mini + time capsule is a very intriguing pair. Throw in a airport express and you have a complete and kick-a$$ home system.

 

[Cave Man]

everyone i know that bought one, sold in right when they started using them. we're all photographers though, the computer just doesn't have enough performance with the shared memory.

I don't follow your statement.

I'm torn between an Apple TV and a Mini for my entertainment system. I would definitely go for the former if I didn't fear that Apple would continue to find ways to subvert all video media not branded iTunes content.

What do you mean?

 

[liberty4all]

Forget eSATA, just give me FireWire 3200!

penryn mac mini - eSATA FTW!!!!!

Make Blu-Ray a differentiator... ;-)

I think sales are low of the Mini because they don't keep the things very up to date...

Also, stick a damn DVDR in all your machines and stop making it the model differentiators. Rediculous.

 

[Decrepit]

• Well I think apple should support more games first your right.
• Maybe no one wants to make a 6"x6"x2" computer because it will be limited to expand until 2010 which is 2 years before the end of the world LOL so they say. But they gotta step it up a bit more to realize that us consumers get bored of the same old crap later down the road.
•Oh whos 14 years old? I hope that remark wasn't relating to me, I'll be 24 in July.

Good Day

The vast vast majority of PC buyers, both corporate and home users never open their computers or upgrade them. When one company can buy 50,000 computers every three years, (and more often than not, lease), they don't worry about expandability. Those 6x6x2 boxes consume very little power and make very little noise. Two features becoming more popular. That HP box that is 10x10x2 is scaring their support people. It's so small that customers are putting it in their desk drawer, and it overheats. There's a market for equipment that is unobtrusive. Apple could own it with a new Mini and a decent marketing push. With a partnership with Parallels or VMWare, they could even encourage people to run Windows applications in OS X. I think a lot of businesses would seriously consider not paying for Windows after using OS X.

And I wasn't referring to you as a 14 year old, I'm sorry if it came off that way. My point was that I've done tech support. Corporate users are stressful. Home users are annoying. But gamers will never be happy. Supporting irrational people is draining. I've spoken to my share of 14 year olds. I don't miss it.

 

[Eidorian]

Oh, I know. My point was that they could probably be had for cheap and they'll still outperform the Intel integrated chips.

Apple knows that I'll buy whatever they end up releasing. So, I can just do some wishful thinking while I wait.

I've found too many users here asking why Apple doesn't just buy up old components from vendors. The majority of the suggestions are EOL or Obsolete.

That HP box that is 10x10x2 is scaring their support people. It's so small that customers are putting it in their desk drawer, and it overheats..

And Mac mini owners aren't doing this?

 

[Decrepit]

And Mac mini owners aren't doing this?

It probably does happen. I don't know anybody in engineering at Apple, so I don't hear the support horror stories about overheating Minis (if that happens).

I *do* know somebody in engineering at HP, and have heard the stories about their little box being put in a drawer.

My Mini is sitting on a wire shelf, so it gets airflow from any direction it wants it.

 

[Eidorian]

It probably does happen. I don't know anybody in engineering at Apple, so I don't hear the support horror stories about overheating Minis (if that happens).

I *do* know somebody in engineering at HP, and have heard the stories about their little box being put in a drawer.

My Mini is sitting on a wire shelf, so it gets airflow from any direction it wants it.

The Mac minis are dust magnets. That's my greatest concern after their prolonged use since for most users it's difficult to open and clean. I've had to open every Mac mini G4 when they're replaced with Intel ones and handed down to other users.

 

[Decrepit]

The Mac minis are dust magnets. That's my greatest concern after their prolonged use since for most users it's difficult to open and clean. I've had to open every Mac mini G4 when they're replaced with Intel ones and handed down to other users.

Hmm. I haven't opened mine since I got it. I put a 1GB stick in it, closed it, and that's the last time it was opened. I'll have to crack it open again and check the dust levels. Good idea.

 

[Ironduke]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

The macmini comes back to us now at the turn of the tide

stand Proud followers of the mac mini

 

[andy721]

hmm

The vast vast majority of PC buyers, both corporate and home users never open their computers or upgrade them. When one company can buy 50,000 computers every three years, (and more often than not, lease), they don't worry about expandability. Those 6x6x2 boxes consume very little power and make very little noise. Two features becoming more popular. That HP box that is 10x10x2 is scaring their support people. It's so small that customers are putting it in their desk drawer, and it overheats. There's a market for equipment that is unobtrusive. Apple could own it with a new Mini and a decent marketing push. With a partnership with Parallels or VMWare, they could even encourage people to run Windows applications in OS X. I think a lot of businesses would seriously consider not paying for Windows after using OS X.

And I wasn't referring to you as a 14 year old, I'm sorry if it came off that way. My point was that I've done tech support. Corporate users are stressful. Home users are annoying. But gamers will never be happy. Supporting irrational people is draining. I've spoken to my share of 14 year olds. I don't miss it.

Putting it in their drawers what a bunch of morons, first you don't do that its common sense second you can test it out with the latest and most powerful cooling system to see if you can achieve it that way. Or just put it somewhere else obviously.
Just sounds like your all in a heap of trouble an may never get over the fact that there'll never be a perfect pc or Operating system till later on, unless there is one out there already which I think there is, but no one wants to share it. it's all the same old whining and moaning from everyone, I guess you guys have a higher tolerance then I.

 

[Evangelion]

Is Apple incapable of multitasking? This is a company with several billion in the bank and yet they act like they are a company of 50 needing to shift resources around because they only have 50 people working on hardware at any given time......

Are you incapable of quitting your constant whining? And since you are not going to buy the Mini or any other product Apple sells, why exactly do you care?

 

[freebooter]

Hmm. I haven't opened mine since I got it. I put a 1GB stick in it, closed it, and that's the last time it was opened. I'll have to crack it open again and check the dust levels. Good idea.

Definitely check it. After a year, mine looked like the inside of a used vacuum cleaner bag!

 

[cv01]

It is time for a new Mini indeed! Would buy one or two as soon as it comes out to replace my Mini G4s.

 

[cv01]

I was in a store today (in California) that offered a 20% discount if you paid in Euros. You could buy an $8 block of cheese for four Euros. Spurring inflation has its drawbacks.

Stores accepting Euros for a block of cheese in California? Is this really happening? What store was it?

 

[7031]

Looking forward to the update, would like to create a home server with one.

Mac Mini will never die, unless they replace it with something at the same price point.

Yeah. Mac Minis make great servers. I'm running a few websites on my Debian Mac mini. It's down right now though, moving some computers around... Turning a few more old computers into servers for my media, as well as websites and whatever.