Poff said:
I am pretty sure the newest apple kb's don't adjust. Yours might be an earlier model. perhaps I am mistaken though.
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Mac Mini Released
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I am pretty sure the newest apple kb's don't adjust. Yours might be an earlier model. perhaps I am mistaken though.
I have a good feeling about where this will take apple.
I registered www.macminireview.com for all related reviews, questions, and talk related to this new Mac Marvel.
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feakbeak said:You failed to mention that configuring the Mac mini "the way you would want it" is equivalent to maxing out all the BTO options and adding Applecare. If you max out the options for a Dell it also gets considerably more expensive. Plus, you can't compare the pack-in Dell monitor to the 20" cinema display. Come on... think about it, do you honestly think that's fair?
With that said, I can see how people might think they should have included a wired mouse and keyboard standard. Better yet, make it a BTO option - but have the mouse and keyboard included by default and let customers choose to exclude them if they don't need them. But Apple probably needed to drop them to make that magic sub-$500 price tag while maintaining Apple-acceptable margins.
The only thing that really irritates me is that upgrading the RAM from 256 MB to 1 GB costs $425. That's a joke, a 1 GB DDR 166 MHz SDRAM stick can be obtained for about $200, $250 max. This upgrade from Apple should cost no more than an additional $200. The $75 price to move up to 512 MB is reasonable, but the 1 GB upgrade is insulting to my ability to do arithmetic. This is nothing new with Apple memory upgrades though. All and all, I'm impressed.
Great point about the RAM. Upgrade to 1 GB you almost doubled the cost. Sure the thing is small and cheap but features are also small and cheap. Perfect for the market. Way to fill the hole apple. If the same computer had 2 DIMM slots, a G5 processor, Superdrive standard, and better graphics card it would be the deal of the century. Unrealistic. Great computer for what is meant for but nothing more than switcher bait or supplemental computer - as Steve noted in his Keynote.
maxterpiece said:
You make some really good points. I think a lot of people will buy this to be the non-computer computer you talk about. A great market for that.
nagromme said:
Love your "great values, for different buyers". Apple is finally hitting that lower market that will lead to a lot of switchers.
Not just for peecee users...
There's been a lot of talk from all sides about who will buy this machine. Mostly, people seem to think it's going to be switchers, which is largely accurate, I believe. However, people keep talking down the specs while saying "but the switchers won't care, they don't know tech, yadda yadda".
Picture thousands of college kids across the country way too strapped for cash to afford a shiny new imac, let alone a powermac. After all, the cost of university in america is going up constantly, and I can tell you from first hand experience, it can be a struggle to get the equipment you need. A lot of us college kids know tech very well, and we know we can't afford most Apple machines, especially those of us that live mostly on student loans. In other words, I know what makes for good specs, and I'll still be buying one of these new mac minis. Assuming that the only people who are buying these are people who don't know better, or people who ONLY care about price, is the epitome of the Apple elitist attitude that has turned off so many peecee users for so long.
Furthermore, what a lot of you don't seem to realize is that the power of modern computers has far outstripped the demands users place on their machines. I've had three macs before, all used machines. iBook 700mhz G3, powerbook 667mhz G4 (with broken lcd, so it was way cheap,) and an old 450mhz G4 PM. I ran intensive audio apps all the live long day on that old iBook, and unless I was running a bunch of intensive synths at once, it held up admirably. I'm talking Cubase SX here, which is not exactly low spec software. It wasn't *quite* as fast as I wanted, but IT WAS A 700MHZ G3. This machine is a 1.25ghz G4!!! For those of you that can AFFORD an imac or powermac, I guess that seems pretty crappy to you. But being forced to use much less, for much longer, for much more intensive apps than probably a lot of you are running on your imacs anyways, this machine is a godsend. I am lucky enough to have a large crt monitor and usb input devices... nothing could possibly help me out more than this mac mini being released. I will surely be getting one.
Not because I can't handle virus attacks on the PC I happen to be using, not because I love my ipod and want a cute little computer that looks just like it (300 bucks for an mp3 player? hahahahaha, I can't even beGIN to afford that.) And certainly not because it's cheap and I don't know any better.
I'm getting a mac mini becase I am young, I am smart, and I am poor.
I just want you all to know that there are a lot of us smart, scrappy kids out there who are going to do amazing things with machines a lot of you think are out of date. So there
[sorry if this is posted twice, the server is bogged down]
There's been a lot of talk from all sides about who will buy this machine. Mostly, people seem to think it's going to be switchers, which is largely accurate, I believe. However, people keep talking down the specs while saying "but the switchers won't care, they don't know tech, yadda yadda".
Picture thousands of college kids across the country way too strapped for cash to afford a shiny new imac, let alone a powermac. After all, the cost of university in america is going up constantly, and I can tell you from first hand experience, it can be a struggle to get the equipment you need. A lot of us college kids know tech very well, and we know we can't afford most Apple machines, especially those of us that live mostly on student loans. In other words, I know what makes for good specs, and I'll still be buying one of these new mac minis. Assuming that the only people who are buying these are people who don't know better, or people who ONLY care about price, is the epitome of the Apple elitist attitude that has turned off so many peecee users for so long.
Furthermore, what a lot of you don't seem to realize is that the power of modern computers has far outstripped the demands users place on their machines. I've had three macs before, all used machines. iBook 700mhz G3, powerbook 667mhz G4 (with broken lcd, so it was way cheap,) and an old 450mhz G4 PM. I ran intensive audio apps all the live long day on that old iBook, and unless I was running a bunch of intensive synths at once, it held up admirably. I'm talking Cubase SX here, which is not exactly low spec software. It wasn't *quite* as fast as I wanted, but IT WAS A 700MHZ G3. This machine is a 1.25ghz G4!!! For those of you that can AFFORD an imac or powermac, I guess that seems pretty crappy to you. But being forced to use much less, for much longer, for much more intensive apps than probably a lot of you are running on your imacs anyways, this machine is a godsend. I am lucky enough to have a large crt monitor and usb input devices... nothing could possibly help me out more than this mac mini being released. I will surely be getting one.
Not because I can't handle virus attacks on the PC I happen to be using, not because I love my ipod and want a cute little computer that looks just like it (300 bucks for an mp3 player? hahahahaha, I can't even beGIN to afford that.) And certainly not because it's cheap and I don't know any better.
I'm getting a mac mini becase I am young, I am smart, and I am poor.
I just want you all to know that there are a lot of us smart, scrappy kids out there who are going to do amazing things with machines a lot of you think are out of date. So there
[sorry if this is posted twice, the server is bogged down]
Liquidog said:There's been a lot of talk from all sides about who will buy this machine. Mostly, people seem to think it's going to be switchers, which is largely accurate, I believe. However, people keep talking down the specs while saying "but the switchers won't care, they don't know tech, yadda yadda".
Picture thousands of college kids across the country way too strapped for cash to afford a shiny new imac, let alone a powermac. After all, the cost of university in america is going up constantly, and I can tell you from first hand experience, it can be a struggle to get the equipment you need. A lot of us college kids know tech very well, and we know we can't afford most Apple machines, especially those of us that live mostly on student loans. In other words, I know what makes for good specs, and I'll still be buying one of these new mac minis. Assuming that the only people who are buying these are people who don't know better, or people who ONLY care about price, is the epitome of the Apple elitist attitude that has turned off so many peecee users for so long.
Furthermore, what a lot of you don't seem to realize is that the power of modern computers has far outstripped the demands users place on their machines. I've had three macs before, all used machines. iBook 700mhz G3, powerbook 667mhz G4 (with broken lcd, so it was way cheap,) and an old 450mhz G4 PM. I ran intensive audio apps all the live long day on that old iBook, and unless I was running a bunch of intensive synths at once, it held up admirably. I'm talking Cubase SX here, which is not exactly low spec software. It wasn't *quite* as fast as I wanted, but IT WAS A 700MHZ G3. This machine is a 1.25ghz G4!!! For those of you that can AFFORD an imac or powermac, I guess that seems pretty crappy to you. But being forced to use much less, for much longer, for much more intensive apps than probably a lot of you are running on your imacs anyways, this machine is a godsend. I am lucky enough to have a large crt monitor and usb input devices... nothing could possibly help me out more than this mac mini being released. I will surely be getting one.
Not because I can't handle virus attacks on the PC I happen to be using, not because I love my ipod and want a cute little computer that looks just like it (300 bucks for an mp3 player? hahahahaha, I can't even beGIN to afford that.) And certainly not because it's cheap and I don't know any better.
I'm getting a mac mini becase I am young, I am smart, and I am poor.
I just want you all to know that there are a lot of us smart, scrappy kids out there who are going to do amazing things with machines a lot of you think are out of date. So there
[sorry if this is posted twice, the server is bogged down]
And a lot of people don't seem to realize that this is the kind of computer corporate IT departments buy for clients.
MontyZ said:
I don't think asking for a good Video card and good sound card is needing lots of power. I call lots of power doing a lot of video editing and movie making.
All I will be using my soon to come iMac for is the basic stuff (IE email, surfing the net, chating), playing games and digital photo editing.
I think the iMac will suit my needs perfectly. Im still debating whether I should sell my PC which cost me $2,000 which would sell for about $500 (INSANE how much you loose on a PC) now to put towards the iMac or just have both just incase. What do you guys think?
That's not a big deal.brywalker said:I am very surpised that no one has brought up the fact that there is no audio input on this machine, a must for GarageBand IMHO.
That was the dealbreaker for me.
I was at the checkout stage before I noticed.
Can't ya just get a Griffin iMic(think that's what it's called.. I have one), it plugs into your USB and has an audio input/outpur, or something else along those lines?
Perspective
Mindblowing concept #1: Nobody is obligated to love the new Mac mini.
Mindblowing concept #2: Mac mini is not for everyone.
However, when certain people start complaining about how the Mac mini is borderline useless for all but the simplest of tasks (checking email, web browsing) I have to wonder what sort of monster computer these guys need. Yeah the Mac mini tops out at 1.4GHz. And it's still the lowly G4. And yeah the GPU is pretty weak by gaming standards. But the thing is under $600!
While some are poo-pooing the Mac mini's weaknesses, even at these prices, I'm reading this on my 12" PowerBook 867. This is the same machine I use for web design, print design, illustration, light gaming, DVD burning, etc. This PowerBook is my workhorse. I can run Photoshop just fine. I can run Illustrator just fine (caveat: a recent, intensive poster project brought Illustrator to its knees. I blame Adobe as much as the PowerBook).
Yes, this machine can run Halo at native resolution. And while performance isn't blistering, it performs at a decent clip, I'm productive, and it's pleasent and I can make my living with this thing. Now apparently 1.25 or 1.4GHz is unacceptable. In a $500-$600 machine that includes wonderful bundled software. Are you people mad?
Mindblowing concept #1: Nobody is obligated to love the new Mac mini.
Mindblowing concept #2: Mac mini is not for everyone.
However, when certain people start complaining about how the Mac mini is borderline useless for all but the simplest of tasks (checking email, web browsing) I have to wonder what sort of monster computer these guys need. Yeah the Mac mini tops out at 1.4GHz. And it's still the lowly G4. And yeah the GPU is pretty weak by gaming standards. But the thing is under $600!
While some are poo-pooing the Mac mini's weaknesses, even at these prices, I'm reading this on my 12" PowerBook 867. This is the same machine I use for web design, print design, illustration, light gaming, DVD burning, etc. This PowerBook is my workhorse. I can run Photoshop just fine. I can run Illustrator just fine (caveat: a recent, intensive poster project brought Illustrator to its knees. I blame Adobe as much as the PowerBook).
Yes, this machine can run Halo at native resolution. And while performance isn't blistering, it performs at a decent clip, I'm productive, and it's pleasent and I can make my living with this thing. Now apparently 1.25 or 1.4GHz is unacceptable. In a $500-$600 machine that includes wonderful bundled software. Are you people mad?
legalnut said:
you obviously don't get it...I wish this stupid comparison thing would stop...its for switchers who already have the periphereals, plus macmall is already selling it with a free keyboard/mouse.
Its also a second system for people.
Its a different kind of market.
so don't get one, and quit yer bitchin'.
Rooster said:
Dont know, but I am in the same boat, as I have someone visiting Hawaii and wonder if they could bring one back in their hand lugage
When I said "lots of power" I was actually using your words. But, the iMac G5 should be perfect for you. It is really worth the extra $200 for the 20" version, it's a really gorgeous computer. The internal speakers sound surprisingly good, too. With good speakers, music from the iMac G5 sounds excellent to me. Because it's a G5, it'll have a longer shelf life than even the new Mac mini (which has a G4 chip).Apple!Freak said:
I hear you. I do Web development, CD-ROM authoring, 3D animation, Flash, Photoshop work, multi-track sound and video editing, and gaming (UT 2004) on a 1.25 GHz G4. My entire business runs off of it, and--with more than 256 RAM--it handles everything great. Would I like a dual G5? Sure12thgear said:
But a 1.25 GHz G4 can handle FAR more than basic tasks. The real issue with performance (outside of the latest 3D games and pro video work) is one of future-proofing, to me--a G5 will last longer before it feels too slow. For $499, I can stomach the thought of wanting an upgrade in three years.That will prove interesting, I bet. The Xserve (and RAID and Xsan) have gotten some really high-end enterprise respect. Now let those people see an MS-Office-ready, virus-free, easy-to-use/support cross-platform-friendly UNIX desktop for $499... or less, in bulk orders!macidiot said:
Keep it! Why not have the safety net of having all your "old stuff" just as is? You can always sell it later--and probably will. But I'd always want my old computer on hand for a while, just to ease the transition.Apple!Freak said:
I tried configuring the mac mini with Airport Extreme, an 80 GB hd, and 512 mb ram, the price came out close to $950CDN, so it almost seems like its not a bargain afterall. What to do? The $499 is really just a gimmick to give you like almost the barest-boned computer as it possibly can. I guess it's still good for web and email, but I gots to have wireless.
I'm with 12thgear and nagromme. These guys run heavy apps all day! On looooowwwwly G4 systems. The fact of the matter is that one of the reasons the technology keeps improving is that companies need marketing tools. I would wager that less than half of the people who complain about the lack of power in this new machine ever do anything on their computers that goes beyond the scope of the mac mini's capabilities. However, a great deal of people are CONVINCED that they must have higher specs. If you can get faster, you gotta have faster. Recognize that those urges might just be programs instilled in you by multi-million dollar ad campaigns. If they can convince you that you need a 100 dollar pair of shoes to be good at a specific sport, they can surely convince you that you neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed the fastest computer you can possibly afford. I'm not saying that a lot of people here don't have legitamate computing needs that are best served by high end systems. I am saying that it's possible a lot of those complaining about lack of power have been suckered. That is, after all, the job of marketing.
MacNeXT said:
well if he already has one set of display/keyboard/mouse and can probably get another set for under $200, its pretty close, but I think still cheaper overall then an ibook, and probably with bigger displays. Just depends on whether using inbetween would be a factor. But I can see the appeal though.
GulGnu said:Buying RAM at the Apple store is like... well, like doing something bad
Still, seems like a very, very nice comp at the pricepoint. The Radeon 9200 was an especially nice tough - integrated graphics would have been a letdown.
I am sure upgrading the ram will not be a problem, I mean the case seems to have multiple teeth/clips that click to the top portion of the case. Which means one would have to click open each clip that would take sometime and patience.
If the system has BTO on it anything of that nature can be done by the user(s).
I set up the same machine in the education store and the price I got was $790. Where did the extra $999 come from?Apple!Freak said: