Mac Mini Released

[Agathon]

I wouldn't say that. We aren't talking SUVs here. In tech there is a trend that smaller is better. (Well at least in the realm of reason.) Small = High tech = cool. When I whip out my IBM T31 and show people the size they are all oooo its soo small and lite. Ditto with my 60GB iPod. When I tell people that it holds 60GB there is that wow factor. I think since the mini is going to be able to fit in the corner of your desk and do everything that big junker of a desktop can do short of anything graphic intensive, its going to hit home how cool this device is going to be. Now all someone needs to do is slap some velcro onto the back of a flat screen and put the mini on there and you will have a poor man’s all in one iMac

I agree, but you have to admit that overall a larger item just seems like a bigger deal.

It's great what is going to happen. Some Windows ipod user is going to go into an Apple store and see a stack of these things and say to himself (or herself) "what the hell, it's 500 bucks and I can stick it in my knapsack".

But that's not what's so great. What is great is that they'll get home and fire up (primarily) iphoto and Garageband just to see what the mac will do. Those apps are so slick that any idiot can get a brilliant "Wow! Cool!" result immediately. Especially the new iphoto: that looks incredible.

The same insane burst of happiness that new ipod owners get will be there in an even greater degree. I've lost count of how many switchers have told me that they just didn't understand until they started using a mac. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of big things for Apple.

 

[fj_salcedo]

Mac mini is sweet; now, Apple bring us PowerMac mini !!!

Apple, you're just in the middle of the way in the proper direction . Even you have two of the three dimensions right: 6.5 depth x 6.5 width. Allow this sweety to grow to 6.5 height and you'll have room for:
- G5 1.xx - 2.XX Ghz
- Two-Three ram simms
- 128-256 VRAM (plus nVidia)
- 160 HD serial ATA
- SuperDrive

See... it's REALLY EASY; add more ports (now you've room) and a gigahertz frontside bus (remember it's PowerMac mini). Of course you'r allowed to also double the price tag: 999$.

All in all, while waiting for PowerMac mini, i'll buy one Mac mini... FOR SURE.

 

[MacRy]

Just watched the Mac Mini part of the Keynote and I can't believe just how small it is! Until you see it being handled you just can't imagine it being as small as the dimensions state. Incredible!

 

[numediaman]

1.) Most of those older machines won't have USB keybd/mice, and they'll have an older CRT

2.) The Dell special for $499 is going to be more expandable, faster, and will come with a new LCD, keyboard, mouse, AND PRINTER.

3.) This just isn't inticing enough to get someone off of the old familiar Windows platform and on to something completely different... esp, if they don't bother to advertise this machine like they don't do with the rest of their machines.

Unlike most people here, I rarely defend Apple's marketing practices -- but this is an exception.

There are a huge number of people who have bought these low-end Dells -- thus a huge potential market for switchers. Now I ask you, are these people happy with their computers?

Between viruses, add-ons that are not as plug-and-play as advertised, etc., I believe there are a large group of potential new customers for Apple out there who simply don't need a new monitor, keyboard or mouse -- they need a new OS.

But . . . the biggest problem remains this: where will these people buy this machine? Where are the retailers? (The Apple stores are clearly not going to serve a mass market.) Also, when will Apple start to market its computer line with the same level of aggressiveness that they have the iPod?

 

[jicon]

I'll be using my Mini initially with a KVM.

I have a Gyration in-air mouse and wireless keyboard that will work great in the living room later on as it uses RF technology, and only consumes one USB port.

In the end, I'll have all my Photos, music, movies, and ability to surf and do email from the couch.

I'll expect a lot of software/hardware products out soon to fully use this device as a media center unit.

I won't be using the thing to play games, or use a developer's IDE interface. Media playback, pure and simple. The size of the device, and assumed quiet noise won me over.

I don't think the product will be an absolute sellout. For everyday computing, including games and development/editing, a full fledged machine should be considered. But those in the niche market of requiring a media playback device, should consider the product opposed to a Windows Media Center device, or a Linux system built in a mini-Shuttle case.

 

[jacobj]

Graphics card is poor

I'm sure that this has been said a hundred times already, but the graphics card is poor. I'd rather have to pay an extra £30 and get a much better card.

Other than that, the thing is a beast and you have to love it. As has also been said before, the software alone is worth the money. Problem is, and I say this having spoken to a few die-hard MS fans today, most PCs come with software.

We have to convince these fools that free software that you wouldn't pay for if it weren't free is not the same as free software that if it weren't free you'd pay £400 for.

 

[Yvan256]

what a joke.

this is a potential pr nightmare, especially where switchers are concerned.

no monitor.

no mouse or keyboard.

You don't quite grasp what a "switcher" means, do you?

A switcher already has a computer, which implies he also already have a display, a keyboard and a mouse. Probably also a USB hub, gamepads/joysticks, a scanner, a printer, a digital camera, etc, etc.

The Mac mini is perfect, I'd be pissed at Apple if their "switcher" kit included a keyboard and a mouse (and rightly so).

 

[Yvan256]

Apple, you're just in the middle of the way in the proper direction . Even you have two of the three dimensions right: 6.5 depth x 6.5 width. Allow this sweety to grow to 6.5 height and you'll have room for:
- G5 1.xx - 2.XX Ghz
- Two-Three ram simms
- 128-256 VRAM (plus nVidia)
- 160 HD serial ATA
- SuperDrive

See... it's REALLY EASY; add more ports (now you've room) and a gigahertz frontside bus (remember it's PowerMac mini). Of course you'r allowed to also double the price tag: 999$.

All in all, while waiting for PowerMac mini, i'll buy one Mac mini... FOR SURE.

If Apple really goes that route, my "next Mac" (once I buy a Mac mini) would be that "PowerMac mini".

 

[ccrandall77]

Apple, you're just in the middle of the way in the proper direction . Even you have two of the three dimensions right: 6.5 depth x 6.5 width. Allow this sweety to grow to 6.5 height and you'll have room for:
- G5 1.xx - 2.XX Ghz
- Two-Three ram simms
- 128-256 VRAM (plus nVidia)
- 160 HD serial ATA
- SuperDrive

That would be a sweet machine. If they'd just stuck to:

- 1.6GHz G5/533MHz FSB
- 256MB Motherboard RAM
- 1 SODIMM slot that's user accessible on the bottom of the machine
- At least a 64MB video card or something that'll handle everything that's coming in Tiger
- One more USB and Firewire port, audio-in port

then I think machine is a real winner and I think those specs would easily fit the formfactor (might need some slots in the case for cooling) and should still be something they could sell at the $500-$600 range.

This machine now is clearly on a par price vs. specs-wise with the iMac and would be a great value for someone looking to dump a PC system. But as it stands now, I can't see someone with a system that has a decent LCD already wanting to step down to a slower Mac Mini. And let's face, the average Joe does not know that OS X is virus-free, adware-free (for now) and comes with more value-added software than Windows. So, he's not going to say "Gee, I'll switch to a Mac and get a better computing experience."
I'm still routinely laughed at for using a Mac... and these are IT professionals, but they haven't used a Mac since MacOS 8-9. They know NOTHING about OS X. I just told my team lead, a UNIX/Java guy, that OS X was UNIX. He was amazed... but still, he won't switch from Windows because he's become comfortable with the familiar. This machine just isn't good enough to make a Windows user switch 99 out of a 100 times.

 

[nina]

This is sooo sweet.

The problem is, I was saving up for a next-revision mid-range Dual G5 Power Mac. But, at $2299 (CDN EDU price), the top-end Mac mini is about 1/3 of the price!

This means I could buy one Mac mini a year for the next three years for the same amount of money. Sure, I wouldn't have the power of a dual G5, but in return, I'd have THREE macs around the house.

I really need someone to explain to me the benefits of clustering these babies. Is it possible? I hear the Final Cut Pro users are really asking for distributed network rendering - it this gets used, it'd be SWEET to have a bunch of these.

Also, if I add an M-audio Transit to this thing (USB > Optical digital audio), and (in the future) buy a DVI-equipped HDTV, I have a SWEET Mac-based HDTV.

Sooooo tempting, but I will wait until it comes with Tiger before I buy.

 

[Yvan256]

Just a query:

Mac mini has 2 Usb Ports
Most PC users have a Ps2 keyboard

Therefore, most Pc users will have to buy either
1. an apple kboard or
2. a non apple usb keyboard and a usb hub, as a keyboard and a mouse, both usb, would use all the ports on the mini

This seems to be quite annoying as the latter would set you back say an easy Au$100

Thoughts?

Most USB keyboards are around 30$CAN, and a 4-ports USB hub is about 20$CAN.

I do agree about the "only two USB ports that will by taken by the keyboard and mouse" bit though... (I can already hear some users: "hey, where do I plug my printer/scanner/camera now? Stupid Apple computer!")

 

[oxycat78]

Perfect

This thing is perfect. Apple's finally taking on the wintel world when it comes to pricing.

In many ways, the Mac mini is the G4 iMac but without the screen. And a lot of people are nagging about it's speed, claiming it would be slow. Well, I've worked for big advertising agencies here in germany, and a lot of them are still doing their work on their old quicksilvers, some have started to merge towards the G5, while others simply got the last G4 iMacs. Now i have my own business, and this new Apple comes at a perfect time. It's affordable, and I can use which ever screen I want (which will be a 17 Inch Flatscreen at first). I'm running on a Powerbook 1Ghz 12 inch at the moment (with my 17 inch), and for my illustration work and advertisment design and layouts it runs nice and fast. So I'm sure the Mac mini will be an enjoyable ride.

If your not doing hardcore video rendering this thing is great! And hey, even Audio production is snappy on the 1.5 Ghz Powerbook, so it won't be a pain on the Mac mini either. Look at it that way folks!

 

[Dal]

As a current PC owner I thought that this might be a good option to replace my aging and dying AMD system. Problem is that there are only 2 USB ports, so assuming my keyboard and mouse are hooked up to these I'm a bit buggered when I need to connect my digital camera up to it (photo management is one of OS X's strong points I hear). I know I could get a hub or something, but it's just extra cost and kinda defeats the purpose of the 'mini'. Can anyone help me out so I can ditch Billy's system for my desktop...?

 

[Dal]

(I can already hear some users: "hey, where do I plug my printer/scanner/camera now? Stupid Apple computer!")

Lol, I didn't see this post before I posted I swear!

 

[oxycat78]

DAL: buy the Apple keyboard, has an USB hub. Here in germany you can get it for 29,- euro, don't know about dollars however. Shouldn't cost that much though.

 

[PuterSaurus]

What are the chances that Apple retail stores will open at midnight or at least early for the new software and hardware releases on Sat. Jan 22nd?

 

[Yvan256]

[...] A lot of people on here think it's going to appeal to people with older Win9x machines and it's just not going to happen because....

1.) Most of those older machines won't have USB keybd/mice, and they'll have an older CRT

A lot of people have USB keyboards/mouses (even old computers), and PS/2 to USB converters do exists. And last, a new USB keyboard/mouse doesn't cost that much.

But your comment about "they'll have an older CRT" doesn't apply. You don't NEED an LCD display to use a computer, and Apple does include the DVDI->VGA adapter with the Mac mini.

 

[BillHarrison]

The eMac is still a better deal. For $300 more one gets a 17' monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Since when did 17" CRT + Keyboard + Mouse = More than 300$??

That would be the only way an Emac would be a better deal.

If you pay those prices for those Items, I have many of them for sale for you to buy!

 

[Gee]

Lol, I didn't see this post before I posted I swear!

As the chap above said, the (nice, white) standard Apple keyboard is pretty cheap and comes with two spare USB ports to plugyour mouse into, thus leaving one of the computer ports free. Or you can plug your mouse into the comp, and other peripherals into the keyboard. Hmmmm.

 

[Dal]

As the chap above said, the (nice, white) standard Apple keyboard is pretty cheap and comes with two spare USB ports to plugyour mouse into, thus leaving one of the computer ports free. Or you can plug your mouse into the comp, and other peripherals into the keyboard. Hmmmm.

Hehe so many choices!

So this £19 keyboard from the Apple Store is the one I'd be wanting yeah? I am so tempted to get one, just need to get myself a job first....

 

[jer2eydevil88]

For all the questions swirling about the 32mb video card.

I installed the Alpha build on my friends Ibook over the summer and it only has a Radeon 7000 with 32mb of ram. The OS ran perfectly and so did some software (it was not a final build so many software installers wouldn't work as they didnt recognize the build). I suggest that people interested in the mac-mini concern themselves more with why they would buy a mac then what kind of future proofing it might include.

Oh and I want linux not just Mac OS X on my mini and I plan to paint my case... Leds sound nice.... how about a custom grill on top?.... I am gonna have fun with my little mini

 

[ccrandall77]

A lot of people have USB keyboards/mouses (even old computers), and PS/2 to USB converters do exists. And last, a new USB keyboard/mouse doesn't cost that much.

But your comment about "they'll have an older CRT" doesn't apply. You don't NEED an LCD display to use a computer, and Apple does include the DVDI->VGA adapter with the Mac mini.

Yes, but that's still more cost to lump onto the total. And do you really think that people will want to keep their old 15" CRT and by this?? I think that's being naive. My whole point is that if you want to intice people away from the $499 Dell special, you have to do it for $499. I'm sorry, but the average person doesn't know about OS X or the advantages of using it over Windows. So, why on Earth would they spend $499 on a machine that isn't a complete system and would need a memory upgrade right out of the gate.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO APPEAL TO THE AVERAGE WINDOWS USER!!!

 

[TastyOther]

Swissmann is correct! The macmini low price is misleading.

Otherwise value buyers will buy a cheap $449.00 Dell that includes monitor, keyboard, mouse, faster cpu, equivalent gpu, word perfect, and XP home media package.

People really don't get it, do they.

Okay. First of all, CHEAP DELLS ARE NOT COMPARABLE. Aside from unified memory architecture, PC owners wanting a shuttle-type PC spend far more money on slower hardware. You want a PC that is comparably cheap, or do you want a PC that is comparably small with the same software?

If I get one, there's no monitor. It's going under the TV. It's cheaper than the PS2 was at launch. It's cheaper than the PS3 will be. It'll play movies and iTunes music, games, it'll lurk like a home media device.

"It won't sell". What a load of uniformed and ill-thought out ********. Stick to PCs, stick to Ramen noodles instead of real Chinese food, stick to Chevy instead of Toyota. You buy on the price alone, and don't assume that others do - the success of the iPod proves that the cynicism of armchair 'experts' on what Apple should be making is very, very misplaced.

It's like the Apple //c again - the averagely powerful computer with many percieved limitations, that people buy to take from house to house, and people buy in droves and love - even though at the time there were many 'better' products, or cheaper. A Sinclair Spectrum 128K has more RAM, better sound, and cost a lot less than an Apple //e ever did, but Apple's usability has always overshadowed the raw details of their hardware.

 

[rdowns]

So what? I already have a 15" monitor, keyboard and mouse. Why would I spent 360$CAN extra on stuff I don't need?

Now, does anyone want to buy an Athlon XP 2400+ with 512MB DDR400, Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM HD, a Plexwriter 8/4/32A, Creative 2x DVD-ROM and GeForce 4 MX 440 64MB for... oh.... 600$US?

Does it include a KB and mouse?

 

[TastyOther]

Since when did 17" CRT + Keyboard + Mouse = More than 300$??

That would be the only way an Emac would be a better deal.

If you pay those prices for those Items, I have many of them for sale for you to buy!

And if they're of the same quality as the CRT in the eMac, they're expensive at half the price