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Mac Mini Released
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Wow, it's a computer that even my mum could learn to love. 
She doesn't know anything about computers, but my old PC isn't exactly the best thing to be learning from, anyhow. Why? Because it sucks.
And it seems as though they're not asking for laptop RAM, since they didn't specify SO-DIMM. Plus, laptop components are smaller and more expensive, so there's no way Apple could sell a computer this size using laptop parts for $499.
She doesn't know anything about computers, but my old PC isn't exactly the best thing to be learning from, anyhow. Why? Because it sucks. And it seems as though they're not asking for laptop RAM, since they didn't specify SO-DIMM. Plus, laptop components are smaller and more expensive, so there's no way Apple could sell a computer this size using laptop parts for $499.
Nice computer. If you have to buy a monitor however, the iMac G5 is a better deal. I like the design. They should have put a G5 in it!!!!!!!
The only good thing about buying this over the iMac is that in 2 or 3 years you can just buy a new computer and save the monitor. I still have some time to decide, but I think in the end I will go with the iMac G5 because everyone says that the G5 is much faster then the G4. Still it is cool, I love the size. That in itself would be a conversation piece.
The only good thing about buying this over the iMac is that in 2 or 3 years you can just buy a new computer and save the monitor. I still have some time to decide, but I think in the end I will go with the iMac G5 because everyone says that the G5 is much faster then the G4. Still it is cool, I love the size. That in itself would be a conversation piece.
WOW!!! A 1.42 GHz G4 for only $700?! And a Radeon 9200 too! WAY better than that FX 5200 crap! This is unbelievable!
(to the whiners: a better video card? Have you even looked at the price? Please.)
(to the whiners: a better video card? Have you even looked at the price? Please.)
tsk said:Looks nice.
Just a few negatives I see:
Edu discount only $20
Only 1 DIMM slot and I'm guessing it's laptop memory so expensive to get to 1GB RAM (and RAM must be installed by Apple authorized...). If it's regular memory, it's no problem.
I also wonder if the HD is a laptop drive.
But all in all, looks pretty good.
The world is full of negative things, and people. Please, help your self and concentrate on the positive. Your life will be so much more fulfilling.
If I told you it was free but you would have to travel to the store and pick it up! would you complain about the trip you would have to make. Free your mind and the rest will follow.
Frump.
Market share
Yeah, my housemate, who is an avid linux user saw it and almost fell on the floor, I guess thats another one sold
MentalFabric said:
Yeah, my housemate, who is an avid linux user saw it and almost fell on the floor, I guess thats another one sold
I'll quote StrongBad on this one, "I lika to saayy, HOLY CRAP!"
This thing is so cool, I may actually buy one myself! its sooo cheap, soo cool, so fast (i'm on an 800MHz tibook now), and its.... 499 and 599!!!
omg omg omg omg. I'm freaking out.
This thing is so cool, I may actually buy one myself! its sooo cheap, soo cool, so fast (i'm on an 800MHz tibook now), and its.... 499 and 599!!!
omg omg omg omg. I'm freaking out.
Good Job, but...
I love this idea, but I feel a little ripped off spending 849 on an iBook and being able to get the same thing for 499. Anyway, love the iPod shuffle iWork and iLife, although it is a liitle pricey.
My Mom has already asked me where she can get one of these and so has my uncle.
Overall, nice job Steve.
-amholl
PS. Got the'book for 849 from amazon w/rebates. I got 150 off because it said that on the page instead of 100 dollar rebate and they refunded me.
I love this idea, but I feel a little ripped off spending 849 on an iBook and being able to get the same thing for 499. Anyway, love the iPod shuffle iWork and iLife, although it is a liitle pricey.
My Mom has already asked me where she can get one of these and so has my uncle.
Overall, nice job Steve.
-amholl
PS. Got the'book for 849 from amazon w/rebates. I got 150 off because it said that on the page instead of 100 dollar rebate and they refunded me.
tsk said:Looks nice.
Just a few negatives I see:
Edu discount only $20
Only 1 DIMM slot and I'm guessing it's laptop memory so expensive to get to 1GB RAM (and RAM must be installed by Apple authorized...). If it's regular memory, it's no problem.
I also wonder if the HD is a laptop drive.
But all in all, looks pretty good.
The world is full of negative things, and people. Please, help your self and concentrate on the positive. Your life will be so much more fulfilling.
If I told you it was free but you would have to travel to the store and pick it up! would you complain about the trip you would have to make. Free your mind and the rest will follow.
Frump.
stevesien said:
You have no idea what you're talking about. Aside from RAM, this thing is higher-specced than the iBook I play UT2k4 on (1.07GHz, 32 megs VRAM). My iBook handles GarageBand beautifully as well.
~J
switcher time
This little bugger is definitely aimed at the switcher market. You cant add an apple mouse, keyboard and monitor and still call it a deal, but you can if you just throw out that ugly PC box (or donate it) and use the components you have.
With that said I think this is a great move, but way overdue. I'm suprised it took Apple several years into the iPod success story to figure out how to reach the wider consumer market.
This little bugger is definitely aimed at the switcher market. You cant add an apple mouse, keyboard and monitor and still call it a deal, but you can if you just throw out that ugly PC box (or donate it) and use the components you have.
With that said I think this is a great move, but way overdue. I'm suprised it took Apple several years into the iPod success story to figure out how to reach the wider consumer market.
Mac Mini vs. iMac G5
Mac Mini
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive
Wired Keyboard & Mouse Set
56K v.92 Modem
Mac OS X - U.S. English
1.42GHz PowerPC G4
Plus 20 Apple Display
Total Price is $1,832
iMac G5
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
160GB Serial ATA drive
None - Bluetooth Module
Keyboard and Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
20-inch widescreen LCD
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra w/64MB video memory
Total Price is $1,974
So for only $142 more for the iMac G5 you get an empty DIMM slot, 80 GB more Hard Drive, a G5 Processor at 1.8 GHz, and a better graphics card.
For someone like me it makes no sense to get the Mac Mini. For a PC user who has a monitor and wants to do things like schoolwork, organize photos/music, occasional iMovie stuff, surf the web etc. Sounds like a cheap way to switch to a Mac.
I think it has a definite place but not in my home office.
Mac Mini
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive
SuperDrive
Wired Keyboard & Mouse Set
56K v.92 Modem
Mac OS X - U.S. English
1.42GHz PowerPC G4
Plus 20 Apple Display
Total Price is $1,832
iMac G5
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
160GB Serial ATA drive
None - Bluetooth Module
Keyboard and Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
20-inch widescreen LCD
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra w/64MB video memory
Total Price is $1,974
So for only $142 more for the iMac G5 you get an empty DIMM slot, 80 GB more Hard Drive, a G5 Processor at 1.8 GHz, and a better graphics card.
For someone like me it makes no sense to get the Mac Mini. For a PC user who has a monitor and wants to do things like schoolwork, organize photos/music, occasional iMovie stuff, surf the web etc. Sounds like a cheap way to switch to a Mac.
I think it has a definite place but not in my home office.
amholl said:
Oh please, cry me a river now... the same thing? So what about the LCD screen, the battery, and the SO-DIMM memory? (plus with the iBook you get an extra expansion slot). This is a different thing, it´s a desktop computer! You should know by now that laptops are expensiver... (ando just for the record, I purchased a PowerBook 12" not 4 months ago for way more money (I live outside the states), and I´m still very happy about it)
switcher time
This little bugger is definitely aimed at the switcher market. You cant add an apple mouse, keyboard and monitor and still call it a deal, but you can if you just throw out that ugly PC box (or donate it) and use the components you have.
With that said I think this is a great move, but way overdue. I'm suprised it took Apple several years into the iPod success story to figure out how to reach the wider consumer market.
This little bugger is definitely aimed at the switcher market. You cant add an apple mouse, keyboard and monitor and still call it a deal, but you can if you just throw out that ugly PC box (or donate it) and use the components you have.
With that said I think this is a great move, but way overdue. I'm suprised it took Apple several years into the iPod success story to figure out how to reach the wider consumer market.
i've seen a picture of the inside of this little beast and the RAM is user replaceable... pretty easy too
the pic has what a lot of people thought were clips that could be broken but they are not clips and are EMF fingers
.... EMF fingers basically help form a faraday cage for the computer.... the reason they are located where they are is because for a faraday cage to work the innards need to be completely metal enclosed in a metal or mesh cage.... the metal fingers preven stray electromagnetic field lines from going in or out of the computer......this becomes increasingly important as clock speeds go up and computers nowadays require them....
most likely there are 4 long #4-40 machine screws (or similar thread pitch and size, maybe smaller knowing apple) that attach the innards to the top cover..... when you pull it appart the metal fingers will slide down and pop outwards when released ... then you replace the RAM and push the fingers back in (they are like leaf springs) when sliding the innards back into the case.
it is standard size ram and not laptop ram
what i don't know is if the harddrive is a stardard 3.5" or not.... anyone know? can it be upgraded to a 7200rmp or are there heat issues?
the pic has what a lot of people thought were clips that could be broken but they are not clips and are EMF fingers
.... EMF fingers basically help form a faraday cage for the computer.... the reason they are located where they are is because for a faraday cage to work the innards need to be completely metal enclosed in a metal or mesh cage.... the metal fingers preven stray electromagnetic field lines from going in or out of the computer......this becomes increasingly important as clock speeds go up and computers nowadays require them....
most likely there are 4 long #4-40 machine screws (or similar thread pitch and size, maybe smaller knowing apple) that attach the innards to the top cover..... when you pull it appart the metal fingers will slide down and pop outwards when released ... then you replace the RAM and push the fingers back in (they are like leaf springs) when sliding the innards back into the case.
it is standard size ram and not laptop ram
what i don't know is if the harddrive is a stardard 3.5" or not.... anyone know? can it be upgraded to a 7200rmp or are there heat issues?
Very nice but not actually that cheap. Factor in the price of a 20in Apple monitor, keyboard and mouse and you're getting close to the price of a more advanced and more useful iMac G5...
Excellent!
This is a great second computer / switcher computer. I'm curious as to whether the hard drive is 3.5" or 2.5" (guess: 3.5" because it's cheaper and faster).
Not thrilled about the Radeon 9200 but it isn't bad either - it will be fine for iApps/Office/Internet/casual gaming, which is this machine's prime purpose. I was using a Radeon 7500 in my G4 and it worked surprisingly well, so i'm not too worried about the 9200. We may see 5200s or 9600s in a rev. b/c Mac mini anyway.
And the price kicks A**! A brand new Mac for less than a used Cube!
Unlike the rumors, we see optional Superdrive, 1.42 G4 and Bluetooth, all of which are good.
As for the RAM, the original iMacs were actually expandable past their stated max RAM amount. As we see bigger DIMMs come to market, it may become possible to put 2GB or more in this thing. Just a thought.
I think that the Mac mini is here to stay as a product line.
This is a great second computer / switcher computer. I'm curious as to whether the hard drive is 3.5" or 2.5" (guess: 3.5" because it's cheaper and faster).
Not thrilled about the Radeon 9200 but it isn't bad either - it will be fine for iApps/Office/Internet/casual gaming, which is this machine's prime purpose. I was using a Radeon 7500 in my G4 and it worked surprisingly well, so i'm not too worried about the 9200. We may see 5200s or 9600s in a rev. b/c Mac mini anyway.
And the price kicks A**! A brand new Mac for less than a used Cube!
Unlike the rumors, we see optional Superdrive, 1.42 G4 and Bluetooth, all of which are good.
As for the RAM, the original iMacs were actually expandable past their stated max RAM amount. As we see bigger DIMMs come to market, it may become possible to put 2GB or more in this thing. Just a thought.
I think that the Mac mini is here to stay as a product line.
How is this a good deal ?
You have to bring your own display, keyboard and mouse ... not to mention add another 256 megs of ram to run OS X comfortably and you're right at the price point for the emac .... emachines and Dell offer complete systems for less... oh and by the way I'm not terribly impressed by the power supply brick ... FUGLY
You have to bring your own display, keyboard and mouse ... not to mention add another 256 megs of ram to run OS X comfortably and you're right at the price point for the emac .... emachines and Dell offer complete systems for less... oh and by the way I'm not terribly impressed by the power supply brick ... FUGLY
Raven VII said:
The Radeon 9200 may technically be faster on paper, but it can not run Core Image. The FX 5200 can, and is more feature rich, even though it is technically a slower card. It really makes you wonder why Apple would release a Mac that can't handle one of the major upgrades offered in Tiger?
Another case of you get what you pay for.
You are totally missing the point.
Not everyone wants to spend $1800 on a computer and not everyone needs Apple Dispalys.
The Mac Mini is cheap so therefore is vastly more affordable than any other mac. Alot of switchers have monitors. Monitors are cheap these days, as are keyboards and mice.
People didn't want to switch to Macs because they are too expensive. Mac Mini is incredibly cheap even after adding keyboard, mouse and monitor as required.
Not everyone wants to spend $1800 on a computer and not everyone needs Apple Dispalys.
The Mac Mini is cheap so therefore is vastly more affordable than any other mac. Alot of switchers have monitors. Monitors are cheap these days, as are keyboards and mice.
People didn't want to switch to Macs because they are too expensive. Mac Mini is incredibly cheap even after adding keyboard, mouse and monitor as required.
swissmann said:
Impressive - especially edu pricing
Well Apple surprised me. I was expecting reality to fall short of the most extreme rumors as usual... but this time they did not!
Forget "switchers," welcome "adders"!
Go to Dell.com and try to build something with the warranty, software bundle, connectivity (Firewire, DVI/VGA/TV-out, concealed wireless antennas), and optical drive of a Mac Mini. You may find higher Mhz in a bottom Dell, but you won't find dedicated VRAM. (And wow, Dell sure nickles and dimes you on the software options!) You'll easily end up paying more than $600! Especially if you buy what you need to gain a little of the Mac's security from viruses/spyware. But if you want to match OS X, iLife '05, the portable size, the style, and the quiet... you can just give up
Weird that they give you AppleWorks and not iWork. But I guess any low-end system wants you to buy extras. And I really like how the thing doesn't seem "cheap"! A real slot-load drive, built-in speaker, aluminum case... compare again to the bottom Dell But where's the low-end 17" Cinema Display? You know Apple wants to sell you one...
And as always, I am jealous of the education pricing that all my friends can get!
1.25/40/Combo $479
1.42/80/Combo $579
512 RAM $67
SuperDrive DVD burner $90
Bluetooth $45
AirPort $71
Wired keyboard/mouse $58
Wireless for use with BT add $41
20" Cinema Display $899
23" Cinema Display $1599
TV/S-video adapter $17
iWork $49
iLife $59
iPod Shuffle 1GB $139
Who would have thought... a Mac with 23" Cinema Display for $2078!
Or more realistic...
1.4 Ghz / 80 GB HD
512 RAM
Mouse/keyboard
20" Cinema Display
Epson printer (free with any Mac)
Total $1603
Or upgrade that:
BT wireless peripherals for a one-cable desk
Epson printer/scanner/copier ($29 special with any Mac)
Total $1776
If your budget can't swing a 20" iMac G5 with BT, that's a lot of cool computer for your buck!
Well Apple surprised me. I was expecting reality to fall short of the most extreme rumors as usual... but this time they did not!
Forget "switchers," welcome "adders"!
Go to Dell.com and try to build something with the warranty, software bundle, connectivity (Firewire, DVI/VGA/TV-out, concealed wireless antennas), and optical drive of a Mac Mini. You may find higher Mhz in a bottom Dell, but you won't find dedicated VRAM. (And wow, Dell sure nickles and dimes you on the software options!) You'll easily end up paying more than $600! Especially if you buy what you need to gain a little of the Mac's security from viruses/spyware. But if you want to match OS X, iLife '05, the portable size, the style, and the quiet... you can just give up
Weird that they give you AppleWorks and not iWork. But I guess any low-end system wants you to buy extras. And I really like how the thing doesn't seem "cheap"! A real slot-load drive, built-in speaker, aluminum case... compare again to the bottom Dell
But where's the low-end 17" Cinema Display? You know Apple wants to sell you one...And as always, I am jealous of the education pricing that all my friends can get!
1.25/40/Combo $479
1.42/80/Combo $579
512 RAM $67
SuperDrive DVD burner $90
Bluetooth $45
AirPort $71
Wired keyboard/mouse $58
Wireless for use with BT add $41
20" Cinema Display $899
23" Cinema Display $1599
TV/S-video adapter $17
iWork $49
iLife $59
iPod Shuffle 1GB $139
Who would have thought... a Mac with 23" Cinema Display for $2078!
Or more realistic...
1.4 Ghz / 80 GB HD
512 RAM
Mouse/keyboard
20" Cinema Display
Epson printer (free with any Mac)
Total $1603
Or upgrade that:
BT wireless peripherals for a one-cable desk
Epson printer/scanner/copier ($29 special with any Mac)
Total $1776
If your budget can't swing a 20" iMac G5 with BT, that's a lot of cool computer for your buck!
I just found my server
I think another application for this thing that I have seen mentioned would be a web / domain controller / file / print / etc. server for small offices ( running Panther server ).
Howabout a Kiosk computer? A media server? A threat to DELL!!
Imagine, you server is smaller than the switch it connects to.
Max.
I think another application for this thing that I have seen mentioned would be a web / domain controller / file / print / etc. server for small offices ( running Panther server ).
Howabout a Kiosk computer? A media server? A threat to DELL!!
Imagine, you server is smaller than the switch it connects to.
Max.