Mac Mini Released

[Passante]

only 2 usb ports

Well, the only real mistake I think Apple made with the Mac mini is the number of USB ports... If you use your USB PC keyboard and mouse, you're taking up the two ports of the Mac mini. A few non-Mac USB keyboards do have an integrated hub, but most don't. Easily fixed with a 10-15$ USB hub, but still, would've been nice to see at least three ports, and four would've been enough (keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner. Unplug scanner for digital camera when needed).


If you buy an Apple 20 inch display you'll get an extra two usb ports.

 

[rdowns]

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?

I'd say nil. Most are in malls and have to follow mall hours.

 

[Yvan256]

btw, katamari damancy is a ridiculously fun game. Try it.

I did play it (even finished it) at my local Microplay store. Is there any bonus/extra stage if you grab all countries in the ending credits?

I can't play that game at home though. I don't have a Playstation 2... (only Gamecube and Xbox... and the Xbox is only for DOA games)

 

[artifex]

Has the Mac Mini got a 2.5" hardrive or a 3.5" ?
And what rpm has it got, 7200?

I wonder if it's hard to replace the hardrive...

Anybody know if Core Video and Core Image will be supported with the 32 MB ati card that comes with the MiniMac ?

I'll bet that may be one reason why it's still "on track for release" and not one of the announcements. Surely they wouldn't alienate people who are just switching over that quickly, not when many of us won't actually buy for a couple of months.

 

[rdowns]

Ps/2 to USB adapters

Nope, it doesn't.

All I need now is either the USB version of my black IBM keyboard or a cheap PS/2 to USB adapter... Anyone got pointers on such an adapter? One that's known to work well with OS X?

Would something like this or this work?

Ask an IT guy at work or support guy at school for these. These puppies are generally lying around as many mice already ship with them.

 

[Yvan256]

If you buy an Apple 20 inch display you'll get an extra two usb ports.

That's a bit too expensive for a USB hub if you ask me.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Does anybody want to guess what engineering problems will plague the Mini off the bat?

Poor Airport range?
Unable to upgrade RAM on your own (without breaking warranty) and didn't realize it?
Slow graphics card?
Too loud?

Any others?

The RAM issue is the one that I think we will here from the MAc faithful when their warranty/Applecare service is denied becuse the RAM was not installed by an authorized tech. Either that of the independent dealer may see a new burst of life.

 

[fox2005]

Just finished a meeting with a client and helped him with his order of 8 minis to replace his PC's in his office.

 

[Yvan256]

Just finished a meeting with a client and helped him with his order of 8 minis to replace his PC's in his office.

"It has begun."

'nuff said.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Two things. First. Is this thing core image capable? I have to imagine it is. Apple wouldn’t be stupid enough to release a product, albeit a low end product, less then 6 months from the release of Tiger. Even if it isn’t it wouldn’t be a deal killer. Its $599 for god sake.

I agree, but the video card was not on the original list.

Secondly upgrades. I’ve heard hearsay, rumors and general speculation on what actually voids the warrantee on this device. Someone said (www.arstechnica.com) simply cracking the case voids it. Someone else said that only if you damage something it voids the warrantee. Another said that an Apple store will do any upgrade for you for $50. Does anyone know for sure? Why do I care? $433 for 1GB is freaking asinine esp when you can get it for half that price in other locations. Why they didn’t design it like a laptop mobo with the memory slot on the bottom of the board? *shrugs* At any rate I won’t pay $433 for 1GB. And pride prohibits me from going to an Apple store for an upgrade. For god sake I can practically field strip a laptop, blindfolded, hanging upside down. I shouldn’t need to go into any tech store for a bloody RAM upgrade!

I think that time will only tell. Though we will probably here that some had no trouble from Apple, while others will say they had to produce a receipt.

Then there is the hard drive. Looking at the tiny pictures on Apple’s site:

It looks like they aren’t using a desktop hard drive. If that is the case then the likelihood of an actual upgrade to a higher capacity 7400RPM drive (If there is even a 7200 drive in the thing to begin with?!?) is nil or at the very least unlikely. I personally would want at the minimum a 100GB drive in this thing. 43GB of music + another 6GB of photographs + applications. I wouldn’t define it as tight but in a year? Heh by that time I’ll probably have my G5 PowerBook with a 100GB drive and it will be a moot point

First I don't think that a 7200rpm drive will "work" for heat issues. And with FW, I can see them offering an add-on based on the basic design, maybe with USB router capacities or some added value. Maybe multi-slot card reader.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Man, this thread takes a long time to get through...

Just my two thoughts:

1) To those saying that you get more value for your money buying a $1900 iMac (or even refurbished at $1300). It's time fore a small reality check. Not everyone has that kind of money to spend on a new computer. (And when it comes to value it's makes more sense to have a seperate screen, when your for the moment new iMacs are outdated, you'll have to get rid of a highly usable LCD, whilst Mac mini users can keep whatever screen they have, or upgrade, they'll have a choice...). There's a BIG difference in paying $499 (or even $699 including a 19" CRT/15" LCD + KB + Mouse) and the $1300-$2000 you're talking about. We're not all made from money, you know (as I guess quite a few parents must have said when kids has asked for a Mac until now)

2) If your concerned about using a PC keyboard, with its misplaced and missing keys, or if you complain about having to buy a USB hub to add peripherals. Why not spend $29 on an Apple Keyboard with two USB ports...? Problems solved...?

Stop complaining! This is not a pro machine, it's an entry level Mac, affordable for the masses (that is the 98% not owning a Mac - hardcore gamers too stupid to buy a console + those with very old Macs). Especially those not willing to spend >$1000 on a new computer. All those who've said "Mac are too expencive" for years now have lost their only argument not to buy a Mac.

I've already gotten two who were about to buy new PCs to reconsider, I think both gonna end up with the 1.25GHz model, one with an old CRT, the above mentioned Apple Keyboard and whatever mouse we'll find in a drawer. The other with an BTO superdrive, the optional Apple Keyboard and Mouse and a 17" LCD (@ about $200). That's two switchers, within a day... think about it!

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

PUH-leaze. They obviously did.

As a PC user, you CAN TAKE YOUR OLD KEYBOARD, MOUSE and MONITOR WITH YOU. Just like you did with your old PC.

Right on. In the end I think it safe that Apple did their research on many of the things we find wrong. Or think are wrong.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

This mini Mac is a wonderful innovation. Apple and Steve Jobs continue to please and amaze us Apple customers. I'm so happy that Jobs is back at Apple!

Apple could really hit a home run with the mini Mac if they provided a RGB or S-video jack so that you could use your television as a monitor. The tiny size of this new Mac makes it a perfect TV set top box. I bet it would be a knockout competitor to the comparatively weak Microsoft WebTV product.

This new mini Mac is almost 50% faster than the 1ghz eMac that I bought last year. I hope that Apple is planning to release a new eMac with some REAL horsepower under the hood - a G5 perhaps. And not a wimpy version of it either.

I love the eMac. I know some of you consider it the "red-headed stepchild" of the Macintosh line up. But you're so wrong! It's a great machine for many of us and I would definitely be looking to upgrade if Apple gave me compelling reasons to do so.

Hard to say. There were very hot rumors of a eMac G5, then Apple pulled back. Maybe they see the Mac mini as their way to go instead. Only time will tell over the next two months.

 

[artifex]

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

17 inch CRTs are CHEAP nowadays. And the resellers are giving away kb/mouse combos with the mini. eMac is NOT the better deal.

 

[FFTT]

This can get expensive

• 512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive
• SuperDrive
• Internal Bluetooth + AirPort Extreme Card
• Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Set
• 56K v.92 Modem
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
• 1.42GHz PowerPC G4



Estimated Ship:
3-4 weeks
Free Shipping



Subtotal $951.00

 

[DarkNexus]

Does anyone know if it is a real apple K&M macmall.com is giving away? I can't seem to find the mail in rebate they are talking about.

Also, for those who have purchased from macmall.com, do you have to pay taxes on your order?

 

[fronheiser]

for those complaining about keyboard/mouse not being included...

lets not fool ourselves. this product was designed for SWITCHERS in mind. from personal experience, and just by reading user opinions, 90% of people switching from PC are not going to want to tackle the whole one button mouse thing. if they were both included, maybe half of us wouldnt complain, but more than half of apple's target for this product would complain... and thats what matters.

2 years ago i bought a 12" G3 iBook brand new EDU with a 900 mHZ G3, 384 MB RAM, 16 MB VRAM, and a combo drive for $1500...

look at the system that can now be had for $499 shipped. i realize a lot of people on these forums will always find something to complain about, but for one product launch, can we just try and put things into a greater perspective?

MAC people don't want to tackle the one-button mouse thing, either. I agree -- if they leave the keyboard and mouse off ALL purchases, I'd be happy.

 

[artifex]

Apple could really hit a home run with the mini Mac if they provided a RGB or S-video jack so that you could use your television as a monitor. The tiny size of this new Mac makes it a perfect TV set top box. I bet it would be a knockout competitor to the comparatively weak Microsoft WebTV product.

They sell an S-video adapter for it...

 

[Yvan256]

Hard to say. There were very hot rumors of a eMac G5, then Apple pulled back. Maybe they see the Mac mini as their way to go instead. Only time will tell over the next two months.

Or maybe Apple has put the eMac G5 on hold, waiting to see if the Mac mini will be a mad success. If it is, they could drop the eMac line and come up with the "Mac mini G5", which would provide an easy and inexpensive upgrade path for the current iMac G3, iMac G4, eMac G4 and Mac mini owners.

 

[dicklacara]

This can get expensive

• 512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive
• SuperDrive
• Internal Bluetooth + AirPort Extreme Card
• Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Set
• 56K v.92 Modem
• Mac OS X - U.S. English
• 1.42GHz PowerPC G4



Estimated Ship:
3-4 weeks
Free Shipping



Subtotal $951.00

Mmmm.... I ordered the same config (except 1 Gig RAM) yesterday with scheduled ship 0n 0r before 1/21 (10 days after order).

I checked the Apple store a few hours ago and it still showed "for delivery by 01/22" for both Mac minis

Looks like they are getting a lot of orders?

 

[12thgear]

Something I think may be important for switchers to know: the iPods we're all using right now are formatted for Windows use, and I think when we plug them into the minis, we'll have to reformat them to get them to talk to iTunes... right?

Well actually I have had some success syncing a Windows iPod to a Mac iTunes library. But fundamentally there are no supported ways gettings songs off of an iPod and into a new library regardless. So the Music Library needs to be transferred in some fashion. Either networked or by using the iPod in disk mode. Then reformat the iPod.

Alternately one can use iPod exporting apps.

 

[MacNeXT]

PS/2 to USB convertors

Ask an IT guy at work or support guy at school for these. These puppies are generally lying around as many mice already ship with them.

I think you're talking about USB>PS/2 converters. Most USB keyboards also support PS/2 communication and all that's required to use that is a little rewiring and another connector. Those little green USB>PS/2 convertors contain nothing but wires, they're 'dumb'.

So: most USB keyboards support PS/2.

The other way around is a different story. Some PS/2 devices support USB the same way as above, with an adapter the other way around. I know Microsoft did this, but I've never seen such a thing personally. It's not common in my experience. I think you can be sure that if a PS/2 device supports USB, it will ship with an adapter. After all, such a 'dumb' adapter costs next to nothing.

So if your PS/2 keyboard didn't come with an adapter, it probably doesn't support USB.

The only solution is to use a 'smart' PS/2>USB adapter. These things contain a chip that translates PS/2 protocol to USB. They often have two inputs. But such an adapter may cost more than a cheap keyboard. I would recommend to just buy a USB keyboard when your PS/2 keyboard didn't come with an adapter.

 

[artifex]

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.

Exactly. When I buy PC hardware and it comes with a third party's lite version for software, 2 revs behind the current so I can't even get a discount on upgrading, and it doesn't play nice with other stuff on the system and may even be buggy, it's worse than useless, and I know I've paid for it in the cost of the hardware anyway. Steve was very convincing when he was showing the photo program interoperating with the dvd creator program and the Pages software. My software just doesn't do all of that easily. And if I want free-free, I'm sure I can find BSD stuff.

 

[12thgear]

Hub

For switchers having only 2 USB ports is a legitimate complaint.

So who will be the first company to offer a stylish, weighted USB2.0/FW400 weighted base/hub that matches the look of the Mac mini? You just stack the Mac mini on top of the hub and plug it in.

Come on, you know someone is gonna do it.

 

[budugu]

Couple of other ideas here. Apple always tried to play in markets where it does not have a competitor. This miniITX format is the same. This thing is way too small, more than required and on the way is restricting. How cool it looks fades away in couple of weeks! Common how many people are in for a miniITX/nanoITX formats. One can easily transport it back and forth between 2 computer set ups...agreed but where are these computer setups? 2.9 pounds is great, keyboard + mice andcarry the monitor? fit it to a purpose? People were speculating about schools getting them instead of emac but i am sure no school wants computers people can just put in their pokects and walk away! . I wish apple made a slightly larger but more user upgradable, more options may be a size of a medium pizza box instead of a personal pan! I donot see the use of such ultra small factor that it does not fit into the whole setup! a small usb size drive hanging out with aLOT of wires and is next to a huge screen, keyboard or may be a mouse!... imac has a design principle that was great ... this is just a cute box and thats about it!

ONLY PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN THAT THEY HAD ENOUGH OF WINDOWS AND HENCE ARE MOING TO MAC ARE THE PEOPLE WHO JUST LIKE LOOKS.. PERIOD AND MAKING LAME EXCUSES! WHICH IS THEIR RIGHT BTW! they donot care about ilife (or their life ) or MR. Jobs' Gospel, if tomorrow DKNY/Armani makes beautiful windows machines they would move to that and find reasons for that too....