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Mac Mini Released

Philsy said:
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...
Click to expand...

Nobody will buy a 500$ computer with a 1000$ display. And if someone wants to do that, then surely they will see the iMac G5 and choose that instead.

But to reply to your comment:
Factor in my current 15" CRT, USB mouse and keyboard and I'm still close to the original Mac mini price... Oh wait, I'm exactly at the Mac mini price! ;)

Nice to see the keyboard/mouse is optionnal (I wouldn't want to pay 78$CAN for a stupid one-button mouse and "designer" keyboard, I'll keep my Logitech ergonomic mouse with 3 buttons and scrollwheel with my IBM keyboard, thank you Apple).

Also nice to see the SuperDrive option for both models! :eek:

Radeon 9200/32MB? Bah, as long as it can display what it needs to. :rolleyes:
 
stevesien said:
What are they thinking, this thing looks great but can't chose a better graphics card?? this is a 5 yr old card, barely enough to run OSX. Forget any games, forget Garageband. With the also outdated G4.
You can internet and word process, maybe a little Iphoto.

Too bad it puts Apple right back to underpowered TOY status.

Steve
Click to expand...

Still faster than most switcher's boxes... (celeron 700 with 128MB and Windows 98SE). Especially faster if their boxes are ridden with viruses and spyware.

As for GarageBand... that thing needs a fast GPU? :D
 
Mixed feelings really....

On the plus side, this thing really seems quite comparable to, say, a Powerbook 15" in specs... The video is going to do roughly the same things for you that the video on a Powerbook does. That's to say, good enough to play most games (albeit not at frame rates that'll impress any hard-core PC gamer), and certainly enough for all the iApps, general Internet use, business apps (Quicken, Quickbooks, etc.), web page design, and so on.

Here's why I'm less impressed upon taking a closer look:

1. No keyboard or mouse included?! Come on.... I can see skipping the 1 button mouse that most "switchers" wouldn't want anyway, but not even a lousy keyboard with it? If you're coming from a PC, you're not too likely to have a keyboard that can even physically plug into this machine - much less one with properly labeled function/option type keys.

2. 256MB of RAM is not enough for OS X 10.3. Yeah, sure - it'll *run* with it, but Windows XP says it can run in 64MB of RAM too - and everyone who ever uses it can tell you less than 192MB to 256MB is pretty unusable with it. Especially when you're dealing with a previous generation CPU (G4 vs. G5), you need all the help you can get in other areas to keep performance satisfactory. Including 512MB instead of 256MB (at LEAST on the $599 version of the iMac Mini) should have been the standard config.

3. I'm not certain on this yet, but if it's the way I suspect Apple did it, I'm going to be really upset to find no "access panels" to unscrew or unlatch to get to the hard drive or memory chips. Even their Powerbooks give you easy access to upgrade the memory yourself. On a low-budget system, the philosophy should be that the buyer may have limited funds to plunk down all at once for a system, but should encourage them to do incremental upgrades over time. This is what they almost always do when they buy a PC compatible. Buy the cheapest thing they can get, up front, and a few paychecks later, add some RAM, or maybe a better video board, or bigger/faster hard drive, etc. Make this too hard for them, and the expandable PC will look more attractive.


stevesien said:
What are they thinking, this thing looks great but can't chose a better graphics card?? this is a 5 yr old card, barely enough to run OSX. Forget any games, forget Garageband. With the also outdated G4.
You can internet and word process, maybe a little Iphoto.

Too bad it puts Apple right back to underpowered TOY status.

Steve
Click to expand...
 
Another Quick Two Cents

"Built in Speaker" - meaning one? - add another $100 on for a decent pair of speakers

Power Button in the rear of the machine - why change now?
 
I gotta admit it sure is purty and cute, though, for all I said. Hmmm, slot-loading...hmm. LOL, I'd be worried about it getting knocked off the desk at that size, though, but it's pretty. It's definitely going to hurt the old G4 market and probably a few others.

I think it's a good switcher machine, mainly. Or for people who just want to use it for music, etc. Because that's $499. But their crappy keyboard is an overpriced $40. And the same (?) for a mouse (I'm not actually looking at the site right now.) And a monitor for...whatever. $999 if you buy one of the new ones, but that would seem to be an odd choice. I'd still personally need a monitor and keyboard, myself. Oh, if only their power could be combined! Three Minis for the price of a G5, give or take. But it's not quite the same.

Still, interesting choice by Apple. Wonder what the PC folk will do in response?
 
Another Quick Two Cents

Figured I would add my two cents since I havent read these mentioned anywhere yet in the forum.

"Built in Speaker" - meaning one? - add another $100 on for a decent pair of speakers

Power Button in the rear of the machine - why change now?

Sorry if this is a double post but the server is killin me.
 
LaMerVipere said:
We Apple users might become accustomed to said virus scanner(s) if the Mac platform becomes too popular.
Click to expand...

Yeah, sure, because as OS X gets more users, it becomes more full of security holes just like something made by Microsoft. :rolleyes:

As long as you're not being stupid (running any program you find while logged as root/admin), I think you're safe. Unlike on Windows XP, where being connected to the internet is a security breach by itself. :eek:
 
I priced everything with the student discount and it comes up to be around $1700 bucks. Which includes the protection plan and keyboard and mouse.

80GB Ultra ATA drive
56K v.92 Modem
Combo Drive
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
Mac OS X - U.S. English
20" Cinema Display (Yeah I know there is cheap LCD out there)
 
Stella said:
Mac MINI doesn't do optical audio out?

If so, this puts a dampener on things. Though I suppose you could get an Airport express and wirelessly connect you surround sound speakers.
Click to expand...

As long as I can connect my headphones into it, I don't care about the rest. :D
 
I can see myself getting one of these. I'm going off to design school this fall, and I'm hoping to grab a powerbook to use there. I read the boards often and it makes the wait extremely tough, so this mini could be a good thing to tide me over and allow me to familiarize myself with the OS (it would be my first mac). My monitor already has a spare vga port that I could hook this into, which would also give me picture-in-picture to use with my big gaming pc. Only problem is it's looking like a no go on the user upgradability of the ram, but I can deal. Sound like a plan?
 
MakGeek said:
"Built in Speaker" - meaning one? - add another $100 on for a decent pair of speakers

Power Button in the rear of the machine - why change now?
Click to expand...

What rear? What machine?
 
Perfect small server

I think I'm going to get one as a small server to replace the iMac 266 that's currently serving that function. I'll also use it temporarily hooked to my 23" cinema display until the Powerbook g5 comes out. My TiBook is starting to feel its age.

Paul
 
I am making the switch!

Now I'm not sure which to get. I think I will go with the iMac G5 but I'm not sure. It's between the iMac G5 20" and the Mac Mini 1.42Ghz.


iMac G5 20" 1.8GHz SuperDrive
Part Number: Z096
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
Accessory kit
Power Supply
None - Bluetooth Module
160GB Serial ATA drive

$1,955 - Free Shipping W/Student Discount

OR

Mac mini 1.42GHz
Part Number: Z0B8
Accessory kit
Internal Bluetooth
80GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo Drive
56K v.92 Modem
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Set
Mac OS X - U.S. English

$1,789 - Free Shipping W/Student Discount


What do you guys think? I will end up using the Apple Credit Account so I can afford a new Mac. I'm very happy to finally be giving up the PC. I know the Mac will suit me much better as I have used them a lot just never owned one due to the price but now I'm biting the bullet on the price as my PC has pissed me off one too many times. :)

(Full) Heeellloooooooo to the Apple world! (I had an iPod since Christmas so it's a Full hello now, heh.)
 
Hard Disk

I hope in the future Apple offers larger hard disk options. If someone uses iLife, they will quickly run out of space with music files, photos, movies, etc.
 
gonenuts15792 said:
OK, I want to try a MAC, because like most people I'm sick of the crashes, anti virus software incompatibilities, and spyware. So I have a few questions. First I have a SAMSUNG 51" DLP HDTV, and would like to know if the Mac Mini would work with this. If it would I'm surely interested in purchasing this. I would configure it with the Wireless Keyboard and mouse and it still is cheaper than any other MAC you can find, plus I get the educational discount. So will it work with my TV. I have a DVI port, and a HDMI port on the TV. This is what I've been waiting for. I didn't want to spend more than $1000 for a MAC and than have to learn the OS all over again only to find I didn't like it. This solves that problem. I love Apple and if this works out and I like it I'm ditching my Dimension 8300, for a G5 or something. Also can I find a wireless keyboard and mouse that will work with the Mini at Officemax or Staples,and will it be cheaper?
Click to expand...

YES this will work with your television, and you will be quite pleased at that size, and YES you can get a cheaper, USB version of a wireless keyboard and mouse. welcome to the wonderful world of Apple, and if you need any help ask!
 
at the risk of having no clue what i am talking about, it probably has something to do with the fact that laptops have a battery.. makes sense to me anyways.


sfwalter said:
Why does it have such a big power brick when my poerbook has such a small one?
Click to expand...
 
I just noticed this. The mac mini has only two USB ports. If one is for the mouse and one is for the keyboard, then none are left for the other things. USB flash drives are gaining popularity, this might be an oversight on Apple's part.
 
gco212 said:
I just noticed this. The mac mini has only two USB ports. If one is for the mouse and one is for the keyboard, then none are left for the other things. USB flash drives are gaining popularity, this might be an oversight on Apple's part.
Click to expand...

Thats why you get a bluetooth module and use a wireless keyboard and mouse. ;)
 
gonenuts15792 said:
...Also can I find a wireless keyboard and mouse that will work with the Mini at Officemax or Staples,and will it be cheaper?
Click to expand...

I don't know of any wireless keyboard and mouse that will work from that kind of distance, but I'm certain the folks at OfficeMax or Staples would not appreciate you using their computers. :cool:
 
Apple!Freak said:
I am making the switch!

Now I'm not sure which to get. I think I will go with the iMac G5 but I'm not sure. It's between the iMac G5 20" and the Mac Mini 1.42Ghz.


iMac G5 20" 1.8GHz SuperDrive
Part Number: Z096
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
Accessory kit
Power Supply
None - Bluetooth Module
160GB Serial ATA drive

$1,955 - Free Shipping W/Student Discount

OR

Mac mini 1.42GHz
Part Number: Z0B8
Accessory kit
Internal Bluetooth
80GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo Drive
56K v.92 Modem
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Set
Mac OS X - U.S. English

$1,789 - Free Shipping W/Student Discount


What do you guys think? I will end up using the Apple Credit Account so I can afford a new Mac. I'm very happy to finally be giving up the PC. I know the Mac will suit me much better as I have used them a lot just never owned one due to the price but now I'm biting the bullet on the price as my PC has pissed me off one too many times. :)

(Full) Heeellloooooooo to the Apple world! (I had an iPod since Christmas so it's a Full hello now, heh.)
Click to expand...

For me this is a no brainer - go with the G5 iMac. The iMac mini is targeted at a market that wants to try the Mac for little money. If you are up to the money you are showing then you'll get a faster processor, a larger HD and performance will bump up even more when Tiger comes out.
 
I'm waiting for Tiger.

Rob_Merritt said:
Trying to decide if I will order a MiniMac now or wait till Tiger hits. So it isn't a matter of IF but when.
Click to expand...

Since, I will hate to have to pay for Tiger in a few months, I'm going to try hard to wait.
 
Very impressed with the Mac Mini. But, I think it would be "cuter" to call it the Mini Mac.

A bit odd that it comes with no keyboard or mouse, though. And if you need a monitor, too, you might as well just buy the new iMac G5, nearly the same price for a more powerful computer. But, I think this is a great way to finally compete with the likes of Dell.

Why are so many people down on the Apple keyboards? I just bought the new Apple wireless keyboard because I LOVED the one that came with the iMac G5 I bought for my biz partner. It is the best keyboard I've used. Nice "clackity" feel but with a soft, quiet sound. I used to hate the Apple mice and used a 2-button MacAlly mouse with a wheel for years. But, after a week using the new Apple wireless mouse, I don't know what all the fuss is about.

But, Mini Mac is very cool! I think I'm going to convince my mom and sister to get one.
 
patrick, i'm sure tiger will be released at WWDC, which is a potential candiadate for mac mini updates, and start the presses on the g5 powerbook rumors as well....

if i didn't need it i would wait for tiger and the possible spec bump. if you need it though, get it... the waiting game is a vicious cycle.
 
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