Mac Mini To Be Discontinued?

[Grandswiss]

> According to Apple Insider, the Mini is dead!!!!

What a pity! My Intel Mac Mini (early 2006) is my perfect digital hub; I configured it to be my Airport Extreme (802.11g base station), my file server (for Windows and Macs), my web server, my music library, my mail server, my Internet access (PPPoE DSL client), my firewall, my router and lots more... And all that in ONE tiny box. What a pity for such a nice, small server machine!

 

[Yvan256]

With this statement, you're discounting a large chunk of computer buyers (those who buy Dells and HPs). I would guess that the people you know are more knowledgeable than the majority of the computer buying public.

That's why I did specify "most people I know". ;-)

A lot of people see an ad on TV or in a magazine and call up with a dollar figure to see what they can get for that amount, or they might ask a friend to help. Or, they go to Best Buy and ask the salesman for something that looks cool. Many don't know the difference between memory and a hard disk. To them, the Mac mini looks too small.

Yes, that might be the case for a lot of people, if not most. Especially in USA/Canada, where "bigger = better". I'd think that most people would know by now that this doesn't apply to technology. ;-)

 

[swansong86]

Very wishful.

Cheapest Mac ever and my department buys a boat load?

True. I've been wondering if Apple's worried about it becoming TOO successful if they up the specs (hence no upgrades for eons). I think there's a lot of potential buyers out there (including me!) who've been waiting for an upgrade before jumping on the mini bandwagon.

 

[Evangelion]

Then and now.

I cannot even dream of buying a Mac Mini if the base line model doesn't have 2.0GHz C2D processor and 1GB memory. I would also love 7200rpm hard drive, even as an option, but currently the specs are really outdated.

True, the specs are a bit dated right now, due to Mini not having any updates in a while. But when they do move to C2D, things are again a bit better. But I feel that rather than focus on the specs, they should focus on the price. They should try to lower the price, so it could be bought more as an ad-hoc purchase.

What would I do if I were Apple? I would do this:

Replace current 1.66 and 1.83GHz CD's with 1.66 and 1.83GHz C2D's. Give the low-end model DVD-burner. Lower the prices by $50 and $100 respectively. Then the prices would be $549 and $699. next updates? Well, maybe bump the base RAM from 512MB to 1GB and again lower the price by $50, this time costing $499 and $649. After that? Slight update in CPU's and modest updates to HD's while keeping the prices steady.

That way the Mini would be "fast enough" for everyday-tasks, while being cheap enough for ad-hoc purchases. And it wouldn't threaten the sales of more expensive models, since they would have a lot more functionality. Yes, for many power-users the Mini would not be enough, but for Joe Sixpack it would be enough.

Mini should be the inexpensive entry to the world of Mac, and they should focus on the "inexpensive" part.

 

[Chimaera]

True, the specs are a bit dated right now, due to Mini not having any updates in a while. But when they do move to C2D, things are again a bit better. But I feel that rather than focus on the specs, they should focus on the price. They should try to lower the price, so it could be bought more as an ad-hoc purchase.

What would I do if I were Apple? I would do this:

Replace current 1.66 and 1.83GHz CD's with 1.66 and 1.83GHz C2D's. Give the low-end model DVD-burner. Lower the prices by $50 and $100 respectively. Then the prices would be $549 and $699. next updates? Well, maybe bump the base RAM from 512MB to 1GB and again lower the price by $50, this time costing $499 and $649. After that? Slight update in CPU's and modest updates to HD's while keeping the prices steady.

That way the Mini would be "fast enough" for everyday-tasks, while being cheap enough for ad-hoc purchases. And it wouldn't threaten the sales of more expensive models, since they would have a lot more functionality. Yes, for many power-users the Mini would not be enough, but for Joe Sixpack it would be enough.

Mini should be the inexpensive entry to the world of Mac, and they should focus on the "inexpensive" part.

Agreed - between my windows desktop and my macbook I've got all the computing power I need - what I'd be looking for is a small quiet machine that I can stick under the TV and use for media playback and maybe for downloading stuff in the background - so long as its got the horsepower for 720p playback I'm happy. And no the Apple TV isn't suitable - I've had a play with one and came away hugely unimpressed with it. (For that matter the one I played with then went back, it annoyed its owner too much too )

For my needs a powermac is *massively* overpowered, hugely too expensive and far too noisy and anything else in the range is entirely unsuitable. I would be in favor of a modest speedbump - maybe sufficient to bring in line with the macbooks in terms of performance but just moving to core2duo would be enough and a gig of RAM would be nice.

Its nice to dream

 

[lelereb]

My wish is a cheap-like-mini desktop machine, but greater enoughf to integrate power adapter and desktop class components. Without monitor.

But I think there are more chances to view a mac-shuffle that boot randomly Windows or OSX.

 

[MacPanda]

i love my mac mini

i love my little mac mini it is my only mac i remember the g4 mac minis were cheaper than the new ones - it is affordable, does a lot of stuff and doesn't take too much room probably the most amazing mac that i have seen - so here is my mac mini retro style with the old mac stickers on it. i will be sad if it gets deleted - if they do i will get one before they get rid of it. Unfortunately my optical drive went in my mac mini and apple wouldn't fix it cos it was a day out of the warranty but i don't really use that.

 

[manchild]

It appears that nearly everything has been said. I've been wanting a mini to use as a media machine. I was ready to get one until the AirPort Extreme came out. Since then, I've been waiting for 802.11n to make it's way into the mini. Updating the standard RAM to 1GB would be nice. The rest of the specs are perfectly fine for an entry level computer - which this is. A mini tower form factor for the gamer crowd might fit in Apple's lineup but it might also compete with the iMac marketshare too much.

 

[iDave]

It appears that nearly everything has been said. I've been wanting a mini to use as a media machine. I was ready to get one until the AirPort Extreme came out. Since then, I've been waiting for 802.11n to make it's way into the mini. Updating the standard RAM to 1GB would be nice. The rest of the specs are perfectly fine for an entry level computer - which this is. A mini tower form factor for the gamer crowd might fit in Apple's lineup but it might also compete with the iMac marketshare too much.

Oh c'mon, not everything has been said, surely.

I'd agree that the current specs of the mini are suitable for an entry level machine. And I agree, 802.11n should be in there if only for the whole AppleTV thing, even if you're not planning to buy aTV. And, it's hard to think about buying a computer at the end of a refresh cycle. Whether or not the processor is updated, or there's more memory or hard disk space added, the mini is really overdue for some kind of update. So like you I'm waiting.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I like your mini

True, the specs are a bit dated right now, due to Mini not having any updates in a while. But when they do move to C2D, things are again a bit better. But I feel that rather than focus on the specs, they should focus on the price. They should try to lower the price, so it could be bought more as an ad-hoc purchase.

What would I do if I were Apple? I would do this:

Replace current 1.66 and 1.83GHz CD's with 1.66 and 1.83GHz C2D's. Give the low-end model DVD-burner. Lower the prices by $50 and $100 respectively. Then the prices would be $549 and $699. next updates? Well, maybe bump the base RAM from 512MB to 1GB and again lower the price by $50, this time costing $499 and $649. After that? Slight update in CPU's and modest updates to HD's while keeping the prices steady.

That way the Mini would be "fast enough" for everyday-tasks, while being cheap enough for ad-hoc purchases. And it wouldn't threaten the sales of more expensive models, since they would have a lot more functionality. Yes, for many power-users the Mini would not be enough, but for Joe Sixpack it would be enough.

Mini should be the inexpensive entry to the world of Mac, and they should focus on the "inexpensive" part.

Oh yeah, and add a Newer Tech Mini Stack

 

[AidenShaw]

For my needs a powermac is *massively* overpowered, hugely too expensive and far too noisy

...not to mention hugely huge.

Wouldn't a Conroe/Kentsfield minitower be nice?

 

[MrHorizontal]

Agreed ... a powermac is *massively* overpowered, hugely too expensive and far too noisy and anything else in the range is entirely unsuitable.

Hit the nail right on the head there.

As Chimaera said, the Mac Pro is a hardcore workstation. It's basically server-sourced chippery stuck into a desktop tower and as such it's the best PC on the planet bar none. Even better at running Windows than HP or Dell's workstations!

The iMac on the other hand is really not a very good option and 100% UNappealing to anyone who doesn't want a monitor (read: the whole PC crowd). It's also a bit silly IMO, as it's positioned in a no mans land. People tend to use either small screens (15-17") because of concern to desk space and general need for compactness or the biggest screen they can get. And those users would get a 20-30" screen, and support it with a Mac Pro's goodness.

In fact, I've seen a lot of mac minis in design studios, as they have more than enough power for the likes of Account and Project Managers versus developers and designers. With a 17" screen. How many iMac's do you see? None.

Now, I just can't see how Shuttle can have a whole business dedicated to tiny machines and Apple not see business sense in them. It's impossible, unless they're doing the wrong thing.

Which is what I think is actually the case. The Mac mini is too inflexible a product. I think they need to take a page out of the Mac Pro's book. Create a solid base machine, that's ridiculously cheap yet only just OK (but really pretty nasty), and then give every type of bell and whistle as a high-margin optional extra.

Then Apple will continue to have the bragging rights of having a dinky cheap mac, and then when people buy it, they will configure it to actually be useful for people to use. Who knows a black mac mini perhaps?

As for a Mac nano, this would also assume Flash storage. There have been rumours to the effect of flash macs, but only on the laptop side. While flash is only an assumption, I really can't see any point in this flash storage on a desktop machine... especially for a cost-effective Mac at that. I may be reading too much into the 'nano' name, though.

No, I think the mini needs to be a little bit more midi, and gain an inch or two to put a cheaper but bigger 3.5" HD and a PCIe slot or 2. And also make the chip upgradeable. Finally with Santa Rosa, it can have 4GB RAM, the 802.11n Wifi and the Turbo Robson thingy all as optional extras. Oh an needless to say, big graphics cards (a GeForce 8800 GTX anyone) as an after-market add on as well as an optional extra would be cool too..

I think the real problem here is Apple's pride: there isn't a snowball's chance in hell Steve would let Apple make a Mac fatter than it is now. So they'll just do it the Apple way. Discontinue the mini and make a new Mac.

My firm belief therefore is: The mini is dead, long live the mini!

 

[VoodooDaddy]

Ill play Johnny-come-lately here, without the mini Id never have gotten a mac. But after getting the mini last year, using it for a month or so, we bought a macbook for my wife. So the mini does drive sales of other macs too.

 

[Wolfpup]

Frankly I think they should kill the iMac long before they touch the Mac Mini. The iMac is really a niche thing, and not one that sells well for anyone but Apple. I bet some people buy it DESPITE the design, not because of it.

 

[zim]

In fact, I've seen a lot of mac minis in design studios, as they have more than enough power for the likes of Account and Project Managers versus developers and designers. With a 17" screen. How many iMac's do you see? None.

How many iMacs do I see...

The university near by here has a lab of 55 iMacs, all 24" screens (recently upgraded from the 20"). The lab also has two xServers that supply storage and web space to the students and faculty. The lab technician also has an iMac and runs the whole lab, including the xServers with remote desktop.. and this is just in the design department.

I also freelance for two studios that are entirely based on iMacs, one has 12 the other 3.

So, how many iMacs do I see... 70 oh! plus mine.. 71!

Reasons why they, I, are not using Mac Minis is because monitors can take a beating and it is more cost effective to get the iMac and just replace the whole thing at once. I should state that the lab at the university was originally all PowerMacs and traded those for fully loaded iMacs, which saved them loads of money and the students have never been happier.

Just thought I would share

 

[wyatt23]

i think apple should bring back the cube as an entry level computer. maybe not as sexy as the previous cube [due to expensive parts], but similar dimensions. keep the same specs as mac mini, except bump to core 2 duo. have integrated graphics, with a PCIe slot. if the mac mini, was EXACTLY the same, but had an additional PCIe, no one would complain.

bring the cube back from the dead.

 

[Wolfpup]

Reasons why they, I, are not using Mac Minis is because monitors can take a beating and it is more cost effective to get the iMac and just replace the whole thing at once.

Why would that be more cost effective?

 

[zim]

Why would that be more cost effective?

Because the university upgrades everything, every 3 years, monitors, cpu, etc.. so it is less expensive to just buy an iMac fully loaded then to buy say the MacPro and new monitors or the Mac Mini and monitors. I helped on the pricing for it and there was a significant savings on going all iMacs... oh they also lease but still, there was a savings regardless. The iMac also means less to insure for the university, one item vs. two. The iMac also gets rid of a lot of clutter.. it is just one thing vs. two.

As for the Design studios that I know working with iMacs, it is the same deal. LCD monitors fade after time so they eventually need replacing too. Most of the studios that I know running iMacs hold on to their machines for 5-6 years at a time, the iMacs allow them to upgrade the whole studio at once vs having to buy individual units over a period of time.

I guess if you were not upgrading the whole setup then this would not be the best way to go but for the situations that I presented it was.

The iMac is also a better setup for someone with limited desk space.. yes the mac mini is small but it still takes up space.

From your post I see that you simply don't like the iMac which is fine, you don't have to, but the truth is that I see iMacs in stores, studios, schools, tv, etc.. more then I do any other Mac.. well maybe the MacBook, I see a lot of them on tv and at schools too.

 

[leekohler]

I've noticed more posters here who say they are "interested" in buying a Mac Mini, rather than posters who actually own one. This could be why it's getting dicsontinued. "Interest" isn't the same as sales.

 

[Wolfpup]

Why would you throw out a monitor every 3 years? Hopefully these things are at least getting recycled...

 

[zim]

Why would you throw out a monitor every 3 years? Hopefully these things are at least getting recycled...

The University is given the option to send back the out of lease computers or buy them for like 200 per unit (cost depends on the base price for the setup). I have never seen the computers go back, they are always purchased by administrative areas or other colleges within the university, sometimes they are purchased as upgrades to faculty computers. My guess is that the leased computers get about 6 years of use before retired.

As for the studios that I spoke of, one of them recently donated their retired systems to charity. But in all cases I know for a fact that retired equipment is recycled through proper means.

 

[BenRoethig]

For my needs a powermac is *massively* overpowered, hugely too expensive and far too noisy and anything else in the range is entirely unsuitable. I would be in favor of a modest speedbump - maybe sufficient to bring in line with the macbooks in terms of performance but just moving to core2duo would be enough and a gig of RAM would be nice.

Its nice to dream

You mean Mac Pro right. The PowerMac (until its last update) was at least a desktop and not an unaffordable workstation like its successor.

 

[Chimaera]

You mean Mac Pro right. The PowerMac (until its last update) was at least a desktop and not an unaffordable workstation like its successor.

You are of course correct

As for the 'lots of people considering, not enough buying' argument - well, I've been waiting on an update for the past two months to drop the cash - every since my missus saw front row running through my TV on my Macbook - I just don't want to pay for out of date tech

 

[MikeTheC]

Well, we'll see what the future holds.

Me, I'd love to get my hands on an Intel Mac mini, nuke it and set it up with Debian Etch/Apache2 and use it to replace my existing web server (a gracefully aging PowerMac G3/300 Desktop presently running Debian Etch).

 

[ccrandall77]

Sad if true

I was really hoping for an updated version with the latest Core 2 Duo and a better GPU (don't care if it's separate or on the board). I've had 2 of them and they are great. Gave my old one to my nephew as a graduation gift and I have a Core Solo that I use as my home media center... it's the reason I have no interest in an AppleTV at this time.

I think the MacMini could be one of the best products Apple ever came up with. I think the problem has been the price. As others have mentioned, buy the time you upgrade the memory, HDD, etc., you might as well just get an iMac (my other desktop, BTW).

If they do replace the MacMini, I'm hoping for a cube that's similar to the tower... something with an upgradable GPU and an extra HDD slot. Still, I don't think that'd be as cool, esp for use as a media center, as the Mini.