New Intel Mac mini

[KindredMAC]

Integrated Intel Video...What does this mean for the iBook now????

I always viewed that one of Apple's biggest selling features was the fact that you had a RAM set devoted to Video strictly.

Now that the Mac mini is integrated, do you think that the iBook will do the same and that the illustrious 512MB of RAM will be religated to 385MB of useful RAM? If the consumer Macs start turning into "trendier" PC's it will officially be the fourth sign of the Apocolypse....
First Sign: Bush being re-elected
Second Sign: "Doing a heck of a job Brownie!"
Third Sign: Our government actually letting a Middle Eastern country get as far as they have with a buy out of our nation's ports.

I'm going to puke.....

 

[rjgjonker]

The problem with the new Mac mini

The problem is not that the new Mac mini has one of the slowest graphics chips in the market. The problem is that it is a lot slower than the old one, while being a lot more expensive. Apple has downgraded the mini while raising its price.

I suppose it uses a lot more power as well, just like the MacBook Pro compared to the PowerBook.

 

[DTphonehome]

Why have built in bluetooth and then rely on crappy line of sight infrared for the remote?

Battery. Size. Compatibility with the all the programmable universal remotes ever made. If you like BT, use Salling Clicker on your BT device, and you can do whatever you like with the Mac Mini.

 

[SaddY]

First things first. Welcome to registered userdom!

Now, a new CPU was necessary. There are dozens of threads in the forums about users talking about sluggishness of the mini or running into brick walls doing increasingly common tasks. iMovie performance and iTunes encoding left quite a bit to be desired. The old mini couldn't really be described as a zippy little computer.

So there's nothing you can't do with the old mini, but a lot of the criticism of the G4 model has been addressed by increased capacity. Also remember that the G4 had all the RAM bandwidth and sophistication that 1998 had to offer. It chokes on large videos (for example, HD clips) and while trying to do tasks in iMovie and even Photoshop. These have all been addressed (except Photoshop which is now impaired by Rosetta for the time being...but then again pros won't be running PS in Rosetta).

Well you have a point there. But a core solo would have fixed that problem.
I still don't see ANY reason for a price increase. YES the intel chips are expensive right now. So is DDR2 memory. But don't forget we are talking about an ENTRY level mac which is supposed to make it easier for people to switch. If you can't build a better system for the same price as the old one right now wait longer or change the targeted group to MID level and give it a good videocard.. (atleast no intel graphics :S)

 

[kretzy]

I think this is an excellent upgrade. The Mini has a ton more features, and for only a little more cost. I know everyone is complaining about the integrated graphics but I don't think it's that bigger deal for most people.

As for the pricing, I think it will come down again fairly quickly - it's probably just a bit awkward atm with the whole transition thing.

If you're still not happy, just think it's better than the leather iPod covers!

 

[Stella]

another thing on price, going from £339 when they first launched and now to £499 is a bit of a cheek. Ok it might of only been a 1.25 G4 with 256mb but things should be getting cheeper, it seems that Apple give more, take away something, and charge more.

?!!
You do realise the G4 processors were dirt cheap? Intel Core are quite a bit more expensive.

Not forgetting -
* there is 512MB instead of 256
* Larger hard discs @ 5400 ( Mac Minis are almost all 4200 RPM ) - which makes a lot of difference.
* Remote control ( $39CA retail - OK, these be cheaper than retail )
* Optical in / out

So... the majority of the increase in cost is going to be the Intel processors, but you are getting quite a lot more than the old Mac Minis, overall.

 

[SaddY]

Plus, glass 3/4 full -- if the older mini's were so much better a deal, there will be some great deals to be had as stores dump stock.

I think actually rightnow for ALOT of reasons the PPC is still a beter buy. Especially when the prices drop.

 

[eme jota ce]

Why have built in bluetooth and then rely on crappy line of sight infrared for the remote?

Won't the IR work better with universal remotes for entertainment centers?

 

[macEfan]

I think this is an excellent upgrade. The Mini has a ton more features, and for only a little more cost. I know everyone is complaining about the integrated graphics but I don't think it's that bigger deal for most people.

As for the pricing, I think it will come down again fairly quickly - it's probably just a bit awkward atm with the whole transition thing.

If you're still not happy, just think it's better than the leather iPod covers!

I still think price is too high. Apple should make a low end model for $499 still without the front row and bluetooth.

 

[stcanard]

Not forgetting -
* there is 512MB instead of 256
* Larger hard discs @ 5400 ( Mac Minis are almost all 4200 RPM ) - which makes a lot of difference.
* Remote control ( $39CA retail - OK, these be cheaper than retail )
* Optical in / out

Airport
Bluetooth

 

[stcanard]

I think actually rightnow for ALOT of reasons the PPC is still a beter buy. Especially when the prices drop.

I agree.

I'll never (again) buy an Apple Rev A. If I needed something to hold me over right now I'd be looking at a just-now-obsoleted Mac Mini. It would hold me for the two years until the intel thing settles out.

 

[millypede]

Please do. I look forward to you proving Apple wrong.

This from the reseller store, does that give you a hint were I work?

 

[matticus008]

?!!
You do realise the G4 processors were dirt cheap? Intel Core are quite a bit more expensive.

Not forgetting -
* there is 512MB instead of 256
* Larger hard discs @ 5400 ( Mac Minis are almost all 4200 RPM ) - which makes a lot of difference.
* Remote control ( $39CA retail - OK, these be cheaper than retail )
* Optical in / out

So... the majority of the increase in cost is going to be the Intel processors, but you are getting quite a lot more than the old Mac Minis, overall.

Add to that the now standard Bluetooth and Airport. The new CPUs are easily triple what the G4s were down to...the costs had to go somewhere. It's not like they were sitting on a huge margin before.

 

[matticus008]

This from the reseller store, does that give you a hint were I work?

Where does that say it's for the new mini? If that's really it, they've obviously given conflicting information on their website and to Crucial.

 

[Will_reed]

Intel graphics I'm supreamly disapointed. Ruined a potentially kick ass computer.

 

[SaddY]

I agree.

I'll never (again) buy an Apple Rev A. If I needed something to hold me over right now I'd be looking at a just-now-obsoleted Mac Mini. It would hold me for the two years until the intel thing settles out.

I'd love to say I agree however I ordered a MacBook Pro since I really need one 😉 and a G4 isn't cutting it atm. Maybe I get a good deal for selling it when the rev b's come out 🙂

 

[cloud 9]

You guys are all so complaining...and 99% of the time, you're not even right, the product will be a succes...so who do you think you are (at least some of you)

as a student, i can't be more happier with my mac mini (g4 currently)hooked up to an old compaq screen hehe. i have to use pages, keynote, illustrator, photoshop (yes, files bigger dan 200 mb 😛), indesign and flash...AND IT ALL WORKS FINE!

you are all asking for high end performance for a low end computer. Buy an imac or a powermac
and yes playing the latest games IS high end performance. People ignore the changes that are made in the relationship between the gaming and the computer industry.


So even before some of you start throwing their visa at it (and that's NOT the majority of the people), stop complaining and nuance your opinion, how about starting your sentences with 'i find..., i think...,' or even 'better my experience with this iig is...'

a 99$ leather case, now that's expensive yes...

 

[asencif]

Agree

Well you have a point there. But a core solo would have fixed that problem.
I still don't see ANY reason for a price increase. YES the intel chips are expensive right now. So is DDR2 memory. But don't forget we are talking about an ENTRY level mac which is supposed to make it easier for people to switch. If you can't build a better system for the same price as the old one right now wait longer or change the targeted group to MID level and give it a good videocard.. (atleast no intel graphics :S)

I totally agree with this as stated in two of my previous posts. This mac mini is like a wannabe entry-level/mid level system. Doesn't hit the mark on any. Too expensive for entry-level and need dedicated GPU to enter mid-level. I think some in here probably would've taken a $799 Solo with a decent dedicated GPU, bigger HD, and 1GB stock RAM. I'm curious as to how many would've been happy with that here?

 

[millypede]

?!!
You do realise the G4 processors were dirt cheap? Intel Core are quite a bit more expensive.

Not forgetting -
* there is 512MB instead of 256
* Larger hard discs @ 5400 ( Mac Minis are almost all 4200 RPM ) - which makes a lot of difference.
* Remote control ( $39CA retail - OK, these be cheaper than retail )
* Optical in / out

So... the majority of the increase in cost is going to be the Intel processors, but you are getting quite a lot more than the old Mac Minis, overall.

Yes I know that but unlike all the Pre-Intel machines the prices were dropping, you remember when the launched the iBook clamshell $1400 and now they are $999 price is dropping from more technology. Compare the old ibook clamshell and a current G4 iBook and do the same, looks odd doesn't it.

 

[SaddY]

You guys are all so complaining...and 99% of the time, you're not even right, the product will be a succes...so who do you think you are (at least some of you)

as a student, i can't be more happier with my mac mini (g4 currently)hooked up to an old compaq screen hehe. i have to use pages, keynote, illustrator, photoshop (yes, files bigger dan 200 mb 😛), indesign and flash...AND IT ALL WORKS FINE!

You JUST proved my statement. This update SUX. You're mac mini g4 run's everything it should. Why pay more for a new revision of the same ENTRY level mac. (Goeie morgen trouwens 😉 )

 

[photomaniac]

Too lazy to clip your quote.

Dude, DVI and HDMI are EXACTLY the same thing, pin for pin. The only diff is that HDMI carries audio as well, and is a bit smaller. DVI is video only. So you don't need a converter at all. The cable solution is the same thing as buying a regular DVI-DVI cable. It just passes the DVI pins into a smaller HDMI connector. For sound, you can use optical out to your reciever, and you have an all-digital hookup.

The DVI/HDMI thing is a nonissue.

The DVI/HDMI is an issue because that means that everyone with TVs that has an HDMI input needs to spend more $$ and buy a DVI/HDMI converter... Considering HDMI is "the standard" and Apple is marketing the mac mini for the living room, THEY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED HDMI. I know, I know, more cost, but they should have!

Another thing - why in the hell doesn't the mac mini do DVR???!!! THAT IS JUST OUTRIGHT INSANE!!!! They would sell SOOOOOOOOO many more units if it did... I would buy one right now if it did DVR... okay, I'm pissed!

(maybe a future software update!!??? Please please please!!!! soon! soon! soon!)

 

[bigandy]

Am I being too hopeful thinking that the new mini will be able to cope with FCPHD when it goes to intel?...

I have a friend with a 1.25Ghz G4 Mac Mini, 1Gb RAM, and they have no trouble running FCP 5... so i'm assuming no problems there.

Plus I've got a Powerbook G4 1.25 and it even runs Motion without any trouble.. (ok there's 2gb ram in here, but still!)

and you can fit 2gb ram into the new mini 😀

 

[millypede]

Where does that say it's for the new mini? If that's really it, they've obviously given conflicting information on their website and to Crucial.

Crucial havent update their site yet. All the chips for the Intel machines have been laptop memory, which is great, as there isnt 4 different types of memory to order, its one type fits all, the Macbook Pro has it, the iMac has it and the Mac Mini has it too.

added screengrabs.

 

[Mord]

Mac Mini is cheaper AND has better specs. That AOpen machine is an expensive POS.

This shows that Apple have done well to offer the Mac Mini at the price.

i know, it's why i posted it, still hate GMA, apple will hopefully learn a lesson, heck if we called a mass boycott of all macs with intel graphics apple would see reason.

 

[SaddY]

Another thing - why in the hell doesn't the mac mini do DVR???!!! THAT IS JUST OUTRIGHT INSANE!!!! They would sell SOOOOOOOOO many more units if it did... I would buy one right now if it did DVR... okay, I'm pissed!

(maybe a future software update!!??? Please please please!!!! soon! soon! soon!)

Mark my words. The mac mini wil NEVER do DVR. No sources.. just logic. I'm tierd and don't feel like explaining it for the milionth time (many came before me !!). Mac Mini wil NEVER do DVR ! that's just wishfull thinking

EDIT: straight from apple that is.. right out of the box 😉 <3 Elgato