New Intel Mac mini

[stcanard]

In Europe, in order to have the "HD Ready" designation you must support HDCP. In any event, I wouldn't consider the purchse of a HD set at all unless it had HDMI/HDCP; that's an investment you don't want to have to repurchase.

Hmm, thanks. Not really sure where Canada sits on this -- sometimes we follow the European, sometimes the US.

Something to add to my list of what to look for.

<sigh> I remember when you could buy a TV by looking at the picture and deciding what looked best. Now they've decided to use the computer industry as a model.

 

[Abulia]

So has anybody come up with any good complaints that don't relate to video games? I'm not trying to troll - I'm really considering buying, and I'm ok with a computer that doesn't play games. So besides video games, what's wrong with the IIG?

It's not just that, but the feature set is a little lacking and the price increase. Depending on your situation (do you have an LCD monitor sitting around?) you're getting pretty close to the iMac which has much better specifications.

The mini seems to target a very specific niche. You'll have to determine if you're that target audience, it seems.

 

[adamcz]

It's not the IIG on it's own that causes the complaints in imho. it's the combination of IIG AND a price increase. the combination of those is a real dealbreaker

I'm not sure what you're compairing to in that case... to what could have been?

I'm trying to compare the new mini to my current G4 tower, and since I don't care about video games, I've yet to find a flaw regarding the IIG. I could exchange my tower for this thing for FREE due to the curiously high value of old powermacs on ebay.

 

[photomaniac]

and yet more cost there- but you can't put that in a SOFTWARE update - because there's no, um, what do you call it... oh yes, way to connect your tv/satellite/cable ariel to the mini!

adding DVR/PVR capability to the Mac Mini would put the price up even more, to beyond what this machine is designed for - the consumer who wants a cheap mac to fanny about with.

if you want a DVR go buy an EyeTV for what, $50? 🙄

DAMMIT!!! YOUR RIGHT!!! I wasn't thinking! No video input! oh well, forget the software update 🙂 maybe in the future have DVR built in... now that would be a 1st place winner! even if the cost was higher, it should still be an option.. right? By the way, the EyeTV DVR (digital video recorder) is like $330.00 as a stand alone unit at the apple store...

 

[asencif]

Encoding/decoding, MPEG 4, H.264 - while currently can/are CPU tasks within the current set of software - that is changing and due to the various graphic capabilities that are main stream - the later applications will make use of those capabilities. Severly limiting what you are gonna be able to do with "playback" with this chipset.

This is a point that I agree with, but many argue that it's not meant to be that kind of system. Then I say it's too expensive for something that doesn't do it.

Whatever - whether you want to argue games etc. The higher end mini was clearly targeted for the family room tv set. So I'll drop this...cause it appears that defending Apple's right to mitigate the functionality it did provide by including the integrated graphics chip set - is don't buy it or live with it.

I agree also. Forget the games, but there's no way a $799 with Front Row promotion and remote control is not being targeted as a Living room computer. Since it doesn't do it completely why buy it. Others will, but those who want a full-product won't.

Today I cannot. So if I really want to stream with front row and do video etc - better have a non Apple machine hooked up to my family room. Oh yea...it will be more $$$(how ironic - isn't it usuallly the other way around!)...And add an apple to do the basics.

Video meaning what Trailers and 5G iPod reosolution videos on your HDTV? Again, it doesn't go all the way.

I'm gonna sit this one out - but what a shame, 'cause I really wanted to play. If the future products take this same direction...I may not have a choice but to go back to the dark side.

No Dark side for me though however as Windows is just too boring.

 

[timon]

Sorry, that's not true. HDMI isn't that new and has already replaced DVI as the HDTV standard, by virtue of the anti-copying standard that comes with HDMI. Any "true" home theater machine is going to need to support HDMI, otherwise you can't do a 1080p output of a commerical movie; the copyright mechanism allows studios to "block" the 1080p signal and force a downgraded output signal.

mini a home theater computer? No, not even close.

Wrong, Wrong.

HDMI is nothing more than DVI with digital audio streams added. DVI feeds HDMI just fine with the right cable or adapter.

HDCP is fully supported on both HDMI and DVI. The chipset used in the new mini supports HDCP but currently there is no need to use it. You won't see HDCP used much till either blueray or hddvd comes out. Since the mini has neither of these HDCP is currently a non-issue.

It's not the monitor that requires HDCP to display but it's the source that will not send the stream if the monitor does not reply to the HDCP inquiry. So, if Apple turned on HDCP in the mini then non of their current monitors would work when you went to play HDCP protected media because the mini would not send the stream because none of them have HDCP.

 

[reyesmac]

I am glad to see Apple passed on the savings from using integrated video and an intel chip and the same case.

 

[generik]

IMHO, I agree with those that say the mini is not a gaming machine, but what is it then? Too overpriced for the entry-level and underperformer on the HT side. At the moment you also have to deal with Rosetta as well. I think the higher end mini should've had a dedicated GPU. It's always been an Apple standard in all their systems. For design purposes and anyone putting together a computer mostly always buy a dedicated GPU. They even used it as a promotional attack against low budget PC's with the G4 mini's, but of course they used to kill Intell as well and now they are here.

Overpriced? By what metric?

Go do some market research, the only other company that produces a similarly sized solution is VIA, and theirs costs $300 for Pentium 300 performance. Oh, did I mention that those nice little cute HT cases costs $700 each as well?

You didn't heard wrong, it's just the CASE. An empty shell!

The Mini is doing well in this area.

 

[j_maddison]

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.

Couldn't agree more. I haven't been impressed with this transition at all so far. I can see why Apple needed to make the move for the sake of the laptop line, but I'm just completely underwhelmed at what apple has done to the desktop range.

I think that a dual core G5 would spank that Intel core duo in the iMac. If only IBM could have made a portable chip. I just hope things get better in the future, because I think this mac mini update is a joke. Its very embaressing to see Apple charging a premium for a box with integrated graphics in it.

jay

 

[stcanard]

I am glad to see Apple passed on the savings from using integrated video and an intel chip and the same case.

Who's to say they didn't?

 

[geo10]

Going to be flamed.. but oh well

Here is the deal. For the most part find that I like Apple's design, but the delivery is horrible. I'm waiting for Vista and then I'll decide who will gets my money.


This newest Mac Mini is under powered and overpriced.

No PVR


Basic Vista machine will be much snappier, include HD Video, PVR.


That's all,
Adios

 

[geo10]

I forgot.... Beachball

I just love watching this beachball spin 10 seconds for each page load.

 

[stcanard]

<bah, can't be bothered to feed the troll>

 

[millypede]

Here is the deal. For the most part find that I like Apple's design, but the delivery is horrible. I'm waiting for Vista and then I'll decide who will gets my money.


This newest Mac Mini is under powered and overpriced.

No PVR


Basic Vista machine will be much snappier, include HD Video, PVR.


That's all,
Adios

Again I hate to post this but

http://www.pcworld.co.uk:80/martprd/product/ADVENT/DHE+1000/984209

and comes with Keyboard and Mouse 😛

those of you not in the UK the cheep Mac mini is £449 or £599 for the better

 

[Evan_11]

You guys are wanting a $2,000 computer in a $600 package. Get real.

The reason the base price point went up is the inclusion of Airport Express, a larger HD, IR Remote, SPIDF, Bluetooth and a more expensive processor. The new model is probably a bigger loss leader than the previous one. A dedicated graphics card would drive the price point even higher and then everyone would be complaining about that.

Who even bothers to game anymore on a Mac? Titles are literally released 6-12 months after the PC version and can be rarely purchased for less than retail. Rediculous. Buy a PC and get over yourselves.

 

[MacSA]

It's not just that, but the feature set is a little lacking and the price increase. Depending on your situation (do you have an LCD monitor sitting around?) you're getting pretty close to the iMac which has much better specifications.

The mini seems to target a very specific niche. You'll have to determine if you're that target audience, it seems.

The price increase is marginal..... Here the mini starts at £449 and replaces the mid range mini which was priced at £429 - You now get the core solo processor, gigabit ethernet, more USB ports, digital audio in/out 🙂D ), front row - with remote.

....not so good - hard drive is 60gb used to be 80gb, Integrated graphics (maybe????)

The thing that worries me the most is how it will perform under rosetta emulation - for instance, there is no decent and realtively cheap image processing software availble for intel Macs. How will things like Photoshop Elements run?

 

[geo10]

So you're comparing a computer being sold now, with a theoretical computer to be sold in the future 🙄

Let's wait until that Vista machine comes out, then do a comparison. And don't forget the form factor, which is very important if its going to sit in the living room.

Yes indeed I am comparing it to the next release of Windows. Traditionally Windows has always been snappier and the beta of Vista that I'm running follows suit. Granted - MS is playing catch up with Apple on certain features (smart folders, et al), but it is a game that will go on until the end of time.

 

[SaddY]

I'm not sure what you're compairing to in that case... to what could have been?

I'm trying to compare the new mini to my current G4 tower, and since I don't care about video games, I've yet to find a flaw regarding the IIG. I could exchange my tower for this thing for FREE due to the curiously high value of old powermacs on ebay.

What I'm saying is the older g4 mini is a beter buy in most cases. Especailly if you can get a good seccond hand one or refirbished one from apple. The new mac mini is over priced atm. It all really depends on what you are planning on doing with the mac mini. If you just want some browsing e-mail chatting iLife etc your G4 should be able to last till rev b/price drops perfectly. (even longer actually). I wouldn't switch now for the new mini unless you really have to. The prices really should drop within 1 1/2 month. I have no source for this or anything but it's logical.

 

[geo10]

<bah, can't be bothered to feed the troll>

Blah blah blah.. just keep giving you're money to apple and zip it pls. You would defend Apple if they introduced an new computer with a whopping 8K of RAM with a 200M HD.

 

[stcanard]

The price increase is marginal..... Here the mini starts at £449 and replaces the mid range mini which was priced at £429 - You now get the core solo processor, gigabit ethernet, more USB ports, digital audio in/out 🙂D ), front row - with remote.

Actually that's a good point -- here its a $70 increase, quite reasonable.

The thing that worries me the most is how it will perform under rosetta emulation - for instance, there is no decent and realtively cheap image processing software availble for intel Macs. How will things like Photoshop Elements run?

I would expect Rosetta would be entirely dependent on the processor, so none of the complaints in the thread really apply.

 

[adamcz]

What I'm saying is the older g4 mini is a beter buy in most cases. Especailly if you can get a good seccond hand one or refirbished one from apple. The new mac mini is over priced atm. It all really depends on what you are planning on doing with the mac mini. If you just want some browsing e-mail chatting iLife etc your G4 should be able to last till rev b/price drops perfectly. (even longer actually). I wouldn't switch now for the new mini unless you really have to. The prices really should drop within 1 1/2 month. I have no source for this or anything but it's logical.

Is there anything (besides video games) that my current G4 tower can do better than the new mini? Because if I can gain front row and usb2 for free, and suffer only the ability to play video games I'm doing it.

 

[ScubaDuc]

Wrong, Wrong.

HDMI is nothing more than DVI with digital audio streams added. DVI feeds HDMI just fine with the right cable or adapter.

HDCP is fully supported on both HDMI and DVI. The chipset used in the new mini supports HDCP but currently there is no need to use it. You won't see HDCP used much till either blueray or hddvd comes out. Since the mini has neither of these HDCP is currently a non-issue.

It's not the monitor that requires HDCP to display but it's the source that will not send the stream if the monitor does not reply to the HDCP inquiry. So, if Apple turned on HDCP in the mini then non of their current monitors would work when you went to play HDCP protected media because the mini would not send the stream because none of them have HDCP.

I just got a note from SOny's support in Europe and their new line of DVR recorders have HDMI and so do their TV. Seems S-video is out

 

[p0intblank]

Well you could always install this, and use this instead of FrontRow

http://www.equinux.com/us/products/mediacentral/index.html

Its free and does everything and more than the newer version of Frontrow.

I was all set to download that, but I read it doesn't support the Apple Remote yet. That kind of defeats the purpose. 🙁

I really need to get an iMac...

 

[Fabio_gsilva]

Very true !! I'm deflated !!!!

People, keep in mind that Apple is not responsible for not fulfilling all of your most crazy dreams!!!!

We are the very especulative by nature, and always keep expecting abnormaly giant news, and when good things come, we just can't feel satisfied.

What Dell or Microsoft's regular costumers or fans get of new software or hardware in the next 6 months? Apple is away ahead of then.

And, Mac Mini is now and much better computer, better than it already was. I agree that I would preffer a GPU from ATI or Nvidia in it, but, again, it's a low end machine.

So, buy it and be happy, if you need or want to replace your Mini.

If you want a better computer, buy iMac.

It's simple.

And if the Mini nor the iMac is not the ideal computer for you, just don't buy, or cry out loud, because you have no options further.

Let's celebrate Apple's new phase, and support it. Complaning will not help.

 

[SaddY]

Is there anything (besides video games) that my current G4 tower can do better than the new mini? Because if I can gain front row and usb2 for free, and suffer only the ability to play video games I'm doing it.

Well only CPU intensive tasks the mini will do better. If you feel the urge to switch now don't let me keep you. The only thing I'm trying to tell you is it's smarter to wait for the rev B/pricedrop. You might get better specs for the same price or lower (they can't honestly keep raising the prices every new release...). If you can switch with no money involved it might be a good deal. However not everybody would jump on a Rev A. I'd atleast wait for some reviews.