Mac Mini

[nfotxn]

"The Mac mini comes in two models -- a 1.25GHz, 40GB G4 system for $499 [$629CDN] and an 80GB 1.42GHz G4 system for $599 [$749CDN]. Both are coming on January 22, 2005."

Wow, a Mac I can maybe afford. Kinda like a more refined G4 Cube. Hopefully without all the power and cooling weirdness.

This is much more interesting than the new iMac. Because it's something the majority of people can consider owning.

Comments

[callingzero.livejournal.com]

I'm having trouble checking any of the Apple rumour/news websites. They're all timing out, but I did get a brief outline of some announcements so far.

... Now just to wait to see what's announced for Powerbooks, but that's probably later this week anyway.

[chrisglass.livejournal.com]

Screw your optimism!
How does it compare to a Dell!?

[keanubear.livejournal.com]

Comparing a Mac to a ... a ... Dell?

Icky poo!
Yucky!

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

It's a pretty reasonable comparison. They do the same things. One for significantly less money than the other.

[keanubear.livejournal.com]

Well yeah, they are both computers...

[cpratt.livejournal.com]

I think Chris is indirectly giving me a hard time.

Next up: comparing a Bobbleheads CD to a Self CD... :)

[keanubear.livejournal.com]

Go for it!
I like Self a bunch actually. Of course... I like me more...

:-)

[chrisglass.livejournal.com]

Don't you fret, I know you won't. But I'll always give you a hard time, directly.

Re: OMG

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Anecdotally speaking I know lots of people with iPods chomping at the bit to switch to a Mac "once the price goes down".

[campn.livejournal.com]

I'm speechless... Apple finally FUCKING DID IT! Not only did they put out a mass market affordable Mac, but they broke the $100 price-line with the new iPod Shuffle.

*shaking head in disbelief*
Apple is SO gonna kick everyone's ass in the coming year*giddy clap*

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Well they did it before with the original iMac. At the time I believe it was $1,299USD and did all sorts of neat stuff like connect easily to the internet with three cords.

Since 1998 the PC world has really dropped through the floor price wise. And the Apple faithful have turned a blind eye to it for a long while. Apple couldn't afford to compete there so they've gone a lot more design and luxury oriented.

Don't kid yourself though. Dell has the $300 PC ready and waiting. They already have the $500 PC with a display. And when it comes to those consumers on a budget that savings is more significant than Really Great Design, as nice as it is.

[campn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but when you compare flat-out "end costs," you know as well as I do that the software bundled with the Mac Mini (not to mention the OS itself) would cost hundreds for even quasi-comparable PC software. That little secret is going to start getting out real fast as folks buy these things for friends and family. Jim and I are already talking about buying one for his mom. Her PC has been a nightmare for US to take care of... worms, viruses, pop-ups. It's driving her and us crazy. The included Mac software includes everything she'll ever need, right outta the box.

[diesel-pioneer.livejournal.com]

hohhh yeah, i think i could get one to replace the ageing powermac. it would be great for art college because it would increase my design-student credentials.

though not quite as much as a G5, perhaps.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

It'll make a dandy dorm computer 'specially if you splurge for a nice panel to go with it and save mondo space.

G5's are lovely but rather huge. And if you are in school it's likely there'll be labs with big guns when you need 'em.

[diesel-pioneer.livejournal.com]

definitely a space-saver.. i told my mum about it earlier and she seems quite interested. we have our PC in our sitting room connected to an LCD TV, so it would be good to have something which takes up less space. and requires fewer irksome mouse buttons.

[themacbear.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy with all of the new announcements, even if they're products I wouldn't personally purchase. I like a screen on my iPod, but I can see the benefit of the iPod Shuffle. The new Mac mini is genius. I have absolutely no need for one, yet I want one anyway.
I was also pleased with the software updates, especially the new version of iDVD, since I'm getting more editing and DVD mastering business of late.

On an unrelated note, Happy New Year Brodie. Haven't seen ya in ages. But that's mostly because I haven't left my dank hovel.

[danlmarmot.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like the Mac mini. It's nice and compact and cute! But... once you add on a keyboard and mouse and monitor and speakers (not to mention tax and shipping if you buy it online...) and the price climbs to around $800. That's not much different than what an eMac costs... and that's certainly above that mass market price point of $500 for a complete system.

The iPod shuffle is neat as well, but its lack of an FM radio makes it un-gym-worthy in my book. I'm not sure where anyone would use it (over, say, an iPod mini.) Hmmm, and a proprietary battery, not a simple AAA... oh well, I guess the iPod shuffle is meant to be quasi-disposable.

[e-ticket.livejournal.com]

**Oh, I like the Mac mini. It's nice and compact and cute! But... once you add on a keyboard and mouse and monitor and speakers (not to mention tax and shipping if you buy it online...)**

But I don't think the market for the MacMini is for people who need to purchase all that... I think its for people like my mom or dad, who have a four or five year old cheap Win98 PC that's now running sluggish and not worth upgrading, yet their keyboard and mouse and monitor would connect to the Mini just fine.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Note to self: Buy large quantity of PS/2 -> USB adapters to extort on eBay with. Spray paint them white and sell them as Mac Mini Cords.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Err, I don't think Macs have had power buttons on the keyboard since they moved away from ADB.

[gusmacroy.livejournal.com]

I gues it's ok if you aren't totally rich like me and already have a quadruple G5 xserver with X-raid and X-San and a 23" HD Cinema Display next to your jacuzzi bath tub like I do...

[cmhcub4u.livejournal.com]

Well I am glad they have this down at a decent price point. I might consider getting one so that I can do more mac consulting. I am currently doing consulting even though I rarely get a chance to touch one! I have a monitor keyboard and mouse. I need to figure out of the RAM is user upgradable.

And honestly I am not crazy about the new ipod shuffle. No fm capability, no display and no controls...and not upgradable. Plus the battery thing. I am sure scores of people are flocking to it though!

[themacbear.livejournal.com]

After further reading, it seems you have to take Mac mini to an authorized Apple Service Representative to install more memory or an Aiport wireless card.
Ack!!! Dumb move Apple.

[themacbear.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess you're right. For me, installing stuff myself is part of the fun. Hence my geekdom.

[themacbear.livejournal.com]

I doubt very much that you're full of shit. More likely I'm out of touch with the average computer purchaser.

[33mhz.livejournal.com]

I think the ipod shuffle is ultimately the larger story. I bet they are going to be completely ubiquitous.

On the other hand, because of the hardware limitations, a $500 minimac is still less of a deal than a $500 pc. Still, things are steadily improving for the mac world, and they're moving towards greater and greater standardization that will push down hardware prices for mac users.