Probably but they're including Gigabit Ethernet and you don't normally see that standard in machines. However, it's about $50 retail as an add-on and there is no place to add it to the mini or the MacBook otherwise. The SuperDrive can always be an upgrade.
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Current minis arent worth it are they?
- Thread starter daneoni
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Probably but they're including Gigabit Ethernet and you don't normally see that standard in machines. However, it's about $50 retail as an add-on and there is no place to add it to the mini or the MacBook otherwise. The SuperDrive can always be an upgrade.
I agree that for what they offer, they seem kind of expensive. What ever happened to the entry-level Mac that the Minis used to be. I think that the specs are decent (though I'd like to see BT and AP built-in to every Mac... not as an option anymore-- that and SuperDrives as standard). I think that their real problem, though, is that they're no longer a "value-system". The prices have slowly crept up while the rest of the lines have more or less remained constant. I realize that Apple has added new top-end stuff which pushes prices upward, but the ComboDrive Mini Used to start at $499 and there was a $599 option. Now its $599 and $799. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me
I'd like to see the next generation mini with 3 options:
$399
Core Solo 1.5 (unless the Core Duo 1.66 is TRULY the same price to Apple)
512mb RAM
60gb HDD
Combo drive (no upgrade option)
x3000 GPU
OPTIONAL: AE, BT
$549
Core Duo 1.66
1gb RAM
80gb HDD
Combo drive (option for SD)
x3000
AE, BT
$699
Core Duo 1.83ghz
1gb RAM
100gb HDD
SD
x3000
AE, BT
I think these would be a good value, and compare well to the iMacs in terms of price to performance. Keep the lower clocked CD (not C2D) chips to control prices, bump the RAM on higher end models (makes them better buys in store with no CTO), use the new integrated GPU which shouldn't add any/much cost but will add some performance and therefor value. Strip out features on the low end JUST to get the cheapest Mac ever. Put something between the high and low end too, the $200 spread between them now is just a bit much, especially when the low end starts at $600.
I'm still holding out that Apple will put the 17" WS LCD from the iMac into a iPod styled case, take out the FW/USB hub and ideally add an iPod dock - $249. I'd like to see some bundling from Apple as well. Put a keyboard, mouse, 17" LCD in a single box for $279 and offer it in stores. Give away a shuffle if you buy a mini+LCD/keyb/mouse in the same purchase. That's a full system, with iPod, for <$700-1000, which makes it compete with the iMac, but not so much that you wouldn't look at the iMac for the 'real' GPU, faster HDD, bigger screens, faster C2D CPU.
OK, enough time wasted thinking about this.
I love everything you just said.
The Mac mini gets people in Apple's door that wouldn't otherwise. The mindset that the general computer population (read: not you and I) has when looking between iMac and Mac mini is completely different:
iMac: new computer, new monitor, new keyboard, new everything
Mac mini: new computer, keep your old everything else
I'd say for some (general email users and news site browsers), the mini makes switching a lot less daunting of a task. Of course you and I know otherwise, but...
iMac: new computer, new monitor, new keyboard, new everything
Mac mini: new computer, keep your old everything else
I'd say for some (general email users and news site browsers), the mini makes switching a lot less daunting of a task. Of course you and I know otherwise, but...
I don't think I can roll my eyes far enough to answer this appropriately. Major semantics problem, here.Is there a reason you had to be rude about disagreeing with a perfectly valid hardware comparison?
The Mac Mini is Apple's answer to how to get the lowest priced computer in their line for switchers. It is a great, come on over enticement. Honestly most what have you got for fairly cheap buyers are better off with a 17" iMac because it really completes the Apple experience, for performance and look.
The Mac Mini is not Apple's here you go longtime user/modder/tinkerer, here's something you can build a system out of. It will work for that if you are really willing to open it up to change out RAM, HDDs, opticals, and even CPUs, but they designed it for that.
I just replaced the RAM in my new 1.66 and it wasn't that hard, but it wasn't that easy either. Took patience and a certain level of comfort in messing with it, which is not the typical target market for the Mac Mini from Apple's perspective.
The Mac Mini is not Apple's here you go longtime user/modder/tinkerer, here's something you can build a system out of. It will work for that if you are really willing to open it up to change out RAM, HDDs, opticals, and even CPUs, but they designed it for that.
I just replaced the RAM in my new 1.66 and it wasn't that hard, but it wasn't that easy either. Took patience and a certain level of comfort in messing with it, which is not the typical target market for the Mac Mini from Apple's perspective.
I really like the Mini form factor and lower price point, and indeed, I used to to have a 1.25Ghz Mini which I used for basic tasks and iTunes, but I finally had to consider upgrading when iTunes 7 came out and it was taking about 3 minutes to load my music library.
So the dilemma - given that I already have the existing panel, keyboard and mouse - do I get another Mini or a C2D iMac?
£529 for a Core Duo Mini with 80Gb/512Mb or £679 for a C2D iMac with 160Gb/512Mb. The only downside to getting the iMac would be the lack of Superdrive which was OK because I have an external.
I went for the iMac. I thought spending the extra £150 was a good deal for an all-in-one computer with a decent display etc. And add an extra £70 or so to bump the RAM up to 1Gb.
So I love the Mini's but they are too overpriced, they need a bit of a price drop because the iMac isn't far away and a much better deal IMO.
So the dilemma - given that I already have the existing panel, keyboard and mouse - do I get another Mini or a C2D iMac?
£529 for a Core Duo Mini with 80Gb/512Mb or £679 for a C2D iMac with 160Gb/512Mb. The only downside to getting the iMac would be the lack of Superdrive which was OK because I have an external.
I went for the iMac. I thought spending the extra £150 was a good deal for an all-in-one computer with a decent display etc. And add an extra £70 or so to bump the RAM up to 1Gb.
So I love the Mini's but they are too overpriced, they need a bit of a price drop because the iMac isn't far away and a much better deal IMO.
OtherWorld Computing will sell you one.
You don't have to get everything directly from Apple anymore.
the problem, is that the mac mini's specs are quite close to the imac. because of this the price is dangerously close, thus causing competition apple against apple, which is going to reduce sales for apple, it's like a ven diagram where two circles are very overlapped.
what apple should do is to use the budget market computer parts, and reduce the price. it's simaler to the 8gb ipod nano vs 30 gb ipod video. the sales aren't great for the 8 gb nano now.
what apple should do is to use the budget market computer parts, and reduce the price. it's simaler to the 8gb ipod nano vs 30 gb ipod video. the sales aren't great for the 8 gb nano now.
I wouldn't buy a 8GB Nano, someone has to buy it for me. Why would i buy it when i can get something with 30GB for the same price. Sorry but the Nano isn't that special. Worst of all it only comes in black?!?.
a new Mini isn't worth it, a refurb however might be....might.