How expensive do they want to make the mini?! [rant]

[Nick012]

Seriously guys, I know that you have to pay the apple tax when you get a mac but seriously, I just costed a mac mini against a 20 inch iMac. The price difference is negligable (have to factor in a 20 inch screen but don't forget the iMac has a graphics card thats better than the GMA950 a dvd burner etc..). I was looking at getting a mini because its small and doesn't use alot of power but the truth is that its barely worth it. Sure its small and all, but come on, its not worth what they're asking. I might try my luck at getting a core duo mini on ebay or something but really, come on!
Apologies if this thread seems pointless and poorly written but my brain isn't really working today.

 

[xUKHCx]

The mini is a bring your own keyboard, mouse and display device. So when you don't factor in the cost of buying these it is really good value, i could replace my parents PC with a mac for £360 that is very cheap. Sure if they wanted to get a new screen, keyboard and mouse (and graphics card that they'd never use) they could buy the iMac at £700.

 

[reflex]

What 20" screen did you use for the comparison? The Apple screens are really expensive. I can get a Samsung 20" for about €230, and the cheapest mini for €600. Then the keyboard and mouse for another €100 (this is a bit of a ripoff, if you ask me) and you end up with €930, vs €1200 for the cheapest iMac.

Of course the mini is not as good, but it's still about €270 cheaper. And since it's a different form factor, it might be worth it. I don't want an iMac cause I already have a 20" screen to use it with (that's also shared with another computer). So the mini is a relatively good deal for me. It would be a perfect deal at €100 less.

 

[Nick012]

What 20" screen did you use for the comparison? The Apple screens are really expensive. I can get a Samsung 20" for about €230, and the cheapest mini for €600. Then the keyboard and mouse for another €100 (this is a bit of a ripoff, if you ask me) and you end up with €930, vs €1200 for the cheapest iMac.

Of course the mini is not as good, but it's still about €270 cheaper. And since it's a different form factor, it might be worth it. I don't want an iMac cause I already have a 20" screen to use it with (that's also shared with another computer). So the mini is a relatively good deal for me. It would be a perfect deal at €100 less.

true, at 100 euros cheaper it'd be better but I still think an iMac is a better deal all in all. However, the opinions in this thread have won me over. Still too expensive to buy one (even an old model) for a torrent box (nice form factor, low noise, low power consumption). I'm just so off the ball today.

 

[macenforcer]

Seriously guys, I know that you have to pay the apple tax when you get a mac but seriously, I just costed a mac mini against a 20 inch iMac. The price difference is negligable (have to factor in a 20 inch screen but don't forget the iMac has a graphics card thats better than the GMA950 a dvd burner etc..). I was looking at getting a mini because its small and doesn't use alot of power but the truth is that its barely worth it. Sure its small and all, but come on, its not worth what they're asking. I might try my luck at getting a core duo mini on ebay or something but really, come on!
Apologies if this thread seems pointless and poorly written but my brain isn't really working today.

Its because its the smallest computer made. Take a look at shuttlePC. They are twice as expensive as the mac mini. MiniPC is the same.

 

[roland.g]

Its because its the smallest computer made. Take a look at shuttlePC. They are twice as expensive as the mac mini. MiniPC is the same.

Also remember that is it a great entry level, have all the stuff all you buy is the computer for someone who wants to test OS X but doesn't want to pay that much and won't be that spec for spec conscious, but at the same time Apple wants to put people in iMacs so they set it up so that you say, "hmm for just a little more I get a good deal more, I think I'll get then low end iMac."