Is the Mac Mini the way to go?

[amazingdm]

I like the imac but I feel uncomfortable buying an all in one.

And while the mac mini is kind of the same way.. at least I can get a seperate monitor.

I'd be new to Macs so it'd be my first foray into Macs..
are the low end Mac Minis bad? Are they like laptops in power or actual desktops?

What monitors are just as good as Apple's?

Is there ANY other solution other than a mac mini for a desktop (other than mac pro)

 

[Beaverman3001]

They are the same exact parts as a Macbook, everything in it is laptop quality. With that said, the new Mini is my first Mac as well, and I love it. Then again I'm not doing engineering projects or anything intensive on it. For a everyday computer it is pretty nice. Really depends on your computing needs.

 

[amazingdm]

They are the same exact parts as a Macbook, everything in it is laptop quality. With that said, the new Mini is my first Mac as well, and I love it. Then again I'm not doing engineering projects or anything intensive on it. For a everyday computer it is pretty nice. Really depends on your computing needs.

Ehhh I'm not looking to buy another laptop even in desktop form to be honest. I always feel cramped (and not just in literal space issues or screen size).

Why doesn't Apple make an honest to goodness Desktop (not the mac pro)

 

[beaner454]

Why doesn't Apple make an honest to goodness Desktop (not the mac pro)

It's actually pretty easy to understand, if not incredibly frustrating.

Apple sells laptops, All-In-One's, micro desktops, and the Mac Pro. With the exception of the Mac Pro, none of these machines are particularly upgradeable.

For most companies this would be a problem, since they aren't making the product that their audience is clamoring for.

Example: Dell doesn't make $1,000 tower, buyer goes to HP.

However, with Apple it's not as clear. We still want their product, and will make due with what we are offered.

Example: Apple doesn't make $1,000 tower, we look into iMac, Macbook, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro to fill our needs.

Now you may be asking yourself "Why wouldn't Apple want to fill a hole in the product map?". It's easy, we either pay the premium upfront (Mac Pro) and are given the luxury of upgrades. Or you get a great machine that is what it is (Macbook, iMac, etc), but then in 2-4 years you're buying again.

In the end Apple never feels any financial pain, they keep all of us as customers, and we upgrade more often then we otherwise would have! What incentive do they have to fill this hole?

 

[amazingdm]

That's all very true and logical.
I still wish, and would be fine with, an all in one Mac with specs like a desktop. I don't want laptop parts for a desktop. Separate monitor though.

 

[ADent]

Apple has not sold a mid-level desktop for years. PM7500 was good, but pricey. PM7200 was crippled in many ways. Cube was $2000 and only had one slot.

I have a mac mini with a 3.5" 1TB HD (housed in an old Apple Centris 610 case, you could do the same sneaking a SATA to eSATA cable out the case to an eSATA drive) - really peps it up and the disk space is nice. You could also build a Hackintosh.

Or go with an iMac - but you are stuck with all-in-one limitations.

But don't look for an affordable tower soon, if history is any guide.

 

[ValSalva]

I'd go with a Mac Mini. Although the Mac Mini is essentially an all in one it at least allows use of any display. And because of its form factor old ones can be used in many different ways.

 

[Beaverman3001]

They won't release a mid range upgradeable tower while the Mac pro is still on the market. I understand it is frustrating dealing with laptop parts, but, the hard drive and ram are easily upgraded. So you aren't completely left out of improving performance.

I had planned on buying a true desktop this year and went with a mini instead, because honestly, most people buy more computing power then they really need.