Mac mini 2013/2014 refresh.

[ioannis2005gr]

There is a difference in performance. But a 2 year old Mac Mini has more performance than a 6 year old iMac. I have gone 6 years without an upgrade to my iMac, but would have upgraded a Mac Mini a couple of times already.

The depreciation on a Mac Mini is so low, and the relative ease of sale, means that regular replacements is cheaper and less hassle.

And I use it as a "tool" for my business.

Personally, I don't believe that a 2-year old Mac Mini has more performance than a 6-year old Mac Mini (using same RAM, similar graphics and equivalent processor), unless you have upgraded your Mac Mini 2-3 times by your own (apart from RAM)....A new iMac needs guts to be upgraded (without obvious damage)!

Of course, a Mac Mini is more cost-effective...and my correction, for small business, a Mac Mini may be a useful "tool", too!

 

[grandM]

cost

I do wonder why I have to pay 40% more for the same apple device in Europe. Who is getting rich on my wallet?

 

[Schnort]

I do wonder why I have to pay 40% more for the same apple device in Europe. Who is getting rich on my wallet?

Consumer electronics are always at a crazy premium in Europe, not just Apple stuff. My guess is it's tax driven, plus the general overhead of the welfare state pushing prices on everything up.

 

[hudson1]

That means I can't upgrade ram and storage, I've to buy OOB through apple.
In Sweden apple charge 450$ for 16GB ram and 270$ for 256GB SSD, go figure.

This is the Mac mini forum, not the iMac or MacBook forum.

 

[grandM]

or

Consumer electronics are always at a crazy premium in Europe, not just Apple stuff. My guess is it's tax driven, plus the general overhead of the welfare state pushing prices on everything up.

or some importer getting rich...

 

[Moonjumper]

Personally, I don't believe that a 2-year old Mac Mini has more performance than a 6-year old Mac Mini (using same RAM, similar graphics and equivalent processor), unless you have upgraded your Mac Mini 2-3 times by your own (apart from RAM)....A new iMac needs guts to be upgraded (without obvious damage)!

Of course, a Mac Mini is more cost-effective...and my correction, for small business, a Mac Mini may be a useful "tool", too!

Sorry, by upgrade I meant total replacement to the latest model. Then same RAM, graphics, processor doesn't come into it as a newer generation is involved each time.

 

[hudson1]

There is a difference in performance. But a 2 year old Mac Mini has more performance than a 6 year old iMac. I have gone 6 years without an upgrade to my iMac, but would have upgraded a Mac Mini a couple of times already.

The depreciation on a Mac Mini is so low, and the relative ease of sale, means that regular replacements is cheaper and less hassle.

And I use it as a "tool" for my business.

This is exactly why I prefer the mini to the iMac. So much easier to replace the unit with a new one. People who claim the iMac is much more profitable for Apple often overlook this aspect -- over time they likely don't sell as many iMacs per customer than they do minis.

 

[ioannis2005gr]

I do wonder why I have to pay 40% more for the same apple device in Europe. Who is getting rich on my wallet?

APPLE retailers... these mice and roaches!

Two times rich! First, they import APPLE products 1 euro = 1 dollar (!!!) and second, they add 20-30% profit because they know people in Europe are "easy buyers" and never complain...

higher VAT% rate is only a "little excuse"...(you can find different prices of exactly the same product among EU countries with same VAT%, why? ...!!!)

 

[Count Blah]

Excuse me! I am surprised!!!

Do you really need all these APPLE products in your family? are you home users? regardless your annual income, these products are considered very expensive and I think they are "tools" in your work and not "little toys" for big/small kids...correct me if I am wrong!

The family wants something that "just works". Gee, where have I heard that before?

Paying more for something that "just works" is a relatively easy sell. When it starts to not "just work", a simple RAM upgrade and an SSD upgrade make the Sam machine that they are used to, last a little longer.

Now, they have to pay all up front, which is not an easy sell anymore.

 

[ioannis2005gr]

The family wants something that "just works". Gee, where have I heard that before?

Paying more for something that "just works" is a relatively easy sell. When it starts to not "just work", a simple RAM upgrade and an SSD upgrade make the Sam machine that they are used to, last a little longer.

Now, they have to pay all up front, which is not an easy sell anymore.

You know better...it's your decision according to your family priorities!

 

[grandM]

indeed

APPLE retailers... these mice and roaches!

Two times rich! First, they import APPLE products 1 euro = 1 dollar (!!!) and second, they add 20-30% profit because they know people in Europe are "easy buyers" and never complain...

higher VAT% rate is only a "little excuse"...(you can find different prices of exactly the same product among EU countries with same VAT%, why? ...!!!)

I truly don't get why competition keeps failing. A premium of 40% compared to the US. And if we import it from the US they add all kind of taxes. You can almost TRAVEL to the us for the premium. Once again, TAXED at european borders. If they could stop illegal immigrants as easy as apple products...

 

[Ritte]

This is the Mac mini forum, not the iMac or MacBook forum.

Yes, but there's a great possibility that the new mac mini will be just like the macbook air, pro and iMac.

 

[ioannis2005gr]

If they could stop illegal immigrants as easy as apple products...

Good point! I totally agree!

Actually, it is a good idea! Take your family for a trip to the USA and on your return, bring back a nice Mac...yeah! You skip all these mice and roaches...

----------

Yes, but there's a great possibility that the new mac mini will be just like the macbook air, pro and iMac.

Perfect answer... ("all about Apple")

 

[phrehdd]

From what I understand, the new Mac Mini will remain relatively non-upgradable (unless one is geektech savvy) other than RAM.

I understand it will be very fast, have multiple USB3 and TB ports and excellent graphics at a major cost increase... oh wait, thats the Mac (mini) Pro. My bad.

 

[grandM]

actually no

Good point! I totally agree!

Actually, it is a good idea! Take your family for a trip to the USA and on your return, bring back a nice Mac...yeah! You skip all these mice and roaches...
customs get you...

 

[mvmanolov]

Excuse me! I am surprised!!!

Do you really need all these APPLE products in your family? are you home users? regardless your annual income, these products are considered very expensive and I think they are "tools" in your work and not "little toys" for big/small kids...correct me if I am wrong!

well, thats not exactly true…

I give my parents my old apple HW and they are quite happy with it. to use as toys… plist it is better for me as i no longer have the hassle of having to format my parent's crappy pc's every few months…

In addition to that tools will always be also toys the two - for an enthusiast of anything - are inextricably linked.

Lastly, you don't need to be super wealthy to own a Mac - any mac, aside of the MP. With the variety of payment plans available most consumers (average for the most part) can afford one. Another reality is that a Mac simply lasts longer - in terms of usability over time - than a PC does, and with the resell being relatively high - again for the most part. it simply makes sense for many - and more and more are figuring this one out… just go onto any college campus - to pay the premium upfront - forget about upgradability which they already are not thinking about, unless a tech savvy friend recommends it, - and have a machine that will last for 4-5 years without much difficulty.

 

[mvmanolov]

ok, so here is a scenario/question:

One close "friend" wants a mini, doesn't quite need it but really wants it… given that the current top end BTO mini's score quite high on many of the benchmarking tools (dedicated graphic excluded of course) would the performance difference be of significant enough to justify potential wait past feb/mar/apr. Even if they put in 5200?

Go….

 

[ioannis2005gr]

ok, so here is a scenario/question:

One close "friend" wants a mini, doesn't quite need it but really wants it… given that the current top end BTO mini's score quite high on many of the benchmarking tools (dedicated graphic excluded of course) would the performance difference be of significant enough to justify potential wait past feb/mar/apr. Even if they put in 5200?

Go….

My answer is "NO", unless you need it desperately.

There is a small "YES", if you expect to find a redesigned case, dGPU, USB3.1 and TB2.

 

[ioannis2005gr]

Lastly, you don't need to be super wealthy to own a Mac - any mac, aside of the MP. With the variety of payment plans available most consumers (average for the most part) can afford one.

I agree and disagree with you...

It's important to have an alternative payment plan for your purchase.

BUT, APPLE products are considered very expensive in the market.

You shouldn't be super wealthy to buy a Mac Mini....

However, many home users have stated that they buy almost everything in a 2-3 year timeframe (13''/15'' rMBP, Mac Mini, iMac, iphone, ipad etc) for themselves and their parents, kids, wife etc....am I wrong to ask whether or not these customers are wealthy enough to afford to pay for them? ...

Some home users say that they can re-sell their old MAC products easily...and on the other hand, they decide to "give" their old iMac or Mac Mini to their parents or wife... do you think these users make money this way?

Finally, some other home users believe that a Mac Mini or an iMac is a good investment due to APPLE high quality! (because PCs or Win laptops suffer from many malfunctions in short time after purchase...)

Come on! this is not true! My relatives and friends (home users) have bought cheap laptops and PCs and they still use them without significant problems even after 5-6 years! They have done a depreciation of their "investment" and are still happy to spend money for other family activities!

 

[Count Blah]

You know better...it's your decision according to your family priorities!

Yes, I do know my families needs. They could be met when I was able to service their machines. But since I can not longer do that, paying the high Apple markup, PLUS the additional RAM/HDD/SSD UP FRONT is going to be a no-go for most of them the next time they need to upgrade.

I'm glad Apple can maintain good margins on the base components, but making machines non-user serviceable, making OBSCENE margins on the needed long term upgrades upfront, AND basically requiring AppleCare, is going way too far.

I wonder how many other people assist family members that are now in the same boat as I am. I am actively supporting 4 and advising another. I can no longer, in good conscience, tell them to continue going the Mac route, unless they want to spend considerably more up front

 

[Elho]

My dad introduced Apple in the family! (2007 alu iMac) then i bought an alu MacBook 2008. Then my girlfriend and her sister both bought a MacBook 2008. Few years later i bought myself an ipad retina and i'm now using an iphone 5. My girlfriend is using my old 3GS. My dad bought an ipad 2
My sister now also is using an iMac i7-ipad-iphone combo...

I think its quite normal that people you now buy the same stuff, my dad, my girlfriend and her sister and I are still using our 2007-2008 Apple's. So it was a good investment... As for now i'm waiting for the new mini.

By the way, my brother is the only non Apple guy, he uses an 2010 vaio and Windows phone... But he is already complaining about it and is planning to buy an MacBook...

 

[ioannis2005gr]

My dad introduced Apple in the family! (2007 alu iMac) then i bought an alu MacBook 2008. Then my girlfriend and her sister both bought a MacBook 2008. Few years later i bought myself an ipad retina and i'm now using an iphone 5. My girlfriend is using my old 3GS. My dad bought an ipad 2
My sister now also is using an iMac i7-ipad-iphone combo...

I think its quite normal that people you now buy the same stuff, my dad, my girlfriend and her sister and I are still using our 2007-2008 Apple's. So it was a good investment... As for now i'm waiting for the new mini.

By the way, my brother is the only non Apple guy, he uses an 2010 vaio and Windows phone... But he is already complaining about it and is planning to buy an MacBook...

what is the main use of these APPLE products for you and your family friends? can you please explain?

PS1: All my young and old family members, 80% of my relatives, most of my friends and many of their family members own cheap/ordinary smartphones, PCs and WIN laptops (2-3 no-name tablets) and are happy without significant problems since 2005-2006...they have only replaced two-three minor components (such as RAM and HDD) since then...they do normal use (such as social media, e-mail, internet browsing, some MS Office, games etc). Do they need to purchase a MAC to be technologically happier and well-equipped? Possibly no! They spend their money for other family activities and priorities.


PS2: I chose MAC series of APPLE for professional use. I don't have expensive habits or hobbies...

 

[osx11]

I do wonder why I have to pay 40% more for the same apple device in Europe. Who is getting rich on my wallet?

1. European prices, in general, include tax. U.S. prices do not!

2. Due to significant fluctuations in the Euro/USD exchange rate, Apple has to have a buffer to be able to absorb those those ever-fluctuating exchange rates.

3. Operating costs for a company are always more expensive in Europe because the Employer has to pay a lot more for social welfare and benefits.

 

[Elho]

what is the main use of these APPLE products for you and your family friends? can you please explain?

PS1: All my young and old family members, 80% of my relatives, most of my friends and many of their family members own cheap/ordinary smartphones, PCs and WIN laptops (2-3 no-name tablets) and are happy without significant problems since 2005-2006...they have only replaced two-three minor components (such as RAM and HDD) since then...they do normal use (such as social media, e-mail, internet browsing, some MS Office, games etc). Do they need to purchase a MAC to be technologically happier and well-equipped? Possibly no! They spend their money for other family activities and priorities.


PS2: I chose MAC series of APPLE for professional use. I don't have expensive habits or hobbies...

Main use? Internet and iPhoto, sharing pictures. Sometimes text editing... But no professional use nor video rendering stuff...

 

[ioannis2005gr]

Main use? Internet and iPhoto, sharing pictures. Sometimes text editing... But no professional use nor video rendering stuff...

can you cover your needs with a good and cheap (400-500$) laptop or PC? Do you actually need a MAC product? Of course, it's your decision to invest your money whenever you like....but....



Statistically speaking, a cheap laptop or PC won't break too often...you'd better need faster internet...and you can replace your computer with another cheap one (maybe more advanced) after 3-4 years...big deal!

In four years, You can save more than 3000$ for a luxury trip to an exotic island!