Mac Mini - A New Name A New Future

[Russet]

The Mac Mini is probably the most underrated but most useful of Apple's range of computers. It is the computer most suited for what is the biggest computer market ie ordinary business situations where office staff are doing word processing, spreadsheet, database and internet connection. The Mac mini is cost effective and replaces the PC beige boxes with minimum fuss. It provides a low cost transition into Mac OSX. A strategic master stroke in the Operating system wars.

Unfortunately the Mac Mini has had 2 major marketing mistakes made which have prevented its huge potential being realised.
1 The name Mac Mini suggests a small underpowered machine, having operated networks of Mac Mini's for several years in my small business they are definitely not underpowered for these purposes.
2 The machine has not been well marketed to a huge worldwide potential audience. Quite frankly the people who it is most suited for probably don't even know it exists.

It is time for a new name and a new marketing campaign.

 

[m1stake]

You could buy and identical PC with a mouse, keyboard, and screen for the same amount of money if not less at launch.

The mac mini isn't a cost effictive solution.

 

[Davy.Shalom]

You could buy and identical PC with a mouse, keyboard, and screen for the same amount of money if not less at launch.

The mac mini isn't a cost effictive solution.

I agree here. What's really fun though, is to make a custom 8"x8" cube plexiglass computer. Custom everything. Awesome...(did it for science fair experiment 2 years ago)

 

[Trip.Tucker]

You could buy and identical PC with a mouse, keyboard, and screen for the same amount of money if not less at launch.

The mac mini isn't a cost effictive solution.

Before you go making ignorant statements, please go and read all the other threads discussing ( and dismissing your incorrect statement ) the costs and cost effectiveness of the Mac mini.

 

[alphaod]

We all should know by now that Steve Jobs hates the Mac mini, so I doubt he would dedicate any more resources to advertise it. Especially considering how well the MacBooks are selling.

 

[illegallydead]

I agree that the Mini is not tapping into a HUGE customer base, i.e. businesses. Then again, it has been probably 5 if not 10 or more years since Apple has given a rat's @$$ about businesses. They have more or less agreed to be a smaller computer company with a VERY focused audience they are targeting. If they were to take a page out of [insert successful PC manufacturer name here]'s book, they could easily make billions in sales and see their overall market share positively skyrocket.

However, they do no (yet) feel the need to be all things to all people, not even some things to some people. So far, they have wanted to be a GOD to certain people, and nothing more...

We all should know by now that Steve Jobs hates the Mac mini, so I doubt he would dedicate any more resources to advertise it. Especially considering how well the MacBooks are selling.

It could be argued however that the Macbooks are only selling well because they are the only machines that don't use (comparatively) ancient hardware. If you have a choice between a shiny new MB and a 2 years old "new" Mini, what are you going to go for? Exactly.
It will be interesting to see how desktop sales compare to notebook sales once they are both on a level playing field in terms of hardware.

 

[sn00pie]

I'm expecting the Mac Mini to be replaced with an xMac type of desktop everyone has been waiting for.

 

[illegallydead]

I'm expecting the Mac Mini to be replaced with an xMac type of desktop everyone has been waiting for.

Prepare to be disappointed

 

[spacepower7]

Let's Get Real

Let's Get Real

Most IT departments don't want to deal with using Windows and Macs.

The biggest mistake is price VS specs. Alot of the time IT departments are given a budget, and are looking for cheap Dells, or CPU's that might last longer.

Specs
Mac mini $599 1.83 Ghz Core 2 Duo 80GB HD 1 GB ram, Combo Drive, Bluetooth and Wi-FI

Many companies use ethernet and don't want Wi-FI or Bluetooth on employee computers.

Dell, Core 2 Quad 2.33 Ghz 500GB HD 4 GB ram DVD burner, keyboard and mouse. for....... $449

Where does it make any business sense to buy a Mac mini?

That's not even corporate pricing for the Dell, and the cheapest corporate price I have seen for a Mac mini is $539.

The real comparison for just an office/web computer is this Dell

Intel Celeron 450 @ 2.2GHz; 2GB RAM; 320GB HDD; DVD burner keyboard and mouse for a whopping $279

What company is going to buy a Mac mini? If the Mac was $279 and the Dell was $539, then that Mac might have a chance, but still not likely.

Apple is selling the exact same computer for the exact same price for the last 570 days. In the business world that is considered insane by every company besides Apple.

PS
I've been waiting for an updated Mac mini for over a year, but now I'm leaning toward a quad core Dell Hackintosh, bc the next mini update will be underwhelming.

 

[macrockbuddy]

I hate DELL. They sell their stuff cheap because it's made cheap.

Michael Dell = MD 20/20

 

[NRose8989]

On top of macs not really belonging in business, I heard somewhere that Xserves are a pain in the rear to work with.

 

[Schtumple]

Apple needs to buck up it's ideas with the Mini, Nettops are cheaper, although not faster, but they're still selling really well, if there was a Mini that replicated a Nettop, I think Apple would be onto a little selling spree, they never will though, it's not their market.

 

[Wingnut330]

I think the mini is a nice Apple landing point for many. It was my first Mac - I quickly upgraded once I fully digested the Kool Aid, but I know lots of folks that use Minis.

Personally, I would like to see a HTPC in the form factor of a mini. An ATV/Mini combo would be great. I had my Mini hooked up to a 52" Sony 1080p LCD and while it looked great it was clunky to use as an HTPC. My biggest complaint was font size - tough to read menus etc from the couch.

I'm hoping that Apple takes the media idea to the next level. They have already embraced it as one of their core themes hence iLife, but the integration of the products with storage solutions and sharing options is a little lacking at this point. I'm hopeful that they address that in coming releases of software and hardware.

 

[m1stake]

Before you go making ignorant statements, please go and read all the other threads discussing ( and dismissing your incorrect statement ) the costs and cost effectiveness of the Mac mini.

spacepower7 sat you down for me.

 

[t0mat0]

"Mac Mini - A new name, a new future".... mini => Mini.... and they'll have taken how long?

We've seen more on iMac rumours and undercurrents than the mini it would initially seem.

 

[gianly1985]

You could buy and identical PC with a mouse, keyboard, and screen for the same amount of money if not less at launch.

The mac mini isn't a cost effictive solution.

Identical is such a big word....
Don't forget the mini is ultra-silent, small and runs an hassle-free zero-mainteinance zero-formatting zero-defrag zero-virus OS......many public offices, school and universities would save a lot of money in maintenance...at least here in Italy....

The "raw hardware VS raw hardware" comparison is non-sense.......otherwise please shut down this whole site and shut down Apple itself....