Yep, I was completely misunderstanding; I thought you were comparing new Mac Minis to refurbs. Glad we cleared that up.
I can see why. Sometimes I just type, assuming people know exactly what I'm thinking when it gets typed.
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Mac Mini is actually a great value
- Thread starter Gym Hellwig
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I can see why. Sometimes I just type, assuming people know exactly what I'm thinking when it gets typed.
The Mac Mini is the cheapest way to get OS X, which is generally hassle free and secure compared to the alternatives. What's more, updates are free.
A Mac Mini also comes loaded with productivity apps, which are an extra cost to factor in if you go the Microsoft way. Sure Word may have more features than Pages, but in my experience the latter has all the features I need, and is easier to use. Likewise with Numbers, and various iLife apps. What's more they all get free updates as they come out.
Mac Mini hardware may not be cutting edge, but it is adequate for the installed software. There is a range of basic specs and options available for those who have more demanding needs…… though the most demanding should look elsewhere.
It just works, so what's not to like for the not particularly computer savvy consumer who just wants a desktop to do stuff?
Plenty for for geeks and dilettantes, it seems, but let them obsess over benchmarks, compare specs, bemoan the loss of the quad core, and decry no longer being able to upgrade to 16 GB RAM (the same as can be ordered as an option from the outset).
All in all, you get much more bang for your buck now than I did for the original Mac Mini I bought about 10 years ago. The current Mac Minis may not be for every one, but from my point of view they are great value.
A Mac Mini also comes loaded with productivity apps, which are an extra cost to factor in if you go the Microsoft way. Sure Word may have more features than Pages, but in my experience the latter has all the features I need, and is easier to use. Likewise with Numbers, and various iLife apps. What's more they all get free updates as they come out.
Mac Mini hardware may not be cutting edge, but it is adequate for the installed software. There is a range of basic specs and options available for those who have more demanding needs…… though the most demanding should look elsewhere.
It just works, so what's not to like for the not particularly computer savvy consumer who just wants a desktop to do stuff?
Plenty for for geeks and dilettantes, it seems, but let them obsess over benchmarks, compare specs, bemoan the loss of the quad core, and decry no longer being able to upgrade to 16 GB RAM (the same as can be ordered as an option from the outset).
All in all, you get much more bang for your buck now than I did for the original Mac Mini I bought about 10 years ago. The current Mac Minis may not be for every one, but from my point of view they are great value.
Can't argue with that logic, mostly...
The "it just works" line, though, is... ooh.. I have some issue with that. The wifi issues in Yosemite are a joke right now, along with numerous other bugs. But... in "general," I agree.
I think the 2.8 w/ the 2tb Fusion drive is a good deal. Maybe the ONLY deal , lol
The next step up is the mac pro - and the base model just isn't worth the dough imo.
Don't want an iMac after issues with several of them and their built in displays failing...
The next step up is the mac pro - and the base model just isn't worth the dough imo.
Don't want an iMac after issues with several of them and their built in displays failing...
With all the mini pc at ces this year the mac mini may not be such a good value. Using U.S dollar.
-Base Mac Mini $499us
1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
Intel HD Graphics 5000
OS X Yosemite
vs
-Base HP Pavilion Mini $320us
1.7GHz Pentium 3558U
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
Intel HD Graphics ?
Windows 8.1 Bing
vs
-Base HP Stream Mini $180us
1.4GHz Intel Celeron 2957U
2GB memory
32GB SSD
Graphics?
Windows 8.1 Bing
Probably for the vast majority of people looking for such a device, price will probably play a major point in there decision. Apple may find it finally has some real competition in the small desktop space.
-Base Mac Mini $499us
1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
Intel HD Graphics 5000
OS X Yosemite
vs
-Base HP Pavilion Mini $320us
1.7GHz Pentium 3558U
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
Intel HD Graphics ?
Windows 8.1 Bing
vs
-Base HP Stream Mini $180us
1.4GHz Intel Celeron 2957U
2GB memory
32GB SSD
Graphics?
Windows 8.1 Bing
Probably for the vast majority of people looking for such a device, price will probably play a major point in there decision. Apple may find it finally has some real competition in the small desktop space.
Yeah, but that's always been the case. If it wasn't, Macs would have 85% marketshare, not Windows PCs.
Sometimes You Pay Less To Get Less
Those two mini computers are certainly less expensive than a Mac mini. The Pentium model looks like a decent basic desktop. Although the sub-$200 model could be right for some users, it would not be a good value for those who need a complete desktop computer. Do they really offer enough to compete with the basic Mac mini?
The HP mini desktops have:
1. Comparable clock speed with lower power usage (Haswell) CPU but no multi-threading from sub-i3 grade processors
2. No 802.11 ac WiFi or Thunderbolt interface included
3. Windows 8.1 and annoying bloatware versus OS X and included software
4. Keyboard and mouse included
Despite its basic configuration, the 2014 Mac mini is a complete computer. As sold, it can perform serious work like HTPC duty or video editing with the included software. The storage, memory, video adapter, and CPU are all capable of doing real work as delivered. On the other hand the HP minis are less complete. 2Gb of RAM and 32GB of storage sound marginal for either operating system.
Should these machines really cause shoppers to question the value of a 2014 Mac mini?
Those two mini computers are certainly less expensive than a Mac mini. The Pentium model looks like a decent basic desktop. Although the sub-$200 model could be right for some users, it would not be a good value for those who need a complete desktop computer. Do they really offer enough to compete with the basic Mac mini?
The HP mini desktops have:
1. Comparable clock speed with lower power usage (Haswell) CPU but no multi-threading from sub-i3 grade processors
2. No 802.11 ac WiFi or Thunderbolt interface included
3. Windows 8.1 and annoying bloatware versus OS X and included software
4. Keyboard and mouse included
Despite its basic configuration, the 2014 Mac mini is a complete computer. As sold, it can perform serious work like HTPC duty or video editing with the included software. The storage, memory, video adapter, and CPU are all capable of doing real work as delivered. On the other hand the HP minis are less complete. 2Gb of RAM and 32GB of storage sound marginal for either operating system.
Should these machines really cause shoppers to question the value of a 2014 Mac mini?
Well it's refurbished, so it should be a decent deal for a 2.5 year-old processor.
That under MANY circumstances, can run circles around the brand spanking new processor in the 2014 mini.
Yeah, yeah, but do the alternatives run OS X?
It is OS X, along with iLife, that make a Mac, not the hardware.
That means if I were to install OS X and iLife on a PC Hackintosh it would automatically become a Mac, correct?
----------
Agreed. Good build quality, EFI Firmware, and custom-designed components for OS X all separate genuine Mac hardware from Hackintoshes.
Agreed, for the reasons redheeler suggests.
However, many of the major components are common to many other computers, and Mac computers can run other operating systems. In the end, while some people do buy a Mac and then mainly run Windows or Linux, OS X is what separates Macs from other PCs.
Not really. You may have a version of OS X and iLife apps installed, but with updates and other support are not easily available, a Hackintosh it remains. OK as a project for a tinkering geek, but not worth the hassle for someone who just wants to get things done.
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Yeah I have been thinking about getting a Mini to replace a window's laptop. How would the base model be for web surfing, email, MS Office, iTunes, streaming, etc.
The interwebs have spoken! The late 2012 mini is/was THE Mac on the cheap. Hope you can find one.
And what a great little box it is. Get a refurb i5/i7 and go to work. Add SSD of choice and RAM - 16 is cheap. Leave whatever Spinner HD for files and never mind stupid Fusion BS. Enjoy a fast and silent Mac. Add Monitor of choice
Best
And what a great little box it is. Get a refurb i5/i7 and go to work. Add SSD of choice and RAM - 16 is cheap. Leave whatever Spinner HD for files and never mind stupid Fusion BS. Enjoy a fast and silent Mac. Add Monitor of choice
Best
It's fine for that, but I can't recommend a computer without an SSD in 2015.
Yes, the Mac Mini is a steal.
I was running my graphic design business (huge photoshop files etc,) on a mid 2007 Mac Mini with 4GB ram as my main computer until I got my late 2013 rMBP. I just got an i7 quad core 2012 refurbed Mac Mini (getting an SSD upgrade) too, so it will replace the mid 2007 Mini.
The mid 2007 Mini has run 24/7 for over 6 years with no problems. It replaced a Mac Desktop Quicksilver that ran solidly for 6 years before that.
Apple really uses quality components.
I was running my graphic design business (huge photoshop files etc,) on a mid 2007 Mac Mini with 4GB ram as my main computer until I got my late 2013 rMBP. I just got an i7 quad core 2012 refurbed Mac Mini (getting an SSD upgrade) too, so it will replace the mid 2007 Mini.
The mid 2007 Mini has run 24/7 for over 6 years with no problems. It replaced a Mac Desktop Quicksilver that ran solidly for 6 years before that.
Apple really uses quality components.
+1.
I can't believe that PCIe SSD isn't even offered as an option until the $999 model. Good thing a SATA SSD can be put in to replace the HDD.
just to respond to earlier comment about the 4790k being a loud beast. I built a mini itx system with one and a 750ti and the thing is not loud at all. Even under load.
The Mac mini is a nice system. But there are many nice small systems. The hardware design of the mini I would have to say is my favorite though. It would be nice if they could stick an Nvidia card in one like an 860m or higher. But I doubt that will happen.
The Mac mini is a nice system. But there are many nice small systems. The hardware design of the mini I would have to say is my favorite though. It would be nice if they could stick an Nvidia card in one like an 860m or higher. But I doubt that will happen.
Not forgetting the freebie iWork apps now. And Xcode is free and so are OS upgrades. It's a cool deal. Macs are cool and I've been using them since Tiger 10 years ago!
Mini ITX systems that can fit a discrete graphics card is about 4x the size if not larger) than a Mini. That's really not a good comparison.
Better comparisons are Brix and Nuc's. Look at the Brix Pro with the 4770R, thing roars like a lion when it gets heated up.