Mac Mini is now $800....

[jaybar]

OP, if you don’t like the price increase then don’t buy.

During this past summer, we lost all of my husbands data b/c if an iCloud glitch that was not supposed to happen according to Apple. We no longer had Apple Care coverage on our okd iMac, yet when we contacted Apple for support, we were not charged and they spent a long time with us until they figured out how to get back our data. Things like that cost!

I have had Apple IUP upgrade issues, which took weeks to work though and necessitated involvement form Corporate and which was provided without hesitation. That costs!

The two week return policy ( longer during holiday time) allows us to evaluate product without hassle or anxiety. This surely costs.

Having our iMac, multiple iPads and iPhones interact with minimal issues and smooth updates for the most part, surely costs.

Having our technology life, relatively hassle free is worth something. Lastly, if you use Apple products and software for the most part, one avoids finger pointing between vendors. It does happen from time to time, but I find it to be far less then with Windows PC.

 

[FrontierForever]

So yes, Apple does want you to buy an iPad and its very, very obvious which product is getting the love.

You can have my mechanical keyboard when you pry it from my cold dead hands!

 

[blairh]

You're cherry picking from my comment, classes was an element, the real point was cost of the retail stores. We all pay in some way towards them even if you never visit one, but many do put them to good use.

Transformed for the better, better than it was at least. There will be no more/less people willing to pay the premium for this mac in relation to the previous version.

All your observations are no different in 2018 to the posts in 2014 when the previous MM was released. Too expensive, etc...

I don't think people in 2014 were complaining about the price of entry at $500. I'm not sure how one can't at least acknowledge that the Mini is now a completely different machine versus previous years. Whether you agree or disagree with this direction, it's an enormous change in course by Apple.

 

[revmacian]

What model are you getting? I ask because I'm curious if 128 GB will be enough for some people.

I think I'll be getting the base model 2018 Mac mini. With my usage habits I don't think I'll need more than 128GB and the late 2018 specs will easily out-perform my current late 2014 mini. I'll make a final decision when I get closer to being able to make the actual purchase.

 

[blairh]

OP, if you don’t like the price increase then don’t buy.

During this past summer, we lost all of my husbands data b/c if an iCloud glitch that was not supposed to happen according to Apple. We no longer had Apple Care coverage on our okd iMac, yet when we contacted Apple for support, we were not charged and they spent a long time with us until they figured out how to get back our data. Things like that cost!

I have had Apple IUP upgrade issues, which took weeks to work though and necessitated involvement form Corporate and which was provided without hesitation. That costs!

The two week return policy ( longer during holiday time) allows us to evaluate product without hassle or anxiety. This surely costs.

Having our iMac, multiple iPads and iPhones interact with minimal issues and smooth updates for the most part, surely costs.

Having our technology life, relatively hassle free is worth something. Lastly, if you use Apple products and software for the most part, one avoids finger pointing between vendors. It does happen from time to time, but I find it to be far less then with Windows PC.

Did you read my OP? This isn't about me buying or not. It's about seeing how MR feels about this change in course by Apple. I personally think it's a mistake to not continue offering a model at $500. At the very least $600.

I'm also amazed by how many of you are justifying this price increase because of Apple's high maintenance costs. I really feel like this is a lazy retort. At some point people need to step back and say 'the MBA, Mini, and iPad Pro now cost more than ever, is this good for business'? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.
[doublepost=1542496152][/doublepost]

I think I'll be getting the base model 2018 Mac mini. With my usage habits I don't think I'll need more than 128GB and the late 2018 specs will easily out-perform my current late 2014 mini. I'll make a final decision when I get closer to being able to make the actual purchase.

Interesting. I'm surprised so many people are okay with 128 GB of storage. I realize the cloud exists and external drives, but I wouldn't want such a small HD personally. It's different for each individual person though. Certainly HD sizes are not as important as previously because of the cloud.

 

[revmacian]

Did you read my OP? This isn't about me buying or not. It's about seeing how MR feels about this change in course by Apple. I personally think it's a mistake to not continue offering a model at $500. At the very least $600.

I'm also amazed by how many of you are justifying this price increase because of Apple's high maintenance costs. I really feel like this is a lazy retort. At some point people need to step back and say 'the MBA, Mini, and iPad Pro now cost more than ever, is this good for business'? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.
[doublepost=1542496152][/doublepost]
Interesting. I'm surprised so many people are okay with 128 GB of storage. I realize the cloud exists and external drives, but I wouldn't want such a small HD personally. It's different for each individual person though. Certainly HD sizes are not as important as previously because of the cloud.

If they did that, they would likely have to swap out the SSD for a spinning HD and that would slow down the user experience - at least it does on the Late 2014 model. At any rate, Apple would have to change something to make the price difference worth choosing the current $799 model.

Worst case scenario.. it's just going to take us a little longer to save up for the new model. That's really all it boils down to.

 

[blairh]

If they did that, they would likely have to swap out the SSD for a spinning HD and that would slow down the user experience - at least it does on the Late 2014 model. At any rate, Apple would have to change something to make the price difference worth choosing the current $799 model.

Worst case scenario.. it's just going to take us a little longer to save up for the new model. That's really all it boils down to.

Not sure it's that simple. Imagine a Windows user who simply doesn't want to spend $800 for a Mac. Not everyone is simply gonna say well I'll save more instead. Whether Apple cares or not, I don't know, but they will lose potential OS switchers by raising the Mini's price.

 

[revmacian]

Interesting. I'm surprised so many people are okay with 128 GB of storage. I realize the cloud exists and external drives, but I wouldn't want such a small HD personally. It's different for each individual person though. Certainly HD sizes are not as important as previously because of the cloud.

I think I'm in the minority here, I don't store much of anything on my computers. There are always external options if I were to change that habit.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

Just curious how you all feel about the Mac Mini now. My first two Macs were Mini's. I bought both at different times. Paid less than $500 each for both of them new. Once in 2008. The other in 2014. My needs were pretty basic computer-wise and they lasted me for a long time. In fact I sold my last Mini only because I wanted a 5K screen.

I think Apple is making a mistake by making the price of Mac entry so high now. I don't think I would have gotten a Mac in 2008 after a lifetime as a Windows user if it were so expensive back then. Also the Mini now comes with just 128 GB of storage. I realize it's an SSD but that seems awfully small for a desktop machine. Also I know of the cloud and external storage but having a large HD on your desktop is the ideal scenario. (If you need the space.)

Anyways I'm just curious what you all think. And before you say 'well it's such a better computer at $800 dollars now' I get that. I just think you are losing sales by having it so expensive now versus the past. Also keep in mind the halo effect is very real. My happiness with the Mini has led to a ton of money spent on Apple products ever since.

I think part of the increase are the trade costs that Trump implemented that is making everything cost more.

 

[xylitol]

I personally think it's a mistake to not continue offering a model at $500. At the very least $600.

That $499 mini was actually an anomaly, it has usually been $599 for the base model (you didn't pay the original price in 2008).

 

[revmacian]

Not sure it's that simple. Imagine a Windows user who simply doesn't want to spend $800 for a Mac. Not everyone is simply gonna say well I'll save more instead. Whether Apple cares or not, I don't know, but they will lose potential OS switchers by raising the Mini's price.

Oh, I'm sure they will lose some switchers. But, from what I'm seeing.. the upgrade is a hit among those who like the Mac mini line. And, as another poster stated, I really don't think the Mac mini of today has the same mission as the older models - that mission being to provide an entry point into the Apple ecosystem. I feel the mobile devices (iPhone, iPad) execute that mission now.

 

[blairh]

That $499 mini was actually an anomaly, it has usually been $599 for the base model (you didn't pay the original price in 2008).

Well it's been $500 for the past 4 years. That's the point.
[doublepost=1542497018][/doublepost]

Oh, I'm sure they will lose some switchers. But, from what I'm seeing.. the upgrade is a hit among those who like the Mac mini line. And, as another poster stated, I really don't think the Mac mini of today has the same mission as the older models - that mission being to provide an entry point into the Apple ecosystem. I feel the mobile devices (iPhone, iPad) execute that mission now.

My pushback is that there will always be a market for a desktop Mac at $500. If it were to exist. But now it no longer does. iOS devices are not desktops.

 

[revmacian]

Well it's been $500 for the past 4 years. That's the point.
[doublepost=1542497018][/doublepost]
My pushback is that there will always be a market for a desktop Mac at $500. If it were to exist. But now it no longer does. iOS devices are not desktops.

If memory serves, the 2012 model was also $499. I also remember that the 2012 model was the first one minus the DVD drive.

 

[blairh]

If memory serves, the 2012 model was also $499. I also remember that the 2012 model was the first one minus the DVD drive.

The 2012 Mini started at $600. I bought it in 2014 new for $400 on sale.

 

[revmacian]

My pushback is that there will always be a market for a desktop Mac at $500. If it were to exist. But now it no longer does. iOS devices are not desktops.

True, iOS devices are not desktop machines.. you make an excellent point. It is, however, easier for people on-the-go to get along with only an iPhone than with only a Mac (especially teens?). And, by that reasoning, the entry point into the Apple ecosystem has likely moved to iOS devices due to the ease with which they are obtained through many mobile carriers - you can get a brand new iPhone from most US carriers with the sales tax being the only down payment. Apple may have seen this happening and abandoned the "entry point" mission for the mini and began developing them a bit higher, so the price is now rising.
[doublepost=1542497634][/doublepost]

The 2012 Mini started at $600. I bought it in 2014 new for $400 on sale.

I must have caught one at Best Buy on sale or something.

 

[LeeW]

I don't think people in 2014 were complaining about the price of entry at $500.

They really were, and with good reason, just like I have been sitting in 2018 waiting for my new MM to arrive and watching all these discussions, I was doing the same in 2014 with the previous device. And the criticism was flowing much more than it was today in terms of price and spec. And with good reason.

I mean even in 2012 SSD was fairly mainstream, yet two years later in 2014 all Apple was offering at the entry point was a $500 MM with 5400rpm drive, an inadequate CPU for the time and 4GB ram. Sure it was usable for people who spent their time on the most basic tasks, and I mean basic. It was not capable of anything else.

For everyone else you had to look at the mid tier or above and potentially a BTO to get SSD for it to be useful and right there you were at a $700 starting price, so when you take away the inadequate $500 offering in 2014 what you are being offered today at $800 does not seem so out of focus.

On that basis I don't really think it is a drastic change, effectively all they have done is removed what would have been the entry level device in 2014 from the 2018 lineup. I can only guess but it makes sense that they have done this as to have had that entry level c$500 in 2018 would have been as much of a donkey as the one in 2014.

I don't think I'll need more than 128GB

If you think that is going to work for you then stick with that and resist the urge to go higher. It's all about options and at least you have the option later if needed to throw a small external SSD at one of the USB-C ports to extend the space for a lost less than the cost of upgrading to 256GB at the time of purchase.

 

[blairh]

True, iOS devices are not desktop machines.. you make an excellent point. It is, however, easier for people on-the-go to get along with only an iPhone than with only a Mac (especially teens?). And, by that reasoning, the entry point into the Apple ecosystem has likely moved to iOS devices due to the ease with which they are obtained through many mobile carriers - you can get a brand new iPhone from most US carriers with the sales tax being the only down payment. Apple may have seen this happening and abandoned the "entry point" mission for the mini and began developing them a bit higher, so the price is now rising.
[doublepost=1542497634][/doublepost]
I must have caught one at Best Buy on sale or something.

Yeah that's a debate about the importance of a desktop in 2018. I still think they are as important as ever. People still want to work on a large screen. Obviously Apple has decided that having an affordable Mac no longer matters to them.

Yeah, the Mini was often on sale in the past.

 

[revmacian]

Yeah that's a debate about the importance of a desktop in 2018. I still think they are as important as ever. People still want to work on a large screen. Obviously Apple has decided that having an affordable Mac no longer matters to them.

Yeah, the Mini was often on sale in the past.

Yeah, this "mobile generation" is changing a lot of things. Companies have to roll with the changes if they want to remain relevant.

I wonder how long it will be before we start seeing the new model on Apple's refurbished website.

 

[MRrainer]

Apple does not want to be in the 499 PC business anymore. They don't want customers that can only spend 499 on a computer. They'll sell those an iPad and a pencil, but that's it. They only want customers with a certain amount of disposable income.
Well, every company wants these kinds of customers - but very few are in a position to actually shape their products accordingly and get approval from their customer-base.
Microsoft is the same. They're currently squeezing all their Office and Enterprise-products customers into their cloud by raising prices every year at double-digit rates.

Would it be nice to have a 499 Mini that isn't bordering total crap (like the 2014 edition)? Of course. But Apple have decided to not be in that market anymore.

I don't think it will hurt them. Most casual desktop users have long since moved to iPad and the iPhablet-class phones.
And those who haven't, they'll go along and be (sort-of) OK with the price.

 

[LeeW]

The traditional desktop is in decline, there is no doubt about that, the statistics clearly show that, once you take out corporate purchasing the market for desktops at home is going down all the time.

In a household of 5 I am the only one with a desktop. My wife does most of what she needs on her phone, switching to her laptop only when required. Kids are pretty much the same, it's all consoles for gaming, phones for almost everything else and laptop for university.

That is a generation thing and I believe is ultimately where Apple is heading. All their focus right now is on Phones and tablets, then laptops, then iMac, now throw the MM crowd a bone with a long overdue update and finally try and catch the true pro's next year with the new Mac Pro.

 

[xylitol]

The poll results here are quite interesting:

https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/21/mac-mini-opinion/

 

[Smashmax]

What model are you getting? I ask because I'm curious if 128 GB will be enough for some people.

It's way too much for me and many other people. I am using 48Gb, but 15Gb of that is purgeable, meaning the cloud is only storing it there because there is space.

I am also very happy with the price. I think it is worth it.

 

[LeeW]

It's just another way in which technology has advanced that a lot of users don't need as much disk space nowadays.

Music - Streamed
TV/films - Streamed
Files - Cloud
Photos- Cloud
Gaming - Moving into cloud, i.e. services like Geforce Now

 

[mcnallym]

To me when speccee up a 2014 model with the dual core 2,6ghz cpu, 8gb ram and 256gb then is comparable to a 2018 with a quad 3.6, 8gb ram and 256gb ssd.

Pretty much the only people that found the dual 1.4ghz 4gb ram and the 500gb he’d where people using simply as media server and nothing else.

Yes the posted entry level price is up but basically what people said was the real entry level price anyway as the entry model pretty pointless!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I purchased the 2012 base model in Dec 2013 from Amazon and I believe they had a MSRP of $599 and I got a $50 discount so I paid $549. I don't find a price of $799 all that bad. What I don't like is the 128GB and soldered SSD on the motherboard board. If it fails, it's a paperweight. The price and specs for the most part are ok with the exception of the 128GB storage.