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Mac Mini Killer?
- Thread starter dogslobber
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I don't think any non-macs computers would be any mac killers. The mini is the gateway to windows users considering getting their first mac, or for mac users wanting it as a personal computer or media server. The only mac mini killer will come from Apple.
And GOODNESS! Why is it running an intel celeron?! Thats ridiculously old!
And GOODNESS! Why is it running an intel celeron?! Thats ridiculously old!
Are you serious?
It was launched in Q3'13
http://ark.intel.com/de/products/75192/Intel-Celeron-Processor-1017U-2M-Cache-1_60-GHz
It looks like it could be a mini killer but it definitely needs a performance boost in order to do that. Another potential mini killer is the HP Elite Desk 600/705/800 mini. The best one is about $900.00, has a 2.2Ghz Haswell quad and lots of USB 3 ports.
Unfortunately it comes up short with Intel HD 4600 graphics, no FW, no TB and only one drive slot. And, for the same amount of money you can get a still small, but much larger than a mini, EliteDesk with a real desktop Haswell quad and a PCI slot.
For me, I still like my minis.
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I beg to differ with you. If you consider an Zeon 8-core Dell workstation to be not a mini killer because they do not run OS X then your point is valid.
However, users who want a very small mini-sized or SFF machine for gaming or Photoshop or HTPC can find some small machines that really offer more performance than a mini for a better price. And they are user expandable.
Mac has Windows' proverbial ass kicked bigtime when it comes to integrated, fun apps built right into the OS but not even every Mac mini buyer cares about those things. In that case there are several alternative that run the not-too-bad-at-all Windows 8.1 and the very promising Windows 10.
There are many potential Mini killers depending on your usage.
The Bay Trail-M based ECS LIVA is just $145 w/ 64GB eMMC storage and 2GB RAM.
It also incredibly small (about the size of a 12oz can of soda).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856501008
The Bay Trail-M based ECS LIVA is just $145 w/ 64GB eMMC storage and 2GB RAM.
It also incredibly small (about the size of a 12oz can of soda).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856501008
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Interesting that the competition is making analogous PCs in the same size and price point. That proves there's a market for these devices.
Makes me wonder if Apple has blown it by going backwards to the pedestrian 1.4ghz 2 core chip. Criminal, so it is.
Yeah, the excuse that PCs can't run OS X is fading in importance. Windows is getting better and OS X is getting worse. I've been using Macs for a long time, but my needs are simple and don't include many of the integrated apps. I need to run Windows for my business, which I do with Parallels, but I can also do that in Linux. I've recently bought a mid-range 2014 mini that meets my needs for many years to come, but I think it will be my last Mac. A reliable PC with a Windows VM in Linux will likely be my next setup, at half the price.
Here's a simple Q. Would you trust Windows with your financial info? E.g. entering a bank website. Why would you put your business and customers at such risk? Windows is a liability when it comes to any type of security.
The simple answer is NEVER, at least not yet. I go nowhere near the internet in Windows. Security is a definite advantage of UNIX-based operating systems.
I never said non-macs won't be mac mini killers, I said "I don't think any non-macs computers would be any mac killers." People don't buy macs for their hardware superiority. To be honest, macs are actually less customer friendly when it comes to hardware. But people buy macs for the software. No matter which PC is pit against a Mac, mac users will keep buying macs because of OS X, not because of the hardware.
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In a tech world, that is centuries ago
Very true. I'm not opposed to using Windows when/if it meets my needs, but won't be searching out any "mac mini killers". Simply assemble a mini-itx based pc in a small case.
A Mini killer must be at least as powerfull as a Mini, but costing less.
If you want a less powerfull Mini you can always buy a 2014 Mini (instead of a 2012 one).
If you want a less powerfull Mini you can always buy a 2014 Mini (instead of a 2012 one).
Every time you use an ATM to draw out cash, you're most likely using a terminal running Windows.
Add to that, there is a high probability that the terminal is still running Windows XP.
To add to the above, The bank I deal with here in western Canada is still running Windows 2000 Pro on their terminals.
A Mac Mini with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD cost an astronomically high $1499.
Most people are not going to open up the new Mini to swap in an SSD like before. They just aren't user friendly like that anymore, and RAM is non-upgradable, so you better buy what you need up front.
The Gigabyte GB-BXi5-4570R with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is half the Mini's price, plus you get a real quad core i5 and Iris Pro graphics.
Of course, there will be people here with an excuse like "yeah, but it doesn't run OSX". Well, is OSX worth an extra $750 to you on top of the added performance you have to give up?
Good question. Another good one is "Does it sound like a Jet Engine?". I cannot say as I have not heard it, but I have my suspicions.
it used to be the gateway computer. Now that apple has put out the anti-consumer version of the mini, knowledgable buys will look at the extreme apple tax(3 times $$$ to upgrade at the time of purchase, plus the normal apple tax), and run the other way. At least that is what I am telling those seeking advice. In fact, I am performing possibly the last apple upgrades ever for my family over thanksgiving - ram upgrade in a mini and ram upgrade in an iMac. Both families will need an upgrade in another year or two, and I cannot in good conscience tell them to go with a Mac now. Both families have had macs for years, thanks to me, and my upgrades over the years. Now, the Mac does not make economical sense for them. That is for turning away knowledgable users Mac. I'm sure your move to the Gruber mentality(stupid buyers) will do wonders for the bottom line. But the knowlable buyers are not falling for it.
2/3 of my Macs doesn't support handoff, only my wife has an iPhone (I have a Samsung phone) so I wouldn't care if I had to deal with another OS. I'd immediately install Ubuntu or Debian, and I'd be fine.
If it can't run OSX, it can't kill MacMini. That's the main reason why I haven't bought a PC and waited.
