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Mini - beyond pathetic
- Thread starter OldCorpse
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Yeah but the resolution is very limited, and the reviews I've seen have been quite bad.
ahh well, yet another week goes by, and no mac mini update ... not even any 'whispers' on the rumor mill.
There's posts going back to April 2008 where people started to wonder where the new mini update was, and remarking that it was no longer a good value for the money (back in APRIL 2008 mind you!).
Here we are, coming up on a year after those comments starting coming out, and still, the same mini is being sold, for the same price.
The 'business' decisions Apple seems to be making these days with their computers seem very bizarre to me.
There's posts going back to April 2008 where people started to wonder where the new mini update was, and remarking that it was no longer a good value for the money (back in APRIL 2008 mind you!).
Here we are, coming up on a year after those comments starting coming out, and still, the same mini is being sold, for the same price.
The 'business' decisions Apple seems to be making these days with their computers seem very bizarre to me.
When you think about it, the August 2007 update was so miniscule, you could literally say it's been 2 years since an update.
Feb 2006->Intel Mini with Core Solo and Core Duo
Feb 2007->Intel Mini Core Duo 1.6 and Core Duo 1.8 (correct me if I'm wrong)
Aug 2007->Intel Mini Core Duo 1.8 and Core Duo 2.0
Feb 2009->The Same DAMN thing.
Start sending feedback people...www.apple.com/feedback
Be polite, and tell them, since it's taking them forever to acknowledge this.
The ship sailed long ago when I wanted to get a Mac Mini for my dad, back in 2007, I thought the specs were HORRIFIC for the price.
And zoom forward 2 years later, same damn specs...that's so unacceptable.
Knowing Apple and their fruity ways, they will make the Mac Mini thinner, and continue to make it the weakest machine possible for the worst price. (BUT IT'S GREEN!!!)
Feb 2006->Intel Mini with Core Solo and Core Duo
Feb 2007->Intel Mini Core Duo 1.6 and Core Duo 1.8 (correct me if I'm wrong)
Aug 2007->Intel Mini Core Duo 1.8 and Core Duo 2.0
Feb 2009->The Same DAMN thing.
Start sending feedback people...www.apple.com/feedback
Be polite, and tell them, since it's taking them forever to acknowledge this.
The ship sailed long ago when I wanted to get a Mac Mini for my dad, back in 2007, I thought the specs were HORRIFIC for the price.
And zoom forward 2 years later, same damn specs...that's so unacceptable.
Knowing Apple and their fruity ways, they will make the Mac Mini thinner, and continue to make it the weakest machine possible for the worst price. (BUT IT'S GREEN!!!)
The Mac mini has been introduced as the "low-cost, switcher Mac". It did work for me, from a Mac mini G4 to a Mac mini Core 2 Duo.
However, no updates for over a year, and no updates at all since the intel switch (a mere CPU/HD bump doesn't count IMHO), how can you expect PC users to switch? On the PC side, people are seeing up-to-date computers, from a lot of companies.
If anything, the Mac mini should be Apple's priority. No DVD burner, GMA950, a limit of 3GB RAM? In 2009? Come on. Let's hope they don't drop FireWire 400 when they update it or that's going to be another sad joke.
However, no updates for over a year, and no updates at all since the intel switch (a mere CPU/HD bump doesn't count IMHO), how can you expect PC users to switch? On the PC side, people are seeing up-to-date computers, from a lot of companies.
If anything, the Mac mini should be Apple's priority. No DVD burner, GMA950, a limit of 3GB RAM? In 2009? Come on. Let's hope they don't drop FireWire 400 when they update it or that's going to be another sad joke.
Yes, and the defenders of this lack of update for 18 months (at the same price point!) keep saying 'well it's an entry level machine, so what do you expect'.
That's fine, but the mini, from the time of it's first G4 iteration, to the release in Aug. 07, kept pace with almost the same specs as the ibook, and then the macbook.
If you look at the specs of the macbook and mac mini throughout 2007, they were essentially the same. Same processors, same video system.
This extraordinary delay in a mini update has now left it FAR below the entry level macbook in specs... even the bastard child of the laptop family, the white macbook, blows the mini away (geforce 9400 - thank you).
Well, as far as the specs are concerned, they're not too bad. It's missing a Superdrive, but other than that, if you forget about gaming, the machine is decent. The problem is, the components are so old that the price should have come down by now.
Imagine the entry model but with a superdrive, for 499$USD. Wouldn't be too bad IMHO.
Me, on the other hand, won't upgrade the one I have right now unless the next one has at least the 9400M, superdrive, keeps FireWire 400 and supports 4GB RAM.
The "High-End" Mac Mini's have superdrives, basically, did you pay $799 or $599? Question is answered right there.
Although there was a question mark, he didn't really ask a question, damn that stupid punctuation
Also, it's cheaper to get the low end and upgrade the drive at home, the 170mhz difference in processor speed is negligible
Agreed. Whether that provides sufficient bang for the buck is for everyone to decide for themselves. I don't think so. Also, I wouldn't buy or recommend either of the two currently available machines, I'm waiting for an upgrade.
Performance in the raw
lowendmac
PS. The fact that I'm giving links to articles from 2 years ago and they're still valid is just sick...
Yeah, I thought the Mac mini would have an update in April 2008 with the iMacs, but no...
Newbie PC User
Good morning,
Well I am new to MacRumours and a PC user (please don't hurt me!)
I guess I am looking to fall into the category of 'switcher', having been a PC owner (and worker) all my life. Primarily I want a mac mini to operate as a media centre in my living room.
Now up until yesterday, i was going to run out and buy one just like that....however the rumour of an updated mac mini with nvidia graphics has forced me to halt in my tracks. Mainly because I am an avid Doom playing fan!
It's probably a stupid question, but how realistic is an March update for the mac mini, and in your opinion is it going to be worth it (based on the rumours of course).
Good morning,
Well I am new to MacRumours and a PC user (please don't hurt me!)
I guess I am looking to fall into the category of 'switcher', having been a PC owner (and worker) all my life. Primarily I want a mac mini to operate as a media centre in my living room.
Now up until yesterday, i was going to run out and buy one just like that....however the rumour of an updated mac mini with nvidia graphics has forced me to halt in my tracks. Mainly because I am an avid Doom playing fan!
It's probably a stupid question, but how realistic is an March update for the mac mini, and in your opinion is it going to be worth it (based on the rumours of course).
How possible is that? Let's do an experiment: roll two dices until the sum is 3. It may happen on the first time. Or never
and again and again and again and again (if you search
)The mini will be updated, soon enough, my guess is press release on apples site, updating iMac and Mac mini together, sometime around march or something...
I have the 2.0. It was a statement.
My comment was in reply to Yvan256 - his post made it sound like there was no superdrive in the mini at all, but there is.
My comment was about the fact that there is still a Mac mini (or any Mac, for that matter) still shipping without a DVD-burner in 2009. Never mind that it was already unacceptable in 2008 either.
Faithfully written by Apple employee No- xxxx.
Bottom line we all know it needs an update to compete, hell forget competing, I just need one with Macbook internals, it fits can be done and would be a good enough update for all us waiting to go out and buy.I know I would the day it happened.
Very poor value as it is and anyone coming from Windows to Mac wont be buying a Mini, most of Windows folk are clued up especially those looking to switch, this is not the machine they will buy to try out Mac and the others are too expensive on a gamble try out so, guess what , they stick with Windows.
I need a Mini but will not buy the outdated tech on offer at the moment, would be a fool to buy something so outdated, blatantly a rip off imho
Apple: just stick the Macbook innards in the current case and be done , no R&D, no further investment required and a lot of units sold, nice .
perfection
Bottom line we all know it needs an update to compete, hell forget competing, I just need one with Macbook internals, it fits can be done and would be a good enough update for all us waiting to go out and buy.I know I would the day it happened.
Very poor value as it is and anyone coming from Windows to Mac wont be buying a Mini, most of Windows folk are clued up especially those looking to switch, this is not the machine they will buy to try out Mac and the others are too expensive on a gamble try out so, guess what , they stick with Windows.
I need a Mini but will not buy the outdated tech on offer at the moment, would be a fool to buy something so outdated, blatantly a rip off imho
Apple: just stick the Macbook innards in the current case and be done , no R&D, no further investment required and a lot of units sold, nice .
perfection
Most excellent execution of sarcasm. Sir,I applaud you.
Great thread - I bought one of the first mac minis (the 1.42 Ghz G4's) and fell in love with everything apple.
My requirements have grown and I have been waiting for a new Mac Mini for at least a year.
Bit the bullet a few weeks ago and spend the money (£300) on a second hand G5 dual core machine and £100 on upgrading it - now it is working great for me.
Sods law, I bet you, they will release a new cheaper, meaner mac mini in March.
But now is too late - I saw what a Power Mac can do, I am saving up already for a Mac Pro
My requirements have grown and I have been waiting for a new Mac Mini for at least a year.
Bit the bullet a few weeks ago and spend the money (£300) on a second hand G5 dual core machine and £100 on upgrading it - now it is working great for me.
Sods law, I bet you, they will release a new cheaper, meaner mac mini in March.
But now is too late - I saw what a Power Mac can do, I am saving up already for a Mac Pro
Good morning,
Well I am new to MacRumours and a PC user (please don't hurt me!)
I guess I am looking to fall into the category of 'switcher', having been a PC owner (and worker) all my life. Primarily I want a mac mini to operate as a media centre in my living room.
Now up until yesterday, i was going to run out and buy one just like that....however the rumour of an updated mac mini with nvidia graphics has forced me to halt in my tracks. Mainly because I am an avid Doom playing fan!
It's probably a stupid question, but how realistic is an March update for the mac mini, and in your opinion is it going to be worth it (based on the rumours of course).
For what it's worth, in my humble opinion - go for a second hand Power Mac (albeit a G5) for the same price as a new mac mini (based on UK prices). You will get a better performance.
Let me dig up the link that shows the comparisons - essentially a G5 Dual 2.0GHz machine with 128Mb graphics card out-performs the current mac mini, running on the latest CPU.
The original mini is what got me hooked on Apple in the first place, and it is a real shame that they have let it lapse so badly. I just bought a refurb iMac 24". I would have bought a mini (I have a nice 24" monitor) if it had more current specs, but it didn't. So Apple still got my money, but it was for a refurb, not new product.
Basically an updated Mac mini would likely do two things over the existing one:
- More performance for the same price
- Cheaper for similar performance