Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Saying Farewell to the Mini...
- Thread starter gkarris
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
Well the 17" iMac is probably a better choice BUT rumour is its going to be dropped so an upgraded Mini will arguably be the nice cheap entry level Mac.
Tomorrow's the big day.
One of four things may happen:
1. Minis stay the same - check again in October.
2. Minis discontinued - run to the store! Minis now will hold their value and older ones will go up!
3. Updated Minis! Maybe just a processor/memory upgrade?
4. Minis replaced! Something cool up Apple's sleeve?
Time will tell...
One of four things may happen:
1. Minis stay the same - check again in October.
2. Minis discontinued - run to the store! Minis now will hold their value and older ones will go up!
3. Updated Minis! Maybe just a processor/memory upgrade?
4. Minis replaced! Something cool up Apple's sleeve?
Time will tell...
I could go into a supermarket or dare I say PC World tomorrow and buy
a PC for £300 - including monitor.
If the Mini was discontinued and not replaced, the cheapest Mac would be over double the price of that PC.
I might agree that what you get for your money in a Mini
is perhaps not great value but in my experience, PCs
are cheaper across the board.
As a Windows->Mac switcher, I was prepared to pay
the £360 for my Mini but I simply would not have paid
£600+ for a Mac, albeit a more powerful one.
Personally, I think it would be a mistake for Apple not
to have an entry level Mac but if SJ doesn't unveil
an updated Mini or a replacement of some sort
at around or below the current Mini price, I may
just get a cheap PC and only use my Mini for
internet access.
The Mac Mini is the only Mac in my price range and no way am I buying the currently spec'd mini at its current price, if it's discontinued Apple will be losing a customer and switcher.
I always liked the idea of the mini. One of my hopes was to get a mini and a Cintiq and dographics, design, PS on the road. If Apple wants to make a killer computer, just make an iMac-Cintiq affair and corner the graphics arts markets in one large swipe. Doubt it would be hard for them to do, and it would bring the next generation of input devices into the foreground.
Hoping for Apple to make such a sweeping change, like putting in multitouch to tomorrow's iMac, is just fanciful dreaming though.
Hoping for Apple to make such a sweeping change, like putting in multitouch to tomorrow's iMac, is just fanciful dreaming though.
The latest rumour over at Appleinsider suggests that the Mini may not be discontinued after all... minor changes and a significant price drop. Interesting if it turns out to be true.
If there is a large price drop I would think any enhancements will be minor.
If there is a large price drop I would think any enhancements will be minor.
The mini definitely needs to stay, or at the very least be replaced by something similar or a mini tower (nice, but probably unlikely).
I have a need for multiple displays, but can't justify the price of a MacPro alongside everything else I have. Nor do I need the power of the Pro.
At the moment, I have 2x 24" Displays, and a MBP. One display connects to the MBP, the other to the Mini. Using Synergy, I use a single keyboard and mouse to work between all three screens.
I plan to add one or maybe two additional screens to this setup, and again the mini would be a perfect addition to achieve this.
Before anyone says 'well you could buy a MacPro for the cost of all those minis' - there are 2 other benefits that sway me towards this method;
Firstly, I generally only run one program on each machine - for example, one might have email open on one screen. This means that the processor isn't getting pushed on any single machine. Plus, if I have a crash on one machine, it won't cause problems with my work on the others (actually can't recall when this has ever happened, but the theory is there anyway).
Secondly, it gives me the opportunity to scale my setup as needs dictate - for example, adding a machine where necessary. If I later find it's not needed, I have a complete standalone system I can either use somewhere else in the house, or sell on.
It works for me anyway.
Just another thought whilst I've been typing this - the current talk is that the Mini will see some modifications and a *significant* price drop. The word significant could be taken to different degrees I guess, but could this not get a little too close to the Apple TV in terms of pricing? Perhaps they will rebrand the mini 'Apple TV Pro'?
I have a need for multiple displays, but can't justify the price of a MacPro alongside everything else I have. Nor do I need the power of the Pro.
At the moment, I have 2x 24" Displays, and a MBP. One display connects to the MBP, the other to the Mini. Using Synergy, I use a single keyboard and mouse to work between all three screens.
I plan to add one or maybe two additional screens to this setup, and again the mini would be a perfect addition to achieve this.
Before anyone says 'well you could buy a MacPro for the cost of all those minis' - there are 2 other benefits that sway me towards this method;
Firstly, I generally only run one program on each machine - for example, one might have email open on one screen. This means that the processor isn't getting pushed on any single machine. Plus, if I have a crash on one machine, it won't cause problems with my work on the others (actually can't recall when this has ever happened, but the theory is there anyway).
Secondly, it gives me the opportunity to scale my setup as needs dictate - for example, adding a machine where necessary. If I later find it's not needed, I have a complete standalone system I can either use somewhere else in the house, or sell on.
It works for me anyway.
Just another thought whilst I've been typing this - the current talk is that the Mini will see some modifications and a *significant* price drop. The word significant could be taken to different degrees I guess, but could this not get a little too close to the Apple TV in terms of pricing? Perhaps they will rebrand the mini 'Apple TV Pro'?
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/08/06/last_minute_imac_and_mac_mini_rumors.html
Mac mini rumors
Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed last minute reports that Apple may extend the life of the Mac mini by squeezing another slight revision from the petite desktop's existing architecture.
According to those reports, such a move would be accompanied by significant price drops that would allow the forgotten Mac to linger for several more months as an extremely low cost, low performance offering.
Mac mini rumors
Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed last minute reports that Apple may extend the life of the Mac mini by squeezing another slight revision from the petite desktop's existing architecture.
According to those reports, such a move would be accompanied by significant price drops that would allow the forgotten Mac to linger for several more months as an extremely low cost, low performance offering.
What do you think "significant price drops" would be? The intel tax being taken off? (back to $499 entry level) Refurb watch resumes. 
Swedish MacWorld claim that the following specs were sent to Apple stores according to unnamed source:
IMAC 20/2.4/1GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-SWE MA877S/A
Price: 1000 SEK less than current 2.16 model (means 100 USD less than today).
IMAC 24/2.4/1GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-SWE MA878S/A
Price: 1000 SEK less than current 2.16 model (means 100 USD less than today).
MMINI 2.0C2D/120/SD-SWE MB139S/A
Price: 6500-7000 SEK (means 650-700 USD)
As for conversions I have just calculated with the rate 1 USD=10SEK which usually is applicable for tech stuff. The real conversion rate is 1USD=6.80SEK.
IMAC 20/2.4/1GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-SWE MA877S/A
Price: 1000 SEK less than current 2.16 model (means 100 USD less than today).
IMAC 24/2.4/1GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-SWE MA878S/A
Price: 1000 SEK less than current 2.16 model (means 100 USD less than today).
MMINI 2.0C2D/120/SD-SWE MB139S/A
Price: 6500-7000 SEK (means 650-700 USD)
As for conversions I have just calculated with the rate 1 USD=10SEK which usually is applicable for tech stuff. The real conversion rate is 1USD=6.80SEK.
I can't possibly think of a good reason to announce that the mini is being discontinued. If it does, eventually, get discontinued, it will likely be with zero fanfare (and NOT correspond with a hyped Apple Media Event).
Like today. We'll see when the Apple Store comes back up - if the Minis are still there. If they are (maybe for the school buying season), maybe an update in September or October (with Leopard) or discontinued all together.
From engadget's coverage of the conference:
"Didn't mention Mac mini today, how is it doing?"
Tim: "We're refreshing the Mac mini today."
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/07/live-from-apples-summer-mac-product-press-conference/
"Didn't mention Mac mini today, how is it doing?"
Tim: "We're refreshing the Mac mini today."
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/07/live-from-apples-summer-mac-product-press-conference/
Yes! Our requests worked! They're keeping them - for now.
Maybe a major redesign in October or in the Spring?
Apple never fails to impress.
Minis with C2D and more memory/hard drive are now an even better value (and now with iLife '08)
Maybe a major redesign in October or in the Spring?
Apple never fails to impress.
Minis with C2D and more memory/hard drive are now an even better value (and now with iLife '08)
I was hopeing they'd combine it with AppleTV. Then they taunted by saying they have news on AppleTV but not shareing it today.
I'm sick of waiting for what I really want for a 'media center' computer.
EDIT: And.... Leopard is coming out soon. I wish it had Leopard in it now. Why would I buy one with Tiger in it?
Then they taunted by saying they have news on AppleTV but not shareing it today. I'm sick of waiting for what I really want for a 'media center' computer.
EDIT: And.... Leopard is coming out soon. I wish it had Leopard in it now. Why would I buy one with Tiger in it?
I was hopeing they'd combine it with AppleTV.
I'm sick of waiting for what I really want for a 'media center' computer.
EDIT: And.... Leopard is coming out soon. I wish it had Leopard in it now. Why would I buy one with Tiger in it?
Yea, but remember, Leopard's Front Row looks like
TV and will run on any compatible machine instead of just ones with built-in IR. You can get an IR receiver 3rd party.So, the Mini with Leopard will make a great media center computer!!!
From Apple:
Attachments
gkarris - but doesn't AppleTV do the sync thing pretty flawlessly? My goal is to grab files off the network without alot of jumping thru hoops. And, won't appleTV do the appropriate resolution out of the box? I have a hard time viewing text, etc. on my 56" TV screen right now and it never fits right.. IDK.
Ideally, I'd love to have an AppleTV with Leopard in it. Mini is double the price.
I'd love the easy peasy YouTube on the mini too.
Lack of Wireless N is 'really' bothering me though. I only hope it's hidden in there like the iMacs were. I would think so?
Ideally, I'd love to have an AppleTV with Leopard in it. Mini is double the price.
I'd love the easy peasy YouTube on the mini too.
Lack of Wireless N is 'really' bothering me though. I only hope it's hidden in there like the iMacs were. I would think so?
Go for it.
I was hopeing they'd combine it with AppleTV.
I'm sick of waiting for what I really want for a 'media center' computer.
EDIT: And.... Leopard is coming out soon. I wish it had Leopard in it now. Why would I buy one with Tiger in it?
...Because it's only $129 to upgrade?
I love gloating. So for all you who thought the mini's life was over:
I told you so.
- Status