The new Mac mini is almost certainly coming

[Lankyman]

At my age, Windows is a mess, too much to try to re-learn and start all over.

Tosh, complete and utter tosh. Windows 10 is a superb OS and very easy to use, why even our pet dog can use it. Granted it may take you the best part of an afternoon to re-familiarise yourself but after that you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

 

[essiw]

No, they didn't have an "event" the last time they updated the Mini, why would it be different this time? The mini isn't the kind of sexy product Apple brags about. If they update it at all (I have my doubts) I think it would be a "silent update" like 2014.

Now I can see them announcing a new Mac Pro at an event, it's their most powerful computer and they have made a "design statement" with it. I suppose another scenario could be discontinuing the Mini and replacing it with some new fashion statement desktop machine which they could announce along with a Pro update.

Apple used to brag about the mac mini, when it was still updated yearly... now it is just their low budget model...

 

[MRrainer]

Tosh, complete and utter tosh. Windows 10 is a superb OS and very easy to use, why even our pet dog and can use it. Granted it may take you the best part of an afternoon to re-familiarise yourself but after that you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

It's still Windows.
I don't want to work with it, even if they'd pay me. Why would I use it in my free time?

 

[Partron22]

If Windows is too much to learn, just switch to Linux. It's cheap for the power, and market share routinely over 2% now.

 

[orbital~debris]

Tosh, complete and utter tosh. Windows 10 is a superb OS and very easy to use, why even our pet dog and can use it. Granted it may take you the best part of an afternoon to re-familiarise yourself but after that you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

People learn at different rates, and perhaps the time spent learning doesn't outweigh any benefits of the new knowledge.

Also, while Windows 10 may be superficially easy to use, it seems fairly convoluted below the surface and settings are not always intuitively grouped or presented.

Besides all that, macOS is simply much more pleasant to use (personal preference).

 

[Crosscreek]

People learn at different rates, and perhaps the time spent learning doesn't outweigh any benefits of the new knowledge.

Also, while Windows 10 may be superficially easy to use, it seems fairly convoluted below the surface and settings are not always intuitively grouped or presented.

Besides all that, macOS is simply much more pleasant to use (personal preference).

You should never have to touch those settings unless there is a problem. That's where people go wrong with Windows and I have used it since version 3.1.......
and yes it does not get much simpler than macOS.

 

[Lankyman]

It's still Windows.
I don't want to work with it, even if they'd pay me. Why would I use it in my free time?

It's no more or less an operating system which facilities the use of programmes you want/need to use to do the things you want to do.

I'm sorry but your post is nothing more than closed minded prejudice. That says more about you than the product.

 

[Nospig]

It's no more or less an operating system which facilities the use of programmes you want/need to use to do the things you want to do.

I'm sorry but your post is nothing more than closed minded prejudice. That says more about you than the product.

I probably spend 99% of my time at the computer using apps and not the OS. Windows, MacOS, makes no difference to me. I switched to Windows for my main development system as everything I need runs on Windows and the hardware was much cheaper, easy to expand etc. How much time do other people spend fiddling with the OS that MacOS can be that much different from Windows?

 

[robotica]

Ok, I am back and you guessed it, I am waiting for the Mac mini.

 

[BeefCake 15]

Apple used to brag about the mac mini, when it was still updated yearly... now it is just their low budget model...

Sad unfortunately!

I truly believe every company should have an affordable alternative that everyone can enjoy such as the Mac Mini. When I learned to compile my first PC and then realized that a new WinXP is $500+ to buy, I was a devastated high school kid with no way of affording it.

Hobbyists and people looking for an affordable alternatives should not be left out, my biggest reason for supporting the Mini.

 

[Micky Do]

Tosh, complete and utter tosh. Windows 10 is a superb OS and very easy to use, why even our pet dog and can use it. Granted it may take you the best part of an afternoon to re-familiarise yourself but after that you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Complete and utter tosh. Windows 10 is still Windows. It is installed on most of the computers in the office on the campus where I am employed, and is still a pain to use, as is Office. I do most of my work at home, where I have a Mac Mini, with iWork installed. Pages may not have all the features that Word has, but it has all I need, and is easier to use.

It's still Windows.
I don't want to work with it, even if they'd pay me. Why would I use it in my free time?

Likewise.

I probably spend 99% of my time at the computer using apps and not the OS. Windows, MacOS, makes no difference to me. I switched to Windows for my main development system as everything I need runs on Windows and the hardware was much cheaper, easy to expand etc. How much time do other people spend fiddling with the OS that MacOS can be that much different from Windows?

And all the Apps I use run on OS X / MacOS.
[doublepost=1478006411][/doublepost]

It's no more or less an operating system which facilities the use of programmes you want/need to use to do the things you want to do.

I'm sorry but your post is nothing more than closed minded prejudice. That says more about you than the product.

As are many, if not most of your posts. It seems you utterly detest the Mac Mini, OS X and those who use them…. I dunno why you even bother posting here.

 

[Lankyman]

Complete and utter tosh. Windows 10 is still Windows. It is installed on most of the computers in the office on the campus where I am employed, and is still a pain to use, as is Office. I do most of my work at home, where I have a Mac Mini, with iWork installed. Pages may not have all the features that Word has, but it has all I need, and is easier to use.



Likewise.



And all the Apps I use run on OS X / MacOS.
[doublepost=1478006411][/doublepost]

As are many, if not most of your posts. It seems you utterly detest the Mac Mini, OS X and those who use them…. I dunno why you even bother posting here.

Your many previous posts especially in this thread concerning Mac's clearly demonstrate your Apple fanboism and an unwillingness and inability to accept that another OS might be just as good and possibly better than the one you use.

I run MacOS and Windows and I very much doubt if put on the spot you would be able to argue your case as to why Windows is a pain and MacOS is so much better. I can only hope that you are not employed in any teaching capacity on the campus given teachers are supposed to teach 'open your mind to a world of possibilities'. Clearly that message hasn't as yet got through to you.

 

[Crosscreek]

Your many previous posts especially in this thread concerning Mac's clearly demonstrate your Apple fanboism and an unwillingness and inability to accept that another OS might be just as good and possibly better than the one you use.

I run MacOS and Windows and I very much doubt if put on the spot you would be able to argue your case as to why Windows is a pain and MacOS is so much better. I can only hope that you are not employed in any teaching capacity on the campus given teachers are supposed to teach 'open your mind to a world of possibilities'. Clearly that message hasn't as yet got through to you.

Engineering and Scientific communities primarily use Windows also.

 

[bopajuice]

It used to be the Windows crowd that said Mac OS was too hard to learn and there wasn't any software. I used to spend a lot of time trying to educating people that the Mac was a viable option. But alas no matter what I said they had already made up their mind, and it was pointless to provide any facts or examples. Kind of like trying to have a conversation with someone from a different political party.

Nowadays, at least on this website, it seems to be the other way around. Apple fans are so dedicated to Apple that they refuse to listen to anyone else or venture outside of their sphere. I personally think the latest version of Windows 10 is very easy to use. I also find device drivers for Windows to be superior. For me there were two things that keep me on a Mac. The trackpads on their laptops, and the ease of working with PDF files in preview. Unfortunately Apple is making it harder for me to justify staying with them when there are so many other choices with superior hardware and much lower prices.

 

[DesertSurfer]

I have Windows 10 on one computer, and Mac OS on another. I have used windows since it was ms-dos. I greatly prefer Mac OS for my everyday work. I don't like Windows 10.

 

[jpietrzak8]

I also find device drivers for Windows to be superior.

Just want to highlight this point a bit: the vast range of hardware connected to the Windows OS (and also Linux) means that the folks writing the OS code get a lot more exercise working with a large variety of devices, and as such the device drivers naturally get better. Apple's concentration on fewer graphics card options, fewer types of I/O ports, fewer CPUs, basically less of everything means that (a) they don't need to spend as much time or money supporting odd hardware options, but (b) they become less agile in supporting new types of hardware, as well as losing sight of how to apply fresh new concepts to existing device drivers.

I think it doesn't really matter now even if Apple somehow manages to increase the market share of the Mac, given that they are significantly decreasing the breadth of hardware supported by OS X. The increasingly sclerotic nature of Mac hardware will make it harder and harder for Apple to adapt to future opportunities (or for users to find adequate support for their future devices).

 

[bopajuice]

Just want to highlight this point a bit: the vast range of hardware connected to the Windows OS (and also Linux) means that the folks writing the OS code get a lot more exercise working with a large variety of devices, and as such the device drivers naturally get better. Apple's concentration on fewer graphics card options, fewer types of I/O ports, fewer CPUs, basically less of everything means that (a) they don't need to spend as much time or money supporting odd hardware options, but (b) they become less agile in supporting new types of hardware, as well as losing sight of how to apply fresh new concepts to existing device drivers.

I think it doesn't really matter now even if Apple somehow manages to increase the market share of the Mac, given that they are significantly decreasing the breadth of hardware supported by OS X. The increasingly sclerotic nature of Mac hardware will make it harder and harder for Apple to adapt to future opportunities (or for users to find adequate support for their future devices).

For example, I am using an external 4k Samsung monitor with a Macbook Air. When I upgraded to Sierra I lost many of the resolution settings in system preferences. 1080 or 2160. No in between. Option key or no option key. Sometimes if I restart after plugging in the monitor more settings will return. I was using 1440 in El Capitan without issue. Every time I plugged in my laptop to the monitor it came up just as a left it. Not with Sierra. Driver issue?

 

[Boyd01]

Nowadays, at least on this website, it seems to be the other way around. Apple fans are so dedicated to Apple that they refuse to listen to anyone else or venture outside of their sphere.

What a surprise! People on a Mac website prefer the Mac.

I have primarily used Macs since 1985 (and Apple ][ before that). Used DOS and Windows on and off during those years, but didn't actually buy a Windows machine until 10 years ago. I have an HP desktop Windows machine now that is only used to run some specialized software unavailable on the Mac. I don't have a problem with Windows, seems to have plusses and minuses vs Mac.

But I'm not interested in switching, the Mac does what I need. Even if I wanted to switch, I have around $6000 in legacy Mac software that would make this undesirable. And since the Mac "ain't broke", why should I "fix" it?

 

[Crosscreek]

But I'm not interested in switching, the Mac does what I need. Even if I wanted to switch, I have around $6000 in legacy Mac software that would make this undesirable. And since the Mac "ain't broke", why should I "fix" it?

If I had that kind of money wrapped up in legacy I would not consider switching either.

This is where Apple does not realize what they are doing to pros.

I only have a few years invested and maybe couple hundred in legacy but I was always on Window's and Unix workstation because of my Engineering profession so I know most on the ins and outs of different OSs and I have no preference of any. One works just as well as the other. Just more hardware choices in non macOS machines unless it's a hack.

 

[MRrainer]

It's no more or less an operating system which facilities the use of programmes you want/need to use to do the things you want to do.

I'm sorry but your post is nothing more than closed minded prejudice. That says more about you than the product.

I use Linux at work (as desktop and server (and FreeBSD as server)) and have used both as desktop before I switched to Mac just before the Intel Macs arrived.

Would you also tell all those people who didn't and still don't want to switch to Linux as desktop that they're basically close-minded idiots?
Maybe Facebook should also switch their Linux-servers to Windows?

For my home-use, I found OS X (still on El Capitan ) much better. It also runs a couple of apps that are quite nice and OS X only (like iWork and Omnigraffle).
I would also have to re-buy all my software (including Windows 10 Pro, plus Office in whichever form it contains Outlook and Visio, Plus VMWare Workstation (instead of Fusion) etc.pp.) - and to what end?
To run a marginally faster system?
Would I use OS X at work? Probably not. Sometimes, it would be nice. For mobile use, OS X is great (we have a rMB for that). But for running lot's of X-terminals, X-Windows is still unbeatable.
I don't think Windows can beat the efficiency of Linux and OS X for what I do, both at home and at work.
Similarly, I don't believe our Windows-admins could work more efficiently with Linux-desktops.

I don't feel compelled enough to download the eval and try W10 out. I've got other stuff to do.
[doublepost=1478030278][/doublepost]

Just more hardware choices in non macOS machines unless it's a hack.

It's a bit better, yes. Even if you don't count all the 99.9% of race-to-the-bottom crap that is non-Apple hardware.

It took these manufacturers ten years, though, to reach the level of sophistication of the Mini (and the iMac).

Workstations (Xeon) are a completely different thing, of course - but these systems have come a long way, too.

 

[Lankyman]

Another nail in the Apple coffin for many UK consumers is the recent price hike due to the fall of the pound following the vote to leave the EU.

It doesn't really matter what the reasons are but to slap a couple of hundred pounds increase on a already expensive product really is a bridge to far. It isn't as if it is a bang up to date product .

 

[masterbaron]

Ya know, it wouldn't be far fetched for Apple to embed silver bullets for older versions of their hardware and software - you say "fine, screw Apple I'll just keep using what I'm using" and then one day you visit the Apple site and your legacy hardware for some reason no longer boots to your legacy OS forcing you to upgrade and feed the cash cow. Now that would truly be demonic but coming from where we've been "it just works" to the absolute mess we have today is also demonic.

We really have to step up and become nimble in our application of technology not letting blind faith take the lead but rather your need to get things done determining where and how you drop your cash. I think Jonnie and Tim have more going on than a Touch-Bar but it might also be a bit touchy.

 

[Partron22]

Ya know, it wouldn't be far fetched for Apple to embed silver bullets for older versions of their hardware and software

My older version of Disk Utility (Yosemite) refuses to boot under Sierra.
OTOH iTunes 10.4.1 is still chugging along under Sierra.

Apple does put certificates in some software that do expire, they also limit which versions of the OS some apps will run on with min and max version number resources.
It's a lot tougher to mess w Apple software now than it was in the days of System 7 and ResEdit.

 

[Miat]

Another nail in the Apple coffin for many UK consumers is the recent price hike due to the fall of the pound following the vote to leave the EU.

It doesn't really matter what the reasons are but to slap a couple of hundred pounds increase on a already expensive product really is a bridge to far. It isn't as if it is a bang up to date product .

I am as critical of Apple's price gouging as anybody. But you can hardly blame Apple for making price adjustments due to shifts in exchange rates that they had absolutely nothing to do with. All commercial operations make these adjustments, and have to if they wish to survive in the long-term.

I am afraid the blame for the price hike lies entirely with the UK citizenry for voting for Brexit.

Not saying that was a good or bad choice, just saying that it had nothing to do with Apple and you can't expect them to voluntarily take a haircut because of a choice they had no say in. If the exchange rate falls, for whatever reason, then imported goods are going to be more expensive. That has always been the reality of cross-border trade, and always will be.

 

[Lankyman]

I am as critical of Apple's price gouging as anybody. But you can hardly blame Apple for making price adjustments due to shifts in exchange rates that they had absolutely nothing to do with. All commercial operations make these adjustments, and have to if they wish to survive in the long-term.

I am afraid the blame for the price hike lies entirely with the UK citizenry for voting for Brexit.

Not saying that was a good or bad choice, just saying that it had nothing to do with Apple and you can't expect them to voluntarily take a haircut because of a choice they had no say in. If the exchange rate falls, for whatever reason, then imported goods are going to be more expensive. That has always been the reality of cross-border trade, and always will be.

I don't think I said anything in my post about blaming Apple. I was highlighting the fact that due to current financial circumstances in the UK economy buying an Apple product no longer made financial sense.