Would you be happy with a mac mini with these specs?

[Globetrotter]

Would you be happy with a mac mini with these specs (three models)? Choose the one you like.

2.1 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor
1GB RAM
100 GB Hard drive
Combo Drive
Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor

£399 ($599)

2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB RAM
150 GB Hard drive
Superdrive
Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor

£499 ($799)

2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB RAM
180 GB Hard drive
Superdrive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory

£599 ($999)

If you wouldn't, what would you change?

Personally, I think it shows how the 'next version up' (if it existed) of the Mini would (pending the new refresh) be horribly expensive, which in turn shows how expensive the current Minis actually are. I believe this is the case since I view the first two options as representative of what Apple will update the Mini to when it finally happens.

What do you think?

 

[TEG]

It would be nice, but I really just want it to have a discrete video card, perferabily an upgradable videocard, with dual-dual-link DVI. Also, if they expanded it to the same size of the TV and TV It might allow for those kinds of updates.

TEG

 

[ipodtouchy333]

I would so buy one of those if they did that and it would be my first mac!

 

[vendettabass]

not sure about 150gb and 180gb 2.5 drives, I think they'd be 120 and 160 if anything maybe?

 

[4DThinker]

I picked up a 2.5" 320gb portable USB drive at BestBuy this week for $149. If it fits, I'd just as soon have the last spec, with a 320gb drive.

Then lower the price to $499.

 

[DHart]

I would be thrilled to be able to buy a Mini with either of the last two options you presented and it looks like we're going to see the middle option you showed soon, perhaps in the next two or three weeks!

Pop 4 GB of RAM into the mini, plug in an aluminum keyboard and a nice high-end 24" wide screen monitor (like NEC's new 24" S-IPS monitor) and you've got a really nice, relatively powerful, moderately priced machine! For $2k total! $975 for the Mini, RAM, keyboard, and mouse and about $1025 for the NEC 24" S-IPS monitor. I'd be all over that as a digital (Photoshop) editing workstation and all-around great machine.

Right now I'm doing pretty much the same set-up, except using a new MacBook as the brain... works magnificently!

 

[Foxile]

I'd pay good money for the last option ( possibly even the middle option ), as it'd allow me to junk my PC and use my Mini to play games other than WoW and Football Manager.

 

[timswim78]

It doesn't have to have a discrete video card, as long as the onboard graphics can decode Blu-Ray and HD video.

AMD has integrated graphics that can decode 1080p video with a slow, single core CPU. Just google the 780G chipset. It basically uses a HD 2400 either with shared or dedicated RAM. Maybe Apple could implement something similar.

 

[PNW]

Would you be happy with a mac mini with these specs (three models)? Choose the one you like.

2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor
2GB RAM
180 GB Hard drive
Superdrive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory

£599 ($999)

This is more or less exactly what I'm looking for. I'd prefer a 320 GB HD and the 2600 PRO with 256MB, but If I could swap the GPU out later I'd settle for less. How exactly is it "horribly expensive"? It's $500 cheaper than the 2.4 Ghz 20" iMac with more RAM, and In my case would be hooked up to better monitors (that I already own). I'd like to see one more up with the 2.8Ghz Extreme and a 512 MB GPU. I'd be happy to shell out $1500 for it.

 

[TravisReynolds]

I like the first one, except I would upgrade the Ram to 2GB and the HD to 120GB, maybe even 160

 

[Aea]

Nope, too expensive for my tastes, the way I see it the Mac Mini's are horrendously overpriced for what you get. Don't get me wrong, they're "budget machines," but I'd rather have a cheap DIY *shudder* Windows machine with more power then that or even a Hackintosh then pay for a Mac Mini. But really, I'd rather have a nice powerful Mac Pro even if it costs be several times as much, at least then I'd be getting extremely competitive hardware rather then parts from the junk bin.

 

[Zwhaler]

Those are some attractive specs, but honestly, I wish that Apple would make a lower end model that goes for 499$, or 399$, so that it could really be the impulse item for PC users. I have countless friends who want a Mac, but are held back from the price (keep in mind that they are not adults with full time jobs)

 

[ryannel2003]

The specs looks great and I hope Apple updates them soon.