Comments on: Is Apple's Mac Mini a MacBook inside?

Apple's latest Mac Mini desktop uses parts designed for mobile PCs, according to iSuppli.

[Ilgaz]

Every Mac Mini user, since the first G4 Mac mini knows Mac Mini is in fact a laptop packaged into a mini desktop case. Let me tell you one thing as an owner of 3 Mac minis, some parts are carefully picked from models (and brands) which won`t generate heat and noise even if it costs performance wise. The G4 Mini`s Seagate Momentus is a really interesting hard disk (and expensive for its time) which does have 5400 RPM speed and yet offers 4200 RPM performance. Why? Ask any Mac Mini g4 user, it is amazingly silent and amazingly low heat.

Brooke (and CNET editors), you should be really careful about iSuppli whatever company press releases, it seems they found the magic trick to get mentioned in media. I don`t care about Web 2.0 fashion blogs etc, CNET is more like NY Times of IT press you know...

[missingxtension2]

"but will it it as small and power efficient" = Nothing new here, or is it for the apple brand?

"will it come with that Apple quality custom care etc. "= Sure until you put non apple branded memory. Then we will see where that care goes. Remove the memory and they will be happy to see you a module from them.

"will it last as long ? will it have any resale value at all ?" = If you buy computers like cars, then i am sorry that you do that, Because technology in computers advances so fast that resale value is irrelevant. Also i have seen a thousands of p1 computers running just fine. On the other hand, you don't see apple's.

"and above all will it come with a full working copy of OSX " Why would i want OSX? If i really wanted it i could just hack it in. Of course OS 10 doesnt have support for the majority of drivers, oh yeah too bad for apple customers.

"I know that system builders like you care about specs and stuff but the average user won't !
and the mini specs are fine for 90% of the consumers {other than HD size}" No you mean the average Apple mongering user.

[jharperweb]

Wow - I think Mac's could stand to be cheaper, too - but this post is not based on fact. I have an iMac and MacBook Pro running very well with third-party RAM (2 different vendors). Bought cheap - got a rebate. No issues there at all!

I got the MacBook Pro because I was able to sell my white Macbook for only a few hundred less than I paid for it 2 or 3 years after I bought it - and that was with a bum battery and the OS being only 10.4 - so resale value was definitely a plus for me.

Breaking the law/EULA to hack OS X is not a fair comparison - it's cheaper to steal a Mac then buy one - not a surprise. Wishing that this was not a EULA issue - as I would build my own Mac in a heartbeat.

[missingxtension2]

being lazy cost money, how much does it cost you?
There are plenty of businesses formed around this model.

[rgunther]

I'm not quite sure how or why this would be considered news or in any way new information. It's been fairly obvious since its first introduction, years ago, that the Mini is a notebook computer in a different skin. Maybe back then this story would have been relevant.

[cosuna]

Look mom!!! If Apple used the Atom N270 instead of the Core 2 Duo, the Mac Mini would be 100 dollars cheaper and would suck less energy and have basically the same performance.

You're right kid. That's why Asus and Acer forgot Intel's PR machine, saw that the x86 has basically changed squat and elected the Atom to create nettop segment. That's the reason Apple and Microsoft are pi***d off.

[candygirl206]

your funny and right

[philosfool]

It probably isn't. I seriously doubt that Apple is paying the premium on mobile Core 2 Duo processors for the large form factor iMacs. Besides, Intel doesn't make mobile processors clocked at the speeds of the processors in iMacs, and they don't make Mac Books with 3.06 GHz processors inside: iMac processors are socket LGA 775 processors from the current e8x00 line.

[eeee]

All these comments are just so much hot air at times.....
++++For no reason about 2 years back I installed Windows XP Pro on a reformatted 4 GB HD (just 4, not 40) in an ancient Dell Optiplex (with a "cheap" Dell motherboard with the original Celeron 400 CPU on it) that was given to me after being given to employees at a university. I added used RAM to bring it to 160 MB. Whoopie. I ran it Saturday, Avast updated and I surfed with it for a while. Hooked up to a 17" LCD monitor and connected to an ancient Canon F60 inkjet and Okidata laser that also both work. Connected via a KVM switch to the monitor and Kbd and Mouse.
Sure it runs and it allows surfing the internet and I had also installed a cheapo wireless PCI card (Zylink?) and it works from my Belkin router to surf the net and send email via Yahoo.... It runs slow but it works.
Runs the latest Avast! antivirus since McAfee and Norton need way faster CPUs now.
I then shut it down and went to my Vista 64bit notebook or my home built AMD Athlon X2 Vista 64bit dektop in a cheap case......yada yada yada
+++++ So what is the point: almost nothing which is the same comment for most of the postings to this artcle about all the HP DELL Apple manufacturing stories and what other readers have built or reformatted and installed.....
++Live and let Live people and stop this needless competitive BS on every single article about Apple products...man is it OLD and tiresome now....

[jman3001]

Mac Minis are crap. Apple continues to try and dazzle the brainless with machines that have very little practical value. In the meantime, Apple fails to deliver a desktop for under $2000. Apple is a company for people that want boutique computers that look pretty, but fail to really perform. Of course, the pretty machines come with a hefty price tag.

[SteveW928]

What's wrong with a mini? You do realize that they are Apple's entry level machine (while still far better than the majority of PCs people might buy at the average big box store). I'm well aware they aren't for gamers... and that you could build a better machine (or buy one) with more power. I think you're kind of missing the point. They are a quiet, small, use little power... yet can do all and more than the typical computer user needs to do. That, AND it comes with great software most users need, running on the best OS currently on the market. What's not to like?

[candygirl206]

you are ignorant

[jman3001]

What's wrong with the Mac Mini is that it is a Core2Duo Machine that really lacks the power to keep up with even the lower priced PCs. Now, with the ability to install OS X on a PC, these cute little toy computers are basically a waste of money for most people that have serious ideas about using a computer for doing more than just surfing the net and emailing friends. People need upgradable machines they host PCIe cards, faster Graphic cards, more RAM, and Hard Drives. The Mac Mini is a cute little machine, but it does not replace a desktop.

Apple could be offering their consumers more bang for the buck with a low cost desktop, but they'd rather nick you for $2000 + a pop.

[SteveW928]

Umm.... what is wrong with a Core2Duo? I've got one in my MacBook Pro and do all kinds of stuff outside 'surfing the net and emailing friends'. I do 3D rendering and animation on it... I master DVDs and burn them... develop databases and web sites... manage my photo library... edit video... video conference... play HD content... the list goes on and on. Sure, if I had a quad Xeon it would be faster, but just about any lower end PC has a C2D processor or LESS. I guess you'll just have to point out one of these other machines that is so much better.... I'm not seeing it.

Why do people need these 'upgradable machines'? A Mini goes to 4 GB of RAM, which is plenty for the typical user these days. The 9400M isn't a bad video solution unless you're a hard-core gamer. Adding a hard-drive is a piece of cake and FAST over FW800.

What you're talking about are higher end machines. Yes, you can build them for less than what Apple charges for their Mac Pro, and I'll agree Apple is missing a more mid-range machine. BUT, there really is a pretty small market for them. A Mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac will do everything and more for like 90% of users. The rest of us are Pro users and would likely buy a Mac Pro then. If you really look at what you're getting with a Mac Pro, it isn't as overpriced as it initially looks. Sure, anyone can build a cheaper box... but that just isn't what it is.

[candygirl206]

you do not know what you are talking about

[TechnoMan475392]

I always thought this was more common knowledge...

[candygirl206]

Use this computer (size of a small book!) to replace about 6 other appliances in your daily life, including hooking it up to your tv.... this company has amazing products with an amazing platform and lifestyle that windows can not compare with their cheaply made products, and UGLY interface.

My husband has had 4 computers in our 10 years together,(300 dollars -repair made last week-the computer died) I have 5 macs, in 10 years that all still work 100% and beyond! no problems! no repairs! OMG...

It is sad to see the endless haters of Mac...

[alfred_bowman]

While this analysis isn't new, it points peremptorily to a significant gap in the Mac product line; specifically, a mini tower Mac. Such a Mac would use less expensive desktop parts. It would cost less to design as space would not be at a premium. It should provide room for a second optical drive and a second hard drive. It should have a PCI slot and a PCIe slot. I believe that it would cost less to manufacture that the Mini. If sold at the same prices as the Mini, it would provide good value and higher profits. I very much doubt that it would compete with the Mac Pro which is a very different class of computer.