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Mac Mini

Apple's new Mac Mini takes up a small amount of real estate, and at $499, is meant to be easy on the wallet.

Credit: Apple

Any Mac can take a "PC" monitor
by hatandglasses13 January 11, 2005 12:06 PM PST: There is no such thing as a "Mac specific" monitor. For the most
part with computers, there are VGA and DVI monitors. Either
platform can take either kind of monitor. Predominately, Macs
use the DVI interface and PC's use VGA. However, many PC video
cards are now using DVI, and my PowerBook came with a DVI to
VGA adapter.; Like this Reply to this comment

Small but the price = about the same as a cheap PC
by Stan Johnson January 11, 2005 12:21 PM PST: This is a very cool design, however, for the money (because you must purchase all additional gear to make it work) it is not a bargain at all.; Like this Reply to this comment

This is what their last I-Macs should have been
by January 11, 2005 12:24 PM PST: The gumdrop and square box designs were really quite awful design-wise (hence the slump in sales/profits). This would help them a lot more if they offered it in colors like the original I-Mac. This off-white tone was nice for the ipod, but it really quite ugly for something that isn't hidden in your pocket the whole time. I am sure they will come out with more colors with much fanfare at the next "big" event. Maybe black is reserved for the set-top box version of this hehe.; Like this Reply to this comment

Finally....
by 201293546946733175101343322673 January 11, 2005 12:26 PM PST: Apple finally realizes it cannot rip people off by charging much higher prices for their so-so hardware, so Apple has to bend down on price. Also people who loves to use Apple products can no longer say they are "superior" to PC users just because they enjoy paying a premium to Apple. Way to go!; Like this Reply to this comment

Wow
by TangledThorns January 11, 2005 12:36 PM PST: Amazing, finally a PC that my Mom can use. I may get one as a media server for my home theater.; Like this Reply to this comment

Mini Mac
by January 11, 2005 12:40 PM PST: Can I hook this mini Mac up to my G3 or G4 Powerbook? sounds like it would be just what I need for more space and functionality.; Like this Reply to this comment

No more cube but now Mini sqaure.
by Leog02 January 11, 2005 1:03 PM PST: I guess Apple just likes to challenge themselves by making a smaller concept everytime. Like the old apple cube this thing is sealed on people wanting a cheap imac. Is this thing even upgradeable. Just asking. Got to give props to imac.; Like this Reply to this comment

New imac w/ old imac
by January 11, 2005 1:37 PM PST: A silly question perhaps, but I am assuming it
should be a piece of cake to connect a new
Imac to an old 500Mhz Imac and boot from the
new to improve speed. Correct?; Like this Reply to this comment

This is the REAL PC killer...
by ajbatac January 11, 2005 1:42 PM PST: I guess it's time for you PC users to switch to Macs now! It's
easy. Just go here and you'll find out how, http://
www.apple.com/switch/... nice!; Like this Reply to this comment

WILL ACCEPT VGA and DVI....sheeshh...
by January 11, 2005 2:11 PM PST: Make a long story short...the first poster had a point...
Apple USED to make ADB ports for the Mac...in tradition to their "think different" idealogy, when everyone else was using DVI. Past couple years, Apple decided to SWITCH altogether to DVI, seeing how ADB wasnt popular at all.
This Mac Mini will DEFINITELY open the floodgates to PC switchers...VERY good product Apple! How about a TIVO-type app for the Mac Mini so we can attach to TV as a DVR??; Like this Reply to this comment

Great Price - Nice specs for Small Software Companies
by dog0906 January 11, 2005 2:21 PM PST: This is a great price and product for small software companies, like I own, to purchase a Mac demo to test software. I have test PCs so a monitors, mice, and keyboards are laying around everywhere.

I believe this product will find a small niche with small developers wanting to test the latest Mac OS without spending 1000s of dollars.

Good Job Apple...; Like this Reply to this comment

PC mouse and keyboard compatible?
by January 11, 2005 2:43 PM PST: Has anyone try to connect a PC mouse and keyboard to a Mac? Just wonder how they work?; Like this Reply to this comment

I think that might be a first...
by Jonathan January 11, 2005 2:50 PM PST: Apple's store must be getting thrashed. I can't connect.; Like this Reply to this comment

HOW DOES THIS CPU / RAM / VID CARD COMPARE TO PC?
by dog0906 January 11, 2005 3:00 PM PST: How does this config compare to run of mill PC... or, in other words, how does these specifications equal a PC? Just wondering if this is not a great PR stunt selling cheap products, or if we are not getting the latest/greatest... thanks.; Like this Reply to this comment

"Glad to see a new choice in the marketplace"
by rpms January 11, 2005 3:12 PM PST: The Mac mini is good news for all personal computer users, because it increases competition in the mass market.

This is the first time in years that Apple has offered a computer at a price that the average consumer is willing to pay. The old iMac (with the conventional, not flat panel, monitor) was the last example. Its price hovered around $1000, which was appropriate for a basic personal computer in the late 1990's. Later iMac designs -- and even the eMac -- were too expensive to be a factor in the mass market. As companies like Dell were driving entry-level PC prices down, Apple was adding new features and raising the price of its entry-level offering. But at $500, the all-new Mac mini meets discount PC's head-on.

Obviously, current and future Macintosh users will benefit from this new, low-cost option. I predict that PC users will also benefit.

Now that Apple's iLife suite is available with a $500 Mac mini, PC manufacturers will put pressure on their operating system supplier (Microsoft) and their utility software suppliers (various). There's no feature deficit in the software that comes with a typical multimedia PC (media player utility, DVD/CD burner utility, audio editor utility, video editor utility, TV recording utility), but the software components don't have consistent user interfaces and don't always work well together. This will change.

And now that Apple's well-regarded technical support is available with a $500 Mac mini, PC manufacturers will have to improve their own support services. However, Apple's consumer satisfaction ratings will decline a bit, as the company begins serving users who lack the computer experience, the self-help financial resources, and the brand allegiance common in people who today spend $1500+ on a typical Macintosh. Apple has no recent experience with mass market computer support.

I do see one longterm drawback for consumers: the entry of the Mac mini will encourage them to worry even more about form and even less about function. Apple's promotional literature (http://www.apple.com/macmini/design.html) criticizes the "Frankenstein machines" that PC manufacturers "slap together". Small, pretty components cost more, don't perform as well, and are harder to upgrade. For example, the Mac mini is built around a laptop DVD/CD drive ("'slim' form factor"). The desktop DVD/CD drives ("5.25-inch half-height form factor") found in discount PCs are faster and cheaper. When it's time to upgrade, replacements are also much easier to come by.

Overall I'm impressed with the Mac mini and glad to see a new choice in the personal computer marketplace.

Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Santa Cruz, California, USA

Note: When I use the abbreviation "PC", I'm referring specifically to IBM PC-compatible personal computers. When I use "personal computer", spelled out, I'm referring to all types, including the Apple Macintosh.; Like this Reply to this comment

innovative?
by January 11, 2005 5:05 PM PST: Um, when will apple come out with something new? This type of case/computer has been on the market for several years now. apples version looks boring as usual.; Like this Reply to this comment

NICE APPLE COPY
by January 11, 2005 6:48 PM PST: Apple write your captions?; Like this Reply to this comment