If you think it's expensive, don't buy one. That simple. Go ahead and buy your POS cheap box which has a 40% failure rate out of the box and which requires you to talk to someone in Swahili to get support.
Meanwhile, here in the real world, the Mini server is a super value. Please look up the cost of Windows server with unlimited client licenses. Heck, the software alone is considerably more expensive than the Mac Mini server.
It is expensive for what is in the box. And no, I won't buy one - I don't have more money than sense. For your information, I'm waiting on the new Mac Pros. I wouldn't touch a Windows machine with a barge pole. I hate Microsoft and everything they stand for.
But I refuse to lay down money on a machine, whatever make, if the bang for you buck ratio is skewed too far towards the buck, and not the bang. I get that the superior software is part of the value. That's not the argument.
You look at the comments over at Macrumors and you'll see that many many posters agree that this price point is ridiculous.
it includes an HDMI-to-DVI adapter, which is uncommon from Apple these days
No IR port
The case is milled aluminium and looks like the bottom aluminium is part of it, not a cap. (Surely this is the least necessary of their milling efforts which tells me that they have learned to reduce the costs greatly. I hope other vendors learn to do this.)
The Power Adapter is 85W, just like the 17" MBP. Which means that Apple could offer an adpter that will allow 24" LED Cinema Display users to drop the extra power cable.
Easy to access RAM! (But only 2GB as default)
Still no evidence of new FrontRow or included BackRow software to make it a decent HTPC, which tells me this is just an expensive option for an A4 and iOS powered TV coming soon.
it includes an HDMI-to-DVI adapter, which is uncommon from Apple these days
No IR port
The case is milled aluminium and looks like the bottom aluminium is part of it, not a cap. (Surely this is the least necessary of their milling efforts which tells me that they have learned to reduce the costs greatly. I hope other vendors learn to do this.)
The Power Adapter is 85W, just like the 17" MBP. Which means that Apple could offer an adpter that will allow 24" LED Cinema Display users to drop the extra power cable.
Easy to access RAM! (But only 2GB as default)
Still no evidence of new FrontRow or included BackRow software to make it a decent HTPC, which tells me this is just an expensive option for an A4 and iOS powered TV coming soon.
No IR port? What a way to convince someone to shell out the money for one. Maybe can't convince enough people to buy the Apple TV, so those that opted for a mini for the same task are given spite?
What got me to try Apple was the $499 model back when the mini was introduced, I don't think $699 would have done the trick.
If you think it's expensive, don't buy one. That simple. Go ahead and buy your POS cheap box which has a 40% failure rate out of the box and which requires you to talk to someone in Swahili to get support.
Or buy a non-cheap semi-decent Dell/HP/etc that's still cheaper, twice as fast with discrete graphics... Dell sell a small form factor quad-core Inspiron 560s with 4GB, 750GB for £500, or 6GB, 1TB, HD5450 for £560. Comes with a limited version of Excel and Word too (see my comment above about including iWork in the price to sweeten the deal).
Of course it doesn't come with Mac OS X, and it doesn't look as nice - but it's a far easier sell. Apart from the stupid Dell online ordering system that take forever to click through billions of options, some of which appear twice!
No IR port? What a way to convince someone to shell out the money for one.
It does have an IR port. The Apple Remote is a BTO option, and the little IR window is clearly visible on the server version (it's hidden just inside the right side of the optical slot on the standard version). It must be a misprint that the specs page doesn't mention it.
That's the paperclip accessible release for the ODD. Note the Tech Specs list no IR port.
You can order the Apple Remote with it, I don't think they'd do that if it didn't have an IR port... Besides, they market this as an HTPC... of course it'll have one
That being said, this is such poor value compared to the MacBook... or anything else from Apple's product line for that matter. And it's not like Apple's product line has an amazing specs/price ratio to begin with.
Since Apple seems to have abandoned the AppleTV to its fate I thought about it. But then again, in Switzerland the MacMini costs 1'000 USD (999.00 CHF to be precise). So I'll pass. The AppleTV costs one third of that.
And there is an iPhone 4 to be purchased this time around. Maybe towards the end of the year... In the hope that the autumn iPod event brings some news about the AppleTV (there's still hope, i guess).
it includes an HDMI-to-DVI adapter, which is uncommon from Apple these days
No IR port
The case is milled aluminium and looks like the bottom aluminium is part of it, not a cap. (Surely this is the least necessary of their milling efforts which tells me that they have learned to reduce the costs greatly. I hope other vendors learn to do this.)
The Power Adapter is 85W, just like the 17" MBP. Which means that Apple could offer an adpter that will allow 24" LED Cinema Display users to drop the extra power cable.
Easy to access RAM! (But only 2GB as default)
Still no evidence of new FrontRow or included BackRow software to make it a decent HTPC, which tells me this is just an expensive option for an A4 and iOS powered TV coming soon.
Where did you get those specs?
- The IR port is integrated at the edge of the OD slot. Even the server model has a dot on the front for IR.
- There is no external power adapter.
Edit: many others pointed out the IR port earlier.
A bit too expensive IMHO. I think the target market for this would rather purchase a cheap PC for half the price even if it's less reliable and doesn't pack the software goodies of a mac.
And why did Apple put an aluminum unibody design on this thing? It makes sense on a laptop but I don't see the advantage on an entry level desktop. I would rather see a more affordable material like plastic and save $.
This is both a pro and a potential con. The internal power supply in a cramped space without adequate ventilation was what killed Time Capsules prematurely. My TC suffered just such an unfortunate fate. Thankfully Apple replaced mine.
The larger fan on the redesigned Mini does appear better than what was supplied with the TC, but I hope there has been sufficient attention to overheating problems in this refresh ... although the bottom cover (made of rubber?) does look suspiciously similar to the TC in terms of impeding ventilation.
I can't imagine many would pay for the Blu-ray drive that would fit into that machine.
It's one Blu-ray drive away from replacing a lot of people's BD living room component and consolidating all that crap into a single box. Remember that it ships with a CD-R and DVD-R, which, while relatively inexpensive these days, can be credited towards the cost of a universal BD drive that leaves out all the burning capabilities for living room use.
Unfortunately the $700 starting price is already a steep climb for a dedicated media computer.
No IR port? What a way to convince someone to shell out the money for one. Maybe can't convince enough people to buy the Apple TV, so those that opted for a mini for the same task are given spite?
What got me to try Apple was the $499 model back then, I don't think $699 would have done the trick.
It is pricy but I have to assume Apple knows who's what people are willing to spend on the Mac Mini and that perhaps many were buying a more expensive model anyway.
This is pretty slick. I can't believe they got it that thin AND got the power supply into the device. Still, as impressive as it is to me it seems too extreme for the price. I don't see what the problem would be to allow more internal space. Than again, there are plenty of companies that offer that option and I ignore them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by s4mb4
i wish it had a better CPU. i would buy one today if i could get a quad core option. oh well....
I think this is a 25W CPU and the lowest Quad is 45W. With an 85W power supply I don't think that is possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorre
You can order the Apple Remote with it, I don't think they'd do that if it didn't have an IR port... Besides, they market this as an HTPC... of course it'll have one
That being said, this is such poor value compared to the MacBook... or anything else from Apple's product line for that matter. And it's not like Apple's product line has an amazing specs/price ratio to begin with.
Excellent point. Either they have failed to mention it on their Tech Specs page or they goofed and didn't remove it from the accessories page.
Maybe it's hiding in the optical drive bay, out of sight. Hopefully iFixit can dismantle one before you I awake.
Comments
If you think it's expensive, don't buy one. That simple. Go ahead and buy your POS cheap box which has a 40% failure rate out of the box and which requires you to talk to someone in Swahili to get support.
Meanwhile, here in the real world, the Mini server is a super value. Please look up the cost of Windows server with unlimited client licenses. Heck, the software alone is considerably more expensive than the Mac Mini server.
It is expensive for what is in the box. And no, I won't buy one - I don't have more money than sense. For your information, I'm waiting on the new Mac Pros. I wouldn't touch a Windows machine with a barge pole. I hate Microsoft and everything they stand for.
But I refuse to lay down money on a machine, whatever make, if the bang for you buck ratio is skewed too far towards the buck, and not the bang. I get that the superior software is part of the value. That's not the argument.
You look at the comments over at Macrumors and you'll see that many many posters agree that this price point is ridiculous.
HDMI, but still no Blu-ray drive?
C'mon, Apple - now you're just being needlessly stubborn. Add it as a goddam option and get it over with.
I can't imagine many would pay for the Blu-ray drive that would fit into that machine.
[*]No IR port
isn't there a IR port hidden at the right side of the optical-drive slot? i think there is.
isn't there a IR port hidden at the right side of the optical-drive slot? i think there is.
That's the paperclip accessible release for the ODD. Note the Tech Specs list no IR port.
Some things to note:
No IR port? What a way to convince someone to shell out the money for one. Maybe can't convince enough people to buy the Apple TV, so those that opted for a mini for the same task are given spite?
What got me to try Apple was the $499 model back when the mini was introduced, I don't think $699 would have done the trick.
If you think it's expensive, don't buy one. That simple. Go ahead and buy your POS cheap box which has a 40% failure rate out of the box and which requires you to talk to someone in Swahili to get support.
Or buy a non-cheap semi-decent Dell/HP/etc that's still cheaper, twice as fast with discrete graphics... Dell sell a small form factor quad-core Inspiron 560s with 4GB, 750GB for £500, or 6GB, 1TB, HD5450 for £560. Comes with a limited version of Excel and Word too (see my comment above about including iWork in the price to sweeten the deal).
Of course it doesn't come with Mac OS X, and it doesn't look as nice - but it's a far easier sell. Apart from the stupid Dell online ordering system that take forever to click through billions of options, some of which appear twice!
No IR port? What a way to convince someone to shell out the money for one.
It does have an IR port. The Apple Remote is a BTO option, and the little IR window is clearly visible on the server version (it's hidden just inside the right side of the optical slot on the standard version). It must be a misprint that the specs page doesn't mention it.
That's the paperclip accessible release for the ODD. Note the Tech Specs list no IR port.
You can order the Apple Remote with it, I don't think they'd do that if it didn't have an IR port... Besides, they market this as an HTPC... of course it'll have one
That being said, this is such poor value compared to the MacBook... or anything else from Apple's product line for that matter. And it's not like Apple's product line has an amazing specs/price ratio to begin with.
And there is an iPhone 4 to be purchased this time around. Maybe towards the end of the year... In the hope that the autumn iPod event brings some news about the AppleTV (there's still hope, i guess).
Some things to note:
Where did you get those specs?
- The IR port is integrated at the edge of the OD slot. Even the server model has a dot on the front for IR.
- There is no external power adapter.
Edit: many others pointed out the IR port earlier.
Edit2: The remote control itself is listed as an accessory: http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html
And why did Apple put an aluminum unibody design on this thing? It makes sense on a laptop but I don't see the advantage on an entry level desktop. I would rather see a more affordable material like plastic and save $.
Where did you get those specs?
- The IR port is integrated at the edge of the OD slot. Even the server model has a dot on the front for IR.
- There is no external power adapter.
Edit: many others pointed out the IR port earlier.
Good point! The Mac Mini is AC-in, the magsafe of the Cinema Display is DC-out. Besides you'de be attaching a PSU to another PSU...
That's the paperclip accessible release for the ODD. Note the Tech Specs list no IR port.
Does no IR port mean no remote!? That would be awfully silly? (Unless there is some type of bluetooth based remote).
The larger fan on the redesigned Mini does appear better than what was supplied with the TC, but I hope there has been sufficient attention to overheating problems in this refresh ... although the bottom cover (made of rubber?) does look suspiciously similar to the TC in terms of impeding ventilation.
I can't imagine many would pay for the Blu-ray drive that would fit into that machine.
It's one Blu-ray drive away from replacing a lot of people's BD living room component and consolidating all that crap into a single box. Remember that it ships with a CD-R and DVD-R, which, while relatively inexpensive these days, can be credited towards the cost of a universal BD drive that leaves out all the burning capabilities for living room use.
Unfortunately the $700 starting price is already a steep climb for a dedicated media computer.
No IR port? What a way to convince someone to shell out the money for one. Maybe can't convince enough people to buy the Apple TV, so those that opted for a mini for the same task are given spite?
What got me to try Apple was the $499 model back then, I don't think $699 would have done the trick.
It is pricy but I have to assume Apple knows who's what people are willing to spend on the Mac Mini and that perhaps many were buying a more expensive model anyway.
This is pretty slick. I can't believe they got it that thin AND got the power supply into the device. Still, as impressive as it is to me it seems too extreme for the price. I don't see what the problem would be to allow more internal space. Than again, there are plenty of companies that offer that option and I ignore them.
i wish it had a better CPU. i would buy one today if i could get a quad core option. oh well....
I think this is a 25W CPU and the lowest Quad is 45W. With an 85W power supply I don't think that is possible.
You can order the Apple Remote with it, I don't think they'd do that if it didn't have an IR port... Besides, they market this as an HTPC... of course it'll have one
That being said, this is such poor value compared to the MacBook... or anything else from Apple's product line for that matter. And it's not like Apple's product line has an amazing specs/price ratio to begin with.
Excellent point. Either they have failed to mention it on their Tech Specs page or they goofed and didn't remove it from the accessories page.
Maybe it's hiding in the optical drive bay, out of sight. Hopefully iFixit can dismantle one before you I awake.