Anecdotal evidence of mini sales
In Edmonton Alberta the Compusmart store has expanded their Mac line
while the PC space allotted is much the same. I am told by the salesman
who uses and specializes in Macs that the mini is sold out every time a shipment comes in. His ESTIMATE is that 40 percent of mini's are going to current PC users.
It is difficult to match professional analysts' channel checks' by oneself but a forum such as this could do a pretty good job if enough members respond. Have you any anecdotal evidence of mini sales? And are they switchers, add on er's or Current Mac users?
while the PC space allotted is much the same. I am told by the salesman
who uses and specializes in Macs that the mini is sold out every time a shipment comes in. His ESTIMATE is that 40 percent of mini's are going to current PC users.
It is difficult to match professional analysts' channel checks' by oneself but a forum such as this could do a pretty good job if enough members respond. Have you any anecdotal evidence of mini sales? And are they switchers, add on er's or Current Mac users?
Comments
As for why people are getting them, I think it's to test the waters. Long time PC users aren't sure if a mac will do the job for them, but some have always wanted to give one a try. Just my opinion.
Originally posted by hmurchison
mini's are HARD to keep in stock. If Apple can get the production up and keep the mini somewhat current with market trends they'll have a nice boost. Marketshare might not mean everything but to potential developers having a boatload of minis out there gives them more opportunities. Kudos Apple for pulling your head out.
yes, the mini is an excellent product. and it really hasn't been marketed at all. I really hope Apple has plans to attack at this part of the market. They have a decent first entry. Now they need to expand, market and improve upon.
As good as the mini is, I have a hard time recommending it because of the RAM issue.
Many others have looked into macs because of him, looking for better models-powerbooks, imacs hopefully ill get my hands on one sometime soon
You can't be serious that you'd not recommend a mini because of *that*.
"I'm sorry, I can't recommend an Accord, you have to buy floor mats."
It's a low-end consumer machine, and you think that 1GB isn't enough, and that 2GB will make it run 'a lot better'?
I don't suppose you have any hard evidence to back this up...
Originally posted by snipe
In Edmonton Alberta the Compusmart store has expanded their Mac line
while the PC space allotted is much the same. I am told by the salesman
who uses and specializes in Macs that the mini is sold out every time a shipment comes in. His ESTIMATE is that 40 percent of mini's are going to current PC users.
It is difficult to match professional analysts' channel checks' by oneself but a forum such as this could do a pretty good job if enough members respond. Have you any anecdotal evidence of mini sales? And are they switchers, add on er's or Current Mac users?
The Amazon view is not so rosy - The two models of mini were number #1 and #4 in the computer sales list a few weeks ago, now they are #12 and #23.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...188934-2036852
But the iBooks and powerbooks seem to be doing quite well.
Maybe the low ranking is just because they can't make enough of the units. Both are listed as "In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served."
Originally posted by Kickaha
You mean the RAM that you can upgrade easily???
You can't be serious that you'd not recommend a mini because of *that*.
"I'm sorry, I can't recommend an Accord, you have to buy floor mats."
yes, that whole part about shipping with 256MB standard in a single slot. The machine being highly recommended to be brought in to be updated and no word on whether its officlally allowed to upgrade yourself. the fact that an upgrade is neccessary straight out of the box. and don't tell me its not. even apple knows it. here's some advice, go see how much ram any apple demo model has in their own stores. or how about the fact you have to waste 256MB RAM you just paid for in order to upgrade it to something useful. Yes, OS X is usable with 256MB. But barely. I'd call it a very miserable experience. Having just safari and iChat open will quickly use up more than the available memory.
Originally posted by applenut
hey remember, you're an admin not a dick
yes, that whole part about shipping with 256MB standard in a single slot. The machine being highly recommended to be brought in to be updated and no word on whether its officlally allowed to upgrade yourself. the fact that an upgrade is neccessary straight out of the box. and don't tell me its not. even apple knows it. here's some advice, go see how much ram any apple demo model has in their own stores. or how about the fact you have to waste 256MB RAM you just paid for in order to upgrade it to something useful. Yes, OS X is usable with 256MB. But barely. I'd call it a very miserable experience. Having just safari and iChat open will quickly use up more than the available memory.
Stop trying to be a prick. There are some points to argue and there are others that just make you look like an apologist asshole.
Make a silly comment, I'll call you on it. *shrug* If you want to continue this, PM me. Further public annoyances like this will be deleted.
The Mac mini can in fact be upgraded by the user. Officially. Officially, also, if you break anything while doing so, you're SOL. Warrantee remains in place if you upgrade it successfully, but if you bust it, you're on your own. That's the OFFICIAL position, and has been fairly publicly known, and more to the point, available to anyone who called a Genius Bar or looked around the web a bit.
The Mac mini is, in your own words, 'an excellent product'. The amount of RAM is a) a small part of the entire product, b) a user-expandable option, c) easily upgraded, d) cheaply.
Therefore, in my estimation, saying that you're unwilling to recommend 'an excellent product' because of one detail that is easily remedied for little cost is, indeed, silly. I stand by that opinion. If you have a problem with that, explain why it's not silly.
Now, you've been allowed a full on rant post where you attacked a mod. I won't even bother deleting it, because frankly, it's a good example of how to get yourself in trouble going against the posting guidelines. You are toeing the line. One more post like that, and you're on vacation, no further warnings, no further commentary. Got it? Stick to content.
Originally posted by Kickaha
Ready to stop with the attacks that are prepping you for a vacation then, are you?
The Mac mini can in fact be upgraded by the user. Officially. Officially, also, if you break anything while doing so, you're SOL. Warrantee remains in place if you upgrade it successfully, but if you bust it, you're on your own. That's the OFFICIAL position, and has been fairly publicly known, and more to the point, available to anyone who called a Genius Bar or looked around the web a bit.
The Mac mini is, in your own words, 'an excellent product'. The amount of RAM is a) a small part of the entire product, b) a user-expandable option, c) easily upgraded, d) cheaply.
Therefore, in my estimation, saying that you're unwilling to recommend 'an excellent product' because of one detail that is easily remedied for little cost is, indeed, silly. I stand by that opinion. If you have a problem with that, explain why it's not silly.
Now, you've been allowed a full on rant post where you attacked a mod. I won't even bother deleting it, because frankly, it's a good example of how to get yourself in trouble going against the posting guidelines. You are toeing the line. One more post like that, and you're on vacation, no further
warnings, no further commentary. Got it? Stick to content.
1. Find official word, on Apple's website and in the package of the mac mini that it is user upgradable for me.
2. Dispute the fact that 256MB is not usable
3. Dispute the fact that Apple demos all machines in their stores with a minimum of 512MB RAM if not 1GB.
4. Dispute the fact that prying open a case is not "an easy" and straightforward process. Especially when there is no documentation provided with the product about doing so. Dispute the fact that there are no instructions provided on opening the case and upgrading the ram. Actually, why don't you tell me what it says about upgrading the ram in the box since its so easy and straightfoward.
5. Dispute the fact that the 256MB RAM you just paid for is wasted when you are forced to upgrade for acceptable performance
6. Dispute the fact that it reflects very poorly on Apple if a user does not upgrade and experience lackluster performance and slowdowns. You have said countless times yourself when arguing against expandable macs that most users never open their case and never upgrade. Therefore the initial experience in most cases is the final experience and the dealbreaker.
maxing out the ram isnt exactly cheap am i wrong?
Originally posted by alliancep.s.i
the above mod---
maxing out the ram isnt exactly cheap am i wrong?
Depends - if you buy it from Apple, it's pricey, but it's always been that way. If you buy it 3rd party, you can get the 1GB for as low as 1/3 of their insane $325, but quality RAM, such as from Crucial, runs $217. (Their 512 stick is $71, plus you still have to install it, so the 512 from Apple at $75 is actually a pretty good deal for most folks.)
Apple has yet to validate the Mac mini for 2GB sticks, so 1GB is the official max.
Originally posted by applenut
btw, it's really cute how you keep referring to a ban as a "vacation". man, you need to really get a life if that's how lame you have become.
Vacation, ban, whatever you want to call it, you've got it.
Originally posted by Kickaha
Depends - if you buy it from Apple, it's pricey, but it's always been that way. If you buy it 3rd party, you can get the 1GB for as low as 1/3 of their insane $325, but quality RAM, such as from Crucial, runs $217. (Their 512 stick is $71, plus you still have to install it, so the 512 from Apple at $75 is actually a pretty good deal for most folks.)
Apple has yet to validate the Mac mini for 2GB sticks, so 1GB is the official max.
do you see this happening? what really needs to be done to get 2gb in there?
it wont change the fact that you look like a pathetic fool here [/B]
Looking back on the post history, I think that you jumped off that cliff first, my dear applenut.
Can we get back to talking about how the mini is going to take over the world?
Originally posted by alliancep.s.i
do you see this happening? what really needs to be done to get 2gb in there?
It'll happen eventually, I know that they're doing the testing now. Basically, it just boils down to making sure that the mini's mobo will handle the various manufacturer's products. As you increase the density of memory chips, you also increase the possibility of errors. Some mobo designs handle these better than others. As the RAM manufacturers improve their processes, it becomes less of an issue for lower-end products like the mini, so it'll just be a matter of time.
The Amazon view is not so rosy - The two models of mini were number #1 and #4 in the computer sales list a few weeks ago, now they are #12 and #23.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...8188934-2036852
I suspect that the first orders were from Mac users
but I see two reasons for dropping.
1- no indication of delivery.
2- mini should be seen by potential customers who
have PC's The picture does not really do it justice and the idea
of being able to use PC monitor, mouse and keyboard is
not indicated.