The fact that there a so many of us old farts around here does disprove the rule.
Not really, unless one can argue that hardcore, longtime AI visitors are very similar to the general population in terms of tech-knowledge. They aren't. \
Not really, unless one can argue that hardcore, longtime AI visitors are very similar to the general population in terms of tech-knowledge. They aren't. \
.
But, many of those longtime, hardcore visitors, or members are also from the younger set, and they don't represent the average person either.
The Gaussian curve does represent the population. But where is the peak of that curve?
It could be - pretty knowledgeable.
Somewhat knowledgeable.
Not very knowledgeable.
Or even- what the hell are you talking about, knowledgeable.
I think it's between somewhat, and not very.
Overall, that's far better than it was 40 years ago, where it would have been at the "what the hell" point.
But the kind of knowledge has changed, in that it now mostly consists of people who can sit down at the thing and use it for basic activities, but nothing else.
In the past, it consisted of people who programmed, or built their own machines almost exclusively, other than the trained operators in industry.
If Apple is discontinuing the current Mac Mini desktop, a welcome replacement in the market would be a headless "Mac mini server" with the following features
1. Intel Santa Rosa chipset and faster, cooler, Core 2 Duo processors
santa rosa is a laptop chip set I do not want laptop parts in a sever desktop parts are ok.
But, many of those longtime, hardcore visitors, or members are also from the younger set, and they don't represent the average person either.
The Gaussian curve does represent the population. But where is the peak of that curve?
It could be - pretty knowledgeable.
Somewhat knowledgeable.
Not very knowledgeable.
Or even- what the hell are you talking about, knowledgeable.
I think it's between somewhat, and not very.
Overall, that's far better than it was 40 years ago, where it would have been at the "what the hell" point.
But the kind of knowledge has changed, in that it now mostly consists of people who can sit down at the thing and use it for basic activities, but nothing else.
In the past, it consisted of people who programmed, or built their own machines almost exclusively, other than the trained operators in industry.
I think you're overthinking it again, Mel.
I'll make this concession... younger people, on average, are more comfortable USING technology than older people. If you wish to argue that the playing field is much more level for things like programming or very hardcore hardware knowledge, I might agree with you.
Of course, installing RAM is hardly 'hardcore'. But I almost fear to state the obvious, for fear that this thread will go to 500 posts.
I'll make this concession... younger people, on average, are more comfortable USING technology than older people. If you wish to argue that the playing field is much more level for things like programming or very hardcore hardware knowledge, I might agree with you.
That's what I'm saying.
Quote:
Of course, installing RAM is hardly 'hardcore'. But I almost fear to state the obvious, for fear that this thread will go to 500 posts.
"Hell is God's way of ensuring his children aren't burdened with truly brilliant unknowns"
-God
Oh tsk tsk... This is an Apple rumours board, not the bible. I'm fine with God judging me, but not Joe Blow from Texas, thank you very much. To call yourself a christian is rediculous, because I don't see you demonstrating any christianity. God is supposed to be loving. Why someone loving would have us burning in hell is beyond me.
I think you have a gross misunderstanding of God. Always it seems your type take the figurative to be literal. If you believe, you receive; if you don't, you won't. It's as simple as it needs to be.
(FYI...I no longer see this as a needed thread on this excellent forum. Should not have started this, so I'll respond no more. God bless you.)
Well, you know what they say... Ignorance is Bliss, no? I'm sure you're well equainted with said attribute.
(This is from a week ago - is there a reason you need to pile on?)
Well, I know it was from a week ago, but I didn't get any notification that someone "replied" untill today. I suppose I just made myself look like even more of an ass, but apparently people are still reading the thread.
Yeah, but even so, his point was a good one. Pairof9's lame "God told me to hate gays" shtick (if you go back and read through it, you'll see) deserved deflating.
Oh dear god... excuse me while I sulk off into a dark corner and place a dunce cap on my head. This is just one of the many reasons why you proof-read your comments, kids.
Oh dear god... excuse me while I sulk off into a dark corner and place a dunce cap on my head. This is just one of the many reasons why you proof-read your comments, kids.
Now that one or more of the Almighty's have been invoked, could an administrator come in here please and close this thread and put us all out of our misery....???
Until about six months ago, my former roommate and I used his first generation G4 Mac Mini as a home theater server. Overall, it worked very well, but if I were to reproduce that system, I would use a MacBook instead of the Mini. Upgrading a Super Drive equipped Mini to the same memory and HDD specs* as the low end Super Drive equipped MacBook brings the price of the Mini to within $325 of the MacBook. What does the consumer get for that $325?
First and foremost, the MacBook comes with an LCD screen. This is a very big deal for any use other than video. NTSC televisions, still used by many people who are likely concerned with the price point, does not have sufficient screen resolution to allow the user to easily read text. As a work around, we used Apple Remote Desktop from our laptops, which worked very well. However, not every potential Mini owner is going to have an extra computer, or the knowledge to implement ARD.
The MacBook comes with a newer generation, faster processor. It has been my experience that when dealing with video on a computer, a faster processor with more RAM is most always superior to a slower processor with less RAM.
The MacBook comes with a keyboard and mouse. While these aren't absolutely necessary when accessing a Mini via ARD, they are definitely creature features worth having. Wireless is better, but neither system comes standard with a wireless keyboard and mouse.
The MacBook does not require a separate UPS, as the battery already serves this function. While the laptop battery won't keep the big screen HDTV up and running, it will allow the user to finish that OS update, or just properly shut down.
The Mac Book comes with iSight built in. While this is not necessary fore a home theater, it is a feature that would likely come in handy, especially if used in conjunction with software like ARD.
The Mini does win the form factor category. The Mac Book has 60 percent more volume than the Mini. However, adding a screen and/or a keyboard and mouse to the Mini mitigates its advantage here.
While the Mac Mini is an effective media server solution, in my experience it is not an optimal solution. At the end of the day, it is a crippled, low end laptop, without the features that make laptops so useful. I do like the Mini, but I think Apple offers better solutions for the needs of most customers, even switchers on a budget.
-JC
* To be fair, anything over 40-60 GB of HDD space is overkill for the Mini (or any other computer) in a media server application, since it is not practical to store a complete library of music or movies internally. With the exception of the Mac Pro, no Mac is upgradeable to enough internal HDD space. One TB of external storage space is a good starting point, but even that will fill up faster than one might expect. Three or even five terabytes would be much better. Still, most users won't initially have a large storage solution set up, and 120 GB is better than 80 GB.
I haven't had a chance to read through other posts on this topic so if I repeat something somebody else has posted, I apologize.
At any rate, it seems to me that Jobs has long been facinated by the idea of a very small form factor and with a couple of developments on the horizon that could render the most surprising reduction in the size of Apple's entry level system, I find it hard to believe that Jobs would abandon this market segment.
After all, the mac mini is son of Cube. And I think we're not too far away from seeing a successor to the mini that will see a reduction in size by the elimination of an optical drive and the replacement of hard drives with solid-state system memory.
As it sits right now, I have three external hard drives and two optical drives attached to my first-gen Mac mini. I think the potential is there for a mini that is half the size of the existing machine and that would serve as a cpu only with external devices handling all the other tasks. Such a computer, freed from the extra cost and production complexity of including a hard drive and optical drive could check in at a very low cost. Imagine, if you will, a mac super mini checking in at $449 in the U.S. and $549 here in Canada. In my case, being as I already use external devices that do optical drive and extra memory, buying a new Mac would be very inexpensive. I can't be the only consumer out there already with such external devices. Flash internal memory in the 40 to 60 gig range would certainly be more than enough if an external drive was being used to store files.
Grandson of the Cube could turn out to be the coolest Mac yet and even if there was a lull, as was the case between the Cube and the Mini, the wait would be worthwhile.
Comments
The fact that there a so many of us old farts around here does disprove the rule.
Not really, unless one can argue that hardcore, longtime AI visitors are very similar to the general population in terms of tech-knowledge. They aren't.
.
Not really, unless one can argue that hardcore, longtime AI visitors are very similar to the general population in terms of tech-knowledge. They aren't.
.
But, many of those longtime, hardcore visitors, or members are also from the younger set, and they don't represent the average person either.
The Gaussian curve does represent the population. But where is the peak of that curve?
It could be - pretty knowledgeable.
Somewhat knowledgeable.
Not very knowledgeable.
Or even- what the hell are you talking about, knowledgeable.
I think it's between somewhat, and not very.
Overall, that's far better than it was 40 years ago, where it would have been at the "what the hell" point.
But the kind of knowledge has changed, in that it now mostly consists of people who can sit down at the thing and use it for basic activities, but nothing else.
In the past, it consisted of people who programmed, or built their own machines almost exclusively, other than the trained operators in industry.
Do some people really not know how to change a tire on a car?
You betcha!
If Apple is discontinuing the current Mac Mini desktop, a welcome replacement in the market would be a headless "Mac mini server" with the following features
1. Intel Santa Rosa chipset and faster, cooler, Core 2 Duo processors
santa rosa is a laptop chip set I do not want laptop parts in a sever desktop parts are ok.
santa rosa is a laptop chip set I do not want laptop parts in a sever desktop parts are ok.
That's silly. There are blade servers that use "laptop parts". Intel even made a special SKU for a low-power Xeon based on the original Core Duo chip.
If all you are doing with the server is home file storage, then even "laptop parts" are overkill.
santa rosa is a laptop chip set I do not want laptop parts in a sever desktop parts are ok.
They're NOT ok. They're too power hungry and have poor power management for a home / small office server.
But, many of those longtime, hardcore visitors, or members are also from the younger set, and they don't represent the average person either.
The Gaussian curve does represent the population. But where is the peak of that curve?
It could be - pretty knowledgeable.
Somewhat knowledgeable.
Not very knowledgeable.
Or even- what the hell are you talking about, knowledgeable.
I think it's between somewhat, and not very.
Overall, that's far better than it was 40 years ago, where it would have been at the "what the hell" point.
But the kind of knowledge has changed, in that it now mostly consists of people who can sit down at the thing and use it for basic activities, but nothing else.
In the past, it consisted of people who programmed, or built their own machines almost exclusively, other than the trained operators in industry.
I think you're overthinking it again, Mel.
I'll make this concession... younger people, on average, are more comfortable USING technology than older people. If you wish to argue that the playing field is much more level for things like programming or very hardcore hardware knowledge, I might agree with you.
Of course, installing RAM is hardly 'hardcore'. But I almost fear to state the obvious, for fear that this thread will go to 500 posts.
.
santa rosa is a laptop chip set I do not want laptop parts in a sever desktop parts are ok.
Like a broken record...
I think you're overthinking it again, Mel.
I'm on overtime.
I'll make this concession... younger people, on average, are more comfortable USING technology than older people. If you wish to argue that the playing field is much more level for things like programming or very hardcore hardware knowledge, I might agree with you.
That's what I'm saying.
Of course, installing RAM is hardly 'hardcore'. But I almost fear to state the obvious, for fear that this thread will go to 500 posts.
.
That's true too. But how many people do that?
"Hell is God's way of ensuring his children aren't burdened with truly brilliant unknowns"
-God
Oh tsk tsk... This is an Apple rumours board, not the bible. I'm fine with God judging me, but not Joe Blow from Texas, thank you very much. To call yourself a christian is rediculous, because I don't see you demonstrating any christianity. God is supposed to be loving. Why someone loving would have us burning in hell is beyond me.
I think you have a gross misunderstanding of God. Always it seems your type take the figurative to be literal. If you believe, you receive; if you don't, you won't. It's as simple as it needs to be.
(FYI...I no longer see this as a needed thread on this excellent forum. Should not have started this, so I'll respond no more. God bless you.)
Well, you know what they say... Ignorance is Bliss, no? I'm sure you're well equainted with said attribute.
(This is from a week ago - is there a reason you need to pile on?)
Well, I know it was from a week ago, but I didn't get any notification that someone "replied" untill today. I suppose I just made myself look like even more of an ass, but apparently people are still reading the thread.
Well, you know what they say... Ignorance is Bliss, no? I'm sure you're well equainted with said attribute.
Ah, the irony. It's "acquainted".
Ah, the irony. It's "acquainted".
Yeah, but even so, his point was a good one. Pairof9's lame "God told me to hate gays" shtick (if you go back and read through it, you'll see) deserved deflating.
.
Ah, the irony. It's "acquainted".
Now that one or more of the Almighty's have been invoked, could an administrator come in here please and close this thread and put us all out of our misery....???
First and foremost, the MacBook comes with an LCD screen. This is a very big deal for any use other than video. NTSC televisions, still used by many people who are likely concerned with the price point, does not have sufficient screen resolution to allow the user to easily read text. As a work around, we used Apple Remote Desktop from our laptops, which worked very well. However, not every potential Mini owner is going to have an extra computer, or the knowledge to implement ARD.
The MacBook comes with a newer generation, faster processor. It has been my experience that when dealing with video on a computer, a faster processor with more RAM is most always superior to a slower processor with less RAM.
The MacBook comes with a keyboard and mouse. While these aren't absolutely necessary when accessing a Mini via ARD, they are definitely creature features worth having. Wireless is better, but neither system comes standard with a wireless keyboard and mouse.
The MacBook does not require a separate UPS, as the battery already serves this function. While the laptop battery won't keep the big screen HDTV up and running, it will allow the user to finish that OS update, or just properly shut down.
The Mac Book comes with iSight built in. While this is not necessary fore a home theater, it is a feature that would likely come in handy, especially if used in conjunction with software like ARD.
The Mini does win the form factor category. The Mac Book has 60 percent more volume than the Mini. However, adding a screen and/or a keyboard and mouse to the Mini mitigates its advantage here.
While the Mac Mini is an effective media server solution, in my experience it is not an optimal solution. At the end of the day, it is a crippled, low end laptop, without the features that make laptops so useful. I do like the Mini, but I think Apple offers better solutions for the needs of most customers, even switchers on a budget.
-JC
* To be fair, anything over 40-60 GB of HDD space is overkill for the Mini (or any other computer) in a media server application, since it is not practical to store a complete library of music or movies internally. With the exception of the Mac Pro, no Mac is upgradeable to enough internal HDD space. One TB of external storage space is a good starting point, but even that will fill up faster than one might expect. Three or even five terabytes would be much better. Still, most users won't initially have a large storage solution set up, and 120 GB is better than 80 GB.
Add a third party box like my NewerTech miniStack with TWO bays.
The external box could have one hard drive and one optical drive.
(Two optical drives are slick for duplicating.)
At any rate, it seems to me that Jobs has long been facinated by the idea of a very small form factor and with a couple of developments on the horizon that could render the most surprising reduction in the size of Apple's entry level system, I find it hard to believe that Jobs would abandon this market segment.
After all, the mac mini is son of Cube. And I think we're not too far away from seeing a successor to the mini that will see a reduction in size by the elimination of an optical drive and the replacement of hard drives with solid-state system memory.
As it sits right now, I have three external hard drives and two optical drives attached to my first-gen Mac mini. I think the potential is there for a mini that is half the size of the existing machine and that would serve as a cpu only with external devices handling all the other tasks. Such a computer, freed from the extra cost and production complexity of including a hard drive and optical drive could check in at a very low cost. Imagine, if you will, a mac super mini checking in at $449 in the U.S. and $549 here in Canada. In my case, being as I already use external devices that do optical drive and extra memory, buying a new Mac would be very inexpensive. I can't be the only consumer out there already with such external devices. Flash internal memory in the 40 to 60 gig range would certainly be more than enough if an external drive was being used to store files.
Grandson of the Cube could turn out to be the coolest Mac yet and even if there was a lull, as was the case between the Cube and the Mini, the wait would be worthwhile.