What is it with Apple and blu-ray? This really is getting rather tragic now. I wish they'd just grow up and bury whatever hatchet is stopping them adopting BD.
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 $.
I personally would like to see more aluminum than plastic....I would like to see Apple make the TimeCapsule/Router in recyclable aluminum rather than the current plastic as well.
I think it's a great upgrade. When was the last time a Mac got a major case redesign? And they managed to fit the power supply inside which was a total surprise to me. One less USB port - perhaps they needed the internal connector for the camera card?
I will certainly be getting one, since the Mini is my main machine and I have been hanging for this upgrade. The only question is whether to get the server version or not, and use the extra internal drive for Time Machine.
Unsurprisingly, Macrumors is full of people bitching about the price, but then that board is full of cash-poor teenagers. I would have expected people here to be more appreciative of the design aspects.
If you want a cheap computer buy a Dell. You just don't get it do you.
The iPhone only exploded (in terms of sales) when it became affordable. If Apple ever wants to Mac to be anything other than niche, it will need to compete with Dell, HP etc.
It's interesting and good that Firewire is still included. I guess rumours of it's impending demise, that Apple was moving away from it, were greatly exaggerated.
And the HDMI explicitly supports audio output as mentioned in the spec page, but interestingly I don't believe it mentions the mini-DisplayPort supporting audio out even though that has been introduced in the MacBook Pros.
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.
I don't really want to replace one BRD with another if that one is working fine. I certainly don't want two on the same TV. Then there is the issue with using a PC for an HDTV. It's wasn't cost effective then and it's even worse now with this Mini.
For Blu-ray, the first thing we should expect isn't for Apple to add it to the Mac Mini, but to add AACS to Mac OS X so even 3rd-party BRDs will play protected BR content. Then adding BRDs to Mac Pros and updating their Pro apps. I think the Mac Mini is pretty much last on the list, along with the other notebooks and consumer PCs.
And adding $600* to the price of that device just to get a BRD seems excessive.
* That was the upgrade price the other OEMs were charging for a 9.5mm BRD last time I checked.
Great new design, but it needs to have Blu-Ray for that HDMI port they brag about to be of any use. And for the price they're asking now, it ought to be included. Way, way too expensive.
If you want a cheap computer buy a Dell. You just don't get it do you.
You know, it is possible to be a long-time Apple customer and yet still not agree with the price.
At this point, the entry point for Mac OS has just risen another notch. Five years ago it was $500, and while today's Mini is obviously much more capable the pricing trend has not been favorable for those wanting an entry-level machine or a lesser-used second machine. There's no technical reason that Apple can't offer a stripped-down unit (no disc burning, smaller HD, slower processor) for $500 and reclaim at lot more hobbyists.
What is it with Apple and blu-ray? This really is getting rather tragic now. I wish they'd just grow up and bury whatever hatchet is stopping them adopting BD.
I really don't see blu-ray coming to Apple for a few of reasons:
1) Steve has expressly stated his disdain for the blu-ray format;
2) Apple has a vested interest in delivering content, including HD, via the iTunes store;
3) Optical drives consume significant power just to spin the disk, and battery life has been a key concern for all of Apple's recent products (excluding the iMac and Mini, of course);
4) Steve/Apple have a history of killing off "legacy" peripherals;
Considered together, blu-ray is a format that Steve dislikes, which consumes substantial power, competes with the iTunes store, and takes up space in mobile products that could be used for additional battery.
I suspect that we are within 12 months of seeing built-in optical drives become a thing of the past for Apple portables. Apple has shown a recent propensity to cater to the mass-market, even when it means delivering solutions that are not as tailored to the specialist as they once were.
I truly believe that the typical user hardly ever uses their optical drive. It definitely strikes me as a component that takes up much more space than it is worth in a portable device.
I really have to take my hat off to Apple's engineering team. I thought the original iMac was pretty compact, but this is really amazing. You really need to ask yourself how they managed to fit everything in there and improve in specs over of the old model at the same time. Certainly looking forward to the tear down.
For those complaining it is expensive, then maybe it is, but try to find something with an equivalent specification and form factor from the competition.
While I did like the price before , I think its still a good deal at 699.
A quick comparison to another PC that could be in the Mini category and I see another Mini PC for $650US without an optical Drive , Max of 4GB memory, and 2.2 Duo.
If i needed to replace the PC I have this would be something I would consider.
I truly believe that the typical user hardly ever uses their optical drive. It definitely strikes me as a component that takes up much more space than it is worth in a portable device.
It's not as if Apple has to produce an entirely different case just to offer it as an option. (Well, maybe now they would, having reduced the Mini to such a degree that OEM options are getting tougher to find.)
For the record, I have a (refurb) Mini in my living room and use it primarily for Netflix DVDs. I don't own a BluRay player yet but intend to when the stars align - I've lived this long without it and can wait. But Apple is clearly pushing me away as a customer for a replacement media machine for nothing other than ideological reasons. I agree with most of their decisions to move away from legacy hardware, but I think they're wrong on this one. I'd be willing to bet that there are millions of potential customers looking to buy an all-in-one living room Mac that handles all of their A/V needs. (The Apple TV, by Apple's own admission, is not that machine. It's still a 'hobby'.)
There's no technical reason that Apple can't offer a stripped-down unit (no disc burning, smaller HD, slower processor) for $500 and reclaim at lot more hobbyists.
Not technical, it's all business. I can't think of a single reason why they had to Mac Min had to be as small as it was or as small as it is now. It's impressive but it certainly doesn't seem like a practical expense for those looking for a low cost Mac, but maybe we're the ones looking at this wrong. Maybe Apple is focusing these on a different user.
Comments
Way too expensive for what is supposed to be an entry level Mac. Think I'll pass.
If you want a cheap computer buy a Dell. You just don't get it do you.
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 $.
I personally would like to see more aluminum than plastic....I would like to see Apple make the TimeCapsule/Router in recyclable aluminum rather than the current plastic as well.
It's the environment baby!
I will certainly be getting one, since the Mini is my main machine and I have been hanging for this upgrade. The only question is whether to get the server version or not, and use the extra internal drive for Time Machine.
Unsurprisingly, Macrumors is full of people bitching about the price, but then that board is full of cash-poor teenagers. I would have expected people here to be more appreciative of the design aspects.
Monumental. For me, this is bigger than the iPad.
If you want a cheap computer buy a Dell. You just don't get it do you.
The iPhone only exploded (in terms of sales) when it became affordable. If Apple ever wants to Mac to be anything other than niche, it will need to compete with Dell, HP etc.
And the HDMI explicitly supports audio output as mentioned in the spec page, but interestingly I don't believe it mentions the mini-DisplayPort supporting audio out even though that has been introduced in the MacBook Pros.
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.
I don't really want to replace one BRD with another if that one is working fine. I certainly don't want two on the same TV. Then there is the issue with using a PC for an HDTV. It's wasn't cost effective then and it's even worse now with this Mini.
For Blu-ray, the first thing we should expect isn't for Apple to add it to the Mac Mini, but to add AACS to Mac OS X so even 3rd-party BRDs will play protected BR content. Then adding BRDs to Mac Pros and updating their Pro apps. I think the Mac Mini is pretty much last on the list, along with the other notebooks and consumer PCs.
And adding $600* to the price of that device just to get a BRD seems excessive.
* That was the upgrade price the other OEMs were charging for a 9.5mm BRD last time I checked.
Macrumors is full of people bitching about the price, but then that board is full of cash-poor teenagers..
Coming from the guy who has a mini as his "main" computer.
For a laugh, go over to MR and watch how Solipsism got run off for spouting off his usual, ill-informed BS.
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
Yeah, but no info of the IR port on any of the pages.
Looking at this pic it seems clear that the IR port is that right side of the ODD.
I would have expected people here to be more appreciative of the design aspects.
The design is gorgeous but, in Spain, $950 for the base configuration is way too much.
If you want a cheap computer buy a Dell. You just don't get it do you.
You know, it is possible to be a long-time Apple customer and yet still not agree with the price.
At this point, the entry point for Mac OS has just risen another notch. Five years ago it was $500, and while today's Mini is obviously much more capable the pricing trend has not been favorable for those wanting an entry-level machine or a lesser-used second machine. There's no technical reason that Apple can't offer a stripped-down unit (no disc burning, smaller HD, slower processor) for $500 and reclaim at lot more hobbyists.
Well, there's always the refurb market...
What is it with Apple and blu-ray? This really is getting rather tragic now. I wish they'd just grow up and bury whatever hatchet is stopping them adopting BD.
I really don't see blu-ray coming to Apple for a few of reasons:
1) Steve has expressly stated his disdain for the blu-ray format;
2) Apple has a vested interest in delivering content, including HD, via the iTunes store;
3) Optical drives consume significant power just to spin the disk, and battery life has been a key concern for all of Apple's recent products (excluding the iMac and Mini, of course);
4) Steve/Apple have a history of killing off "legacy" peripherals;
Considered together, blu-ray is a format that Steve dislikes, which consumes substantial power, competes with the iTunes store, and takes up space in mobile products that could be used for additional battery.
I suspect that we are within 12 months of seeing built-in optical drives become a thing of the past for Apple portables. Apple has shown a recent propensity to cater to the mass-market, even when it means delivering solutions that are not as tailored to the specialist as they once were.
I truly believe that the typical user hardly ever uses their optical drive. It definitely strikes me as a component that takes up much more space than it is worth in a portable device.
For those complaining it is expensive, then maybe it is, but try to find something with an equivalent specification and form factor from the competition.
While I did like the price before , I think its still a good deal at 699.
A quick comparison to another PC that could be in the Mini category and I see another Mini PC for $650US without an optical Drive , Max of 4GB memory, and 2.2 Duo.
If i needed to replace the PC I have this would be something I would consider.
I truly believe that the typical user hardly ever uses their optical drive. It definitely strikes me as a component that takes up much more space than it is worth in a portable device.
It's not as if Apple has to produce an entirely different case just to offer it as an option. (Well, maybe now they would, having reduced the Mini to such a degree that OEM options are getting tougher to find.)
For the record, I have a (refurb) Mini in my living room and use it primarily for Netflix DVDs. I don't own a BluRay player yet but intend to when the stars align - I've lived this long without it and can wait. But Apple is clearly pushing me away as a customer for a replacement media machine for nothing other than ideological reasons. I agree with most of their decisions to move away from legacy hardware, but I think they're wrong on this one. I'd be willing to bet that there are millions of potential customers looking to buy an all-in-one living room Mac that handles all of their A/V needs. (The Apple TV, by Apple's own admission, is not that machine. It's still a 'hobby'.)
There's no technical reason that Apple can't offer a stripped-down unit (no disc burning, smaller HD, slower processor) for $500 and reclaim at lot more hobbyists.
Not technical, it's all business. I can't think of a single reason why they had to Mac Min had to be as small as it was or as small as it is now. It's impressive but it certainly doesn't seem like a practical expense for those looking for a low cost Mac, but maybe we're the ones looking at this wrong. Maybe Apple is focusing these on a different user.