Mac mini: The perfect media PC that no-one needs

[Cat011]

Am I old fashioned, but a Mac can never be a PC. One is a Mac and one is a PC

Mac mini: The perfect media PC that no-one needs

Clearly written by a 12 year old.

Just another anti-Microsoft bigot., whos probably never seen a Windows Media Center before...heaven forbid you knew what you were talking about.

 

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The mere fact that he doesn't even mention that a Mac Mini + Snow Leopard Server is going to give you the smallest, lowest power, quietest BSD Unix server for a small business suggests that he hasn't even begun to do his homework. Apple is almost certainly positioning it as a home server as well, and will probably kill off Apple TV, but the Mini is also now excellently positioned as a small business server, particuarly if you run a secure and reliable network (i.e. not Windoze). If anything, all this review has done is make me look up the facts, and seriously consider buying one.

 

[jannievanzyl]

Thank you for the excellent advice! Would you mind elaborating on the kind of streaming setup you're talking about? How do you control what gets streamed, ie which interface/control do you use?

Pretty much the setup I described above.

1) Install the DLNA server ('PS3 Server' in this case) on your system of choice. Windows, Linux or Mac. If you have a dedicated file server, install on there otherwise just install it on any PC that can see the media files, either on the machine itself or via a network share.

2) Point it (PS3 Server) to the file-system that contains your media (movies, music, pics). That's about the only config you need to do on the server side. There is no need for any further setup, configuration or maintenance on the server side.

3) On the PS3 go to the 'Video' menu and you should see the PS3 Media Server automatically listed. If you click on it, it will automatically display the media files in the directories you listed in 2) above.

4) Click on your video file and it plays. If it is a format the PS3 does not natively support, click on the transcode option and it should play.

So, the control is directly from within the PS3's native menus.

Hope this helps.

 

[ToxicBunny]

My only gripe with the PS3 and the Xbox methods of "playing" media is their interface's are a bit clunky....

I've settled on MCE with the Media Browser plugin, has lots of metadata and it has the "wow" factor which being the geek that I am, I just like

 

[ScrnScrm]

It seems to me that this MYBB site is degenerating into an Apple-slamming site. I never see posts slamming Dell, or Acer or Windows...or much else. It seems a pity, it WAS really a useful and interesting site..... Is it me, or is there really a trend towards Apple bashing ? RPM, care to comment ?

I am keen to hear RPM's comments on this as well. This is a very poorly researched article. A proper, thorough review would have also covered these key points :

1. There are two models of the Mac Mini aimed at different Audiences. The standard Mini, and the server Edition. The server edition is pitched against SMB server offerings from MS and Novell etc.

2. The Mac Mini is pitched as an entry level Mac OSX platform, and as such has a few target audiences : people who can't afford more expensive systems, people who are looking for a simple media hub, developers who need a machine to run the iOS SDK in addition to their normal Windows/Linux systems (which already have a Monitor/Keyboard and Mouse), and people who have low end processing requirements (like web, email etc) that "just plain like" the Apple way of doing things (Time Machine etc)

3. The Mini gains additional value when viewed as part of the wider Apple ecosystem. For example : if you have an iPhone/iPod touch, you can remotely control the Mini via App store sourced applications like the free Logitech TouchMouse, and remotely queue and encode almost any video into the correct format and add it to iTunes via "AirVideo". A lot easier than other solutions out there. Combine with Airport Extreme and Airport Express you can stream music all over your home and control it from your iPhone, as well as do seamless backups to a hard drive connected to the Extreme. Again, a lot easier and better implemented than other solutions out there.

4. It has a Firewire 800 port for connecting it directly to external storage solutions like the Drobo.

These are just some of the things I think should have been mentioned. I expect more than an emotive Apple bashing, especially considering that the chances are that said journalist has most probably not even laid his hands on one yet for any meaningful period of time. Come on RPM, you guys can do better than this!!! I would encourage you guys to resist the global trend towards hating Apple. Its a cop out.

For the record, I do not own a new Mac Mini. I do like the look of it, and will most probably buy one to give it a spin

 

[phiber]

I am keen to hear RPM's comments on this as well. This is a very poorly researched article. A proper, thorough review would have also covered these key points :

1. There are two models of the Mac Mini aimed at different Audiences. The standard Mini, and the server Edition. The server edition is pitched against SMB server offerings from MS and Novell etc.

2. The Mac Mini is pitched as an entry level Mac OSX platform, and as such has a few target audiences : people who can't afford more expensive systems, people who are looking for a simple media hub, developers who need a machine to run the iOS SDK in addition to their normal Windows/Linux systems (which already have a Monitor/Keyboard and Mouse), and people who have low end processing requirements (like web, email etc) that "just plain like" the Apple way of doing things (Time Machine etc)

3. The Mini gains additional value when viewed as part of the wider Apple ecosystem. For example : if you have an iPhone/iPod touch, you can remotely control the Mini via App store sourced applications like the free Logitech TouchMouse, and remotely queue and encode almost any video into the correct format and add it to iTunes via "AirVideo". A lot easier than other solutions out there. Combine with Airport Extreme and Airport Express you can stream music all over your home and control it from your iPhone, as well as do seamless backups to a hard drive connected to the Extreme. Again, a lot easier and better implemented than other solutions out there.

4. It has a Firewire 800 port for connecting it directly to external storage solutions like the Drobo.

These are just some of the things I think should have been mentioned. I expect more than an emotive Apple bashing, especially considering that the chances are that said journalist has most probably not even laid his hands on one yet for any meaningful period of time. Come on RPM, you guys can do better than this!!! I would encourage you guys to resist the global trend towards hating Apple. Its a cop out.

For the record, I do not own a new Mac Mini. I do like the look of it, and will most probably buy one to give it a spin

Great post!!! You should write for myBB!

 

[kingrob]

The mere fact that he doesn't even mention that a Mac Mini + Snow Leopard Server is going to give you the smallest, lowest power, quietest BSD Unix server for a small business suggests that he hasn't even begun to do his homework. Apple is almost certainly positioning it as a home server as well, and will probably kill off Apple TV, but the Mini is also now excellently positioned as a small business server, particuarly if you run a secure and reliable network (i.e. not Windoze). If anything, all this review has done is make me look up the facts, and seriously consider buying one.

The mac mini is basically a mainstream laptop....it's got laptop hardware parts in it, therefor the small form factor.

It might make sense as a desktop pc or small home server, but I am not so sure I would use a mainstream laptop as a company server.

Just my 2c.

*Oh, and to all the forumites that's calling me an "Apple hater/basher/slammer/whatever - this is a DISCUSSION BOARD, where we can DISCUSS things. Maybe if you can convince me that the mac mini is indeed a revelation, can kick any Intel Core i5/i7 desktop pc to the curb (cos it's priced similarly), I might just buy one.

 

[phiber]

*Oh, and to all the forumites that's calling me an "Apple hater/basher/slammer/whatever - this is a DISCUSSION BOARD, where we can DISCUSS things. Maybe if you can convince me that the mac mini is indeed a revelation, can kick any Intel Core i5/i7 desktop pc to the curb (cos it's priced similarly), I might just buy one.

Only similarly priced due to the way the business is run in SA. Quite reasonable overseas. Going to get one for 5500 when i am overseas.

Its fantastic, since its bundled with OS X (consider windows7 64 ultimate is 1000 bucks or so as an addon to any desktop).

Mac mini is a great machine for mac starters and university students who are looking to get the mac experience at an affordable price. Also this mac mini can smoothly run Final Cut, so anyone looking to try do some beginner movie editing is in for a treat!

 

[kingrob]

Only similarly priced due to the way the business is run in SA. Quite reasonable overseas. Going to get one for 5500 when i am overseas.

Only way it makes sense to me, Apple products are INSANELY expensive in South Africa.

Its fantastic, since its bundled with OS X (consider windows7 64 ultimate is 1000 bucks or so as an addon to any desktop).

Ubuntu Linux 32 bit/64 bit desktop/server/notebook = R0.00

 

[kingrob]

Mac mini is a great machine for mac starters and university students who are looking to get the mac experience at an affordable price. Also this mac mini can smoothly run Final Cut, so anyone looking to try do some beginner movie editing is in for a treat!

Makes perfect sense & definitely the market Apple is aiming for.

 

[Tick]

Very expensive for what you get

Blame Core Group's price gouging --- costs R7K here, but R5K in the US - a more reasonable price.

 

[midkemia]

I'm still waiting for the original Apple store in South Africa till I start investing in a company that doesn't care about "us".

When Apple starts caring about South Africans, and opens a proper store, and gets proper dealer / distributor in South Africa, I would most likely be WAY more interested in something from Apple...

Until then, I will bash Apple all I want as they have no local presence and dont give a damn!

As for a media server, I have always said PS3 is the best... if you have a Sony Bravia setup, you can turn it all on with ONE press of ONE button, and not fondle 5 remotes, and then if god forbid someone else is using your system, they forget to turn on the amp...

Just my 2c

 

[pope24]

Phew. Good to see that although I am still uninformed on any number of topics, I have moved from the resident Apple fanboy to the resident Apple basher.

Just a few points, I was not reviewing the mini, I was commenting on its potential as a pure media centre PC. Secondly I think that although Front Row is simple enough for my mother to use, it has fallen slightly behind the times, in terms of cost vs functionality. If you have the money and all you want is a pure media centre + solid PC functionality then the mini is an awesome machine. But if all you want is a media centre then rather go out and get a HDD based media system like Medi8tor. If you want Gaming and Media centre get a console.

It was an opinion piece and I stand by my argument that there are more cost effective options out there that would cater for 99% of the market.

Ben

 

[Biscuit1018]

I'm still waiting for the original Apple store in South Africa till I start investing in a company that doesn't care about "us".

When Apple starts caring about South Africans, and opens a proper store, and gets proper dealer / distributor in South Africa, I would most likely be WAY more interested in something from Apple...

Until then, I will bash Apple all I want as they have no local presence and dont give a damn!

As for a media server, I have always said PS3 is the best... if you have a Sony Bravia setup, you can turn it all on with ONE press of ONE button, and not fondle 5 remotes, and then if god forbid someone else is using your system, they forget to turn on the amp...

Just my 2c

Apples SA distribution issues are undeniable and yes they say something about the company but they don't say anything about the products (apart from being overpriced in SA (like many other products including Dell)). An Apple product does not become bad because Apple don't care enough about South Africa.

For info, I have heard rumours from a pretty reliable source that it is likely that Core will lose their sole importer status.

As much as I would like an official Apple presence in the country it is not the only way to solve the problem.
Right now there is no competition so if more than one importer competes for the support of the retailers then we will have a much better situation.

The fix is just so simple. Allow more companies to distribute and supply parts. 2 is way better than 1.

 

[rpm]

Hi folks

I think I must also explain that Ben is a columnist – hence providing opinion pieces rather than standard news articles or reviews. Ben is a very experienced journalist (Finweek, MG, Stuff amoung others) which is why we selected him as a columnist. One of his beats is Apple, and it is obviously a very contentious subject, and he is certainly well versed in this arena.

The forum is always here for debate, and this is of particular value when it comes to columns where opinions rather than facts are provided It would in fact be somewhat strange if many people don’t disagree with the columnists, especially when it comes to topics like these.

Regards,

RPM

 

[Keeper]

I bought the previous Mac Mini as a media centre about 2 years ago.
I couldn't be happier.

I convert all my content to mp4 and then place it on a central disc.

this is where my problem is - you shouldn't need to "convert" anything - it should just play it.

 

[bwana]

For info, I have heard rumours from a pretty reliable source that it is likely that Core will lose their sole importer status.

That rumour has been circulating for years now but we can still live in hope.

this is where my problem is - you shouldn't need to "convert" anything - it should just play it.

It does. Like windows you just need to have the right codec installed.

I do convert dvds to h.264 (personal preference) because it takes up a lot less space that way.

 

[ScrnScrm]

Just a few points, I was not reviewing the mini, I was commenting on its potential as a pure media centre PC. Secondly I think that although Front Row is simple enough for my mother to use, it has fallen slightly behind the times, in terms of cost vs functionality. If you have the money and all you want is a pure media centre + solid PC functionality then the mini is an awesome machine. But if all you want is a media centre then rather go out and get a HDD based media system like Medi8tor. If you want Gaming and Media centre get a console.

It was an opinion piece and I stand by my argument that there are more cost effective options out there that would cater for 99% of the market.

Ben

Hi Ben
Thanks for your reply. OK, lets take all the other stuff away and look at the Mini purely in terms of a "Home media center". There are keys things you didn't consider : the role of iTunes as the media hub for homes (a central media storage service that syncs music, video, photos, books and podcasts), its integration with Apple peripherals such as the iPhone/iPod (for remote control and activating additional funtionality like file conversion etc), its integration with the AirportExtreme and AirportExpress platforms (for backup, storage and audio streaming), and the ability to scale its storage easily, and fast, via the Firewire 800 port and external solutions such as the Drobo disk array.

The strength of the Apple Mini is that its part of the Apple Ecosystem, and integrates seamlessly with Apple devices. This is a key point when it comes to reviewing the Mini as part of a home media setup. None of the competition comes close to matching it, purely because of fragmentation issues. The counter argument of course is that not everyone likes the Apple approach of controlling the entire ecosystem, and its a very valid point when it comes to considering how you tackle home media. I think you would have achieved more mileage in your column had you focused on this issue, with the pros and cons. Its a philosophical debate more than a technology debate. I also think that before you bring price of the device into the picture, you need to consider the entire cost of your home media center, not just the component cost of the server. You are right that its expensive as a component, and in the home media role, there may be cheaper options out there, but I don't agree with your sentiments about price vs functionality, as I don't believe you fully explored the functionality of the ecosystem, or benchmarked it against the competition. You get what you pay for, and with the Mini, you get a lot... If you would like to see the whole ecosystem in action, you are more than welcome to come round to my place in Cape Town for a cup of coffee and a look I also have a Microsoft Ecosystem installed in our Joburg residence that you can benchmark against/compare.

 

[ScrnScrm]

this is where my problem is - you shouldn't need to "convert" anything - it should just play it.

You only need to convert if you want to use the iTunes ecosystem. If you are happy with VLC, it will play just about everything.

If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, you can install AirVideo on your Mac, point it to your media folder, and browse your media library from your device. You can stream to your device on the fly (AirVideo will do a live conversion), or you can click a button in AirVideo that will convert your media to the correct format and add it to iTunes automatically for you. AirVideo is most probably one of the killer apps on the iOS platform. It works brilliantly!

 

[phiber]

Phew. Good to see that although I am still uninformed on any number of topics, I have moved from the resident Apple fanboy to the resident Apple basher.

Just a few points, I was not reviewing the mini, I was commenting on its potential as a pure media centre PC. Secondly I think that although Front Row is simple enough for my mother to use, it has fallen slightly behind the times, in terms of cost vs functionality. If you have the money and all you want is a pure media centre + solid PC functionality then the mini is an awesome machine. But if all you want is a media centre then rather go out and get a HDD based media system like Medi8tor. If you want Gaming and Media centre get a console.

It was an opinion piece and I stand by my argument that there are more cost effective options out there that would cater for 99% of the market.

Ben

And thats why apple don't flog this as a media server but rather as a desktop It can provide the media server functionallity, but thats not the purpose of the mac mini. It can do media server and way way more. That is what you need to realize.

Also, haven't read 1 positive apple column from you (cant call yourself a faniboi if your last 3 articles just bash apple products).