New Mac Mini, totally redesigned

[bwana]

That is exactly what i dont understand. iTunes app doesn't have an interface built for browsing from 3m away. And keyboard & mouse don't exactly shout couch friendly. The only software on the Mac Mini that is built for using from the couch is Front Row. And that is just for media consumption

Again I'm confused. itunes is perfectly usable with my 42" plasma (even from 3m away) and my bluetooth keyboard and mouse just make life simpler.

If there's something my mini cant do that the appleTV can then I'm all ears but I honestly believe if we made a list it would be skewed heavily in favour of the Mini.

 

[BobJones]

Agreed, I was surprised to find the Apple TV still listed and available in the store.

I wonder if there is enough space around the USB ports to fit in EyeTV tuners?

 

[surfs-up]

You found a use for an iPad and iPod Touch (some of the more useless products from Apple), yet a computer confuses you?

You are taking my statement out of context. Firstly, yes, I have a use for my iPad and iTouch - in fact they are used all the time. And I am not confused by the mini computer, I said - considering the great Apple lineup, I have no use for a mini. At home and at the office I use 24 " iMac's (best computer ever made IMHO), and if I go away for the weekend, or want to do serious work from the couch I use a 15 " MacBook Pro laptop. And for the times - like when I am in bed, or waiting to fetch my daughter from school, or while I am on a plane etc etc and want to quickly browse the web, email, read magazines that I have downloaded from the web etc then I use my iPad.

So, I am not confused about the mini - I just don't have a use for it, and was wondering if I am missing something, wether there was some other use for it, that my iPad, MacBook Pro and iMac can't do. It was not a flame about the product, just a question on how users use it.

 

[Flashgear]

^You've got a iMac, the Mini is a iMac without a screen, obviously. Mac Mini's main purpose is for people who can't afford iMac's to still be able to get into Apple at a much less rate. You've got no use for it because you already have iMac's. They're awesome little machines in my view.

 

[SlinkyMike]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong - I am an ardent Apple user, I have almost everything that Apple have brought out in the last 5 years from iPad, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro etc however, I cannot see why I would need this. Can someone please tell me in what situation this computer would be usefull ? Unless I am wrong - if you bought this, then you would need to buy a display, a keyboard, an external DVD reader/writer, mouse etc etc. Surely it would just be easier/neater to just buy an iMac, and then get everything all in one neat package ? The only use I can really think of, is for a remote server where it does not really need all the add-ons.

I have been dying for one for some time now, been waiting for this revamp - I plan to use it as a media centre:

-plugged into my LCD TV in the living room
-all of my external drives plugged in (movies/music/photos) Frontrow as media centre
-running iTunes with my 120gig Mp3 collection available not only to the lounge speakers but...
-also to the two airport expresses I have in the bedroom and patio
-all controllable by Remote app on my iPhone via Wifi from anywhere on the property
-bluetooth keyboard and mouse on the coffee table so drunk friends can show that Youtube video that everyone HAS to see on the lounge telly
-whatever else you can think of

...does that clarify things for you perhaps

 

[bwana]

I have been dying for one for some time now, been waiting for this revamp - I plan to use it as a media centre:

-plugged into my LCD TV in the living room
-all of my external drives plugged in (movies/music/photos) Frontrow as media centre
-running iTunes with my 120gig Mp3 collection available not only to the lounge speakers but...
-also to the two airport expresses I have in the bedroom and patio
-all controllable by Remote app on my iPhone via Wifi from anywhere on the property
-bluetooth keyboard and mouse on the coffee table so drunk friends can show that Youtube video that everyone HAS to see on the lounge telly
-whatever else you can think of

...does that clarify things for you perhaps

I'm curious as to why you waited for the upgrade. Considering what you're planning to do with it why not get an older model and save a few Rs? My Intel Core Duo model has been doing the above, and more, for years now.

 

[phiber]

I'm curious as to why you waited for the upgrade. Considering what you're planning to do with it why not get an older model and save a few Rs? My Intel Core Duo model has been doing the above, and more, for years now.

Doesn't look as pretty

I can't decide if I should get one of these. Looks really good but i really wanted to see a core i5 in this thing.

 

[d0b33]

The server version has better specs, but I don't want the server OS....
http://www.apple.com/macmini/server/specs.html

not really impressed to be honest with this, I think it's better than before but yeah an i5 and graphics memory not shared would be better.

 

[SlinkyMike]

I'm curious as to why you waited for the upgrade. Considering what you're planning to do with it why not get an older model and save a few Rs?

I started out looking for a cheapie G4 but after researching a little decided I'd be in for hassles going that route then all but decided on getting the then latest Intel version... a bunch of things happened in the meantime, moving house most notably, amongst other big ticket purchases and when I came back to it the new version was rumoured so I thought I'd hold on and go for that... kind of lost faith in the rumours at one stage and really so much time has passed that I could easily have bought back then and got the new one now but as it turns out the time is right and the revision is here!

My Intel Core Duo model has been doing the above, and more, for years now.

...and mine will still be doing that when your Core Duo eventually becomes too old

It's just the timing that has worked out for me personally really, that and... SHINY!!!

...but i really wanted to see a core i5 in this thing.

I think it's better than before but yeah an i5 and graphics memory not shared would be better.

...Mini seems, to me at least to be a niche product. Those things you have mentioned seem contrary to the point as they might make it too expensive for the target market, just a thought.

 

[clasqm]

I must say got four glorious years of trouble free service from my iMac. Then it started overheating. My next apple will have to be a mini - there is nothing between it and the Mac Pro.

 

[phiber]

My next apple will have to be a mini - there is nothing between it and the Mac Pro.

I dont really understand that statement. There is a MASSIVE difference between the mini and the Mac Pro. Maybe you meant mac book pro?

 

[bwana]

I dont really understand that statement. There is a MASSIVE difference between the mini and the Mac Pro. Maybe you meant mac book pro?

He's saying the is no apple product along those lines that falls in between the mini and the MacPro.

 

[phiber]

He's saying the is no apple product along those lines that falls in between the mini and the MacPro.

Ahhhhh that makes way more sense. He is obviously not thinking of the quad core imac

 

[Dave101]

Someone please correct me if I am wrong - I am an ardent Apple user, I have almost everything that Apple have brought out in the last 5 years from iPad, iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro etc however, I cannot see why I would need this. Can someone please tell me in what situation this computer would be usefull ? Unless I am wrong - if you bought this, then you would need to buy a display, a keyboard, an external DVD reader/writer, mouse etc etc. Surely it would just be easier/neater to just buy an iMac, and then get everything all in one neat package ? The only use I can really think of, is for a remote server where it does not really need all the add-ons.

The Mac Mini has Several advantages. First of all it uses less than 10 watts when idle! Second it has an incredibly small form factor!! Third, Just look at it, it's absolutely beautiful !!! You would need to buy a display, Keyboard and mouse. (It has a built in DVD drive) { Mac Mini = at first sight !!!!!! }

 

[clasqm]

I dont really understand that statement. There is a MASSIVE difference between the mini and the Mac Pro. Maybe you meant mac book pro?

Nope. I mean I won't buy an all-in-one design again. I want the parts that get hot separated from the monitor. I've got smcFanControl running with all the fans going flat out and as soon as it hits 45 degrees the horizontal lines start showing on the screen. by 48,49 degrees the whole thing just crashes. I don't think it will survive another summer.

Like I said, I got four years of great service out of it. But now I can't even blow out the dustbunnies and the disadvantages of the design are just hitting home. I want a mac that (a) I can open up to service to some extent and (b) with a separate monitor.

What does that give us? Mini: around ten grand. Mac Pro: 22 grand for a bottom-end modeland let's not even ask about the price of the 8-core, that would pay the national debt. There really should be something in between those two.

Well, yes, there is: a Hackintosh. But I am not quite there yet.

 

[d0b33]

Nope. I mean I won't buy an all-in-one design again. I want the parts that get hot separated from the monitor. I've got smcFanControl running with all the fans going flat out and as soon as it hits 45 degrees the horizontal lines start showing on the screen. by 48,49 degrees the whole thing just crashes. I don't think it will survive another summer.

Like I said, I got four years of great service out of it. But now I can't even blow out the dustbunnies and the disadvantages of the design are just hitting home. I want a mac that (a) I can open up to service to some extent and (b) with a separate monitor.

What does that give us? Mini: around ten grand. Mac Pro: 22 grand for a bottom-end modeland let's not even ask about the price of the 8-core, that would pay the national debt. There really should be something in between those two.

Well, yes, there is: a Hackintosh. But I am not quite there yet.

Yeah this bugs me too, apple should consider a mid-range macpro. but unfortunately I don't think there is a big enough market for it.

 

[Tanya35]

Yeah this bugs me too, apple should consider a mid-range macpro. but unfortunately I don't think there is a big enough market for it.

What make you say that? I would buy one tomorrow. I also don't enjoy the limitations of a laptop masquerading as a desktop (iMac) and the Mini is small and may as well be a laptop.

 

[d0b33]

What make you say that? I would buy one tomorrow. I also don't enjoy the limitations of a laptop masquerading as a desktop (iMac) and the Mini is small and may as well be a laptop.

so maybe if enough of us email jobs we might get lucky?

 

[Synaesthesia]

Fat chance. Hackintosh if you really want one.

 

[bwana]

Fat chance. Hackintosh if you really want one.

I would. The really rather generic Mac Pro's are the most overpriced things to roll out of Cupertino as far as I am concerned.

Legalities aside, I've yet to hear a convincing argument why one shouldn't DIY one to the same specs and save a fortune in the process.