Apple Mac Mini Review (mid 2010): My Take

[erikistired]

in this thread. anti-mac zealot tells apple zealots not to take his completely biased review of mac hardware personally.

also, i'm a pc user.

 

[jihe]

if apple sells this for 200, which is about what it's worth, i'd be all in praise.

 

[madeuce]

Agree, total ripoff. But that's apple for you.

Dude, you can hack the lcd off most laptops and get better performance than the mac mini. Selling crap for gold is what apple does.

if apple sells this for 200, which is about what it's worth, i'd be all in praise.

Did Steve get your little sis pregnant or what?

 

[VinylxScratches]

For years that was the best way to excuse the overpriced mini. That doesn't fly this year:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Nearly same size. Much stronger processor. Blu Ray drive. 4GB RAM. Comes WITH the remote and USB3. Hundreds less than equivalent $999 Mac Mini model.

Today a Mac Mini can be nothing but yet another overpriced Apple computer, there is nothing special about it anymore.

Which is why, until Apple comes to its senses with its desktop line, I am more than happy to hackintosh....

This is pretty impressive but it needs a OS and Bluray software so it doesn't really beat the snot out of the Mini IMO.

 

[poofyhairguy]

But what Simmons said still stands, after the cost of software you are right up there with the cost of an upgraded mini.

Not even close. Windows 7 only costs $150:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-716-_-Product

So there is still another $150 worth of cost unaccounted for.

I know what you are gonna say: "Still not as nice as OSX, and iLife, and..."

And to that I say:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-076-_-Product

The Snow Leopard box set is even cheaper than Windows 7. That set plus Empire EFI equals a better Mac Mini at hundreds less with an almost useless Blu Ray player (even though I use the one in my hackintosh to rip disks). I could hackintosh that thing in one try.

And yes, you can say that the aesthetics and the easier use of OSX justifies the extra cost. I won't argue against that point.

But in the end, in 2010 the Mac Mini only really wins the "cheapest small Mac" category and not "cheapest small real computer" category anymore....

 

[v12v12]

For years that was the best way to excuse the overpriced mini. That doesn't fly this year:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

Nearly same size. Much stronger processor. Blu Ray drive. 4GB RAM. Comes WITH the remote and USB3. Hundreds less than equivalent $999 Mac Mini model.

Today a Mac Mini can be nothing but yet another overpriced Apple computer, there is nothing special about it anymore.

Which is why, until Apple comes to its senses with its desktop line, I am more than happy to hackintosh....

I would like to point out another "Apples" to oranges comparison: How can anyone reasonably expect a TINY 3rd party vendor/IC manufacturer(s) or any other's in the same production-class (nearly all of the "PC" world is made from these tiny manu's) to compete with APPLE?... A HUGE, mega/global conglomerate that does ALL of their production in-house, from the ground-up and has decades of business; secrets, planning, strategy, marketing, advertising, and deeply rooted political and business ties around the WORLD?

So it's reasonable to compare a competitively priced AsRock/etc. to APPLE? Lmfao, that's like comparing Tyson Chicken to the local chicken shack in your area. Yeah umm, NOT reasonable at all. Apple is charging nearly 40% more than wtf this ~4 CPU generations OUT OF DATE, mini is actually "worth."

(Please omit taste for this analogy) When you take a look at what the small "competition" has to offer Vs Apple Farms, it should tell you something like this;

"Hey what gives... Apple Farms is HUGE, they are selling us a lot of spoiling apples, packed together in smaller, cooler looking basket. The guy down the road is selling us fresh oranges, but in a bigger basket, and for nearly the same price? WHY is Apple Farms charging us so much more for a little more fruit, in a smaller box, but the fruit will soon ROT, then we'll be stuck or have to BUY SOME MORE apples from the farm?!" ()🙂

"Damn... well I guess I can still show my guest/friends/fam the cool little box all these Apples came in! Ehh, this bigger oranges box; I might wanna hide it out of sight—it looks 'old...' I sure hope nobody asks about the Apples in that little box... they are starting to smell!" :sneaky:

 

[DaveSimmons]

Your trolling about "refurb parts" and rotten fruit is silly.

Go to Newegg.com and notice that ASRock manufactures more than two dozen different motherboards. It's a spin-off of an obscure little company known as Asus.

 

[jihe]

Did Steve get your little sis pregnant or what?

Just calling a spade a spade. Sick of anand's love fest wih apple.

 

[TheStu]

Why do people care? Why do they care if people buy the Mini? I mean, we get it, they don't like it, they think it is overpriced, underpowered, and maybe even ugly to boot. But why do they care if their neighbor gets one?

 

[geecee]

I am primarily a Windows user, but my daughter had been using Macs for a digital media class she was taking. So last year, I bought a Mac Mini for the house. As a Windows user, I was very impressed by OS X. It's very polished, and the bundled apps (iLife) are actually quite nice and very usable right out of the box, and the whole package runs very well on the supplied hardware.

Is the Mini overpriced? Most certainly. Even worse is that Apple charges an arm and a leg for upgrades. Want 4GB of RAM or a 320 GB HD? Be ready to shell out nearly double the cost of the base Mini (2009 models at least). But I picked up my Mini at the outlet store reconditioned for $499. Following some very helpful youtube videos (see spackling/putty knife), I did my own RAM and HD upgrade. Did I buy their KB/mouse combo? No, I used an old MS kb/mouse I had lying around (they were white). Did I buy the ridiculously overpriced Apple displays? No, I hooked it up to an old 17" LCD that I had left over from another system (not white unfortunately). All told, without including my own labor costs, I got their $900-1000 Mini for around $650. At that price, it was very reasonable, I thought. If I had to pay Apple's price for it, we would still be a Mac-less household. Either that or I would have gone the Hackintosh route.

Ultimately, Apple is a business. They do what they do in order to make money. If people speak with their wallets and purses, and buy their products (despite their price/shortcomings), then Apple is doing something right. They are giving their customers what they want. Will I, personally, overpay for an Apple product? No, but apparently many people don't feel the same way. I may not agree with their reasons, but they earned their money, and they are free to spend it as they see fit.

 

[slackerinabox]

You nerds are FUCKING RIDICULOUS. You say that the mac mini's a total rip off (at $699 base) and prove it by linking to an uber ugly, operating system free Asrock BAREBONE and proclaim it a great value at $699! Idiots, you're all idiots..Specs are, of course, different - but how can you not account for build quality, materials, support, operating system, user experience, reliability, etc?

 

[jihe]

You nerds are FUCKING RIDICULOUS. You say that the mac mini's a total rip off (at $699 base) and prove it by linking to an uber ugly, operating system free Asrock BAREBONE and proclaim it a great value at $699! Idiots, you're all idiots..Specs are, of course, different - but how can you not account for build quality, materials, support, operating system, user experience, reliability, etc?

Well one should really compare the mac mini to a laptop with the lcd and keyboard hacked off. Then you will realize what a load of crap the claim that the mac mini is "energy efficient" is.

 

[postmortemIA]

there's perfectly fine alternative to mac mini, but it has worse CPU:
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-zino-hd/fs

 

[erikistired]

I am primarily a Windows user, but my daughter had been using Macs for a digital media class she was taking. So last year, I bought a Mac Mini for the house. As a Windows user, I was very impressed by OS X. It's very polished, and the bundled apps (iLife) are actually quite nice and very usable right out of the box, and the whole package runs very well on the supplied hardware.

Is the Mini overpriced? Most certainly. Even worse is that Apple charges an arm and a leg for upgrades. Want 4GB of RAM or a 320 GB HD? Be ready to shell out nearly double the cost of the base Mini (2009 models at least). But I picked up my Mini at the outlet store reconditioned for $499. Following some very helpful youtube videos (see spackling/putty knife), I did my own RAM and HD upgrade. Did I buy their KB/mouse combo? No, I used an old MS kb/mouse I had lying around (they were white). Did I buy the ridiculously overpriced Apple displays? No, I hooked it up to an old 17" LCD that I had left over from another system (not white unfortunately). All told, without including my own labor costs, I got their $900-1000 Mini for around $650. At that price, it was very reasonable, I thought. If I had to pay Apple's price for it, we would still be a Mac-less household. Either that or I would have gone the Hackintosh route.

Ultimately, Apple is a business. They do what they do in order to make money. If people speak with their wallets and purses, and buy their products (despite their price/shortcomings), then Apple is doing something right. They are giving their customers what they want. Will I, personally, overpay for an Apple product? No, but apparently many people don't feel the same way. I may not agree with their reasons, but they earned their money, and they are free to spend it as they see fit.

apple does charge a ridiculous amount for upgrades on their BTO machines. that said, the new mini is easier to access and upgrade than the older model.

 

[madeuce]

Well one should really compare the mac mini to a laptop with the lcd and keyboard hacked off. Then you will realize what a load of crap the claim that the mac mini is "energy efficient" is.

Nice try man.

Lets call that "plan B"

Keep trying

 

[poofyhairguy]

You nerds are FUCKING RIDICULOUS. You say that the mac mini's a total rip off (at $699 base) and prove it by linking to an uber ugly, operating system free Asrock BAREBONE and proclaim it a great value at $699! Idiots, you're all idiots..Specs are, of course, different - but how can you not account for build quality, materials, support, operating system, user experience, reliability, etc?

This my friends is why these threads are worthless. You can never win an argument like this with Apple Zealots.

Even if you show them a machine that rolled out of the same factory in China as an equivalent Mac, is tougher than an equivalent Mac, can run OSX as well (or better) as an equivalent Mac, for hundreds less than an equivalent Mac, a Mac Zealot will complain that you don't get any support from Apple or that the box it came in isn't white so that hundreds of dollars of difference for the same thing (or worse) is worth it and therefore the equivalent Mac is a better value.

There is no point in even having these discussions, because in the end you learn the only computers that dare be compared to precious Macs are other Macs.

I mean, if "specs" don't matter when you are talking about computers, then what is the conversation REALLY about? How much you liked how your new computer matches your drapes in the living room?

The fact of the matter is: YES, Mac are more expensive than equivalent x86 machines, and most of the time the price difference you pay is for some aesthetic advantage and to be able to run OSX in a way that Steve approves. The Apple Tax is real, it exists, and is why Apple can sell a tenth of computers that HP does and roll in more profits.

With that said, I have no problem with someone deciding that this Apple Tax is worth the money for them. Each to their own, I am personally happy that they are spending anything on tech (because it makes tech cheaper for me). Just don't pretend you are getting a deal- there are is a reason few Macs pop up on the Hot Deals thread.

But I will say this thread shows why I always let Apple Zealots in my life play with my main Hackintosh desktop at my house when they first come over. Once they feel how much faster my hackintosh is than their iMac at home (for less money), I never have to hear another word from them about how superior Macs are.

Its the only way to "win" the argument.....

 

[madeuce]

I know, Apple should make a computer that's cheaper and faster than everyone else on the market. It should also do everything you want it to. It needs to be the fastest thing on AC current, and yet be small, quiet, look good and use no power.

 

[postmortemIA]

I know, Apple should make a computer that's cheaper and faster than everyone else on the market. It should also do everything you want it to. It needs to be the fastest thing on AC current, and yet be small, quiet, look good and use no power.

They don't have to, as long as current market model works for them: as long as they have customers/zealots/sheep willing to buy them. In fact every company would love to have high profit margins as Apple does. But from consumer perspective, it also means that all their produces are overpriced.

 

[madeuce]

from consumer perspective, it also means that all their produces are overpriced.

That's funny, I'm a consumer and I didn't know that they were overpriced.

Is a faster processor going to play my movie quicker? ( I hope not)
Is more ram going to make my MP3s sound better? (While cool, not likely)

Most of the non-computer nerds that I know could care less about some numbers on a spec sheet. They want something that has minimal maintenance and just works. That's where Apple has the competition by the balls.

My wife, who was a proud windows maniac before I met her, told me to buy a $3,000 dollar Mac Pro instead of build a PC for $800 to use as a desktop just a couple weeks ago.

Hard to put a price on things like not getting viruses/malware, design, user experience.

The biggest problem is everyone wants Apple to design exclusively for them. The other manufacturers don't have this problem because windows machines are a dime a dozen and you can get them from everyone and their mom.

 

[erikistired]

They don't have to, as long as current market model works for them: as long as they have customers/zealots/sheep willing to buy them. In fact every company would love to have high profit margins as Apple does. But from consumer perspective, it also means that all their produces are overpriced.

actually, as long as they corner the market on OS X they'll do fine. not everyone can or wants to build a hackintosh, before you start screaming about that. the average user doesn't care about that, they want something that works. as was said above, apple seems to do that well.

 

[AndroidVageta]

I didnt realize that OSX just works and Windows 7 is a broken POS...

 

[slackerinabox]

This my friends is why these threads are worthless. You can never win an argument like this with Apple Zealots.

Even if you show them a machine that rolled out of the same factory in China as an equivalent Mac, is tougher than an equivalent Mac, can run OSX as well (or better) as an equivalent Mac, for hundreds less than an equivalent Mac, a Mac Zealot will complain that you don't get any support from Apple or that the box it came in isn't white so that hundreds of dollars of difference for the same thing (or worse) is worth it and therefore the equivalent Mac is a better value.

There is no point in even having these discussions, because in the end you learn the only computers that dare be compared to precious Macs are other Macs.

I mean, if "specs" don't matter when you are talking about computers, then what is the conversation REALLY about? How much you liked how your new computer matches your drapes in the living room?

The fact of the matter is: YES, Mac are more expensive than equivalent x86 machines, and most of the time the price difference you pay is for some aesthetic advantage and to be able to run OSX in a way that Steve approves. The Apple Tax is real, it exists, and is why Apple can sell a tenth of computers that HP does and roll in more profits.

With that said, I have no problem with someone deciding that this Apple Tax is worth the money for them. Each to their own, I am personally happy that they are spending anything on tech (because it makes tech cheaper for me). Just don't pretend you are getting a deal- there are is a reason few Macs pop up on the Hot Deals thread.

But I will say this thread shows why I always let Apple Zealots in my life play with my main Hackintosh desktop at my house when they first come over. Once they feel how much faster my hackintosh is than their iMac at home (for less money), I never have to hear another word from them about how superior Macs are.

Its the only way to "win" the argument.....

Haha- I'm not a mac zealot . I just understand the price premium and think that aesthetics, simplicity, and a convenient dealer network's more valuable than many here admit to. And I love the windows world - I'm typing this on my brand new thinkpad, and I think I'm in love. Finally, a windows PC that's not built like a toy! Anyways, I have:
1. Lenovo s10 netbook = awesome
2. HP laptop = looked good in pictures, feels like a toy
3. Dell vostro v13 = looks great, dented in about 30 seconds
4. Home made quad code amd desktop
5. iMac 2008
6. Thinkpad = I'm in love
7. Macbook black, circa 2009

As you can see, my house is mainly a windows household. Though my freelance video editing career is based solely on my iMac, and I appreciate it's build quality, it's "just works" ethics, and oddly the fact that I don't have any games on it, which makes it a great business tool. I also like that, when I had a hardware issue last year, I just drove it to a store, dropped it off, and picked it up the next day. When my msi wind had an lcd issue? I could have sent it in, waited a few weeks and.. blah, I just threw it away and got a new netbook.. My closet's a graveyard of broken or outdated components. Aside from ram and an upgrade to snow leopard, I feel that my $1,600 iMac investment's pretty sound and my computer far from obsolete.. Let's also not forget about resale value.

This coming from the nerd who made my household a zune household (who still gets a little red in the face when my wife ribs me about the 'awesome' zune app store that has 4 apps).

 

[madeuce]

Haha- I'm not a mac zealot . I just understand the price premium and think that aesthetics, simplicity, and a convenient dealer network's more valuable than many here admit to.

Sorry, I don't buy it. You think there is more to a computing experience than specs? You must be an Apple Zealot, fanboy and iSheep.
😀

 

[pukemon]

Comparing Apples with Apples sort of but... the Mac Mini is a tough sell when you can get a current gen Macbook Pro 13" at Micro Center for $1000. Yes, it's $300 more but it has slightly better specs (hey at least you get 4GB of RAM), and a bit more utility out of the box. (full blown portable computer, decent weight, very good battery life, durable construction at least vs the polycarbonate on the white macbook, very nice screen...) So I kind of agree the mini is a ripoff. But I think that the base Macbook Pro for a grand is actually pretty good deal for what you get.

 

[JSt0rm]

It seems to me the zealots are the anti apple folks. They spend a load of time reaffirming each others notions about why apple sucks. I honestly don't even think about it. The mac mini hits a price point in the entire mac line up - not in the entire computer world.

If there was no such thing as a hackintosh somehow I think you people would find more value in macs lower end hardware. As it stands and is the problem with cheap knock offs in any market segment - they lower the value of the actual brand.