Apple releases $499 Mac mini **EDIT** Now reviewed by Anand. **EDIT again** BTO Price drops

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: jpanzload
Why can't PC case makers catch up and design something of HALF this quality (in ANY size) instead of cranking out these plastic "war helmets"?? I was half excited looking at the Antec Sonata for my new rig, thinking I'd at least found something innocuous (and possibly even vaguely elegant), but when I saw it in the store it looked like a giant lump of black Tonka Truck. Sigh...

Because war helmets sell 100 for every 1 mac. That simple.

 

[zakee00]

i have a feeling these babies will sell like hotcakes. i can tolorate WinXP for games, but for most other things i strongly belive OS10.3 is far better.
this machine will diffenately appeal to alot of people

 

[beat mania]

Is the G4 at that speed with 256MB RAM enough form OSX?

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: omissible
Don't ever, ever, ever buy memory from Apple.
Pick any other reputable vendor and install it yourself.

Like I said:

The other problem is memory. It is NOT user upgradable. You either have to pay Apple's prices for RAM, or else pay a technician to install it. It might be a good idea to wait for third party resellers to offer their free memory or cheap memory deals with this. If you install it yourself, you void the warranty.

If it's any standard type of RAM available on the free market, I could install it. I dare them to try to stop me. If you're a user who's not afraid of a screwdriver, I bet you could install it too.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Originally posted by: beat mania
Is the G4 at that speed with 256MB RAM enough form OSX?

My 1GHz eMac ran very well on 256mb of RAM. I am pretty sure the Mac mini will do even better.

 

[HomerSapien]

El Gato makes a firewire tv recorder. Sorry, I dont have any links, but you can google it.

I like the i shuffle. 90% of the time i am using shuffle, so its not a big change for me. Wow...If i hadnt just upgraded my computer, i would get one of the mac minis...

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: omissible
Don't ever, ever, ever buy memory from Apple.
Pick any other reputable vendor and install it yourself.

Like I said:

The other problem is memory. It is NOT user upgradable. You either have to pay Apple's prices for RAM, or else pay a technician to install it. It might be a good idea to wait for third party resellers to offer their free memory or cheap memory deals with this. If you install it yourself, you void the warranty.

If it's any standard type of RAM available on the free market, I could install it. I dare them to try to stop me. If you're a user who's not afraid of a screwdriver, I bet you could install it too.

judging from the open cased pic, it looks like the top sorta snaps onto the bottom, making it fairly difficult to open, even with a screwdriver. My guess is, that was an intentional so Mac could charge more for the upgrade.

 

[naddicott]

If I decide to start Dual Boxing WoW (not quite that addicted yet), the mini + KVM and a small ("15) LCD would be an ideal solution. I've been wanting to mess around with their latest developer tools for a while. I would at least wait for the next OS release as Apple always charges for their upgrades, and I'm not about to blow ~$100 for a software upgrade on a cheapo system if I can avoid it.

 

[n0cmonkey]

I'll be buying atleast one.

 

[Linux23]

Jobs is a genius.

 

[halfadder]

What's up with the RAM prices?

$67 to upgrade from 256 MB to 512 MB?
$382 to upgrade from 256 MB to 1024 MB???

I did a quick check of Apple, Gateway, and Dell RAM prices and they're all insane... although Apple is the worst offender.

If Directron and NewEgg can sell RAM cheap, why can't the big boys?

Also, Apple brags about how easy it is to upgrade the RAM on the flat panel iMac G5, yet they still charge insane RAM upgrade prices for it too. Don't they want to sell RAM????

(Prices are from the "Education/Student" section of the Apple online store)

 

[Childs]

Originally posted by: halfadder
What's up with the RAM prices?

$67 to upgrade from 256 MB to 512 MB?
$382 to upgrade from 256 MB to 1024 MB???

I did a quick check of Apple, Gateway, and Dell RAM prices and they're all insane... although Apple is the worst offender.

If Directron and NewEgg can sell RAM cheap, why can't the big boys?

Also, Apple brags about how easy it is to upgrade the RAM on the flat panel iMac G5, yet they still charge insane RAM upgrade prices for it too. Don't they want to sell RAM????

(Prices are from the "Education/Student" section of the Apple online store)

I only got 256MB with the expectation that it will not be difficult to upgrade it myself. I have a few 512MB dimms lying around...might as well use them.

 

[hopejr]

Originally posted by: naddicott
If I decide to start Dual Boxing WoW (not quite that addicted yet), the mini + KVM and a small ("15) LCD would be an ideal solution. I've been wanting to mess around with their latest developer tools for a while. I would at least wait for the next OS release as Apple always charges for their upgrades, and I'm not about to blow ~$100 for a software upgrade on a cheapo system if I can avoid it.

IIRC, if u buy a mac now, you get tiger free when it comes out.

I think I might get one of these instead of an eMac G5 (if they ever come out). iMac G5 and PowerMac G5 too expensive for me. Mac Mini, here I come!!

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: ed21x

judging from the open cased pic, it looks like the top sorta snaps onto the bottom, making it fairly difficult to open, even with a screwdriver. My guess is, that was an intentional so Mac could charge more for the upgrade.

Suit yourself, but I think that if an "authorized tech" can get inside, then so can I. I used to work on electronics, and I could get into "non-serviceable" stuff that locked together with plastic tabs without making a scratch. (There are several simple tricks to do so; one of the simplest involves a letter opener and an old T-shirt. It's not difficult, but it takes some finesse.) If it involves uncommon screwdriver bits, then I know where to order those from, too. (MCM Electronics is a good place to start. There are others as well.)

 

[halfadder]

Originally posted by: ThegonagleSuit yourself, but I think that if an "authorized tech" can get inside, then so can I. (I used to work on electronics, and I could get into "non-serviceable" stuff that locked together with plastic tabs without making a scratch. There are several simple tricks to do so; one of the simplest involves a letter opener and an old T-shirt. It's not difficult, but it takes some finesse.)

That's my opinion too. The trick is to use plastic tools for anything you need to pry/pop/spread. That's what my friend does when he has to open up notebooks for service.

I ordered the 256 MB version too.

I figured for $479 I couldn't go wrong considering that it has DVI and a really nice software bundle.

 

[sparks]

Originally posted by: dwcal

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: timswim78
I am looking forward to seeing Windows knock-offs of this. It would be sweet to have Windows machine of that size.

I am not knocking MAC's. I just prefer Windows.

http://www.mini-itx.com

NanoITX pwnz that Big Fat Oversized Mac.

- M4H

The MochaPC has been around a while, but it's pricey. $450 for a barebones. Mac Mini is cheap compared to a SFF PC.

You ain't kidding, a MochaPC similarly configured to the Mac Mini is $997...Apple sure did something right for once.

 

[halfadder]

Originally posted by: sparksYou ain't kidding, a MochaPC similarly configured to the Mac Mini is $997...Apple sure did something right for once.

Not to mention that the Mocha has onboard chipset SIS 651 graphics. Even a Radeon 7000 is better than that crap.

Mac Mini also has a nice software suite included too.

Mocha does have a nice set of I/O ports though. Great for someone who has a bunch of serial, parallel, and ps/2 accessories you don't want to have to give up.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: batmanuel
The nice thing about them using the Radeon 9200 for the graphics is that it has a bit nicer DVI output quality than the FX 5200.

Huh?

Originally posted by: ViRGE
Well Eug, I'd say it's a good time to be a Mac-addict. Now how about you say we go in on some stock?

PS for anyone thinking about WoW on a Mac, some of the shader effects still aren't supported due to the newness of the OpenGL renderer. If you're serious about WoW, you still want a PC

Heh, I had considered buying Apple stock at around $25, but didn't have extra cash to play with at that time. And now, at close to $70, it might be a bit too late.

Originally posted by: bpt8056

Originally posted by: trikster2
And via graphics versus ATI? Hmmm wonder which would be better?

The Radeon 9200 would blow it out of the water no doubt.

Blow it out of the water in what? Games? Neither of them are suitable for it. Remember, the 9200 is worse in performance compared to the 9000 and 9100 series. It's pretty much moot at this point especially with the target audience in mind.

True, the 9200 isn't great for games, but at least it is OK for older generation games, for light gaming. IIRC, the Via is completely useless for any type of gaming, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Originally posted by: sauria
I wonder how hot it runs? My G4/1.42 DP is a hot machine -- CPUS around 57°C all the time

The DP 1.42 uses the 0.18 um G4 7455. The G4 7447A in the Mac mini is 0.13 um and two generations later. I have a 1.7 GHz 7447A in a Cube, and with an undervolted low flo Panaflo in a Cube, the thing runs cool. In fact, I was able to run this thing FANLESS for hours of benchmarking no problems. (I don't run fanless all the time though since the Cube was getting pretty warm.)

Anyways, as for performance. I find the 1.25 G4 7455 will show a few slowdowns but overall it's quite fine. My 1.7 GHz G4 7447A is noticeably faster in some things, but general OS use they're usually indisguishable.

Then again I found my Celeron Tualatin 1.4 GHz quite speedy too, when it came to just OS stuff. Video encoding is completely different story of course though.

Note. OS X DEMANDS memory. 512 MB should be considered a good minimum. 1+ GB is you plan on using iMovie lots. OS X slows right down if you do more than one thing at a time with 256 MB.

P.S. Some recent history of the G4.

7455 - 18 um, 256 KB L2, support for L3
7457 - 13 um, 512 KB L2, support for L3
7447 - 13 um, 512 KB L2, no support for L3
7447A - 13 um but cooler than 7447, 512 KB L2, no support for L3

And the 90 nm 7448 is coming soon (already sampling). It should hit up to 2 GHz quickly, and it has 1 MB L2, no L3 support.

Dual core is coming too, with the same innards as the 7448, but with an integrated memory controller supporting DDR2.

 

[manly]

Was everything new announced today? Or will updated Power Mac or PowerBooks be unwrapped later this week?

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: beat mania
Is the G4 at that speed with 256MB RAM enough form OSX?

If all you do is surf web and check email, yes. If you plan on doing anything else, you'll need 512MB.

 

[ponyo]

Will regular PC2700 or PC3200 ddr ram work or will I need to buy some special ram? This mini paired with Dell 2005FPW would make for a sweet combo.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: beat mania
Is the G4 at that speed with 256MB RAM enough form OSX?

If all you do is surf web and check email, yes. If you plan on doing anything else, you'll need 512MB.

Originally posted by: manly
Was everything new announced today? Or will updated Power Mac or PowerBooks be unwrapped later this week?

That's it for Apple updates, new products, Jobs has spoken.

 

[batmanuel]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: batmanuel
The nice thing about them using the Radeon 9200 for the graphics is that it has a bit nicer DVI output quality than the FX 5200.

Huh?

It is well known that on the FX 5200 the TMDS is typically of subpar quality, while even the lowly 9200 features ATi's integrated TMDS that is fully compliant all the way up to 165MHz, giving you slightly better DVI image quality with a large high-res LCD (which aren't as expensive as they used to be anymore).

I'm glad Apple has gone with the ATi cards on this model. I've always seen it as a sad joke on their customers for Apple to be selling their base-model PowerMacs with FX 5200s, considering that they are intended to be used with the 20" and above Cinema Displays. The 6800DDL has nice DVI quality, but the FX 5200 is trash because it is not only a bad 3D card but also not so hot of a 2D card, either.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Will regular PC2700 or PC3200 ddr ram work or will I need to buy some special ram? This mini paired with Dell 2005FPW would make for a sweet combo.

From the internal pic (http://images.apple.com/macmin...gninsides20050111.jpg) it looks regular DIMM. So any PC2700 CAS3 RAM will do. But if you want max compatiblility, check Crucial.com when Mac Mini become available in the memory selector, then buy the equivalent crucial RAM from newegg.com.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: batmanuel

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: batmanuel
The nice thing about them using the Radeon 9200 for the graphics is that it has a bit nicer DVI output quality than the FX 5200.

Huh?

It is well known that on the FX 5200 the TMDS is typically of subpar quality, while even the lowly 9200 features ATi's integrated TMDS that is fully compliant all the way up to 165MHz, giving you slightly better DVI image quality with a large high-res LCD (which aren't as expensive as they used to be anymore).

I'm glad Apple has gone with the ATi cards on this model. I've always seen it as a sad joke on their customers for Apple to be selling their base-model PowerMacs with FX 5200s, considering that they are intended to be used with the 20" and above Cinema Displays. The 6800DDL has nice DVI quality, but the FX 5200 is trash because it is not only a bad 3D card but also not so hot of a 2D card, either.

The Mac nVidia cards are of better quality than average PC nVidia cards. All of the ADC/DVI nVidia cards work fine with the 23" Cinema Displays.