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

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bchalker

Golden Member
Feb 17, 2000
1,204
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I'm a PC guy who loves the OS X interface. I'm impressed with the mini, but if anyone is considering this for even moderate video or Photoshop tasks you may want to think twice. If the hard drive is a notebook drive (I suspect it is, when NO mention of the RPM/size specs are to be found), it is possibly 4200 RPM. Don't do video/PS work on a 4200 drive. It'll drive you nuts. Make sure it's 5400+ before purchasing. IMHO.

So far it looks nice. I'd like one :)




 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
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?
I think he's blowing smoke. EVery test I've seen has shown DVI output to be directly related to manufacturer and use of an external TDMS(sp) transmitter, rather than chipset, with PNY, and Gainward being towards the top (not many roundups on the issue, though, hence I haven't seen Leadtek, Sapphire, or BFG card tests).

Apple has more to do with it than chipset choice. However, they've been using ATI for a long time, and that probably has a wee something to do with it.
 

hopejr

Senior member
Nov 8, 2004
841
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I've noticed that the Mac mini's specs are very similar to the eMac. I hope that means that the eMac will have an upgrade soon, and hopefully that will be a G5. A similar thing happened when the eMacs specs became similar to the lampshade iMac and then the iMac G5 came out.

Actually, the higher end Mac mini has better specs than an eMac (apart from the lack of display, keyboard and mouse), so there would need to be an upgrade IMHO.
 

joem33

Junior Member
Jan 1, 2005
21
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Apple Mac mini M9686LL/A $500 01/12/2005

Amazon.com has the Apple Mac mini M9686LL/A (G4 1.25GHz, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CR-RW Drive) at $499.99. Free shipping.

# 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 running Mac OS X version 10.3 "Panther"
# 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 40 GB hard drive, slot-loading Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
# One FireWire 400 port; two USB 2.0 ports, DVI output, VGA monitor output (adapter included), and headphone/audio line out
 

metalmania

Platinum Member
May 7, 2002
2,039
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Don't worrry about the memory. Four years ago I upgraded the memory on an ibook with the "centon" brand in Circuit City, no problems. This summer I upgraded two ibooks with Kingston DDR266 value sticks, no problems. There are no differences between Apple and PC in memory configuration. Get a Kingston Value or Crucial ordinary, done!
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,176
1,816
126
Originally posted by: metalmania
Don't worrry about the memory. Four years ago I upgraded the memory on an ibook with the "centon" brand in Circuit City, no problems. This summer I upgraded two ibooks with Kingston DDR266 value sticks, no problems. There are no differences between Apple and PC in memory configuration. Get a Kingston Value or Crucial ordinary, done!
The iBook memory is user upgradable. The Mac mini memory isn't.
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
Originally posted by: Ulukia
Wonder if there is a way to make this portable? Like you would a console.
It's the size of a frickin' gamecube! All it lacks for true portability is a S-Video output.
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
Originally posted by: bharok
Originally posted by: jdogg707
Originally posted by: bharok
Originally posted by: jdogg707
Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
KVM

Great idea, but where can I get a KVM that shares two USB devices?

apple is selling a kvm on their site

Couldn't find it, care to give me a link?

http://www.apple.com/macmini/accessories.html
the KVM is about halfway down

This might be better. Is cheaper, and will do what you want it to do.

Originally posted by: Cerb
Originally posted by: Ulukia
Wonder if there is a way to make this portable? Like you would a console.
It's the size of a frickin' gamecube! All it lacks for true portability is a S-Video output.

Solution
 

Ulukia

Senior member
Oct 4, 2003
783
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What I ment was an LCD that could be attached to the top, like the consoles. The keyboard and mouse, on the other hand, would have to be seperate. Heck, maybe there is a small enough UPS out there to use as a battery. The cable mentioned above is a nice idea.
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
Originally posted by: Ulukia
What I ment was an LCD that could be attached to the top, like the consoles. The keyboard and mouse, on the other hand, would have to be seperate. Heck, maybe there is a small enough UPS out there to use as a battery. The cable mentioned above is a nice idea.

What about doing a little modding and use this?
 

meson2000

Senior member
Jul 18, 2001
749
7
81
How can you call Jobs a genius?

He made a 100% copy of a PC design that has been around for years. All Jobs did was go to his engineering department, see this cool PC design.. lets build a Mac the exact same way and try to pass it as our own idea.....

Apple is a waste.....
 

imported_Lucifer

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 2004
5,139
1
0
Originally posted by: meson2000
How can you call Jobs a genius?

He made a 100% copy of a PC design that has been around for years. All Jobs did was go to his engineering department, see this cool PC design.. lets build a Mac the exact same way and try to pass it as our own idea.....

Apple is a waste.....

Apple had the Cube since 2000.
 

Coherence

Senior member
Jul 26, 2002
337
0
0
Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
Thats awesome. Now I regret buying my 1GHz eMac for 700 bucks back in April of 2004!!!!! :(

Anyways, I was also looking at that iPod shuffle. Its kind of ugly. But you have to read this!!! Its hilarious!!!! :D

1: Music capacity is based on 4 minutes per song and 128Kbps AAC encoding.

2: Do not eat iPod shuffle.


What in the hell???

Here is the link

Just scroll all the way down to the where it shows the ipod shuffle attached to the notebook.
Apple IPOD SHUFFLE!
-only $99.99-


Warning: Pregnant women, the elderly and children under 10 should avoid prolonged exposure to iPod Shuffle.
Caution: iPod Shuffle may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds.

iPod Shuffle Contains a liquid core, which, if exposed due to rupture, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

Do not use iPod Shuffle on concrete.

Discontinue use of iPod Shuffle if any of the following occurs:
Itching
Vertigo
Dizziness
Tingling in extremities
Loss of balance or coordination
Slurred speech
Temporary blindness
Profuse sweating
Heart palpitations

If iPod Shuffle begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.
iPod Shuffle may stick to certain types of skin.

When not in use, iPod Shuffle should be returned to its special container and kept under refrigeration...

Failure to do so relieves the makers of iPod Shuffle, Apple Computers Incorporated, and its parent company Almighty Jobs Unlimited, of any and all liability.

Ingredients of iPod Shuffle include an unknown glowing substance which fell to Earth, presumably from outer space.

iPod Shuffle has been shipped to our troops in Saudi Arabia and is also being dropped by our warplanes on Iraq.

Do not taunt iPod Shuffle.

iPod Shuffle comes with a lifetime guarantee.

iPod Shuffle

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!
 

meson2000

Senior member
Jul 18, 2001
749
7
81
I'm not saying that it is wrong. In fact Apple will be more sucessful with the Mac Mini than the obscure PC makers that originated the design. However, I don't believe that Steve Jobs should be called the 'second coming' like many people already have....

 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
Originally posted by: meson2000
I'm not saying that it is wrong. In fact Apple will be more sucessful with the Mac Mini than the obscure PC makers that originated the design. However, I don't believe that Steve Jobs should be called the 'second coming' like many people already have....

Can you find something that predates the Cube?
 

halfadder

Golden Member
Dec 5, 2004
1,190
0
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Steve Jobs has always loved cubes. He had two cubes just a couple years after his Macintosh in 1984...
Pixar Image Computer:
48 bit color (12 bits per Red, Green, Blue, Alpha channels) 3D on the the desktop in 1988
http://www.specktech.com/PixarImageComputer.html

NeXT Cube:
Also from 1988, totally new object oriented OS (based on the Mach kernel and BSD4.2 userland) and software development tools on running on a Motorola CPU and a Motorola DSP. Graphics were all done in Postscript. Mac OS X is based on this technology, although it's more advanced and has more of a PDF slant today.
http://www.old-computers.com/m...ter.asp?st=1&c=277
 

Macro2

Diamond Member
May 20, 2000
4,874
0
0
No Keyboard or mouse? Where you gonna get those?

OK no monitor... I can live with that.
 

krackato

Golden Member
Aug 10, 2000
1,058
0
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I like it. I wonder if you can edit HDV on that thing. HDV editing for $500 would be sweet.