[hudson1]

It only makes sense that a keyboard and mouse are NOT included. A significant portion of the market wants wireless peripherals so including a USB KB and mouse for these customers would just be a waste.

The general lack of upgradability is not a show-stopper. It's my guess that the vast majority of low-price PC owners never make a significant upgrade to their PCs. They bought those things because of the low price and not for the option to make them expensive. Remember, most of these cheap PCs don't even have a "real" graphics card anyway. If they did, they wouldn't be nearly as cheap as they are.

For the most part, these computers are essentially what I would call a multi-functional appliance. They provide internet access, e-mail, word processing, etc. They're like refrigerators to many people but Apple's "appliance" will be much easier to use, especially when it comes to things like iPhoto and iTunes.

The Mac mini will be a bit hit. As others have said, it's the Cube for the rest of us.

[discotronic]

If something like this had been available a few months ago I would have picked one up. I bought my brother a B&W G3. After all the upgrades (Combo drive, new hard drive, replaced modem, RAM, OS X 10.3, iLife, and more) I could have bought him the Mac mini and I would have spent about the same for a system that is light years faster.

I am sure that he will get a Mac mini. Unfortunately, the price of the G3 has probably dropped a bit. That's fine with me though. I wouldn't mind getting it back if he can't get a good price out of it

[elvis2000]

A "similarly" configured 20" iMac would cost $2202. You would get a faster G5 and 160GB hard drive, but save nearly $450. So if you don't *really* need a G5, save the money. What am I missing?

JW

Originally posted by mamamia:
This computer would suit your needs fine, but you must realize you have crept into 20 inch imac terrotory in price. i know you don't want to get an imac, but i estimate that the imac will be satsifying to use literally twice as long as your loaded mac mini. The G5 and 64 mb graphics will simply run circles around the mac mini. if i were you, it would be a no brainer. besides, in three years when you are ready to sell the imac, 20 inch displays will probably cost $200, and you'll be salivating over the 30 inch display for $599.

[Crusoe]

Well I was thinking of just getting an external fw harddrive but one of these would rock IF you could just power up the harddrive with the firewire. Someone please hack in this functionality I'm now thoroughly confused as to what new Mac to buy but have to March to decide.

[SouthPaW1227]

Originally posted by Crusoe:
Well I was thinking of just getting an external fw harddrive but one of these would rock IF you could just power up the harddrive with the firewire. Someone please hack in this functionality I'm now thoroughly confused as to what new Mac to buy but have to March to decide.

You'd hafta have it connected to your other Mac via FireWire, then boot the Mini Mac & hold down "T" while booting. It'll boot in Target Firewire Mode, acting solely as a FW drive. You MUST have a KB to do it, though.

[notorious426]

I've spoken to a few friends apple the new mini mac and they are fascinated that they can use their old monitor, keyboard and mouse with the mac. I think they really hit a home run with this one. Hopefully more people switch as a result. I switched about a month ago now dread having to use my PC desktop. (I own an iBook). If I could somehow talk my brother into getting a mini mac all would be right with the world.

[siflippant]

Originally posted by mbryda:
Or the salesguy says "You just need this $10 PS2 to USB adapter".

That would be the more realistic thing to do.

Nice try, Troll.

[Gamoe]

Let me summarize my own lists of Pros and Cons, as Simon did.

Pros:

"Headless": Talk is over-- Now we have a headless Mac! Plug in whatever display you have. A CRT, your old PC monitor, a fancy LCD-- it's up to you! You're no longer limited by the display, or have to pay for a display you'd rather not have (like the eMac in many people's cases).

Affordable: Once again, the most affordable Mac ever. "Under" $500-- this WILL persuade many otherwise would be buyers to get a Mac. This is probably the BIGGEST selling point this machine has, obviously, apart from being a Mac and running Mac OS X, and all other Mac benefits. This is a humbler, much more affordable Cube re-incarnate. This is a Cube/Rectangle for the masses! Even headless, Apple is no "punishing" us by pushing up the price, in proportion to other models for this feature. You can still buy a decent 17" CRT and have it end up costing less than an $800 eMac with the same specs.

Small, Unique Design: In true Apple style, this thing is small. Not only is it small, but it has all it's own style. it's different from anything out there that you can get, especially at $500. I love small form factor PCs, but they always cost more than PCs with the regular, bulky PC cases. Here, the opposite is true. The smallest Mac is the most affordable.

SuperDrive Option: This opens up more possibilities with the mini, and will surely attract more users than a combo only, though I suspect many will need only a combo drive.

Cons:

Keyboard/Mouse: A small inconvenience, and somewhat understandable given that this mini is targeted at switchers in part, but for that very same reason, shouldn't users have the complete Mac experience, including Apple keyboard and mouse. But, again a very small issue.

Not user upgradable: I would rather see the mini get a little bigger and have room to accommodate an alternative video card and an extra PCI card. But, again, most users the mini is targeted at will not find this an issue, though I do think a replaceable graphics card would have attracted more gamers to this Mac. Also, not being able to upgrade RAM or install an Airport Extreme card without voiding the warranty is a definite minus. Of course, the addition of user upgradability might also detract potential eMac/iMac buyers.


In conclusion, I think this is a great new Mac line (though I would've perhaps given it another name, but hey if it worked for the iPod, right?), and great way to start the year for the platform. Now we have more choice, and a more affordable option. That can't be bad. It's almost sure that we will have more, happy Mac users by the end of this year, thanks to this Mac mini.

[MikeD]

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
That's not an upgrade for you, just pop in a new hard drive and video card.

Yeah, already did one HD.. I guess another won't hurt.. But if I could only ditch the loud fans... sigh.. better just upgrade to a G5 tower!

[Disgruntled Head of C-3PO]

Cons:

No Mic input
One RAM slot
1 Gig dimm VERY expensive
No speakers
External brick power supply

[osxisfun]

Pro: Its famine and drought resistant.

[slider]

Pro: It's $500
Con: It's not a Pro Mac*

*Non-Pro Mac does included DVI connector.

[Gamoe]

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Cons:

No Mic input
One RAM slot
1 Gig dimm VERY expensive
No speakers
External brick power supply

True, but:

The Mic issue be remedied by a USB mic/audio in device.
One slot should be enough for the purposes of this machine, also you can buy memory from other vendors, I supppose. Speakers are extra, it has an internal speaker, I don't see why it needs to come with expensive external ones.-- Better to leave this choice up to the customer.

[Gamoe]

The only thing that I am really starting to worry about is not being able to add RAM or an Airport card without going to "an Apple authorized dealer", getting it BTO or voiding the warrantee. We'd have to hear the real story from actual users/buyer once it's out. It might not be as complicated as Apple makes it out to be.

[mdog]

Basically I agree with the earlier statement that the bar is lowered (but of course not destroyed yet). Here are two experiences I had at work with opposite results.

I work in a company with 3 large art departments that use mostly mac. Three blocks away is an apple store. A pc using girl at work went to applestore and inquired about the mac mini. The response:
-we don't have it here yet, but you can order one
-if you want to use photoshop you'll need the extra $475 for ram
-extra $58 for a keyboard and mouse
-she was told she 'may' be able to use her old monitor but she might need an adapter.

Now she's over $1000 with no monitor. She went online and with our company discount she can get a faster Dull laptop for $1300 or for about $728 a faster Dull desktop with: more ram, color laser printer that also acts as a fax and scanner, a 17" monitor which for $30 can upgrade to 20". Basically a room full of equipment for less.

She asked what she should do: $1000 for minimac or the (blah) better PC workstation for less, but comes with everything like the iMac does. But iMac she feels is still overpriced by double for what you get.

I can't honestly tell her to plop down $1000 for the minimac and use her dingy old monitor when she can get a whole pc with everything for less. Plus paying $1000's for photoshop, quark, etc. Also since the mac version of office doesn't have Access which we use to track products she would need a pc emulator...basically she could buy two better pc systems for the price of the mini mac.

Person #2 comes up to me in the hallway today. They bought their kid an imac for their birthday and an ipod for xmas. This person has a pc which they hate now that they've played on the imac. They have the new pc workstation they bought recently already (nice keyboard, big new monitor, color printer, etc.).

To this person I did say: mac is better, try the mini mac, you'll like it. You don't use photoshop or anything like that so you won't need to buy a ton of software, etc. and the kid's imac has office already. This guy is actually going to switch and he'll be fine afterwards.

Different strokes for different folks.

[mdog]

...I'm still working on PC girl #2 though:

If you can add your own ram, then that would be only like $150 or less. And I dug up a mouse/keyboard from a g3 for free. So it would be like:

$650 for a decent computer, but she'll supply her old monitor for now.

She'll still need the emulator to run PC Office with Access (not available in mac version of office).

[mbryda]

Was that an Apple store or a reseller?

I'm confused - for PS you probably only need the 512MB upgrade, which is $75.

The Apple website states clearly you can use your VGA monitor.

Keyboard and mouse, if you need them - buy from MacMall - they throw them in free.

Or just plop down for the iMac - it's a tad more expensive, but you get a faster machine, display, etc.

[mdog]

The actual Apple store.

Photoshop bites with 512 MB I guess. I'm thinking the emac is actually a better option:

Mini
1.25mhz, 80 gig hd, 1 gig ram, keyboard but NO monitor=$1182

eMac
1.25mhz, 80 gig hd, 1 gig ram, 17" monitor and keyboard=$1224

Besides getting a 17" monitor for the extra $42 on the eMac, how does emac versus mini compare? Is the mini better in someother way? If she got an eMac and later bought let's say a 42" plasma could she plug that into the eMac too?

[mdog]

...oh, and the 1 gig ram is for running Photoshop and a softwindows running Access at the same time.

Basically for $650 she could get a Dell 2.8mhz/19" monitor/1 gig ram/printer...but no one really 'wants' a PC deep down in their hearts.

Though mac too is throwing in a printer with every computer until april.

[discotronic]

Originally posted by mdog:
The actual Apple store.

Photoshop bites with 512 MB I guess. I'm thinking the emac is actually a better option:

Mini
1.25mhz, 80 gig hd, 1 gig ram, keyboard but NO monitor=$1182

eMac
1.25mhz, 80 gig hd, 1 gig ram, 17" monitor and keyboard=$1224

Besides getting a 17" monitor for the extra $42 on the eMac, how does emac versus mini compare? Is the mini better in someother way? If she got an eMac and later bought let's say a 42" plasma could she plug that into the eMac too?

The biggest mistake here is getting the 1GB RAM from Apple. The price is just too high. She would be better off getting the RAM from a third party and installing it herself. A USB keyboard and mouse can be had for about $25 is she looks around. Also, the high end mini has a 1.42GHz processor instead of the 1.25GHz.

[mbryda]

Originally posted by mdog:
The actual Apple store.

Photoshop bites with 512 MB I guess. I'm thinking the emac is actually a better option:

I dono - I do work in PSE3 on my G4/800 iMac with 512MB and it's fine, but I guess it depends what you do with PS.

[iREZ]

You only need 768MB for this Mac mini to run the CS suite on a prosumer level. If you need (and I mean absolutely need it) 1gig for whatever your doing, then maybe a Mac mini is the wrong computer for her but your prices are outrageous. Get the Mac mini with this, this, and this and your set. If you wanna cut costs go get a 17" CRT for under $100 and enjoi life.

[discotronic]

Originally posted by iREZ:
You only need 768MB for this Mac mini to run the CS suite on a prosumer level. If you need (and I mean absolutely need it) 1gig for whatever your doing, then maybe a Mac mini is the wrong computer for her but your prices are outrageous. Get the Mac mini with this, this, and this and your set. If you wanna cut costs go get a 17" CRT for under $100 and enjoi life.

It would be great if the mini had 256MB RAM on the board. Since it doesn't it is either 512MB or 1GB. 768MB would be a great place to be.

[mrorange]

Cons:

Keyboard/Mouse: A small inconvenience, and somewhat understandable given that this mini is targeted at switchers in part, but for that very same reason, shouldn't users have the complete Mac experience, including Apple keyboard and mouse. But, again a very small issue.

[/B]

IMHO, that mac mouse is a throwaway anyway (or xmas tree ornament), one button, no scroll wheel, when are they gonna retire that thing anyway? That keyboard's not so hot either, my wife spilled a latte in ours so I plugged in a logitech keyboard...best thing my wife ever did. The keys work so smoothly, there are shortcuts to everything ...genius.

[jasonsRX7]

I've seen a few people suggesting buying 512mb modules for the Mac mini from 3rd parties like Newegg or Crucial, but have you noticed that Apple only charges $75 (less if you're a student) for the 512mb upgrade on the BTO mini? A 512mb Crucial module from Newegg is $78. This is the first time I've ever seen Apple ram compare favorably in price.

[dannyillusion]

This is so cool... more and more office companies will start to buy the Mini.
Would make absolute sense for my company (TV-station).
Currently we have crappy stationary and portable HPs.
They could start implementing these much cheaper machines as old PCs needs to be replaced. Mini's for the people that don't need a portable and iBooks for the people that do.
The cost of the hardware can be cut, we already have the keyboards and screens and a ton of money will be saved since porn surfing executives won't download a tons of viruses and worms!
Only concern is that iWork doesn't have a spread sheet part yet...

[iREZ]

Ohhhhh.....my mistake above. Still 512MB is enough as well but 768MB would be sweeter. I dont know if I should go the external HD route or Mac mini route....or maybe I should just get my buying urge outta the way with an ipod mini and wait for the next PB update.

[iPoder]

Originally posted by pliny:
Where do you see that it is a 4200 rpm notebook drive????

There's room in there for a desktop hard drive and at the MacMini cost I'd bet for desktop drive too.

I confirmed with representative in the Macworld. It is 2.5" notebook drive in the Mac mini. I don't know the rpm speed though.

[Hi I'm Ben]

Originally posted by pliny:
Where do you see that it is a 4200 rpm notebook drive????

There's room in there for a desktop hard drive and at the MacMini cost I'd bet for desktop drive too.

Well it's not a desktop harddrive. Sorry to ruin your day. It's quite OBVIOUSLY a laptop harddrive and at that cost of the MacMini and the general way apple does things he's right, it's probably a 4200 RPM notebook. A "desktop" harddrive would make the machine weigh MUCH more than it does and would span almost the length of the machine leaving no room for the processor or video.

For the rest of you... the graphics card WILL not be upgradable.. unless you can show me one decent graphics card over 32 megs that is small enough and thin enough with its heatsyncs andfans to fight into that case. Let alone there would have to be a slot for it to stick in. It's integrated. There will be no changing.

That being said. I think the mini rocks. And if any of you honestly think because it doesn't come with a keyboard and mouse people won't switch than you're quite retarded.

Why on earth would someone go "Man I've heard all these great things about mac and I really wanna try one! OH!@ WTF THOSE BASTARDS won't give me a FREE KEYBOARD AND MOUSE! Well F apple I'm gonna head right over to dell and load my self up with some spyware"

NO What will happen 99% of the time is the apple people will say "Here's a 10$ adapter, it's less than the tax on your unit, it will help you plug both your keyboard and mouse into one USB port rather then using both, we recommend them to all our PC switchers if they don't have USB KB/Mouse."

And you're right, many of you won't be able to do graphic intensive super duper satallite tracking to the moon equations and other nonsense on this machine. That's not what it was made for or intended for, there are machines made for people like you and they cost a bit more you're either too cheap/poor to afford these luxuries and you should stop complaining here about a well thought out product.

I like girls.

[ashtoash]

What kinda home automation project? I'm interested in doing something similar

Originally posted by Tristrami:
This is EXACTLY what I need for my home automation project. I was considering picking up a used G3 iMac for the same thing, but why bother? For $500 I get a g4 and can use my current Apple LCD to install all software (Indigo, etc.), and then manage it remotely -- Smack a second cheapo 3rd-party LCD into the deal, and it'll probably even end up doing double duty as an iBook replacement for my wife's aging G3 iBook, especially for websurfing, LAN gameplaying...I think that the Mac mini will become a second/third/fourth box in MANY prosumer homes. It's *not* designed to compete with the G5 towers, so in my mind it shouldn't be equipped to handle serious graphics/video apps. Besides, what serious video editor would have just 80 gigs to play with on their rig? You can still do iMovie with it just fine.

[Sparkletron]

Originally posted by Gabriel Morales:
Let me summarize my own lists of Pros and Cons, as Simon did.

Pros:

"Headless": Talk is over-- Now we have a headless Mac!

<snip>

This is a humbler, much more affordable Cube re-incarnate. This is a Cube/Rectangle for the masses!

<snip>

I don't recall anyone ever asking for a headless Mac. The PowerMac is a headless Mac, so why would anyone ask for something that already exists? I do recall many of us asking for a headless iMac. The Mini is nice but it's not a headless iMac. And while it's tempting to make Cube comparisons, it's not very meaningful. The Cube was not only more expensive--it had a G4; it was using the same top-of-the-line processors as the PowerMacs of that time. If the Cube had a G3, or if the Mini had a G5--that would make for a much more meaningful comparison.

Congratulations to all the Mini fans and to the rebirth of the G4 processor. Who would have imagined that Apple could continue to sell G4s without issue?! Amazing...

-S

[discotronic]

Originally posted by Sparkletron:
Congratulations to all the Mini fans and to the rebirth of the G4 processor. Who would have imagined that Apple could continue to sell G4s without issue?! Amazing...

-S

Rebirth? It never died. Let me see here....all iBooks, PowerBooks, eMacs and now the Mac mini have a G4. There are more Macs with a G4 than there are with a G5.

[discotronic]

Somebody over in the Modification forum had the idea of using a pre slot loading iMac as the CRT for the mini. Here is the link:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=240192

I like the idea. Who says you can't reuse the monitor in an AIO

[vandelay]

When i first read about the mini i got the usual "i have to get one" feeling, which comes with most Apple hardware announcements.
As i got more information and thought about it a little bit, i now have mixed feelings.

I really don't like the fact, that you basically have to order from Apple or a dealer that offers bto configurations and can't even install RAM or an Airport card yourself, without voiding the warranty.
There probably are going to be quite a few disappointed switchers, who ordered from Amazon, and are introduced to the spinning beachball experience.

But my main problem with it probably is, that if i want to set it up as either a digital vcr or music server, i'm going to have to plug in an external hard drive and an EyeTV, because 80GB isn't even enough for my music. And i guess all these other boxes next to it somewhat ruin the small, compact design factor of the mini.

In conclusion, if it was user serviceable and you could put in a 300GB hard drive i wouldn't be able to resist, but as it is, i'm not so sure.

[Jordan]

For some stupid reason if you try to start a completely new and different topic related to the Mac mini your thread gets locked so I'm reposting here with the 133 other posts to make this thread even more unmanageable. Appreciate any feedback....

--------------------------

There are plenty of threads on switching and the computing capabilities of the Mac mini but I don't see any consolidated information on an entirely different use - driving a home entertainment system.

Be interested to hear from others what hardware and software you would include were you to do this and whether you think this is feasible for this particular use.

The overall concept here is to run a reasonably high end home theatre system consisting of a plasma screen in one room and a projector in another room. It's not to rip DVD's or anything else that you might do in a home computing environment. I have my Mac set up for work, this is an entirely new application. CD's would be on the hard disk though as would photos. DVD's would be played through the built in combo drive.

This is a very real project that I am trying to create now so it needs to employ available technology. I am employing an architect to make sure it all looks right but most of the ones I have spoken to here are trying to push me down a Windows platform. (Only when they pry my one button Apple mouse from cold dead hands!!!!) There's no real limit to the budget though although I'm not going to fork out for a gold plated keyboard!!

Hardware
--------
Mac mini - combo drive only, no need for SuperDrive although 80Gb hard disk better. Add bluetooth and Airport for wireless stuff.
Griffin FireWave - 5.1 surround sound over Firewire
Keyspan Express Remote or Presentation Remote - depending on whether you want infrared or RF remote control
Apple wireless keyboard and mouse

Software
--------
iTunes or MegaSeg depending on how serious you are with your music mixing
iPhoto
Apple DVD Player

Missing pieces
--------------
Home automation software - something that could control the lights, blinds, motorised screen and motorised projector stand (these will be hidden in the roof) with.
Synching software - maybe Tiger will have a way to keep the photos and music in synch between this and my main Mac
Anything else????

[hldan]

Originally posted by discotronic:
The biggest mistake here is getting the 1GB RAM from Apple. The price is just too high. She would be better off getting the RAM from a third party and installing it herself. A USB keyboard and mouse can be had for about $25 is she looks around. Also, the high end mini has a 1.42GHz processor instead of the 1.25GHz.

The ram for the Mac mini is not customer upgradable. I was at Macworld SF/05 today and the Apple rep said that you can only add more ram in 2 ways;
(1) BTO

(2) If you buy aftermarket ram then customers must take the mini to an Apple Authorized Service Center for installation. Even this way if aftermarket ram damages the computer then it voids the manufacturers warranty.

The rep showed me how there's no customer removable screws on the mini to get inside the casing so if a customer cracks it open the warranty is automatically void. I'm not sure if this applies to Apple Care but I'm sure Apple Care won't cover misuse.

[Scarpad]

Originally posted by JMII:
I'm just amazed at it's size... right now the phone I have sitting on my desk here at work is BIGGER then this mini-me Mac!

I already know some switchers that are intrested in this Mac due to it's size and price point. These people already have mice, keyboards and monitors so it looks like Apple had the right idea by not including those items.

That's pretty much my story. I work with PC and lately an Imac , I've come to really like the Imac and would love to get a 20" G5 but the wife would kill me. The Mini seems like a good starting point for a PC user to go over to Mac without spending a ton of Dough. I already have a ton of USB Mice and Keyboards and can use my existing Monitor, so I know I'm considering it. I'm a pretty heavy Itunes PC user so it'll be an easy transition to the Mac version and I've liked what I've used of ILife4.

So you think I fit the Switcher bill ?

[Scarpad]

A couple of more questions and keep in mind and I apologize if I'm Mac Illiterate. My Wireless home network is PC Based and I have a Linksys 2.4 Ghz Router. Can I still use a Drop line from that to the ethernet on the back of the MacMini to get it online and Get on my Network?

Also I have a Logitech 5.1 Soundsystem with three 1/8 mini's for the srround and Sub. Is there anyway i can utilize these on the system or is it strictly 2.0 Sound ?

I'm an Xbox Gamer so i'm not considering games on the mini.

[osxisfun]

>So you think I fit the Switcher bill ?

Yes.

>Can I still use a Drop line from that to the ethernet on the back of the MacMini to get it online and Get on my Network?

Yes. Enthernet cable from mini to your router. and unless i am mistaken if you dropped a airport type wireless card in your mac (make sure it has mac drivers) you can access that way as well.

[osxisfun]

> 300GB hard drive

Someone mentioned its a 2.5 hd. so you won't be getting 300 gigs anytime soon. external FW for the really big stuff.

[Scarpad]

Well I just did it, Actually I probably overdid it.

I Ordered from Apple

Mac mini 1.42
512mb Ram
Airport Extreme Card
80GB HD
Superdrive (I'm not sure why I did this just figured I would regret not getting this later)
I took the 3yr warranty which I figured on a device this small warranted $149 bucks

Total $853

Of course I then ordered a Pair of klipsch 2.0 Pro for $99 did'nt have to do that but heard good things...

My PC server will house my Itunes Music but I'll share it thru the Mac. I also have a 300GB External Drive i built for my Lappy, can I use that with the Mac as well? It's USB 2.0

So Welcome to the Mac world.

[macaddict0001]

Originally posted by Jordan:


Missing pieces
--------------
Home automation software - something that could control the lights, blinds, motorised screen and motorised projector stand (these will be hidden in the roof) with.
Synching software - maybe Tiger will have a way to keep the photos and music in synch between this and my main Mac
Anything else????

http://www.smarthome.com/ Get an x10 system. I'm pretty sure they work under mac osx.
file transfer protocol is good for keeping things synced but it is manual perhaps some sort of script would work or booting from the computer over the network.

[WizOSX]

Originally posted by Scarpad

Total $853

Was that educational pricing? That's a fair bit less than Apple's website.

Anyway, as you said, "welcome to the Mac world."

[Scarpad]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Was that educational pricing? That's a fair bit less than Apple's website.

Anyway, as you said, "welcome to the Mac world."

I'm sorry the Warranty was an extra $149 on top of that...

[SouthPaW1227]

Originally posted by WizOSX:
Was that educational pricing? That's a fair bit less than Apple's website.

Anyway, as you said, "welcome to the Mac world."

Yep, EDU, that's the EXACT config. I have just deliberating on...

[Jordan]

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
http://www.smarthome.com/ Get an x10 system. I'm pretty sure they work under mac osx.
file transfer protocol is good for keeping things synced but it is manual perhaps some sort of script would work or booting from the computer over the network.

Ta macaddict0001. Found this native OS X software on the site. Will start some investigation on the availablity of Australian X10 stuff.

[slider]

I am boggled at everyone trying to make this machine something it's not. It's a $500 mac folks. If you're going to run PS, consider a faster more expensive mac. If you're going to game, get a PC optimized for gaming. If you're going to do intensive stuff, go pro. But if you're someone who checks email, web, documents, and has a digital camera and can't seem to fathom the photo software that came this you camera, this is the machine for you. My guess is that for 95% of the people posting in this forum would use a faster more upgradeable mac, unless you just want a little side machine in you tv room or something. Five hundred bucks, I mean seriously, a Mac.

I think the next Mac Apple comes out with should just be called the "iBitch", the, "It would have been great if.....", mac.

[Scarpad]

Originally posted by slider:
I am boggled at everyone trying to make this machine something it's not. It's a $500 mac folks. If you're going to run PS, consider a faster more expensive mac. If you're going to game, get a PC optimized for gaming. If you're going to do intensive stuff, go pro. But if you're someone who checks email, web, documents, and has a digital camera and can't seem to fathom the photo software that came this you camera, this is the machine for you. My guess is that for 95% of the people posting in this forum would use a faster more upgradeable mac, unless you just want a little side machine in you tv room or something. Five hundred bucks, I mean seriously, a Mac.

I just purchased a Kodak DX-7590 it's a nice camera but I've been trying to use it with Jasc Photo Album 5, will I get better results with the Mini I ordered I'm not digging the Jasc software...

[SouthPaW1227]

Originally posted by slider:
I am boggled at everyone trying to make this machine something it's not. It's a $500 mac folks. If you're going to run PS, consider a faster more expensive mac. If you're going to game, get a PC optimized for gaming. If you're going to do intensive stuff, go pro. But if you're someone who checks email, web, documents, and has a digital camera and can't seem to fathom the photo software that came this you camera, this is the machine for you. My guess is that for 95% of the people posting in this forum would use a faster more upgradeable mac, unless you just want a little side machine in you tv room or something. Five hundred bucks, I mean seriously, a Mac.

I think the next Mac Apple comes out with should just be called the "iBitch", the, "It would have been great if.....", mac.

You are incredibly on target. It seems like everyone on the boards (including myself) imagine getting a Mini, but not just a Mini, but hooking it up w/ all the extras, then dropping cash on lots of accessories. Before we know it, we've spent iMac-type cash on this cute little Mac we're trying to make into a powerful machine it wasn't meant to be. I had a Mini up to ~$850 EDU pricing w/ about $300-400 in accessories. Thankfully, I came to my senses. I'm either holding off totally or looking at a G5 iMac.

[Jordan]

Originally posted by SouthPaW1227:
You are incredibly on target. It seems like everyone on the boards (including myself) imagine getting a Mini, but not just a Mini, but hooking it up w/ all the extras, then dropping cash on lots of accessories. Before we know it, we've spent iMac-type cash on this cute little Mac we're trying to make into a powerful machine it wasn't meant to be. I had a Mini up to ~$850 EDU pricing w/ about $300-400 in accessories. Thankfully, I came to my senses. I'm either holding off totally or looking at a G5 iMac.

We are not all trying to launch the space shuttle with this latest Mac offering. Some of the things I have been talking about just don't need a built in screen (iMac/eMac) and/or keyboard (powerbook/ibook) and a G5 is just too big and too expensive.

While it's true that some posters are trying to get the performance of a $2000 machine for $500, some of us are doing what Apple encourages us to do... Think Different.