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demograph68 · Jan 11, 2005, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by euphras:
It�s back, OMG, it�s back.....

rozwado1 · Jan 11, 2005, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by elise:
can you hook up the mini to a television?

Yes, but TVs don't have keyboards or mice. I wouldn't go as far as saying this is "the new laptop," but it could be labeled a "portable office." (Even that's a stretch)

Apple Pro Underwear · Jan 11, 2005, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by demograph68:
snip

i still can't decide if i should wait till next year for my mac or just buy this when tiger is on it!!!

argh!

demograph68 · Jan 11, 2005, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
i still can't decide if i should wait till next year for my mac or just buy this when tiger is on it!!! argh!

If I were you, I'd wait. I know iLife '05 will be on it. Will it come with iWork too?

The Godfather · Jan 11, 2005, 10:58 PM

You don't need to throw you old display, and the packaging doubles as a lunchbox.

The environ-mentals don't have anything on Apple now.

Mithras · Jan 12, 2005, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
they are that way for smaller, more compact machines.

Well right, but the mini is so tiny. I could have tolerated a Cube-sized machine with room for a 3.5" drive, i.e. large enough to be a "media center" storing photos, music, and videos...

But I'm not really complaining. It's a great little beast, I just would have preferred the chance to swap in a bigger drive.

Mithras · Jan 12, 2005, 12:31 AM

Originally posted by demograph68:
http://img23.exs.cx/img23/7199/cube22pb.jpg

Saw this photo on Ars:

that's a mini fitting in the air beneath a Cube.

Xeo · Jan 12, 2005, 01:04 AM

I think this is really great. It's for those people who want an iBook 'cause it's cheap but would just use it at home all the time anyway. I'm impressed.

Psychonaut · Jan 12, 2005, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by Mithras:
Saw this photo on Ars:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ithmacmini.jpg

Holy hell.

Who already has one of them anyways?
Anyone know when they should start appearing in Apple Stores, even just for demo purposes?

mike one · 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
mike one:

You probably thought the iPod was dumb also, huh?

no, i actually have 2, including the 1st gen 5GB.

i said not including a keyboard and mouse for an entry level computer was a bad idea. i said nothing about the computer itself.

learn to read.

ajprice · Jan 12, 2005, 08:57 AM

Dimensions and Weight of a 3.5" Hard Drive (a Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM Hard Drive)

Weight: 510g. Dimensions: 17.5mm x 101.6mm x 146.1mm.

So a 3.5" weighs over 1lb and is almost 6" long, the complete Mac mini is 2.9lb and 6.5". If its a 3.5" hard drive, the rest of the computer and casing would weigh about 1.75lb, is that possible?

Mac mini is brilliant, by the way.

Xaositect · Jan 12, 2005, 09:01 AM

Last night I was at a corporate customer's location helping them restore/cleanup after a spyware infestation, and mentioned this little gizmo. $500+$300(MS Office), use existing KB+Mouse+Monitor, and per contact to NA, the site license for AV will let them install the Mac version. Possibly less for Office as a site license (I didn't have that info, and we couldn't get in touch with anyone who knew if the existing license would let them use Mac Office).

To replace about half the PC boxes with these would be about the same cost as what this last spyware crash cost them (in lost labor and cleanup costs). Most of the secretarial group was on Celeron 1GHz/256MB PCs anyways.

They are looking at it. Seriously looking at it! Even the IT guys were conceding this!

fhoubi · Jan 12, 2005, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by agentz:
Does anybody have any pics of the Mac Mini from the show floor?

Already posted somewhere here, but the niciest pictures so far: here

Lancer409 · Jan 12, 2005, 09:38 AM

I'll try to take some the next time i go down there. maybe tomorrow .. depends on the gym. it was so crowded on tuesday that i couldnt get a clear shot without a bunch of guys jamming around it or getting a hand in the way...

Super Mario · Jan 12, 2005, 10:19 AM

I see something special here, cheap networks. First example, let me explain. I can buy five minis and make them into a render farm. Only one mini has the monitor, etc. The rest of the minis I use to harness the power to render.

The second is the best example and Apple must do it. I buy three minis. One in the living room. One is the in the study. One is in the bedroom. Now I have a wireless touchscreen monitor with touchscreen or bluetooth mouse or keyboard. I'm using it with the mini in the study. I'm finshed working. I put the mini to sleep. I now go to the living room with the wireless things. I wake up the mini there and can use it right away. Same in the bedroom. I can have different computers for different reasons. One is media server. One for internet surfing and the other one for movies and games. I can have them networked and remote control them to stream things around the house. There's so much potential for cheap and transparent network computing.

Mafia · Jan 12, 2005, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by Psychonaut:
Holy hell.

Who already has one of them anyways?
Anyone know when they should start appearing in Apple Stores, even just for demo purposes?

that picture was photoshopped. i don't think anyone has one yet. i'd prolly think you'd see them the 22nd.

NYCFarmboy · Jan 12, 2005, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by Apple Pro Underwear:
when tiger ships on it, i'll probably get it.

it's all i can afford and tiger = a savings of $129

THINK ABOUT THAT!

instead of buying Tiger, pay a bit more and get the whole freaking thing!

when will Tiger be out though?

typoon · Jan 12, 2005, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Xaositect:
Last night I was at a corporate customer's location helping them restore/cleanup after a spyware infestation, and mentioned this little gizmo. $500+$300(MS Office), use existing KB+Mouse+Monitor, and per contact to NA, the site license for AV will let them install the Mac version. Possibly less for Office as a site license (I didn't have that info, and we couldn't get in touch with anyone who knew if the existing license would let them use Mac Office).

To replace about half the PC boxes with these would be about the same cost as what this last spyware crash cost them (in lost labor and cleanup costs). Most of the secretarial group was on Celeron 1GHz/256MB PCs anyways.

They are looking at it. Seriously looking at it! Even the IT guys were conceding this!

This is what the whole purpose of this machine is.

agentz · Jan 12, 2005, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by fhoubi:
Already posted somewhere here, but the niciest pictures so far: here

Cheers for that, just what I was looking for

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 12, 2005, 01:20 PM

That mess of wires in the back takes the cool down a bit

awcopus · Jan 12, 2005, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by Super Mario:
I see something special here, cheap networks. First example, let me explain. I can buy five minis and make them into a render farm. Only one mini has the monitor, etc. The rest of the minis I use to harness the power to render.

The second is the best example and Apple must do it. I buy three minis. One in the living room. One is the in the study. One is in the bedroom. Now I have a wireless touchscreen monitor with touchscreen or bluetooth mouse or keyboard. I'm using it with the mini in the study. I'm finshed working. I put the mini to sleep. I now go to the living room with the wireless things. I wake up the mini there and can use it right away. Same in the bedroom. I can have different computers for different reasons. One is media server. One for internet surfing and the other one for movies and games. I can have them networked and remote control them to stream things around the house. There's so much potential for cheap and transparent network computing.

Regarding your second scenario and its overlapping ideas, I love it. The whole affordable, transparent networking concept is great. Don't like the idea of walking all over the house with the wireless monitor and keyboard and mouse. Why not just use one mini with a portable? No reason why one mini can't stream media and be a file server at the same time.

awcopus · Jan 12, 2005, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
That mess of wires in the back takes the cool down a bit

"Mess" of wires? Methinks you exaggerate, Mr. Disgruntled Head of C-3PO.

Phat Bastard · Jan 12, 2005, 01:34 PM

I have two (maybe stupid) questions: the RAM must be installed by an Authorized Apple Service Center--can you install any RAM stick you want? i.e. I buy a cheaper stick somewhere else. And, does anyone know if the cost to get the RAM installed this way would actually offset the savings in not buying the RAM from Apple?

Because I'm sorry, 256 MB standard is brutal. Considering that Panther is RAM greedy, and probably Tiger will be too), that's the Achilles heel in this thing.

Judge_Fire · Jan 12, 2005, 01:40 PM

The Cube was a high-end machine, while the Mac Mini is a low-end one, so the comparison is a bit misguided...

I'll get one to replace the aging Cube in the living room tho

It's the quietude that counts! (And the xtra 1 GHz)

J

anthonyvthc · Jan 12, 2005, 02:38 PM

Anyone have any idea if the case will be strong enough to support an LCD on top?

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 12, 2005, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by awcopus:
"Mess" of wires? Methinks you exaggerate, Mr. Disgruntled Head of C-3PO.

Have you seen the sucker with the big monitor plugs, power plug and keyboard/mouse?

Not sexy.

Apples product photography uses Bluetooth devices to clean things up.

awcopus · Jan 12, 2005, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Have you seen the sucker with the big monitor plugs, power plug and keyboard/mouse?

Not sexy.

Apples product photography uses Bluetooth devices to clean things up.

Yeah, I saw your post in that other thread. No, it's not sexy. But it sure is good looking for a very affordable computer. More elegant than PC options at its price.

Look, today I've talked to a bunch of PC users about it. My father-in-law is going to try it out. He needs no monitor or keyboard or mouse to give it a shot. He's in for the iMac mini $499 with some extra RAM. My friends who play games... only one of four is seriously considering it, only because he covets OS X and iLife apps. Two of the others own iPods and are happy with their iTunes on winblows. The fourth is psyched about the iPod Mini, and now looking at the Shuffle.

Point is, Apple is invading the Wintel world. It isn't going to happen overnight, but clearly, from a growth perspective, Apple has tons of room to grow and great products to do it with, while the entire Wintel universe pretty much only has games and cheapness as its main selling points.

I think Apple's on the right track, sexy or not.

For the record, imho, the iMac mini is adorable. The Cube was and remains sexy.

ink · Jan 12, 2005, 06:41 PM

More importantly; which MacNN forum should we use to talk about it?

Is it an iMac?

A PowerMac?

An Accessory?

A Polical/War tool?

SimpleLife · Jan 12, 2005, 07:06 PM

I love it and I am looking forward to buy one.

What I have now is a PB 1GHz 12 inch with a 20 inch Apple LCD.

With that small a size, I'll have the computer in a book shelf, with the LCD in the living room, and the powerbook in my room.

I am very enthusiastic about this.

sworthy · Jan 12, 2005, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by ink:
More importantly; which MacNN forum should we use to talk about it?

Is it an iMac?

A PowerMac?

An Accessory?

A Polical/War tool?

On Apple's conference call they said they would lump it in with iMac sales... so maybe we should as well.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 12, 2005, 07:30 PM

Originally posted by awcopus:
Yeah, I saw your post in that other thread. No, it's not sexy. But it sure is good looking for a very affordable computer. More elegant than PC options at its price.

Yes it is better that most.

BUT, I think the problem with it is the way all the large plug protrude outwards towards the wall. You have to move the unit further forward to keep the wires from bending 90 degrees and they become more and more visible. I had the same problem with the Airport Extreme base, it looked so ugly so I hung it on the wall.

The cube got around this nicely as the ports were vertical and totally hidden.

Mithras · Jan 12, 2005, 07:41 PM

Okay, this Mac mini seems to me to call into question the pricing of the iBook:

why does Apple get an extra $360 for a 12" LCD and a hinge?

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 12, 2005, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by Mithras:
Okay, this Mac mini seems to me to call into question the pricing of the iBook:

why does Apple get an extra $360 for a 12" LCD and a hinge?

And an airport card and keyboard

mitchell_pgh · Jan 12, 2005, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by Mithras:
Okay, this Mac mini seems to me to call into question the pricing of the iBook:

why does Apple get an extra $360 for a 12" LCD and a hinge?

It's much more then that... the mini isn't designed in the say way a laptop is... there isn't any shock resistant features most likely.

anthonyvthc · Jan 12, 2005, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
And an airport card and keyboard

Didn't he factor that into the cost?

rozwado1 · Jan 12, 2005, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Mithras:
why does Apple get an extra $360 for a 12" LCD and a hinge?

You're leaving out the R+D costs for a notebook. They have to fit everything under the keyboard (.75" or so) and make it able to withstand shocks. That counts for something too.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 12, 2005, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
Didn't he factor that into the cost?

They are included.

OB1 · Jan 12, 2005, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by Judge_Fire:
It's the quietude that counts!

I think so too. Do we know if Mac mini has a fan yet?

rozwado1 · Jan 12, 2005, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by OB1:
I think so too. Do we know if Mac mini has a fan yet?

It's an iBook. iBooks have a fan, but you rarely hear them. I bet this is the same.

OAW · Jan 12, 2005, 08:11 PM

Quick question about the Mac mini .....

The whole point is to bring your own keyboard, mouse, and monitor. The latter two are no biggie if you already have them. However, let's say you are a Windows user and you have yourself a nice little USB keyboard. You have a CTRL and ALT key which correspond to the CTRL and OPT on the Mac. But what about the CMD (Apple) key on a Mac keyboard? This is the most used keyboard modifier on a Mac so what key on a Windows keyboard would one use? For instance, If you want to copy something to the clipboard on a Mac you would type CMD + C. What would you do with a Windows keyboard hooked to a Mac mini?

OAW

itai195 · Jan 12, 2005, 08:15 PM

Windows Key maps to the Apple Key, IIRC. I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple include some keyboard stickers in the Mac Mini box.

lavar78 · Jan 12, 2005, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by Mithras:
why does Apple get an extra $360 for a 12" LCD and a hinge?

The iBook is portable in ways the Mac mini isn't. An iBook can be used easily in transit (on a plane or train, for instance). In a similar vein, it can be used on battery power. Those things are worth extra.

fhoubi · Jan 12, 2005, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by lavar78:
In a similar vein, it can be used on battery power. Those things are worth extra.

Don't forget the build-in UPS...

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Jan 12, 2005, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by fhoubi:
Don't forget the build-in UPS...

Oh AND mic and speakers.

residentEvil · Jan 12, 2005, 08:48 PM

Well, sales must be doing well. All day yesterday after the keynote, and this morning, Apple Store still listed it shipping on Jan 22nd. It now says 3 - 4 weeks. I bet it will stay that for a few months.

fhoubi · Jan 12, 2005, 08:49 PM

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Oh AND mic and speakers.

But I doubt two beautiful cats would lay in front of it...

Partisan01 · Jan 12, 2005, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by awcopus:
Regarding your second scenario and its overlapping ideas, I love it. The whole affordable, transparent networking concept is great. Don't like the idea of walking all over the house with the wireless monitor and keyboard and mouse. Why not just use one mini with a portable? No reason why one mini can't stream media and be a file server at the same time.

You are hitting at what Sun Microsystems has been talking about for years 'the network is the computer', being able to go anywhere with a smart card put it in a machine and start working instantly where you left off. Sun has it hashed out pretty well with the smart cards, it's a really cool concept for businesses. Using the wireless is just an extension of this idea. If you're interested in this more Google for 'network is the computer', 'Sun Ray'

anthonyvthc · Jan 13, 2005, 03:24 PM

I just read an interesting bit on another board. Apparently it will not void your warranty to install your own RAM, Apple just strongly discourages it. This is very good to know (assuming it is true). Can't wait till some people here get one and are brave enough to crack it open.
On the other hand, AE/BT are actually NOT user installable at all(no surprise on the BT, but AE? give me a break).

awcopus · Jan 13, 2005, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by Partisan01:
You are hitting at what Sun Microsystems has been talking about for years 'the network is the computer', being able to go anywhere with a smart card put it in a machine and start working instantly where you left off. Sun has it hashed out pretty well with the smart cards, it's a really cool concept for businesses. Using the wireless is just an extension of this idea. If you're interested in this more Google for 'network is the computer', 'Sun Ray'

Thanks for the heads up on the Sun Micro concepts.

Even though I've purchased iWork and an iPod Shuffle, and may eventually pick up the new iLife.... and I'm already loaded up with a dual G5 system that is about as ultimate as it gets... I can't seem to get the iMac mini out of my mind.

I was an early and late purchaser of the Cube (one for me, and one as a present for my folks), and after I replaced its exceedingly whiny HD, I just loved the silence. My setup right now has me listening to fans ALL DAY LONG, and it's going to get worse when the ATI X800 shows up (+1 more fan).

The iMac mini is completely impractical for me, but I love that Apple made it and is selling it (as opposed to all the cool stuff they probably bring to prototype that we never see). This machine is a visual metaphor for what I love about Apple... the marriage of elegance and electronics, a functional tool in a graceful package. Maybe the Cube was a better metaphor, but the iMac mini is pretty great.

moodymonster · Jan 13, 2005, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by anthonyvthc:
I just read an interesting bit on another board. Apparently it will not void your warranty to install your own RAM, Apple just strongly discourages it. This is very good to know (assuming it is true). Can't wait till some people here get one and are brave enough to crack it open.
On the other hand, AE/BT are actually NOT user installable at all(no surprise on the BT, but AE? give me a break).

Apple could well be covering their butts, 'cause if they say its user installable then all kinds of people will be installing it and Apple's support costs will soar.

On another note: in the UK we must be getting a super Mac mini cause ours costs $636 - no extras! (standard price bitch about us poor brits, but very relevant - Apple aren't targeting a market that will buy regardless anymore)