Closing the book on Apple's Mac mini?

[Whitecat]

Hmmm, it's not official yet...

[jbuehler]

Just another reason, and there are dozens of others, not to buy a Mac Mini.

[n8tron]

its a little frustrating actually. I think apple made some wrong moves.

First when the put the intel chips in the raised the price, now that cheap "headless" computer is a little out of range. Plus they haven't updated in almost a year now. I know composers who've had success buying 4 or 5 of these and running them as samplers. Pretty cost effective, to bad if they go away in my opinion.

[theblue1]

Too bad in some ways. I thought the idea of a fanless mini desktop was a pretty interesting idea (once they had to start putting fans in the newer models I lost a bit of interest).

I'm at that point in life where I'd trade a power for a little peace and quiet.

[mattrixx]

Originally Posted by jbuehler

Just another reason, and there are dozens of others, not to buy a Mac Mini.

Huh? I can think of many reasons to buy one... and did. I use one as a PVR and a Logic Pro Node on my gigabit network... It's awesome.

[Tibbon]

Umm, one stupid rumor site, that is OFTEN wrong (as all of them are), saying that it's "dead" doesn't mean jack.

Maybe I'm a total ****** myself, but I bought a Mini recently for various reasons. I'm using it beside my G4 MDD 1.25, using a 19" CRT for each, and Teleport to share a keyboard/mouse. Both are connected via a gigabit switch. I use the Mini for mainly graphics software (no it's not 'great' for Aperture, but it works, unlike my MDD G4). I use the G4 for Photoshop (as I haven't gotten CS3 yet, and prior versions run like ass under Rosetta). I have 2gb in both systems. Yes, i could have spent more, and gotten a Mac Pro, but I just didn't need it at the time. Yes, it would have been faster, but also MUCH more expensive. I can also use my Mini as a Logic Node. If I was doing any XGrid processing, it's a REALLY cheap way to get extra power.

Apple is always shifting stuff around. They might retire the mini, and then replace it with something else. They did this with the Mac Cube (which became the Mac Mini eventually basically, if anyone remembers anything these days).

And as a PVR, I'd rather have a Mac Mini. Why? Simple. 1080p output if needed.

[autodidactic]

If Apple discontinues the mini, they should resurrect the Cube in it's place. The cube was everything the mini tried to be. The cube was fanless, small, had a desktop drive in it, and was still user upgradeable. If Apple released a $500 intel cube, I think it would do really well.

[JPZ]

I bought a mini for my house, kids etc...The computer kicks ass. For 500 bucks I dare you to find something better. It has operated flawlessly for a year and a half, is dead quiet and I've even put Logic, Ableton Live and PT LE on it for when I don't feel like using my latptop and it does fine. What's the problem?

[T_R_S]

I thought i would take this thread and Pimp my Mini
Well it served me well but my old one must go.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=250119471310

[severe]

Yea.. I'm a bit concerned about this. I was never really interested in the iMac, because of it's overall design. The idea of being locked into it's form factor turned me off. I'd rather choose my own monitors, etc.

However, the i/o and HD that the iMac offers would be nice. Word is, there will be some type of announcement regarding a redesigned iMac soon. Who knows?

WWDC is right around the corner. I too am hoping they replace the mini with something else. I can't imagine Apple dropping it's headless mid-level desktop option from it's line.

Here's a good resource for Mac product cycles:

MacRumors Buyer's Guide.

[lowfreq33]

The mini's great for what it is: a amall, affordable (well, sort of), STABLE computer for your home or office. I won't be running Pro Tools on it, but I'd love to have one for my non-audio needs. Also great as a logic node.

[sardi]

Im not sure I quite understand why everyone keeps saying that they would NEVER use one for audio seeing as is currents specs are the same as the original CD MacBook from last year, and everyone was raving about using those for audio.

My C2D MacBook is a LOT of power for most PT sessions.

Granted the Mini's currently are not C2D, but you can still drop in 2gb Ram and run an ext Drive and you should still have a pretty powerful machine.

It would run circles around my dual 1.8 G4 which gets used everyday for PT mix duties.

I think people are starting to go CPU crazy these days. HEHEHE......

On a side note, I hop ethey dont discontinue this unit. Or if they do, replace it with a sightly speced up new model thats perhaps a tad easier to open..... but still keep it in a similar form factor and whisper quiet.

[ignatius]

mac mini's make great media centers. i have one plus a big FW drive loaded w/music/movies etc. it's my wireless hub too and i use it fo rinternet access etc.

i guess if i played video games i'd have just gotten an Xbox instead though.

anyway.. great computer. knock on wood it's solid, fast enough and quite handy/convenient.

that apple rumour site is often wrong anyway.. glad i have one.

[severe]

Originally Posted by sardi

Im not sure I quite understand why everyone keeps saying that they would NEVER use one for audio seeing as is currents specs are the same as the original CD MacBook from last year, and everyone was raving about using those for audio.

I've often wondered the same thing. My old G4 putts along just fine, with my ITB/OTB hybrid workflow. I'm expecting more power and the ability to keep up with further software upgrades and hardware compatibility. If it's even twice as fast as the G4, I'll be stoked.

It's good to hear I can expect much better performance, thanks.

[steff3]

Well, the idea of the mini is great - but the product policy is mess than mediocre.

Compared to the MacBooks it is just ways overpriced - older CPU generation, no self.maintance (RAM, HD), no display, no input device, etc. and all that at a very high price. Not speak of the technical short-comings that there is no graphic card- I mean if one say he is producing computers for digital life-style and is not including a reasonable graphic card in his products - sorry, maybe he should first do his homework ......

For a few bugs more you get a MacBook - can can be use everywhere, has a display, a better CPU, you can handle RAM and HD exchanges yourself ...... (but has the same lame graphic short-comings .... )

best

[NoVi]

Maybe the Mac Mini has to make room for a new piece of equipment that will be the Media Center Mac. The better equipped brother of the Apple TV.

[GearBit]

I got mine 2 years ago to be a media all in one device for my beadroom. DVD, CD iTunes, internet......
Cheap, sleek and does it all. It downloads tv shows overnight and I watch em the next. Life is good in the tivo-less down under.

[jonutarr]

Originally Posted by theblue1

I'm at that point in life where I'd trade a power for a little peace and quiet.

Id love to have a C2D but the silence of my iBook is something that i dont want do give up for extra speed

Maybe the Mac Mini has to make room for a new piece of equipment that will be the Media Center Mac. The better equipped brother of the Apple TV.

thats all we need
more add-ons when they cant basics right

[s0nguy]

As much as Id like to have a Mac for my media center, the Apple OS does not hold a candle to the built in functions of XP Media Center....

No i don't hate mac... I have a MacBook pro and love it!

-s0nguy

[Fredrik]

Apple already has a media center, the apple tv. I guess thats part of the reason the mini might dissapear.

Its just a rumour still sthough, they need something in this segment IMO.

[statikcat]

Well if they are releasing a mini desktop.. then they wont need the current mini

[Tibbon]

Originally Posted by steff3

Well, the idea of the mini is great - but the product policy is mess than mediocre.

Compared to the MacBooks it is just ways overpriced - older CPU generation, no self.maintance (RAM, HD), no display, no input device, etc. and all that at a very high price. Not speak of the technical short-comings that there is no graphic card- I mean if one say he is producing computers for digital life-style and is not including a reasonable graphic card in his products - sorry, maybe he should first do his homework ......

For a few bugs more you get a MacBook - can can be use everywhere, has a display, a better CPU, you can handle RAM and HD exchanges yourself ...... (but has the same lame graphic short-comings .... )

best

Uhh, you can upgrade the memory, hard drive or optical drive on the Mac Mini. There's a graphics card, albiet integrated. It doesn't come with a display or keyboard/mouse, but who cares? I already had two 19" CRT's on my desk and an apple keyboard/mighty mouse. I just use Teleport to share them, works great. The CPU is the same I believe as the Macbook. In all seriousness, it's not technically the fastest computer, but it does a TON.

[Tibbon]

Originally Posted by jonutarr

Id love to have a C2D but the silence of my iBook is something that i dont want do give up for extra speed



thats all we need
more add-ons when they cant basics right

My Mac iBook sounds like an aircraft carrier compared to my Mac Mini.

[steff3]

Originally Posted by Tibbon

Uhh, you can upgrade the memory, hard drive or optical drive on the Mac Mini.

of course you can as they are not soldered in - but officially it is not user servable and needs a authorised shop. that is not the case with the MacBooks

Originally Posted by Tibbon

There's a graphics card, albiet integrated.

No, it is not a graphic card! it is only a graphic chip with no own RAM and so on. It lacks a lot of stuff - or why are lots of Apple apps not really listing the MacMini in their specs? There is a difference between a toy and a tool. - it is definitely not a hub for digital media - maybe a better TVset or typewriter.

Originally Posted by Tibbon

It doesn't come with a display or keyboard/mouse, but who cares?

Well, I would not care if the price would be related - but as it is you get a MacBook for little more than a MacMini with much better facilities (C2D, user can change RAM and HD easily, keyboard, screen, trackpad ......) and flexibility. And the MacMini is no longer a 500US$ computer - that was years ago - I think it is too expensive for what it is ...... and especially compared to the MacBook....

best

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by steff3

No, it is not a graphic card! it is only a graphic chip with no own RAM and so on. It lacks a lot of stuff - or why are lots of Apple apps not really listing the MacMini in their specs? There is a difference between a toy and a tool. - it is definitely not a hub for digital media - maybe a better TVset or typewriter.

Thats the same on the macbooks and imac to, integrated graphics that uses system ram. Although the mac mini has the lowest spec chip.

[Geert van den Berg]

Originally Posted by ignatius

mac mini's make great media centers.

Exactly... and that's why Apple created the Apple TV, which could replace the Mini after a couple of revisions and updates...

I read somewhere it's possible to install OS X on this thing already. (the USB port doesn't work now, but will once OS X is installed). It's slower than the Mini's at this time and also lacks firewire and 4 USB ports, but I do think they'll merge the 2 models into one.

It isn't the first time Apple neglected a group of users. They didn't intend the Mini to be used as a DAW computer, it's a more of a family computer, which is also the aim for the Apple TV a family video player.

[Tibbon]

Originally Posted by steff3

of course you can as they are not soldered in - but officially it is not user servable and needs a authorised shop. that is not the case with the MacBooks


No, it is not a graphic card! it is only a graphic chip with no own RAM and so on. It lacks a lot of stuff - or why are lots of Apple apps not really listing the MacMini in their specs? There is a difference between a toy and a tool. - it is definitely not a hub for digital media - maybe a better TVset or typewriter.



Well, I would not care if the price would be related - but as it is you get a MacBook for little more than a MacMini with much better facilities (C2D, user can change RAM and HD easily, keyboard, screen, trackpad ......) and flexibility. And the MacMini is no longer a 500US$ computer - that was years ago - I think it is too expensive for what it is ...... and especially compared to the MacBook....

best

The difference between a graphics card, and a graphics chip are simply how the memory is shared/used and whether it can be replaced.

Apple even sells the putty knife thing needed to open the Mac Mini. Contrary to what some will tell you, you can service the memory and hard drive in your Mac Mini without voiding a warrenty. It's not hard, and if you can service an Apple laptop (as you suggest), then the Mini is a piece of cake. I've replaced hard drives on iBook G3 and iBook G4 computers, and I nearly had to take apart every screw in the entire system! It was nuts.

Furhurmore, if you're not going gaming or video editing, then the graphics card in the Mac Mini is JUST FINE. If you try using it, and see what's actually usable instead of just buying into the sales hype then you'll see it's just fine- in the same way that a protools mix system is still fine. It does the job. It's not glamorous but it's fine. It benchmarks over 2x as fast as the standard graphics card in my G4 MDD. Actually the whole system benchmarks between 1.5 and 4x as fast, depending on what task it is. A G4 MDD is still a killer system.

I'm not really sure what people need all of these super computers for these days. Everyone convinces themselves that they MUST have the fastest/newest thing for every task, and to them that means new systems and high clock speeds. Everyone from 13 year olds in their basements to seasoned mac users seem to feel this way.

The mini is a great system. It's not going to win any speed competitions, but it does the job. I'm not maxing it out, and I'm running Aperture on it (although the guy at CompUsa looked at me like I was crazy). It works fine. Aperture puts the beatdown on the computer more than Logic Pro does most of the time. I just use the Mini as a Logic Node now. Haven't switched it over from my G4.

[steff3]

Originally Posted by Tibbon

The difference between a graphics card, and a graphics chip are simply how the memory is shared/used and whether it can be replaced.

Well, there are some spec differences also me thinks....... (like pixel shader 3 engine - which is today used by a lot of apps that deal with media and visuals - from Max/MSP-Jitter to Motion ......)

Originally Posted by Tibbon

Apple even sells the putty knife thing needed to open the Mac Mini. Contrary to what some will tell you, you can service the memory and hard drive in your Mac Mini without voiding a warrenty.

ok, I heard other things .....

Originally Posted by Tibbon

It's not hard, and if you can service an Apple laptop (as you suggest), then the Mini is a piece of cake. I've replaced hard drives on iBook G3 and iBook G4 computers, and I nearly had to take apart every screw in the entire system! It was nuts.

Well, from the apple information that has greatly changed for the MacBooks - Ram and HD are just accessable from the battery-bay

Originally Posted by Tibbon

Furhurmore, if you're not going gaming or video editing, then the graphics card in the Mac Mini is JUST FINE.

Well, I am not playing games, but pictures is unavoidable.

I think as a logic node the mini is superb - though as I said too expensive compare to the other systems. I think processor vise it still smokes my G5 though .....

best