Apple's Mac mini - Tempting PC Users Everywhere
by Anand Lal Shimpi on January 25, 2005 7:39 AM EST- Posted in
- Mac
Introducing the Mac mini
Before we get to the mini itself, let's have a quick rundown of the specs of the Mac mini:
| Apple Mac mini 1.25GHz | Apple Mac mini 1.42GHz | |
| CPU: | PowerPC G4 1.25GHz | PowerPC G4 1.42GHz |
| Memory: | 256MB DDR333 | |
| Graphics: | ATI Radeon 9200 | |
| Hard Drive: | 40GB 2.5" HDD | 80GB 2.5" HDD |
| Optical Drive: | Slot-loading Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) | |
| Ports: | One FireWire 400; two USB 2.0; DVI (VGA adapter included); 1/8" headphones/line-out; 10/100 Ethernet; 56K modem | |
| Monitor: | None | |
| Keyboard/Mouse: | None | |
| Software: | Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), iLife '05 | |
| Price: | $499 | $599 |
First Encounter with the Mac mini
The box is small:
If you need a carrying case for your Mac mini, just save the box and it will serve perfectly. Remember that the mini measures 6.5" on each side and is only 2" high, so the box is pretty small. The box is slighty longer and wider than the mini itself, but about twice as deep.
A Mac mini box compared to a regular sized ATI Radeon 9800 Mac Edition video card.
What's interesting about the box is that on the back face of it, you have instructions on how to set up the computer. As you can expect, it's not too difficult, but helpful for the first-time computer user.
The Mac mini box itself is representative of Apple's simple design philosophy, but what truly sums up Apple's intentions with the Mac mini is the side of the box:
The side of the box simply states that iLife is included, and below that, it says that you can organize photos, compose music, create playlists, make movies and watch DVDs. This isn't the side of a computer box. This is the side of a consumer electronics device box; it's the side of a multifunction iPod's box. And this is where it hit me - what I was holding in the mini's box didn't feel like a computer. In fact, it didn't feel like I was unpacking a computer either. Apple has effectively made their computer into something that doesn't seem like one at all, perfect for those who are intimidated by computers, but definitely leaves those of us who aren't feeling somewhat strange - not in a bad way, and not in a good way, but just in a different way. If every other computer manufacturer in the world made their computers and boxes look like the mini's, then I'm sure that the feeling wouldn't be so strange; but the fact of the matter is, they don't, and the Mac mini is different - and you know that before you even hit the power button.
Inside the Mac mini box, there are already indications that Apple was working as quickly as possible to get these things out and shipped. The best example of this is that the Mac mini comes with iLife '04 installed (meaning that the master image for the mini's hard drive was made before iLife '05 was ready to be put on it), and stuck to the top of the inside of the box is an iLife '05 DVD.
You have your handful of users guides, warranty information and the usual paperwork that comes with any computer, but with the mini, it all seems a lot "cooler" for some reason. Everything is well made, well put together, and well, mini. Once again, I wasn't reminded of a computer; I was reminded of buying something from Bose or Mercedes.
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karlreading - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#23:You kick up against mac bashers and then u have a pop at AMD fans. HOW RUDE. It's quiet obvisouse your a intel fan. your no better than the people you try to show up, claiming they do things whilst you do exactly the same things yourself.
Im a AMD fan, but i dont find that i have to have a pop at intel, mac, or anyone else. AMD make fine products. Intel make fines products. Apple make fine products. just each ones products match diffrent peoples expectations and needs.
as for the mac mini, i think its a excellent little machine. As Anand says, more appliance than computer. i think they will do well.
karlos
Dranzerk - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#2 in response to #1 Im talking about how lots of people will buy these because it's the "it" thing to do, and I will be looking on Ebay for when they are sold cheaper.How was that hard to understand?
michael2k - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
Well, if it's within the return period, you can technically 'return it' and get another, with the Tiger CDs/DVDs, or just tell the Apple person, "It would be better for you to send me the Tiger CDs, wouldn't it, than to return this one to CompUSA and get a new one with the new OS right?"So within two weeks I would expect it free, basically (though it takes some social engineering). I don't know about the 'heavy discount' however.
bupkus - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
Perhaps Apple should have offered the mini with 512MB as standard and then offered a downgrade option rather than their upgrade option.bob661 - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
If you want Tiger, just wait till it's released then by the Mac.msva124 - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
You say if tiger comes out right after you buy your machine, it is heavily discounted. Define "right after".Draco - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
Great article. Very refreshing to see so much Mac coverage. Look forward to more.Ecgtheow - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#59: If Tiger comes out right after you get your machine, you can get it for $30 through the "Up-to-date" program.sluramod - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#57: good news for apple then ... $499 now + $100 or so laterBurbot - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#40: Thanks for correction.#53: Very true. A lot of people do not understand the connection between memory amount and performance. I've seen that more then once - folks have a machine with 128 megs of RAM that is just dying under load, and when I suggest them a memory upgrade they say "But isn't Ghz the thing that makes it go faster?".