[mac2980]

pros: Size, I'm a huge mac head and I gotta say they've out done themselves with this computer. There's no doubt mac has to be commended for introducing this computer.
Cons: The selling scheme is bogus people I mean seriously. Step back, and think for 1 minute!:
If your in need of just a new computer, then go for it, because all you need to do with this is place all the cables from your pc into the new mac. Mind you PC keyboards and mice NEVER went into a mac computer unless they were USB based so if you don't have a USB Keyboard and Mouse, be prepared to buy another set.
Now, if you are in need of a COMPLETE new computer system this is where macs a little plan becomes more evident. More or less they plan that when you buy this computer, this $500 computer, You will purchase a screen from them as well. Ok people, it cost $1000 for one of macs displays. Twice as the computer.
And if you need a mouse and keyboard, get ready to dish out another $60. and if you wanna be on the safe side and need apple care, thats an additional $150 you'll be dishing out. People, that's close too $1800 if not more depending on your state taxes you'll be dishing out for this new computer!! Are you kidding me?
Most of us know that most American's especially are not going to take the time if thier out in their towns shopping for a new computer, and end up at a mac store to look around other stores for another display. They'll just want to buy it all in one conveniant place to be done with it.
Mac has still not understood to this day in the year 2005, how lucrative PC companies truly became. two words: PACKAGE DEALS!
If they Really wanted to succeed and make this a killer seller, they woulda made a bundle package deal. Say $1300 or hell even $1200 for a Mac Mini, 20in Flat screen and Keyboard & Mouse. Apple will never become the common and simplee based consumers computer. Nomatter how much they try, they'll never shed the luxury brand image. Especially with the sales tactic approaches they take!!.
MAC, Great Computers, Stupid sale's pitches.

[lkalliance]

A new monitor doesn't have to come from Apple. Nor does a keyboard. If you have these things, that's great. If you don't have them, budget solutions are available. Starting from nothing, you could put together the rest of it for less than $200, probably without trying too hard. That puts it in the same territory as the eMac.
But for a lot of people, they'll be able to switch just by dropping the $499.
Apple OFFERS a package deal. Here it is. You get virtually the same computer as the new Mac Mini, plus a monitor, keyboard and mouse. And all for the same price you'd pay for a Mac Mini plus budget solutions for keyboard and mouse. On the purely spec level, in fact: it's got more ports.
But if you DO have a monitor and a keyboard and a mouse, you don't even have to spend THAT much. Just the $499. Or you can go in between. Don't want to drop $1300 on an iMac but are willing to spend more than the $800 for an eMac? Get a Mac Mini and pair it with a $400 monitor and go in between. Mix and match.
I think it's a somewhat un-Apple-like product, in the sense that there's much more flexibility in assembling a low-cost system.

[Argent]

In reply to:

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If they Really wanted to succeed and make this a killer seller, they woulda made a bundle package deal. Say $1300 or hell even $1200 for a Mac Mini, 20in Flat screen and Keyboard & Mouse.

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Your logic is flawed. If a consumer can afford to spend $1300 for a Mac with a flatscreen, keyboard and mouse, then they can pick up a G5 iMac for that price. The person buying the Mac mini doesn't want an Apple Cinema Display, or Apple keyboard and one-button mouse.

In reply to:

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Nomatter how much they try, they'll never shed the luxury brand image. Especially with the sales tactic approaches they take!!.

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Where did you get the idea that Apple is trying to shed the "luxury brand image?" Just because Mercedes and BMW offer a C-class and a 3-series doesn't mean they're trying to get out of the luxury car market. Compared to a bargain PC, everything about the Mac mini says high-end (except the price, of course). That's the point. Apple's target demographic with the mini are those PC owners who love their iPods, are willing to try a Mac, but don't want to spend a lot of money.

[Nobody]

In reply to:

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Apple will never become the common and simplee based consumers computer. Nomatter how much they try, they'll never shed the luxury brand image.

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Good, I don't want Apple to be the monoculture.
Go to techbargains.com, buy.com, Sams Club, or amazon:
Microsoft wireless Intellimouse Explorer $16.95
Quality Keyboard $25.00
17 inch Samsung CRT $99.00
Thats less than $650.00 for a extremly small computer with a rock solid OS that will do e-mail, internet, music, writing letters, and digital photos, which covers about 85% of computer users. If people cant see the value then they should just pass it up, but dont forget to update your Windows anti-virus, service packs, spyware, and on and on and on.

[elusive_1]

Welcome to the boards mac2980,
I think your "skepticism" is baseless. You mention package deals as the wise sales pitch for Apple. I disagree. I think offering the mini was genius in that it will be able to ride the wave that the iPod has created and give a reasonable option for non-mac users and possibly make them full-time users of mac hardware. Also, current mac users will buy the mini as well... You also mention that the mini will cause consumers to think they MUST purchase Apple hardware. No way...THAT is just crazy! I have an ibook, but use a Microsoft mouse and an HP keyboard with a Sony LCD display...Of course I would love to have Apple-everything, but I had the hardware already and they work beautifully with the ibook.

[enb141]

Well I think this is the best ever good idea from mac because a lot of people like me and millions are going to buy the miniMac and use their current parts to enter to the world of OSX so after that customers are going to see if their next PC will be an iMac or even a PowerMac.
Most people specially loyalty Mac Users are not agree that apple sells this cheap computer because they have paid a lot of money but new ones are going to enjoy to try the mac world.

[kwill]

The best part of any Mac is the OS -- especially if it runs Mac OS X. This has been true since my first 25MHz Mac IIci at 10 times the price of the new Mac Mini (MM).
MM gives users a chance to experience the Mac OS experience without living in the Apple retail store. They can store and edit photos with iLife software and download music from iTMS in the comfort of their own home. The timing is perfect, with the introduction of the iPod Shuffle. Those who were considering stopping by the Apple Store to purchase the iPod Photo might just opt for the MM and Shuffle.

[pdrayton]

In reply to:

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Most of us know that most American's especially are not going to take the time if thier out in their towns shopping for a new computer, and end up at a mac store to look around other stores for another display. They'll just want to buy it all in one conveniant place to be done with it.

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Listen to Steve Jobs. Listen to how he describes Mac mini. The target market for the Mac mini are consumers (PC & Mac) who already have a display. Why are you so anxious about people having to buy a display when this is being targeted at consumers who already have one?
News articles today in the mainstream press are describing time and time again the Mac mini being a good choice for people who want to switch to Mac or Mac users who want an additional computer... people who already have a display, keyboard and mouse!
And, if people want to buy a Mac mini AND a display, what's the problem? Why the conspiracy theories? Sit back, relax, take a deep breath, and let people do what they want to do.

[JohnnyA]

Looks like a new Cube to me. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Martian]

Its great to be able to make an absolute and unqualified statement.......... Anything that builds Mac market share is good for ALL mac users.

[Earthling7]

As long as it doesn't catch the attention of virus makers... /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Praxis]

The biggest problem I see is that almost ALL PC keyboards are PS/2.
That's not so much of a problem in itself, except that all the KVM switches are designed for PC's.
I'm having a nightmare of a time finding any USB+VGA 2-computer KVM switches for decent prices. The one Apple has on their site is $130.

[Earthling7]

The Apple USB keyboard is $29, hardly a budget buster. Better get that and use your existing mouse and monitor.

[Rcovell]

I agree with your statement. My wife is a good example. She uses her G3 B&W for email, surfing and a bit of word processing. She'll play a CD once in a while. For space reasons, we retired the old CRT based monitor and bought an inexpensive LCD. I also got her a two button mouse with a scroll wheel. (Don't get me started on the iMac hockey puck!) She also runs 8.6 including IE and OE.
I would love for her to upgrade to an iMac, but, it's way too expensive for her modest needs. She likes her current 17" LCD, so the Mac mini is a perfect solution for her. I love the fact that she'll upgrade to OS X and get to use Mail and Safari. Appleworks is included and there's an audio out jack.
My only question is whether we can live with the 256 of RAM? If we get the mini and need to upgrade the RAM, how much is my local AASP going to charge?
I think the mini seems perfectly suited for it's intended purpose and look forward to trying one out. Bob.