Mac Mini: VERY SLIM!

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

http://www.engadget.com/photos/mac-m...ds-on/#3080379

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...amily/mac_mini

As many of you know, I am NOT a fan of apple and usually have nothing good to say about the company, but after getting a look at the new mac mini, I am impressed, at least with the physical ramifications. I can't see myself making a system this small. I'd consider this an xtremely small yet decently powerful computer.

That said, WAY overpriced.

Edit: Btw, using very old gen hardware (775 socket WHY?!?!) is just plain stupid. i3 or even i5 in something like this for the money.

... I just really like the tiny form factor!

[FischOderAal]

A nice piece of hardware, but in Germany the cheapest version is at 809 Euros Not many will be paying that much if you can get an iMac for 1115 Euros...

[Bradan]

As many of you know, I am NOT a fan of apple and usually have nothing good to say about the company, but after getting a look at the new mac mini, I am impressed, at least with the physical ramifications. I can't see myself making a system this small. I'd consider this an xtremely small yet decently powerful computer.

That said, WAY overpriced.

Desktop power in a nettop size with mac quality and looks.

I like Apple products more all the time.

This thing cost 50% more than an Acer mini desktop

[Locke]

haven't we seen this before?

[Bradan]

haven't we seen this before?

no, we havn't. this is the smallest non-laptop computer we have seen that is made with desktop parts with a built-in power supply. There is no power brick and it's 1.4" thin...

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

This is why I posted it, it's xtremely small, and fits nicely with our extreme needs!

I hope the cooling is good on this. It's honestly too bad they go for $700.

I'd consider a refurbished one, but wow, new is out of my price range. If I can build one this small, sign me up, otherwise, I might have to bite the bullet down the road.

[Manicdan]

might aswell get a laptop, free screen for when u dont want to sit at your computer desk.

[lkiller123]

might aswell get a laptop, free screen for when u dont want to sit at your computer desk.

QFT, you would need to use a monitor anyways. This is just a laptop without the screen and the keyboard.

[Mats]

Yeah it isn't extremely small given that it uses all mobile parts.

[Manicdan]

what kind of mac laptop can you get thats comparable to it? imagining you wanted a mac and was debating on this or a laptop.

[FischOderAal]

Yeah it isn't extremely small given that it uses all mobile parts.

Even the old Mini was pretty crammed. I'm waiting for a teardown from ifixit.com before I judge. But I think it's not easy to get something on such small space.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/mac-m...-and-hands-on/

[Mats]

what kind of mac laptop can you get thats comparable to it? imagining you wanted a mac and was debating on this or a laptop.

MacBook is the cheapest, the low end Pro's are also pretty close in specs.
http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html

[Mats]

Even the old Mini was pretty crammed

I compared it to laptops. The only reason people think it's incredible small is because they don't see it for what it is: a laptop without battery, keyboard, touchpad and display.
Only thing added in there is a power supply.
I didn't say it isn't crammed. .

Now imagine a case with a similar design, but x cm wider, and with a ATI 5850..

[FischOderAal]

I compared it to laptops. The only reason people think it's incredible small is because they don't see it for what it is: a laptop without battery, keyboard, touchpad and display.
Only thing added in there is a power supply.
I didn't say it isn't crammed. .

So you're saying because it uses notebook components it's not impressive (engineering wise) even if it is extremely crammed on the inside?

Notebooks may be thinner, but they are way more broad.

I'd say the new Mac Mini is as small as a computer can be and that makes it impressive for me, notebook components or not. At least until someone crams even more inside the same space or the same in less space

[Manicdan]

im not impressed either, just because they know the dimensions of some parts, and have to adapt the rest to fit does not mean its tough to do so. if you look at motherboards for laptops, they are very small aswell, but just flatter and wider.

the only thing i will give them praise for, is that the PSU is inside the case, not a separate brick that hangs by your feet.

[Mats]

So you're saying because it uses notebook components it's not impressive (engineering wise) even if it is extremely crammed on the inside?

Pretty much, YES.
Because there are dozens of laptops just as impressive, and they don't get as much attention, either because they're laptops or for the fact that they're not made by Apple.
If you know how small the parts are, then you know what I mean..
Kudos to Apple for being the first to make it this small, but the same process have engineered lots of laptops, just as impressive and crammed, Apple or not.

Manicdan: As you can see in my link, laptop motherboards doesn't even have to be wider than this Mini.

[uOpt]

What I like best is that if you want a dual-link DVI connection (on that shared memory itty bitty piece of video chip), then you pay $99 extra.

And where are i5 or i7 CPUs? My 2006 generation hardware is better than this. And cost about the same back then.

[MrMojoZ]

So looks cute at first then you realize what a horrible deal it is. Yup, Apple.

[richierich]

Id rather get a Dell Zino HD.

[Bradan]

So looks cute at first then you realize what a horrible deal it is. Yup, Apple.

If this type of statement were true (people will only pay the lowest price for "x" hardware), there would be people who:

A) Bought Acers
B) Bought Apples

Yeah, they have the highest gross margins of any company, but if PC manufacturers would make products that compete in terms of build quality, form factor, materials, looks, battery life etc. there would be a lot less Apple's being sold in general.

[h0bbes]

If this type of statement were true (people will only pay the lowest price for "x" hardware), there would be people who:

A) Bought Acers
B) Bought Apples

Yeah, they have the highest gross margins of any company, but if PC manufacturers would make products that compete in terms of build quality, form factor, materials, looks, battery life etc. there would be a lot less Apple's being sold in general.

I wouldn't say that the battery life of macs is that superior. Probably much better than the average laptop though. PC manufacturers are improving nowadays and i would always pick better hardware over "looks" or whats in fashion.

[generics_user]

I wouldn't say that the battery life of macs is that superior. Probably much better than the average laptop though. PC manufacturers are improving nowadays and i would always pick better hardware over "looks" or whats in fashion.

considering the high-power hardware present in macbooks their battery life is extremely impressive; and NO other manufacturer comes remotely close to the macbooks in terms of build quality and design

[hyperdoggy]

considering the high-power hardware present in macbooks their battery life is extremely impressive; and NO other manufacturer comes remotely close to the macbooks in terms of build quality and design

Is the OS that makes battery life impressive on the macbooks, If i were to run bootcamp xp or win7 on my mac pro, is about the same as any good build laptops. At least that's the case with my mac pro 2009.

That said, the new mini looks very sexy, not that i would pay that much for what's inside.

[Bradan]

Is the OS that makes battery life impressive on the macbooks, If i were to run bootcamp xp or win7 on my mac pro, is about the same as any good build laptops. At least that's the case with my mac pro 2009.

That said, the new mini looks very sexy, not that i would pay that much for what's inside.

Yeah, true that. Although generally you still get about 10%-20% more battery capacity because they use the perfectly snug fitted flatpack li-ion batteries.

[DeltZ]

Nothing against it, build quality is good for macs, but seriously, everytime someone talks about the design, it gets more and more generic. They all look precisely the same. The same single aluminium shell with neat edges, curves in the standard places. It's really getting pretty boring, iphone, ipad etc. Doesn't impress me much anymore. Marketing genius though. I just think they need some new design inspiration though (aesthetically at least), but i guess they use a nice clean formula, anyway, why fix something which isn't broke?