Mac mini Updated, Hello HDMI - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FanIn80 · 06-15-2010, 06:47 AM

http://www.apple.com/macmini/design.html

Edit: Looks like the Server version is finally ready to replace AppleTV!

Patrick · 06-15-2010, 06:53 AM

Awesome.

Too bad the processor used in it is still how many years old? Sorry but a small form factor running multi years old parts is not worh $700+ dollars.

Windows 7 has closed the OS debate on OSX to charge a premium.

llama64 · 06-15-2010, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

Awesome.

Too bad the processor used in it is still how many years old? Sorry but a small form factor running multi years old parts is not worh $700+ dollars.

Windows 7 has closed the OS debate on OSX to charge a premium.

I'd argue that OS X is still worth more then Windows 7 - especially for anyone doing development (that isn't tied to .NET). And by worth more I mean I'm willing to pay the difference.

However, you are dead on for the rest of the complaint - Apple has priced the Mac Mini way too high for what it actually contains.

There is no reason Apple couldn't produce a Mac Mini with HDMI for under $500, except that it would highlight the pointlessness of the Apple TV (seriously, stick at least a DVD player on that thing for crying out loud).

FanIn80 · 06-15-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

Awesome.

Too bad the processor used in it is still how many years old? Sorry but a small form factor running multi years old parts is not worh $700+ dollars.

Windows 7 has closed the OS debate on OSX to charge a premium.

Really? Build me one.

You won't get the case anywhere, but if you could, the retail on it would be at least $200. Windows 7 OEM is $150...

That leaves you $350 to build your computer. 2.4 C2D will be at least $150, motherboard is $120, 1066 RAM is $70... That's $340 so far. Power supply is $80, that's $420. Looks like we've gone over the $700 mark and we're not even close to being done.

I know, I know... You can build a PC for $8 these days. Nobody's stopping you from doing that.

Edit: Don't get me wrong. I'm dissapointed with the specs too, but so many people like to flap their gums about how much things cost, without actually knowing how much things cost...

Anyway, of course I'd like more for my money. Who wouldn't? I'm going to seriously consider getting a Mac mini Server though. Will be perfect for the TV.

Last edit: Ultimately, the thing that really sucks is that the best OS on the planet is restricted to Apple hardware. I'd love to be able to build me an $8 PC and slap OS X on it. I mean, one that works... not that Hackintosh crap where "everything works, except the graphics are all upside down" or "oh yeah, this works awesome... well, except for network drivers, but who uses network drivers?"

Burninator · 06-15-2010, 08:23 AM

Just curious. Why would you want the Mac Mini hooked up to your TV over the Apple TV? What would you do with it to justify the cost that is almost 3 times as much? Or the server that is almost 4 times the cost?

MickMcGeough · 06-15-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

Awesome.

Too bad the processor used in it is still how many years old? Sorry but a small form factor running multi years old parts is not worh $700+ dollars.

Windows 7 has closed the OS debate on OSX to charge a premium.

Yawn.

MickMcGeough · 06-15-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Just curious. Why would you want the Mac Mini hooked up to your TV over the Apple TV? What would you do with it to justify the cost that is almost 3 times as much? Or the server that is almost 4 times the cost?

The difference is that a Mac Mini runs OSX and an Apple TV runs it's own OS. On a Mac Mini you can choose from a bunch of different media center software packages.

FanIn80 · 06-15-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Just curious. Why would you want the Mac Mini hooked up to your TV over the Apple TV? What would you do with it to justify the cost that is almost 3 times as much? Or the server that is almost 4 times the cost?

Mac mini Server would mean no more converting or worrying about file formats. Even annoying containers like MKV wouldn't be a pain in the ass anymore.

Not to mention the whole computer side of things. Get the Apple (or any other manufacturer's) bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and bam! Screw trying to surf the Net on your TV, using a PS3 or whatever. Do it on a real computer in 1080P.

You still get all the iTunes stuff that you do on your ATV.

Phaneuf3 · 06-15-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Ultimately, the thing that really sucks is that the best OS on the planet is restricted to Apple hardware.

Linux can only run on Apple hardware?

FanIn80 · 06-15-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

Linux can only run on Apple hardware?

Yeah, have fun rebuilding your kernel every time you want to sneeze.

llama64 · 06-15-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

The difference is that a Mac Mini runs OSX and an Apple TV runs it's own OS. On a Mac Mini you can choose from a bunch of different media center software packages.

And it comes with a DVD player.

But a 700-1000$ media center is stretching it.

FanIn80 · 06-15-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llama64

And it comes with a DVD player.

But a 700-1000$ media center is stretching it.

Yeah, it is a bit much. I'd really have to look at all the options before I went the Mac Server route.

One thing that really concerns me is the overheating. With how much I use my Xbox right now as a media server, this Mac mini would get a ton of use. It would be on for hours at a time everyday. It's a nice-looking case, but I'm not sure if the venting is practical enough for that kind of always-on usage.

Mind you, the iMacs are always on, and they do fine. Plus the aluminum does act as a heatsink...

I'd obviously price things out on the PC side first (I always do), but it's so difficult to find a case that I'd want to put in my living room that doesn't cost at least $200.

llama64 · 06-15-2010, 10:05 AM

A co-worker of mine used a Mac Mini as the office server for over a year. Didn't use the optical drive much, but as a server it functioned without fail for a long time before he replaced it with a Mac Pro.

So my argument would be that as a media device, it's over priced. But as a server, it's very nicely priced at $1000. All depends on how you want to use it.

If all you need is a media player, the Apple TV paired with a decent blue-ray player costs about ~$400.

FanIn80 · 06-15-2010, 10:15 AM

Yeah, that's true.

I would actually use it as a personal server though, too. From what I can tell, I'd be able to completely replicate the MobileMe thing with it.

Although, now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I'd have to pay extra to use port 25 with Telus. Unless, of course, I re-route my email through another port entirely...

silentsim · 06-15-2010, 10:21 AM

Pardon my ignorance, but I know little of OS X server. Are there any cons to it over client? Or can I creagte guest accounts etc for the ones who won't need the server features. I want to share some of my files over the net, my own little dropbox with my Airdisk.

Phaneuf3 · 06-15-2010, 11:36 AM

That would make a real nice media box to hook up to my tv. This is one of the few times where I'd willingly pay a moderate premium for a sleeker design and case that Apple is offering.

Why no blu ray drive though? Would bump the cost up too much?

silentsim · 06-15-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

That would make a real nice media box to hook up to my tv. This is one of the few times where I'd willingly pay a moderate premium for a sleeker design and case that Apple is offering.

Why no blu ray drive though? Would bump the cost up too much?

Well it would increase cost and price, but the main reason IMO is it would not follow Apple's business model of pushing iTunes HD content via renting or purchasing, where you could rent or purchase tv shows and movies. (Even though that is 720p)

Hack&Lube · 06-15-2010, 12:10 PM

You can build your own HTPC that is much smaller and has much better components and then install OSX on it than Apple is charging for the Mac mini.

Hang out on a enthusiast HTPC or SFF PC forum and you can see some amazing things people have created. It takes some effort though and I guess there is a market for this for people who don't want to go through that trouble.

Phaneuf3 · 06-15-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

You can build your own HTPC that is much smaller and has much better components and then install OSX on it than Apple is charging for the Mac mini.

Hang out on a enthusiast HTPC or SFF PC forum and you can see some amazing things people have created. It takes some effort though and I guess there is a market for this for people who don't want to go through that trouble.

Interesting. Thanks for the tip. This is the nicest looking one I've seen but then again, I haven't looked around too much and am only starting to look at making the jump to HDTV/digital content/blu ray for my home theater experience. It sounds like you've done your homework on this - got any links to some resources?

MickMcGeough · 06-15-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

Interesting. Thanks for the tip. This is the nicest looking one I've seen but then again, I haven't looked around too much and am only starting to look at making the jump to HDTV/digital content/blu ray for my home theater experience. It sounds like you've done your homework on this - got any links to some resources?

http://www.avsforum.com is the final word on home theater communities, IMO.

If you're going for a windows media center HTPC - http://www.thegreenbutton.com

Or my personal favorite, SageTV - http://www.sagetv.com