Paul Thurrott has weighed in on Apple’s new Mac mini over on Paul Thurrott’s Internet Nexus:
Essentially an iBook G4 without the LCD screen, the Mac mini represents a bold move on Apple’s part: Jobs had always sworn that he wasn’t interested in competing in the bargain basement world of sub-$1000 PCs. But with the mini, that’s exactly what Apple’s doing, though in typical Apple fashion, it doesn’t include features–like a keyboard, mouse, and screen–that $500 PCs typically offer. And that mini will actually set you back more than an eMac when you deck it out in usable form.
So does it suck? Oh no. It does not suck. It does not suck at all. The Mac mini is a revolutionary product, one whose ramifications will be felt around the PC industry for months to come. I love it. I love that they did this.
The Mac mini is drool-worthy. The Mac mini is beautiful. The Mac mini is affordable. The Mac mini is small, quiet, and elegant. Like an iPod, it has trade-offs when compared to similarly-priced PC products. But you know what? I don’t care. They’re going to sell millions of these things. PC people will be able to get into a Mac for next to nothing. And Mac market share will grow. Mark my words. This is big stuff. Well, it’s small. The box. Nevermind.
I love Mac mini. I love Apple for making Mac mini. And I love the thought of this thing turning around the Mac’s fortune. All these years of over-pricing their products and Apple totally hit it out of the park this time. The 1.25 GHz version is just $499, though you’ll need at least a RAM update to 512 MB. The 1.42 GHz version is just $599.
Let me address some concerns. Yes, a SuperDrive is extra. RAM is extra. The monitor, mouse and keyboard will add up. Yes, the 32 MB 1999-era video card is a joke. You know what? Who cares? The Mac mini rocks. I want one.
Grade: A. It’s about time. The Mac is back, baby.
Thurrott also covers just about everything Apple CEO presented in his Macworld Expo keynote presentation here.
MacDailyNews Take: Two down, at least one to go. We await Rob Enderle’s Mac mini pronouncements with bated breath.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Kiss of death: Dvorak likes Apple’s new Mac mini – January 12, 2005
Yeah, I’m still waiting to here more negative comments. Not just “Apple is stupid” but some honest negative comments. Like, “I tried resting a monitor on top of it and it collapsed and was smashed.”
I’m not wishing for it, however. =)
Long live apple.
HOLY CRAP!
Hold on everybody! This scares me! Paul always gets it wrong.
I’m in the same boat jjr. Is this one of the signs of the apocalypse? It seems more like it everyday.
1999 era 32meg video card? Who cares, beyond heavy game players a 32meg video card is fine. Heck my Powerbook 12″ G4/867 has 32megs on a less powerful video card and everything I do runs great, including dual monitors, and playing, while not totally cutting edge games, like Medal of Honor – Spearhead with no problems at all.
Its a $500 system, the $500 PCs have crappy video cards that use part of main ram, while sure you can upgrade the video card, most gamers are going to buy something more powerful than a $500 system, heck most will almost spend that on just a high end video card for game play… This system is more for my parents, friends, co-workers that need basic computer usage, and are tired of fighting with Windows, want great photo stuff, home video edit, etc. ie: a MacOS system for about the price of their digital camera and digital camcorders
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And this is just after he wrote an article two days earlier entitled: “Cheaper iMac, who cares?”
Watch out kids, he’s off his meds.
DanK: “I tried resting a monitor on top of it and it collapsed and was smashed.”
AHHHH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAAA!!!
Or something like, “I lost it! I lost my f$^#ing Mac mini! G%#damn it! Apple made it too f$^#ing small! Buncha retards!”
You know you’ve got a great product on your hands when people really have to stretch to come up with negatives about it.
(Brought to you by the magic word “trying”, as in “The PC pundits were trying to ridicule it, but they can’t!”)
Well, that’s it. The mac mini will be a flop. Thorott has been always wrong. 🙁
That’s it, this is The Seventh Sign. The world is coming to an end. Goodbye all.
shock….
mac unit sales up 26%
Thurrott likes it? We’re screwed.
Why do these people think you have to run out and buy a monitor, keyboard, and mouse? if the Mac mini is your first computer, then yes, but otherwise you are upgrading and will most likely have hardware kicking around that will work. You can’t please some people. People would bitch because they didn’t like the single button mouse included with Macs, now they are bitching because a mouse isn’t included. I’ve seen some people claim that switchers will want to buy new monitors because their old monitors would “look” out of place because it was ugly next to the mini. Come people, these people have been fighting with Windows! I doubt a non-matching monitor is really going to matter once they see OS X! They won’t notice the crappy monitor case because they will be staring at OS X with a deer-in-the-headlights gaze, totally in awe!
omigod, omigod. it really did freeze over.
Well, MDN is exactly right on this – where’s Enderle? Is he just too slack-jawed even after 24 hours to say anything about this? Or is he waiting for some other sign of the apocalypse to make a pronouncement, so he can minimize the blame he’ll take for causing it?
Not only did it freeze over, but now calling for an additional 6 to 12 inches.
But you need to treat him like a dog that sometimes bites. He’ll be back to trashing Apple again, guaranteed.
Paul DOES add to the latest myth that a PC is still cheaper… yet I’ve read several places a low-end Dell with comparable upgrades to make it the same as a mini is over $700 without a monitor.
But hey, I have to give the guy credit. That was the way I sounded yesterday screaming about it to my coworkers
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The 5th Element has arrived.
I’m sure this isn’t a case of alien abduction of John and Paul….. or maybe Microsoft having trouble making their payroll….. both of which would be highly unlikely!
I’m going welcome John and Paul (and hopefully Rob) aboard with open arms. It wasn’t completly their fault that they couldn’t see on the dark side. They just had to be shown where the light switch was.
Does that mean I have to say nice things about Paul Thurrott?
I would never advocate something as silly or crazy as that sMac!
Uh oh. I admit I’m a little worried now. First, Dvorak. Now Thurott. If Rob Enderle joins in the chorus then I’m going to rethink my position on the Mac mini.
Something weird is going on. Maybe it all started with the Red Sox beating the Yankees in four straight after losing the first three. Then the Cards, an obviously better team, laid down on the ground and didn’t play at all.
Then Apple, the highest margin guys around who would, according to Steve, never play at the low end, is now leading the low end pack.
Here’s how to figure it. Go to Dell and match specs with a Mac mini. Go to Gateway and match specs with a Mac mini.
Apples to apples, Mac mini is lower in price than either Dell or Gateway, feature for feature.**
Has anyone checked the temperature of Hell recently? Come on. Something’s wrong down there.
I did a check of the Dell and Gateway online offerings. The low end Dell and Gateway (feature for feature) come in at just under $700, while a comparably equipped Mac mini is just over $600.
� no monitor
� add $79 for Firewire card for the PCs
� upgrade to Windows XP Pro
� get RAM to the same amount
� get hard drive to the same size
� add cost of Apple keyboard and mouse to Mac mini
� make sure Microsoft Works is in the package
That should do it. That’s about as close as you can get and the Mac mini is less expensive, AND still has Mac OS X’s and iLife’s advantages.
Sweet.
So, what’s wrong? Has Steve Job’s been given some extraordinary surge of power so that the Reality Distortion Field� now encompasses formerly PC-only writers?
Something’s up, guys!! Be afraid. Be really afraid.
Tera Patricks
Mac360.com
the time has come… down with the curse of microsoft!!!!!
they are jumping like fleas
WEEEEE!!
Enderle’s at his Gateway right now.. rebooting.. planning on his next big writeup..knowing that millions of PC users.. (okay hundreds) await his next move..
Survivor: Silicon Valley…
Paul and John have already broken from the alliance.. what do I do now? Do I plow forward with my Media Player disappointment story.. or do I actually look at what this thing can do and join my two Xbox Live chums in the Mac mini camp…?
Mary, Put a pot of coffee on.. it’s gonna be a long night… (mostly because the gateway is swamped with spyware)
“Does that mean I have to say nice things about Paul Thurrott?”
No it doesn’t, Thurrott can’t be trusted. He’s a cynical media whore who doesn’t have an honest opinion about anything. *sigh* I’m still amazed that none of you gets it: the man plays to the gallery. In case you didn’t notice, this is from Internet Nexus. Let’s hear what he has to say about the Mac mini on Wininfo before you all invite him for a group hug and a stirring rendition of “Kumbaya”. He’ll praise Apple and Apple products anywhere else but Wininfo, which (besides Thurrott’s financial benefit) exists solely for the aid and comfort of Windows fanboys with inferiority complexes. You will never, ever hear him say anything complimentary about Apple there. Whenever he wants some clicks for ad revenue, all he has to do is write another inflammatory article dissing Macs and the knee-jerk zealots rise to his bait. Never fails. He actually has a guaranteed income stream this way. It works like this:
“Hm…mortgage is due…MACS SUCK!” Nine billion site hits. Profit.
“Damn! My car insurance is up! APPLE BLOWS MONKEYS!” Nine billion site hits. Profit.
“I really ought to get my parents a nice gift for their anniversary. STEVE JOBS IS A MORON!” Nine billion site hits. Profit.
You get the picture.
Mike, you’re onto something. Enderle is probably rebooting, and rebooting and scanning and doing virus removal.
He hasn’t written anything yet because his computer is currently “offline”.
I’m being silly! He’s probably only on holiday!!