“Apple Computer’s tiny Mac mini is the only desktop computer DoubleClick has ever lost — if only briefly — on our dining room table. Someone had dropped a folded newspaper on it. The thing really is ridiculously small, certainly small enough to sit in the palm of your hand,” David Frith writes for Australian IT. “Once it was rescued, we connected it to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, switched on and were entranced. The Mac mini, we think, is not just the cutest, smallest PC on the market, but one of the best and cheapest.”
“Apple is aiming at selling this model to current Windows users as well as Mac fans, and a quick glance suggests it has a very good chance of making converts – once it gets over supply problems,” Frith writes.
“Compared to Dell’s basic home and small-office desktop, the Dimension 3000, Frith explains that unlike the Dell, “the Apple machine comes with the innovative and easy-to-use iLife 05 suite of digital lifestyle software. This $119-value suite includes iTunes for handling a music collection, iPhoto for snaps; iMovie and IDVD for making classy home movies and burning them to DVD, and GarageBand for producing music. You’d pay hundreds for similar software on Windows. The mini also comes with AppleWorks to handle world processing, spreadsheets, slide shows, graphics and more – and with two action games,” Frith writes.
“The Mac has the advantage that the Dell’s Celeron processor has to share memory with the Intel graphics chip, which can hog up to 64MB of those 256MB. The Mac mini has a faster Radeon graphics card with its own built-in memory… The mini may not be everyone’s choice, but Apple has convincingly shown you no longer have to pay more for a Mac. The Dell is possibly slightly ahead on performance, and upgrades and add-ons are generally cheaper – and it’s delivered to your door. But it simply isn’t as small or cute as the Mac mini,” Frith writes.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Sounds like Frith believes that Dell isn’t “in the same league” as Apple, huh, Mr. Rollins?
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple’s $500 Mac mini may cause Windows PC homes to become Macintosh homes – March 20, 2005
PC Pro: Apple’s Mac mini offers ‘lovely touches that Microsoft can’t match’ – March 17, 2005
Apple’s Mac mini ‘a true desktop beauty’ packed with software that amazes – March 17, 2005
Apple’s Mac Mini turns commodity computing into fine computing – March 15, 2005
Sick of your Windows PC? It’s time to move on with your iLife with Apple’s new ‘Mac mini’ – March 09, 2005
Tech writer Fasoldt: Apple’s Mac mini includes ‘outstanding, superb’ software – March 09, 2005
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Apple’s Mac mini ‘a money-saving option for PC users who want to test-drive Apple’s reputation’ – March 06, 2005
TrustedReviews: ‘The Mac mini is a master stroke by Apple’ – March 01, 2005
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PC World gives Apple’s Mac mini 4 out of 5 stars – February 26, 2005
Apple Mac mini ‘perfect for computer user who wants to leave the tyranny of Window and viruses’ – February 26, 2005
Apple’s Mac mini might well convince Windows users to switch to Mac OS X – February 22, 2005
Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Apple’s Mac Mini is a device of the most cunningly crafted evil’ – February 18, 2005
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Tom’s Hardware: Apple Mac mini’s size, design, attractive price sets it apart – February 16, 2005
Apple’s Mac mini is a convincing shot across Bill Gates’ bow – February 15, 2005
Apple’s Mac mini makes using a Mac more affordable and more attractive than ever to Windows users – February 08, 2005
Washington Times: ‘Mac mini raises the bar for what a good, low-price computer can and should do’ – February 08, 2005
Apple Mac mini, iMac G5 models hold 5 of top 6 spots in Amazon’s Desktop Computer Top Sellers list – February 08, 2005
New Mac mini helps Apple get its secret weapon – creative software – in front of Windows users – February 08, 2005
The Seattle Times: Apple’s new Mac mini is ‘tiny, beautiful and dirt cheap’ – February 05, 2005
BusinessWeek: Apple’s Mac mini comes with elegant, stable Mac OS X and very good software – February 03, 2005
Apple’s Mac mini is an attractive option to Windows-based PCs – February 02, 2005
Computerworld: Apple Computer ‘has a hit on its hands with the new Mac Mini’ – February 01, 2005
Apple’s Mac mini offers relief from Windows viruses and malware – January 30, 2005
Associated Press: With Apple’s Mac mini ‘you could abandon Windows altogether’ – January 27, 2005
CBS News: Grab a new Apple Mac mini ‘and kiss the old Wintel machine goodbye’ – January 27, 2005
AnandTech reviews Apple’s Mac mini: ‘tempting Windows users everywhere’ – January 26, 2005
Yeah Baby!!
Why is it that EVERY SINGLE REVIEW of the mini, it has to be predominately described as “cute”. Is there no reviewer who is interested on what goes on inside the case or software?
Oh the new Mac Mini? It appears to be some sort of computer, like a Dell, but refreshingly CUTE. I don’t know what you would use if for, but gee it sure is cute though!
I accidentally swallowed my new Mac mini.
BUUUURRRRRRPPPPPPP…. There I found it
Sum Yung Guy –
Do not eat Mac mini.
This is becoming more and more like sports. All the trash talking vs. Tuesday morning quarterbacking, etc. Some guys read the sports pages every morning. I read the technology section.
All I can say to Apple is, rember the Lakers….
Mac mini’s aren’t “delivered to your door”? Hmmm. Apple should work on that. Maybe it only goes as far as your front porch. No wonder they have supply problems!
MW: hell
Again with the cute. Oh well, I guess it IS cute. At least this guy “looked beyond the box” ™
“The thing really is ridiculously small, certainly small enough to sit in the palm of your hand…”
So is it a desktop computer or a palmtop computer???
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Andy Inahtko lost his Mac mini in his sofa, between the cushions.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/worktech/cst-fin-andy181.html
Is that a plus?
When is Apple going to replace AppleWorks bundle on Mac Mini with iWork? It just makes more sense…
When iWork will do all the things that AppleWorks can do.
after all these years of PC heads saying.. ‘mac users only care about looks’.. now the pc guys are saying ‘this is a cute computer.. who cares about the OS?’
ironic?
I also think iWork should become part of the iLife suite and standard with any Mac purchase…after a spreadsheet is added. I believe this will create major incentive and it is like getting a more intuitive basics of Office for free. Powerpoint for Mac alone is three times the price.
Those weren’t cushions.
Some enterprising developer needs to come up with a pager remote, so that if you lose your Mac mini, you can reach for the remote, push the button, and the Mac buzzes or beeps like your phone. Or maybe plays a tune! Or how ’bout this, it speaks, “Here I am, under here! Help!”
magic word “Wish” like I wish it had a faster HD and I would be using a Mac mini today.
David Frith has been the Macintosh-supporting reporter for years. He has always been balanced, criticising where Apple deserves it, but clearly in the Apple camp. We need more reporters like David.
I priced a Dell vs Mini for a friend and found two hidden costs for the Dell:
1. Shipping is extra and COMPULSORY
2. A DVD player does NOT mean it burns CDs (like a combo), for this you must pay extra
There are also the essential “Norton Anti-virus” and “XP Professional” taxes that most people don’t budget for i.e. essential upgrades.
Naturally I recommended the mini.
Andy Ihnatko is a knowledgeable writer. He has served the Mac community very well. He deserves to have his name spelled correctly.
It is not Inahtko – just as it is not it’s when it should be its, not they’re or there when it should be their, not I could care less when it should be I could not care less… Most likely it is luck, rather than smarts, that made many of you into Mac users. So, quit gloating.
I saw a commercial from dell advertising a “complete” Dell destop system for $399 on tv tonight. What exactly is Dell selling?
Whatever it is, you can be sure that the sheep that are the American consumers, will buy it, and turn up their collective noses at the Mac Mini and think that they have a wonderful decision.
With their Dell Dimensia, they will be able to game, email, surf and contract viruses, purchase norton, quaranteen viruses, defrag their hard drive, update, reinstall, and practice everything else that one can lump into windows administration.
And of course they will scratch their heads when it comes to anything digital which of course is the mainstay of ilife.
Apple has to do something about this. Why don’t they advertise? A well placed add on the tube about the Mini and OSX with ilife would save thousands of sheep.
Husker-
I don’t think people turn up their noses to the mini. It just costs a lot more than the $499 to switch platforms. I switched a long time back but am still having to use my pc sometimes because I haven’t replaced all my software.
I have thousands of dollars of windows software. $1299 for the Adobe Creative suite, $799 for Quark, $899 for StudioMX and that mac mini suddenly costs me three grand. That’s just some of the software too.
Of course I wouldn’t use a mini for what I do, but you get the point.
Ah, the Mac mini IS delivered to your door! Apple’s web site says “Free Shipping!”
To theloniousMac,
Okay I’ll bite, what about the Lakers?
[I don’t think people turn up their noses to the mini. It just costs a lot more than the $499 to switch platforms.]
It costs more to stay put, aswell.
[I have thousands of dollars of windows software… and that mac mini suddenly costs me three grand. That’s just some of the software too.]
Well, when you’re ready to upgrade those Apps – crossgrade instead!
[Of course I wouldn’t use a mini for what I do, but you get the point.]
Jerry, Macs can surf for pr0no. Less spyware, too!
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“…iLife 05 suite of digital lifestyle software. This $119-value suite…”
is it me or do i just feel enormously privileged to have bought iLife 05 for $79? well, i get sidetracked…
iWork is not yet complete. spreadsheet is indeed missing, but not any spreadsheet philosophy will do. imho, it will not be an excel style app. years ago, there was a program called Trapeze, an incredible spreadsheet app, visualized tables, logical, powerful, and not as clunky as excel.
even without that, the mac mini, sans iWork, is a steal. and Dull? they will try, but they tried to copy the swivel-head imac (and failed). obnoxious ads and misleading strategies might help them now… but not for long.
chris d., i think you’ll find that $119 was australian dollars.