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Just ordered a MacMini [apple.com].
I think the MacMini is one of the top computer events in 3 decades.
I think the Mini will reshape the entire computing landscape like nothing has since Win95 came out. Before that, I'd have to go back to the orginal Mac release. Even before that - the PC itself.
The Minimac will do for the IPOD generation, what the Apple 2 did for the 70-80's Geek generation (the real generation X).
1.25 or 1.42GHz G4 processor, 40 or 80GB hard drive, a slot-loading CD-R/DVD-ROM optical drive, 256MB DDR SDRAM
Looks nice, but the specs aren't what I would like. I'll wait till they start including some significant amount of RAM and a faster procesor (a little more hard drive space wouldn't hurt either).
Ya' know, at 6 1/2" square the Mac mini is not that much larger than the Google radio a bunch of folks received last month? It can be squirreled away most anywhere.
— all whisper-quiet.
Nice, wonder if it's fanless. Might get hot enough for a fanny warmer. Damn thing's small enough for me to lose. Slice & dice the failed Cube & it looks like they have a winner.
I just got one a few days ago too. Waiting on the freebie one too :P
the Mini will reshape the entire computing landscape...
The iMac was supposed to do this too.
Those Ipod'ers that have PC'fatigue will come in record numbers. Mac numbers will swell.
It's not anymore portable than my Dell tower. Heck, the iMac is more portable because it has less parts. Just because something is smaller than it's ever been doesn't make it ground breaking.
A system is only as good as it's weakest link. And it's weakest link is the relience upon a monitor, external keyboard, mouse and power supply which is the same weak link for any desktop system. So, again, what's the big deal?
You still need to connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and it needs to be plugged into a power outlet.
I don't think Apple is actually touting it as a portable. Part of the market is aimed at folks who already have a PC setup and fell in love with the iPod. All they have to do is grab a $20 KVM switch, put the mini where it will do most good as an oversized paperweight, and have fun.
Back some days ago the Apple IIC wasn't touted as a portable. But it fit very neatly into a small, soft-sided briefcase (before the days of oversized laptop bags). I just picked up an extra monitor to keep at home. It turned out to be much more compact than the Compaqs of the time.
Never really liked MACs image thing I think.
Apple is pleased to report that a shipment for the following order
is on its way to you.
When the Mac first came out, I remember looking at that "All-in-one" case with the teenie weenie monitor and CPU all in one box and thinking:
"What a waste of plastic..."
My opinion of Apple hasn't improved since.
But the mini... I dunno, Anytime I've messed with a Mac running os 9.x or OSX, that stupidly over-GUIed interface has ticked me off to no end. I just plain don't like the interface on an emotional (not rational) level.
Still, might pick one up sometime in the next year, just so I don't have to spend much money to have a Mac kicking around for cross-compatibility testing. I figure once a few of them hit the market, and enough die-hard PCers realize that they really do like their Dell's better, I should be able to get a used one for a couple hundred $
This one looks like a winner. Of course, at $700 a pop (for the 80 GB hard drive and 512 meg RAM upgrade) it's almost silly to not upgrade every old Mac we've got. For now though, we're just replacing our in house web server.
You don't even need the KVM switch. You can download RDC from Microsoft for FREE and run your PC in a window on your Mac screen. It's like having Virtual PC without making your Mac do all of the work. You just have to have Win XP Pro, 2000 Server or one of the other 'pro' type of windows OS on the PC.
Then if you need to transfer some files you just connect through Finder just like you would to any other machine on your network.
Great setup for me, it's also fun to hit the PC with a huge task like an install of Service Pack 2 just to hear the drive start cranking away in the other room. ;o)
Looks nice, but the specs aren't what I would like. I'll wait till they start including some significant amount of RAM and a faster procesor
Yelow Dog Linux [yellowdoglinux.com]
I don't know why you'd want to, though. It's a full Unix system right out of the box.
Now I don't know yet whether we'll end up laughing or crying!
Syzygy
the Mini will reshape the entire computing landscape...
The iMac was supposed to do this too.
Anyway...the Mac Mini is made mostly for iPod users, or others who are sick of Windows and Microsoft and all the problems that come with it. It's simple, will handle most tasks well, except maybe heavy gaming or video editing, and comes at a decent price, even with some extra for upgrades.
Also, remember this is the first generation of Minis, so it isn't gonna be perfect.
I wish they'd do a "Treo"+Ipod with better pictures /video, faster processor, and lighter.
Keep wishing long enough and your wishes shall come true...
Syzygy
So far so good..
