Homey_V

You mean like Small Form Factor PC's that have been on the market for some time now?

The iPod Shuffle just seems like any other MP3 player to me. I'd rather get one that size with an LCD myself. Not worth the money.

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tellumFS

I think the MacMini is different than a SFF PC. The SFF appeals to me, but the MacMini is nice because:
A) It's cheap
B) It's New (as in, has a warrantee)
C) It's quiet
D) It runs OSX.

I agree... the iPod shuffle is a bit unexciting. I'd rather look at the iRiver H10 instead of an iPod. The 'Pods are nice, but I don't need more than 5 GB or so, and the iRiver has an FM tuner, voice recorder, and the photo storage capabilites for 279 or so MSRP.

bodypainter

You call me gay and then claim you're not baiting, huh? WTF? Just because you say it don't make it true.

Apple is going to sell a shitload of these Minis. I predict a lot of uses will be found for this little box besides as a general purpose computer. A year from now they will be sold as bundles to make them HTPC's, car stereos, kiosk boxes, etc.

Apple didn't make the first HD based MP3 player but they when they did, they did it right and it worked. Other companies have made computer "appliance" boxes but I think this is the beginning of that done right too.

docbungle

I think it looks very neat. I have no use for it, but I'd definitely buy it as a gift.

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lpj8

The Mac Mini is very tempting. The specs are alright for a budget system, I already own a USB hub, keyboard, mouse, monitor and the form factor is really awesome. Since its so small, I'd be able use this machine both at home and at work. The only thing thats holding me back is that I'm waiting for Tiger this year.

jonjon42

actually that ipod shuffle has much future use to me as both a music player...and a flash drive...
it's not made to be a permanent load up your music every now and then and go...it's meant to be more like.."time to take a run" (load up random shuffle of songs)...and run and then it's "time for boring early morning class that you wish you never signed up for" (load up another shuffle of songs) and go

ipod regular is more like bringing your music library with you wherever you go....like away from the computer for a period of time.

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A damn dirty hippie without the dirty part....

THGL

Looks like someone's brain is on the same wavelength as yours
http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/01...auto/index.php

LewisCouch

This appears to be Apple's first foray into home media computers, albiet the audio output seems to be lacking. It's got a DVI connection so you could easily hook this thing up to an HDTV. The fact that it's so compact and noiseless makes it a pefect fit with a home entertainment system. I wonder if Apple will me marketing a wireless capable IPOD sometime soon?

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-- Massimo d'Azeglio

VitaminH

I think the point is simplicity. You don't need a screen. As said above, you make the playlist and drop it in, and either play in the order you defined, or just let it shuffle them on its own. No need for a screen. While I'll stick to my standard ipod, I don't think it's a terrible idea. But yes I agree that I'd like to see ogg on the ipod, but I'm an ituneser anyway so I just use AAC.

Also remember the "Megahertz myth" people: 1.42 Ghz G4 != 1.42 Ghz Pentium 4. The G4 is faster.

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merkerguitars

For all of you whining that blah blah blah I can't custom build a mac and it doesn't fit my needs you have to realize what market this fits. This is made for someone that wants something small and simple, like lets say if I had an older relative that needed something, this machine is just plain simple, perfect for someone that doesn't need much. As long as this thing is reliable and has some good quality hardware in it (from a reliability standpoint) it's a winner in my book, sure it wouldn't meet MY needs but for someone that needs simple and afford, damn.
Awesome idea, I might have to do a little more research on this, and the price is about right.

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Please use the search function it is your friend.

Look at my mustang please feel free to comment!

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Willravel

If you really like building and moding computers, try building or moding a Mac. My motherboard has a video card built into it (ATI Radeon 9200). I removed it and installed a better one. It took me about 3 weeks. Let me tell the the X800 freaking screams. For those who say you can't build of mod a Mac to your tastes, I say all you need is Mac training. It's more difficult than PC, but it is far from impossible. If you say you don't want a Mac because you want a challenge, you're missing the best challenge out there.

ChrisJericho

Buy Apple stock. now.

Seriously, every female 12-30, and some guys, are going to want this thing. I predict it becomes the "cool" dorm item to have.

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piezo4

I have been a die-harp pc user for many years, but as soon as the cash starts flowing again I am totally getting on of these and a kvm switch try out the pure sex that is panther

moonstrucksoul

well, I'm not gay, but i think it's cute and if something that small can do so much, then who cares what it looks like, and just bloody marvel at the fact that it can and that it not like this anymore.

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tommylee02

The mini would be the perfect replacement for my Cube (it was a graduation gift), but I really need the portability of a laptop. I suppose I could get a cheap PC laptop, but damn that brand loyalty! I'll wait for the PowerBookG5 to slam the price of the G4. And I like the shuffle, I don't need 40 gigs of music at the gym! And I don't need something to play with there, either! (don't steal music) Haha, that's from the Apple website. -T

Averett

*drool* I LOVE iPod's, but I just couldn't justify the cost. But I sure as hell can justify $99-150! I am so getting this!

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jwoody

McFrosticles - c le MicrosFt

kutulu

Exactly when was a 32 MB ATI 9200 a 'descent' video card? 1985?

I'm looking on newegg and you can't even buy those there anymore. Even the 64MB version of the 9200 is only $40.

If I wanted a dumbed down computer with no features on it, I'd buy this. $399 and it comes with a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The infamously overpriced compusa has tons of models that offer a better price and more features.

kutulu

Shit, this computer just about outperforms the minimac. It too has a cool design that will leave many questioning your sexuality:



Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Class: Celeron D Processor
Processor Number: 330
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Cache Size: 256 KB
Memory Technology: DDR-SDRAM
Installed Memory: 256 MB
Hard Drive Capacity: 40 GB
Video Chipset: ATI® RADEON™ 9100 Pro IGP
Video Bus: AGP (Version Unspecified)
Video Integration: Motherboard
Additional Drives: DVD/CD-RW Combo
Installed Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

scoobydugan

If you like Mac's this is great, but it is certainly no budget solution for anyone....the 499 machine is garbage, I could build a "budget" computer for under 700 that will spank the living shit out of that paperweight. In fact my $200 Emachine could prolly do that right now...Athlon 3000+ ,768MB ram(upgraded. 256 stock) with a 9800Pro(e-bay for $100) When will people learn? You simply cannot fuck with the pricing, compatibilty, and ease of use of PC's!!

Willravel

Yea, but that comp is the size of a schoolbus.

Redlemon

...oh wait, you were being serious. Nevermind.

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kutulu

I'll skip the obvious short bus comment.

Although size matters, performance matters even more.

When you upgrade the RAM to 512, make it a super drive (the current standard for pretty much any PC over $600), and add the mouse and keyboard, you are up to almost $900. An outdated computer for $900. It gets better, the order screen on the apple store fails to mention that it doesn't come with a monitor (it's not even listed as an upgrade). Since this is pushed as an entry level PC, it's not likely that they have a monitor lying around. I'm sure that there will be many who order it only to find out they still need a monitor.

Once you add the monitor, you're at about $1100. You can get a damn fine PC for $1100. Surely it would be much better than some outdated POS. However, it might not look 'cool'

Homey_V

While an interesting Idea, its been Done. If anyone claims that SFF PC's are much different they're crazy.

Apple. Throwing last years parts in a small box, and charging you premium prices for them.

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You did what with a duck?

kutulu

but at least they get cool celebrity endorsements

Willravel

To you, yes. I belive that you are looking more for a performing computer that you can modify pretty easily to fit your needs. You take that at the possible expense of stability.......*stops*......how about we cool the Mac/PC wars?

How about for 5 seconds we call a truce and just simply say, "I like it" or "I don't like it"?

We know that Macs and PCs both have their ups and downs. This thread isn't about that, or a Mickey Mouse computer . This is about the announcement of the Mac mini and the iPod shuffle at MacWorld. I don't go into PC threads and spread Mac propoganda, so isn't it fair I should expect you to respect the cease-fire?

kutulu

ok.

admit it, that mickey mouse computer is pretty funny.

Willravel

The finniest part is that it actually performes pretty well. A little RAM upgrade (maybe 512, or even 1g), and you can put a dozen of those into your office.

kutulu

I'd pay money to get my employer to toss out our computers and get those instead. Today's PC's are for the most part, way overpowered for the typical office environment. I make spreadsheets and word documents.

My office computer has no use for vid cards (or even sound for that matter). Hell, since all of our work is stored on the main network drive, the HDD only needs to be big enough to store the programs you use and the OS. Instead, I have this huge 80GB HDD and a 15" LCD monitor. What a waste. However, since people are so driven by advertisements that say you need a better computer, they spend top dollar when they think they need a new one.

It would be too freaking cool to see those set up in an office setting.

martinguerre

i thought we were done with this. guess not.

is it just me, or is it seriously fucked up that we seem incapable of having a discussion of computers with out gay baiting?

unless you are having sex with your computer, please do not mention sexual orientation while discussing what kind of personal computer you prefer. if you do fuck your computer, please do not tell us about it.

does that cover things?

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Krycheck

I'm thinking of getting one. Why?:

1. I always wanted to play with OSX.
2. It looks cool, makes a great conversation piece.
3. I have a few monitors laying around and I can connect it to my USB KVM switch.
4. Now that I've read this thread I like the idea of using it as a in-car mp3 player. I'm sure mods will be out soon. It's only natural.
5. I have that much and more just waiting to be spent on something

And please, relating choice of computer platform with sexual orientation is just childish. Everyone get over it.

Besides, true computer geeks will play with any OS/PC platform they can get there hands on!!!

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His pants are tight...but his morals are loose!!

cyrnel

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Any platform/size/speed/color/shape can be analyzed to death or tried and appreciated.

Religion has no place in computing. Especially with cool little consumer electronics gadgets.

hulk

It's also great as a second mac. Or an addition to a gaming PC, which is what I plan to do. A beastly ugly monster of a PC and a sexy little mac mini for real work.

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skinbag

I like it, but not enough to run out and buy one. I think they may be overdoing the "chiclet" look.. I'll take old silver and grey, even brushed metal when possible, over white or pastel platic any day, especially if the little bugger is gonna sit in my living room. BTW I love my G4, and I'm gonna cry like a gayboy when I have to part with it..* Just a joke, people! I'm not Gay or homophobic..ahem..*

Redlemon

I just read a very interesting analysis of the Mac Mini-vs-cheap PC comparisons by Paul Thurrott. He focuses on the Mac in his writings, and is typically a huge critic of anything that they do. The analysis is pretty long, I'll just quote the conclusion:

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BoCo

willtravel, admit it--you're Steve Jobs, right?

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Willravel

Hahahahahaha. Yes.
Nah, not really. As much as I'd love to take credit for personal computer popularity, silicon valley bubbles, the iPod, and the Porsche of computers....I don't want credit for Pixar.
If it makes you feel better, I do dress similar to Jobs. Black shirt, nice jeans and comfortable running shoes.

(Check out Steve Job's Rolling Stone interview at http://www.rollingstone.com/news/sto...as-player=true)

EDIT: It's Willravel. No "t". Common mistake. "Will" is my first name, and "Ravel" is one of my favorite composers (French Romantic/Contemporary/Impressionist classical music composer Maurice Ravel - http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/profiles/ravel.shtml).

he_haha

The only thing I dislike about the shuffle is shuffle part of it, wish you would see what tune was coming

lpj8

It looks like Apple has already lowered the prices of the Mac Mini upgrades.....

Slashdot Article

Willravel

lpj8, that's a good article. I can only hope that Mac can start directly competing in the low price market. Imagine a Porsche that drives like a Porsche, but costs like $12,000. It's something to look forward to.