Apple New Intel Mac Mini's & ipod Boombox

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

Two models the same size as before



1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
60GB Serial ATA hard drive
Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

£449

1.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
2MB L2 Cache
667MHz Frontside Bus
512MB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
80GB Serial ATA hard drive
Double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

£599

More usb ports and outputs, but integrated graphics!
Also just noticed the mini has two ram slots !


Ipod hifi is the rumoured ipod boombox

http://www.apple.com/ipodhifi/

 

i already started a thread about this

well sort of

 

Not really as exciting as it could have been really. But the Core Duo mini looks like it might be a pretty nice machine. I do think though that they need a cheaper "switcher" mac, rather than increasing the price of their entry level system. On a totally different note - I like the idea that all new Macs will come a remote.

The speakers - I guess the proof of the pudding will be in the listening. At the moment they just seem like a very expensive set of iPod speakers like any of the ones made by third parties. But if they're nice quality and you really CAN think about throwing away your hifi in favour of these, then maybe they're not so bad.

At least my 5G iPod hasn't been superceeded, and is therefore still cool

 

I had to pinch myself when I saw the price...

In the US the cheaper mini is $600
($600 /1.75) * VAT = £401

In the UK = £449

In the US the higher spec mini is $800
($800/1.75)*1.175 = £535

In the UK = £600

I am well used to the UK 'tech tax' but this seems a silly markup.

 

The ipod HiFi boombox looks like it might just fill a niche market, but I could see it being practical for college kids or people who want something with a small footprint. The only thing they should have done was put some kind of rechargeable battery in the boombox. It would be better to have the speaker fully charged while plugged in the wall, ready to be taken on an adventure. Hassling with batteries is a pain and expensive. I'd much rather use a car charger in a pinch...especially since I don't expect anyone to use this device that far away form a power source (like backpacking). $350 is a lot for a single speaker...rechargeable batteries would have made spending that much WAY more worthwhile, unless these speakers really just sound amazing.

 

/me buys core-duo mini

[EDIT]

then /me realises that when you add things up it's easier and cheaper even to just get a 17" iMac

[/EDIT]

 

Im going to florida this easter and i was wondering if i bought anything like this over there, would i be able to use it over here? because of power voltages and stuff?

 

I'm pretty sure the ipod hifi is 115volts only...so you wouldn't be able to plug it in at home without an adapter. I'm pretty sure they only make 115volt versions, no 220volt versions...so I don't even know if they'll sell the hifi in England. As far as the mac mini goes, it's good to go for both US and UK power sources...you'll need a UK power cord though, since I think we have different outlet designs.

I...I.......vs.......|
..o............... _...._

It's a crazy, crazy world.

 

Hi-Fi? Please. Probably the cheapest Harmon/Kardon speakers that 'looked shiny' placed in a big box. No proper hi-fi can be powered by D batteries for christ sake.

As for the Mac Mini, even though it'd be a useless device for me (I have more spare computers running random things than I can even justify useful to myself), I'd still love to have one.

 

oh right, you included the VAT there. serves me right for not actually reading the post, eh? silly fod.

 

Well it could sound good and not go loud. Car speakers are no hi-fi, but they can certainly get loud. People are already criticizing the crap out of it, but only ol' Steve and the Appleites have actually heard the thing. That said, everyone is probably correct.

I'd definately love a mini too... I'm more tempted than ever with the dual-core version available. It's funny that people are criticizing the increase in price point, when the previous entry-level Mini only had two USB ports, and no wifi card. Now that it has some optical-out (and in, by the sounds of it), I'd love to have one spitting out some tunage 24/7. But alas, I need that iBook first.

 

I would never buy anything with integrated GMA950 graphics.

Driving a 20.1" screen with that would be pretty annoying.

 

Aye , I voted with my feet and bought a mac mini g4 refurb instead. Cost only £255 for the 1.42ghz combo drive model. Can beat that price with the new intel ones. Only thing they have over the old ones is the new chips and the g4 is fine for 90% of stuff.

 

Heh, I jus recieved my Mac Mini G4 refurb today and I only ordered it yesterday and shipping said 3-5 days! Best bargains ever are on apples refurbished store, but I must say I think I'm gonna have to buy a new iMac canisten core duo!

 

Mine should be here tommorow as I ordered it late last night.

Out of interest what spec did you recieve?

Any free upgrades, sometimes cto macs get sent out for refurb orders, I'm crossing my fingers for one of those A 1.5ghz one would be very nice hehe

 

Well it just arrived, the refubs come in huge boxes not the standard mini ones which is a bit of a dissapointment but its only a box.

I think its got a free airport card in there but I can check as its the gf's machine and she wants to unwrap it hehe.

 

I got an earlier revision 1.42ghz, 256mb (REALLY slow compared to same spec with 512mb! but it's only a server for FileMaker Pro) 80gb HDD, SuperDrive. Came with panther and OS 10.4.0 upgrade & iLife '05 discs.

I got it for about £230 so that was great The box is a cardboard one with foam padding for the mini and other bits isn't it? We have 2 newer 1.42ghz 512mb 80gb AE etc. models though for "workstations". I've got quite a collection of apple's free stickers

EDIT: If it came with the Airport discs but the spec online didn't say it had Airport, then don't get your hopes up 'cause mine came with the CD's but no Airport!

 

Ah that was what I feared

Oh well its not really required anyway I have a router 50cm away from it

Yeah the box was the refurb one with the bits of foam, its a bit unapple like to waste that much space though 3/4 of the box is foam hehe.

That and if you got carried away with the knife opening it the cds would take the hit.

 

Intel GMA??

Talk about, from bad to worse. It was going good til I read that.

 

I don't see the benefit of the mini having a powerful GPU. I don't think people will be gaming, editing massive video, or running CAD software off of the mini. It's not really a MCE contender yet, so MPEG2 decoding isn't really necessary. The only thing I could see being a problem is running a large monitor...but I don't think a budget minded consumer is going to be springing for a cinema display. Ofcourse, I've been wrong before.