Apple's tiny Mac mini is roughly the size of an optical drive, and costs £339 (inc. VAT) in its base configuration.
The Mac mini goes on sale January 22 with two basic configurations. The £339 (inc. VAT) model comes with a 1.25GHz G4 processor, 256MB of 333MHz DDR memory (upgradable to 1GB for a whopping £290 extra), and a 40GB hard drive. The £398.99 (inc. VAT) model provides a faster 1.42GHz processor and a larger 80GB hard drive. Both Mac minis include a 32MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics chip and a slot-loading 24X DVD/CD-RW combo drive, which you can upgrade to a full-fledged, dual-format DVD-burning SuperDrive (£70). Bundled software includes Apple's Panther OS X operating system and the iLife '05 suite of media software. The £339 price of the Mac mini certainly makes owning an Apple computer more accessible. Its small size and overall design stand out, especially when compared to the bland-to-gaudy case designs commonly inflicted on the budget-PC buyer. As with the similarly sleek iMac G5, all of the ports and the power button on the Mac mini are located on the back panel. You can connect a digital LCD via the Mac mini's DVI port and analogue monitors with the included adapter. You can add wireless networking (£49) and Bluetooth capability (£35) as time-of-purchase options. Although you will need to add a monitor and input devices (thankfully, it supports a standard USB mouse) to use the Mac mini, once you do, the DVD/CD-RW combo drive and the full complement of media and creativity software via iLife '05 will give you plenty to do after you're set up. We wouldn't get too excited about the Mac mini's £339 price tag. Add in the cost of a new monitor, keyboard and mouse, and with the Mac mini's barest configuration, you're looking at roughly £450 at a minimum to get up and running (of course, you might have these peripherals from the PC you're aiming to replace). With only two USB 2.0 ports on the back of the Mac mini, you'll need to get creative when you add components, making either the internal Bluetooth module or a separate USB hub almost necessary. Functionality is further limited by the lack of Gigabit Ethernet support (the included networking jack supports only 10/100) and no audio-in port -- you get only a headphone out. Finally, the Mac mini comes with Apple's standard allotment of 256MB of memory; we suggest spending the extra £50 to double it. We think the Mac mini will inspire people to switch based on its looks and core price alone. That doesn't mean we think it's the most cost-effective budget computer. When we compare the specs of the £549 (inc. VAT) eMac, we don't even think the Mac mini is the best deal you can get on an Apple-based PC, since that all-in-one system comes with comparable specs, monitor, mouse and keyboard. Still, there's a lot to be said for the simple appeal of the Mac mini's clean design. As long as you think of the price as a starting point and not the total cost, we think the Mac mini will woo a lot of frustrated Windows users, synergy-seeking iPod owners and those who simply appreciate attractive tech.
The Mac mini goes on sale January 22 with two basic configurations. The £339 (inc. VAT) model comes with a 1.25GHz G4 processor, 256MB of 333MHz DDR memory (upgradable to 1GB for a whopping £290 extra), and a 40GB hard drive. The £398.99 (inc. VAT) model provides a faster 1.42GHz processor and a larger 80GB hard drive. Both Mac minis include a 32MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics chip and a slot-loading 24X DVD/CD-RW combo drive, which you can upgrade to a full-fledged, dual-format DVD-burning SuperDrive (£70). Bundled software includes Apple's Panther OS X operating system and the iLife '05 suite of media software. The £339 price of the Mac mini certainly makes owning an Apple computer more accessible. Its small size and overall design stand out, especially when compared to the bland-to-gaudy case designs commonly inflicted on the budget-PC buyer. As with the similarly sleek iMac G5, all of the ports and the power button on the Mac mini are located on the back panel. You can connect a digital LCD via the Mac mini's DVI port and analogue monitors with the included adapter. You can add wireless networking (£49) and Bluetooth capability (£35) as time-of-purchase options. Although you will need to add a monitor and input devices (thankfully, it supports a standard USB mouse) to use the Mac mini, once you do, the DVD/CD-RW combo drive and the full complement of media and creativity software via iLife '05 will give you plenty to do after you're set up. We wouldn't get too excited about the Mac mini's £339 price tag. Add in the cost of a new monitor, keyboard and mouse, and with the Mac mini's barest configuration, you're looking at roughly £450 at a minimum to get up and running (of course, you might have these peripherals from the PC you're aiming to replace). With only two USB 2.0 ports on the back of the Mac mini, you'll need to get creative when you add components, making either the internal Bluetooth module or a separate USB hub almost necessary. Functionality is further limited by the lack of Gigabit Ethernet support (the included networking jack supports only 10/100) and no audio-in port -- you get only a headphone out. Finally, the Mac mini comes with Apple's standard allotment of 256MB of memory; we suggest spending the extra £50 to double it. We think the Mac mini will inspire people to switch based on its looks and core price alone. That doesn't mean we think it's the most cost-effective budget computer. When we compare the specs of the £549 (inc. VAT) eMac, we don't even think the Mac mini is the best deal you can get on an Apple-based PC, since that all-in-one system comes with comparable specs, monitor, mouse and keyboard. Still, there's a lot to be said for the simple appeal of the Mac mini's clean design. As long as you think of the price as a starting point and not the total cost, we think the Mac mini will woo a lot of frustrated Windows users, synergy-seeking iPod owners and those who simply appreciate attractive tech.
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
Post your comment
In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.
You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below
By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ
Talkback
You know that keyboards have USB jacks in them right?
You plug the keyboard in the back and plug the mouse into your keyboard..
a usb hub is necessary regardless.. and PC users might already have one.. either they have alot of peripherals or they don't ...
The £339 price tag may sound impressive. But why is it still £70 more than the equivalent US $ price? $499 is roughly £270. Surely it can't cost an extra £70 to ship each unit over? When will Apple start charging UK consumers a fair price?
apple will start charging UK a fair price when everyone does - we're always getting screwed over.
but £340 for a proper comp? madness!
True. We get screwed in price terms by everyone, not just Apple.
Seems like the Mini's going to be a lot more customisable than most other comps and I think that'll appeal to most power users and low end users will be happy with the £340 model. I think it's going to work and work well.
Isn't the UK-US price difference in this case down to import duty?
The whole number of USB ports thing is really a differnece in culture between Mac and PC. Mac users are used to having most pheriferals being USB. And buying a USB hub is much more common in the mac world. But now that we are starting to get PC's with up to 8 built in USB ports 2 start to look a bit poor. Especcially when adding more ports is technically and cost wise so easy. Looking at the rear of the unit there is even a little room to squeeze in 2 more ports.
Also most switchers will be using PC keyboards which have no USB port on so just connecting up your keyboard and mouse you have already run out of ports.
So slightly disapointed with Apple on this decision.
Recently our department looked into low footprint machines for network monitoring stations. the BEST machine they found is slightly smaller than the mac mini, has 3 ethernet ports, and is only a 233mhz machine. it went for 250$.
we priced out a mini itx machine that would run a 1.2hghz processor and similiar specs (excluding bluetooth). it was close to 800$. for 500$, getting a 1.2ghz G4, 256mbs of ram, and a 40GB drive is very hard to beat (for our purposes). Apple gets my vote.
What about the SOFTWARE?
With the Mac mini, you get iLife, which has garageband II software. This software will create musical notation on the fly.
Correct me if I am WRONG, but you CAN'T BUY SOFTWARE ALONE that does this for less than you pay for the Mac mini, with the software already installed.
And you certainly can't touch software like Garageband or iMove or iDVD on a PC. You have iTunes (thanks to Apple wanting to sell you music) but even that is not as good on a PC.
Having to buy a USB hub is a total non-issue, regardless of the fact that many PC users have incredibly CHEAP and practically worthless keyboards that don't even include a USB hub.
But, if you want a deal breaker where there is one, go ahead and choose that, but don't blame us Mac users for laughing at you.
Mac Mini is meant for: (1) PC Users who want to switch but would like to use their existing Monitor, USB Keyboard and USB Mouse, (2) Mac Users who have not yet switched to the current generation Macs but would like to use as much of their existing hardware such as monitors etc., (3) Users who would like to have an inexpensive headless Unix machine, (4) Music lovers who would like to have an inexpensive Music Server, (5) Photographers who would like to have an inexpensive Photo Servers, (6) Scientists who would like to have an inexpensive computer that they can use in their labs for data collection etc., (7) Hospitals etc. that need an inexpensive but a computer with robust OS for use in Patient Monitorins etc., (8) Airplane Seat Computing Systems for Business Travellers, (9) Factories and businesses that need unobtrusive but robust networkable computing, and so on.
The uses for the new Mac Mini are only limited by one's imagination.
As this is aimed at existing PC owners, a key question will be how does it computer against Windows XP Media PCs? With its small footprint it looks ideal for using with a television in a lounge to play music, display photos and play DVDs. Ideal features for this would be:
Wireless keyboard and and mouse, which is an option with the bluetooth module
Surround sound (not an option) which is a shame
DVI to Video adapter
Many of us home PC users are frustrated at the constant battle with viruses comiing through broadband connections. That is reason enough to shift to the Mac Mini for the primary home uses I have: photos, movies, music and browsing the web. PCs are fine at work, where network administrators have good firewalls and will fix all recurring problems. At home I need something needing no corporate full-time support.
<quote>
The £339 price tag may sound impressive. But why is it still £70 more than the equivalent US $ price? $499 is roughly £270.
</quote>
The US$499 price excludes sales tax, the UK price before VAT is £288 which isn't much more than £270. And there needs to be some room for currency rate fluctuations.
Note that the US pricing is without VAT, as US salestax differs per State, and the 339£ is including VAT .. this accounts for already quite a bit of your £70,-
I'm so glad I didn't put $2K on a Sony U750 now! This is exactly what I have been looking for. I have searched everywhere for a small unit that I can easily transport between home, work and the lake. I wanted something that would allow me to have the montor, mouse and keyboard at each place and just tote the brains around. After debating between the Sony, the OQO, the antelope, and the flipstart, this is the real deal. I can add features and software until I get to $2K and have a much better machine than the ones listed above. Thanks Apple.
Lets remember that the first target market for the Mac Mini is those already using a pc or thinking of buying a comnputer for the first time. Those of us who own a Mac already have one with a better spec probably, we jsut paidf a lot more for it!
The fact it comes without a keyboard etc means that if you have already got a computer, as long as these are USB yu already have a keyboard and moouse, why pay for something you don't need. Same applies to a monitor. The great thing about this approach is that you can, if you desire, buy whatever keyboard etc you want and aren't locked into whatever comes with the Pc as normal. I for one abandoned the default Mac keyboard and mouse for a (dare I say it) MS Wireless Natural Keyboard and Mouse as I suffer from RSI.
Lets not forget too the better security and reliability of the Mac. I get paid to sort out ordinary folk's problems with their computers (invariably PC's) and have regular work sorting out problems caused by crashes, viruses, trojans, worms and spyware. In over 12 years of using Macs and PC's, I have spent less 1% of the time sorting out Mac problems and the other 99% + sorting out PC problems. Granted fewer folk use Macs but it is still a relevant point and when total cost of ownership is copnsidered each pc has cost the owner or company several times its purchase price in support costs and lost productivity compared to minimal such costs for any Mac.
All in all, this is the best news ever for the Mac and computer users in general. The fact that the eMac represents great value is simply another reason to switch to the Mac.
Major Serious flaw is the lack of TV out. Would be great as a living room PC but this is major problem re this
Actually, a $19 (US) adapter converts the DVI signal to S-Video & Component Video.
David Ray
St. Louis, MO
Someone said
"The £339 price tag may sound impressive. But why is it still £70 more than the equivalent US $ price? $499 is roughly £270. Surely it can't cost an extra £70 to ship each unit over? When will Apple start charging UK consumers a fair price?"
The $499 price you see on the US Apple shop is before any sales tax is added. The £339 is after VAT is added. So if you want to compare one with the other you need to use the £289 exc VAT price. Much nearer I think you'd accept.
Hope that helps
TR
You can get a PS/2 to USB Active Adaptor (basically you plug your PS/2 keyboard and your PS/2 mouse into the adapter, which you plug into only one of the USB ports) for £19.99 at Maplin.
Hopefully we'll see a surge in unwanted PC's being donated to this
http://www.bridgethedigitaldivide.com/
:-)
TR
It is a cool computer. Still, I'd rather wait for the 2nd edition of it. I think most of the new machines Apple has put out over the last years had some problems with their first edition.
Thanks, but no thanks.
I'll stick to my PC ways with a Mini-ITX setup, using Linux and FreeBSD OSs.
The very OSs that Mac OS X has taken some bits from.
Lack of gigabit etherent isn't a problem! How many home users do you know that need to regularly move that kind of data over their network. 10/100 is plenty fast enough for most people.
£339 is the US price in STG + UK VAT, for those who are complaining...
The mac Mini provides a wonderful opportunity for small businesses to use it as a server platform. 40GB for a small business of 5 to 10 users is adequate for applications such as CRM, Email, Accounting, Knowledge base/FAQ management.
We are porting our CRM software for the Mac Mini hardware and our objective is to provide web based affordable CRM software such as Sales Force Automation, Helpdesk, Knowledge management and Forums.
We are amazed at the kind of peformance even with a 1.25GHz G4 CPU - especially for a small business, it is our opinion that the Mac Mini will open a new platform to provide affordable server appliances even for PC based networks.
The Mac Mini has a small footprint, is affordable with a great GUI for management and can be deployed instantaneously .
We envisage a raft of applications and harwdare add-0ns for the Mac Mini providing a serious challenge to the PC platform.
power brick?
Mac Motherboard only thoughts.
The comment about donating computers gave me
a cause for thought. For Apple this is not a good idea,
as most donated computers will be PCs, so the other
areas of the world will be expanding their Windows share.
So, Apple should offer a Motherboard for tinker
switchers. Rip out the old PC motherboard,
use the case and power supply, and drives,
and have yourselves a new computer.
Of course that's never going to happen, as
it won't have the slick design of an apple computer.
But in general I think the computer industry should aim
to develop things along those lines to be able to better
use components and parts. How much
computer trash is already filling landfills etc. because
people have to buy new ones every few years.
Mac Mini will be competive in price only if Apple sort out there TV lead. Hence almost every house hold got a TV.
Mac mini comes with a TV connector but only VGA not Scart! Only expensive plasma or LCD TV got VGA, if Apple supply with Scart lead, it will become a hit!
Keyboard and mouse you can buy second hand for £10
Can you imagine if you got a 32" plasma TV connect up with Mac mini mounted on the wall. You can add a blue tooth keyboard & mouse with remote Airport Extreme connect to a broadband, it will beat any PC on the market!
With £399 version of Mac mini, you get a DVD writer as standard
this is great! i've been using pc's for years since windows 3.11 but mac has always been too expensive. also now with osx mac is head and shoulders above any pc, this way i can finally switch over
sorry, but 399 doesnt get dvd burner. Just faster processor (1.25 to 1.42) and bigger hard disc (40 to 80gb)
You can upgrade to a DVD R on both specs for just £70. So it would be just over £400. This is such a great price for a mac. I am upgrading from a G3 imac as `I have had my old amc for years and never had a problem with it.