Is it important to continue to offer a $500-ish Mac mini?

9 Comments

  • Wayne - 5 years ago

    Wow, it's like I was writing the article verbatim. For decades I refused to buy into the whole Apple family thing and only rubes buy Mac's. Then Microsoft came out with Windows 10 and my loyalty switched almost overnight. I was happy with Win 7 and could do whatever tasks I needed, both at work and on my own systems. I understand their need to keep the shareholders happy and develop a new OS but I just don't like it.

    So in May of 2017 I started looking for Mac options and found that the Mini was the cheapest option buy so I could experiment with the MacOS. Problem is, Apple hasn't updated the Mini since 2014. So I found 3 of the latest 2012's (i7 3720 cpu iirc) so I could upgrade the RAM and drives. I also bought a 2010 Mini because I wanted something to burn discs with and use with my NAS. Unfortunately that one died in shipping as the seller just popped it in a plastic bag and then into a box for shipment to the sandbox. That one hit so hard that it popped a surface mount cap off the logic board. But it gave me a POS Mini to take apart so I could see how they were assembled. Going with that knowledge and ifixit info, I upgraded one of the other Mini's I had shipped over. Went from 4GB ram to 16GB and then went to a Samsung 950 Pro SSD 512 and a 1TB platter drive at 7200rpm. I fought that one a bit because I didn't want to make a Fusion drive. It worked at first but when I tried to move from Sierra to High Sierra, it wasn't happy. Reloaded back to the original OS and then allowed the system to create the Fusion drive and all was right with the world. Moving to Mohave was as easy as just loading the OS and I sure do like the Dark Mode.

    But between the time I first got the Mini and the time I got high Sierra to load, I purchased a NIB 2015 MBP (didn't like the new keyboard and other aspects of the 2017), then a 12.9 ipad, iPhone 7+, iWatch and recently added a new 9.7 iPad. Oh and also a pair of refurbed AppleTV's. So much fun even if I should see a shrink. But with my migration, I also decided to treat the ex-wife to some new toys as well. A new 10.5 iPad, iWatch and an iPhone 7+. But unfortunately she didn't really understand the safety aspects of Apple products and forgot her iPhone password which basically shut down the iWatch and phone. Moved her to a Samsung and she's really not happy with that phone. Hard to get those without the tech gene to grasp the infrastructure. I just hope I can get her onboard with Apple products as one of the Mini's and Apple TV (neither are operational for her even if I got them running while I was in the US last month) are in the place she lives. Her Asus laptop died so I'm looking to see if she likes the MacBook design or wants to stay with Windows devices. Either Apple or Dell 2-1 is up for her to decide. I told her to visit Best Buy this weekend to see what she likes but if she decides on the MacBook then I'll need to wait for the next model to come out.

    Like a novel only worse I guess. Like who else am I gonna talk to out here right? Anyway, the Mini was my first encounter with Apple products (besides the iPods I've purchased over the years). Do I really need another Mini? Probably not but if they build it, I'll probably buy it. Then I'll zip tie it to the bottom side of the vacant bunk bed next to the other Mini.

    Peace out,
    W

  • Frank Foster - 5 years ago

    Ten years ago I bought a mac mini to play with and it was an inexpensive way to dip my toe in the ground. Today I have two macbook pros, a macbook air, 5 AppleTVs, 2 iPads, 2 iPhones and yes, 2 mac minis. I use the mac mini as a media server and home automation hub in both houses.

    But my kids were windows and linux true and true. Each had a tower for gaming and a high powered windows laptop. I run a large sales org and I gave people the options for macs and almost everyone switched. Two years ago I gave them each a mac mini for Christmas. Now that my oldest is a senior in high school, he's thinking about a MacBook Pro for next fall.

    If Apple thinks for a second that the chances of all that happening WITHOUT access to the $500 mac mini are high, then bring back John Sculley.

  • Glenn - 6 years ago

    The Mac mini is perfect for those of us ready to break from windows and not able to justify the price tags of other models. I highly recommend an upgrade to the $699 mini with the Magic Mouse/magic keyboard(with numeric keypad). WORTH EVERY PENNY!!

  • Carl - 6 years ago

    Your analysis and the comments are spot on.

    I have always used a mini as a secondary, but essential option in my home. It serves up music, movies, internet and is a back-up in the event my main machine falls on disaster. Apple TV just doesn't offer everything a media hub could/should be, particularly for music library use.

    My greater concern is apple pushing the mini in a similar direction like the MacBook Pro with just USB-C connection. Most mac users have boxes full of now apple-obsolete products (Thunderbolt 1, 2, drives) — we need HDMI, and SD card slots. I care less about how small they can make a machine and more about having all those ports available when needed without relying on adapters.

    A mini with a few options for both pro and secondary use should be an easy product to offer since Apple already has developed the components necessary in their current portable line-up.

    Get rid of the endless bugs and get your reputation back Apple. Mac users are loosing patience paying top dollar for half-baked products and software updates.

  • Richie - 6 years ago

    Most definitely agree re an updated Mac Mini, but please, don't risk losing many, now  customers, who previously used Windows, because they couldn't afford  gear! Plus, they are not all 'grey haired ancients!'
    I certainly don't want to return to Windows, even if they were giving them away for free!
    Please , please, cater for all demographics, who are/will remain loyal to , if they remain loyal to us!

  • Pedro Thomson - 6 years ago

    I still have two late 2009 mini's going strong. I can't wait to buy an updated version at same price point, been waiting at least 2-3 years. For my needs cannot justify price on an iMac.

  • Dario - 6 years ago

    I think it's important.. I had 3 ipads, had 6 iphones, 5 apple tvs (all gens have been in my hands), but never bought a mac as of yet.. I wanted to try the mac mini first by giving it to my parents, they are in their 70's and I thought it was the ideal computer for them, mainly for managing media, browsing, reading papers, books, etc. all that in an super reliable computer that never breaks and is inmune to viruses (I imagine). I didnt buy it yet becouse I'm waiting for the upgrade in the $500 model.. If they make an expensive pro mac mini keeping the old lineup unchanged I might feel betrayed and avoid completely the idea and buy a pc instead.

  • Charlie - 6 years ago

    Frankly, I think Apple needs to be going in the opposite direction. The PC industry has dramatically lowered prices since the original mac mini, mainly because manufacturing and component costs went down. I'd love to see Apple offer a $350 mac mini that could compete with intel's "NUC" concept.

  • DANNY MARTIN - 6 years ago

    Yes, it's important to me. I have a Mac Pro laptop, and an older iMac

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