I like Apple. I'm not a Mac addict, or even an everyday user, but I like the Apple platform. What I have not liked is their computer selection. Let's say I wanted to buy an Apple, but I already had a nice LCD monitor and other peripherals. My only choice was to spend at least $1500 on a G5. An eMac comes with a built-in 17" CRT (takes up way too much space) and the iMac with its 17" widescreen LCD costs $1300 (and I'm not really a fan of widescreen LCDs for everyday use). What if I just want a reasonably priced computer?
Announced today, the Mac mini is totally sweet. It gives you a modest 1.25 GHz G4, enough for common tasks, a reasonable 40 GB hard drive, a DVD / CD-RW combo drive, built-in ethernet, 32 MB ATI Radeon 9200, USB, Firewire, etc, all in a 2" high 6.5" square housing. It makes the "small" Shuttle PCs look like behemoths. All this for only $500. Finally, an affordable Mac that doesn't come burdened with a built-in monitor!
Just to prove I'm not an Apple rep, here's my big beef with this system: it doesn't come with a keyboard and mouse (that's not the beef) and they charge $57 to add a keyboard and mouse! (that's the beef). That's just ridiculous. These are standard mice and keyboards, nothing fancy. I'm betting that they come out of a factory for $5 combined. While a lot of people would likely buy those elsewhere anyway, for those who just want standard stuff... what a ripoff. This really isn't a fault of the mini, but Apple, who probably charges that much to add a keyboard and mouse to any system.
So yeah, the Mac mini is sweet, but get your mouse and keyboard somewhere else, and save yourself a small fortune (and get better hardware in the process). I just feel bad for anyone who goes to buy one and doesn't know any better. Maybe I should call this my "Hock consumer alert." :)
I've been fawning over these all day, wondering how I can justify a computer upgrade when my everyday PC still kicks butt... But these machines are pretty nice for the money. It's not enough to switch anybody really into upgrading their PC (because these are a pain to upgrade: "Some of these options must be installed by Apple at the factory; the rest can be added in-store at an Apple Store or an Apple authorized reseller") but for people who have wanted a Mac but could not afford one, they are a true gift. It's on my graduation gift list. :)