A good reason why Apple neglects the mini...

[Chupa Chupa]

According to NDP 1Q retail sales reports (they are one of the firms that determines market share) $1000+ Mac clobbered even less expensive Windows systems. (Note: this report only covers B&M retails sales not online, so sales from Dell, etc are not included here).

eWeek's analysis: http://blogs.eweek.com/applewatch/conten...avity.html

What this says is that the typical person that goes into an Apple Store (that is where most Macs are sold at retail these days) has no problem spending $1,000+ for a system, i.e., a MacBook or iMac. And that is in a struggling economy. Just imagine as things continue to improve in the next year.

This phenomena really does leave the mini out in nowhere land, and most likely a headless consumer Mac too. I think it's easier to sell a non-computer enthusiast on an all-in-one than on a headless + monitor, and lets face it that is where the market share growth has to come from since we all have 2, 3, 4+ Macs already.

So good news for Apple and the Mac, not so good news for those of us hoping to see a beefed up Mac mini soon. With these numbers Steve would be crazy not to treat it like a step-chlld.

[IronMac]

http://forums.macresource.com/read/1/496335

[Jimmypoo]

Perhaps the Mini needs the QuadCore to make it unique, at the same price point.

Perhaps a fast C2D or a C2E. Those are the two choices. No combo drive. Perhaps add the dual FW400/800 port (port in a port) for faster drive support on the outside....

It's got a place, but until the MBP goes quad core, vs. C2D for Macbook, I can't justify having a mini over a macbook. There just isn't a lot of sense given refurb prices.

[GeneL]

I have to say that the Intel Mini with SuperDrive that I picked up "refreshed" at the Apple Store for $498 plus the Westinghouse 17" widescreen monitor that I bought for $125 made a perfect little setup for my S/O for very little outlay.

She wanted something very unobtrusive and she's very happy with this solution.

For us the Mini was perfect.

[kj]

If it wasn't for the mini, I wouldn't be using a Mac right now. kj.

[simonm]

[quote kj]If it wasn't for the mini, I wouldn't be using a Mac right now. kj.
I am on a new mii rght now, but it is the worst mac I have ever experienced. It constantly loses the monitor definitions and won't recognise my headset (another post about that today). That said one of my colleagues, new to mac, got a mini as media centre and is absolutely delighted.

[sekker]

I love my mac mini as a media center.

If it had integrated DVR capabilities, it would be one sweet machine.

[GeneL]

[quote simonm][quote kj]If it wasn't for the mini, I wouldn't be using a Mac right now. kj.
I am on a new mini rght now, but it is the worst mac I have ever experienced. It constantly loses the monitor definitions and won't recognise my headset (another post about that today). That said one of my colleagues, new to mac, got a mini as media centre and is absolutely delighted.
Your problems may be unique and require some help from Applecare.

I can only say that we haven't experienced any "machine based" problems with our setup. It's working just like my MacPro as far as reliability.

I would think that there should be a fix for your Mini, unless there's some kind of incompatibility with your monitor and headphones.

Did you buy it new? If so, there's a year warranty even if you don't go on to purchase Applecare. Also, even if it was used but within a year of its first purchase date I believe that you could still pick up Applecare. YMMV.

Don't give up on your Mini.

GeneL

[AllGold]

Part of that is the mini is overpriced. When the Superdrive mini costs $800 and you don't even get a keyboard and mouse it's no surprise that people will pay a little more for a better spec'ed and more complete system. If it were $500-$600 more people would buy it but obviously less profit for Apple.

An alternative would be a larger $800 machine with more expandability and better specs to start with.



Simon, I remember your posts about your monitor problem before but I don't have any good ideas. But I agree with Gene, it doesn't seem at all like a common complaint and maybe it's a hardware problem (mini or monitor).

[Grateful11]

>Just imagine as things continue to improve in the next year.

Are you sure about that?