Its True! Its True!! :)

[CocoPops]

We just need someone to run Xbench on one of the new mac mini's in order to get a clearer picture of how it compares to other mac's etc.

[malfunction]

I liked this to start with then put together what I wanted, ie the ability to write dvd's, wireless network, bigger HD and the extra RAM, then realised I could have a laptop for the same price. Might be tempted when I fully sus out output to TV and hopefully optical digital sound output, can it be done??

Yes... But is that an x86 laptop or an ibook / powerbook?

[daverobev]

Mini Mac with 1.2 proc, 512 Mb, 80Gb, airport and bluetooth is £617

iBook the same (12 inch) is £884, EXCEPT no DVD burner..Mini upgrade to DVD-R is £70 so more like £550. And thats with keyboard and mouse. So, is the battery and screen worth £300? Your call..I spent £200 on a nice DVI monitor so..maybe.

TV out yes, there is/will be a cable (I suspect its the same cable that is currently listed as TV out for G5 DVI port only, must've wired the MM up the same way).

Optical digital out, only through a Firewire or USB soundcard I guess? Don't know on that one.

For a non apple laptop, there aren't many low-priced laptops with dedicated graphics or a DVD writer as standard...the reason I snapped this (Tosh Satellite with Celeron Mobile 1600/256Kb L2 so its not a BAD celery, GeForce MX 420 Go) laptop up was because it was less than £600 and had proper graphics...there are a few low end toshes that do have proper graphics, but for anything decent you are looking £900+ most of the time..

Most budget laptops don't have DVI out, either...

[daverobev]

http://bbs.xlr8yourmac.com/ubb/Forum.../000918-5.html

Looks like its 4,200 RPM after all.

I'm sure I saw someone ask about rubber feet somewhere...looks like the entire base is one!

[malfunction]

(Tosh Satellite with Celeron Mobile 1600/256Kb L2 so its not a BAD celery, GeForce MX 420 Go) laptop up was because it was less than £600 and had proper graphics...there are a few low end toshes that do have proper graphics, but for anything decent you are looking £900+ most of the time..

Sounds exactly the same as mine (except mine's 1.5GHz) Sat 1410-303?

[Nemeliza]

http://bbs.xlr8yourmac.com/ubb/Forum.../000918-5.html

Looks like its 4,200 RPM after all.

I'm sure I saw someone ask about rubber feet somewhere...looks like the entire base is one!

Not at all suprised. it is a 'budget' product so its expected.
Despite that, im still considering getting one anyway.

[daverobev]

Flibb, http://www.m-audio.com/ do a USB optical in/out job for £69 http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_g...t-focus-1.html

malfunction, 1410-S102! I must say...I do like this laptop. Wouldn't sell it. Paid £100 for the Wireless card (ouch), battery life is crap but...its solid and hasn't given me any problems!

[Stoo]

http://bbs.xlr8yourmac.com/ubb/Forum.../000918-5.html

Looks like its 4,200 RPM after all.

I'm sure I saw someone ask about rubber feet somewhere...looks like the entire base is one!

Hmm, I wonder if it's one of the 8meg cache varients given the apparent speed increase over the pb drives?

[joshwa]

does nobody mind that it's only got a stereo out? where's the 5.1 surround sound when you need to watch DVDs?

[DaBeeeenster]

I think people are expecting something a little over the top for 300 notes tbh...

[malfunction]

Yeah... The only thing I think they should have done is include a mouse and keyboard for that price. Would have been nice from an upgrading point of view if the HDD was 3.5" but you can totally see why they used a laptop HDD. Other than that I think Apple need to introduce a low end TFT - cheapest I could see on the website was the 20" widescreen display at £699 - more than twice the price of the mini! A nice little 17" - or even 15" - 4:3 (or 5:4) display.

[BroadbandPlacey]

if its for office and school use (which its ideal for because of its cost and size) it doesnt really need the 5.1 output,

but i'll admit for home use as a multimedia pc for watching movies etc it is lacking, especially seen as the ipod owners who might consider moving would probably be put off by this

[DaBeeeenster]

Why not just buy a cheapo mouse/keyboard combo for a tenner? That's the whole point of the mini - you can buy a cheap k/m and 100 quid TFT and have a nice setup for well under 500.
Also dont forget you are getting a full copy of Panther which retails at 100 quid...

[Doug]

I quite like this cute little thing But I'm going to lay off any serious thought about purchasing one until Tiger is here, and probably a little longer after that...

For once, the upgrade to 512Mb isn't outragously expensive: Crucial sell the 512Mb sticks for £50, exactly what Apple charge for the upgrade.

Lack of an optical output is off putting, but i guess i can just get the old sonica theatre out.

[malfunction]

Why not just buy a cheapo mouse/keyboard combo for a tenner? That's the whole point of the mini - you can buy a cheap k/m and 100 quid TFT and have a nice setup for well under 500.
Also dont forget you are getting a full copy of Panther which retails at 100 quid...

I understand what you're saying - I just think it's a bit stingy of apple to skip the keyboard and mouse (cuz lets face it - at OEM costs even a decent keyb + mouse can't be more than £5). If I bought a mac of any kind even though I'd probably skip the rather expensive monitor and the 'unibutton' mouse I'd at least want an official keyboard.

[malfunction]

Tell you what though - reckon these will make great 2nd hand buys at some point - when you can upgrade it yourself instead of worrying about doing the warranty in... Wonder what if anything shuttle, etc will come up with to compete with this? I know there's already mini itx but the VIA cpu + onboard GFX with shared memory and no DVI output can't really compete. You could probably loose a lot of height from a shuttle if you went to notebook drives and onboard GFX (but WITH it's own RAM)... Something pentium M based would be nice (basically same as what apple have done - laptop tech with no built in screen or keyboard / 'pointing device'