Just in case you thought stories about Steve Jobs’s health were getting tired, fear not: there’s a new endangered species on the block. This isn’t the first time that we’ve heard rumors about the Mac mini being put out to pasture, but the latest news comes from Gizmodo, who cites two unnamed European retailers that claim that the mini is about to hit end of life.
It’s hard to deny the possibility. For one thing, the Mac mini has gone a long, long time since its last update on August 7, 2007. At the time, it was bumped up slightly, but it continues to lack modern features such as 802.11n and it still relies on a sluggish 667MHz bus at a time when the rest of Apple’s consumer line runs at a much speedier 1066MHz.
Does this all add up to the imminent death of the Mac mini? Well, maybe. The mini has always been the most neglected of Apple’s lineup, their attempt to poach the sub-$1,000 PC crowd, but it’s never quite caught on, especially as laptop sales have continued to climb. But while death and taxes might be the only two certainties in life, there remains the possibility that Apple might decide to upgrade the mini, especially in light of yesterday’s announcement by Nvidia of new motherboards with integrated graphics targeted at small form factor PCs. Could the mini be joining its newly-Nvidia-powered MacBook siblings?
What do you think, readers? Is the Mac mini a failed experiment that should be put out of its misery, or is it just in need of some tender love and care?
I hope they keep the Mac Mini line. I like many have a laptop for my everyday use, but am considering the Mini as a replacement for my G4 Sawtooth as my kids' computer. I think for many they are great for a small file or web server for home use as well. I know many who have them and love them.
We have a mini that we use as the kids main computer. All of the teachers at the kids school have one on their desks. I think the mini is a great product that fills an important place in the product line (especially in today's economy). Unless the mini-tower is out there somewhere, I say keep the mini!
It'll die, but not because of the concept. The biggest problem is that it's too dang expensive for what you get. You can get a fully equipped PC with monitor and KB for that price, It ought to cost 1-2 hundred less.
This is the PERFECT opportunity for Apple to come out with the fabled missing Mac. Discontinue the Mac Mini and introduce the Mac midrange. Equipped with Nvidia graphics and video upgrade slot! and maybe one additional PCI slot. C'mon Apple! Give people what they want!
Refreshed Mini with Nvidia 9400M chipset on board may be tempting alternative to iMac for those who don't like iMac's built in display (like me).
The Mac Mini was the reason I switched to Macs from PCs. I was sick of mucking with Windows Media Center and DRM, was looking at an AppleTV, decided it was too limited and went with a Mac Mini.
The Mac Mini is a gateway drug. It got me (A die-hard Windows user of 15 year/Mac hater to switch. Getting rid of it would be a mistake. I recommend them all the time to people.
I agree that the Mini is too expensive, and the reason I have one is that it was just about the only Mac I could afford. I'd MUCH rather see a mid-range tower with PCI slots and decent memory capacity (2GB isn't enough...4GB isn't great), one that would let me add an internal HD, or an upgraded DVD drive, or even an extra fan if I wanted. I'm at the point where I'm seriously considering pulling my Mini apart and mounting it in a MicroATX case so I can do the upgrades I want...
The mini, or something like it, is very important for switchers. PC people want to keep their investment in their setup (display, keyboard, mouse), and the mini offers the most affordable way to try out a Mac. We can all probably agree that MacBooks or iMacs represent a better actual value, but unless there's an xMac coming, (which the mini practically is anyway) I think it would be foolish for Apple to kill the mini. I doubt they'll do it without a replacement.
I love my mini. It's my first Mac, purchased almost two years ago now. (Happy birthday, mini!) I do everything with it. I've used and abused this machine in ways that would make a PC cry, and it still loves me enough to keep chugging along. I brag about this machine to PC people, all of whom are floored by this little things power. (Even to this day. Even when I tell them that mine is full of way-outdated hardware. They still oooh and aaah over it, especially when they see it in action!)
I have no doubt that Apple will kill it; Apple is full of merciless masters who kill their children like that. But I do wish they wouldn't.
I'm definitely not a switcher - been using Macs since the SE! I love my Mini, I'm on my third with a 23 inch CD - its been cheap enough to upgrade when a bump has come along without the extra cost of changing the screen as well (or the keyboard etc) and I don't need the extra cost of a MB to run a big screen. As a home worker, my computer must be silent, which this is. Ok, for those without any legacy kit its cheaper to buy an iMac, but that's no reason to let it die.
If it wasn't for the Mac Mini I don't think I would've switched to using Macs for at least a few more years. I bought mine with 10% discount and never looked back.
@heretique said it best. The Mac mini is the best Mac when small/quiet matters and you want control of which display to use (and especially if you already own that display).
I have two Mac Mini's, an original PowerPC and an Intel. Without them I would have never got a Mac as they made it affordable to try and see if I liked it; I also have a Macbook. Sadly it appears Apple don't want to make it affordable anymore as the Mac Mini is all but dead and the Macbook is now way too expensive (prices went up on ALL Macbooks in the UK). There is an acceptable price for cool but not this high.
As an IT manager in a medium sized advertising agency, the mini has been perfect for two purposes:
As a presentation computer that looks good sitting in a meeting room where there are no convenient cupboards to hide a full size PC.
As an emergency computer that can be put on someones desk while their main computer is away for repairs.
Its small form-factor means that I don't have to use a lot of space for storage of a device that spends most of its life on the shelf.
I am certainly one person who would miss the Mac mini if it were to be discontinued.
I think that the Mac Mini could be the wave of the future.
First of all, make it green. It should be green in it's materials, and green in operation. Low energy, low noise.
Then add the functionality of the Apple TV, as well as ATSC, PAL, and NTSC tuners. Add a variety of video outputs, and inputs, perhaps through squid style cables.
Standard with Superdrive, optional Blue-Ray-RW. 802.11n is a given. At least FW800
Keep the size at 6.5x6.5. All aluminum case top, bottom, and sides. Anodized BLACK.
Come on Steve, let's combine the AppleTV and the MacMini into one device that can be my media server.
I like the low power needs the mini provided.
RIP!
Next to the 12" PowerBook G4, the Mac Mini is my favourite form factor. As was mentioned earlier, I hope that if Apple does decide to discontinue the Mini, they bring out a Midrange Tower.
Plus, the Mini is great for hacking into things.
I use a Macbook Pro but have been considering a Mini to replace the Tivo (the current Apple TV doesn't quite cut it), serve as the kid's computer and serve up iTunes. It would be a shame to lose the form factor. Perhaps CVBruce has it right: lose Apple TV and beef up the Mini?
This would surprise me with the new 24" monitor coming out. A true bump in speed and Nvidia graphics chip would make this a great compliment to the new monitor.
I would also add a wired keyboard and mouse and raise the price $50 to cover it.
I just can't believe they would only give the iMac or Mac Pro as desktop options. With $2300 being the cheapest desktop without a monitor it doesn't make sense. I know the mac mini is the slowest seller, but it might be because it is the slowest mac. Give it comparable figures and then see what happens before discontinuing it.
I am waiting for the next mini announcement before I buy. If they discontinue it I will buy (probably at a cheaper price!). If they upgrade it then I will also buy one. I want to use it as a media center, but I am in no hurry to make the purchase.
Come on Apple, of course the mini is the worst selling computer in your line up, Your marketing machine virtually ignores it. Push the marketing a bit. Upgrade it once of twice per year. And Why not also drop the least selling ipod and dare i say laptop(the macbook air). Seems rather silly now to drop it, doesn't it? I have a mini and will buy another whether upgraded or redesigned or not. It is great as a media server, dedicated children's computer, and energy efficient surfing machine. Laptops are most likely to be damaged or stolen and I don't need the power of a mac pro. So the revenue from the mini is only a few hundred million. Appreciate it as a gateway to further apple purchases, like mouses and keyboards, to say the least. I am a MOS convert but relish getting to know Linux!
the mini ain't perfect. but that shouldn't be the reason to kill it. rather to improve it: faster processor, 4gb ram, gfx card, bigger hd at the current price and it would be great.
form factor: same or maybe size of the famous cube, i wouldn't mind.
I love my mini, and I would love it more if it had more oomph. I especially wish it had a descent graphics card so that my husband could play Civilization on the 47" TV it's hooked up to (rather than trying to steal my new laptop).
That's right, it is hooked up to my TV, and I'm not the only one using it for that. Why the F would I want a built in monitor, and where the F would I hide a tower on my entertainment center?
Please update the mini! It is probably the most versatile mac in the lineup!
Certainly, you can't put anything past Apple with Steve Jobs, but I think it's unlikely the mini will die. It might get transformed into something else, but Apple would be foolish to ignore the low end with the current economy and to ignore switchers with their current momentum.
There was originally a $499 mini, and buyer response was strong enough that Apple raised the entry price with one of the speed bumps, so the lowest-priced mini has since been $599. I'm pretty confident that if Apple was unhappy with the machine's sales, they would have dropped that price back to $499. Their costs for the system must be much lower now than they were 15 months ago, which means they've got a healthy margin even on a $600 system.
The mini also does very well with value-added resellers. I'm aware of a number of digital sign installs that use them, and I see them periodically as point-of-sale systems. Last I checked, you still couldn't find a PC as small and as inexpensive as the mini: The cheaper machines are bigger and the smaller machines are more expensive.
I love my G4 mini, I have had it for 5 years and its still going strong. I just got a new macbook and thats awesome too, but the mini definitely fills a role.
I had an original PowerPC Mac Mini and without it I would have never got a Mac as it made it affordable to try and see if I liked it; then I've bought an Intel Mini and also an Intel Macbook. I think it would be wiser to upgrade the Mac Mini, using the same graphics processor that's used in the new MacBook line, and keeping a FireWire port, because the small form factor is a killer for cramped quarters, much better than mini towers or the likes.