Note: This spike in Apple-related posts (three in a month) isn’t meant to show a new trend. It’s pretty much just coincidence. I’ve had this blog for 9+ months, and with this one, it’s a total of four posts about Apple stuff. We are still averaging less than 1 post every two months. Disclaimers disclaimed, I bring you today’s post:
Apple announced a whole slew of new products this week. Chief among them is the Mac mini.
This 6.5” by 6.5” by 2” computer costs $499. I have to say, I’m impressed. The footprint of this mac is about the size of a half-sheet of 8.5”x11” paper. But let’s be practical here. You need a keyboard and a mouse, not to mention a monitor. Apple is assuming you already have these items – or don’t mind picking them up on the cheap as all of Apple’s computers work with standard monitors, usb keyboards, and mice (even ones with the word Microsoft on them). So, depending on whether you have any of these things lying around your house, you may be thinking it’s a good or bad thing. In my opinion it’s good either way.
If you are thinking of getting a computer, and you don’t have a keyboard, mouse or monitor, you can buy exactly the accessories you want. If you’re going cheap, you can get a cheap mouse, keyboard and monitor for $100 easy. If you’re upgrading to the Mac mini, all you have to do is move out your big computer and plug in the mini. The thing about the Mac mini is that you get plenty of choice, and you don’t end up paying more for something you don’t need. On the other hand, Apple didn’t use super-wimpy components. For $499 you do get a dedicated video card. You also get USB 2 and Firewire. These are things that many bulk manufacturers really skimp on to save a few bucks. The Mac mini comes with an impressive software suite too, including iLife.
The Mac mini isn’t for everyone, but it’s going to be a hit with a lot of people, many of whom wouldn’t consider one otherwise.
Apple announced a few other products this week. One is the iPod shuffle. It’s a $99 iPod that weighs about the same as four quarters. I may or may not pick up one of these at some point. I listen to podcasts on my way to and from work, which means I’m constantly picking up more and more stuff to listen to and trading the old stuff out, so I could see using this. I already have an iPod, so I’m not really feeling the need. Of course I hog the iPod all the time, so Anna may want me to get her one.
And yet another thing that Apple announced is iWork. A $70 office suite that includes Keynote 2 and Pages. Pages is a program for writing and layout (think Word and Publisher, but with more beautiful and professional results). Keynote is for presentations (think PowerPoint with better graphics and far more amazing and classy results). I use an older version of Keynote, and whenever I use do, my Windows brethren ask me “How come I can’t do that with PowerPoint?” I’m sure Pages will bring similar responses. The one thing missing from this is a spreadsheet application. So for now, I’ll just use Excel for mac.
It was a big day for Apple on Tuesday. Basically I like all the stuff they announced, but I don’t see myself grabbing any of it aside from iWork. Over time it’s possible, the Mac mini and the new iPod could show up at our household.
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Be Good Not Bad is all about really good web design, based on the utmost respect for web standards, accessibility and respect for the user. Based in Denver, Colorado, Be Good Not Bad is run by Brian Warren, freelance designer, blogger, homebrewer and coffee nut.
The mac mini does look pretty cool! You’d think at some point a PC manufacturer would figure out how to design a slick looking PC like that.
§ #1 By John Mark at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
I think Apple has a great combination of hardware and software – I guess I wasn’t saying that they even claimed they were first with any of the aforementioned innovations – just that the popular press gives them those kudos – which bothered me. I’m also fine with you guys being Mac zealots – I’m certainly not a Dull zealot – and certainly the optiplex line is hardly Dell’s best work – ugh. I will continue to critize the Apple Uber-All – ie “we are the master race” comments (sorry prince harry) – I think its funny and ironic – and I enjoy sparring.
§ #2 By mykidisgollum at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
Apple may do what has already been done, but they just do it better…
§ #3 By Matt Martin at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
Looking back at my comment #7, I realize I’m sounding like Apple perfected the mp3 player with the iPod. That’s not what I mean. I just mean that they nailed it a lot better than the competition. I don’t think the ipod is perfect, in fact there are some things I’d like to change. But when I survey the competition, personally I see it as the best out there.
§ #4 By Brian Warren at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
Cubes came out in summer of 2000. And they were ridiculously more expensive. These computers are less than 1/3 the size of cubes. And 1/3 of the price, too.
§ #5 By Brian Warren at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
When did the G4 cubes come out in relation to SFF pee-cees? The cubes werent nearly this cheap though were they? (as the mini-macs I mean…) And they seemed to vanish off the face of the earth pretty quickly too…heh.
§ #6 By Vance at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
That’s ok, to be perfectly honest, I am a bit of one. I can’t help but like the technology.
Regarding your comments:
The optiplex Dells all are skimping on features and they cost more than $500 (Likewise with those IBMs.)
The GHz thing: On one hand true that it’s faster, however the G4 and G5 chips on macs are more efficient in pushing data – so a 1.5 GHz chip on a Mac is equivalent to a 3GHz chip on windows. I know I’ll get slammed on making generalities like this, but it’s a pretty well-known fact that MHz is a poor way of comparing the speed of a machines that use wildly different chip architectures.
Anyway, I wasn’t saying that Apple was the first to use a smaller form factor. Just that they did it so well, offering a lot of bang for $500 and for something about the size of a paperback book (a thick paperback book – maybe like a little paperback college dictionary). Dave – nobody was saying that Apple was the first to think of the SFF. They just did it a lot better. Same thing with the iPod and the iTunes music store. Not the first mp3 player out there either, and nobody claimed it was.
§ #7 By Brian Warren at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
Well, I started to write something completely different, but Dave brought up something that struck a nerve. (Par for the course for a Dave post.)
I have thought for the longest time that Apple did well in spite of their marketing, not because of it. Apple commercials are notorious for not telling potential users a thing about why they should consider buying a Mac! They have done almost exclusively image promotion. Fine for what it’s worth, but what about all the people who might be interested in the other reasons to using a Mac? (For the moment Dave, just assume there are some.)
One ad that comes to mind as an exception. The ad for the orginal iMac that showed how amazingly easy it was to get set up and connected to the internet.
http://www.np.edu.sg/~pcb/movies/3_steps.mov
Mostly downhill from there.
§ #8 By Casey at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
I do!!!!!!!! LOL The original SFF box was made by shuttle.com prior to even the G4 toaster (can’t remember its name now) size – the one that developed cracks….. I have one of the first Shuttle models – small form factor PC’s are really great! In the spirit of being an anti-mac snob, I would like to say that it bothers me when Apple gets hailed by all the press as great innovators, when others were first with this concept – the iPod is also an example of this. That doesn’t take away from Apple’s great marketing and a fine product (mac mini, ipod etc) without a doubt.
§ #9 By mykidisgollum at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
BTW Brian, I do appreciate the disclaimer at the begining. I don’t take you as a MAC snob at all.
§ #10 By Paul at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
IBM Think Center Ultra Small
http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=1013
§ #11 By Paul at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
Ya know Dell has played around with doing the “Slim” thing with the optiplex. but it is not very “slim” and not that cool looking. Does push 3 GHz though.
§ #12 By Paul at 4:44pm on January 12 2005
I grew up a Windows user, and I will die a Mac user. (unless something better comes along…)
Thank you.
§ #13 By Vance at 4:44pm on January 12 2005