You can upgrade a computer for that amount of money, but it won't be silent and small, which is usefull for some people. It also won't run OSX, which for me is worth a lot more than pure processing speed.

That being said, APlle really needs to up the memory in these machines to 512. OSX simply needs that much, and people buying the 'base system' will get something that won't perform nearly as well as it would with that extra ram. It might even turn people off, which would be sad, considering how awesome OSX is.

As for expandability, USB2 and Firewire are really all you need, and it has both. Its been a long long time since I have had to pop open my PC case anyway.

I think it will. It's small but extremely powerful, and heck of a lotta bang for the buck. I'd like one, but I'd need $500 bucks for that. I could share my monotor with it, but I'd need a USB keyboard and mouse, which could replace my current ones...if I do ever get one, I'd probably get them from Logitech.

Anyway, before you get people to buy one, there's one problem: people think Macs are these slow things running OS 7 or 8, because those are the only ones they've ever used (because that's what most schools with Macs have). People need to get into an Apple Store and try OS X.

Anyway, I think Apple should introduce a nice lil' laptop for $799. I'm thinking a 12" like the base model iBook G4, but without all the bells and whistles, maybe having the combo drive as an upgrade, not standard equipment...I'd buy one.

:while typings on g4 ibook: of course i think the mac mini will help out apple. i see kids walking down the halls in my school with ipods all the time. and i'm sure they'd jump on an opurtunity to get a good mac comp for cheap.and in terms of power for $. well, i've got this plan o mine. if someone were to give me 5000$ to make them the best computer i can, i'd get 9 mac mini's, a moderate LCD screen and keyboard and mouse, and some beowulf programs. and just network um all. i'm not too tech savvy, but i think that would work well, right?

I went to the mac store and I looked at the mac mini. It's a cool little computer, but like others have said, they will be almost impossible to upgrade. I like OSX, but as far as I know, HL2 hasn't come out on the mac yet. And even if it did, the mac mini probally couldn't run it. I'll stick with my Windows XP for now. I just poured 500 bucks into it, and I'd hate to part with it.(hugs computer)

I have heard that you cannot upgrade a Mac. I really want one of those. Right now, I have a 450 MHz Windows computer that I will use till I get money for a new one. I don't use this computer for much... just schoolwork and such. I think the Mac Mini is grabbing the attention of Windows users... it sure as hell grabbed mine. I had my homepage as CNET and it was a video on there, so I checked it out. I watched the review and I was thinking of the price. I saw "$497" and my eyes just popped open. Why is Mac offering their machines at such cheap prices? Is this just a technique to grab the attention of Windows users? I think it is...

Theres been talk that they're able to fit in the radio chasis of a car, that should make them very popular with the "pimp my ride" crowd.

The Mac mini is iPod's companion, which crushed all other music players when Apple introduced it in 2001, simply because of its striking looks and a somewhat low price tag to boot when compared to other Macs that Apple has to offer but I bet I can build a budget small-form-factor PC much cheaper than S$928 which of course, will have its own pros and cons. What's so good about the Mac mini is because of its preinstalled Mac OS X and the iLife 05 suite. It's perhaps the best entry level PC you can get from a computer manufacturer since the features Apple has to offer in the mini is something you cannot find in an entry-level Dell which is oftcited as the most affordable PC brand in Singapore.

All in a 1.32kg unit (from what I was told by Athena) that can be overclocked, the Mac mini is the perfect Windows desktop replacement and the big idea behind the Mac mini is that small budgets are not synonymous with small performance. If only Apple comes up with a killer gaming rig at this size...I'll rob the bank to get it.

I don't think that the mac minis will be much use to the company.

Yes they maybe cheaper for the type of computer it is, but they are just not that leading edge.

They have less features of a PC of its same price range, and it has extremely less software compatibility. People are being blinded by the new mac mini, as Macs are often considered to be 'stronger' systems.

I just hope people wake up and smell the **** before it is too late.

[quote=twitch,May 10 2005, 12:59 AM]
Yes they maybe cheaper for the type of computer it is, but they are just not that leading edge.
[quote]
Most people don't need leading edge computers. In fact, they haven't needed faster computers for a while for 90% of the things people do, like browse the web, email, chat, typing and data entry, etc. Heck, a guy I know uses an old half as fast imac for dna sequencing stuff. Modern processors are VERY fast really. The only things that needs a lot of power are games. And anyone buying a 500$ computer isn't buying it for gaming.

[quote]
They have less features of a PC of its same price range, and it has extremely less software compatibility. People are being blinded by the new mac mini, as Macs are often considered to be 'stronger' systems.
[/quote]

Actually, it has a lot more features than a PC in its same price range, if you count the included software(which you should since you are paying for it). As for software compatibility, it is just fine. All the major content creation apps like photoshop and flash run fine. The latest version of office (easily the most important app for most people) is considered by reviewers to be better than its PC counterpart. The only thing you miss are the random small apps that exist in the millions for PC. That is, until you find their counterparts in the mac world. It only seems like they don't have the software because you aren't used to looking for it.

As for being considered the 'stronger' system, from a useability and security standpoint, they are--by leaps and bounds.

[quote]
I just hope people wake up and smell the **** before it is too late.

[/quote]
Too late for what? Having a system that works well and doesn't give you ****?

Well, people like that kind of stuff: small, nice, good designed, simple, cute... It's just the best approach for selling stuff, and apple know that best. As for the functionality of Mac Mini - it's probably hard to upgrade it probably it's not possible, but you must understand the needs of an average man: they want a computer that they need just to plug into power... and apple gives them just that...