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No Worries About the Mac mini |
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 The Mac Mini is a product that people have been clamouring for since what seems like the beginning of time. Or at least 1999. Now that it's here, I don't think it's a question of "will it sell?" because I believe the answer to that is a resounding "yes". The question is will the Mac mini do Apple more harm than good - and that answer isn't so easy.
Personally, I think the positives the Mac mini brings far outweigh any potential negatives that Apple will create with it. These positives are pretty straightforward: it's a cheap Mac designed to hit a market that Apple has never been able to crack, plus marketshare should swell as both UNIX geeks and those fed up with the problems in Windowsland (i.e. Spyware, viruses, and security issues) jump ship for greener shores.
But those are the things that are readily apparent. Let's look at the potential drawbacks to the Mac mini and see if they really are issues.
First is the fact that Apple doesn't include a display, keyboard or mouse with it. Is this going to be a big deal for the people Apple is aiming the miniMac at?
Well, the UNIX geeks will have no problem with this, as they know what they need and actually probably already have it. Many of the Windows folks will already have what they need too - unless they have PS/2 keyboards and mice. Now, Apple mentions on their Web site that you need a USB keyboard and mouse, and I'm sure the retail stores and sales channels will remind people of this as well. Beyond that, this is a buyer-beware issue in my opinion.
And yes, that's not a very Apple-like attitude, but come on - if somebody gets pissed off after unpacking their mini only to realize it won't work with their existing PS/2 peripherals, I have this to say: adapters are $12 bucks at Radio Shack, buddy.
The Mac mini is the bottom of the Apple barrel and people can't expect the works. There may be some fallout from people that will expect everything to be included, but hey, you can't have your cake and eat it too - the mini is very competitively priced, and not just against other named brands, but also DIY computers, according to this this OS Views article.
And heck, Apple lowered prices on their own keyboards and mice to $29 each - yes a little more expensive than average, but still not too bad for anyone to pick some up at the Apple Store. If someone wants something cheaper, I'm sure they can handle hopping online to compare prices, or heading to CompUSA.
The next big possible downside of the mini is that is will do TOO good, and eat away at the sales of other Macs. I don't really see this happening. Most of the people buying the mini will be people that would never have bought a Mac in the first place. Sure, there will be some previous Mac users adding a mini to their arsenal, but in no way is the mini infringing on the iMac, PowerMac or Apple laptops.
If anything, the mini will create a whirlwind of Apple interest, just like the iPod's (say it with me now) halo effect.
Lastly, the keyboard Command and Option key argument. This runs something like, "How will Windows users get by without knowing what the Apple and Option keys are?" - because most Windows keyboards have an Alt and Windows keys instead. Well, remember who the mini is targeted at: switchers new to Mac OS X.
These users have no need of what amount to power-user features. The Option and Apple keys merely let you perform shortcuts, and OS X does NOT require you to use them. Steve and the gang wouldn't stick with the one-button mouse for so long only to force users to perform Apple-C to copy something. But if and when people are ready to use the Apple and Option keys, they'll either figure it out, ask someone, or get a new keyboard from Apple. And heck, the Linux switchers/adders will have it figured out in a heartbeat.
So that's the way I see it, folks. I've looked at it from all the angles that I could find, read what everyone has had to say, and listened to Mac users, Linux users, Windows switchers and Windows sufferers. My conclusion is that the Mac mini is going to do nothing but good things and that it will be the hottest selling Mac ever in it's first year out.
Oh, as an aside, my future mother-in-law has been using a Windows machine for work for the past several years and we had talked about her getting a Mac on the eve of the Keynote. She doesn't run any Windows-only apps so price was the only thing holding her back that night. Long story short, I expect to help her set up a new Mac mini in just a few weeks. |
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January 19 2005, 9:26 AM EDT, by
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Comments:
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| mcloki |
1/19/05, 10:10 AM EDT |
I agree with you guys. I think Apples problem and it will be a huge one, is getting the product to people in a quick fashion. If the reports of Apple only being able to make 100 thousand per month are correct. Then by the Time Longhorn comes (18 months May 2006) out they will only have made 1.8 million of these things. (They will sell out). And then the rest the computer industry is going to get their marketing and production machine into action.
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| nhmacusr |
1/19/05, 10:17 AM EDT |
The only thing I see is that you are giving the average user too much credit. There are a fair number of users out thre who barely know where the power button is (I deal with them all the time). They won't know the difference between PS2 and UFOs.
The second thing is that people just don't shop for computers in this way. They look at their 15" pice of crap monitor and want a 19" flat panel. Or they look at their 19" flat panel and want a 23". People just don't go out shopping to replace the box. People with a decent set up already spent a fair amount and will be pressed to justify the $500.
In the end, I think this thing will sell more iMacs. When you start to outfit this little box, the 17" iMac looks better and better.
I don't doubt that there are people out there that this will fit (raging Mac Fanatics aside - I would wager MOST of the new sales will be Mac users as they know what they are getting). What I am doubting is how many of them there really are out there.
Time will tell.
As an aside, I just read that a retailer in Europe had EOL'd the PowerBooks and SuperDrive eMacs. It will be interesting to see what changes come to the eMac line. Right now the line up is a bit skewed as some of the hardware is in need of a refresh.
Apple has a lot of things to overcome and price is the least of their worries. The three comments I hear most when I am in the Mac section at CompUsa are still:
1. Nice, but there is no software available for the Mac.
2. Disks made from a Mac won't work in a PC.
3. Macs can't be networked to PCs. It won't work.
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| Chris |
1/19/05, 11:34 AM EDT |
Actually, I really think that Apple should be pushing a KVM solution with th is model. The mini is ideal for this, as it really doesn't take too much desk space. THis way, the average user could ease their way into Mac OS X (it is intuitive, but when I switched, I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits!). Plus, having the two machines running side-by-side should really convince the average user as to which machine is easier to use and more reliable. Hopefully the Apple retail stores will be stocking KVM switches.
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1/19/05, 1:03 PM EDT |
I was a somewhat typical PC user before switching - used a PC for 2-3 years at work then took it home. Same with notebooks for travel.
I got the first Mac (with VPC) for business travel to avoid malware problems on the road and have now totally switched over at home and work.
The Mac mini would have allowed me to switch faster and I think a lot of people will be very interested in them when they finally make it to the store shelves - which might be a while.
In places like CompUSA there is an Apple Rep to explain the Mac (most important) and issues like too expensive or no software tend to fall away.
The one important target market is the iPod/PC user who loves the design of the iPod and iTunes software. This customer is interested in the Mac, takes one look at the fantastic design of the Mac mini and WANTS one. They can hold it in their hands, turn it over and be blown away.
Traditional Mac users will love it if they have an old Mac and need something well priced to be able to afford it. Others will be more interested in the other lines.
I see nothing but good coming down the road.
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| Jonathan |
1/19/05, 1:29 PM EDT |
I agree with ken on this. I having a craptasitc (but still kicking) B&W G3 350 saw this and was instantly saying; "Mmm, now I can upgrade to a G4!" Sure I know it's not gonna be as fast as the iMac however it's more of a price thing than a speed thing. The G4 will be fast enough (well with more memory anyway) than my current one. And it'll be fast for as many years as i've had the G3 (think I bought it when I was 16 or 17, I'm 22 now) about 6 years. The only thing I've done to it was add a HD and memory. This will be nice to edit all the baby pics/movies I'll have soon enough. I think it'll sell like hotcakes to new and old mac users.
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| Maclots! |
1/19/05, 2:47 PM EDT |
UNIX geeks are not morons to buy this p.o.s. with underpowered iBook innards. 4200rpm hard disk? LOL
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| nhmacusr |
1/19/05, 3:24 PM EDT |
I've heard those comments in an Apple Store. For every 1 person that I hear say it in a place that is conducive to changing their mind, there are 10 that don't even venture in because their mind is made up.
Jonathan - there are many Mac users out there in your exact position. However, that isn't going to make this a resounding success. You are buying the Mac Mini because you KNOW what you are getting.
The jury is still way out on this one. It will be interesting to see what the next rev of the eMac brings to see where this all falls into place.
Hopefully, we are all missing a very large piece of the puzzle here.
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1/19/05, 3:53 PM EDT |
Ok, so what you're saying is that there are a lot of people who have made up their minds, regardless of the facts? Hmm. Well, if that's so, then no amount of salesmanship is going to convince them, is it? You've basically stated an unsolvable problem and then used that to justify the status quo. Blah. Faulty reasoning. The point is that people can and do change their minds. The real question is what persuades them to do so?
Also, UNIX geeks have been known to buy and reuse all kinds of devices, just to get their favorite flavor running on it. How do I know? I had Red Hat running as my file server for a few years, doing SAMBA, NFTS, and all sorts of other things I set up myself. So call me a UNIX guru. Would I buy an iMac mini? Sure. Because I know I could switch out that hard drive if I wanted to. Oh and I guess you forgot about the USB and Firewire ports. Geez!
Are the comments here usually this underwhelming or is it just because it's Wednesday? C'mon guys. You can do better.
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| nhmacusr |
1/19/05, 4:36 PM EDT |
My point isn't that their minds are made up. My point is that they don't know what they want even when they are standing there looking at it.
What we are trying to get at here is what type of user this is targetted at and does that user actually exist in the numbers that are going to make this the end all beat all of Macs. I doubt it.
As for UNIX geeks. I am one myself. Would I buy one of these for a file server. No. I have plenty of hardware sitting around that will work just fine.
Do I want it for development. No. Tiger is just around the corner and the UNIX layer is finally going to be truely 64 bit. I want the hardware to test the apps.
I never said that this thing won't have users. I also never said it won't be successful. I just don't see it being the overwhelming success people are making it out to be.
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| sweetjimmyhugs |
1/19/05, 6:57 PM EDT |
I don't know if it will succeed of fail, but I know I want one to tinker with.
I just thought I should say something. I haven't said anything in a while.
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| Jonahan |
1/20/05, 1:48 PM EDT |
(mainly responding to MacLots, but everyone in general as well)
I work under a branch of a Network Operating Center that takes care of the big scary internet problems for several ISP's.
Almost all of these former Linux or BSD-only geeks are now Mac users, and the second one of them brought in their Mac mini today they were all drooling over it.
Yeah, it's not top of the line, but that's not what we're talking about. I think you miss the point if you're going to start picking apart specs like that (and besides, it has a regular laptop hard drive that you can swap out if you really want to).
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| Jason |
1/20/05, 4:20 PM EDT |
whoever made the comment about not being able to connect a mac to a windows network... what are you talking about? not only can it be done, it's perfectly easy (ie, you plug in the cable).
i think the mac mini will succeed in what it is supposed to, which is NOT overtaking the windows market... the only thing I think is a legitimate problem is apple not having the supply to meet the demand. apple always seems to have that problem... so...
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| dab2 |
1/20/05, 4:36 PM EDT |
Here’s a little tidbit for anybody concerned about the functionality of a Windows keyboard being used on a Mac. Not only do the Windows key work as the command key and the Alt key work as the option key but volume up, down and mute button generally work and the Scroll Lock button dims you display while the Pause/Break button will brighten it. (How’s that for a run-on sentence?) Heck even the Power button on my “True-Touch by Manhattan� keyboard works!
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| Jonahan |
1/21/05, 4:10 PM EDT |
Hehehehe..... nice. Crazy apostrophe's though, I've never seen that particular bit of HTML weirdness. :-p
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| cAtraXx |
1/22/05, 4:08 PM EDT |
Unix is not Linux, therefor Redhat is not Unix. Linux only uses parts of Unix. So, what are you talking about Aurora ?
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If you're ever selling your house, and some people come by, and a big rat comes out and he's dragging the rattrap because it didn't quite kill him, just tell the people he's your pet and that's a trick you taught him.
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