They raised it to $699.99 back in the 2010 release here in this video. Than all they did was remove the dvd drive and slim it down to lower the price back down to $599.99. Oh Apple, what a cheap move.
hi dave! can i install windows 7 on a mac mini and not have a problem when using windows based programs like autoCAD & 3DMax? also, can i have dual system, windows and macOs? I read some reviews that there's a change in color in the monitor if I use windows, have you noticed something like this? thanks!
yes apple added HDMI to the mac mini but in the U.K. for ome unknown reason films can only be downloaded and played in HD on apple TV's and ipads where as HD TV can be played and downloaded on macs. I'm sure this isn't a license issue or why would they be available on the ipad or apple tv?? This means I can't use the mac mini and so I am forced to buying an apple tv to watch HD films from itunes on my TV
@lealvf Although I can see where you're coming from, with a Mac Mini, it's not just about the new addition of a HDMI port, you're also getting Apple's very good build quality, a solid OS and arguably a better computer. I am not an Apple fanboy, i do see some benefits to windows or other OS's. (As long is it's not vista hehe)
Why Mac Mini doesn't work for me as a HTPC: Only 1 hard drive, no RAID ability. I need that because I have so much media. Also, no blu-ray drive. I can forgive Apple for giving up on Flash but not blu-ray. Blu-ray is still the ultimate way to watch a movie. But really that's about it.
@LACK78 I use a combination of a Mac mini and the HippoRemote App for iPhone.....you simply can't beat that! There's even a free basic version of that app......wondering what your take on that is.
@sandiegoborn32 Believe or not, there's a reason why Apple haven't been able, yes!! haven't been to add Bluray to Mac's so far. But when you think about it is really not needed, We are all more and more using our HD's for storage and using "media center" apps like Plex and others. I have a core i5 iMac connected to a very slick well organize set up of a Sony TV and Bose skers facing my bed and i access my Movie library (BRy) of my Mac just using the Apple remote also NetFlix, Hulu and so on.
My new mini unibody is the only mac desktop I can afford (iMacs are too glossy). I'm coming from a higher end PC that is two years old, a macbook 2.0 ghz and a iMac G4 1.25 ghz. And yet I am not pleased with the new mini's performance as a computer desktop, its just barely there. I try to avoid running more than two programs at a time, I feel like I have to treat it with kid gloves. Now, It would be better for lighter work or a media center, especially now it has the HDMI.
Looks like a nice device.. Apple is loosing market share with all off the bad news about the iPhone 4G and stuff in China.. they have to work harder to get the "elite-status" back. But anyway.. Thinks it's a great product is you would spend lots of time behind your TV. Would love to see some Full HD test's on this device with the sickest media files out there.. Nice!
To be honest, I would rather get a $700 laptop that's got a better processor, more memory, more storage, Blu-Ray, and HDMI.
You can use that as a media center, and take it with you when you want. Sure, it's not as pretty as a Mac, but it's more practical, IMHO.
But yes, the Apple TV is pretty much useless (except for a very limited amount of people who get all their media through iTunes). In fact, even Apple have kind of hidden it on their website, showing their lack of pride in this product.
I still think that a separate box specialized for a media center would be better (not the one from Apple)... but something with a big hard drive, capable of playing any format and accessing a media store, and no desktop OS in the background. Maybe Google TV will deliver. But waiting 1-2 minutes for the Mac to load and then dealing with the OS is not really something I'd be willing to do for every movie I want to watch at a home media center.
I remember Steve saying that they will never make TV's as TV makers aren't successful because in each country they use different standards for satellite etc.
One big problem you can't get iTunes HD movie rentals on the Mac Mini. Apple will only do HD rentals for those customers purchasing on an Apple TV device. Also Front Row is a complete mess at organising your media. It frequently mistakes TV shows and Music Videos for Movies. The software on the Apple TV does a far better job. And the price of the Mac Mini device is outrageous as you said in an earlier video.
Apple TV hacked with ATV Flash is the ultimate media centre device. :)
I have kept my desk and pc in my living room for about 5 years. My computer is in one corner and my tv in the other with a vdi to hdmi connection, so this is nothing new to me. I also have a 15" MBP and an iPhone, so I don't think I need more computers in my house. That being said, it is pretty interesting, and I might consider one when I choose to replace my desktop.
Dave, point well made.Now that streaming services are getting popular (Netflix, hulu, boxee, YouTube, online gaming) the Mac mini is the perfect device to use along your tv.And if you have an iPhone/iPad you can use either one as a wireless keyboard and mouse via apps like rowmote.The new apple tv when released will also gain popularity in this market.It's rumored to be more open, small size, and cheap at $99.
@legr8est1234 Dude, you're mistaken.The new apple tv is rumored to be $99 and that is pretty cheap.If that rumor is true then I'm sure it will win people over and sell like hot cakes.I agree that apple products are expensive, but that is not stopping people from buying them.Just look at the ipad.It sold over 3 million units in 60 day's.
@thebsdguy Dude, I was talking about the new apple tv that is rumored to be released soon.And yes, I agree with you that the current apple tv is garbage.It's completely useless mainly because of the closed system.However, if you hack it then you can overcome that obstacle.The new apple tv will take on google tv which makes me assume it has to be open if it wants to compete will google.Both are rumored to stream media over the cloud unlike keeping data on a physical hard drive.
@mannypeligroso Let's not argue over rumors, but I highly doubt they'll sell such a product cheaper than the competition (WD TV Live, Boxee Box, Popcorn Hour, etc...).
Before the mac mini, i always thought that the original xbox modded with Xbox Media Center was the best. Even though it's from 2001, it was sorta HD, could stream youtube videos, run tons of emulators for other consoles, etc. Now it's in the PS3's corner with large HDD capacity and blu-ray, but you get what you pay for, and there is no substitute for a computer in terms of versatility...
hey dave, my mom has a Dell with XP, its a little slow, and i keep telling her its time for an upgrade, i am a tech junkie, i have a macbook pro 13", bought it a couple weeks ago, but as long as the XP works, no mac mini, but the dell is not even hanging in there, but God forbid it stops working, if not, another apple will be arriving in our doorstep
Hate to say it ( me being a big Mac fan ) , but you gotta be mad to use a mac mini when you can use an Acer Revo for £150 to do the same job under your TV.
Its a great device, but for using it as just a media streamer/player i think its too expensive.
This is an area i wouldnt want to spend more than £300-400.
I own the 27" iMac so i dont have a mac mini but i do use Plex (frontrow alternative) to watch all my movies/tv. And when it comes time to move into my own place after uni i think i would be building or purchasing something much cheaper than this.
I never understood why Apple offers a Mac Mini, and iMac, which if you choose certain options the mini can be as much as a standard iMac, it's like a rip off.
nice
soho2014 3 weeks ago
Great Job :) I learned a lot.
Danielthehurricane 4 weeks ago
I am a windows user, why am I watching apple reviews!? XD
B1KMusic 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Mac mini 2011 Giveaway: /watch?v=HRDFkKLWNBg
MartinTerms 3 months ago
Do you think the "2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 mac mini version" can run at 1080p high setting World Of Warcraft without lag?
Scatology900 4 months ago
They raised it to $699.99 back in the 2010 release here in this video. Than all they did was remove the dvd drive and slim it down to lower the price back down to $599.99. Oh Apple, what a cheap move.
ViciousDave4Life 4 months ago
osx lion = death of front row :( fail :(
makeshift78 7 months ago
AWESUM>>>>>
crazy100ish 8 months ago
Mac Mini Home Theatre #FTW
TheGeekCoolGuy 9 months ago
hi dave! can i install windows 7 on a mac mini and not have a problem when using windows based programs like autoCAD & 3DMax? also, can i have dual system, windows and macOs? I read some reviews that there's a change in color in the monitor if I use windows, have you noticed something like this? thanks!
FreddieTL 1 year ago
No Blu-ray.
Not ultimate.
dinnerandashow 1 year ago 2
@dinnerandashow optical discs are soooo 2009
tippida 7 months ago
@tippida
Quality of a 35mbps Blu-ray is far better then a 5 mbps "HD" video from the Internet.
dinnerandashow 7 months ago
I thought why wont the mini be best media server for my home. You just confirmed. I am glad I didnt invest in ugly looking remotes and machines.
I am sure adding a big HDD will make this complete. Any suggestion on which +1TB HDD to add?
vijayshekhar 1 year ago
Great computer, but it should be a 100 dollars less and include a Apple wired keyboard and mouse ATLEAST.
FrosChannel 1 year ago
I'd buy a top of line tv that plays everything from a usb hard drive. But if you already have a tv I would go for either a PS3 or a mac mini
kutuluu 1 year ago
yes apple added HDMI to the mac mini but in the U.K. for ome unknown reason films can only be downloaded and played in HD on apple TV's and ipads where as HD TV can be played and downloaded on macs. I'm sure this isn't a license issue or why would they be available on the ipad or apple tv?? This means I can't use the mac mini and so I am forced to buying an apple tv to watch HD films from itunes on my TV
TOMD920666 1 year ago
@TOMD920666 Apple tv only outputs to 720p, so...
ComicMan9 7 months ago
can it play flac files, mkv, lossless audio??? (TRUE HD and DTS HDMA)???
genkifd 1 year ago
What about the Dell Zino HD? It has an HDMI output and blu-ray option and you probably could build one even cheaper than Mac Mini.
Mac Mini does seem neat however.
lealvf 1 year ago
@lealvf Although I can see where you're coming from, with a Mac Mini, it's not just about the new addition of a HDMI port, you're also getting Apple's very good build quality, a solid OS and arguably a better computer. I am not an Apple fanboy, i do see some benefits to windows or other OS's. (As long is it's not vista hehe)
MrTommoose 1 year ago
Just buy a PS3 for half the money.
davereddy04 1 year ago
Why Mac Mini doesn't work for me as a HTPC: Only 1 hard drive, no RAID ability. I need that because I have so much media. Also, no blu-ray drive. I can forgive Apple for giving up on Flash but not blu-ray. Blu-ray is still the ultimate way to watch a movie. But really that's about it.
doomtomb3 1 year ago
this is like an imac without an lcd no?
1980KNIGHTRIDER 1 year ago
is that a ham radio in the background?
todd3293 1 year ago
david tenant ?
tinofpop90 1 year ago
Looks great.
FightDiary 1 year ago
@LACK78 I use a combination of a Mac mini and the HippoRemote App for iPhone.....you simply can't beat that! There's even a free basic version of that app......wondering what your take on that is.
RobvandenBoogaard 1 year ago
How can you call it "The Ultimate Media Center Device", when it doesn't even have Blu-Ray? Fail...
sandiegoborn32 1 year ago
@sandiegoborn32 buy PS3 for that Apple is pushing for HD downloads via iTunes they won't add in Blu-ray until burners are dirt cheap if ever.
flarbton 1 year ago
@sandiegoborn32 Believe or not, there's a reason why Apple haven't been able, yes!! haven't been to add Bluray to Mac's so far. But when you think about it is really not needed, We are all more and more using our HD's for storage and using "media center" apps like Plex and others. I have a core i5 iMac connected to a very slick well organize set up of a Sony TV and Bose skers facing my bed and i access my Movie library (BRy) of my Mac just using the Apple remote also NetFlix, Hulu and so on.
icoopers 1 year ago
@LACK78 1:28 i didint know you had a dog?
kurtBick 1 year ago
but no blu ray...
epicllama 1 year ago
@epicllama ...sadly :-(
Mumblemumble375 1 year ago
My new mini unibody is the only mac desktop I can afford (iMacs are too glossy). I'm coming from a higher end PC that is two years old, a macbook 2.0 ghz and a iMac G4 1.25 ghz. And yet I am not pleased with the new mini's performance as a computer desktop, its just barely there. I try to avoid running more than two programs at a time, I feel like I have to treat it with kid gloves. Now, It would be better for lighter work or a media center, especially now it has the HDMI.
msviswan 1 year ago
Looks like a nice device.. Apple is loosing market share with all off the bad news about the iPhone 4G and stuff in China.. they have to work harder to get the "elite-status" back. But anyway.. Thinks it's a great product is you would spend lots of time behind your TV. Would love to see some Full HD test's on this device with the sickest media files out there.. Nice!
McgregorKLB 1 year ago
To be honest, I would rather get a $700 laptop that's got a better processor, more memory, more storage, Blu-Ray, and HDMI.
You can use that as a media center, and take it with you when you want. Sure, it's not as pretty as a Mac, but it's more practical, IMHO.
But yes, the Apple TV is pretty much useless (except for a very limited amount of people who get all their media through iTunes). In fact, even Apple have kind of hidden it on their website, showing their lack of pride in this product.
legr8est1234 1 year ago
I still think that a separate box specialized for a media center would be better (not the one from Apple)... but something with a big hard drive, capable of playing any format and accessing a media store, and no desktop OS in the background. Maybe Google TV will deliver. But waiting 1-2 minutes for the Mac to load and then dealing with the OS is not really something I'd be willing to do for every movie I want to watch at a home media center.
PoliticalHell 1 year ago
@PoliticalHell I don't know which Mac you own, but mine wakes in 3 seconds.
gS32tom 1 year ago
@gS32tom If you sleep it I suppose, but there's still the desktop OS in the way :P
PoliticalHell 1 year ago
Hey LACK, do you have Steam?
GamerandSuch 1 year ago
good insight into the Mini Dave. Great vid.
blueacquisitions 1 year ago
I remember Steve saying that they will never make TV's as TV makers aren't successful because in each country they use different standards for satellite etc.
GeekOfComedy 1 year ago
Does it run MediaPortal?
trigahappyroy 1 year ago
@trigahappyroy MediaPortal is Windows-exclusive.
VLC media player is compatible with the Apple Remote and is cross-platform.
JakeTheFakeReal 1 year ago
Mac Mini #FTW
techteenager 1 year ago 15
I have a converter box specifically for that purpose :)
JakeTheFakeReal 1 year ago
Mac Mini = Media Centre Machine!
thetechfixer 1 year ago
wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, 52” HD TV, and a mac mini.
thats all you need...
CJCorndog5595 1 year ago 21
agreed
lines4you 1 year ago
One big problem you can't get iTunes HD movie rentals on the Mac Mini. Apple will only do HD rentals for those customers purchasing on an Apple TV device. Also Front Row is a complete mess at organising your media. It frequently mistakes TV shows and Music Videos for Movies. The software on the Apple TV does a far better job. And the price of the Mac Mini device is outrageous as you said in an earlier video.
Apple TV hacked with ATV Flash is the ultimate media centre device. :)
aurichiemedia 1 year ago
I have kept my desk and pc in my living room for about 5 years. My computer is in one corner and my tv in the other with a vdi to hdmi connection, so this is nothing new to me. I also have a 15" MBP and an iPhone, so I don't think I need more computers in my house. That being said, it is pretty interesting, and I might consider one when I choose to replace my desktop.
G1rantw 1 year ago
Dave, point well made.Now that streaming services are getting popular (Netflix, hulu, boxee, YouTube, online gaming) the Mac mini is the perfect device to use along your tv.And if you have an iPhone/iPad you can use either one as a wireless keyboard and mouse via apps like rowmote.The new apple tv when released will also gain popularity in this market.It's rumored to be more open, small size, and cheap at $99.
mannypeligroso 1 year ago
@mannypeligroso An Apple product will never be cheap.
legr8est1234 1 year ago
@legr8est1234 Dude, you're mistaken.The new apple tv is rumored to be $99 and that is pretty cheap.If that rumor is true then I'm sure it will win people over and sell like hot cakes.I agree that apple products are expensive, but that is not stopping people from buying them.Just look at the ipad.It sold over 3 million units in 60 day's.
mannypeligroso 1 year ago
@mannypeligroso Apple TVs are garbage.
thebsdguy 1 year ago
@thebsdguy Dude, I was talking about the new apple tv that is rumored to be released soon.And yes, I agree with you that the current apple tv is garbage.It's completely useless mainly because of the closed system.However, if you hack it then you can overcome that obstacle.The new apple tv will take on google tv which makes me assume it has to be open if it wants to compete will google.Both are rumored to stream media over the cloud unlike keeping data on a physical hard drive.
mannypeligroso 1 year ago
@mannypeligroso Let's not argue over rumors, but I highly doubt they'll sell such a product cheaper than the competition (WD TV Live, Boxee Box, Popcorn Hour, etc...).
legr8est1234 1 year ago
Use the Iphone with the remoteless app. Used it when i had a windows pc. It is soon to be ready for mac´s.
aak75 1 year ago
Before the mac mini, i always thought that the original xbox modded with Xbox Media Center was the best. Even though it's from 2001, it was sorta HD, could stream youtube videos, run tons of emulators for other consoles, etc. Now it's in the PS3's corner with large HDD capacity and blu-ray, but you get what you pay for, and there is no substitute for a computer in terms of versatility...
psychoclown420 1 year ago
With the Apple TV can you watch Netflix, Youtube or Hulu? Or only Apple related stuff?
bagkingz 1 year ago
I like my HTPC because i have a bluray rom in the drive and also it cost me two hundred dollars to make it.
mitenpat 1 year ago
Just got my iPhone 4 and all I have to say is GO !
itsstefpapadopoulos 1 year ago
hey dave, my mom has a Dell with XP, its a little slow, and i keep telling her its time for an upgrade, i am a tech junkie, i have a macbook pro 13", bought it a couple weeks ago, but as long as the XP works, no mac mini, but the dell is not even hanging in there, but God forbid it stops working, if not, another apple will be arriving in our doorstep
TheMoon4567 1 year ago
Hate to say it ( me being a big Mac fan ) , but you gotta be mad to use a mac mini when you can use an Acer Revo for £150 to do the same job under your TV.
ScowlerJase 1 year ago
I like the Mac Mini. It's so thin it's perfect.
iDiggMGL 1 year ago
na ps3 i'd say and more than half the price i want a mac mini though,
jimmypubeface23 1 year ago
Comment removed
gavphoenix1 1 year ago
Its a great device, but for using it as just a media streamer/player i think its too expensive.
This is an area i wouldnt want to spend more than £300-400.
I own the 27" iMac so i dont have a mac mini but i do use Plex (frontrow alternative) to watch all my movies/tv. And when it comes time to move into my own place after uni i think i would be building or purchasing something much cheaper than this.
07sam70 1 year ago
SuperDrive = fancy name for an optical disc drive
sorry, couldn't resist it, lol.
CJCA915 1 year ago
@CJCA915
SuperDrive is just a product name. :P
troy2062 1 year ago
@troy2062 I know, lol.
CJCA915 1 year ago
I think Apple might phase out Apple TV, which is why I think they put the HDMI on it.
thedarkness97 1 year ago
I never understood why Apple offers a Mac Mini, and iMac, which if you choose certain options the mini can be as much as a standard iMac, it's like a rip off.
CJCA915 1 year ago
Of course, we have DVR from Time Warner Cable, so it's all good, even without the Media Center PC. :D
CJCA915 1 year ago
I'll stick to my Media Center PC, works wonders.
^_^
CJCA915 1 year ago