New Apple Products: Mac Mini and Flash-Based iPod

[caribiner23]

Check these out-- they're for real.

iPod Shuffle: the flash-based iPod (http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/)

Mac Mini: new entry-level Mac (http://www.apple.com/macmini/)

[Airencracken]

The iPod shuffle is lame.

[speedracer120]

Pricing ain't that bad for Apple products.

[hapoo]

The iPod shuffle is lame.

:stupid:


but the mac mini looks pretty awesome! Its soooo small, and quiet i would imagine. would make for a good server.

[eSDee]

I was gonna post this but I thought I would let ribitch do it. The mac mini is awesome. $500 is a great price for all that you get. I think that I might buy this computer for my parents :D

[verve247]

I'm liking the mac mini too. It's only a little over 6'' by 6". I can't wait till people start getting a hold of it and hacking it. I wonder what you can do to it...(bigger hd, video card, added external ports, yadda yadda.)

[caribiner23]

Here (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/laptops-pcs/sff/mac-mini-porn-every-last-picture-029475.php) are some photos from Gizmodo.

[mcs328]

the mini is nice. It's ultra portable for sure.
The iPod shuffler on the other is not very impressive. I don't see anything that makes it that much different from any other mp3 player. Just typical Apple designs. Even a 1 or 2 lines LCD display would help.

[Speedfreak]

Well how about that, Apple finally decided to make a $500 computer and small to boot.

[ribitch]

so when do we think we will see the first cluster of mac minis? how many do you think a rack can hold?

i like the idea that you can get one with a DVD burner, 802.11, bluetooth, and wireless keyboard and mouse for $1002. now attach it to a lcd TV, and you are set. When do you think somebody will hack one of those PS2 LCD's and make a battery to allow it to become a true portable computer? At that price point, I'm sure tons of people will start hacking it.

[JackHammer]

Sorry to hijack this thread but has anyone heard of any updates to the powerbook? I've read some rumor sites and they say that the most the PB's will see is a speed bump and bluetooth2. I haven't heard anything today confirming this. Any takers?

[cheapie]

why is the shuffle lame?

[eSDee]

Sorry to hijack this thread but has anyone heard of any updates to the powerbook? I've read some rumor sites and they say that the most the PB's will see is a speed bump and bluetooth2. I haven't heard anything today confirming this. Any takers?

I only hear rumors too and based on the prototypes I have seen for the G5 powerbook, I believe that there will be a dual g4 powerbook before the g5 comes out. Faster single chip powerbooks are supposed to be out anytime now (so I've heard).

[Devhux]

why is the shuffle lame?

There's no display on the unit whatsoever -- Apple's vision is that people will use it simply to build a playlist that it shuffles around (in other words, random mode). If you want to listen to a specific song, forget it.

This also means that there's virtually no customizability to the Shuffle either. Don't like the default sound quality? Tough. There's no way to tweak it.

[kei2]

Yeah I don't like the fact that you can't pick the song to listen to on the Shuffle. It's nice that the Shuffle's small, but I don't think it's the right way to go. The Mac Mini's hot. Saw a prototype a little while back, it's pretty ridiculous. Less than a third the size of a 6.5" cube. So crazy. Definitely cool.

[Butch]

I dunno, but for my needs, the Shuffle sounds pretty damn good. I have a 4G 40gb iPod and when I got it, I considered buying another flash-based player to use when I ran or went to the gym . . . the Shuffle would be pretty damn good for my need . . . it's cheaper than what else is out there for the capacity and I don't need a scroll button or display for those uses . . .

[Nija]

I like the Mac Mini. I might actually consider buying one now. Althought I could always surprise my g/f with it for her hatch day or something. . .

[nate el bueno]

what's the quality like on those?

[gear02]

Sorry to hijack this thread but has anyone heard of any updates to the powerbook? I've read some rumor sites and they say that the most the PB's will see is a speed bump and bluetooth2. I haven't heard anything today confirming this. Any takers?

There are speed bumps to 1.5/1.67 (12/14 and 15) along with bluetooth 2.0 support and a few other things.

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0501expo5.html

Don't expect a G5 pbook or a dual G4 for a while.

[cheapie]

i was excited about the Shuffle at first. i almost took my iriver back yesterday but then i saw that i wouldn't be able to choose which song i was listening to, there's no fm tuner, and you can't record w/a line-in feature so :shrug: until that's fixed, i'll keep the iriver. i might return the 256 and get a 512 tho'.

[gear02]

Yeah I don't like the fact that you can't pick the song to listen to on the Shuffle. It's nice that the Shuffle's small, but I don't think it's the right way to go. The Mac Mini's hot. Saw a prototype a little while back, it's pretty ridiculous. Less than a third the size of a 6.5" cube. So crazy. Definitely cool.

I think if you look at other displayless flash MP3 players, this one is nicer. I had a Muvo and the playlist was the order in which you copied to the device. To change the order, you had to delete everything and try again.

I like the features where it'll randomly pick which songs to put in there. It adds some variety (assuming you like all songs in your library). It's kinda neat.

But when you don't have a display, it certainly limits your options.

[mcs328]

I'm looking at the back of the mini and it seems it could use a few more connections. One USB for keyboard and mouse (I assume the keyboard has a usb connection for the mouse). One USB for the printer. And firewire for a scanner. If you had more peripherals then a USB hub would be a good thing to get. I guess it's good if you're not a gamer or need to add an external drive enclosure. Since the floppy drive is still hanging on barely, I would think another usb connection might be good for people who carry usb flash drives to lug the files around. Just my two cents.

[verve247]

I'm looking at the back of the mini and it seems it could use a few more connections. One USB for keyboard and mouse (I assume the keyboard has a usb connection for the mouse). One USB for the printer. And firewire for a scanner. If you had more peripherals then a USB hub would be a good thing to get. I guess it's good if you're not a gamer or need to add an external drive enclosure. Since the floppy drive is still hanging on barely, I would think another usb connection might be good for people who carry usb flash drives to lug the files around. Just my two cents.


You can always use the firewire port for external hardrives. Sadly there is only one and it is not an 800.

[kei2]

A USB hub is small to carry around, and putting more ports probably would have forced Apple to increase the size of the mini. The lack of Firewire 800 is a bit of a bummer, but I don't think the mini is targeted toward the top-end computer user anyway... that's more Dual G5 territory.

[cheapie]

my wife would LOVE it. i might get the mini for her. of course, i'd have to get a monitor as well. :shrug:

[_=DeltaForce=_]

Apple Ipod Shuffle Warning

DO NOT EAT IPOD SHUFFLE! :dead:

http://img150.exs.cx/img150/2220/ipod8kn.jpg

Here is the link (http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/)

[kei2]

Well, it is shaped like a 25 cent pack of gum, and they do mention that syncing is cupcake... :munch:

[eSDee]

I'm looking at the back of the mini and it seems it could use a few more connections. One USB for keyboard and mouse (I assume the keyboard has a usb connection for the mouse).

The keyboard has 2 usb ports, but of course the keyboard is not included with the computer. If I were buying one of these from scratch, meaning new monitor/keyboard/etc. then I would buy a dell LCD and maybe the Apple keyboard. Point being that a lot of the Dell LCD's now have USB hubs built into the monitor to add a little more functionality. Of course, you would have to run a USB cable to the monitor. Otherwise, you could get an Apple LCD which carries USB on the video cable.

[ribitch]

The keyboard has 2 usb ports, but of course the keyboard is not included with the computer. If I were buying one of these from scratch, meaning new monitor/keyboard/etc. then I would buy a dell LCD and maybe the Apple keyboard. Point being that a lot of the Dell LCD's now have USB hubs built into the monitor to add a little more functionality. Of course, you would have to run a USB cable to the monitor. Otherwise, you could get an Apple LCD which carries USB on the video cable.

dont forget the apple adds firewire. I would personally go bluetooth. less clutter. just power and video, and you are set. It looks like the power brick is like a powerbook adaptor. nice and small. beats the beast that the cube came with

[eSDee]

That's right, firewire on the display as well. Recenly I noticed that the big 30 inch lcd has gone down $300. Now it's only a mere $2699! :D (plus tax)

[The Biffer]

What's the point of getting the Shuffle, when you can get the iRiver ifp-795, get same memory and a TON more funtionality.

Apple are going for the lowest common denominator here. someone who wants to be seen with those white headphones, but who doesn't want to spend the $$ on a full size iPod, or who wants a player to work out with.

I can load up my ifp with songs and set it to random. However I can also play a list, repeat a specific songs or specific list, listen to FM, reconrd that FM, record from line in, record voice memo, pick any song I want, adjust sound quality..... I coudl go on.

Also, note that the shuffle is another rechargable apple device, so you need to be close to a charging device or computer. Why not have it take an AA or AAA, then it would be truely portable.

I think Apple dropped the ball on this one.

[kei2]

Also, note that the shuffle is another rechargable apple device, so you need to be close to a charging device or computer. Why not have it take an AA or AAA, then it would be truely portable.I actually disagree on this one. I hate portable devices that eat batteries, whether it be an MP3 player or a GameBoy or a DiscMan... I like the fact that it's rechargeable (from any socket or from your computer). The only downside is that the device can only last a few years before needing to be replaced.

[The Biffer]

It should "eat" batteries though. My ifp runs for 30 odd hours on one AA, and wherever I am I get get more of those. Apple are promoting this as something you can travel with, so what happens if you are on a plane, and it goes flat, or are in Europe and can't plug it into a 240v outlet unless you want a little white paperweight with headphones.

I think there are probably two segments of the flash player market: Those who want a pretty looking ipod thing; and those who want a flexible player.

Same as with HD players really, those who want a pretty ipod; and those who want more options.

Have to commend Apple though, one way or another, and despite the limitations and criticisms people have of it, the iPod has become an amazingly successful product.

[eSDee]

Biffmeister, I think there is another segment of the flash player market, which are those who want to work out while listening to their music. I think the biggest concern is that the device doesn't get broken should it be dropped or kicked. Other than that, for me I think that not knowing exactly what song is next or being able to pick the next song is not an issue, as long as I can build my playlist on my computer beforehand. And for $99, I would prefer to have the larger storage space rather than the display.

*edit* Here is the Wall Street Journal article on the Shuffle:

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB110548347772523279-IhjgYNilaN4nJyrZ3uHb6iHm4,00.html

[The Biffer]

Biffmeister, I think there is another segment of the flash player market, which are those who want to work out while listening to their music. I think the biggest concern is that the device doesn't get broken should it be dropped or kicked. Other than that, for me I think that not knowing exactly what song is next or being able to pick the next song is not an issue, as long as I can build my playlist on my computer beforehand. And for $99, I would prefer to have the larger storage space rather than the display.

Loco,

Well then what's wrong with the ifp-795? I have one on me right now. small size like Shuffle, perfect for working out, comes with a little case to attach to an armband for working out. Tough little bugger, same MB size as the Shuffle, but gives you more options than just Shuffling or playlists.

Shuffle is not a bad product, I just think that you can get all of the positives of that product in something else, and get something extra to go with it.


PS, I love the Cowbell signature. That's one of my favorite SNL sketches.

[eSDee]

Thanks man :D How much did you pay for the ifp-795?

[Jeffbx]

I'm with Bifferino on this one. I got the Muvo Micro (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00067KZA2/qid=1105707490/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/104-9920522-5635955?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846) for my wife for xmas specifically for working out with (I think I paid $114). OK, it's a few bucks more, but it has:

- AAA battery - no need to worry about a charger
- FM Tuner
- Voice recorer
- Same size & capacity as the Apple
- MUCH more customizable
- LCD so you know what's on there
- Plug it into your PC & it shows up as a drive letter - just drag & drop your music. I didn't have to load any software for it.

I agree that the Apple is more suited towards people who just want to sport the white headphones but don't have $300 to drop on an ipod. If you want a good MP3 player, there are better choices out there.

[The Biffer]

How much did you pay for the ifp-795?

I didn't pay, it was a xmas present. I gave the wife directions on where to find it for about $140, but whether she actually did that, or instead went and paid more for the convenience of Circuit City, I'm not sure.

I've heard decent stuff on the Muvo as well.

[ribitch]

i dont like the shuffle at all. I would rather pay more for the mini. But, just like the mini, and the original ipod before that, people said it was over priced and would never sell. Well, as we all know, we were all wrong. I can see the shuffle selling like crazy. People have been buying them up like crazy at the Apple Stores.

The mac mini to me is their new killer product. People are complaining about price and everything like they did with the iPod, but the orders for it will probably be crazy. Lots of windows/linux users have already been buying them up. If apple can pull this off, I can definitely see their market share increase some. People tend to love OS X once they've tried it. Once they try the mini, many will want a portable, or even something faster.

Panther is great, but just wait until tiger hits the streets. I am an ADC Select member, and have been using Tiger since they started seeding it. Server is much mush better than Panther Server, and workstation is much better than Panther. The mail application is great. I love the new interface and the search capabilities. I would love to play with a recent build of longhorn to compare the two. I would be interested to see first hand how the 2 compare.

[Jeffbx]

I can hook you up with Longhorn if you hook me up with Tiger.

Of course, you'll have to score me some hardware to run it on, too...

[eSDee]

I just ordered a Mac Mini and I am a little disappointed that there is only one memory slot. I could only afford to put a 512 chip in it for $99, because the Gig chips are like $400. I think that is one thing about the Mini that keeps it from being an option for power users. 512 megs isn't gonna hack it when it comes to video editing. But this is gonna be a little web server so that should be enough.

[kei2]

True. This isn't a powerhouse computer. Power users would probably opt for the Dual G5... and its 4 RAM slots.

[hapoo]

I just ordered a Mac Mini and I am a little disappointed that there is only one memory slot. I could only afford to put a 512 chip in it for $99, because the Gig chips are like $400. I think that is one thing about the Mini that keeps it from being an option for power users. 512 megs isn't gonna hack it when it comes to video editing. But this is gonna be a little web server so that should be enough.


its not meant to be a video editing station. Personally i'd love to have one for a web/ftp/file server.

[eSDee]

its not meant to be a video editing station. Personally i'd love to have one for a web/ftp/file server.

I hear you man but 512 is the least amount of RAM I would want in any of my machines. With one slot you're pretty much limited to that. But yeah, I am making a web server out of this one, which should be more than enough with the one stick.