Comparing prices on the Mac Mini ...

[symphonix]

For those of you who are still doubting the price-point for the Mac Mini, lets take a look at it against its competitors.

Australia prices:

Apple >> Mac Mini >> $799 AU
1.25GHz PowerPC G4
ATI Radeon 9200 with 32MB
256MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
40GB Ultra ATA drive
Combo Drive (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)
56K v.92 Modem
Mac OS X
Accessory kit

Dell >> Dell Dimension(TM) 3000 2.8GHz w/HT Desktop >> $897 AU
Intel 2.8GHz w/HT
Integrated Intel(R) Extreme Graphics 2 -- -- (What a joke!)
256MB (1X256) NECC DDR 400MHz SDRAM Memory
40GB IDE (7200RPM) Hard Drive
48X DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition(English)
Dell Keyboard and (non-optical) USB mouse.

OK, so there's a crappy keyboard and even crappier mouse. The RAM is marginally faster. Do either of those things justify an extra 100 bucks? I think not.

HP/Compaq >> Presario 1208AN Home PC >> $999
AMD Sempron 2800+ (2.0GHz)
Integrated Graphics with up to 64MB Video Memory <-- Up to?
256MB DDR (Expandable up to 2.0GB with Discard)
40.0GB Ultra DMA Hard Drive at 5400RPM
CD-RW (48x32x48x) <-- what, no DVD playing capabilities?
17" CRT Monitor with JBL speakers.
Windows XP Home edition
Norton Antivirus with 60 days of updates <-- you'll need it!

Okay, even if I deduct the price of the 17" Compaq CRT monitor ($275), which you can't do as its included, I'm still left with a price of $724.

Of course, both the Dell and HP/Compaq are NOT compact or quiet enough to use in your lounge room TV/Hi-Fi and do not feature video out, DVI or anything like that.

IBM >> ThinkCentre S50 >> $1250 AU
2.80 GHz Intel® Celeron® D 335
Integrated Graphics
512MB
40GB Hard drive
CD-ROM
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Ultra Small Form Factor
Gigabit Ethernet

I included this because it is a small form factor PC, only marginally larger than the Mac Mini. However, its specs for processor power are significantly higher, while graphics and optical drive are much lower, making it clear that this is a business desktop and not a games/entertainment/video/photography machine.

 

[fryke]

Hmm... On the other hand, comparing them like this doesn't really say much. People could say: The intel processors are more than twice as fast, and the old argument of MHz myth can't be used here, since we all know that in raw processing power, those intel's ARE much faster than a 1.25 or 1.42 GHz G4.

One could also argue that with the low price PCs, you can always exchange (or add) optical drives, RAM etc., while with the Mac mini, you'll have to take it to an Apple Service Partner of some kind - according to Apple's documents.

However: I think it's not even worth mentioning all of this, since it comes down to choice. Want a cheap PC? Possible. Want a cheap Mac? Possible now, too. People won't choose a Mac because it's got a combo drive in my opinion. They'll choose a Mac because of one of the following three reasons:

1) Philosophy (they're already Mac fans in their hearts)
2) iPod halo effect (they've learned to appreciate Apple's finishing touches to computer stuff)
3) Virus-free (they've had it with Windows and are willing to try something different)

The Mac mini is just the most inexpensive way to go Mac...