It's currently the top seller at the Apple Online Store. Many thought it was too pricey or that people would opt for the 15GB white iPod model. This does not seem to be the case - at least not at store.apple.com. (I told you so...) ;-)
Remains to be seen if it stays that way, but the mini certainly has a few things that make it sell like hot cakes:
1.) Style (come on, it IS even sleeker than the iPod)
2.) Price (it _is_ cheaper in total price)
3.) 4GB's enough.
The third point in my list will certainly find many objections, but those come from users like you and me who have more than 4GB of music anyway and use the iPod as an external backup tool, too... Those are, however, not the ones buying the iPod mini (those are the ones who've already GOT an iPod or WILL buy the larger capacity white iPods).
The ones who actually _do_ buy the iPod minis are different people. Many of them are first-time MP3-player buyers who have to choose between "cheap price" and "style". The white iPods do not even show up on their evaluation lists. Maybe the 15GB does, but they're the ones who would even go with a 128MB player, so 4GB is certainly enough for those.
And compared to the competition _outside_ of Apple, the iPod mini is just very, very attractive. Can't deny that.
I think it's important to see that Apple _does_ have success with things we often call "too expensive" initially. And although most of us would want to pay less for most anything, that's not a way to go for Apple. People _do_ buy the iPod mini. They _do_ pay 249$. And they not only get a great little piece of hardware, they get the style, too - and the feeling that they've treated themselves well by buying a luxury item that just manages to fit their budget.
Remains to be seen if it stays that way, but the mini certainly has a few things that make it sell like hot cakes:
1.) Style (come on, it IS even sleeker than the iPod)
2.) Price (it _is_ cheaper in total price)
3.) 4GB's enough.
The third point in my list will certainly find many objections, but those come from users like you and me who have more than 4GB of music anyway and use the iPod as an external backup tool, too... Those are, however, not the ones buying the iPod mini (those are the ones who've already GOT an iPod or WILL buy the larger capacity white iPods).
The ones who actually _do_ buy the iPod minis are different people. Many of them are first-time MP3-player buyers who have to choose between "cheap price" and "style". The white iPods do not even show up on their evaluation lists. Maybe the 15GB does, but they're the ones who would even go with a 128MB player, so 4GB is certainly enough for those.
And compared to the competition _outside_ of Apple, the iPod mini is just very, very attractive. Can't deny that.
I think it's important to see that Apple _does_ have success with things we often call "too expensive" initially. And although most of us would want to pay less for most anything, that's not a way to go for Apple. People _do_ buy the iPod mini. They _do_ pay 249$. And they not only get a great little piece of hardware, they get the style, too - and the feeling that they've treated themselves well by buying a luxury item that just manages to fit their budget.
