Right, but every Mac comes with that. Add in a keyboard and display and compare with the eMac, which wins hands-down.

As has been noted, however, the assumption is that one will use an existing keyboard and display from another set-up. I guess that makes sense, only the assumption again is that the computer for the existing set-up will be bumped for awhile or replaced with the Mini.

Aside from the fact that the Mini is a cool piece of hardware and very portable, I'm still having a hard time seeing the practical need for it.

Xd, it's probably the only way they could really fit it all in there. This guy tried to copy a Mac mini with PC components and the only way he could get it to fit was to leave out the optical drive. Maybe Apple should've made the mini a half inch taller and put a processor daughtercard in there... but in any case, the mini is sweet.

the thing is two inches tall. it is a extremely optimised design.

if you want something you can mess around with, buy a Powermac G5.

You know what I forgot, I wonder what the warranty is on it? I mean it will be covered to some point so I bet it will still be worth considering. I am really rooting for the mini but the more I learn the more it looks like I will be building one instead which, is always fun. :cool:

Even cheaper?
 

Is there any way that I could get additional RAM for the Mini for less than Apple wants to sell it to me for?

even 512 seems pretty steep @ $75 (when compared to the price of the rest of the unit)

Also, does anyone know how much I should be paying for a second hand 20" cinema display?

Xd, The mini comes with a 1 year warranty out of the box, you can purchase additional AppleCare if you're interested. Also, check out the link I posted above (about the home-built PC mini) if you haven't already.

Opium, if you order the mini with standard RAM, you can replace it yourselft and save a lot of money. Directions can be found here. The only problem is... what to do with the 256MB stick you take out? Recycle, eBay, or sell to a PC using friend?

sounds like you are getting the wrong impression somehow, you can mod the mini, but you can't really build one. The example of the PC was about how a PC modder tried to fit a non-production -nano-itx- board into a mini case. this frankenstein creation would not run MACOSX and is only cosmetically a Mac mini. the fact that he could not fit in a optical drive indicates how well designed the mini is.

look here for the story

http://www.mini-itx.com/

but keep in mind you are building a Windows or Linux machine.

We both realize that. Earlier in this thread (page 2 I think) Xd and I talk about building PC's and even building Macs (yes it can be done). I think that's what Xd is referring to. Neither one of us are so naive as to believe you can run OSX on a PC mobo. Thanks for looking out for our sanity though. ;)

No, an Xserve is an entire computer system built into a 1U rack. My idea was for a rack the width of a Mac Mini with all the individual components (power supply, processor, RAM bank, drives, audio, Firewire etc) mounted as "drawers" so that you can slide them in and out as you wish to upgrade. Need a bigger drive? Loosen the thumbscrews, slide out the drawer and slide in the bigger version. Want to upgrade to a faster CPU? Loosen the thumbscrews, slide out the drawer and slide in the faster version. Need more RAM? Loosen the thumbscrews, install the RAM in the one-of-several slots and slide it back.

Kinda like this

along the same lines, only slide out, not stackable...

too bad it's not real :) I think it's a good idea though.

Exactly. Only in my head they are brushed black anodized.

Okay, I know this is very simple, but it's a basic conceptual drawing

"but the more I learn the more it looks like I will be building one instead"


not every reply is directed at the immediate participants, other people read these threads too. who knows exactly what their understanding is.
the above quote could certainly give someone the impression one intends to build their own mini from off the shelf parts, much the way we can build a PC.


the centris610/powermac6100 had drives on a sled that could be slid in and out. the 6200 ( a real road apple) had its motherboard on a tray that could be slid right out the back of the case. god knows why.

why mar the mini with all that stuff on the front, at least put a door on the thing.

OMG! You're talking about reintroducing the S100 Bus!

Oklay guys, check out this Mac mini mod.... interesting.

Your drawing is the basic idea cameranerd74, however, I would not hide the processor, it would be in its own drawer so you can upgrade the processor with a slide and swap. You inspired me to mockup my idea. I will post this at my website after I write it up. You will note that the processor has a window to view temperature and I/O stats. UGH, this is SUCH a great idea. Apple, you need to hire me, seriously. ;)

I Agree... Pure Genius :cool:

Have you patented that yet? If not, do it.

I wish I could, patents are not like copyrights. You have to hire a patent lawyer just to make sure it has not already been invented. Your looking at $5K just to get started. In contrast to a copyright that can only cost $10.

Okay, I did a write up for this idea

lol. I think youre missing the point somewhat

Doing my best here pal. If by missing the point you mean I am not happy about having less options as a consumer then you would be right.