Apple morning roundup, few Mac products left unscathed
by Paul Miller 
posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 5:20PM
The best:
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Apple debuts new iMacs, including cheaper 24-incher Apple just announced new 24-inch and 20-inch iMacs, with some friendlier pricing and Mini DisplayPort video out. |
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Apple announces Nehalem-based Mac Pro Apple has announced a new Nehalem based Mac Pro with a starting price of $2,499. |
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Apple refreshes Mac mini lineup with GeForce 9400M graphics We suppose the expected five USB ports will be a boon for homebuilt RAID enthusiasts, and the Mini DisplayPort and DVI plugs make for some nice dual monitor support. |
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Apple axes the numeric keypad on iMac's standard wired keyboard Apple has swapped out the standard wired Apple Keyboard for a new model lacking a numeric keypad. |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rob @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:24PM
wow, a round up for these itty bitty changes? but ok, its apple. and at least it aint "breaking". anymore.
Patriks7 @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:29PM
Be happy they weren't put into 10 other posts like usual :p
But I have to say, the Mac Pro was very disappointing, iMac could have been better, Mini is very good just needs to have it's price cut down a bit.
rob @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:33PM
but they _had_ their ten (ok, like four) articles!
Mark Anderson @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:59PM
Hey, come on now! Minor product upgrades are exciting which is why we get multiple articles everytime HP upgrade the CPUs on their dv range or Dell their Inspirons.
Oh wait.
But seriously though, how disappointing was this release?
rob @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:10PM
didnt expect much, so im not (more) disappointed (than ever with apple).
chezzo @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:50PM
yeah, this really didn't merit 6 different stories and a round-up... when any other computer manufacturers announces upgrades, or even brand new models, they all get lumped together in one post.
liquidmark @ Mar 3rd 2009 9:55PM
Minor changes?
Seriously...
Let's see
iMac:
Faster processors
Faster Ram
MORE ram
New Videocards
Seems to be phasing out the 20"
More ports
Mac Pro
New processors
DDR3 ram instead of FB-DIMMS
New Videocard options
new chipset
Mac Mini
Faster processor
Faster RAM
MORE RAM
Better Videocard
More ports
Yeah... minor update
Phenoum @ Mar 4th 2009 1:15AM
@ liquidmark
What... you expected them to come out with no updates at all?
Of course there are spec increases across the board, but there's really nothing huge that Apple came out with. In fact quite the opposite. In most cases they are finally introducing chips that have been around for a while to their lineups, and as always, gouging every customer for RAM or HDD space upgrades. It's downright sickening to see those prices - and you can't argue for a second that any of the RAM or HDD price points are reasonable. Cost today is about $10 per 100GB (1TB for $100), not to mention the RAM prices..... *sigh*
So yeah - a minor day for Apple, and in-fact its less than underwhelming to see that they're going about their "i" gouging as usual in this economy. Just another rubber stamp that confirms what i've known for a while now - NEVER will i buy an Apple desktop or utility. I'll just build my own machine and buy my wife a diamond ring / vacation to cancun for the same amount.....
And dont try to challenge the fact that I can build a system that rivals their workstations and have money left over for that....
Oh and WTH is up with Engadget and the Breaking news button? Apple = breaking news all the time?
It's fookin CeBit and 7 of the 10 breaking news atm are Apple-related? So you make an individual post for each and then a summary? and ASUS launches a gammit of BRAND NEW NEVER SEEN hardware and they get one story lumped in a post (was it even breaking?) - Engadget - get your stuff together and lets not get Apple-happy - that's what mac-phan-boi blogs are for. I'm here for news - not Mapple advertising......
Mark Anderson @ Mar 4th 2009 7:16AM
@liquid
I might give you the Mac Pro on account of it being an architectural change to i7 but the rest are about as minor as you can get.
liquidmark @ Mar 5th 2009 9:57PM
@Phenoum
Do you know how much that RAM actually costs? It ain't cheap. ESPECIALLY since it is LAPTOP RAM. Look that ram up. It retails for about 6-10 times what you THINK it is worth.
"And dont try to challenge the fact that I can build a system that rivals their workstations and have money left over for that...."
Good luck building a computer to rival the new Mac Pro for less. Those parts are quite expensive. Some of them, you can't even buy yet.
BEFORE the update, if you built a PC to match spec with a Mac Pro, you would save about $500. Now, no freaking way. All the parts retail for too much.
As for building a PC to match spec with a iMac. Match form-factor too, then you've done something to brag about. Otherwise, you can shut up.
@Mark Anderson
Like I said, they've upgraded practically everything about the machines, how is THAT minor?
liquidmark @ Mar 5th 2009 10:31PM
Seriously guys. Let's compare All-In-Ones
the BEST All-In-one that dell has ($1,899)
Processor / Display
XPS One™ with 24-inch widescreen display and Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q8200 processor (2333 MHz, 2x2mb of cache)
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Optical Drive
8X Slot load CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW)
Memory
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800Mhz - 2 DIMMs (That's the Max)
Hard Drive
750GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Video Card
512MB2 NVIDIA® GeForce® 9600M GT
Sound Card
SoundBlaster® Audigy™ Software and Premium JBL speakers with integrated subwoofer (25W total)
Hardware Support Services
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty,5 InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis6
That's the BEST config
The BEST stock imac has:
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB memory (Upgradeable to 8)
1TB hard drive (7200 rpm)
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 with 512MB memory
For only $300 more
For the SAME Price as the Dell (well, actually $50 more, but after shipping on the Dell and free shipping on the Mac, it balances out), you can get:
2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (MUCH FASTER PROCESSOR)
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB (MUCH FASTER RAM)
640GB Serial ATA Drive (7200 rpm FASTER HARD DRIVE, all be it smaller)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512MB (FASTER/BETTER GPU)
And there are a variety of upgrade options, unlike the Dell.
Minor Update?
Behind the times?
I THINK NOT! Apple is way ahead of the curve in the fields that they compete in.
Just *some* people are too myopic and ignorant to see this.
*looks at Phenoum and Mark Anderson*
Fernando @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:24PM
One crazy morning? lol
Cash @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:37PM
If by "crazy" you mean "several boring and annoyingly overpriced letdowns, one after the other," then sure... crazy.
Is this what we can expect from a post-Steve Jobs Apple?
Pathetic.
rob @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:12PM
hey guys, wait a little, im sure theres "one more thing"!!!
well, the best "one more thing" would be apple reduced the prices by, say, 30%. that would be more cracy.
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:27PM
I had an exciting morning, no-one seems to understand my happyness at the mac mini in my workplace...
I've just ordered one, going to hook it up to dual 22" monitors :)
Cash @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:40PM
If you decide to open it up, let me know what chipset the motherboard is running. If I could upgrade it myself with a faster processor, I'd buy the cheaper of the two and deck it out.
200 bucks for a gig of ram and 200 more gigs of hard drive space? That's just re-fucking-diculous, even for Apple Tax standards.
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:43PM
I'll fill everyone in, hell maybe Engadget will host it as breaking news....
I pushed the previous base one to 3Gb and 250Gb @7200rpm.
Wasnt feeling adventurous enough to upgrade that CPU...
Saad Rabia @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:01PM
Oli, I'm a PC (Windows) user, is the Mac Mini a good buy or is it much more expansive than, lets say, a Dell Studio Hybrid?
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:05PM
Its more expensive than the studio hybrid, but its got so much more soul.
I love mine, ive had it for over a year and its never let me down.
the specs are not far off, and theres more variety with the dell, but i would go with the base Mini.
You will be able to pick up some sick bargains on the previous generation ones on ebay soon, pop them open and upgrade them past the new spec for less than the list price :)
Saad Rabia @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:32PM
Oli, I just checked Dell's website and found out that the Studio Hybrid comes with a keyboard and a mouse by default, 3 GB of RAM and 13 in 1 built-in card reader with the same other specs of the Mac Mini, and is still $150 less than the comparable Mac Mini!! Plus I can get a nice color (Red is sexy) for the Hybrid; that aluminum look is really boring nowadays.
Anyway, as a windows user, I think I will go for the Hybrid, better options for less the price, and thank you for the information though, appreciate it.
Kizorblade @ Mar 3rd 2009 11:22PM
@Cash
http://www.macminicolo.net/macmini2009.html
Not sure if that helps though, but check it out anyway. I think iFixit will have a better disassembly photoshoot
Cash @ Mar 4th 2009 5:56AM
Thanks Kizor. Appreciate the heads up.
Uncontrol @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:27PM
really wish the mac mini headline had been "Mac Mini Updated, still a horrible rip-off"
and i say this as a macbook owner
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:30PM
MacMini updated, still a horrible rip-off, but still 1000% appealing to people with a fascination with small form factor stuff.
Mini ITX just cant cut it for me anymore.
Sean @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:13PM
It's certainly a less impressive machine than the original Mac Mini was when it first launched.
potato @ Mar 3rd 2009 9:02PM
Agreed... A properly upgraded Mac Mini (so it doesn't suck) costs about as much as an iMac. Might as well get the iMac then... a lot more horsepower, better graphics, and a screen to boot...
Dbs143 @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:27PM
*sigh* still no updated apple TV. Now I don't know whether to buy one or not when my birthday rolls around next week!
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:31PM
what a depressing comment.
"Microwave dinner for one, £3 bottle wine for 2"
"Happy birthday, self :("
John Doe @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:29PM
MacWorld was way more exciting...I think Apple could have at least joined CeBIT. This is boring.
Basically, someone needs to give a presentation to create excitement..just shelling out some updates doesn't seem nice.
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:32PM
I think they were clever, they completely stole CEbits thunder by doing this update early.
rob @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:35PM
oli, no they did not ;)
crawdad689 @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:30PM
Yawn....
Freakin Ijit @ Mar 4th 2009 6:55AM
Hey! This is EXCITING!
Engadget is subtly hinting (nudge nudge wink wink) at an Apple/Toshiba linkup!
Check the color scheme!
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/03/03/toshibas-tg01-brings-gluck-to-germany-with-o2-exclusivity/
David @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:32PM
no new mouse? I've been waiting so long for them to fix that...maybe next year
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:33PM
that scroll ball, when it jams up....
Scrolling using the side bar is for chumps
Hank Venture @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:32PM
Meh, dedicated Apple guy for quite some time. I've gained immunity from the reality distortion field. I have a unibody because they are sick, but sold my desktop mac to build a Quad Core hackintosh for much cheaper than a mac pro. Once your boner dies down from the aesthetics you realize that software makes the mac.
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:33PM
And theres also the irrational hatred of Microsoft, thats a big factor.
Hank Venture @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:37PM
I dig the mini but it gets no respect from Apple, and is seriously overpriced. I'd like to see some dual hard drive over super drive options, and dedicated graphics of course. Then I could see forking out $600, this new model shouldn't retail for more than $400. Seriously consider a sub $500 price for an entry level machine Apple. You are missing large market share, and would make for happy consumers.
Uncontrol @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:50PM
apple makes awesome laptops and not-so-great desktops
the imac is beautiful and honestly a machine with great potential, but their obsession with thinness and cost-cutting measures means the imac has to make sacrifices it shouldn't have to
Matt @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:33PM
So what exactly were the few Macs that were "left unscathed"?
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:34PM
Macbook
Macbook Pro 17
Macbook Air
Sam Robinson @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:39PM
OK. Apple took away my numeric keypad. That is cold.
Viakenny @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:17PM
you can still have a numeric keypad, unless you're in a country with no Apple Store, physical or online, like here in Brazil. :-(
Hank Venture @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:39PM
@ Oil D
Your iBoner is out of control, please go rub one out.
Oli D @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:41PM
haha, i just realised that i have almost commented on every post.
for that reason, i accept your comment.
Neurasthenic @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:41PM
Does anybody want to explain why it costs $1,000+ to upgrade to 8gb of memory on the iMacs? I literally can't believe what I'm seeing.
M. @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:48PM
4 GB DDR3 Ram sticks are crazy expensive at the moment, Apple's price is quite competitive I was checking the prices of manufacturers and these are all +1000 dollars. DDR3 needs some time to become more mainstream and drop in price.
SmilinGoat @ Mar 3rd 2009 5:55PM
for someone like me, who really wants to get an iMac, this was a huge disappointment, not a good day at all.
they need to completely remake the iMac from the ground up, hopefully with the Core i5/i7 mobile out at the end of the year, they will do just that.
Bryan @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:11PM
If by "+1000 dollars" you mean "about $600," then yes. Your larger point, however, may be correct -- charging about twice the retail price for memory upgrades seems to be something of a bargain for Apple...
http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-8gb-ddr3-sdram-memory-module-8gb-2-x-4gb-1066mhz-ddr3-1066-pc3/q/loc/101/210477887.html?dcaid=15890
Neurasthenic @ Mar 3rd 2009 6:19PM
It is $1000 to upgrade the 24" iMac from 4gb of memory to 8gb, not $600. And it is $1100 to upgrade the 20" iMac from 2gb of memory to 8gb. Not $600.