Another 24 hours.....
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:11AM So the announcements are out with updates across the board on the desktop range.
I have to say that the Mac minis and iMacs were expected but I did think the Mac Pro updates whould be held back until perhaps WWDC.
So my thoughts....mixed and somewhat confused.
I need to spend a bit more thinking time before I decide what (or if) to upgrade to following the announcements, but I'll try and get down some initial thoughs.
Updated Mac Pro
I never even considered a new Mac Pro being announced, so this did come out of the blue. Had I known Leo had ordered one the weekend before, I would have had a better idea! I already have one of the original 2.8Ghz 2 x Quad Xeon models launched 14 months ago.
It's done me sterling service and is a pretty quick machine especially when video encoding.
I found the information for the new Mac Pro to be a little confusing, especially with the entry level 8 core machine now using the new "Nehalem" processors but only at 2.26Ghz. The optional faster processors added significantly to the price (2.66 GHz = $1400 and 2.93Ghz = $2600) Ouch!
Now I realise that you can't compare just the clock speed of the new processors compared to the old, as there are extras in the new machines such as its single-die, 64 bit architecture, integrated memory controller for reduced latency, increased memory bandwidth, Turbo boost mode, hyper threading and a whole host of new fangled technologies. But it's really difficult to assess the real life performance benefits of these new machines compared to my existing machine.
All the performance tests on the Apple site compare either a Power Mac G5 Quad or a Mac Pro 3.2 Ghz machine with a top of the range new Mac Pro (a 2.93Ghz machine - the one with the $2600 price premium). So really, I'm left clueless is there is any benefit in even thinking of upgrading.
Of course, I could always get a new Mac Pro and keep the old one and setup a Virtual cluster for my video encoding. Have all 16 cores bashing away at an encoding job!
Updated Mac mini
Apple don't want normal people or switchers to buy a Mac mini.
They just don't!
They want normal people or switchers to buy an iMac instead.
I mentioned in my previous blog post that I hoped Apple would price the Mac mini aggressively to give more people the opportunity to get into Macs.
They didn't! They did however price the iMacs very aggressively, but more on that later.
What they did do though was to make a statement showing that Apple are just not interested in building a cheap computer.
They want to remain a premium brand.
The Mac mini is a bit of a strange addition to the Apple line up now but I think the intention is for it to be a niche machine. It's the Mac that fits the bill where more traditional Macs don't. It's the Mac for using as a high powered media center, it's for using as a simple OSX server, it's for using as a dedicated keynote presentation installation (note the ability to run two displays), it's for installing in your car, it's for hooking up Firewire peripherals in your home studio.
It's everything but a cheap computer and only intended for those who have a specialist need.
Of course, there are people who will still switch over to the Mac using the Mac mIni but they won't be price sensitive.
My original plan before the announcement was to get two Mac minis, one as a Media Center and the other as a development/test machine to familiarise myself with Snow Leopard and potentially even set up to dual boot and use as my screencast capturing machine.
Media Center Mac Mini
Still on rack although more expensive than I had hoped. The form factor and quiet running of the Mac mini makes it ideal for the job. Add in the enhanced graphics capabilities and the 802.11n networking (although I will run it wired)
Low End Model: 2.0Ghz, 2GB RAM, 120GB HD = £538.99
Pretty expensive really, don't you think! I've gone with an extra 1GB RAM but no other extras
Development Machine Mac mini
Well I need it fairly beefy so lets go for the higher end model and add some extras in:
High End Model: 2.26Ghz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD = £849.01
Excuse me! That's with the highest processor spec and an extra 2GB RAM. Don't forget, that is just the base unit - no keyboard, mouse or monitor
OK, so how much would an iMac be with similar configuration:
20" iMac: 2.66Ghz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD = £1029.01
So for another £180 you get a faster processor, a 20" monitor, video camera, speakers, microphone, keyboard and Mouse!
24" iMac: 2.66Ghz, 4GB RAM, 640GB HD = £1199.00
So for another £349.99 you get a faster processor, a glorious 24" monitor, video camera, speakers, microphone, keyboard and Mouse!
I think for the extra £350, my development machine would most likely be an iMac!
Updated iMac
Apple really do want to push the iMac as a premium desktop machine but at a relatively affordable price.
Still miles away from the bargain basement machines but the iMacs exude quality. The inclusion of the 24" display as pretty much the standard now (three of the four machines in the range now have 24" monitors) is a bit of a surprise but everyone I know who has seen the 24" wants one!
Other updates including hard disk and memory bumps are a good move by Apple.
Decision Time
Not as cut and dry as I would hope, so it seems I need to spend some more time thinking on what I really need and what is the most cost effective way to achieve it.
In some respects, I'm hampered by having an Apple Developer Connection discount available - which is nice! This is a discount you get towards development hardware each year if you're a member of the ADC. The only problem is it can only be applied to a single order each year, so if I'm making any major purchases, it makes sense to roll them up into a single order.1
At this rate, it looks like I'll be waiting until after the 24th March to see if Apple do hold a special event and anything comes out of left field. Mind you, that will also give me plenty of time to assess just what benefits the revised Mac Pro delivers in the real world, once early adopters start receiving them and putting them through their paces.
You never know, Apple may even release an Apple TV take 3 so removing the need for me to buy the Media Centre Mac mini.
You never know!
- Thanks to Paul Shadwell for a correction on this point. Looks like the level of ADC membership I have only allows for a single system to be purchased under the terms of the ADC discount - ho hum! At least that in some way makes it easier to decide in a perverse sort of way - Thanks again Paul?
Reader Comments (12)
Personally I kinda hoped for the new MacPro to get a BlueRay DVD Writer. For now, I think I'm going to wait until Show Leopard before upgrading my current MacPro.
Regards,
Stefaan
You also get a faster hard disk in the iMac - 7200 rpm vs 5400 rpm
Actually Don, the ADC discount is worse than that.
I tried to roll-up a Mac Pro and a 17" MacBook Pro plus some Cinema Displays into one order for the discount, only to be told that the discount could only be applied to one piece of Apple hardware. So I got the discount on the Mac Pro and paid full price for the MBP and dropped the Cinema Displays. The money I saved went toward 2 Dell 24" displays which have better spec and more features.
So maybe that helps you make a decision :-)
By the way, when ever I make a major Apple purchase at the Apple Reseller, I ask for discount, I usually get 5% which is better than nothing I guess.
Paul
Hmm, I wonder if they've changed their policy then! It certainly does have a bearing on how I move forward then. Not sure how but it does put a different spin on it!
More head scratching time.
Thanks Paul
I think they actually DO intend the Mac Mini to be for switchers. This is for people that want to try a Mac... but don't want to pay an extra $450 for a monitor, mouse and keyboard when they already have those things.
Yes, you get a beautiful 24 inch monitor, sure. But, you can't keep the monitor when you want to upgrade your Mac. You have to get a new monitor and get rid of the old one. (also you get a glossy monitor)
Where, with a Mac Mini you can just replace the computer and keep your monitor. So, if you think of it this way the Mac Mini does become the less expensive alternative.
For example, you could by the 24inch iMac for $800. And get a nice Dell 24 inch monitor for about $300. Add the aluminum keyboard and mighty mouse for $98 (or you can by a cheaper 3rd party set, but lets go with the same kit you would get with an iMac). Also, you can get a non-glossy monitor which many prefer for a desktop setup.
So, for $1200 you have pretty close to the $1500 iMac 24inch. The iMac does have the faster hard drive and a .66 faster CPU. Most users won't need or notice the difference.
So, you have saved $300 already over an iMac.
No, 2 years later you of course want to upgrade. Let's assume the same prices.
New Mac mini + keep your keyboard/mouse/monitor $800.
New iMac - $1500.
So, you've spent $3,000 in two years for iMacs or you've spent $2000 on Mac Minis.
Granted, you are getting a bit less power with the minis. But, if you are a power users your probably going for Mac Pro rather than an iMac anyway.
Thoughts?
BOb
I am confused too. I am considering getting a Mac Pro but may opt for the discontinued model because it has Firewire and because it will be discounted.
The iMac line is also confusing.
Mac Mini is still too expensive.
Apple have missed an opportunity with the Mac Mini from day one. As you say Don, it's not for switchers at all, which was what it SHOULD be, and was originally introduced as. I'm sorry, but by the time you've added a mouse, keyboard and decent monitor to the mix, you might as well have bought an iMac !
Switchers already have a keyboard, mouse and monitor. Isn't that the whole point?
BOb
I know what you're saying BOb and I did say in my original post that "Of course, there are people who will still switch over to the Mac using the Mac mIni but they won’t be price sensitive."
My main point about the Mac mini not being a switcher machine is that the price point is so far removed from what non mac users are used to, that it's just not a viable option.
For instance, a user who is curious about the Mac goes to the Apple site and sees the Mac mini, a tiny little box, no monitor, no mouse, no keyboard - price £499
Goes to the PC World site and sees a HP desktop machine, keyboard, mouse and a 19" monitor - £329
Yes, there is no comparison in performance or capability, the Mac mini wins hands down in those respects, but the punter sees the bottom line price and chooses the HP.
If someone has been educated into understanding the benefits of the Mac, then they may pay the extra for the Mac mini, but Apple are not going to attract many switchers at these price points.
On many posts the ADC discount has been mentioned. So exactly how much is the discount in real terms, a percentage or exact value ? I have been considering taking out the ADC membership and this bit of information could sway it for me.
Tim
Difficult to say Tim as it varies from country to country and also on the actual system you're trying to buy. I can't exactly remember how much it was when I bought my first Mac Pro.
This discount I got for my Mac Pro via the ADC last year was 20%. That's in Switzerland but I think it's the same or very similar everywhere.