Re: Mac Mini - hum and other interference

In article <no_email-F60FA1.12075607112005@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
aaJoe <no_email@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> My we're a little sensitive there. :) It was just an expression. As I
> said most customers would rather have a machine that they can open and
> add to without going to Home Depot and buying construction tools even if
> it means they can't put their computer in a large pocket. I just feel
> the tradeoffs they made for size were extremely poorly thought out. By
> putting so many things "on board" they lose out on accessory sales later
> as well so it doesn't even make sense from an economic standpoint.

Well, in my experience, I have to disagree with this. I'm one of only
two people in my extended family who has bothered with homebrewing
computer systems. Most people I know use computers as an appliance. If
it breaks, replace it. If it's no longer meeting their needs, replace
it. Most departments I've worked in operate on the same principle. If
it breaks, send it back on the service agreement or upgrade it. I would
estimate that less than 10% of users ever have a reason to crack open
the case.

Having said that, I think you are right that Apple is missing a market,
and one of my dreams with the Intel transition is OS X compatible
low-budget motherboard packages that can be used for custom case jobs.
However, since the first Macintosh, Apple has always marketed their
low-end line as appliances rather than modifiable systems, while
offering more flexibility with their high-end systems.

> The goal that 95% of most customers is a machine that will run what they
> want AND that they can add or subtract from as their needs change. So
> that machine stays on their desk for years and years if possible.

I think needs change a bit more slowly than you think. I'm giving my
800MHz VIA EPIA to my sister as an upgrade to a Pentium II with a 10 Gig
hard drive. It's not that she's had many complaints so far, but since I
got the mini, I might as well pass on the VIA to someone else.

IME the majority of users either run systems unmodified until they die,
or live on a 3-5 year replacement cycle. Once you get to the point
where you need another stick of RAM, you might as well upgrade the
processor, which might require a new motherboard anyway, and at that
point, you might as well just save yourself the trouble and buy a new
system and get the latest OS on the cheap.

> I talk to people all the time and they tell me they don't like the
> Mini's restrictions. They want to add a card or 2. Be able to easily
> change the ram when they want, use 7200 rpm drives (by far the weakest
> link in the Mini) and they really don't care if its 2" tall or 8" tall.
> Your mileage may vary.

Well, as a former build-it-yourself person, I have to disagree on that.
Card slots were essential when you needed to add your own networking,
video, sound and possibly firewire/USB. Integrated motherboards now
handle all of these with power to spare. There just isn't much left
that the typical user might need.

And honestly, the upgrade cycle is becoming more and more of a rip-off.
The vast majority of computer use involves fairly low-intensity
applications: web browsers, word processing, email (although with
webmail this is less and less a priority), PowerPoint, correcting
red-eye in snapshots, financial software. Most users want to know if a
computer will run Microsoft Word and a web browser; anything else is
just a bonus.
.

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