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207 Comments
- Zippo, on 06/29/2009, -10/+168Christ, are we going to use a manufacturing cost to argue retail price again? If there was a 200% markup, then yeah, I'd call foul, but $200 when you include OS X & iLife, R&D, labour, testing, marketing, packaging, shipping, and the salaries of everyone involved... it's really not that much.
Those parts don't put themselves together and magically appear on your front door. - badqat, on 06/29/2009, -2/+71Manufacturing cost != total cost.
- flamov, on 06/29/2009, -7/+66That's pretty close to reasonable. I'm talking in terms of the other costs such as R&D, patenting, testing etc. and how they can effect products (e.g. the original iPhone).
- soopafly, on 06/29/2009, -3/+61My Adobe CS4 dvds cost about $1 a piece. How dare they charge $2500 for it!!!
- judicar, on 06/29/2009, -6/+49>way more HDD space
Really? The hard drives available for the Dell are 150,250, and 320. The hard drives available for the Mac Mini are 120,250 and 320. Not exactly way more space.
>ram
The Dell comes with 2,3, and 4GB ram, the Mac Mini comes with 1,2, and 4GB ram, but the Mac Mini's ram is DDR3, the Dell is DDR2.
Also the Dell has 800mhz FSB while the Mac Mini has a 1066Mhz FSB, Dell also uses the ***** Intel X3100 video as opposed to the Mac Mini's nVidia 9400. - MtheoryX, on 06/29/2009, -8/+44They *could* give them away for nearly no profit margin, but they aren't stupid like Dell.
FFS, if you can't afford a Mini, maybe you should re-evaluate your computer upgrade decision. - inactive, on 06/29/2009, -4/+38Dont worry kid. I'm sure a digg article will come along soon and tell you how to feel.
- Zippo, on 06/29/2009, -1/+32I think going with pre-built, full-size desktop parts defeats the purpose of a small, custom-built piece of hardware. Hence "Mini".
For one thing, the average consumer - and really, the majority of computer consumers, never upgrade the CPU of their computer. It's really a non-issue. If you're a power user who intends to upgrade the CPUs of your older computers, you're not going to be in the market for a Mac Mini anyways.
I looked into buying a newer CPU for my older custom-built PC... but socket sizes change, RAM speeds change... I'd have to buy a new motherboard. And then, since AGP is yesterday's news, I'm looking at buying a new video card. Even if I managed to finally upgrade my CPU, I'm left with a mish-mash of new and old parts... and that's a disaster waiting to happen. Technology moves so quickly these days that when it comes to actually upgrade, buying new parts for your old hardware just isn't cost effective. - danbrunell, on 06/29/2009, -1/+29I think that is the point. Who are you even arguing with? The article says itself that:
“So basically, for a product like the Mini, they’re making $100,” Gottheil said.
The bottom line?
“It’s a very nice PC for the money,” said Gottheil, “but you have to want all the performance you get.”
Only trolls would argue that the price is unjust. I'm actually surprised Apple is taking this much of a profit margin. - Elranzer, on 06/29/2009, -3/+31Does that include the cost of Mac OS X (~$129) and the iLife suite (~$99)? Both of which are included with consumer Macs.
Seems like there's very little profit margin on these. - bizzywho, on 06/29/2009, -5/+30Companies ARE allowed to make a profit, ya know? It isn't like it's a 200% markup. Plus, if you can't afford a Mac Mini at $600, then you don't even deserve to buy a Mac, let alone a computer.
- digitaldivinci, on 06/29/2009, -2/+26That is really surprising, to me at least. I figured that the hardware was about 30% of the cost and they were making a decent buck. Now I don't know how I feel about their pricing...
- drshorty, on 06/29/2009, -3/+24Bought the 599 refurbished for 499. Should be in this week. Check Apple's refurbished site, seriously. Good deals.
- RenoKb, on 06/29/2009, -1/+20iLife is bundled with Macs, not with MacOS X. You don't get the latest version of iLife when you upgrade to the latest version of MacOS.
- opusaz, on 06/29/2009, -2/+18FWIW I'm a huge fan of Mac Minis. They suite our needs perfectly for computers that really just need internet, some file sharing and a little OpenOffice stuff. Sure sometimes we prefer to build a Linux box (usually Shuttle-Xs) that's faster and cheaper, but we have to wait for parts then spend time building and installing. Just last week a computer died. I got the call at noon and had them up and running on a Mac Mini by 1:30.
I sincerely hope Apple continues this line.
PS: I also hope (in vain?) for a $1,000 Mac tower. - mrsonicblue, on 06/29/2009, -5/+20Most computer users have no interest at all in building their own computer.
- scriptcoder, on 06/29/2009, -2/+17How much did those programs cost in R&D, salaries, and marketing?
They are NOT free. - BrynF, on 06/29/2009, -4/+17That is as small as the Mac mini, officially supports Mac OS X and comes with one phone number I can call if the thing breaks down?! Cool, let me know how.
- chookalana, on 06/29/2009, -2/+15Keep in mind when you comment that Apple is financially strong, while Dell is struggling to keep afloat. We live in a society that wants everything for $10. Just now unknowing consumers are realizing the HUGE downside of slow/cheaply made computers like netbooks.
http://www.complaintsboard.com/news-stories/netboo ...
Companies like Dell, sell many of their low-end computers at a loss or a very small margin. in turn they must sell in mass quantity to make any kind of profit. If a company like Apple is making high quality build computers, there will be a price for that. If you don't like paying more for a computer, then stay away from your Apples and Sonys
I want an Audi R8 quattro. I can't afford one, but you don't see me complaining that Audi won't sell them for $10,000..... bury me. - enantiodromia, on 06/29/2009, -2/+14To all the "but I can get a Windows machine for a little less" types, you remind me of my mother-in-law, who literally calls us every few nights to tell us how little she spent on ground beef (she hates the fact we shop at Whole Foods):
"I'm just calling to let you know I got two pounds of hamburger for $2!"
'Wow, what a great price. What kind is it?'
"What do you mean?"
'I mean, what does the label say? What color is the meat?'
"The label just says "hamburger", and I can't see the meat because it's in a big plastic tube. It does say 20%"
'So you are calling to brag about your ground beef, which is 20% fat, and so low quality they put it in a tube?'
"Yeah... but... it was only $1 a pound..."
'Ok, well, I am super happy for you. I know how important getting something cheap is for you.'
"What are you having for dinner?"
'An aged Rib Eye from a grass fed cow from a ranch about 50 miles from here.'
"Well how much did that cost? lol"
'About twenty pounds of your commercial quality 20% fat hamburger' *click* - BossKey, on 06/29/2009, -4/+16Translation of parent post:
"Since I can afford to buy more than basic food, shelter, and clothing, my employer is paying me too much money." - Spire3660, on 06/29/2009, -1/+12Upgrading the Ram is a snap if you arent a complete moron, and in that case you shouldnt be opening the case anyways. Think of the case access as the idiot test: Can you open this following simple instructions and a common household tool? If no, make appointment with apple genius and pay through the nose.
Ive owned 3 mac minis, all bought with base Ram that I upgraded. Getting one open was never hard. - aristotle0dude, on 06/29/2009, -1/+12iLife comes with the hardware.
- LJSeinfeld, on 06/29/2009, -2/+13So... ummm ... INSTALL IT YOURSELF. It's a computer not a rocket.
- Nephersir7, on 06/29/2009, -6/+16The $600 dollar Mini is great value, but having to shell out $200 to have 2GB of RAM instead of 1GB and a 320GB drive instead of 120GB is pretty expensive.
On Newegg, a 2.5" 5400 rpm 120GB drive costs $50-$60 and a 320GB one costs $60-$80
1066mhz DDR3 memory costs less than 20 - judicar, on 06/29/2009, -1/+10It doesn't come with the os, it comes with the system, if you purchase os x separately it doesn't include iLife.
- Jaydo, on 06/29/2009, -3/+12This is one of apple's greatest products and I wish they'd pay a little more attention to it.
- akaakc, on 06/29/2009, -2/+11Yeah, because making a profit is STUPID!
Stupid Mac fanboys...they all think they're better than me with their fancy white and aluminum computers. Let's all talk smack about a company that has basically climbed from the grave to take a fair share of the market away from a company that at one point could have been considered a monopoly. You and your iPods can go to hell, Apple!
/sarcasm directed at alan19 - enantiodromia, on 06/29/2009, -3/+11Wow, not only do you not understand the manufacturing process, you also don't understand retail. Impressive.
- akaakc, on 06/29/2009, -12/+20A reasonable price. Good job, Apple.
- GodsTwin, on 06/29/2009, -2/+10Please don't go into business.
- KSUdesigner, on 06/29/2009, -3/+11You've got to realize, that type of thing is usually taken into account in articles like this.
- birch25, on 06/29/2009, -2/+10Some of their machines do have higher profit margins but many people seem to think that Apple computers cost $1500 with $400 worth of parts inside.
- Urkel, on 06/29/2009, -0/+7Wow are you guys high strung. It's an informative article, not an attack.
- Gee1004, on 06/29/2009, -8/+15So what's your point? Don't buy a Mac mini then.
- Taiyoryu, on 06/29/2009, -1/+8You aren't the only one hoping for a headless iMac with room to upgrade and has more user serviceable parts.
- enantiodromia, on 06/29/2009, -0/+7oh you mean they don't just go to Fry's, stand in line, and build everything in their garages?
we better alert the tech journalists, they probably haven't figure this out yet. - superkendall, on 06/29/2009, -5/+12Or cause yourself a headache with cabling everywhere and FAN NOISE.
There's a reason people buy the mini, many times the form factor is the point. - redgiemental, on 06/29/2009, -0/+7The Mac mini would also have a 1 year warranty I imagine.
- Balanced, on 06/29/2009, -2/+8It's a non-story as, after all, Apple is in business to make a profit as is Dell, Sony, Microsoft, etc.
- s73v3r, on 06/29/2009, -0/+6No, but it still takes time to research parts and decide what goes together. And if something doesn't work, then I have to do the support on it. Whereas with a commercial PC/Mac, the company that built it will provide support for it. And a lot of people like that peace of mind that support brings with it.
- TreatsTheBear, on 06/29/2009, -1/+7The mini is good for certain things, but I really wish they would make something that used desktop components instead of paying more for less with laptop components.
Mini tower? Mac Medium? Mini Pro? Cube 2?
Pretty please? - FreddieD, on 06/29/2009, -2/+8Using that link, I priced out a custom one by using all of the "Included in Price" options for $499. It came with a similar processor, similar video capabilities, 2GB ram instead of 1GB, 160GB hard drive instead of 120GB, but no wireless-N. Adding the Wireless-N brings it up to $569.
- shark72, on 06/29/2009, -0/+5The OS X and iLife business units "sell" the software to the hardware business unit. It's all done with internal accounting and the costs are far, far below retail, but the software isn't a zero-cost item on the Mac mini's bill of materials.
- pixelguru, on 06/30/2009, -0/+5I have two fairly new Dell LDC screens on my box at work. I'd gladly throw them both out the 8th floor window and use my *own money* to bring in an Apple Cinema Display if they'd let me. With the Dells, I often have to move graphics around to different parts of the screen and average to judge the color, and people standing behind me have to crouch down to accommodate the ridiculously small viewing angle.
Most of us have the original POS Dell keyboards & mice stashed in drawers, and have brought in our own upgraded replacements. - GodsTwin, on 06/29/2009, -0/+5Alan please don't go into business, you ***** fail.
- MarkyBear, on 06/29/2009, -3/+8Judging by the cost of these components, the Mini is a great value. I switched from Windows when the upgraded Mini recently came out. One of the wisest moves I've ever made for my own peace of mind.
- scriptcoder, on 06/29/2009, -2/+7Add in support costs as well pls.
- enantiodromia, on 06/29/2009, -0/+5alan19,
i'm not sure i would be telling other people they don't understand economics if i were you.
if you want to discuss Econ 101, please tell us what Supply vs Demand means, then tell us again how Apple should just "sell more units" all the sudden, without spending an extra dime on manufacturing, advertising, transportation, warehousing, or support.
i'm really excited for you that maybe you actually did take that Econ class as your local community college, but, just remember who is doing the teaching. - digginamish, on 06/30/2009, -1/+6Comparing Apple and Microsoft is [*pun warning*] an apples and oranges issue because hardware and software markets are so different.
If you really want to see if M$ is gouging, compare their 83.7% with another software vendor like Adobe, who manages a paltry 95.6% margin:
http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/comp ... -
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