[DM-MUG] Fwd: Re: [MacLaw] Mac Mini

[Victoria L. Herring]

from another list...

>
>Oh my credit card is aching for an imac mini.....
>
>Here's a few thoughts from my blog .. www.latenightpundit.com
>
>Here=92s my prediction =85 apple is going to sell=20
>millions of these things. Millions=85.
>
>I can come up with about 10 different uses for=20
>this besides a simple computer. At $500 it=20
>breaks the psychological price point barrier so=20
>that every kid in america who wants an imac will=20
>be able to convince their parents to buy them=20
>one (Apple also introduced the ipod shuffle - a=20
>flash mp3 player for $99 and $150 today. This is=20
>the new hip toy that you=92ll see hanging around=20
>the neck of every kid this summer).
>
>For example, if your a unix developer for $500=20
>you can have an imac unix box (Mac OS is based=20
>on unix). Just add a KVM switch, hook your=20
>monitor, keyboard and mouse to the switch - then=20
>put the imac mini on top of your PC beige box=20
>and presto! Instant unix development=20
>environment. For that matter, if your a mac user=20
>at home but forced to use the PC at work, you=20
>could do the same thing. At this price it might=20
>be worth it to you to carry the tiny imac back=20
>and forth to work (there=92s going to be a hell of=20
>a market for imac mini cases).
>
>Here=92s another example. Get an imac mini. buy=20
>the $29 TV connector (if it doesn=92t come in the=20
>box). Hook the imac mini up to your big screen,=20
>LCD or Plasma TV. Throw in a bluetooth usb=20
>dongle and a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and=20
>your surfing from your couch without a laptop.=20
>Add in the fact that the imac mini comes with=20
>Apple=92s enhanced digital media package, iLife=20
>=9105, and the imac mini suddenly becomes a simple=20
>media accessory for your TV. I expect someone=20
>(maybe elgato technologies) to come up with a=20
>small tivo like add on for the imac mini. The=20
>imac mini is probably the begining of Apple=92s=20
>answer to the Microsoft media center. Just like=20
>the original imac the imac mini will spawn tons=20
>of add on hardware products like this.
>
>Yet another use - the imac mini as a simple=20
>server. Load up Mac OS X server, attache a=20
>couple of firewire external hard drives plug it=20
>into your home ethernet and pow! a simple server=20
>for you home network. The think is so small you=20
>could probably stash it - well anywhere. Yet=20
>another imac mini 3rd party opportunity - a wall=20
>mount for the imac mini.
>
>Still another use=85 buy a bunch of imac mini=92s,=20
>connect them all, add the appropriate software=20
>(someone will have to write it - but I predict=20
>it wont take that long) and suddenly you have an=20
>imac mini super computer.
>
>By not including the monitor, Apple has really=20
>opened up the things you can do with OS X. There=20
>are some downsides to the imac mini - the=20
>airport card and probably the RAM are not user=20
>installable. As time goes on, there will be ways=20
>around this (maybe even as simple as taking it=20
>to your local apple store) and people will=20
>figure out how to do it.

-- 
Victoria L. Herring, Des Moines, Iowa - Owner,=20
http://www.JourneyZing.com - and Attorney at Law,=20
http://www.herringlaw.com.  iChat AV:=20
victoriaherring [@mac.com].