Apple announces new computer, iPod

[fantomfreq]

Today was Steve Jobs' keynote speech, which kicked off the Macworld San Francisco expo. Several new products were added to Apple's line.

1. The most exciting new product (in my opinion) is the Mac Mini. It's an entire computer that's not much larger than a CD (6.5"x6.5"x2") all for a price so attractive (starting at $499 US) that even the computer illiterate can justify the cost. I like this computer, though I would never buy one. It's geared toward the beginner computer user and the Windows-user who would like to test the waters of OSX.

2. The iPod Shuffle was also announced at MacworldSF. This is another product aimed at the entry-level user. It's priced at $99 US for the 512MB model and $150 US for the 1GB model. This new iPod uses flash media. The Shuffle is extremely small, about the size of a pack of gum. It also has no screen. I don't quite understand the decision to forgo the screen here. I guess it's a way to cut costs, but especially with 1GB model things might get confusing. The Shuffle has two modes: shuffle, where the songs play in a random order and a mode where the songs play in the order you put them on the device.

It seems like on the hardware side, this Macworld's slogan should be 'Apple for Everyone.' The new products are very nice but don't pack enough punch for me to purchase. However, there were some very exciting announcements on the software side of things, too.

* The next generation of Apple's definitive iLife suite will ship this month, packing a good deal of new and expanded features.
* The Apple iWork suite was announced, which will include Keynote 2 (think Powerpoint) and Pages (like Word.) This suite basically combines the Appleworks and Keynote softwares into one low-priced package.
* Final Cut Express HD was announced. FCE is a slightly stripped-down version of Apple's Final Cut Pro software. This new version includes support for High Definition and widescreen digital camcorders, as well as adds the Soundtrack and LiveType software.
* Apple confirmed that the next version of OSX, Tiger (also 10.4) is on track to ship in the first half of 2005. There was no official date given.

I find each of these announcements exciting, but I love the additions to Final Cut Express most of all. For the $150 I'd pay for an academic copy I can't imagine that there's anything better for the price out there on the market today. Soundtrack is a nice inclusion. Soundtrack was a stand-alone software package until last week, and it was priced at $150 by itself. The software allows you to create a royalty-free soundtrack (duh) for your movies. I'm going to have to just find the money for that.....

[Pitch]

Can't say I share you enthusiasm.

The portable music market is as conguested as ever and this I suffle just seems like your bog standard flash memory USB pen drive an apple case.

As for the mini mac, well i have mixed feelings about this. One the one hand, it has some excellent specs for it's size.

However, I can't seem to get at what Apple are trying to do with it. Is this some late ventre into the small form factor market? Or just the product of some minimilistic thinking?

I agree the price is good, to be honest, I can't see many people rushing out and buying it...

$0.02

[fantomfreq]

I also don't really see the point of the iPod Shuffle. It seems sort of odd and awkward to me. I'd much rather have a nice ol' iPod as opposed to the Shuffle.

As for the Mac Mini, I think I can see where that's coming from. It's not so much a venture into the small form factor market as a computer to entice people over to the Apple market. I imagine my grandparents would do very well with something like that. They don't understand computers very well and the price is enticing enough for them to try it at some point in the future. I also imagine that the Mac Mini is geared towards Windows iPod users who love the iPod but are hesitant to take the full plunge into OSX. This computer looks amazing and it's a great price, but I can guarantee I'll never buy it. Specs are too low for my tastes.

I'm much more excited about the sofware announcements from Macworld. I've really got my eye on that Final Cut Express HD.

[CheeseWeaver]

my spontaneous respone to the topic was: "huh? the iPod isnt a computer, it is a music player! and it has been out for some time too!". now when i read your post i understand it a little better.

never been much of an enthusiast for macs, dont like the design and non-modability. probably good products though.

[LP]

Hey guys, I have a mac Mini on order and I'll give you my impressions of it after I receive it. But that may be a ways off yet.
They underestimated the demand and it's backordered.

[Gizmo]

HI LP!!!! (Runs up and give her a big hug).

Haven't seen you around much. Missed you!

[LP]

Why, thank you.
Yep, I've been bitten by a small Mac bug, and just have to see what all the fuss is about.
I have to tell you, I watched Steve Jobs keynote speech at Macworld, and I was impressed with OS X Tiger and iLife.

[Daniel ~]

Good to see ya LP! I hope the Mac is everything you hoped for! God knows those what gots'em seem to think Apple hung the moon! ":O}

[Pitch]

Originally Posted by LP

I've been bitten by a small Mac bug,

Repent!

[fantomfreq]

I'm glad to see that other people around here have been 'bitten.' I too am anxiously awaiting 10.4 Tiger. It seems as though that Apple will be delivering the file system that Microsoft promised in Longhorn. Think about that for a second. Apple delivers Spotlight in Tiger while Microsoft cuts its new file system from Longhorn.

[Daniel ~]

Better economy of MS screw-ups that way!

[RussianMissile1]

i wonder how the mini mac folds.

[fantomfreq]

Originally Posted by RussianMissile1

i wonder how the mini mac folds.

The Mini Mac's processor is a pretty close to the one in my Powerbook, so I can give you an idea. I was very disappointed in the way my Mac folded. I'm not sure of the exact cause of the lackluster performance. My best gueses are that:

A) The FAH core just hasn't been optimized for Mac OSX, or
B) The G4 processer just plain isn't as fast at doing the kind of computations FAH uses.

I stopped folding on my Powerbook because FAH was causing it to run very hot and I wasn't seeing enough results to warrant the heat. That being said, I'd like to see how those dual 2.5 Ghz G5 computers fold . Those computers would probably get hot as heck folding, I mean those babies NEED watercooling to be run.

[LP]

Ahhh! Glad to see I'm not the only brave venturer into the Mac world, here.
I won't be using the Mini to fold, but to help you guys out, I did set some towers back to folding for the team.
I also may have some hardware to donate, again.

[Daniel ~]

Your a jewel beyond price! Many thanks LP!

[robbie]

Nice to see you there lady!!!

[LP]

I just received notice that my Mini is on it's way to m, and I should have it tomorrow!
That means I need to get stuff re-arranged and ready for it, so I'll be looking through the pc's and purging.

[Daniel ~]

Guess you won't be getting all that much sleep tonight! ":O}

[cloasters]

The thing is definitely cute. Dunno how much it costs to get 1 Gb of RAM with it. And the "airport" option seems silly to me. Other than being locked in to Apple for most hardware upgrades, I read that Apple boxes and software are first class. Hmm...