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[tedtropy]

I can't be sure, but I suspect that Apple's margin on the Mac mini is so slim that it is by not including the keyboard and mouse that helps it turn a profit. I'd rather them cut more corners outside the box than inside personally, it's adding peripherals is easy and it seems that Apple's lowering prices all round to support the mini. And maybe keeping the keyboard/mouse out helps packaging and shipping costs? The mini is so so small, even inside its box you can tell that it's small.

I just don't understand why that placed such emphasis on making it so small. It's not a laptop. It's going to get thrown on a desk and stay there. All it needs to do is look pretty and not be some hulk-like tower. I think the machine could've cost less to make, and thereby, cost the consumer less if the machine used more standard components and form. That is the point of this machine isn't it - to be an affordable entry for the undecided? $500 is still a nice bite out of the ass for a machine that comes with nothing but, well, the machine.

 

[Timbuktu]

I just don't understand why that placed such emphasis on making it so small. It's not a laptop. It's going to get thrown on a desk and stay there. All it needs to do is look pretty and not be some hulk-like tower. I think the machine could've cost less to make, and thereby, cost the consumer less if the machine used more standard components and form. That is the point of this machine isn't it - to be an affordable entry for the undecided? $500 is still a nice bite out of the ass for a machine that comes with nothing but, well, the machine.

I think at the moment it is affordable and desireable. Apple is not trying to be the cheapest here, it's not trying to beat Dell. There is only one company that can be the cheapest, everyone else has to rely on design and marketing. If the Mac mini isn't so small, they can't call it the Mac mini. Right now, when you're buying the mini, you're buying a small mac as well as a cheap mac. In that sense, the customer still feels that they got something special and Apple still maintain its brand's image of design and quality.

 

[hobart]

I personally feel that that Apple's packaging has always been a part of the marketing process... that said... has anyone seen the box on this small guy? Really incredible... looks like a lunchbox. You wouldn't get that if there were a keyboard and mouse included...

...now I'm a realist, of course. And sure *I'm* not going to buy something because of the box and the packaging... but it makes you feel like you're buying something a little extra special when enough care is taken into the packaging and presentation of the model.

It's psycological... it's marketing... and it works.

AND IF THAT MEANS THAT I CAN'T HAVE A KEYBOARD AND MOUSE THAN I DON'T NEED IT!111!1!1!!! :lol

hahaha