Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 20th Oct 2009 17:28 UTC
As expected, Apple has refreshed its entire consumer line of Macintosh computers. The Mac mini, the MacBook, and the iMac lines of computers have all been overhauled, with the MacBook even getting a complete redesign. Prices in Europe have been dropped slightly, and there's a new mouse, too.
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Member since:2008-07-15
It is typical of Apple to put style over function. Why would you use a notebook HD in desktop machine when 3.5" HDs are much cheaper and much faster? A 320GB 2.5"HD would only cost a couple of bucks more for an OEM.
Have you, by any chance, had an actual look at the size of the Mini instead of just shooting off complaints about a product with which you clearly don't actually have any experience? Take that size, take the heat that a desktop hd generates (hint, 3.5 drives get quite a bit hotter than their 2.5 counterparts), and the reason for the 2.5 drive in the mini becomes more than obvious. In an enclosure that small, you need to be very careful when it comes to the temperature of the components as it can easily get out of hand. A little logic never hurts.
Member since:2006-01-06
Take that size, take the heat that a desktop hd generates (hint, 3.5 drives get quite a bit hotter than their 2.5 counterparts), and the reason for the 2.5 drive in the mini becomes more than obvious.
I think that one of the complaints here is that Apple tends to put style -- more particularly, the appearance of the hardware -- over practical considerations. They could have simply placed vents on the top of the Mini -- like many component manufacturers typically do (eg. hi-fi equipment, etc) -- but instead they opted to keep it completely enclosed in an aluminum case. So, I don't think that performance was prioritized sufficiently above appearance. But that's just my opinion.
RE[3]: Is this a joke?
by StephenBeDoper on Thu 22nd Oct 2009 00:22
in reply to "RE[2]: Is this a joke?"
Member since:2005-07-06
It is typical of Apple to put style over function.
There are valid practical reasons to use a 2.5" rather than 3.5" drive in a machine that small. You don't even have to look outside Apple's product line for examples - by many accounts I've read, the recent rash of dead 1st gen Time Capsules (Apple's router + network backup device) is due to a combination of a hot-running desktop HDDs + cramped enclosures + insufficient cooling.
Member since:2006-01-23
It is typical of Apple to put style over function. Why would you use a notebook HD in desktop machine when 3.5" HDs are much cheaper and much faster? A 320GB 2.5"HD would only cost a couple of bucks more for an OEM.
How much would it cost to engineer a new convective path for all the extra heat to keep the current case and components from melting?
I suspect it would be more than a couple of bucks.
Member since:2006-01-06
I suspect it would be more than a couple of bucks.
First, I have a feeling that Apple's profit on this device greatly exceeds the cost of an additional heat sink. Second, the perf boost of using a standard desktop HD would be well worth the extra cost versus the laptop drive. Third, Apple has a history of intentionally stunting their "low-end" hardware to make it unattractive and/or differentiate it from the "mid-level" stuff. Note: I don't blame them for trying to differentiate the hardware. I just wouldn't have made that kind of design tradeoff.
RE[4]: Is this a joke?
by unclefester on Thu 22nd Oct 2009 04:13
in reply to "RE[3]: Is this a joke?"
Member since:2007-01-13
Member since:
2007-01-13
It is typical of Apple to put style over function. Why would you use a notebook HD in desktop machine when 3.5" HDs are much cheaper and much faster? A 320GB 2.5"HD would only cost a couple of bucks more for an OEM.