Slashdot Mirror
Mac mini Maximized With 3.5" Drives
Demolition writes "You just knew that someone would get around to this, didn't you?
In this how-to article from AppleTalk Australia, a step-by-step guide describes how to transplant a Mac mini into a micro-ATX case and a method to connect standard 3.5" hard drives to it (using do-it-yourself 2.5"-to-3.5" IDE adapters). Only some minor case modifications and some added cooling are needed to complete the project."
Worst. Idea. Ever.
The whole point of the mac mini is it's small form factor, transplanting it into another case to upgrade the HD is simply absurd.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone decided to mod their mini into a standard PC carcass. What's next? How about putting the Mini inside a vintage Apple II box?
//e), just for giggles.
Since the mini came out, I've been hoping I can stuff it inside an old Apple IIGS (or, even better - a
Anyone up to the challenge?
The PC Weenies: 11 Years of Online Tech 'Too
Part of the mac's allure is it's stylish looks. This is just as dumb as putting a PC in a mac mini case.
I'm not following the logic. Agree completely on the Mac Mini looks, and even more, the unmatched form factor. Actually, it would be very cool indeed to put a PC in a Mac Mini "case". One is not going to have any luck doing this, though, because there is no PC with a small enough form factor. Not a Mini ITX, not even a Nano ITX.
Since you are going with mini-ATX in any case (sic), why build in a comparatively slow Mac mini when you could use a mini-ATX board with an Opteron and get a real 64-bit platform for about the same money in the same space?
The project is cool for its own sake of course, but there doesn't seem to be a real use for it.
Oh, and people freaking out over the "sarcriledge" - it's a computer, that's all. A piece of metal and plastic. If you really get upset about something like this, I suggest it's time to take a hard look at your priorities and your life.
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
Nobody would buy from spam either, right?
78% Percent of users who report receiving spam daily
11% Percent of users who report receiving at least 40 spam per day
14% Percent of users who report they open spam messages to see what they say [Yikes!]
4% Percent of users who report they have purchased a product or service advertised in a spam email
So maybe 4% RTFA too? That's logic for you, bad logic, but logic none-the-less.
This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
Already been done. Next?
Marxism is the opiate of dumbasses
The point of the mini was to win converts by offering a low entry point to the Mac. They can't be making much if any margin on the thing.
They would probably make more money by just selling a version of OS X for standard PC hardware. They could sell it for $149 with a $99 annual maintenance fee. Start adding up extra sales of iLife, etc and you could be talking about real money.
The problem with the mini is that it is still a fairly high price just to try. I also think that the performance is not going to stand up to a standard PC at that price point which would have a much faster and larger hard drive and more RAM.
How about putting OS X for the PC out there with a free 60 day trial? Imagine being able to install OS X on an existing Windows PC that was rotten with spy ware. People would gladly pay the $149 to keep it. I know people who are shelling out $100 out of desperation just for a virus scanner and cheesy anti-spy ware software that they hope will fix the problem only to fall victim again. If Apple developed an easy way to install OS X over Windows while saving documents, pictures, etc. they would have a real winner on their hands.
Apple would make more money this way and they wouldn't have to tie up the capital required to manufacture and distribute the hardware. They could still sell the higher end hardware which they probably make a good margin on. There will always be that small group that want a real Mac.