Apple Upgrades Mac mini, Doesn't Tell Anybody

echomancer writes "Think Secret is reporting that Apple has released a slightly updated version of the Mac mini, but has failed to tell anyone. Some Mac minis may now include a 1.5GHz processor, 64MB of VRAM, and an updated 8x superdrive but these new machines are being shipped in boxes reflecting the original specs. 'The motivation behind this is to help clear current inventory without lowering prices. Essentially, customers are promised that the Mac mini they purchase will have specifications at least equal to the label, but that their system may exceed those.'"

Comments

Re:Yup, got one here

[GigsVT]

A good OS would cache the pages the app was in on disk after the first load anyway. So there's not a huge speed benefit over a real OS.

Easy way to check

[diamondsw]

Before purchasing (or at least, before opening the box), check the bottom of the box for the serial number. Go to Apple Support and type in the serial number on the lower right to "check your waranty status". Old Mac Mini's come up as "Mac Mini". The new upgraded ones come up as "Mac Mini (Late 2005)".

Quick story:

So, I'm one of the savvy customers that knows about this, and walked into the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. After grabbing a sales guy, I describe the current specs, the mislabeled boxes, and even point him to both eWeek and ZDNet for sources - not exactly Think Secret. He steadfastly refuses to confirm anything - okay, it's what he's been told, but it's still insulting to deny something that is clearly true to a customer who clearly knows what's going on. I'm not asking to confirm they have an Intel Powerbook in the back, I'm looking for a widely reported speedbump, and don't really want to get something that is already obsolete for the same money.

I ask him if I can just check several Mini's serial numbers before purchasing them, so I know I'll get the "right" one. He refuses. Okay, I'll BUY a stack of Mini's, find a "right" one, and return the rest. He refuses to sell me the product, because it will make a lot of hassle to process the returns (hey, I thought I already tried to avoid that for him?). The final conversation went like this:

Me: "So, what you're telling me is I have to buy a Mini and not know what's inside?"
Apple: "What you get will be at least what's on the box."
Me: "I know that. But you won't allow me to determine if what's in the box is what I want."
Apple: *shrugs* "I'll sell you a Mac Mini."
Me: "But without knowing what the configuration is."

Repeat ad nauseum (and I was getting sick of it all right). Finally we struck a deal - give me one Mini, and I'll check it. If it's good, I'll take it on the spot. If it's not, I'll walk out. While he claimed they hadn't had a shipment "since July 25th" (at Apple's busiest store? Yeah, right), sure enough, that Mac Mini he produced was the "Late 2005" variety, and had all the improved specs.

So yeah, most consumers won't notice, and some will get a nice bonus. But it SUCKS ASS if you're actually knowledgeable, and can't purchase the system you want, even though they have it and are just stonewalling.