Apple drops price of Mac Mini in Europe

Sad Professor

It was €799, now €719.

The Mini used to be €550, but when Apple introduced the current, much improved model, they bumped the price by a $100 in the US and €250 over here. The massive Euro increase was due to currency fluctuations at the time. They've now adjusted this - somewhat.

JDxtra

Cheers. Still seems a bit off the mark. I'd pay €500 for a basic model, but €719 is stretching it.

Gregor Samsa

I'm looking for a media server to hook up to my TV. I'm currently using my old 12" PowerBook, but trying to run any Flash content (RTE Player, 4OD) is just killing it. Ideally, I'd love the new AppleTV, but the lack of Flash is a deal breaker (I don't mind Flash not being on my iPhone, but I want the TV catchup services on whatever is hooked up to the TV). I'd happily pay €500-€550 for one of the new Minis, but €719 is still just to much. €799 was crazy, so at least the price is going in the right direction. Maybe refurbs will start appearing soon.

Cook my sock

phutyle wrote: »

I'm looking for a media server to hook up to my TV. I'm currently using my old 12" PowerBook, but trying to run any Flash content (RTE Player, 4OD) is just killing it. Ideally, I'd love the new AppleTV, but the lack of Flash is a deal breaker (I don't mind Flash not being on my iPhone, but I want the TV catchup services on whatever is hooked up to the TV). I'd happily pay €500-€550 for one of the new Minis, but €719 is still just to much. €799 was crazy, so at least the price is going in the right direction. Maybe refurbs will start appearing soon.

There is a HUGE difference between a mac mini and an apple tv. I bought mine with the same intentions as you and now its my primary computer. (although i was using a win7 compaq beforehand). then again i have the older model, bought the last one after they had announced this newer more expensive one.

Gregor Samsa

Cook my sock wrote: »

There is a HUGE difference between a mac mini and an apple tv

I'm well aware of the differences. I'm looking for something to play video files & catchup TV on my TV. I don't mind if the video files are stored locally (Mini) or on a networked drive (AppleTV) - but in this setup, lack of Flash is a deal breaker for me (As I said the form factor and media playing aspects of the ATV are exactly what I'm looking for - and the price is perfect, just the F word is the problem for me). I already have a 13" MacBook Pro that perfectly suits my general needs, so the Mini would never be my main computer. In fact, it would never be used for anything other than Plex/Boxee/FrontRow and accessing RTE Player/4OD - hence the €719 price tag being too much.

Sad Professor

Mini refurbs don't last long. To catch one you'd need to be checking the refurb store every day around midnight when it usually refreshes (it goes blank for a while).

J-blk

I'm pretty sure there were some current gen. Minis on the refurb store last week for a few hours but the savings were still not enough to bring it to the ~ €500 mark which most people probably deem acceptable.

Phutyle, for the €500-550 range you'll probably have to keep an eye on the previous gen. models, at least for now. I have the 2.2Ghz last gen. one as my HTPC with Plex and it is indeed brilliant, could never consider replacing it with an Apple TV instead (especially the new one) even though it probably is overkill (like you intent to do, I never use it for anything other than media really).

Sad Professor

Even at US prices, I really dont know who the current Mini is supposed to appeal to. The original plastic model was designed and priced to appeal to switchers. A lot of people bought them as media centres as well, but they were reluctant to buy them new, even when they were circa 500, they tended to go refurb, previous gen or second hand. Even with the hdmi port, most of these people are probably put off the current Mini due to the price, and switchers probably think it's a joke. This isn't the first time I've predicted the Mini's demise, but I can't see it lasting long in it's current form.

dubmick

slightly OT but the Irish apple store has been down all day

OctavarIan

dubmick wrote: »

slightly OT but the Irish apple store has been down all day

Not just the Irish store but all of Europe. Still down as I write this.

They're either tinkering with prices or adding a tonne of boring 3rd party peripherals for the holiday season.

Sad Professor

It's back. I can't see any changes though. Probably just maintenance.