Paul Nixon has a very interesting graph showing the targeting of Apple’s product lineup and how the iPod Shuffle and Mac mini fit into their larger product lineup.
I see this is a big shift for Apple. Apples have always been the BMW’s of the computing world – luxurious, exceptionall well-crafted, and out of the price range of the average consumer. The phenomenal success of the iPod tought them that there’s a market out there that they can now reach. I think John Gruber has it right – this is a very daring move by Apple, probably the most daring thing they’ve ever done. Then again, knowing Apple, I think they’ll pull it off. I don’t think the Mac mini will necessarily sell like hotcakes, although it will do very well. On the other hand, the iPod Shuffle is guaranteed to give Apple the majority of the flash-based MP3 player market. Given that the typical $99 MP3 player is a piece of crap, the iPod Shuffle hits exactly the right price point to take the market by storm.
In the Mac mini, there is finally a small, elegant, versatile computer to run my mass media center. Hurrah!
Are you saying the Mac mini is like the Mini Cooper (a BMW car)?
That’s a really, really good analogy…
I’ve seen a lot of interest in the Mac mini from people who:
– Already own a pc and have thought about getting a Mac to check out. They plan to buy the mini due to the price point. They already have a monitor and keyboard for their current systems.
– Want the mini for a media center. (See Joe above.)
What do they call drugs like pot? Oh yeah, Gateway drugs. But a Gateway Mac would be a little confusing.