iPod Shuffle

[Dustysage]

Did you hear about the new iPod Shuffle? It starts at $99 and lacks a lof of the features of its big brothers. But it plugs directly into your USB port for easy playlist creation.

I haven't decided if I love it or hate it yet:

Speaking of loving or hating an Apple product. They also just came out with a tiny little Mac that costs less than $500, but doesn't come with keyboard, mouse, or monitor.

This is really a shocking direction for Apple to take. They've never been known for affordable products.

[FEJ]

I think its a great move. The Mini Mac, that is.For myself, it would be nice to add another mac for a cheap price. Even fully loaded, it is only about $1300 (thats with a gig of ram, the superdrive, Airpot and Bluetooth, etc)
Since I use one monitor for multiple computers, it would work great, and wouldnt take up a lot of space.
It would also be great to place near a hi Definition TV or Monitor that has the proper inputs. And it doesnt take up a lot of space. I coud see me with that hooked up to the FLat Panel LCD on the wall connected wirelessly to the internet and on the couch with the bluetooth keyboard and mouse. That is if I had the money for such a setup.
But then, I'm a geek.

[MickeyMania]

Speaking of loving or hating an Apple product. They also just came out with a tiny little Mac that costs less than $500, but doesn't come with keyboard, mouse, or monitor.

This is really a shocking direction for Apple to take. They've never been known for affordable products.

Didn't hear of the Mac LC or the Performa line, huh?

I like the iPod Shuffle because I think it's what people were hoping for (specifically, the 1GB one) last year when Apple introduced the Mini instead, at a price higher than what everyone had hoped for.

The new Mac, I'm not so sure. The big expensive G5 Power Macs come with no monitors because they're intended for professionals who have their own favorite monitor. Graphics pros are especially picky.

But I don't think you can give the same reason for people who will only shell out $500 on a computer. Those people don't care if their monitor isn't at the top of professional standards.

[figment1986]

they can plub in any monitor it says.... including dinosour ones from older computers.... (you know.. no memory to install games.. not even 1 gig of hard drive..)

I do not like the new ipod.. but i would see some people who will... I just feel lke i would loose it or break it easily...

[StevenSokulski]

I don't feel that the iPod Shuffle is right for me, but I think it's great that Apple is really going after total domination in the MP3 player market.

As far as the Mini Mac goes, I think its great. People who love iPod go into an Apple Store or go to their site and think "Geeze theese are great computers." Then they look at the prices and just think "Geeze!" Apple needs a lower end product to offer these people.

As far as monitors go, name one Mac that comes with a monitor where the montior isn't built into the computer.

[figment1986]

Go back into the past.... it might have been before they used the term Mac though......

[mamabot]

I think this is a great way for Apple to start to reel in consumers have been attracted to their company with their domination of the MP3 player market. The shuffle seems ok to me, good for people who trust the name brand recognition of Apple, but cannot afford even an iPod mini.

Think of Apple as trying to corner the same market as Nike did in the mid-late 80s with Air Jordans. People bought the shoes because of a trend. Sure there were other shoes on the market that were just as popular, but the Air Jordans were THE shoe to wear. iPods are the Air Jordans of today. People will buy iPods because they are THE MP3 player to be seen listening to. Kids are going to ask their parents for iPods, not a flash player or an MP3 player.

The Mac mini is a great concept. I would love to hook one up to my TV so I could increase the capacity of my TiVo unit, or maybe even hook my iPod up to it so I can listen to my playlists in the living room. Dare I even dream of setting up airport so I can post wirelessly in my living room?

[Ian P]

Apple Expert / Fan

Being a huge Apple fan myself and the owner of 4 iPods, a new G5 iMac and a PowerBook I was really excited by the latest news.

I already have an iPod shuffle on order (note shuffle does not have a capital 'S'), a 1GB model to add to my 60Gb iPod photo and iPod mini, etc.

The Mac mini (note no capital 'M' in mini) will sell like hot cakes (a UK saying) as it will appeal to people who want to try a Mac, and hopefully they will get hooked.

If there are any Apple or Mac questions I can help with feel free to ask, or look out for me on the Apple Discussion boards (Ian Parkinson)

http://discussions.info.apple.com/

Ian

[MickeyMania]

As far as the Mini Mac goes, I think its great. People who love iPod go into an Apple Store or go to their site and think "Geeze theese are great computers." Then they look at the prices and just think "Geeze!" Apple needs a lower end product to offer these people.

As far as monitors go, name one Mac that comes with a monitor where the montior isn't built into the computer.

Isn't that the point? Someone buys a computer and they want a monitor with it anyway?

I don't know, I just don't see the reason for this. They already have a low end computer with a monitor and it's probably more upgradable (their Mini site says that even RAM has to be installed by Apple Service people, who knows what they'll charge.) It looks like a pure market share grab to me.

I'll continue to sit with my old G4 PowerMac (old graphite model, not silver), with a souped-up PC for Photoshop and video work. The cost problem has alway been most deeply felt at the high end, which is why I end up with a performance PC instead going up to a G5. But I understand they give you a very nice computer with a lot of slots and outputs for that money.

[mamabot]

Ian, I am humbled by your Mac-ness. I am the proud owner of a new pink iPod mini. At work I have a first generation "sunflower" iMac with Super Drive. At home, I am relegated to a Dell. :ick:

How is the iPod Photo? That looks uber cool.

[maxime29]

The president of Creative blasted the iPod shuffle last week, saying it was similar to an idea they came out with 4 years ago.

While I won't be purchasing one (proud owner of a 4G 40GB iPod), I think there will be a big demand for this product.

I really liked the new iMac mini though. Very slick looking.

[penguinsoda]

I've been an Apple user since the IIe days. Next to Disneyland, I pretty much worship the ground Steve Job walks on. I think the iPod shuffle will sell pretty well just because of the price point. People will use it for a "basic" player. As for the mini Mac... I'm reserving judgement. I think they are trying to draw over Wintel uses with that one, since you can use the keyboard and monitor from their "old" PC system. My fav site for Apple rumors and comments is As the Apple Turns if anyone would like to check it out.

[Gemini Cricket]

Did you hear about the new iPod Shuffle?

For some reason I thought you were going to be teaching us a new dance or something.

[Dustysage]

For some reason I thought you were going to be teaching us a new dance or something.

And I still might before the thread is done. :monkey:

[Minionette]

I'm not a fan of the shuffle. I think they are behind the times for the technology/market they are going after. I also think they are relying to much on the name and lower price to sell the product (which it will) but when people realize they will have to buy flash cards for extra storage, that it doesn't have a display and that for about $100 more (which after cards and accessories they will be pushing that amount) they can get an actual iPod it will drop like rain in OR. There are also better flash players out there for less.

Also not a fan of the miniMac. If they are marketing it to new users the $499 is a draw, but when you add on a moniter, keyboard, mouse and stuff to boost it up you might as well get a super nice PC or an iMac.

[Ian P]

BarTopDancer,

I think you have not understood the iPod shuffle.

It come with either 512MB or 1GB of memory in it, there is no need to purchase any at all. You can't add memory to it, you refill the iPod with new music when you need to.

I actually think they are a great idea and the price is one of the lowest on the market. There are many people who will be totally happy with 120 or 240 songs on an iPod, no need for a display, just listen to your favorite tracks at random or in a particular order.

The Mac mini is also not being sold to people who need monitors or mice or keyboards. They quite clearly aimed it at people who have older PC's with these items, who can try a new Mac for a reasonable price. When Steve launched the Mac mini he put up the following : BYODKM - meaning 'Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, Mouse'.

While the iPod shuffle or Mac mini may not be for you, I think they will find the market Apple are looking for and sell very well.

Ian

[Minionette]

I do understand the point of the shuffle, and I don't think that it will accomplish what it's set out to do. I think that by marketing this as a $99 iPod peoples expectations will be that it is well... a $99 ipod. Which it's not. It is an MP3 player but it is not what people think of when they hear iPod.

BarTopDancer,

I think you have not understood the iPod shuffle.

It come with either 512MB or 1GB of memory in it, there is no need to purchase any at all. You can't add memory to it, you refill the iPod with new music when you need to.

I actually think they are a great idea and the price is one of the lowest on the market. There are many people who will be totally happy with 120 or 240 songs on an iPod, no need for a display, just listen to your favorite tracks at random or in a particular order.

The Mac mini is also not being sold to people who need monitors or mice or keyboards. They quite clearly aimed it at people who have older PC's with these items, who can try a new Mac for a reasonable price. When Steve launched the Mac mini he put up the following : BYODKM - meaning 'Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, Mouse'.

While the iPod shuffle or Mac mini may not be for you, I think they will find the market Apple are looking for and sell very well.

Ian

[Dustysage]

Well, it is a lot different than the previous iPods, but for those who can't afford an iPod, the new shuffle may be their only way to get in on the craze. And it really has become a craze.

I was at the mall last night and the Apple store had a line of people waiting to buy iPods. On a Monday night!!!

[figment1986]

the 15 gig ipod is sold out everywhere... (isn;t apple fasing it out and pushing for the 20 gig... and then release a high capacity one?? imagine a terabite iPod....)

[Ian P]

They are selling very well and production is running a 400,000 - 500,000 a month at the moment.

Of course they are different to the original iPod, but people are not stupid they can see it has no screen or click wheel, and they hopefully read about things before they buy them. If they don't do some research first then it's there own fault.

To be honest the iPod is only an MP3 player as well.

Ian