1:13:00 PM|||Scott Nolan|||

Computers:

Apple has updated the Mac Mini and iBook model lines and further reduced prices on both lines. A really tricked out Mac Mini will only set you back $728 now:

$499 for the cheapest model (1.25GHz PowerPC "G4")
+$50 to upgrade to an 80GB internal drive (cheap enough to simply do it)
+$100 to upgrade to a 4X SuperDrive (allows you to burn DVDs as well as CDs)
+$79 to add an Airport Extreme card (wireless networking)
Skip the optional keyboard and mouse because the Apple Mouse sucks
Get the Apple keyboard separately for $29
Get an iOptiJr Mouse from MacAlly for about $20
Use your existing monitor or pick the screen of your choice.

A really portable 12" iBook is now only $999 - though I'd suggest adding AppleCare to any laptop you buy (laptops take a lot of abuse). The new model iBook sports 512MB minimum RAM now (finally) and both Sudden Motion Sensing and the scrolling trackpad (very good features).

|||112239872767273496|||9:54:35 PM|||anthony|||The question on my mind isn't which Mac to get, or upgrade to - it is which monitor to buy! While the 20" Apple monitor is excellent, and the price is nearly fair - don't you think it is a little steep when added to a miniMac? I mean, the miniMac entices the budget users until you've got to add a monitor - apple doesn't endorse any other manufacturer of monitors, so what would be a good fit?9:58:01 AM|||Scott|||Yeah, but the mini Mac does a great job of separating the issue of monitor from computer. Leaving many of us free to simply re-use an old VGA monitor we have sitting around, or letting those with a budget spend on fancy flat panels. The choice is yours (unlike with the iMac line).