9 ms·

Simplicity? My grandma doesn't want to buy an "external display", she would truly have no idea where to even start to do that. And then after she's got the Mac

by cmelbye 12y ago

Simplicity? My grandma doesn't want to buy an "external display", she would truly have no idea where to even start to do that. And then after she's got the Mac mini, the external display, and the cable to connect the display (assuming she was able to find the right one,) someone then has to set it up for her. Compare that to an iMac. Go to the Apple store, drop $1k, take it home, plug in the power cable, and she's on Facebook in minutes. That's the friction that iMac removes. If the customer has to leave the electronics store with multiple boxes from several different companies, and has the ability to buy the "wrong thing" (DVI instead of HDMI, etc.), it's probably a sign that the process can be simplified.

e40 12y ago
Let's be honest here, your grandma won't buy anything without help from someone. The leap from the iMac to a monitor+mini is not very far, with the help that will certainly be given.
- astrodust 12y ago
  You can book an appointment at the Genius Bar and they'll run you through how to set it up. I'm sure even the proverbial grandmother would feel confident enough to set up an iMac after that. Maybe not a Mini, though.
- jianshen 12y ago
  Having been that "help" for many years for parents and grandparents, I can guarantee you that having a setup with as few components and cables as possible that break is more for my sanity than for their comfort. As folks get a little bit older and less nimble, random cables get pulled and drinks get spilled on keyboards.
- deleted 12y ago
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jiggy2011 12y ago
That's quite a price premium to pay for 5 minutes extra work!
- qq66 12y ago
  I once paid $100 to a car mechanic for a job that took him about 5 minutes. The reason I did it was that I didn't know how to do it myself, so I paid whatever it took to get the job done. "Grandma" here is similar.
- toomuchtodo 12y ago
  I bought my grandmother an iMac refurbished: http://www.refurb.me/us/desktop http://www.refurb.me/us/desktop Very pleased, saved ~$200 off list. Still get a warranty.
  - joezydeco 12y ago
    Always buy refurbished directly from Apple. You get a full year of AppleCare warranty attached to the purchase and can buy more years of AppleCare after that. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals When a new model launches, that's the best time to buy refurbs on the older stuff. The older Macbook Airs are going for 35-40% off list right now.
    - JohnBooty 12y ago
      I've had nothing but good experiences with this - bought several refurb Macs from Apple and each one has been indistinguishable from a new machine. I always extend my warranty as well. The only downside is that Apple will charge sales tax, which can be substantial on a $1,000 or $2,000 item. Last time I bought a MBP it was actually cheaper to get a new one from Amazon because they were discounting it. (That was before Amazon started charging sales tax in my state, obviously - otherwise it would have been a wash)
    - chenster 12y ago
      Ditto that! All my Apple products are refurbished. Working great and 20 to 50% off.
kennyledet 12y ago
> My grandma doesn't want I strongly dislike when people use the "my grandma" argument. So what you're saying is either you're also as technically challenged or you're just an ass for not helping her and letting her go with the less optimal purchase because it's easier to set up. Dropping $1k to browse Facebook does not make sense, and it never will, I'm sorry. Disclaimer: I own a late 2013 rMBP.
- deleted 12y ago
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by cmelbye 12y ago

e40 12y ago

Let's be honest here, your grandma won't buy anything without help from someone. The leap from the iMac to a monitor+mini is not very far, with the help that will certainly be given.

astrodust 12y ago
You can book an appointment at the Genius Bar and they'll run you through how to set it up. I'm sure even the proverbial grandmother would feel confident enough to set up an iMac after that. Maybe not a Mini, though.
jianshen 12y ago
Having been that "help" for many years for parents and grandparents, I can guarantee you that having a setup with as few components and cables as possible that break is more for my sanity than for their comfort. As folks get a little bit older and less nimble, random cables get pulled and drinks get spilled on keyboards.
deleted 12y ago
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jiggy2011 12y ago

That's quite a price premium to pay for 5 minutes extra work!

qq66 12y ago
I once paid $100 to a car mechanic for a job that took him about 5 minutes. The reason I did it was that I didn't know how to do it myself, so I paid whatever it took to get the job done. "Grandma" here is similar.
toomuchtodo 12y ago
I bought my grandmother an iMac refurbished: http://www.refurb.me/us/desktop http://www.refurb.me/us/desktop Very pleased, saved ~$200 off list. Still get a warranty.
- joezydeco 12y ago
  Always buy refurbished directly from Apple. You get a full year of AppleCare warranty attached to the purchase and can buy more years of AppleCare after that. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals When a new model launches, that's the best time to buy refurbs on the older stuff. The older Macbook Airs are going for 35-40% off list right now.
  - JohnBooty 12y ago
    I've had nothing but good experiences with this - bought several refurb Macs from Apple and each one has been indistinguishable from a new machine. I always extend my warranty as well. The only downside is that Apple will charge sales tax, which can be substantial on a $1,000 or $2,000 item. Last time I bought a MBP it was actually cheaper to get a new one from Amazon because they were discounting it. (That was before Amazon started charging sales tax in my state, obviously - otherwise it would have been a wash)
  - chenster 12y ago
    Ditto that! All my Apple products are refurbished. Working great and 20 to 50% off.

kennyledet 12y ago

> My grandma doesn't want I strongly dislike when people use the "my grandma" argument. So what you're saying is either you're also as technically challenged or you're just an ass for not helping her and letting her go with the less optimal purchase because it's easier to set up. Dropping $1k to browse Facebook does not make sense, and it never will, I'm sorry. Disclaimer: I own a late 2013 rMBP.

deleted 12y ago
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