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Friday, January 08, 2010, 02:15 pm
Apple's new Mac mini, server surprise with strong sales start
While Apple's new iMac got all of the desktop-related attention when new hardware was announced in October, the new Mac mini and its debut Server companion have found early success.Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis with market research firm NPD Group, told AppleInsider that he was surprised by the strong performance of the Mac mini. Previously, he said, the low-end desktop had been "dead in the water" in terms of sales.
"The new mini has done very well compared to what we received previously," Baker said. "I think (it was due to) Apple giving it a little bit of support and talking about it a little more. They went back and kind of reminded people it was there again."
In October, Apple introduced three new Mac mini models: a $599 model with a 2.26 GHz processor, a 160GB hard drive, and 2GB of RAM; a $799 model with a 2.53GHz processor, 320GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM; and a $999 version equipped with Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server and sporting two 500GB hard drives. The server option drops the optical drive to make room for its 1TB of total storage, in addition to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor and 4GB of RAM, all fit into the system's 6.5-inch square, 2-inch high frame, weighing in at 2.9 pounds.
The new Mac minis were part of a desktop refresh from Apple and were released alongside new iMacs. The 21.5-inch iMac was the best-selling desktop in the U.S. in the month of October, while the 27-inch model came in third for all hardware. The new Mac minis did not crack the top 10 for hardware sales.
But combined with the success of the new iMacs, desktop sales for Apple increased 74 percent year-over-year in October and November. While some assumed that increase was based solely on the strength of the iMac, Baker said the new Mac mini line played a significant role.
"We definitely saw some uptick on that as well," he said, "and it was probably a surprise for me too."
When Mac mini sales were flat years ago, Apple left the hardware line mostly stagnant, with only a handful of minor updates. Though sources suggested Apple could abandon the desktop line entirely, in 2008 new life was breathed into the Mac mini. It was a smart move by Apple, given the apparent success of the October refresh.
Baker said the addition of the Mac mini Server helps to diversify Apple's line of products, and will likely prove to be an important asset to the company. The dual-drive, optical-free Mac mini Server saw a relatively quiet launch in the face of the new iMacs and MacBook.
"I think it's going to help it in the long term," Baker said of the server version. "It probably broadens the audience a little bit."
The new hardware is optimized for Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server, and comes bundled with the operating system software. Previously, users had to spend $500 for the retail box option. For comparison, prior to Snow Leopard, the unlimited user version of Mac OS X Server cost $999. Now, users can pay the same cost and get a Mac mini along with the software.
Also significant is the fact that the Mac mini Server comes with the full-featured version. On the mini PC side, business users must spend hundreds of dollars extra to obtain the Small Business Server Standard software. For a greater comparison and close look at Snow Leopard Server, see AppleInsider's in-depth analysis of the Mac mini Server.
Shoppers can find the best deals on the Apple's new Mac mini models in the AppleInsider Mac Pricing Guide:
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to $1,062 off Macs bundled with 3-years of AppleCare. * MacMall is offering AppleInsider readers an additional 3% off all MacBooks & iMacs with Promo Code: APPLEINSIDER01 ^ indicates special pricing for AppleInsider readers while supplies last. Readers must use links in price guide to activate price. Don't forget to trade in your old Macs for hundreds; AI readers get an additional $10 payment via this link. |
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 MacBook Airs
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Discount
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| 11-inch Models | |||||||||
11" Air (1.30GHz/4GB/128GB) 
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$999.00 | $999.00 | $964.18* | $999.00 | $994.00 | $34.82 | |||
| 11" Air (1.30GHz/8GB/128GB)
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$1,099.00 | n/a | $1,061.18* | n/a yet | $1,199.00 | $37.82 | |||
| 11" Air (1.30GHz/4GB/256GB)
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$1,199.00 | $1,199.00 | $1,158.18* | $1,199.00 | $1,199.00 | $40.82 | |||
| 11" Air (1.30GHz/8GB/256GB)
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$1,299.00 | n/a | $1,255.18* | n/a yet | n/a yet | $43.82 | |||
| 11" Air (1.30GHz/8GB/512GB)
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$1,599.00 | n/a | $1,546.18* | n/a yet | n/a yet | $52.82 | |||
| 11" Air (1.70GHz/4GB/128GB)
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$1,149.00 | --- | $1,109.68* | n/a yet | $1,149.00 | $39.32 | |||
| 11" Air (1.70GHz/8GB/128GB)
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$1,249.00 | n/a | $1,206.68* | n/a yet | $1,249.00 | $42.32 | |||
| 11" Air (1.70GHz/8GB/256GB)
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$1,449.00 | n/a | $1,400.68* | n/a yet | $1,449.00 | $48.32 | |||
| 11" Air (1.70GHz/8GB/512GB)
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$1,749.00 | n/a | $1,691.68* | n/a yet | $1,749.00 | $57.32 | |||
| 13-inch Models | |||||||||
| 13" Air (1.30GHz/4GB/128GB)
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$1,099.00 | $1,099.00 | $1,061.18* | $1,099.00 | $1,094.00 | $37.82 | |||
| 13" Air (1.30GHz/8GB/128GB)
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$1,199.00 | n/a | $1,158.18* | n/a yet | $1,199.00 | $40.82 | |||
| 13" Air (1.30GHz/4GB/256GB)
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$1,299.00 | $1,299.00 | $1,255.18* | $1,299.00 | $1,294.00 | $43.82 | |||
| 13" Air (1.30GHz/8GB/256GB)
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$1,399.00 | n/a | $1,352.18* | n/a yet | $1,399.00 | $46.82 | |||
| 13" Air (1.30GHz/8GB/512GB)
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$1,699.00 | n/a | $1,643.18* | n/a yet | n/a yet | $46.82 | |||
| 13" Air (1.70GHz/4GB/128GB)
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$1,249.00 | n/a | $1,206.68* | n/a yet | $1,249.00 | $42.32 | |||
| 13" Air (1.70GHz/4GB/256GB)
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$1,449.00 | n/a | $1,400.68* | n/a yet | $1,449.00 | $48.32 | |||
| 13" Air (1.70GHz/8GB/128GB)
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$1,349.00 | n/a | $1,303.68* | n/a yet | $1,349.00 | $45.32 | |||
| 13" Air (1.70GHz/8GB/256GB)
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$1,549.00 | n/a | $1,497.00* | n/a yet | $1,549.00 | $52.00 | |||
| 13" Air (1.70GHz/8GB/512GB)
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$1,849.00 | n/a | $1,788.68* | n/a | $1,849.00 | $60.32 | |||
| Show 2012 MacBook Air clearance models | |||||||||
 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros (without Retina display)
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| 2.5GHz 13" (4GB/500GB HDD) | $1,199.00 | $1,099.99 | $1,066.98* | sold out | $1,112.78 | $132.02 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" (8GB/500GB HDD) | $1,299.00 | n/a | sold out | n/a | n/a | $86.51 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" (8GB/750GB HDD) | $1,499.00 | $1,398.99 | $1,357.02* | $1,499.00 | $1,374.00 | $141.98 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" (8GB/1TB HDD) | $1,599.00 | n/a | on order | n/a | $1,559.00 | $52.82 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" (8GB/256GB SSD) | $1,899.00 | n/a | on order | n/a | $1,799.00 | $153.01 | |||
| 2.3GHz 15" (4GB/500GB HDD) | $1,799.00 | $1,709.96 | $1,658.66* | sold out | $1,659.00 | $150.00 | |||
| 2.3GHz 15" (4GB/750GB/ANTI-GLARE) | $2,149.00 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $2,149.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" (8GB/750GB HDD) | $2,599.00 | n/a | sold out | n/a | n/a | $82.82 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" (8GB/1TB HDD) | $2,649.00 | n/a | $1,988.49* | n/a | n/a | $660.51 | |||
 13-inch MacBook Pros (MBP) with Retina
display
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| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,128GB) | $1,499.00 | $1,419.98 | $1,377.38* | sold out | $1,416.10 | $121.62 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,128GB) | $1,699.00 | n/a | sold out | sold out | $1,599.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 2.6GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,699.00 | $1,599.99 | on order | $1,649.00 | $1,599.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,699.00 | $1,539.99 | $1,435.59* | sold out | $1,479.99 | $263.41 | |||
| 3.0GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,899.00 | n/a | sold out | sold out | $1,899.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $2,199.00 | n/a | $1,551.99* | sold out | sold out | $647.01 | |||
| 3.0GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,199.00 | n/a | $2,114.58* | sold out | $2,199.00 | $84.42 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,499.00 | n/a | $1,648.99* | sold out | $1,849.00 | $850.01 | |||
| 3.0GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $2,599.00 | n/a | $2,516.18* | sold out | $2,599.00 | $82.82 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,699.00 | n/a | $1,745.99* | sold out | $1,849.00 | $953.01 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $2,999.00 | n/a | sold out | sold out | $2,049.00 | $950.00 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $3,199.00 | n/a | on order | sold out | sold out | $919.51 | |||
 15-inch MacBook Pro (MBP) with Retina
display
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| 2.3GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 256GB) | $2,199.00 | $1,944.99 | $1,842.99* | sold out | $1,879.00 | $356.01 | |||
| 2.4GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 256GB) | $2,199.00 | $2,079.99 | $2,017.58* | $2,199.00 | $1,999.00 | $200.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 256GB) | $2,499.00 | n/a | $2,419.18* | sold out | $2,499.00 | $79.82 | |||
| 2.6GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 512GB) | $2,799.00 | $2,249.00 | $2,230.99* | sold out | $2,199.00 | $600.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 512GB) | $2,799.00 | $2,628.98 | $2,570.48* | $2,799.00 | $2,599.00 | $228.52 | |||
| 2.8GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 512GB) | $3,049.00 | n/a | on order | sold out | $3,049.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 768GB) | $3,199.00 | n/a | $2,618.99* | sold out | $3,199.00 | $580.01 | |||
| 2.8GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 768GB) | $3,449.00 | n/a | $3,327.08* | sold out | $3,449.00 | $121.92 | |||
 Mac mini
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| 2.50GHz dualCore i5 Mac mini | $599.00 | $574.99 | $574.98 | sold out | $565.00 | $35.00 | |||
| 2.30GHz quad Core i7 Mac mini | $799.00 | $774.00 | $774.98 | $794.00 | $774.98 | $25.99 | |||
| 2.30GHz quad Core i7 mini Server | $999.00 | $979.99 | $979.98 | $989.00 | $949.00 | $50.00 | |||
 iMac
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| 21.5" iMac (2.7GHz/8GB/1TB) | $1,299.00 | $1,199.98 | $1,163.98* | $1,249.00 | $1,199.99 | $135.02 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (2.7GHz/16GB/1TB) | $1,499.00 | n/a | $1,357.08* | n/a | $1,499.00 | $141.92 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (2.9GHz/8GB/1TB) | $1,499.00 | $1,436.55 | $1,405.52* | $1,449.00 | $1,399.99 | $100.00 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (2.9GHz/16GB/1TB) | $1,699.00 | n/a | $1,643.18* | $1,699.00 | $1,599.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (3.1GHz/8GB/1TB) | $1,699.00 | n/a | $1,643.18* | $1,699.00 |
$1,699.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (2.9GHz/8GB/1TB Fusion) | $1,749.00 | n/a | $1,682.94* | n/a | $1,649.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (3.1GHz/16GB/1TB) | $1,899.00 | n/a | $1,837.18* | n/a | $1,899.00 | $61.82 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (2.9GHz/16GB/1TB Fusion) | $1,949.00 | n/a | $1,885.68* | n/a | $1,849.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 21.5" iMac (3.1GHz/16GB/1TB Fusion) | $2,149.00 | n/a | $2,079.68* | n/a | $2,149.00 | $69.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (2.9GHz/8GB/1TB) | $1,799.00 | $1,698.99 | $1,648.02* | $1,779.00 | $1,649.99 | $150.98 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.2GHz/8GB/1TB) | $1,999.00 | $1,874.99 | $1,818.72* | $1,949.00 | $1,849.99 | $180.28 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.2GHz/8GB/1TB/680MX) | $2,149.00 | n/a | $2,079.68* | n/a | $2,149.00 | $69.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/8GB/1TB) | $2,199.00 | n/a | $2,128.18* | n/a | $2,099.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/8GB/1TB/680MX) | $2,349.00 | n/a | $2,230.99* | n/a | $2,249.00 | $118.01 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/8GB/1T Fusion/675MX) | $2,449.00 | n/a | $2,370.68* | n/a | $2,449.00 | $78.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/1TB) | $2,549.00 | n/a | $2,467.68* | n/a | $2,549.00 | $81.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/8GB/1T Fusion/680MX) | $2,599.00 | n/a | $2,473.49* | n/a | $2,599.00 | $125.51 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/8GB/3T Fusion/675MX) | $2,599.00 | n/a | $2,516.18* | n/a | n/a | $82.82 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/8GB/3T Fusion/680MX) | $2,749.00 | n/a | $2,661.68* | n/a | $2,749.00 | $87.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/1T Fusion/675MX) | $2,649.00 | n/a | $2,564.68* | n/a | $2,599.00 | $84.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/1T Fusion/680MX) | $2,799.00 | n/a | $2,710.17* | n/a | $2,699.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/3T Fusion/675MX) | $2,799.00 | n/a | $2,618.99* | n/a | n/a | $180.01 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/3T Fusion/680MX) | $2,949.00 | n/a | $2,812.99* | n/a | $2,949.00 | $136.01 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/786SSD/680MX) | $3,249.00 | n/a | $3,152.49* | n/a | $3,249.00 | $96.51 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/32GB/3T Fusion/680MX) | $3,349.00 | n/a | $3,243.68* | n/a | $3,349.00 | $105.32 | |||
| 27.0" iMac (3.4GHz/16GB/786SSD/680MX) |
$3,449.00 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $3,449.00 | $0.0 | |||
 Mac Pro
|
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| 3.20GHz 4-Core Mac Pro | $2,499.00 | $2,285.98 | $2,285.98 | $2,499.00 | $2,285.98 | $199.12 | |||
| 2.40GHz 12-Core Mac Pro | $3,799.00 | $3,627.99 | sold out | $3,799.00 | $3,529.00 | $270.00 | |||
| 3.20GHz 4-Core Mac Pro Server | $2,999.00 | $2,898.99 | $2,898.99 | $2,999.00 | $2,699.00 | $300.00 | |||
 Apple Displays
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| 27-inch Apple Cinema Display | $999.00 | $978.99 | $978.99 | n/a | $910.00 | $89.00 | |||
| 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt Display | $999.00 | $949.99 | $949.99 | $999.00 | $929.00 | $70.00 | |||
Categories:
On Topic: Current Hardware
- Deals: dozens of new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Retina configs at lowest prices anywhere
- New Mac Pro's radical design draws admiration, criticism via Photoshop
- Teardown of Apple's new 11" MacBook Air finds smaller SSD module, tweaked battery
- Apple's latest AirPort Time Capsule expectedly similar to redesigned AirPort Extreme
- Teardown of Apple's new AirPort Extreme finds enough empty space for a hard drive
Previous Comments View All
i was doing some price comparison and it's cheaper now to get a basic iMac than a Dell
Quote:
Originally Posted by al_bundy 
i was doing some price comparison and it's cheaper now to get a basic iMac than a Dell
i was doing some price comparison and it's cheaper now to get a basic iMac than a Dell
Dell stinks so bad Michael Dell should think about selling the company and retiring.
Quote:
Originally Posted by libertyforall
Well if they got around to adding a Blu-Ray movie playback option, just imagine the success for the home theater applications... It's a bigger bag of hurt waiting for Apple to catch up to the rest of the industry with Blu-Ray.
Well if they got around to adding a Blu-Ray movie playback option, just imagine the success for the home theater applications... It's a bigger bag of hurt waiting for Apple to catch up to the rest of the industry with Blu-Ray.
i cannot wait for apple to add blu ray so i stop reading comments like this
blu ray support in a mac mini server? really??
Hopefully by the time comes to replace the MBP Apple will have a Tablet to do what I need done while traveling and thus can move back to a desktop machine.
Of course it is then a toss up between the Mini and the iMac. That is off in the future but a Mini ought to be looking impressive then. I'd expect Arrandale in the current rev soon which would be a healthy boost. By the time I buy it ought to have four cores.
Dave
Quote:
Originally Posted by Traqqer7777
Dell stinks so bad Michael Dell should sell the company and give the money back to the shareholders.
Dell stinks so bad Michael Dell should sell the company and give the money back to the shareholders.
There, I fixed it for you.
Why isn't it being compared against a Windows Home Server box? That's what most people would use it for anway, and you can pick one of those up on Amazon for $312 including hardware and OS.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021L9HKK/...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
If you're going to have 100 or 1000 users, the mini is going to be underpowered. And if you're going to have 10 users, it's overpriced.
The article is about Mac Mini SERVER primarily, and the pricing guide at the bottom of the article shows NO Mini SERVER pricing. 
I'm not even talking about the Server version (which, of course, doesn't include an optical drie at all); just the plain old Mac mini. Bump it up to a 500 GB HD, add a Blue-Ray drive and an HDMI port in back, and voila.
I understand why they're also keeping the Apple TV around as a lower-priced option, but with standalone Blu-Ray players running as low as $90, the time has come to make the BR move:
http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/...742295853.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyourownthing
i cannot wait for apple to add blu ray so i stop reading comments like this
i cannot wait for apple to add blu ray so i stop reading comments like this
Seriously.
Although then they'll just complain about how long it took. And about the glossy screens that I don't see a problem with at all.
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Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| 11"1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $964.18* | $34.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,206.68* | $42.32 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,400.68* | $48.32 |
| 11" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,691.68* | $57.32 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,352.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,643.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,497.00* | $52.00 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,788.68* | $60.32 |
* price with Promo Code:
APPLEINSIDER01
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| Click for even more configurations | ||
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.00 | $329.00 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.00 | $429.00 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.00 | $529.00 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.00 | $539.99 | $559.00 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.00 | $539.99 | $539.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
Well if they got around to adding a Blu-Ray movie playback option, just imagine the success for the home theater applications... It's a bigger bag of hurt waiting for Apple to catch up to the rest of the industry with Blu-Ray.