h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.apple.com/uk/macmini/

Researcher PSG

Sure it may be £350 (or $500 for the US), but if you want a decent spec and a monitor you're forking out nearer £800. It's a vast improvement on making a cost effective mac but there's still room for more. I'm still tempted to get one for the 'rents tho.

As you say, without monitor, mouse and keyboard, it's not really all that cheap. I'd still think of getting one though. I haven't used a Mac since about 1996 in school, so I'd like to give one a go to see what they are like now. Plus, I've a spare monitor and keyboard kicking around anyway just taking up space.

True, but if you're upgrading then the chances are you've already got a keyboard, mouse and screen - so you just live with those until you can afford something better (and it works with PC monitors and keyboards)

The thing that struck me yesterday is they've either buggered up their pricing or they're taking the mickey...
I checked out the prices for a system yesterday...

US Prices - starting from $499 / £263
UK Prices - starting from $??? / £339
FR Prices - starting from €499 / £349

That's one hell of a difference - and considering the thing only weighs a couple of kg it'll be a lot cheaper to have it shipped from the states than buy it here.

It'll only work with PC keyboards if and only if the keyboard/mouse is USB. As the majority of PC keyboards are still PS2 you'd need a PS2->USB adaptor to use it. Same also applies to mice although USB mice are slightly more common.

You have to remember that the US price does not include VAT (which you would be charged on import), whereas the UK one does. Whilst that does not make the entire difference (ex VAT it's £288.5) - it's much closer, the rest is the usual currency market.. blah, blah.. US always cheaper.. blah, blah.

I thought Sales Tax in the US was around 5%... (Correct me If I'm wrong though) That would put the US purchase price up to approx. £275 plus shipping - as opposed to 340/350 in Europe.

Just had a look at their terms and conditions out of interest though... You can only buy from the US site with a US credit card and US address, they won't ship overseas and they actually state that if you are in the states and buy something you aren't allowed to send it overseas afterwards... - Just how they enforce the last one I don't know - maybe MACS sold in the US self-destruct on smelling garlic or something

I have a suspicion about the Mac mini, I think it is a way of getting people into the online / Apple stores and over the misconception that Macs are expensive. That has always been Apple's problem, years ago they were prohibitively expensive and they continue to suffer from a misconception that they still are.

An Interweb friend of mine specc'd one out and decided at the end of it, it would be easier and only a bit more expensive just to get an iMac.

Yes, sales tax is usually around the 5% mark - but they always quote a price without it, whereas in this country you have to quote inc. VAT, unless you're not selling retail IIRC - my main point is that you have to compare like with like, not an ex US price and an inc EU price. Sales tax would not be added if you get it delivered outside the originating state (although as you pointed out they won't do that anyway).

Re exporting from US. There are some rules that they have to state (no Apple's fault). When the G4 chip was first announced they made a big joke about it being so powerful that it fell under the US classification of a super-computer therefore could not be exported. This is why when you by from Apple it'll be shipped directly from Asia. Of course, people still do order things from the US and they're not usually blocked, but being charged import duty be HM Customs & Excise is getting far more common. However, you should be aware that you will not be able to get any warentee or servicing in this country. AFAIK authorised resellers in this country aren't allowed to touch these 'grey' imports.

I like you self-destruct idea though : )

If you are importing into the uk you'll have to pay UK import tax (currently running at around 25%) and possibly also UK VAT. You can get around this by getting the seller to write 'sample' or 'gift' on the box but then you aren't insured if you pooter has a little accident.

Not that I've been looking into importing my wedding dress from th US or anything, but when the number of dollars is less than the number of pounds for the exact same dress it is certainly very tempting...

Alternatively wait until a friend happens to be travelling from the US to the UK and ask them to stuff the thing in their hand luggage