Yep, I want a Mac. Although I’m not going to cry like a baby until I get one. But my computer has really been doing my head in recently, for example:

• I’ve been trying to convert a few videos to an iPod compatible format, I wrongly assumed that this would be simple. The files are in MPEG-2 format, and I want them in mp4 (I think that’s it), but no matter what software I use it just won’t happen. “SUPER” video converter just doesn’t like vista. VLC creates the file, but nothing will read it. iTunes, no chance. It seems something which I thought would literally be a task of opening file, choosing format, clicking convert, seems to be impossible. Now, it may not be easy on a Mac, but it can’t be this difficult can it?
• iTunes. One of the best pieces of software, but yet again it doesn’t seem to like Vista, scrolling is like you would expect from an old PC with integrated graphics, and it is generally laggy.

Plus there are other reasons, so I’ve decided that I’m buying an Apple PC. It’ll be between a Mac Mini (would make be nice with a big TV screen … need the TV), or a MacBook (would be nice for general portability).

Also my new iPod Touch hasn’t been shipped yet, which it shouldn’t have been, but I’m getting a tad impatient!

Update: I’ve found something which works for ripping DVD’s, Magic DVD Ripper. Has an iPod mode, just need to change the resolution for iPod Touch. Excellent.

An Apple PC is something I’d really like to get, it’s just the prices putting me off, £399 for the most basic Mac Mini. Which is great and small, but I don’t necessarily want all that smallness, since it means having to upgrade the RAM (And avoid Apple’s ridiculous prices on it) would require me fiddling in places not necessarily meant to be fiddeled in.

The Mac Pro on the other hand, is a large machine, very powerful, and expensive. But most importantly big & upgradeable, like a PC.

Which brings me to my point. Why not make a low-end Mac Pro, identical specs to the Mac Mini, but a lot cheaper. To me this makes sense, as surely production cost’s would be lowered since Apple wouldn’t be so limited to space, and the end user would be at an advantage as they would have a nice upgradeable machine.

I’ve just looked at the parts required for a system with similar specs to the Mac Mini and the total price comes to about £230 without a case, bearing in mind thats just me looking at eBuyer, not taking into account the discounts apple are bound to get through volume purchasing. Admittedly that doesn’t look at the exact hardware they would use, but it must be an approximation.

If they released something like this, I would definately be considering buying it, since it still offers the upgradeability, without spending too much money.