Yep, and some of us actively DISLIKE the AR-15 types and their imitators. I'm one of that group, and Mini-14s probably owe some of their appeal to such as me just for that reason.
I handled one of the new "Target" Mini-14s just last weekend. To my mind, it deprives the Mini of its essential practicality, being heavy and awkward compared to the original concept. It may well be very accurate, but if I'm going to haul that much weight, I already have plenty of good rifles at similar poundage which are probably more accurate.
The same criticism applies to most of the AR-15 types. As originally conceived, they were LIGHT highly-portable almost-carbines. The first M-16s, whatever their failings, were indeed light and handy. Compared to them, the existing A2s etc are clubs, handling-wise, and fragile clubs at that. In the unlikely event that I ever own an AR-15-type rifle, it will be configured to match the early M-16s as closely as possible. The M4 types lose too much in ballistic performance for my taste.
I once owned an original 7.62 NATO AR-10, Netherlands-built for the Sudanese contract, and it was MUCH lighter than most current AR-15s. It was under seven pounds as-issued, and handled like lightning. I still preferred the M-14, though....we lived in Canada at the time and could buy original US-made M-14s for peanuts ($190 for my last one, TRW-built and excellent condition).
...just another comment from the geriatric sector!