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Apple Mac Mini

Updated after a year and a half of uncertainty, the Mac Mini remains Apple's cheapest and smallest Macintosh computer. Created for those with limited space, budgets or the desire to use their own monitors and keyboards, the Mac Mini contains a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1 or 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 120 or 320GB storage drive, an 8x DVD burner, and upgraded Nvidia graphics. A small but crucial update to the model, the bump in speed and addition of Nvidia graphics will allow the device to function properly with any graphical updates added to the highly anticipated OSX Snow Leopard operating system.

Where to Buy

Apple Mac Mini
MSRP $599.00
Release date March, 2009
Brand Apple
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Pros & Cons14
Reviews7
Details
Buy It4
Competitors7
Comments1
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
6 reviews
75
negative
mixed
positive
4 positive
1 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
fairly capable hardware - suitable for the majority of consumers
+5agreedisagree

•
runs OSX (and any other operating system if required)
+5agreedisagree

•
extremely compact size and shape
+4agreedisagree

•
the most affordable Mac
+4agreedisagree

•
improved Nvidia graphics are 5x faster than the old and poor Intel GMA - now compatible with potential Snow Leopard improvements
+4agreedisagree

•
idles at only 14W
+4agreedisagree

•
improved port selection - 5 USB 2.0, Firewire 800, mini DisplayPort & DVI
+4agreedisagree

•
Whisper-quiet; you can hardly tell its on
+4agreedisagree

•
DVI biult in, so connects directly to most monitors
+3agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
$200 premium for 200GB of disk space and extra GB of memory is robbery
+4agreedisagree

•
1GB model contains too little RAM
+2agreedisagree

•
requires investment into any required computer peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, webcam etc...)
0agreedisagree

•
requires adapters to be used with the vast majority of desktop displays
0agreedisagree

•
designed intentionally to be difficult to upgrade
0agreedisagree


6 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • CPU & RAM: 2.0Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 or 2GB DDR2 memory
  • Display: No included display, powered by the Nvidia 9400M graphics chip (5x faster than the previous Intel GMA chip used)
  • Optical: 8x DVD writer
  • Network connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet
  • Storage: 120 or 320GB HDD
  • Ports & Expansion: 1 x Firewire 800, 5 x USB 2.0, 1 x mini DVI, 1 x mini DisplayPort, 1 x audio out, 1 x audio in, security cable lock slot
  • uses 40% less power than the previous generation (13W at idle)

Models (only differences are highlighted)

  • 2.0 GHz : 120 GB - $599, 1GB of memory, 120GB HDD
  • 2.0 GHz : 320 GB - $799, 2GB of memory, 320GB HDD

 

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This report was started September 22, 2008 at 3:43 pm by Yale
with the last edit occurring Yesterday, 1:38 AM by Derek Ng
This page has been viewed 490 times, with 98 edits by 6 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Apple Mac Mini

• Apple Mac mini MB463LL/A Desktop

UPC: 885909222339

EAN: 885909222339

MPN: MB463LL/A

Competitors

Apple Mac Mini is ranked 1st among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Desktops »
Dell Inspiron Zino HD

Dell Inspiron Zino HD

MSRP  $299.99    Released  November, 2009
Pros
  • compact size, lightweight
  • can be configured to include dual core processors
  • AMD processors - a refreshing alternative to Atom
Cons
  • basic configuration comes with Vista
  • basic configuration does not come with WiFi standard
  • no remote control like that found on the Mac Mini - difficult to use as an HTPC
ProSCORE
1 review
75
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini   vs. vote Dell Inspiron Zino HD  
Asus EeeBox PC EB1501

Asus EeeBox PC EB1501

MSRP  $599.99    Released  October, 2009
Pros
  • compact and lightweight
  • ION chipset - enhanced Nvidia graphics are vastly superior to the extremely old Intel GMA supplied with most nettops
  • comes with Windows 7 - much better than XP, not slower
  • superior power to most nettops, dual core Atom processor, ample RAM and drive space
  • HDMI output
Cons
  • high price
ProSCORE
1 review
91
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini   vs. vote Asus EeeBox PC EB1501  
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q110

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q110

MSRP  $349.00    Released  October, 2009
Pros
  • affordable price
  • compact size
  • energy efficient - a mere 14w at ilde, 40w at full load
  • Nvidia ION graphics - DirectX 10 capable, media acceleration
Cons
  • cheap glossy plastic enclosure and stand
  • Intel Atom processor provides limited computional power - poor for gamers and power users
ProSCORE
1 review
80
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini   vs. vote Lenovo IdeaCentre Q110  
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700

MSRP  $549.99    Released  August, 2009
Pros
  • extremely compact - can fit anywhere
  • powerful for its size - dual core CPU, ample RAM and drive space
  • affordable price
Cons
  • no upgradable option for Blu-ray
  • not customizable
  • Intel GMA graphics and less than ideal processor means full 1080p HD media may not work
ProSCORE
1 review
67
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini   vs. vote Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700  
HP Pavilion Slimline S3720F

HP Pavilion Slimline S3720F

MSRP  $530.00    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • built in WiFi
  • onboard Nvidia graphics - superior to the more common Intel offerings
  • powerful enough for the majority of consumers
Cons
  • slow Intel Pentium dual core, based on an outdated architecture
  • takes the fun out of building your own
  • a better machine can be constructed for the price
ProSCORE
1 review
57
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini   vs. vote HP Pavilion Slimline S3720F  
Acer Aspire X1700

Acer Aspire X1700

MSRP  $479.99    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • sleek and compact enclosure
  • HDMI and eSATA ports
  • fairly capable onboard video (compared to Intel GMA)
Cons
  • somewhat overpriced for what it is
  • old Intel processor
ProSCORE
1 review
60
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini 100% vs. vote Acer Aspire X1700 0%
Dell Studio Hybrid PC

Dell Studio Hybrid PC

MSRP  --    Released  July, 2008
Pros
  • stylish, customizable appearance
  • large number of digital outputs
  • competitively priced and outfitted compared to aging competition
Cons
  • poor price:performance ratio, an Atom can do most of what is required of such a small PC
  • not easily upgradeable once purchased
  • Uses the slow and aging Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
ProSCORE
2 reviews
42
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Apple Mac Mini 100% vs. vote Dell Studio Hybrid PC 0%

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Comments

1.  avatar Howlsthunder said:

The Mac Mini was also designed & marketed with "switchers" (people switching from PC to Mac) and basic upgraders in mind, people who already own(ed) a computer and just want a new CPU, not all the attachments. In this way its a pretty good deal for getting a new Mac, if you figure the value of the experience of computing through Mac OS X into the equation, which is the main reason anyone uses a Mac - not price.

My family pitched in and got my aunt a Mac Mini to replace her 9 year old PC. Sure, the Mini is pretty low-end but my aunt can't tell. She loves its tiny form factor and its silence since she lives in a tiny house. She pretty much uses it daily for e-mail, instant messaging, geneology, and managing her music collection, including digitally copying her LP collection to CD using GarageBand (one of the iLife apps that comes packaged with a new Mac). Barring spontaneous computer death, she probably won't need an upgrade for another 5 or 6 years. If I weren't a power user, I would probably have one or two of these myself.

Apr 17, 2009 7:49pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Yale

avatar
March 5, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
58
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
5 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • fairly capable hardware - suitable for the majority of consumers
  • runs OSX (and any other operating system if required)
  • extremely compact size and shape
  • the most affordable Mac
  • improved Nvidia graphics are 5x faster than the old and poor Intel GMA - now compatible with potential Snow Leopard improvements
  • idles at only 14W
  • improved port selection - 5 USB 2.0, Firewire 800, mini DisplayPort & DVI

Cons

  • $200 premium for 200GB of disk space and extra GB of memory is robbery
  • 1GB model contains too little RAM
  • requires investment into any required computer peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, webcam etc...)
  • requires adapters to be used with the vast majority of desktop displays
  • designed intentionally to be difficult to upgrade

Competitors

Yale prefers Apple Mac Mini over Dell Studio Hybrid PC, Acer Aspire X1700
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Howlsthunder

avatar
April 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
78
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
2 cons
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • fairly capable hardware - suitable for the majority of consumers
  • runs OSX (and any other operating system if required)
  • extremely compact size and shape
  • the most affordable Mac
  • idles at only 14W
  • improved port selection - 5 USB 2.0, Firewire 800, mini DisplayPort & DVI
  • Whisper-quiet; you can hardly tell its on

Cons

  • $200 premium for 200GB of disk space and extra GB of memory is robbery
  • requires adapters to be used with the vast majority of desktop displays

Comments

"

The Mac Mini was also designed & marketed with "switchers" (people switching from PC to Mac) and basic upgraders in mind, people who already own(ed) a computer and just want a new CPU, not all the attachments. In this way its a pretty good deal for getting a new Mac, if you figure the value of the experience of computing through Mac OS X into the equation, which is the main reason anyone uses a Mac - not price.

My family pitched in and got my aunt a Mac Mini to replace her 9 year old PC. Sure, the Mini is pretty low-end but my aunt can't tell. She loves its tiny form factor and its silence since she lives in a tiny house. She pretty much uses it daily for e-mail, instant messaging, geneology, and managing her music collection, including digitally copying her LP collection to CD using GarageBand (one of the iLife apps that comes packaged with a new Mac). Barring spontaneous computer death, she probably won't need an upgrade for another 5 or 6 years. If I weren't a power user, I would probably have one or two of these myself.

"

Competitors

Howlsthunder prefers Apple Mac Mini over Dell Studio Hybrid PC, Acer Aspire X1700
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
April 19, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • fairly capable hardware - suitable for the majority of consumers
  • runs OSX (and any other operating system if required)
  • extremely compact size and shape
  • the most affordable Mac
  • improved Nvidia graphics are 5x faster than the old and poor Intel GMA - now compatible with potential Snow Leopard improvements
  • idles at only 14W
  • improved port selection - 5 USB 2.0, Firewire 800, mini DisplayPort & DVI
  • Whisper-quiet; you can hardly tell its on
  • DVI biult in, so connects directly to most monitors

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

fractalhorizon prefers Apple Mac Mini over Acer Aspire X1700, Dell Studio Hybrid PC
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Henk Poley

avatar
May 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
88
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
1 con
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • fairly capable hardware - suitable for the majority of consumers
  • runs OSX (and any other operating system if required)
  • extremely compact size and shape
  • the most affordable Mac
  • improved Nvidia graphics are 5x faster than the old and poor Intel GMA - now compatible with potential Snow Leopard improvements
  • idles at only 14W
  • improved port selection - 5 USB 2.0, Firewire 800, mini DisplayPort & DVI

Cons

  • $200 premium for 200GB of disk space and extra GB of memory is robbery

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Robb Lincoln

avatar
September 24, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
86
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
1 con
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • fairly capable hardware - suitable for the majority of consumers
  • runs OSX (and any other operating system if required)
  • extremely compact size and shape
  • the most affordable Mac
  • idles at only 14W
  • improved port selection - 5 USB 2.0, Firewire 800, mini DisplayPort & DVI

Cons

  • 1GB model contains too little RAM

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Derek Ng

avatar
Yesterday, 1:38 AM
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
33
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
4 cons

Pros

  • Whisper-quiet; you can hardly tell its on
  • DVI biult in, so connects directly to most monitors

Cons

  • $200 premium for 200GB of disk space and extra GB of memory is robbery
  • 1GB model contains too little RAM
  • requires investment into any required computer peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, webcam etc...)
  • designed intentionally to be difficult to upgrade

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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