Tuesday, June 15th 2010
Apple Releases Updated Mac Mini
Apple released the latest version of its Mac mini desktop. Mac mini serves as an entry-level product to let consumers into the world of the Mac. Connected to any HDMI display, USB keyboard and mouse, the user is good to go. Its new specifications include Core 2 Duo CPU running at 2.40 GHz, 2 GB of memory, NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics, 320 GB hard drive, slot-in DVD-writer, and connectivity which includes FireWire 800, USB 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n wireless network, and Bluetooth 2.1 EDR. It comes with Apple OSX Snow Leopard and iLife pre-installed. The new Mac Mini goes for US $699. A higher variant which goes for $999 includes OSX Snow Leopard Server, 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB of memory, and 500 GB hard drive.
42 Comments on Apple Releases Updated Mac Mini
Only 1TB of Space with RAID0 or 500GB in RAID1? That is pathetic.
No good file server would use RAID0, and no good multimedia server would have less then 1TB of space, and even 1TB is pretty pathetic. My "media" alone is over 1.25TB, and most of it is SD content I have almost no HD content, and that isn't including my other files on the server. This thing fails pretty hard as a file/multimedia server.
No, but I can't stand Tn film panels, so for a $900 budget for a media/internet computer, I spent the most on the screen. No it isn't. It's an all-in-one with an IPS panel. Find me another all-in-one with an IPS panel for that price.
Besides, this isn't about the iMac, it about the mini. ;)
As far as the base mini is concerned, find me a PC with the same size and processing power for less. Would only be good with eSATA and an external cage, which pretty much defeats the purpose of buying a mini file server. Yeah, the $1000 model is pretty fail.
Base model would make a great HTPC tho. It would fit on it's side in the minuscule space between DirecTV box and my Onkyo in the entertainment stand.
Why must it be good or have SD slot in front. What matters is that it has an Apple logo and it sell's :)
In a 20cm x 20cm box: AMD X2 6850E 1.8GHz 512k, 8GB RAM, Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit, 1TB HDD, ATI Radeon™ HD 4330 512MB, BluRay, Wireless Keyboard & Mouse, Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g). With 4 USB, 2 eSATA, HDMI, and 4-in-1 card reader.
..for £588.99 = $870 US
PS. I would like a mini, but for the price.
Close, but the savings make it worth it for a less power. The core 2 duo is what makes the mac nice. The price does not.
I mean, you can look at the ASUS K42 series laptops, and for $700 you get just as powerful of a processor, a marginally weaker video card(but still capable of pretty much everything the 320M is), but 4GB of RAM, a built in screen, a webcam, the portability of a laptop, double the warranty, and 1 year accidental damage protection.
Manufacturing costs are WAY lower as well as the item looking more elegant when the case has no switchgear, only the backplate I/O panel. I'm OK with that... high price, low cost, great style; APPLE (TM). That's how it goes. Less is more. Not for everyone, but then again, neither is a Mac per se, neither is an iPhone, etc. :pimp:
To a Mac person, form is greater than function, so paying the same(or more) for less is ok as long as it looks better.