Apple Releases Updated Mac Mini

[btarunr]

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.



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[DanishDevil]

They put the SD card reader in the back? :shadedshu

 

[AlienIsGOD]

That is easily the dumbest place to put a card reader....Epic Fail!!!!!

 

[mdm-adph]

Nice to see Apple finally acknowledge that HDMI exists.

Maybe we'll get Blu-ray in a few years, too.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Nice to see Apple finally acknowledge that HDMI exists.

Maybe we'll get Blu-ray in a few years, too.

They will prolly stick the Blu Ray Drive in the back too.......

 

[Delta6326]

they will probably stick the blue ray drive facing the bottom so you have to lift it up

 

[newtekie1]

That is easily the dumbest place to put a card reader....Epic Fail!!!!!

Screw the SD Slot, they put all the USB ports in the back...

they will probably stick the blue ray drive facing the bottom so you have to lift it up

The $1000 version doesn't even have an optical drive...:shadedshu

 

[DanishDevil]

USB ports in the back doesn't really matter since their keyboards and monitors usually have USB ports.

 

[wahdangun]

wow, is SJ have time machine and grab the 2006 hardware for macmini or this is the outcome after SJ sacrifice the foxcon worker

wew, if this aimed for HTPC at least give it blue-ray player.

 

[newtekie1]

USB ports in the back doesn't really matter since their keyboards and monitors usually have USB ports.

Yeah...but it doesn't come with either of those...

And I'm hardly going to pay $900 for a monitor to go with my $700 computer, seriously $900 is the cheapest Apple monitor right now. Granted, most Apple users priorities are so screwed up, that pairing a $900 monitor with a $700 computer probably doesn't sound all that wrong...

And while I think the Apple keyboards are very nice, I actually love the one that came with my iMac, I don't think I'd spend $50 on one, not when I can get a decent Wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo for $30. And lets face it, I'd be buying a Mac Mini to save money, so buying overpriced accessories wouldn't work.

 

[TIGR]

I believe it's important to treat my competitors with due respect. Thus:

The price isn't too bad for the performance *cough* you get.... *coughing some more* It is worth paying for the stylish *punches self in face* design.

To ... each ... *coughing* ... his *gasping and biting tongue VERY HARD* ... own.... *keels over and passes out, overwhelmed by difficulty in restraining self*

 

[Frick]

I believe it's important to treat my competitors with due respect. Thus:

The price isn't too bad for the performance *cough* you get.... *coughing some more* It is worth paying for the stylish *punches self in face* design.

To ... each ... *coughing* ... his *gasping and biting tongue VERY HARD* ... own.... *keels over and passes out, overwhelmed by difficulty in restraining self*

Now you're just being silly. I really like the look and feel of the Mini, and this new design is an improvement. I'm VERY far of being a fan of Macs, but these machines have their place in the world imo.

Do you realize how small that thing is? The old Mini was the same size of a big bible, this is even smaller. If you like clean spaces on your desk this is a sweet solution.

 

[TIGR]

Do you realize how small that thing is? The old Mini was the same size of a big bible, this is even smaller. If you like clean spaces on your desk this is a sweet solution.

As a regular at the Apple Store, I actually do (headed there in a little bit here, as a matter of fact). I like to drop in and see their latest stuff because there are some very well-thought-out Mac products. Having taken apart a few Mac Pros as well as Minis, I have great respect for the work that has gone into their design.

But considering what you pay for that beautiful design, and what you actually get out of it ... I don't think it's silly at all to consider it a bit ridiculous. But if a clean desk is your highest priority, well like I said: to each his own.

 

[thebeephaha]

Screw the SD Slot, they put all the USB ports in the back...



The $1000 version doesn't even have an optical drive...:shadedshu

But it has DUAL hard drives.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

they kitted it up with a C2D.

surely a low end i5 or high end i3 would have been more suitable??? or would it create too much heat??

.:EDIT:.

oh yeah, its a mac - of course it wouldnt have i3/i5 support yet. - my bad

 

[Completely Bonkers]

I like it. For a second PC in the house, or as an office desktop, it takes up pretty much no space.

Key questions: Can you put it on a valuable antique, or does it get too hot?
How quiet is it? I'm sure it isnt passive, but knowing the noise level is important. After all, my SONY Atom netbook sounds like a hairdryer, it's awful.
Can I plug this out-of-the-box into an existing DVI monitor or am I going to have to buy some expensive cable accessories?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Can I plug this out-of-the-box into an existing DVI monitor or am I going to have to buy some expensive cable accessories?

do you see a DVi port anywhere here??

 

[zAAm]

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/10-06-15/60b.jpg

do you see a DVi port anywhere here??

At least monitors with HDMI are a lot more common than that god-forsaken DisplayPort :shadedshu .

 

[newtekie1]

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/10-06-15/60b.jpg

do you see a DVi port anywhere here??

The HDMI port can converted to a DVI port, and surprsingly apple actually included this adapter for free.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

At least monitors with HDMI are a lot more common than that god-forsaken DisplayPort :shadedshu .

I know of a fair few HP monitors that have displayport - My NEC monitor has it too but I cant afford to splash out for the cable just yet. so you probably havent been looking hard enough

 

[zAAm]

I know of a fair few HP monitors that have displayport - My NEC monitor has it too but I cant afford to splash out for the cable just yet. so you probably havent been looking hard enough

I guess it's a different story in the UK... I can probably count the number of DisplayPort monitors I've come across here in SA on one hand.

 

[aj28]

They put the SD card reader in the back? :shadedshu

I'd imagine it's part of the motherboard I/O, or at least a single I/O backplate. For a computer that's meant to be placed on a desk and, let's face it, is easy enough to reach behind, it's not a terrible flaw. Front I/O plates are just another point of failure, and take up space they can't afford to waste in a package that small.

The $1000 version doesn't even have an optical drive...:shadedshu

Well, the $1000 version (which is most accurately a different product entirely) is built to be a file/multimedia server. A lot of file servers don't have optical drives. That and it makes room for a second hard drive. Not that I'm getting one, but if I was, for the intended purpose, I wouldn't be all that bent out of shape about it.

I guess to summarize both of the points... I see this as being aimed at where we'll hopefully be in another 5 years or so, meaning the majority of content streams over the air, and physical I/O becomes somewhat of a non-factor.

Again, I'd never buy one of these things, much less for $700, but it has merit, and I don't see the need to nitpick at stuff that, to the right person, has a purpose.

 

[TheMailMan78]

I'd imagine it's part of the motherboard I/O, or at least a single I/O backplate. For a computer that's meant to be placed on a desk and, let's face it, is easy enough to reach behind, it's not a terrible flaw. Front I/O plates are just another point of failure, and take up space they can't afford to waste in a package that small.



Well, the $1000 version (which is most accurately a different product entirely) is built to be a file/multimedia server. A lot of file servers don't have optical drives. That and it makes room for a second hard drive. Not that I'm getting one, but if I was, for the intended purpose, I wouldn't be all that bent out of shape about it.

I guess to summarize both of the points... I see this as being aimed at where we'll hopefully be in another 5 years or so, meaning the majority of content streams over the air, and physical I/O becomes somewhat of a non-factor.

Again, I'd never buy one of these things, much less for $700, but it has merit, and I don't see the need to nitpick at stuff that, to the right person, has a purpose.

I do not care how you justify it. The new iMac is a fail.

 

[OneCool]

Wouldnt it be better to spend the money on a laptop that has a screen?

I mean their using laptop parts to make the damn thing any way.....might as well



And what the hell is a "slot-in DVD-writer" ... ?

 

[DannibusX]

Hmmm. Mount that in the dash instead of a stereo, mount a flip down monitor, get a wireless keyboard and mouse. My dream of playing Half Life 2 while stuck in a traffic jam is a little more complete.

Edit:

FAIL. Power button is in the back.