WarlordTF's Apple Products Review Page

[WARLORDTF]

The Mac Mini



The first thing you will notice about this machine is firstly, how small it is. Then after opening it, thinking... "So... er... where's my mouse, keyboard etc...". The point is, you don't get them. Simple as. This product was solely aimed at PC [mainly Windows users] to move over to the Apple products. The version I used was the Basic Model, not being rich and all, and plugged all my peripherals - mouse, keyboard, monitor to find that I couldn't plug in my monitor, for want of a Video Adapter XD but Apple sent one though ASAP.

This is the specs. of the Model I was using.

Graphics : Nvidia GeForce 9400M using 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive : 160 GB or 320 GB Serial ATA
Processor : 2.53 GHz (P8700) Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM : 2 GB (two 1 GB) of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
AirPort Extreme: Integrated Broadcom 802.11a/b/g/n
Optical Drive : 8x DVD±R read, 6x DVD±R-DL writes, 8x DVD±R writes, 6x DVD-RW writes, 8x DVD+RW writes, 24x CD read, 24x CD-R and CD-RW recording SuperDrive.
Minimum OS Required: Mac OS X v10.6.1
Weight : 2.9 pounds / 1.32 kg
Dimensions : 2 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches / 50.8 x 165.1 x 165.1 mm
Costs: $599.99 (US Dollar)

The machine is surprisingly versatile, I tried to run a few simple games [C&C and the such] and it hardly struggled with the graphics processing, making gameplay good if somewhat jumpy occasionally.This is mostly down to the fact that within the latest batch of Mac Mini’s you will find the same Nvidia 9400M graphics chip that have featured in many of the aluminium Macbook Pros.

In addition to gaming, the Mac Mini boasts the capability of full 1080p violin playback, which when it was released was a new feature, has become a little more commonplace of late.
Also, if you do not have any speakers to hand, or headphones don't fret! As the Mac Mini has built in speakers - which, admittedly, sound like they should be stuck underneath a laptop with their tinny sound, but hey you don't have any ugly wires ruining the seamless look of the Mac Mini, so hey you choose between style or quality

Now when it comes to looks, this baby can't be beaten easily. It is not marred by ugly and unsightly USB ports everywhere everything you need is neatly tuck in at the back - look.



From left to right, first row: Power Button, 10 ventilator holes, Kensington lock, audio in, audio out. Second row: DC in, Gigabit Ethernet, Firewire 800, mini DVI, mini-DisplayPort, 5 USB 2.0 Ports

and if one doesn't fancy wires from a keyboard and mouse the Mac Mini is bluetooth enabled, which means you can connect your wireless keyboard and "magic" mouse. The Keyboard, which you can buy for £25 feature some more handy USB ports.
Using the Bluetooth you can also connect a slot leading 'superdrive' (DVD writer) which, like most of the Mac Mini is very discreet.

In terms of connectivity, at the back of the machine there are 5 USB and 1 FireWire 800 port as well as the typical audio-out and microphone-in ports and an ethernet connection. The video output connection is Mini DisplayPort. This is where I ran into trouble with the adapters as I have a VGA monitor. However, thanks to some fantastic customer service from at Apple, I was sent the correct adapter free of charge.

The only annoying thing that I know, it makes no noise, and apart from a little white light at the front you wouldn't even know it was on. Then again, some people would prefer that...
Apple also boasts that the Mac Mini is the most environmentally friends and energy efficient desktop computer in the world.

So, if you are a dissatisfied Windows user wishing to try the waters of Apple, this is the one for you. It does pretty much everything basic users need, If you require it for more than IM, email, basic tasks, etc... then this isn't for you.