Tuesday, June 15th 2010

Apple Releases Updated Mac Mini

by
btarunr
 Discuss (42 Comments)
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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42 Comments on Apple Releases Updated Mac Mini

#26
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
aj28Well, 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.
As a File/Multimedia server, it sucks even harder...:laugh:

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.
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#27
Unregistered
DannibusXHmmm. 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.
why don't u AMD mini-ITX, I have build the system using that in MOTORCYCLE, its quit simple you know
#28
Delta6326
wahdangunwhy don't u AMD mini-ITX, I have build the system using that in MOTORCYCLE, its quit simple you know
pic's or it didn't happen and that sound like a fun mod!
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#29
Wile E
Power User
newtekie1Yeah...but it doesn't come with either of those...:laugh:

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...:laugh:

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.
I have a $600 HP monitor on a $300 AMD build. :D But I also own an iMac, so I guess I qualify as a nutter. lol.

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.
TheMailMan78I do not care how you justify it. The new iMac is a fail.

farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/3655880842_90e04e06f1.jpg
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.
newtekie1As a File/Multimedia server, it sucks even harder...:laugh:

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.
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.
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#30
pr0n Inspector
newtekie1Yeah...but it doesn't come with either of those...:laugh:

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...:laugh:

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.
Screwed up priorities? You mean like instead of paying for good monitors, good keyboards, good mice, good headphones, good sound cards(you know, things that you actually interact with), users should pay for puke green neon lights, painted case internals, chrome plated coolers and LED fans?
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#31
Frick
Fishfaced Nincompoop
OneCoolAnd what the hell is a "slot-in DVD-writer" ... ?
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#32
caleb
Gonna be lookin freakin good on filthy rich desks.

Why must it be good or have SD slot in front. What matters is that it has an Apple logo and it sell's :)
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#34
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Wile EI have a $600 HP monitor on a $300 AMD build. :D But I also own an iMac, so I guess I qualify as a nutter. lol.

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.
Personal preferences for a good screen aside, most "normal" people aren't going to want to spend more for the monitor than they do for the actual computer.
Wile EWould 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.
I pretty much agree. The USB ports on the back are pretty much the only complaint I have about it, other than that(and the ridiculous $700 base price tag), I thing it is actually a pretty cool computer. It would fit perfectly in my entertainment center, with a wireless keyboard/mouse with the reciever plugged in the back. I really do wish there was just one USB port on the front though, but I also understand it would disrupt the look of the smooth front.
pr0n InspectorScrewed up priorities? You mean like instead of paying for good monitors, good keyboards, good mice, good headphones, good sound cards(you know, things that you actually interact with), users should pay for puke green neon lights, painted case internals, chrome plated coolers and LED fans?
I didn't say PC enthusiasts don't have some screwed up priorities either. Of course, I don't do anything of the things you listed though, so I don't see what that has to do with my comment.
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#35
robn
Wile EAs far as the base mini is concerned, find me a PC with the same size and processing power for less.
Uh, well actually Dell sell Inspiron Zino HDs that kinda eclipse the mini's spec.

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.
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#38
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
azzonieBarebone, Barebone Computers, Barebone Kits, Bareb...

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.
And really for a very close price, maybe slighly more, you can get a full blown laptop with all the awesome portability that comes with it, and it would work just as well in any mac mini application also.

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.
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#39
Completely Bonkers
DannibusXFAIL. Power button is in the back.
Why? Set it up to hibernate with USB (keyboard) wake.

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:
Posted on Reply
#40
Wile E
Power User
robnUh, well actually Dell sell Inspiron Zino HDs that kinda eclipse the mini's spec.

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.
More expensive, less powerful and twice the size.
azzonieBarebone, Barebone Computers, Barebone Kits, Bareb...

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.
To whom? Certainly not me.
newtekie1And really for a very close price, maybe slighly more, you can get a full blown laptop with all the awesome portability that comes with it, and it would work just as well in any mac mini application also.

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.
People looking for a mini system are most likely specifically not looking for a laptop. Apples to oranges.
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#41
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Wile EPeople looking for a mini system are most likely specifically not looking for a laptop. Apples to oranges.
No, to a PC person it is apple to apples, as they will both fill the same function.

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.
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#42
Wile E
Power User
newtekie1No, to a PC person it is apple to apples, as they will both fill the same function.

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.
I disagree. People looking to buy mini systems are specifically looking to NOT buy a laptop. That includes people buying non-Apple mini PCs. It's it's own niche.
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