As you probably know already, the iMac is my favorite Apple computer. On the other hand, the Mac Mini is "the thing that should not be," at least in my opinion. A lot of money for, basically, nothing, that's what I think about it, and nobody's going to change my thoughts about the little computer-in-a-box. Anyway, let's leave my opinion aside and see what's new with the Mac Mini, shall we?
Advertised as "world's most energy efficient desktop computer," the new Mac Mini comes in two versions, both offering "up to five times better graphics performance" when compared to the old Mac Minis, thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, currently used in the latest family of unibody MacBooks.
These being said, let's start with the new 2.0 GHz Mac Mini, coming for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), and including the following:
- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 1GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
- 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW); separately);
- Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
- five USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port; and
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.
At last, we have another new 2.0 GHz Mac Mini, priced at $799 (US), and packing the goodies below:
- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
- Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
- five USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port; and
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.
Well, this is it! They didn't take out FireWire, the processor used is pretty powerful, and the integrated graphics ain't that bad, either. Still, I would only use a Mac Mini if I wouldn't have to pay for it... :)