First impressions
What sets the Mac mini apart from every other computer is its size. Its dimensions are remarkable at just 5 cm (2 inches) high and 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) square. Compared to the bulky horizontal cases and towers of so many similarly priced machines, the Mac mini is in a class of its own.
Of course, this isn’t the full story. Still, on size alone, the Mac mini offers a space-saving opportunity for PC owners to switch to a Mac and retain their existing monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals. Thanks to a Belkin KVM switch, it’s possible to maintain your PC, put a Mac mini nearby, and change from one to the other without rearranging your desk.
Technical specs and performance
On the technical side, the latest Mac mini models are also well worth a look. They now have Intel Core 2 Duo processors of either 1.83GHz or 2GHz. These processors are from Intel’s 65-nanometre family with 64-bit architecture. To complement them, Apple has added 2MB of L2 cache for the 1.83GHz Mac mini and 4MB for the 2GHz model, together with a 128-bit SSE3 vector engine on both.
The result of this technology is interesting, to say the least: the new Mac mini is up to 39% faster than the previous model. This jump in speed varies according to your application – the 39% figure refers to Apple’s Photo ’08 – but there are many examples of improvements with other software. For instance, overall speeds using Apple’s web browser, Safari, are up by 26%; compressing a film with the 2.0GHz Mac mini has accelerated by 35% compared to the old equivalent machine.
For memory, the 1.83GHz and 2GHz Mac minis have 1GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM on two SO-DIMMs as standard. 1GB of RAM is a respectable amount, but you can double it if you want more capacity.
Standard storage for the 1.83GHz Mac mini is an 80GB 5,400 rpm Serial ATA hard disc drive. The 2GHz version has a more spacious 120GB. Apple offers a chance to improve both of these with a 120GB drive for the 1.83GHz Mac mini and 160GB for the 2GHz.
The Mac mini has an integrated processor for graphics, so you’ll have to accept it. However, this needn’t be a problem because the processor is the Intel GMA 950, which can handle the latest 3D games.
Hardware
A useful piece of hardware that accompanies the Mac mini is the Apple Remote. This is handy when you use Apple’s Front Row media application. You can sit back and control the music and films you play through the computer at a distance.
Ideally, you want a good-quality monitor to take full advantage of Front Row. The Mac mini has a DVI video output port that supports digital resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. This means connecting and enjoying a 20-inch Apple Cinema Display or a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display. However, if you don’t have such a monitor and are considering buying one, consider the total cost. With its better specs, an iMac can make a more attractive financial alternative to a Mac mini/Apple Cinema Display combo.
The Mac mini has a DVI to VGA adaptor for analog monitor connections. You can also buy an Apple DVI to Video Adapter to give you S video and composite video connections to a projector or TV.
Other ports on the back of the Mac mini include a combined optical digital audio input/audio line-in mini-jack and a combined optical digital audio output/headphone-out mini-jack. You can use these for your digital audio equipment, headphones, a microphone, or external speakers. Incidentally, despite its compactness, the Mac mini does have a built-in speaker.
The remaining ports are a FireWire 400 and four USB 2.0s. Four USBs may seem generous, but remember to connect a keyboard and mouse before starting. You could, though, opt for wireless versions.
Wireless technology is Apple’s built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless networking plus built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. These two are just what you need for wireless activity. There’s also a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port for those who prefer cable connection to the Internet or a network.
The front of the Mac mini has a slot-loading optical drive. There’s a distinct difference between the two models: the 1.83GHz has a Combo drive, and the 2GHz has the more versatile SuperDrive, which allows you to burn DVDs and CDs.
Software
As ever with Macs, the software accompanying the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system is comprehensive. Leopard, life ’08, and Front Row give you everything you need for a full multimedia experience.
With Life ’08, for instance, you receive the photo to enhance and organize your photographs; a movie to help you create and share your films; GarageBand, which lets you play with a virtual band and create music and podcasts; web to make websites that contain photos and movies as well as text; and DVD, an application that enables you to transform your home movies into professional-looking films.
Other Mac mini-applications include chat for video calls and Safari, the fastest web browser. A further bonus is a chance to try out work, which contains Pages ’08 for word processing, Numbers ’08 for spreadsheets, and Keynote ’08 for presentations. If you’re more familiar with Microsoft Office, this is a good opportunity to see what work can offer instead. You can also make a direct comparison because the Mac mini has trial software of Microsoft Office for Mac.