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Mac mini

Mac mini (August 2007)

Overview

Apple "refreshed" the Mac mini the same day it unveiled new iMacs, iLife '08, and iWork '08. The updated model has a Core 2 Duo processor and faster CPU speeds than its predecessor. Between the newer, more efficient CPU and 8-10% higher clock speeds, we expect 15-25% better overall performance.

Mac mini

The newest mini has the same 667 MHz memory bus as last year's model, along with the same underpowered Intel GMA 950 graphics. Because it uses the Core 2 CPU, it can support up to 3 GB of RAM, although Apple only supports up to 2 GB.

There's one bank with two memory sockets, so to upgrade RAM, you have to remove the modules that came with the computer. Apple says that memory upgrades should only be done in matched pairs, but Other World Computing has discovered that you can use "mismatched" memory in the Mac mini (and some other Intel-based Macs where Apple specifies that upgrades should only be done with matched pairs). Their test results show that in general there is more benefit from having more RAM - even mismatched - than there is from having less RAM that is matched.

The base version now runs at 1.83 GHz and includes 1 GB of RAM, an 80 GB hard drive, and a Combo drive. It retails for US$599, the same price as the 1.66 GHz model it replaces. Except for the Core 2 Duo CPU and the lack of a SuperDrive, this is essentially the same model Apple was selling for US$799.

The better model has a 2.0 GHz CPU, a 120 GB hard drive, and a dual-layer 8x SuperDrive in addition to all the features of the 1.83 GHz model. At US$799, it seems a bit overpriced in comparison to the 1.83 GHz model. What you're gaining for the $200 difference is a CPU with a larger cache, 40 GB more drive space (a $75 build-to-order option), the SuperDrive, and a 10% gain in CPU speed.

All Intel-based Mac minis use Intel GMA 950 graphics and "vampire video" (that's where the video bites into system memory). The Intel graphics processor uses 64 MB of system memory for the display, so increasing memory may be a good idea.

The Intel-based Mac mini looks like the G4-based one from the front, but the rear is different. The Intel-based mini has four USB 2.0 ports and no internal modem.

The tiny Mac mini (6.5" square, 2" high, 2.9 lb.) has a minimalist design. On the front, there's just a slot-loading optical drive and a power light. On the rear, just enough ports to do everything important.

The Mac mini doesn't include a keyboard or mouse. Apple says buyers can plug in their favorite USB keyboard and mouse - or buy Apple's offerings. Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) includes support for remapping the Windows alt and option keys to option and cmd respectively.

Apple offers several Build To Order options, such as 120 or 160 GB hard drives; Mighty Mouse and Apple's new keyboard, or a wireless Mighty Mouse and Apple's new wireless keyboard, and a $49 USB modem. With a $19 DVI to Video Adapter, you can connect the Mac mini to most modern TVs using S-video or composite video.

Intel-based Macs use a partitioning scheme known as GPT. Only Macintel models can boot from GPT hard drives. Both PowerPC and Intel Macs can boot from APM (Apple's old partitioning scheme) hard drives, which is the format you must use to create a universal boot drive in Leopard. PowerPC Macs running any version of the Mac OS prior to 10.4.2 cannot mount GPT volumes. PowerPC Macs won't let you install OS X to a USB drive or choose it as your startup volume, although there is a work around for that.

Details

Upgrades

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