The Revised Mac mini Value Equation
Daniel Knight - 2005.07.26
At Low
End Mac, we really like the Mac mini. It's compact, reasonably
priced, and offers a decent level of performance - exactly the same
as the 2004 and 2005 eMacs.
There's not enough horsepower to attract gamers. There's not
enough room inside for expansion to attract power users. There's
just a nice looking, quiet computer that finally put a Mac under
the US$500 price point.
Today Apple tweaked the Mac mini, making 512 MB of RAM standard,
adding a 1.42 GHz SuperDrive model, and including AirPort Extreme
and Bluetooth 2.0 as stock features on the updated 1.42 GHz
models.
Other than that, these are the same machines that Apple
introduced this past January.
When we looked at the Mac mini back in January, we compared it
with the 1.25 GHz eMac and
found it to be a good value, particularly for those who might
benefit from a portable computer that isn't a laptop. The 2005 eMac runs at 1.42 GHz, the
same speed as the faster Mac mini.
Boosting the
Mac mini to 512 MB is a real benefit for buyers, since OS X runs
much more smoothly and efficiently with more than 256 MB of RAM. At
today's prices, it costs US$45 and up to have a 512 MB module
shipped to your door, and you still need to get inside the Mac mini
(not especially easy) to install it.
Based on that, the 256 MB 1.25 GHz Mac mini should be selling
for about US$449 at close-out pricing in comparison to the new
US$499 1.25 GHz model. A quick check of online dealers shows the
earlier model being sold at a US$20 discount - it would only make
sense to purchase that model if you plan to put in a 1 GB memory
module.
Adding Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme add US$99 to the price of
the Mac mini - and now both are standard on the 512 MB 1.42 GHz
model. If you plan to add either to your mini, let alone both, skip
the 1.25 GHz mini. For the extra money, you also get a 13% faster
CPU.
In addition to Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme, the 1.42 GHz
models also have an 80 GB hard drive, just one more way Apple
improves value and makes the faster models better deals.
With a US$599 price tag, the 1.42 GHz Combo drive model offers a
lot of value, and Apple now offers a third model - one with a
SuperDrive - for US$699.
The price on the 1.42 GHz 256 MB model has been reduced by
US$50, and that really isn't enough of a discount unless you have
no need for Bluetooth, no need for AirPort Extreme, and plan to
install 1 GB of RAM. Otherwise pick the newer model.
Note that the SuperDrive in the Mac mini is a 4x model that
doesn't burn dual layer discs.
All things considered, the 1.42 GHz Mac mini is a better buy
than the 1.25 GHz model unless there's absolutely no chance you'll
ever want Bluetooth or AirPort Extreme. Also, the new models offer
better value that the older ones. The 256 MB models are only worth
considering if you plan to upgrade to 1 MB of RAM.
