Apple Mac Mini Review
Apple’s Mac Mini has been unchanged since its last update in August 2007 so something new from the company was long overdue. The new model, priced at under $800, offers significantly improved performance with new Nvidia graphics, a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 320 GB HDD. That about sums up, the inside.
As for the exterior, there’s nothing much for Apple fans to get excited about. It looks the same as the older version with just a few additional features in terms of now having 5 USB ports, 1 Firewire 800 port, a Mini DVI input and a MiniDisplayPort input. These are the real changes. For the first time a Mac Mini can be connected to 2 displays. Also the improved hardware means that it can support even a 2560 x 1600 30 inch LCD.
While the performance is definitely improved, the response from most potential users will be – “so what?” The fact remains that while there is nothing wrong with the Mac Mini, it does pale in comparison with similar priced Windows PCs which offer far more in terms of both performance and features.
For the same cost, Gateway’s LX6810-01 gives you a faster processor at 2.3 GHz, 8 GB of RAM, 640 GB of storage, and a 1 GB dedicated graphics card.
The Dell Studio Hybrid comes closest to the Mac Mini in size. Although, its performance is lacking because it hasn’t been upgraded for quite some time, it does offer the advantages of both size (although the Mac Mini is significantly smaller), as well as running on Windows. One could also look at HP’s SlimLine series which offers perhaps the best compromise between the Mac Mini size and the ease of upgrade offered by the Windows PC. The Mac Mini may be unique in its design, but the way it is constructed and the lack of internal access makes it impossible to modify or upgrade.
If saving on power and helping the environment is high on your list of important issues, you will love the Mac Mini. At idle, the Mac Mini consumes only 13.2 watts which is excellent when compared to the over 60 watts that Windows PCs consume. Even when used for gaming, the most power hungry of all applications, the Mac Mini uses only about 30 watts as compared to tower PCs which need up to 90 watts.
Should you buy the Mac Mini? Only if you are a die hard Mac fan who will accept nothing else. Or someone for whom, having a few inches of extra desktop space means so much that you are willing to forsake performance for it. Otherwise, except for the Mac aura around it and the fact that it may look cute in your living room, you will be better off with a Windows PC which will give you more in terms of hardware and scalability at the same price.
Rating:
Value for money – 2/5
Performance – 3/5
Features – 2/5
Ease of use – 3/5
Overall – 2/5