Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, Winter 2009) first look

Apple breathed fresh air into its line of Mac Minis, whose specs haven’t changed since an update in August 2007. With this 9 model, Apple adds significantly improved Nvidia graphics, a new 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and a larger hard drive. Those changes are welcome, and we’re also impressed by the Mac Mini’s power efficiency, as well as its ability to handle multiple programs at once. We still take issue with the Mac Mini’s overall value. The Mac Mini remains a distinctive-looking computer and it has more than a few useful features. We can easily imagine it in a light-duty work role. But if your goal for a lower-cost desktop is core hardware bang for the buck, you’re better off with a more well-rounded Windows system. In terms of design, there’s not much here for fans of the previous Minis to get excited about. The case is made of the same aluminum housing and white plastic top, and the only minor differences in the rear panel are an additional USB port (bumping the total up to five), a single FireWire 800 port, a Mini DVI input, and Mini DisplayPort input. That display-standard change is actually significant because it lets the Mac Mini support two displays for the first time, and the internal hardware is also powerful enough to drive a 30-inch, 2560×1,600 LCD. At the moment, Apple’s 24-inch LED Cinema Display is the only monitor that will connect to a Mini DisplayPort input without an adapter. A mini DVI to single-link DVI adapter comes in the Mac Mini box …

Mac mini Media Center


Image by Andrew Coulter Enright
Westinghouse LVM-37W3 LCD Video Monitor – 37", 1080p
Sanus System VM1B VisionMount LCD Wall Mount
Apple Mac mini – 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 60GB HD – CoverFlow RC1.2, iTunes, Last.fm, GasLight, Front Row, VLC, Handbrake
NewerTech miniStack v2 – 500GB HD – Music, Photos, Movies
NewerTech miniStack v2 – 120GB HD – Backup
Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Griffin PowerMate
Apple iSight
Sherwood RVD-6090R AV Receiver
Technics SL-1200M3D Quartz Direct Drive Turntable
Infinity Reference 2000.6 Speakers
Infinity BU-2 Subwoofer

The Westy is connected to the mini via DVI at a native resolution of 1920×1080–no overscan whatsoever. The picture is terrific, 1080p content is breathtaking. The wall mount is pretty flush, just a couple inches, and strong as it was set into brick. The mini is connected to the receiver via mini TOSLINK. The hard drives are quiet. The remote works well through that tinted glass. The PowerMate provides fast, intuitive scrubbing through CoverFlow (1381 albums) and videos (both QuickTime and VLC). The iSight clings magnetically to the back of the display when not in use–when a call comes in we just move it to the top of the display where it also attaches magnetically. It’s microphone still works well back there–voice calls and room recordings sound good. The receiver’s tape-out runs back into the mini so we can rip vinyl. The 1200 uses a Stanton Discmaster.

Apple Mac mini M9687LL/B (1.42 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive)

• 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with 167 MHz system bus
• 512 MB DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1 GB), 80 GB hard drive, slot-loading Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
• One FireWire 400 port, two USB 2.0 ports, DVI output, and VGA output (adapter included)
• Built-in 10/100BASE-T ethernet, 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• Mac OS X version 10.4 Tiger, iLive ‘05, Mail, and more included

Includes: VGA/DVI adapter, Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, iLife ‘05 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD & GarageBand), AppleWorks, Quicken 2005 for Mac, & more. Apple Mac Mini – Incredibly inexpensive, but definitely not cheap, this miniature Apple Macintosh Computer is perfect for handling your day to day computing, and then some! The main feature is it’s petite exterior. The Mac Mini is only 6.5″ square, 2″ high, and weighs only 2.9 pounds. Its attractive platinum and white, rounded square design

Rating: (out of 30 reviews)

List Price: $ 610.00

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