Apple Mac Mini Video
Apple Mac Mini Video Transcript
>> Justin: Hey what's up guys, I'm Justin Yu, Associate Editor for CNET.com and I'm here to give you a first look at the $599.00 Apple Mac Mini. Now it's been a while since updated this line the last time being back in August of 2007. Well this time around they've kept the same external design but made significant upgrades to the guts. Now with this model you get the new Intel Core 2 Duo Giga Hertz Processor, a Gig of DDR 3 RAM, a 120 Gig hard drive and an integrated NVIDIA GForce 9400M graphics chip. Now the aluminum chassis remains relatively untouched as does the plastic top and it surprisingly retains the same proportions. Now flip the Mini around and you'll see that the back panel actually does get a few additions. You get an extra USB 2.0 port bumping the grand total up to 5, a Firewire 800 port, this mini display port and a mini DVI port to give you a variety of monitor options including dual displays, which is a first for the Mini. Now we also want to take a second to commend Apple on meeting Energy Star's Version 5.0 requirements and making a pretty significant push toward environmental efficiencies with both Mac Minis. Now we did a power consumption test and you're gonna save actually a large amount of dough on your annual energy bill not to mention the fact that you're actually helping out Mother Nature. Now operating systems aside for someone going to the store to buy and off-the-shelf desktop computer we can't shake the fact that there are definitely more robust systems out there that'll give you more for your dollar. Now the Mac's wimpy 160 Gig hard drive and 1 Gig of RAM just can't compete with the industry's standard in budget PC computing. Now despite the on-paper hardware gap the Mac Mini is actually a pretty fast multi-tasking system which is a credit to Apples pretty lean OS. It's also a semi decent low-end gaming system but we're disappointed in its small hard drive, slow single app performance and limited port flexibility compared with cheaper Windows PC's. Now be sure to check out our entire review of the Mac Mini but as was the case with the Mac Minis before it this new model just doesn't have enough bang for the buck. So I'm Justin Yu and you just watched the first take of the $599.00 Apple Mac Mini, thanks for watching. ^E00:02:05
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Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, Winter 2009) Review
The good: Competitive Nvidia G9400M graphic chip; includes updated iLife '09 suite; energy efficient; space-saving chassis retains distinct design.
The bad: Similarly priced PCs offer increased functionality for more than $100 less; phone support only lasts 90 days from purchase.
The bottom line: While we're still impressed with the Mac Mini's ability to pack so much into a tight package, Apple can't get away from its PC competitors that offer more features for less money. If saving space and the Mac OS are dominating factors, then the new Mac Minis are a viable option, but your dollar will stretch much further with a budget Windows desktop.
Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, Winter 2009) Specs
Manufacturer: Apple
Part number: MB463LL/A
- Product Specifications
- Product Basic Spec
