Mac mini user reviews contest: Win $500 in Mac mini accessories (or $500 in cash)

If we've learned one thing from our year-long adventure over here at Engadget, it's that our readers are really, really smart. Scary smart (and we're not just buttering you all up). We thought about hiring a bunch of folks to review products, but realized that a good number of you know so much about this gear already that we would be better off pulling a Tom Sawyer and asking you—the Engadget reader—to help paint the fence.

For our first "User Review Contest" we're asking Engadget readers who have a Mac mini to write a review of the product. The best review, as judged by the editors of Engadget, will receive over $500 in Mac mini accessories including the Mac mini Skirt or Mac mini Tower, the Kensington Dome Hub, and an external 200GB hard drive—or $500 PayPal cash to spend as you will, however you want! Click for details on how to enter.

Here are the guidelines for the reviews:
 
1. You must have the product in question (duh!) and you must use your real name when submitting the review (your email will not be made public). Post your review in the comments below. You should probably write out the review somewhere else first and then paste it into our comment form.
 
2. You must rate the product on each of five categories: Overall, Specs, Design, Usability and Value on a scale of 1 to 10, and provide a justification and explanation for each rating. You may use half points.
 
Rating System: A 9 or 10 would be one the best products ever � perhaps the Treo 600 when it first came out. A rating of 7 or 8 would be an OK to good product, like say the iPod shuffle or Treo 650. A 4 to 6 rating is a poor product. Below a four and it means you�ve probably already sent this thing back.
 
3. Each review must include a section that details the pros and cons of the product.
 
4. Your overall word count must be between: 350 to 750 words.
 
5. If you want bonus points, feel free to take photos, screen shots, or videos of the product and link to them in your review. We can�t host all the entrants� media, but if you win we will reprint your review and host the media on our servers. Please note that the protocol for making external links in our comments is to cut and paste the full URL inline, and not to use the usual HTML �a href� syntax � if you do, your URL will get munged and not made live. Your plain HTML link will automagically get turned into an actual link by our Blogsmith software. You can use parentheses to set off your link, like so: (http://www.engadget.com)
 
Have fun with the reviews, be honest, insightful, clever, and intelligent.  Please post your review in the comments below. You have exactly 72 hours from now.
 
Legal stuff: By submitting the review below you agree to let us publish it, but we understand that you own the rights to your work and you can take your review and go sell it to somebody else. Also, you can only enter the contest once.

UPDATE: Contest closed! Give us a few days to judge this one.

UPDATE 2: Really sorry this is taking so long! A lot of worthy entries and we�ve been debating over a winner�it�s hard to pick just one out of so many great reviews.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Ummm let me guess...only open to US Residents?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Hmmm let me guess only open to US residents?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Hmmmmm let me guess...only open to US residents?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I didn't bother to count the words to see if it fits in your criteria, but I think the rest of it is in compliance.

1. I own one. It�s an 80gb model with both Airport and Bluetooth cards in it. It was originally on intergalactic backorder from a prominent reseller of Mac stuff. I just happened to be in an Apple store and they had 4 in stock so I scooped it on the spot.
2. I am a recent Apple convert (still use an XP Laptop for work) and have a 20� iMac G5 has a main PC in the house. The Mini-Mac sits in my family room hooked up to a 50� Plasma with the Bluetooth keyboard/mouse in all of their untethered glory sitting below on a credenza. I mainly use this machine to present slide shows of my photo collection and to play music with the fabulous Psychotropic music display on iTunes. To think that my parents managed to do slide shows to music with $500 worth of equipment 20 years ago makes me realize just how far we�ve come. Uh, yeah� I�m sure that some will find my use of this product a complete waste of a perfectly good machine, but those people have never enjoyed a Coconut Mojito sitting on my sofa listening to the latest Mo Vida CD WITH visual entertainment keeping the beat.

a. Overall rating � 8.5 Everyone who sees this thing flips out. Most don�t know what the hell they�d do with it but want one anyways. My opinion is that towers are going bye-bye once people realize you don�t need one to house the stuff that most of us use a PC for.
b. Specs � 8 With both Bluetooth and Airport access it makes for a VERY clean install. I still think an 80gb hard-drive is skimpy these days but it�s my only real complaint.
c. Design � 10 This is a cutting edge designed product that will have many imitators sooner than later. A brilliant way for Apple to get people like me to convert. I for the life of me can�t figure out why Sony couldn�t have built this or a new iMac G5 first, but they didn�t. It is also extremely quiet. When I did the conversion of data from my tower to the Mini-Mac I couldn�t believe the difference in fan noise. My only complaint in the design department is the power supply is enormous. I would have thought it could have been the size of an iPod charger or one of their laptops with similar specs.
d. Usability � 9 If there is one thing I have found out about Apples in my short experience with them is they do actually �just work�. I plugged the Airport that feeds this and the iMac into my router and both machines found it and were communicating with each other and the outside world in minutes. As an added bonus, my XP laptop found the Airport as well (encrypted at 128-bit) and with the password put in, it too joined the party. I even brought the Mini-Mac to work, plugged it into our corporate network with Entourage and used it in place of the laptop one day just to see how it was. I will probably be switching to a Power Book for Corporate work as well.
e. Value � 7 My Mini-Mac was almost $900 configured the way I bought it. Most would probably not consider that a good value based on specs alone. When you feed in design and usability it goes to 8.5 for me.

Sum up, I like it and would certainly buy another one if I had the need.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I have had my Mac Mini now for two weeks. Like most Mini owners I was impressed by the form factor of the machine. When I saw it on a clip from Mac World it immediately rose to the top of my �Gotta get me one� list.

Ordering the Mac Mini was pretty easy. While there are a few upgrades available, you will not get overwhelmed by them. Since this would be my first ever Mac I decided to go all out and get almost all of the upgrades. I got the $599 version, the Superdrive, the Bluetooth/Wifi card, and the Bluetooth keyboard/mouse. I chose not to upgrade the RAM because after a little research I figured it would be simple enough to do the upgrade with after market parts that I bought from Newegg.com.

After two weeks of use I have to give the Mini an 8 out of 10 rating. I have taken it around with me to work and to a few group meetings to show it off and everyone that has seen it is amazed by its size. It is smaller than the external DVD-writer drive I have here sitting on my desk�and the Mini is a whole computer! I would have given it a 10 but there are a few draw backs.

Let me start with the price. While I applaud Apple for making it �affordable� it certainly is not cheap. I give the default specs 7 out of 10 because they are good enough for the general user to surf the �net and check email, but not much more than that. For example before the RAM upgrade I tried to play the games that came with it and had some trouble. The screens skipped and overall performance was generally poor. After I upgraded the RAM those issues went away. The other downside to the new purchase is that the Mini doesn�t come with a keyboard or mouse. This is bad if you are upgrading from an older PC that used the round PS/2 connectors because they will not work with your Mini. So you may as well add $50 on to the $499 price tag. After the upgrades on my purchase I ended up at about $950 which is a far cry from the original $499.

Probably the biggest selling point of the Mini is its design. I mean let�s face it�it looks awesome. It is tiny, polished, and not an eye sore like most of the PC cases I have at home. I don�t mind that one sitting on top of my desk while I try to hide my Windows box back behind it. Definitely in design the Mini deserves a 9 out of 10. I would give it a 10, but I am hoping Apple can find a way to improve it for Mac Mini 2.0.

Usability is very important to me. I wanted a system to go on my desk that would look good on the outside and be functional with its software. The Mini has both USB and Firewire ports on the back so I grabbed my digital camera and firewire camcorder to see if they would work and unlike my Windows machine I didn�t have to install drivers�the devices just worked. On the first boot it came up and had me configure the keyboard and mouse (because they were wireless) and set a few other options which were all very straight forward. It was very easy to get up and running on the Mini. The only negative on usability was with the software. The Mini came with iLife �05 but when I opened the box it had iLife �04 installed. I had to do a manual upgrade to use the later version. Overall I give the Mini a 8 of 10 for usability.

As for me I believe the value I got in my Mac Mini is a 7 of 10. I love the style and design and usability was very good, but the price tag was a big drawback. I have caught myself wondering several times if this was a good buy or not since I still want to get a flat panel display for it which then puts me in the ballpark of the iMac�s price tag.

Here are a few pictures of my Mac Mini, including the insides just to show that anyone that wants to save a few bucks on upgrade prices from Apple can do so with ease:
http://www.johnmarkbrown.com/photos/gallery/gallery.php?sel=Miscellaneous/Computer%20Equipment/Mac%20Mini

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Glowing skirts! What's next?


Plasticsmith has released another model to there line up of Mac Mini accessories. It's a glowing skirt for your Mac Mini, no you can't wear it. But your Mini can, that is if it's comfortable with its sexuality. The skirt goes on the bottom of your Mini raising it 3/4" and glowing blue LED's light up your night time surfing. It plugs into any USB port and has a convenient on-off switch. The glowing version sells for $30. They also have a non glowing version for $20. Now I�ve thought hard and long about uses for this puppy. And you know what! Say you�re drinking a delicious beverage of your choice and you spill it everywhere while trying to win a contest on engadget, your safe! Your Mini�s skirt will take on that liquid, possibly saving you Mac Mini�s life! The way I look at it is how can you not afforded NOT to get one of these. Plus, the chicks dig it!

Specs: 10/10
It does what it says.
Design: 8.9/10
It would have been nice to see some better functionality in this device, perhaps an USB hub. But the acrylic frosted edges are very aesthetically pleasing. Now your Mini can look sexy in the day and night!
Usability: 10/10
This thing is pretty straight forward, if you can�t figure it out. Go and lay down count to 10.
Value: 7.7/10
Kind of steep for this type of product, but there is nothing else really like it out there. And plus it looks cool! Can you really put a price on cool?
Overall: 7.3/10


Pros: Lifts your Mini off the desk, saving it from accidental spillage. Other then that it has really has no use other then to make your Mini look damn good in the dark. It adds a great stylish blue effect to you desk and your Mini letting you find your skittles in the dark! Bonus
Cons: Its thirty bucks for a glowing light.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I've been giving some thought toward the question that many members have been asking about the Mac mini in regards to being used with PixelCorps 3d and 2d training. Those questions can be summed up as:

"It kinda doesn't seem like a good deal once you add the RAM!?"
"and compared to a windows machine!!"
"Is it fast enough?"
"Isn't the video card wimpy?"
"It can only hold a gig for RAM!"
"The 2.5 inch hard drive is too slow to work with video."
"Can the Mac mini run insert_app_here?"

"It kinda doesn't seem like a good deal once you add the RAM!?"
I want to start off dispelling the thought about that wants to compare this Mac to a G5 cheese grater. The mini compared to the G5 is a bad comparison. It's comparing two different things, doing different missions, appealing to two different market segments. You can get 5 Mac minis for the cost of 1 G5. Add another for the X800 card you'll want. And another for the 4 gig of RAM you'll put into it. That's, count them, 7 Mac minis for cost of a well stocked G5 2G Dual. Whoa... or 23 or 35 iPod shuffles... which is just silly.

So instead I want to compare the 1.4 mini to my old Powerbook which I purchased 18 months ago for $1500. Which has 512M of RAM and paltry 30 gig hard drive. The mini benches out at nearly 3x the speed of my 667. Even after adding a gig of RAM its half of what I paid for the Powerbook!

Value: 8/10

"and compared to a windows machine!!"
After using OS X for so many years XP feels really old a clunky to me. Simple things like making a screen shot haven't changed in Windows since 3.0. Actually it hasn't change on a Mac since it's 1984 debut. Command-shit-3 (or 4) writes a file to the disk. Compared to the 10 step process on Windows starting with Shift - PrtSrn.

Value compared to a Windows machine: 9/10

"Is it fast enough for work?"
I look back on all the work that I've done on lessor Mac so I cringe when I hear that question. I'll spare you the list of 14 years of projects. And just tell you, yes it's fast enough. Put more memory in and it's faster. Look at it this way -- 1.4 Gigahertz processor, we're surf'n the web fast now. 90% of a processor is wasted waiting for you to type the next letter on your keyboard.

"Isn't the video card wimpy?"
No. Yea, it's not an X800 or a GT6800. Yet it works fine with all your every day apps. Photoshop, Illustrator and all the other artist tools work just fine. Bigger apps like Modo and Motion will still work with it. The issue is with Motion not running in realtime with lotsa video running on it. Which all I have to say, whatever. We've been making motion graphics without REAL TIME since After Effects was 1.0 running on a Quadra 700 (25mhz) or Quadra 950 (33 mhz). Talk about slow. Besides. By the time you start to notice that the video card is slow, the Rev 2 mini will be out ready for you to upgrade or you'll move into a G5 Dual.

Doom3 will likely not play nice. But who has time to play games?

"It can only hold a gig for RAM!"
Cry me a river. A gig of RAM is a lot of RAM. There's some 3 year old videos showing Alex and myself doing demos on G3 Powerbooks. Alex had a Lombard and mine was a Wallstreet. I'm pretty sure we were doing those Mac's had just 192m of RAM. Long after Alex got his TiBook I was using that Wallstreet.

"The 2.5 inch hard drive is too slow to work with video."
If your planning on uncompressed film rez, it is. But for DV-NTSC it's plenty fast. The idea that disk performance measured in RPMs and Head Seek and relating that back to video is a left over from 10 years ago. Ten years ago all that mattered because bus speeds could only handle 5 Meg a second (or 10 if you got SCSI2 or SCSI-wide). DV-NTSC is 3.7 meg a second. Which would flat out crush older systems. If you look at xBench stats you'll see it zipping along at 15-20 meg a second. Fast enough for DV by a lot.

There have been three articles claiming that you can get better mini performance be swapping the 4500 RPM drive with an bigger faster drive. I've looked at all these benchmarks which show we're talking about seconds of difference in copying a 20 meg file or booting a system. I don't think anyone buying a Mac mini should be all that concerned about seconds of difference.

Specs: 7/10

"Can the Mac mini run insert_app_here?"
I'm pretty sure I've seen Alex run just about every app there is to run on his Powerbook.... There the blames on him not me. My own tests find my Mac mini does run everything I want to use.

Conclusion
The Mac mini is just the beginning of this kind of Mac. Think of this as the "throw away" or "the rental transition" Mac. If you bought one, used it until you hit a wall, then sold it, you'd only be out of pocket about a hundred bucks. Or you could "hand me down" it to someone else who's sick-n-tired of virus compatibility. Or use it as a media player. The list goes on. It's likely to be Apples most versatile mac given it's price.

If you have older Mac's that you've been hanging onto because a G5 was just a little too much for you, consider the Mac mini as a replacement machine. Comparatively your old Mac chugs, wheezes and snores along in it's tasks. I'm taking about any single processor 1 gigahertz or slower. Posdef retire anything 500 megahertz or slower. Sell it and replace it with a mini. For a DP Mac anything slower than 800mhz will get it's ass kicked by the Mac mini. Even if you upgrade the RAM and the video card it'll still be slow. It should be, it's as many as 5 years newer.

I think it's interesting how it's help reset the way high prices of used Macs in the market. These Macs are generally sold for nearly what they cost. A 5 year old G4 dual 500 should not cost $800.

Overall: 8/10

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I'm an avid Mac user and have been since my first apple computer, a Macintosh classic. As soon as the mini was released I had to have it. I ordered up my Mac Mini right after the keynote speech. I got the 1.25 GHz, combo-drive, with Bluetooth and Airport Extreme. I also ordered the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

I've upgraded the memory to 1GB and dropped a 80GB hard drive in that I had lying around.

I primarily use my mini as a media hub in my living room. Plenty of pictures and video can be found at: http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~afoley/MacMini.html

My review will be based on my current configuration, with it setup as a media hub.

Overall: 9.5 / 10
The Mac Mini is an excellent product. I truly believe that every person who uses a computer could find a place for the mini. It allows for the least intrusive computing experience that I have ever found. If you don't already have a Mac Mini I hope you're saving your pennies (it's really that inexpensive). Of course nothing is perfect, I describe the few shortcomings below.

Specs: 8 / 10
Obviously the size of the Mac Mini limits the processing power, expandability, etc. However, the base model is plenty powerful and surprisingly it runs circles around my laptop (1.25 GHz G4 - 768 MB of RAM). I upgraded the memory and hard drive because I had the components collecting dust, but it didn't actually need those upgrades. Honestly, I couldn't ask for much more given that it has DVI, Bluetooth, and WIFI. I can't give it a better score than an 8 because Apple should have included a digital audio output.

Design: 9 / 10
I think this is a beautiful machine. It has the typical fit and finish of all Apple products. This thing is simple and tasteful. It blends in to just about any environment because it is so small. Don't be mistaken, even though it is small it does have some wonderful details. One example of these details would be the use of different materials on the vertical and horizontal surfaces. No matter how many pictures you see of it, you can't truly appreciate the size of this computer until you hold it one hand. I really think it hits all of the right notes. The computer and its design are truly revolutionary, but it's not as well designed as the G4 cube in my opinion, so it can't get a perfect score.

Usability: 10 / 10
The Mac Mini has so many faces... it's a desktop computer, media hub, recording studio, car computer, etc. The possibilities seem endless with this machine. The fact that the Mac Mini is running OS X further solidifies this computers usability. Hands down it is the most usable computer I have ever owned.

Value: 10 / 10
After I added the keyboard, mouse, and what not to my mini the cost was about $750. I can hardly believe what an impact this has had on how I use my computer while I'm at home. It is absolutely worth every penny.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Ok...i already wrote my tale of woe about losing my Imac 400 DV and 80GB external drive (which didn't even get an honerable mention in the flash drive contest)...so here's my review.

Overall:10 Works like it's supposed to, rarely even glitches. Fits into my complicated space like a glove. Has enough power to do whatever i need. I will buy another one at some point.

Specs:8 Mine's a BTO. Bluetooth, Airport Extreme, 80GB hard drive, user upgraded memory of 512MB. 1.25GHz. Would like it to be faster. Not a G5.
What surprises me is it's performance on large PDF doccuments. I download and read Homepower magazine (13.2 MB). The iMac could not keep up rendering the preview pages (in the sidebar), the Mini just blast thru them. That was unexpected.

Design:10+ since i replaced an iMac, i put my old PC minitor in it's place, then elevated it on pudding cups (the snap apart kind, thicker plastic). I then slid the Mini under the front, so i had a kinda-sorta same form factor as the imac. I like the white power on LED. all wiring goes out the back, except the Grado SR-60 headphones, which are brought around to the front.

Useability:10 This thing gets used 24/7. does everything my iMac did faster/better, and somethings my iMac just didn't have the power to do.

Value:10+ This thing is a star. In fact, it's a 5 star star. As Apple evolves this product, it can only get better. Well worth the $ i spent. People that hate Apple can continue to buy $300 Dells.

Pros: small, powerful, stylish, easy to use.

Cons: Being an overgrown laptop, it remains to be seen ig the hard drive stands up to daily use. This is the only weak point i can see.

This product came out at JUST the right time for me. I was ready for something faster than what i had, and it was at a price i could afford. I could have used my Win XP box, but dealing with windows crap all the time got boring. Clearly a winner, and it will be a repeat buy.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

At 6.5x6.5x2 the Mac Mini is unlike any other computer I�ve ever seen, but how does it measure up to the competition? Is it the demise of Windows and Microsoft as we know it, or just an glorified e-Mac? Well the short answer is neither. Keep reading�

Design
Taking my Mac mini out of the box I was amazed at how small it is. It�s really unbelievable, you must hold it in your hands before you really understand its size. It�s minuscule when compared to small form factor PC�s. I�d defiantly that the Mac mini is one of the nicest computers I�ve ever seen.
Going through the design, there area 2 usb ports, 1 firewire port, an Ethernet port, a modem jack, a speaker output, a dvi output, and power jack. Your power comes from a rather large box that is outside of the machine. It�s not really a problem for me because I keep it under my desk, but it can be a real hindrance if you plan on using your mini as a portable machine. The mac mini ships with a DVI to VGA converter. I�ve used the converter with no problems, however many people have complained about a dark picture when using the vga adapter with certain screens. My suggestion is to drag your monitor into the nearest apple store or authorized reseller and make sure your monitor works with the mac mini. (I�ve done crazier things) Better safe than sorry.

Specs
The mac mini ships in 2 model. One is a 1.25Ghz G4 with 256MB of ddr ram, an Ati Radeon 9200 with 32MB of ddr ram and a 40GB hard drive. Your other option includes a slightly faster version of the same processor (1.42Ghz g4) and an 80GB Hardrive.
The 40GB version starts at $499 and the 80GB version starts at $599. You can add up to a Gigabyte of ram. You can also add Bluetooth ($50), Wifi ($79), or both ($99), A super drive will cost you another $100.
Usability
One of the thing to consider with your mac mini is that you will probably need to purchase a usb hub, and many will also need a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch. Also, if you just purchased an Ipod Shuffle, you will need to purchase either the usb dock, or a usb cable extender, because it will not fit back there with a keyboard and mouse. You can go around this by checking the box for Bluetooth, but that jacks up the price. One the software side, Os X is a dream. I�ve had some problems with Dvd�s skipping during playback and have not yet resolved that issue (I think it might have to do with the fact that I only have 256MB of ram in mine.

Value
My mac mini was $599.
Add
$349 for a dvi screen (not necessary but one of those things I was going to upgrade anyway)
$50 for a keyboard and mouse (made by Microsoft ironically enough)
$79 for wifi
$39 for a usb hub
Were talking in the ballpark of $1000.
Now that�s about the same price as the top of the line eMac (which includes a super drive, but not Wifi).
To me it�s really a mater of preference.
When compared to a budget PC I�d say that the Mac mini has an edge that is Ilife �05. (Apples software sweet that include iMovie, iDvd, iTunes,IPhoto, Garageband) All of these applications work wonderfully and could really be reviewed separately, so to keep it under 750 words, these applications really make this computer worth the price. Also consider that you�ll have to spend time, money and energy with antivirus software if you purchase a P.C. So if your buying a budget windows machine add $70 and then $30 a year to renew your antivirus subscription.
Software is the great equalizer with the mac mini.

Overall
I would defiantly recommend the mac mini to�
∑ a new computer user
∑ someone who wants to try Mac Os
∑ someone who already has a keyboard mouse and monitor and is looking for a budget P.C.

All in all the mac Mini is a great looking computer that works well. It may not be the end all be all of budget computers (there are defiantly extras that will add to the enticing price) but it is defiantly worth the extra money when you consider the cost of software. I give the mac mini an 8.0.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Before I got my mini, I was working on an old 2000 Powerbook G3 Pismo, a tell-tale sign that I don�t view speed as an indicator of a good computer. Even though I don�t mind sloth in a computer, a lot of people do.

167 MHz of a front side bus makes the mini one crippled computer. In an age where the same company produces a computer with a good 7.5 times faster FSB, you have to wonder what�s up with that.

Just don�t think computer, think laptop, and it will give you an idea of how much different this is than many computers around these days. This perspective should be pretty telling of the overall state of technology employed, displayed in its slow processor and hard drive.

Specs: 6

Yes, it�s white, slick and shiny. Anodized aluminum hugs a white cover that�s hugging a grey Apple logo. Loading a CD involves a brief, but decidedly impressive moment of realization that the entire mini is just bigger than the CD itself. It has no cords sticking out of the front, no ugly grills or drive bays. But that�s Apple for you, just doing their thing.

Another one of Apple�s things is how they customize their actual hardware. Unpacking this little box shows a mess of boards, drives and wires that just barely fit together. That�s impressive. Take that, other computer makers, and stick a fan in it. Oh, and then make the fan only come on if it�s absolutely necessary. And then make it unnecessary.

But only one Firewire port?! C�mon. I�ve got an iPod mini and an external drive. Lucky for me, there exists bluetooth, which should really be standard, but is worth the extra money, as it frees up even more of that scarce peripheral real-estate.

Design: 10

Software. Am I right?

I had a conversation with a friend. Okay, not so much a conversation and an argument. His mom wanted to get a new computer, but didn�t want to get an Apple because she didn�t want to �learn something new.� I�m crazy enough to be a long-time advocate of the Dock, mostly because it�s easy enough for almost anyone to figure out. You click on it. Stuff opens.

That�s how I view Apple software in general. You click it and it works. I could get into detail about Safari, the iLife suite, iChat and the little niceties that they include for free. But the point is that a company that takes enough time to question the best way to make people understand how their programs work is a company dedicated to good software.

Mac has hidden a power button on the back of their computer. This has aggravated many people. I don�t know why. A well laid out set of ports on the back, a pretty white light that lets you know it�s turned on.

My big complaint was when I hooked up my bluetooth keyboard and mouse. With nothing happening, I had to go to System Preferences, find the right preferences screen and do some sort of voodoo key exchange with my devices. In light of how great Apple is in their usability, I have to take issue with this.

Usability: 10

I came to a realization the other day, promptly telling everyone I knew. Apple can eat its own software costs! Now, I know that Apple has high markups, but the way I look at it, what they require in markup, they make up for in getting rid of software costs (at least with a budget computer). No matter how small the profit margin is on any Windows computer, they still have to pay for software. Bad software. Seems like six of one and half a dozen of the other, except that one of the half dozens is frosted, and people don�t put poison on it when you leave it unprotected.

If you pimp out your mini, don�t complain about how much it costs. At that point, you could get a better computer at the same price. But that�s not what the mini is about and if you don�t get that, you don�t get the mini.

Value: 9

Don�t buy this computer because of how fast it is. Buy it because you want an inexpensive, well-made, beautiful computer. Get it because its software is a joy to use. Pick one up because Steve Jobs said you should. *Swoon*.

Overall: 8

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

- Specs
I give the Mini an 8 out of 10 for specs. I'm not one of those whiners who complains that it's not a G5 with 128 MB VRAM, but Apple could have made it a bit better at or near the same price. The video card is just a touch skimpy--at 1600x1200 or higher, the rotating-cube effect in Fast user Switching doesn't work. I know Apple wants it to be as pretty and minimalistic as can be, but a FireWire and USB port on the front would be a big help. And 5.1 optical out would make this the perfect home-media computer--it's in the $129 AirPort Express, how much could it cost? I really think they should have made two models--a Mini and a Mini Deluxe. The Mini is perfect as it is, and the Mini Deluxe could have had these features for those who want them but don't want to jump up to a G5 PowerMac at 2x the price and 36x the volume. (Yes, I measured. No, I didn't include the power supply.) Judging by what Apple has done in the past, I'm sure we'll see lots of these features by revision 2 or 3.

- Design
Great unit, great package, the only flaw is the lack of ports on the front. Besides the natural convenience of front-mounted ports, they're almost a necessity on this unit--the ports on the back are actually pretty tough to use since they're so close together. Plugging and unplugging USB and FireWire devices requires careful, skinny fingers to manipulate plugs on the crowded backside. One USB port must be occupied by the keyboard, leaving me with one FireWire port and one USB port for my card reader, DV camera, external hard drive, and iPod. And why is the power button on the back? If it were ugly it would earn very few points here but you can't look at that cute little face and stay mad. 8 out of 10.

- Usability
Since this is a review of the Mini, the most distinctive feature of which is its form factor, I'll cover usability in terms of hardware, rather than the OS, since OS X on a Mini doesn't do anything it doesn't do on every other piece of Mac hardware currently made, though I must say iLife '05 is great and I'm glad Apple included it. (Even without going into HD, the many small improvements in iMovie and iDVD alone are great to see.) The Mini gains a few points for being so small and quiet that you can tuck it anywhere and loses a few for the aforementioned port shortage. When I'm not juggling devices I'm not even aware of the computer, which is good. One thing about the Mini: with its small size and low audio signature, it certainly isn't intrusive. 8 out of 10.

- Value
Compared to other Macs, the Mini has value in spades. It might be a bit short of features, but at least you can't coplain about being stuck with things you don't want, like a bulky built-in CRT or an expensive built-in LCD. You get a compact, stylish desktop with enough power for everyday tasks and an OS that makes those tasks easy. Complaining that the Mini doesn't have every top-of-the-line features is like complaining that a Ford Focus doesn't have the cargo space of an Explorer or the speed of a Mustang. 10 out of 10 here.

- Overall
For astonishing success in the mission for which it was created--a lot of computer at a low price, without features typical users don't need, and in a great looking box to boot--the Mini gets a 9.5 out of 10. Sure, it's not the ultimate box for running Final Cut Pro or Doom 3, but that's not what it was made for. As a small, affordable, stylish computer, it can't be beat.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Welcome to the Apple party. Leave your credit card in the bowl by the door. Bring your own display, keyboard, mouse. Who knows where you'll wake up?

Stop fretting. This Mac mini really is a Mac. The packaging is shiny. The computer: Tiny. Impeccably engineered. Desirable. Even chimes on power-up, though without the pomp of a iMac or might of a G5. There's an Apple logo on the top. The clincher though: there's not nearly enough memory. Ah. Definitely a Mac, then.

Still has a few surprises, all the same. The power box is a brick, not the sleek multi-adapter known to iPod and Apple laptop owners. Tuck that away, out of sight. Stephen's here, with clipboard, and he knocks two points off the design for that.

Easy to use? Well, it's a Mac. In a small box. The ports are on the back -- USB, power, net, modem, the usuals. Only one firewire, though, and that's the slower, older kind. Tidy, ports on the back, but fiddly to feel with your fingers. Worse: the power button. Sure, you're supposed to put a Mac to sleep, not turn it off, but, eh, some people are old-fashioned that way. And you'll be hunting for that switch when it's turn-on time. That sound? That's Stephen's pen. There go usability points.

When it's actually running, with whatever cheap box of keys and burnt-out old screen you picked up at the all-night store on the way here, it's Mac business as usual. Rumor has it the internals are basically crushed-up iBook -- so why not put the gubbins inside a keyboard and let us re-rock the Amiga and ST vibe, then? -- but you wouldn't know it.

Monitors, keyboards, it took them all in stride, though you're on your own working out where the Apple key is on a PC keyboard. There are dark mutterings about failing VGA adaptors out there, though, so do peer suspiciously at the screen on boot up, with a sigh ready in the wings. Just in case.

Zip, pep, vim, vigour: all here, if you find the power switch. From stealing songs from the internet to work as a 3D renderer (patient, now) or a headless entertainment server, the Mac mini'll do it. Well, a 1.2 or 1.42GHz G4 will do it. For those who care.

Confession. This Mac mini isn't standard. It's had an extra 256MB of memory tucked in at the factory. Macs never come with enough. That's been true since 1984's original Macintosh 128k, but in this case the standard 256MB is just comedy. Of course Stephen's not standing for that at all, and three cross marks are Apple's loss in the value column. The slightly cheap-tastic video card (Radeon 9200) doesn't help this score either, yet it can still drive a 23" Cinema Display. And that's big.

Also at the factory, a wireless card and bluetooth adaptor appeared. A couple of software clicks and an Airport Express later and iTunes is playing those stolen songs through the living room speakers, controlled by a mobile phone from the couch. That's what It Just Works is supposed to be about, not random questions about "new devices". Put some usability points back in, S.

The hardware's OK: It's not crammed with top-end detailing, but it is all More Than Enough. The software is something truly special, though, and if you want it, you need a Mac. Some people are putting their coats on. Don't leave, chaps. The Apple party never ends. Sure, your invite wasn't wrapped in brushed aluminium, and you're not sleeping in the guest bedroom with its 30" pillows, but you're here, and for not very much money at all. Later, there'll be dancing.

[Stephen's score sheet. By Stephen]
Design
Shame about the power box, and switch. 8

Usability
It's a Mac. Plug it in, it works. 9

Specs
Not cutting edge, but does the job. Memory lets it down. Badly. 7

Value
Have to buy more memory, no choice. Slower firewire 400. 7

Overall
The fairy godmother would give Cinderella this for the Mac party. It's fun. It's small. It just needed the factory's build-to-order fairy wand first. 8

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

My Mac Mini configuration:
1.42 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB HD connected to 42" Sony LCD HDTV. Total cost: !$850 (minus HDTV)

Specs: 7.5/10

In a world of dual G5 processors and 3+ GHz Intel/P4, I was slightly disappointed in Apple's choice of a 1.42 GHz G4 CPU with a 167 MHz bus. Hard drive capacity is also very limited to a max of 80GB @4200 RPM, instead of newer drives which can run @7200 like standard desktops. Considering Steve Jobs marketed 2005 as "The Year of HD", I wouldn't have thought Apple to limit video to an ATI Radeon 9200 chipset with a meaguer 32 MB RAM (although dedicated, not chewing up system RAM) and a lack of Dolby sound (instead of a tinny speaker or a 1/8" stereo audio jack). Peripherals, on the other hand, seem to be a big selling point, as the Mac Mini offers two readily available USB 2.0 ports and a Firewire IEEE 1394 port on the back. Integrated on the video card is a DVI output which supports HDTV-quality resolutions (perfect for my Sony HDTV) with an available DVI-to-VGA adapter provided free. For those wishing to use wireless technologies instead of the integrated 10/100 NIC, Apple offers both Bluetooth and 802.11g Airport add-ons for an additional cost. The CDRW/DVD drive is certainly adequate, with an optional Superdrive for DVD-RW writing. With all these problems I found, why did I give it a 7.5 out of 10? Simple: within limitations of space and heat, I believe Apple did a great job of putting together this little package (compare this to the Shuttle "mini" computers, which look huge next to the Mac Mini).

Design: 9.0/10

As most people first notice, the Mac Mini is a marvel of size. A mere 6" x 6" x 2", it is encased in a brushed aluminum and plastic case (metal siding, plastic top and bottom). Personally I would have preferred the brushed aluminum on the top as well (with a cool embossed Apple logo). One limitation of the plastic top is any item placed on top of the Mini may affect the CD/DVD drive stability (as noted in the User Guide and by several other users, I myself have never experimented). All expansion/peripheral devices must be connected in the back, aiding in hiding but also making plug-in for "hot" devices more difficult (say, a camera or USB drive). Also, the Mac Mini requires a suitably large power block, but this comes on the end of a long cord making it easy to tuck out of sight. Coming from a world of ugly beige PCs (this is my first Mac) I was duly impressed.

Usability: 8.5/10

I would say OS X hasn't made that complete transition to "User Friendly" environment. That's not to say I had any problems (I am familiar with Windows, Solaris and Linux environments) but I would say some users may be confused with the arrangement and upkeep of their Mini Macs. The base software installed is nicely configured, with a "Dock" at the bottom for quick-launching of programs (the iLife suite of programs, which I am eager to delve into and learn). However, I feel installation (e.g., from ".dmg" files) is rather clunky and could lead to a quick heaping mess of applications installed all over the place instead of under a unified structure (Yes, I know, I'm going Windows here, but I doubt Grandma or your 12 year old can grasp the Unix-like file structure). One key feature of OS X (the Mini's operating system) is, unlike so many things, it just "works". It's wiz-bang smart at finding and identifying new hardware, network configurations, and setting everything up for you. Auto-updates help keep system software patched and running smooth. Security on the Mac is tight, with a firewall program installed and running by default (unlike pre-XP SP2). For never having experience on a Mac (outside a Apple IIe wayyyy back in school), I quickly found myself on the Internet and customizing my Mini in moments.

Overall: 8.5/10

This is indeed a great little machine. I bought this to use as a TV web browser and email client (which it is more than adequate to do), with the hopes of perhaps turning it into a PVR to record HDTV. This second option seems more and more unlikely, as my experiment with HDTV playback was choppy. I guess my only major qualm was the lack of processing power and the cost. However, for usual home and office requirements, a base $500 Mac Mini would seem to be both an adequate and "cool" addition.

My Mac Mini: http://www.markburgess.net/macmini.gif

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I ordered a Mac mini in mid-February to serve as a replacement and companion for my iBook G3 and work-issued iBook G4. I opted to get the 1.42 GHz model with some upgrades (512 MB RAM, SuperDrive, AirPort, Bluetooth). With a display, keyboard, and mouse already available, I fit Apple's target mini demographic perfectly.

After weeks of waiting, the mini shipped via FedEx direct from China and arrived last Friday. I was astonished at not only how well-packaged it was (after opening the boxes for various Macs from the aforementioned iBook to eMacs, I've always been impressed with Apple's attention to details), but also how much smaller it was than I had imagined. Some included extras familiar to previous Mac owners are missing: there's no phone cord for the modem, and no blank media for the optical drive. A mini (ha ha) DVI to VGA adapter was included, along with two Apple stickers and the usual paperwork. There's also a Mac mini User's Guide with basic setup and troubleshooting information.

Documentation & Adapter: http://schwarztech.us/mini/documentation.jpg

The front of the mini is minimalist, and evokes the Mac LC with its small size and plain face. Instead of a floppy drive, the face of "Jonathan Ive's LC" features the slot of an optical drive and a recessed white sleep/power LED. The back of the mini sports a row of vents, the power button, and an array of standard Mac ports. From right to left, the user is provided with a lock slot, audio out, FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, DVI, modem, Ethernet, and power.

Front: http://schwarztech.us/mini/front.jpg
Rear: http://schwarztech.us/mini/rear.jpg

After hooking the mini up to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, it was ready to go. The mini comes with an impressive bundle of software, headlined by iLife '05, AppleWorks, and Quicken. Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold will help you waste time, and the various demos give you a chance to check out some of the major Mac OS X applications.

The mini is more than acceptable for day-to-day tasks. I've done plenty of updates to my Web site, some Photoshop work, and a bit of Final Cut Express. As expected, performance is just slightly better than that of the 1.3 GHz iBook G4.

Apple would have done well to include a USB-PS/2 adapter and a "Switcher's Guide" to ease the cross-platform transition, as many recent PCs have shipped with PS/2 keyboards, and most Switchers won't know that Alt maps to Option or that the Windows key maps to the Apple key.

Ratings:

Overall: 8.5 - The mini is an excellent product with only minor drawbacks for most users. You may need a new keyboard and mouse, especially if you're upgrading from a PC or a beige Mac, and 256 MB RAM is inadequate.

Specs: 7.5 - The mini's specs are more than adequate for budget-minded Mac users or potential Switchers. The RAM is the glaring weakness here, but the inclusion of a DVI port and dedicated video RAM are impressive on a machine in this price range.

Design: 10 - The small size and elegant exterior make this a perfect 10. Even the external AC adapter looks cool.

Usability: 9.0 - After a RAM upgrade, the mini is nearly perfect for the typical home user, handling e-mail, browsing, graphics, and video with aplomb. It's no G5, but it's also a fraction of the price.

Value: 8.0 - Never before has a new Mac been this cheap, yet so full-featured. The inadequate standard RAM and 2.5" hard drive hurt the mini's score here, though.

Pros/Cons

Pros: Nice collection of included software, much better in appearance and included hardware than budget Windows boxes, decent performance for most tasks.

Cons: Needs more RAM, relies on relatively expensive and slower 2.5" hard disk.

The One-Sentence Verdict: The Mac mini is about as close to perfection as a budget/home PC gets.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I'm a swithcer. Well, not exactly, I first used a Mac in 1984, and continued to use them from then until 1996 when the number of tools available for software development forced me to switch to the Windows and Linux environments.


Specs 8/10
The Mac Mini's specs are a fair amount better than I had expected coming from the Windows environment. This is not a game machine, it is an office productivity machine with some very cool software development tools thrown in. I use my Mac Mini for networking to my office where I do Java Enterprise development. The little mac has everything I need for this work, and it handles it all perfectly in a tiny form factor.

I won't be using the Mac for gaming, but I did beef the memory up to 1GB for the best performance possible. With that much memory the machine keeps up with all of the software tasks I give it.

Design 10/10
I was pleasantly surprised with just how small the machine is. The box it comes in could easily fit into a grocery bag, and once you pull out the Mini and hold it in your hands, you know that Apple has really done a great job. I like the lightweight plastic/aluminum look and feel. Having all of the connectors on the back proves perfect for me, as I plug in what I need and rarely have to plug things in during the course of the day.

With a USB KVM switch, and a Dell 20" Flat Panel display, I was able to share the wireless mouse and keyboard I have with my Windows PC. This kept the price very close to the original price of the Mac Mini without throwing in extra frills.

I also appreciate how quiet the Mini is compared to the wind tunnel I have for a Windows PC. And with the power brick down on the floor, the heat is kept to a minimum on my desktop.

Usability 10/10
As I said already I have not used a Macintosh in nearly ten years, so I was very anxious to try out OS X. The fusion of the Mac User Interface with a Mach Kernel version of UNIX makes a nearly unbeatable platform. I use the X11 server software to work with all of my business and development software at the office. Since I work from home, I really appreciated how easy it was to connect the Mac to my network and immediately start working with no extra configuration as I would have had to do with Linux or even Windows.

In addition, there is all of the great Open Source software available, which I am used to using at my workplace: Firefox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice.org business suite. Having these all available also keeps the cost of the new computer at a minimum.

Value 9/10
The basic Mac Mini at $499 has given me everything I need for my normal work environment, and one of the nicest GUI's available on a UNIX type platform. If it weren't for the need to upgrade the memory I would have given it a 10/10. Apple will need to consider this issue with the next rev of the little machine. I bought mine and installed it myself for less than Apple would have done had I ordered it direct.

Overall 9/10
I haven't turned on my big Windows XP Pro machine in nearly a week since getting the Mac Mini. I had forgotten the absolute joy it is to use the Mac OS, and OS X brings so much power to the equation. It would take an article much longer than this to describe just how important this little machine is, but for my money, it is the best computer on the market today.

Apple wants to tempt Windows users over into their camp. I guess they are succeeding, as I will consider a G5 PowerMac for my next major computing purchase.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I�m a recent Windows convert and had never worked with Mac before. Before buying I read some stuff and reviews on the Mac Mini, but I somehow got the feeling the reviews were to much �woow, waaw, ohh� (apparently its� something Mac-ish, sorry community !).

Anyway, since my notebook needed replacement and I didn�t really need a notebook anymore, so I decided to get a Mac Mini. It�s a 1.42Mhz model to which I added the bluetooth option and another 256Mb of ram. It�s hooked up to a Sony 17� X-black lcd display and to a standard Apple keyboard and mouse and to a Lacie 160Gb FW disk.

Review

Specs : 7/10 � could be improved
The Mac mini is a well considered package I think, allthough the ports are limited, the harddisk is smallish for a desktop and the graphics chip with 32Mb is a bit out of date. Add a standard keyboard and an external harddisk (like me) and you�ll end up with 1 free usb port; you�ll need a hub or the bluetooth keyboard and mouse to solve this. The small harddisk was solved by adding an external drive, there�s no other way. The graphics chip can�t be changed, so live with it or don�t buy it (it�s ok for everyday computing, but video and graphics could be a problem).

Design : 10/10 � just perfect
Just look at it: it�s clean, stylish, quiet and probably the smallest desktop around. Fits right in about anywhere.

Usability : 8/10 � good
Unpack, hook up screen, keyboard and mouse, switch on and you�re go. It was that simple; just enter your personal info, since Mac OSX comes pre-installed on the machine. My Mac mini was up and running in under an hour (I can�t remember exactly), installed some software, transferred all my files from my old notebook and done. Clean and simple. The Mac Mini is good for everyday computing: browsing, email, homework, basic graphics, etc.

Value : 8/10 � good
The Mac Mini is good value for money; it�s a well considered package and it does what it claims for its price. I know it�s possible to get more, in terms of performance, with some Windows configurations, but then you�d be stuck with another Windows pc � If you want to switch, now there is no stopping you � wel you don�t have an exuse.

Overall : 8.5/10 � good
Mathematically it should get an 8.25 / 10, but I gave it an extra 0.25 for the �appeal� factor, because I believe it deserves it.

Conclusion
Well, the Mac Mini is a fine product and ideal for basic computer users. It can use some improvements of the specs and Apple might do so in the future: upgrade the graphics card when Tiger is released, upgrade the harddisk to a 100Gb of 160Gb model, etc. The only item that remains are the limited number of ports, but then again that can be solved by adding a hub. All in all a well balanced, wallet friendly Mac.

I have enjoyed it ever since I got it about a month ago; so beautiful and elegant, no system glitches and so amazing quiet. Well, it seems I have fallen into the same �Woo and waa and Ohh� as the rest of the community �

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Just realized that the "Value" paragraph got cut, so here it is:

Value: 8.5/10

I consider this to be a good value with the base configuration plus 512 MB RAM upgrade (it may run a bit sluggish without), especially if you already have a keyboard and monitor to use. Being Apple, though, trying to "Pimp my Mini" definitely pushes this Mac much more pricier than comparable or better PCs. However, if space is a strong factor in your decision, I believe ultimately the Mini shines.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Pricing
Firstly, lets get the pricing over with. I got my mini for $1300 USD. Yes you heard correct. It�s $1300 USD!!! It�s the 1.42 GHz, 1Gb RAM, Airport Extreme, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse and SuperDrive model. The main factor for the prcing was the fact that we over here in India have to pay through our eyes and ears in taxes to get anything imported. The price was complete justifiable for Apple as this thing is absolutely 100% worth it.

Specifications
As you already read from above the specs for my model. It is the fully specced model. Earlier I was down to using a PowerBook 1.5GHz 17� with 1.5GB Ram. It was completely mind-blowing for the stuff I was used to doing. This is no exception. I had initially bought my Mini with 256 Mb Ram which was decent upto using surfing, chatting and mail, But anything more tedious than that and the machine would just slow down and the normal boot-up times for applications(not system) would be around 6~8 seconds. After upgrading to the 1 GB it was lightening fast. I couldn�t notice any difference between the 1.5 and 1Gb in my PowerBook. Even the .8 GHz difference was hardly noticeable. Although the one point it is crystal clear is when you boot up the computer. The booting time is exactly 56 seconds on a clean install. The computer runs average amateur PhotoShop pretty decently, not lagging behind at all. Only slowdown I noticed was with handling major video files in iMovie and iDvd.Gaming seems pretty obsolete in the Mac world so the 32 Mb Ram seems pretty adequate (but would�ve appreciated more). Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold (included in Software bundle) run extrmemely smoothly, with Safari Mail and Proteus X running in the background. Bluetooth is a complete delight to use It�s extremely simple(unlike PC�s) and has an amazing in-built interface to connect devices to your computer. DVD�s and video playback is superb and I don�t think I have ever received such crystal clear imagery even on standalone DVD-Players connected to a 50-inch Plasma. I don�t know if this is due to the DVI interface or my Apple 20-inch Display but it just works!!! Only thing lacking is he number of ports. I mean 2 USB and one Firewire 400 is just less. Luckily I have the bluetooth option so it�s not so bad. One of the firewire ports is used for my LaCie 250GB disk.

Design
Well anything I say cannot justify the pure beauty this machine exuberates.It looks too good for words. There isn�t one inch of it that looks bad and there isn�t one inch of wasted space in the machine. Although it just isn�t form over function. The outer-shell rarely heats up and even when it does, it isn�t upto the standards of the PowerBook. The entire thing is quieter than silence itself. It has amazing ergonomics with just everything in the position they need to be. Even the back with the ports is a cool view with its perfectly position and alighned ports.

Usability
Well, I can give you an example. My cousin sister who bought the machine after she saw mine is a convert. And she is one of those people who absolutely do not know much of the system other than booting up, surf, chat and over. She got it, connected everything within 10 minutes (not a second over) and booted up. Everything after that was as easy as pie. Type in your name, detials, Internet Setup Assist, machine did not notice connected Keyboard and mouse so Bluetooth wizard pop-ups and searches for keyboard and mouse automatically. It was easier to show her how to edit a movie or add your own slideshows etc. then make for me to convince her to buy a Mac (which was as easy as pointing her to the Apple store). Usability if seen in Mac Mini terms would only be regarding inserting stuff into the ports, knowing how to boot up and where in the world to put the CD/DVD. If I get into OS X, then it would take me the higher end of 10,000 words.

Ratings
Pricing - 9
Specifications - 7 1/2
Design - 10
Usability - 10
Overall - 9 1/4

Conclusion
The Mac Mini is almost perfect. It is perfect for anybody who wants to buy a machine which does what it�s supposed to, mainly surf, chat, photo management, home videos, movies, music and the likes. You cannot buy such a cheap machine and then expect it to work as a professional machine to handle DVD Studio Pro and the likes. It is a complete package with the great iLife suite, two games and a mediocre but simple Word processing AppleWorks package and with some technological advancements (OS X, DVI etc.) which you will not find in any sub-$500 PC.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

On January 6th of 2005, Steve Jobs delivered unto the Apple masses something that has long been a desire of cheap, ahem... thrifty, Apple fans: The Mac mini. While it wasn't the headless iMac, it was a big surprise for a great price.

Weighing in with two configurations, one at 1.25Ghz and its slightly bigger brother at 1.42ghz, the mini has made a significant impression on the computer industry, spawning clones from heavy hitters like Intel as well as more minor players like Nanode.

Let's take a closer look at this little machine that has caused such a stir.

Specs - 7
This is a budget conscious mac, don't be mistaken. You won't be seeing any G5s here or any fancy-schmancy firewire 800. But for $500 you get a quite capable little machine. Both minis share the bulk of their specs:

256MB RAM
Combo Drive
10baseT ethernet
56k Modem
2 USB 2 ports
1 firewire 400 port
DVI video out powered by a 32mb Radeon 9200

For $500 you get a 1.25ghz processor and a 40GB drive. Throw down an extra 100 clams and you've bought yourself a 1.42Ghz brain and a capacious 80gb drive. You can also opt to include bluetooth and airport for only $100 more.

While one would like to see faster ethernet and firewire ports, the laptop drive required by the tiny enclosure would bottleneck transfer speeds anyway. Apple clearly made some concessions to hit the $500 price point, including the anemic 256mb RAM, but we asked for a barebones machine right?

Design - 9
It's hard to argue that Apple brings the juice when it comes to design. The mini, while being incredibly small, attracts a lot of attention. It blends the white high gloss of Apple's consumer products with the brushed metal look of their pro line in an almost unbelievably small package.

Unfortunately their design prowess did not include designing a way for consumers to install RAM upgrades themselves. Apparently Apple couldn't bear the agony of marring the smooth rubber bottom with something as banal as common screws. Instead they used plastic retaining tabs that can only be released by a flat stiff tool like a paint scraper. Opening one sounds like, and is as terrifying as cracking a baby's spine (not that I've done that). This cracking is therefore reserved for authorized Apple technicians only. Considering a RAM upgrade is pretty likely on these machines, Apple looses points for leaving out an easy way to swap in a bigger chip.

Usability - 9

If you're the type of customer this product is aimed at, i.e someone who's replacing another mac or PC, the mini fits the bill. Pop it in place of your old machine plug in the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and you're ready to rock. It will fit almost anywhere, including a car dashboard or the back of an HD TV as some industrious individuals have found.

The mini rolls with the latest version of OS X, whose ease of use is top notch. Also included is the excellent iLife suite of applications whose ease of use is excellent. New users are greeting with a set up assistant that makes configuration a snap.

Your mom can set this up in place of her PC and get to work without worrying about viruses, spyware or malware making her life miserable. This also means you're not getting calls to come over and fix it. *place big sigh of relief here*

Value - 8

While Apple hasn't given us everything, what they have given us is an excellent balance of power and price. When looking at upgrading the RAM, HD or optical drive with faster or larger components, it's easy to double the cost of the mini with little effort. This alone indicates what a bargain the mini is. While some would argue that you can get a cheaper PC from Dell, it's unlikely you can match the software bundle, speed and most importantly, size of the mini from any PC maker.

Overall Rating - 9

While to some, the mini is underpowered, it's important to not underestimate the impact this machine is having. It's the first ala carte Mac. It's the first Mac you can buy for $500. It's the first Mac you can comfortably fit in a glove box. It's a lot of power in a very little box and it's got the industry scRAMbling to make copies.

Pros:
Price
Size
Finally a bare bones mac

Cons:
Anemic RAM
Slow Laptop HD
Difficult to open

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

The Mac mini... the new puppy?

When beautiful women stop to caress and admire your puppy, they usually will not say, "Awww, look how educated he seems." or "How fast does he run?" or "Can he catch a frisbee, bark a melody, roll over and get you a beer, all at the same time?"

This is why my review starts with design. Macs and most Apple products do not win awards for their specs. Since January 22nd, more people have gushed over my mini than any of my other gadgets they've ever held or beheld. Most of those people are women. In fact, women have called over other women just to point, touch and smile at it. Design = 10.0

This leads me to value. How do you define value anyway? What is the worth of having women lavish your gadget with attention? Priceless I say. The review guidelines dictate a number. So for the price, you get an attractive and incredibly versatile conversation piece, appliance, entertainment hub, drink coaster and, when no one is looking, a rock-solid computer. A half-point deduction was made mainly to avoid a perfect rating as one may have to buy an accessory. It may be a display or a display adapter, a keyboard, a mouse or some other controller. Of course, there will be some who will not need any of these at all. To those, the Mac mini will indeed be perfect. Value = 9.5

Simple to unpack and easy to share. With my HDTV and network, music, photos and video play flawlessly at parties. A Mac for parties? A Mac for her pleasure? Usability = 10.0

The Mac mini comes in two models with enough options, inside and out, to confuse yourself as much or as little as you could possibly want. Some argue that memory needs upgrading. Just to open it, I doubled mine after three weeks. Who doesn't want to get intimate after three weeks? I felt no difference in usability but then again, the satisfaction of having peeked inside this beauty? Yikes! Anyway, unlike most complainers I have met or read, I knew what I was getting for the price when I walked up to the register at the Apple Store. I paid attention- yeah, flame on. Specs = 10.0

Overall, the experience has been incredible. Complaints? None. Again, I tried to live up to being one of those smart readers you talked about by educating myself to what the mini is and what it is not. I didn�t buy the mini to simultaneously run Adobe Photohouse, Apple Cutting Floor Express, and DVD Encode Pro while surfing the net to solve the mysteries of the universe. The Mac mini is what it is. A balance of beauty, power and size. Overall = 9.875

Pros: Attracts women (fine, men and plants too) and is plenty powerful to keep them around. Great for New Yorkers with overpriced studio apartments. Shhh... do you hear that? Of course not, that�s the sound of quiet and quality design. Plastic top doubles as an easy-to-clean martini coaster, cheese plate etc.

Cons: Not many, however, it is a Mac, so there is bound to be an uninformed but very opinionated person that you forgot you invited to a party who will say something that you will have to ignore. Also, like the iPod, there will probably be plenty of accessories designed for the mini that you will want for no explicable reason.

The final word? The Mac mini is the new puppy. A chick magnet? Perhaps. Some care and training required? Of course. But in the end, it is a beauty that will delight and surprise you and those who are willing to stop, smile and have a look.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

First impression out of the box is simply� WOW! I purchased the $500 model with the RAM self-upgraded to 512MB in hopes that I could see what it could do so I can recommend it to friends and co-workers.

For the gamers in all of us games like Quake 3, Unreal Tournament 2004, and the ever-popular World of Warcraft play well on the Mac Mini. You won�t see jaw dropping graphics at extreme resolutions and frame rates, but the games all work and are playable (albeit at lower-end graphics settings for UT:2004 and WOW).

Dabblers in Graphics and Video will like the fact that it runs the CS Suite and Final Cut Pro well. I recommend hooking up an external firewire drive and using it as your scratch drive when working with large files, if not booting entirely off of the firewire drive. Both significantly increase the responsiveness of these applications.

Audiophiles will love that Soundtrack and Garageband work well with the Mac also, although I found GarageBand still has speed issues and has problems playing some of it�s more intricate demos even with 512MB RAM.

For those into hacking around with their Mac Mini� the Mac Mini has already inspired many people to create websites dedicated to making it into a

Home Media Center:
(http://centerstageproject.com/)
Car MP3/DVD Player:
(http://theradblog.typepad.com/theradblog/2005/03/mac_mini_in_a_l.html)
Even DIY Docks:
(http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000277033346/)

If you are considering the Mac Mini for your home media center or car, you can be happy knowing that the Mac Mini really is as quiet as a faint whisper when in normal use, with only the CD/DVD drive making any significant noise when it is in use.

Specs: 7/10
Good enough for the price. I think it could have come with wireless standard, a more recent graphics chipset, digital audio, or at least some feature that came out in the last 2 years. I did like that they recently dropped the price of some of the add-ons to the Mac Mini. But I didn�t like that the Mac Mini is very finicky about the quality of RAM you put inside. I was unable to get a bunch of my cheap 2700 and 3200 512MB and 1G sticks to work until I pulled out my 512MB Kingston from one of my PC�s which worked great!

Design: 9/10
Beautifully designed. I think a 10 would qualify as the best design EVER, and although The Mac Mini looks great next to your 23�, under your HDTV, or even tucked behind your VGA Monitor, I think there is a little room for improvement (there always is!).

Usability: 7/10
Great machine for a casual workstation at home, in the office or for your internet-friendly children. Would also make a good public machine for internet caf?, bookstores, etc. The Mac Mini could be also used to do some programming or mild gaming on to take a break from working. Although it�s really not a machine that can fully take advantage of Final Cut, GarageBand, or any of the latest and greatest games or multimedia applications to their full extent. The Mini would also make a great web/file server or test server. OS-X with Apache built-in is much easier than setting up a webserver on a Windows or Linux-based server in my experience. And installing PHP and MySQL are each a single package from versiontracker away.

Value: 7/10
For ~$500, you get an excellent return on your investment considering you already have an extra monitor or TV for the Mac Mini. If you have to purchase a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. things start adding up and you might consider an iMac or eMac (if you can get your hands on one). Going this route you would be missing out on the sleekness of the Mini, but would still end up with a very usable Macintosh.

Overall: 7/10
The Mini is a good investment for anyone looking for a new gadget! It�s also perfect for anyone looking for a nice small computer for a small workspace for anyone with light to medium computing needs. It has its limitations on speed and expansion but what it lacks in that area it makes up for in looks, style, and simplicity.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Specs - 7.5 of 10 - The biggest disappointment with the specs of the Mini, is the hard drive speed. The thing chugs along at 4200rpm, when 5600 and 7200 rpm drives are readily available and not much more expensive. I would at least expect a speedier drive in the 80GB version. Also, I can't help but think they could have added an extra memory slot if they used notebook memory instead of the full size desktop memory that is used in the single slot as shipped. These days, most users could probably do without a modem. I would certainly prefer Airport connectivity to a modem. And while it's nice to have a mono speaker built into the box, it's nearly worthless for anything other than a simple "beep" or "click". The 1.42GHz chip and 512MB ram in my Mini still aren't enough to run the power applications that I'm used to being able to run. But even the base model should be enough for the average home user. Points deducted for a slow hard drive, and lack of faster processor option.

Design - 7 of 10 - Overall, the Mini is designed very well. The package is sleek, and looks great. The speed adjusting fans are extremely quiet. The power supply is about 1/3rd the size of the computer, but it comes attached to a long cable, so it can be easily hid under a desk (see photo). One design feature that Apple engineers competely screwed up, is the power cable connector. The form factor is small, and dummy proof, but it comes out WAY too easily. Multiple times, I've slid the mini towards me on my desk only to have the power cable disconnect itself. And be careful when detaching a CAT-5 cable from the adjacent ethernet port. The power cable has become dislodged that way a couple times as well. For that reason alone, the design category is scored a 7.

(http://www.webnik.net/temp/IMG_0619.JPG)
(http://www.webnik.net/temp/IMG_0615.JPG)


Usability - 8.5 of 10 - Simple and easy to use. The power button is hidden in the back, but is easy to find, and it's intuitively located at the very first place I feel around at. The anti-slip surface on the bottom works well enough, but not well enough to prevent slipping when inserting cables. I suppose that's to be expected with such a lightweight machine. The biggest gripe I have with the usability is the CD loader. Apple advertises the loader as sensing the presense of the disc, and slurping it in. In reality, you have to nearly fully insert the disc into the slot in order for it to "sense" it (See picture for reference). I won't make any comments about OS X, because either you like it, or you don't. With the CD loader problem, this category gets an 8.5.

(http://www.webnik.net/temp/IMG_0621.JPG)


Value - 9.5 of 10 - When you can buy a computer this sexy and powerful for under $600, there's not much more to say about the value. It's a very good value. Half a point deducted for the slight overpricing of the extra accessories.

Overall - 8.5 of 10 - First things first, The Mac Mini has been my introduction to the world of Apple Computers. You already know the biggest advantages just by looking at it. It's small and beautiful. So most of this review has focused mostly on the negatives. That being said, I still feel this computer is a great value, and works perfectly as a desktop computer for the average user. 8.5 points is the average score from the four categories, rounded up to the half.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Images for the above review (could only include 3 URLs in the post)

(http://www.webnik.net/temp/IMG_0612.JPG)
(http://www.webnik.net/temp/IMG_0614.JPG)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I am going to be very simple. I used to be a Microsoft gateway laptop user, only because that is what my parents were until I moved out of my house and got married. My husband re-converted me over to Apple. You see when I was growing up we had an Apple ][e 64k of memory and an 80 column card upgrade to make it 128k of memory. Back then it was considered a lot. I used to play a game called Miner 2049, I am sure you all remember it if you were born in the 80's.., but back to the point, I would spend hours on end at that computer as a 6 year fascinated with the apple logo it bright colors and the computer as a whole trying to figure out how it worked...


OVERALL: 10+
Like the commercial for cheese its four basic words "Ahh the power of Apple."

SPEC'S: 9
I have the basic operating system. It fits my needs, and yeah could upgrade to hold more memory, but why if I don't need it I can still burn CD's the only thing I can't do is burn my created iMovies, so I use my husband's powerbook.

DESIGN:10+
I LOVE IT!!! Did I mention that I am a HUGE Apple fan�but seriously the design it AWESOME. I had to take it with me to my husband's work because I was in the middle of creating and iMovie and I put it in a portable DVD carrying case the size of a medium size purse. Now tell me can you do that with a PC (monitor, Tower, Keyboard, mouse, etc., NOPE!!!! I would love to see someone toting around a huge Tower case that would be something. I recently took it with me to AZ to show off the my family in hopes of converting them over, I think I did!

USABILITY: 10+
Any dummy can figure out how to use it, not that hard and very friendly user, no spam, no virus, no windows crashing, everything that happens to a PC, hasn't happened to my Mac Mini.

VALUE: 10+
For what it does, that price is AWESOME, so affordable for people who want to try out Apple. I sure somewhere down the line they might come out with a "better" Mac Mini but for now, its GREAT!

As a family member of mine once said "I think Windows based computers are for idiots who like to tinker, but to each his own. :-)

So there you go...why I own a Mac Mini.

Here are some of my favorite apple pic's:
http://photos3.flickr.com/4697880_cbb8ade9ca_o.jpg
http://photos4.flickr.com/4697870_70ff39eac2_o.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

So here's my review:

I�ve been a die hard Apple fan since 1982 and bought my first Mac about 12 years ago. When Apple introduced the first iMac I lusted after it for ages, wanting one just because it was cute. It wasn�t in the cards for me because I had just bought a beige PowerPC G3 MT. 18 months ago we bought a flat panel iMac for my husband while I continued on with the big beige box. I had it fully tricked out even upgrading the zif so there was no reason to buy a new machine. Until I saw the Mac Mini.

Mind you I had my heart set on the newest iMac figuring I would be able to justify buying one in 2006. Fageddabout it. The mini stole my heart even faster than the Cube (which I still wish I owned).

I�ve had mine for about a month now and have to give it an overall rating of 10. I bought the 1.42 MHz version (a girl can never go fast enough) with the Bluetooth option, the combo drive and the RAM bump. Since I needed a wireless keyboard and mouse to go with the Bluetooth I added that to the lineup as well as iWork. Overall total was just over $950.

I had added an external firewire drive to my MT and moving it over to the mini was a simple as plugging it in and turning it on. I did buy a new USB hub but I could have managed without it.

I think I�m pretty much in the middle as a user, i.e., not a power user by any means but not a novice either. The mini suits me to a �T.� It�s fast, unbelievably quiet (the ceiling fan makes more noise), and, well, CUTE. The powerbrick is small and unobtrusive and my only complaint so far is the tangle of cords that remains. And since I�m not an engineer that�s going to be as far as I go with the �specs� except to say I�d give the mini a 9.5 because I still think what you get for the price is outstanding (and I don't want to be accused of being over-the-top in my ratings). Plus, my 7 year old Panasonic crt looks amazing. Darn. There goes an excuse to buy a flat panel.

Design gets a 10. How could it not? This teeney weeney itsy bitsy (gorgeous) box is amazing. From the brushed silver metallic-looking wrap to the white top with the gray apple logo to it�s tiny little feet it is stunning to look at. I haven�t popped the top yet but have seen pics and it�s incredible how they packed all that �stuff� in that eensy space. Too cool.

Usability gets a 10. Out of the box, onto the desk top, plug it in and off you go. What more do you want? Although I really should probably shave off 1/10 of a point because it can be a little pokey occasionally.

Value. A 10. Hey don�t blame Apple if you wind up spending twice the price. If you keep everything to the bare minimum and use your old monitor and keyboard/mouse you�ve saved a bundle. I would have had to buy a new keyboard at the least because my old one is serial not USB so that justified the extra for the Bluetooth. I�m sick of wires.

Looking back I wish I had bought the SuperDrive and the Airport option but I guess I can always add them onto the next Mini �cause I already want another one (a girl can never have too many toys). We have a big screen HDTV that needs it�s own computer. ;-)

Oh yeah, here�s a pic: http://www.darleenmb.com/MiniMess.jpg

Darleen

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

About four years ago, I met my beautiful green behemoth of an iMac.

Of course, at the time, I certainly didn't think of it as a behemoth. 'Behemoth' is more of a retrospective word, usually applied exclusively to computers, 40 ounce steaks and girlfriends, none of which really seem all that unappealing at the time. After all, the iMac didn't have one of those clunky towers, and if you ate the whole steak, the only price you'd pay would be intense intestinal distress. The iMac's mysterious inner workings were a self-contained galaxy of OS9-pulsing processing power and display, capable of audio, video and all those other things that computers do. Gigaflop and parse. And IP. All without all the requisite wires running to and fro. As far as computers went, she was my first computer worth a damn, and she was a sleek beast of a machine.

My chartreuse lover, after such loyal service and only one serious instance of infection, which was sort of a required rite of passage if one expected to be hooked up to that naughty college ethernet for any length of time, now sits dormant on my desk for nearly a month, screen greyed and dusty, with a plastic skull and a robot action figure still perched atop her like a noble crown, a small decal of an illustrated flame tattooed below her internal microphone hole, like a third eye. She's been cast aside for the Mac Mini.

The Mac Mini, which shipped a bit late and with the most ridiculously backward FedEx tracking I've ever seen (sending it to NY by way of China three times and a stopover at a Denny's in Wisconsin), arrived in a small box. The spare keyboard and mouse had arrived a week or so earlier, as some kind of enticing tease of things to come. Unfortunately, if you get these standard items from the Mac Store, they'll ship you an clownishly awkward white keyboard, which dwarfs the iMac keyboard, and the dreaded one-button mouse. The Mac Mini actually sat quietly on my desk for almost a week, with a cheaply bought flatscreen LCD monitor, completely inactive. I wasn't ready yet. I liked my OS9, and the little freezes that would happen should I be chatting too much, and the burnt-in Finder bar that I could read even when the computer was off. I did not, however, spend 800 bucks for nothing, and I knew that I'd have to give up the ghost. After a day or so with the Mac Mini, feeling completely at odds with it, I switched over to the iMac keyboard and a conveniently dual-buttoned Logitech cordless mouse. Any apprehension that I had about the new computer was shed as I found my way around.

The Mac Mini that I decided on was souped up from the standard, given a SuperDrive, 512 MB of SDRAM, and the 80 gig HD. For basic specs, the Mac Mini would have to get a 6. For the easily souped-up specs, the Mini scores an easy 9. It has less RAM than my iMac, and unfortunately, that much is apparent in the frequent lags between programs. The sheer cost of a full complement of RAM from the Mac Store was pretty astronomical, so I settled for less, and it shows, but not enough to be a problem - just an annoyance. I ventured that I might be able to replace the RAM with something more powerful by myself, but then I remembered that I actually closed my fingers in a car door once, and the door stayed closed as I reflexively tried to reach the door handle with my trapped hand, and only later realized that I'd have to use my free hand to liberate my stuck digits. So, maybe it's best that I not play inside of electrified, delicate objects. The cartoonish appearance of the OSX interface doesn't help that lag very much either, with icons bouncing here and there, windows being sucked into things, these rounded edges on everything. If I'm not mistaken, the design for this OS had one credo in mind : "Make it look like those crazy computers in the movies!"

Well, Apple, you've impressed my grandparents. Me, I like a more ergonomic approach to my OS. Usability scores at an 8.

I managed to hook up all of my various peripherals without much incident, all into the densely packed array of ports and buttons on the back of the machine. Once per day, I give the poor thing a reacharound just to turn it on, and it makes me feel kinda dirty. There's only one FireWire port, but given the fact that FireWire devices can usually be strung together in a row, you don't really NEED more than one. Somehow, the whole device remains incredibly cool, even without internal fans. The iMac often served as an extra radiator during the colder winter months, and I admit to being very worried about it when it first arrived. So worried, in fact, that I probably gave the tech support guy at Apple something to tell his friends about after my frantic phone call.

The Mac Mini did not prompt such asinine, amateurish phone calls, nor does it whir like a lopsided helicopter when in use. The Mini is whisper quiet, almost unnaturally so until one becomes used to the silence and the tiny white light to indicate that it's actually on. I do not doubt that Apple could have made the computer smaller by giving the buyer the option of excluding the 56k modem, using more compact RAM and a more notebook-oriented DVD drive, all of which would slim down the already miniature computer, but if I can't pick up my computer and beat an alien menace to death with it, I don't know if I'd trust it with my valuable collection of Suicide Girls pictures.

Apple celebrated the virtues of a 500 dollar Mac, which is, ostensibly, a miraculous claim. Peel this back, though, and you find that you need to choose a few upgrades to get the Mini up to snuff even with their elder computers. With such necessary peripherals as a mouse, monitor and a keyboard, you face a charge that's closer to the 1000 dollar price range. Even at this price, though, the deal is fair, and certainly undersells previous Macs. It's a great value for a desktop, and I don't regret spending the money one bit, leaving this with a value of 10. The Mac Mini has the smallest footprint of any computer, ever, except for the ill-fated Mac Cube, making it idea for a small dorm room or other such limited spaces, with a design rating of 9. It's a sweet looking machine, which barely looks like a machine at all.

Overall, the Mac Mini scores a 9. And it makes me feel pretty.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Is the Mac Mini �everything for everyone� and how would it serve as an eMac replacment machine? Those were the questions I pondered as I contemplated repacing eMac with a Mini last week. Now, I�m fully switched over�here are some initial thoughts.

I ended up with the $599.00 - 1.42 ghz model. 256 mb ram, an 80 gb - 4200 rpm hd and combo drive � no wireless or Bluetooth options. The eMac being replaced is the 1.25 ghz model, with an 80 gb hd and 768 mb ram.

As usual, the Mini�s packaging is stylish and clean, and everything comes in an amazingly small box, which makes sense considering the book-like size of the Mini itself. As there have been many articles with photos of unpacking the item, I won�t go into further detail, but will instead jump right to usage impressions.

The eMac seems like a behemoth next to the Mini on the same shelf. Replacing the eMac with the Mini allows multiple peripherals to now occupy the same space, freeing up more desk space. Setting up the Mini using Setup Assistant was a breeze, and took just under two hours to transfer 50 gb of information from my eMac to my Mini.
PHOTOS - http://www.buzzsawmusic.com/engadget/mini.html

As I feared, the 256 mb of ram in the Mini was inadequate for anything beyond basic email and Internet tasks. Within a few days the Mini went back for a 1 gb ram upgrade. This does not give you an additional 1 gb of ram, but replaces your 256 mb of ram with 1 gb of ram, since the mini only has one slot for memory. The retailer charged $20 for the service, plus the price of ram, for a total of $277.50. You could DIY and save a few bucks, but we prefer to support the local economy when we can.
PHOTO - refer to link above

The Mini with 1gb of ram now performs to my liking, and hardly hiccups on anything I have run by it. With 256 mb of ram, I could invoke a spinner previewing a 2 mb image. With the ram upgrade, Preview opens up the image in a snap. With 256 mb, Garageband had choked on a 4 track, 2 minute song, producing a colorful playhead, and eventually stopping. Two recorded audio tracks with effects and two midi loops. With the ram upgrade, I�ve not had any issues with multiple tracks and live effects. I have also encountered great performance with other applications I use regularly, Logic Audio, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator to mention a few.
PHOTO - refer to link above

So is the Mini a perfect �everything for everyone� machine? There have been a few gotchas that I�ve had to deal with, but no real show stoppers. The first of course, is that you will need some sort of keyboard, mouse and monitor for the mini. My pc has lived next to my eMac and is running a Dell 17� flat panel, so I opted to get an IOGear two port KVM and share those peripherals. So far, so good, and even using a KVM the image on the flat panel is very nice, once calibrated and tweaked a bit. I didn�t seem to have dim display issues that many have reported using the DVI-VGA connector, even through an additional KVM connection. I also had to hook up a powered USB hub to drive the external hard drive and audio inteface that both required power.
PHOTOS - refer to link above

Aside from those items though, the Mini has been a fantastic piece of gear, and was a great replacement for the eMac. To sum up my thoughts, lets to to the Mac-O-Meter ratings:


Specs � 6
I think any Mac running OSX needs a minimum of 512 mb ram, and I�d prefer a 5400 rpm hard drive for that extra kick. One more USB and one more Firewire ports would also help.

Design � 10
There�s nothing to complain about here, the Mini looks great anywhere.

Usability � 9
Runs like any other Mac � easy for most once you�re used to life with a Mac.

Value � 7
If you have a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers already, this would be a 9, however, if you don�t, the eMac may be a better value at the price point.

Overall � 8
The Mini isn�t pefect, and may give some users a few roadblocks to deal with, however they won�t be anything to keep you from buying one and putting it to work right away!

The mac Mini is a hit with our little 'mini' too!
PHOTO - refer to link above

Be sure to visit my 360 degree view of my Mac Mini!
http://www.buzzsawmusic.com/engadget/mini360.html

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Design

As with every Apple product it is hard to start a review without mentioning the design first. It is what first impresses us and often it is the key factor to get our attention of the product. And this time it's no different.

The Mac Mini reflects Apple's design principals of what makes a gorgeous looking product; simplicity. It is what you will first see when you open the case with the Mac Mini inside of it. No fancy beaming lights, no switches, just a 6.5 inches (17 cm) square and 2 inches high box with a CD slot and an Apple logo on top of it (http://freeweb.siol.net/hueyp/mac/mac002.jpg). Weighting at around 3 pounds (1.32 kg) it is lighter than most notebooks. Because of its special design it is nearly completely silent when in operational mode. All the connectors are hidden in the back, even the power-on button (http://freeweb.siol.net/hueyp/mac/mac001.jpg).

Design - 9.5: Simple, yet beautiful design.


Specs

It is obvious from the specs that Apple wasn't aiming at top performance with Mac Mini. Yet the Mini is packed with everything you need and not an ounce more. The standard setup comes with a 1.25 GHz G4 CPU and 256 MB of RAM which will satisfy most of its consumers. Graphics are powered by a Radeon 9200 with 32 MB of VRAM. Clearly not the fastest card on the market, but enough to please the majority of non-gaming users. 40 GB of storage is enough to please the mass, though it is possible to use an additional external hard drive, either through the two USB 2.0 ports or Firewire 400, if you need it. There's also a slot-loading combo drive capable of reading DVDs (8x) with support for CD writing (24x) and rewriting (16x). Apple has also made it possible to connect to the internet via an internal V.92 modem (56.6K) and there's also a 10/100 Ethernet card for networking and DSL (http://freeweb.siol.net/hueyp/mac/mac005.jpg). The Mini also comes without a keyboard and a mouse.

Specs - 7.5: Not a performance breaker, but a powerful desktop computer. The graphics card could be faster and additional RAM wouldn't hurt.


Usability

The first thing most people will notice when they first boot up their Mac Mini is the slick, stylish GUI design. While most other systems are cluttered with usability flaws and interface inconsistency, Macs are extremely easy to use and consistent. The Mini is powered by Apple's latest and greatest operating system, Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), which is based on UNIX (FreeBSD) and has proven itself to be extremely stable. The key features of Mac OS are ease of use and throughout software consistency. It is very unlikely that you will feel aliened inside OS X, because things are well thought out. With the Mini you also get iLife 2005 software package which contains iPhoto - a digital photo editing and organizing application, iMovie - video editing software, iDVD � DVD creation program, iTunes � the notorious mp3 player/music store and GarageBand � music recording/creation software. The system itself is very usable without any additional software installed. However the system lacks a microphone or a line-in connector which seems strange as you get bundled with iLife's GarageBand. Also don't expect the Mini to satisfy your gaming needs. But for desktop use it's more than enough.

Usability - 9: Plenty of bundled software, but you're forced to buy USB iMic for your microphone.


Value

While most agree on Mac Mini's aesthetic design, many question the value of it. At $499 it is not cheap for a med-to-low end machine, but let's not forget the value of the software which truly pays for itself. But it's not the hardware that makes the Mini shine. "It just works" is the Mac's motto and you will find that, for the large part of time, to be true. With it comes the ease of use, the reliability of OS X and the style of Apple. Gone will be your worries of spyware, viruses and other malware you generally find PC users fighting against.

Value - 8.5: Could be cheaper, but bundled software justifies the price.


Overall

Mac Mini is an opportunity for everyone without a computer to purchase an affordable, powerful desktop computer capable to satisfy most of your needs. The Mini is also an opportunity for PC users to get a glimpse of what the Mac is all about without purchasing an expensive Mac and yet it still remains a powerful machine for general purpose. The Mini has mostly impressed everyone, but as everything has it's failures, so does the Mac Mini. Although it's a relatively low-end machine compared at a similar priced PC, it serves its purpose right and it is unlikely you will find yourself in the need of a faster machine. However it is worth noting that the Mini can be upgraded with additional storage and memory (up to 1 GB RAM) as well as wireless connection cards (AirPort, Bluetooth) and a CD/DVD-RW combo.

Overall - 9: Perfect solution for anyone seeking a desktop computer for everyday use.

Pros:
+ Slick design
+ Ease of use
+ Very portable
+ Can be upgraded
+ Lots of bundled software to keep you busy
+ Cheap way to get a Mac

Cons:
- Lacks line-in connector - forced to buy USB iMic
- Graphics card could be faster
- Could use additional RAM

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

There seems to be a flood of both positive and negative responses about the Mac Mini. After reading several reviews and opinions about the Mac Mini, I decided to get one myself to see what all the hype was about. I can honestly say I've been pleasantly surprised with the performance with the Mac Mini. I can also say I am somewhat disappointed with some aspects of the Mini and Mac OS X, which I will get to later. This review is based on the 1.25Ghz base model.


Specification: 7 / 10

(http://homepage.mac.com/soymilk/Personal4.html)

Despite its lowly 1.25ghz processor and 4200-rpm HDD, the performance is actually pretty good. The animation of Expose was choppy with only 256mb ram. Once I installed a stick of 1gb into the mini, there was no longer a shudder in audio or visual when using Expose. The sweet spot for most users seems to be 512mb ram. The video card is enough for most users. The mini is not a gaming powerhouse, but it is enough to run a good amount of games available for Mac. One thing you will notice is the lack of enough usb ports.


Design: 8 / 10

In most, if not all of Apple's Products, it is apparent that a lot of thought and engineering has gone into them; this can also be said for the mini. It can easily be an eye catcher because of its sophisticated yet minimalist design. Yet it can also be easily hidden because of its small footprint. (Just in case you want to leave it hanging on the back of your plasma using twisty ties) Due to the design of the mini, upgrading it at home is not going to be a viable option for the average user. It can still be done, but not without a bit of skill and bravery.


Usability: 8 / 10

The OS is very easy to set up, in just a few minutes the mini was connected to my network. Mac OS X is very intuitive and is a breeze to work with. However, it would have been nice to see a "Getting Started" application or a simple guide for less adept users out there. Instructions could show simple tasks like how to install/delete programs, maintenance, and other basic features. Another point I would like to make is that the mini does not support certain types of .AVI files; mostly those that are encoded with Microsoft codecs.


Value: 9 / 10

Many people have made the Dell 2400 vs. Mac Mini comparison. From a hardware point of view, it�s clear that the Dell is the winner. The actual value of the mini is not in the hardware but in the OS and applications. The mini is a very affordable entryway into the world known as Mac OS X. It begs the question....
How much would you pay to not worry about viruses and spyware?

It is really refreshing not having to worry if your virus definitions are up to date, when the last time you ran Spybot, or the last time you defragged your HDD. When you get your mini you also get a plethora of great applications such as iMovie, iPhoto, Garageband just to name a few. It�s safe to say the mini is clearly a force to be reckon with. The mini might not be a valid path in some people, but given its strengths it should be able to give most budget computers a run for its money.


Wrap up:

Specs
Pros - Lots of built in features
Cons - Slow HDD, not enough memory for some users

Design
Pros - Looks great and very small
Cons - Could be very difficult to open and upgrade for the average user

Usability
Pros - Very easy to use and stable OS
Cons - Some applications and media can be spotty

Value
Pros - Comes with great OS and great software
Cons - Not exactly a great deal hardware wise


Overall: 8 / 10

The mini is a great system, but not without its own set of problems. Those problems are not a real big issue, but something you would have to consider when purchasing the mini. I've been a Windows user for the past 10 years and I am extremely happy that I took the plunge into Mac. Despite its small shortcomings, the overall feel is that the unit has totally surpassed my expectations. Why are you still reading this? Go buy one already!

(http://homepage.mac.com/soymilk/PhotoAlbum3.html)
(http://homepage.mac.com/soymilk/.cv/soymilk/Public/expose.avi-link.avi)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

(http://homepage.mac.com/soymilk/.cv/soymilk/Public/junpei.avi-link.avi)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Well, Apple called my bluff. I�d been asking for iTunes on my TV ever since I first started using iTunes with my Windows-based iPod. So I went to MacWorld this year, saw the Mini, asked my questions, and bought one on the spot. I received it on the release date - my first Mac since leaving college 12 years ago - and I was blown away from the very beginning.

First I connected it to my ThinkPad keyboard (the funky one with the red nipple mouse) and an IBM flat-screen monitor. Everything worked immediately, even the funky nipple mouse. No drivers to download, no bugs to work out, no nothing, it just worked right out of the box. When I originally added the external keyboard to my ThinkPad I had to download drivers to make that work properly, but not with the Mini.

The user interface of the Mac OS is really a pleasure to use, and looks great on our wide-screen TV. I bought the Mini to use in our living room, and only plan on using iPhoto and iTunes. Those two free apps are far superior to whatever money can buy on the PC side. The Mini connected easily to my PC server, shares the iTunes library from my PC, and got the whole house rockin� in minutes. I have had bittorrent up and running with zero problems for a few weeks now, and the DVI out to my Sony TV works just fine.


Overall � 8 (It just works great � first time in the last bunch of years, I bought a computer and the actual unpacking to real usage was calculated in minutes.)

Specs � 8 (It�s no dual-xeon workstation, but it�s more than adequate for the average user)

Design � 10 (come on�Apple clearly has the best designs)

Usability � 10 (again, come on! OSX is heads and tails easier to use for the average Joe.)

Value � 11 (add up the real costs of a comparably PC and software in such an elegant silent box, impossible to come close to the value (today)).


Cons:
- No idea how to expand it � it�s a tightly sealed little box.
- The speed/processor might not be great if you plan on doing any intensive graphic manipulations (i.e. photoshopping�)
- Makes you think about switching entirely to Mac which is a bit cost prohibitive.
- No direct audio in or digital audio out (OK, that�s not a huge thing�.I�m struggling to find more con�s)

Pros:
- Obviously the price/value equation (with the iLife software, the value is waaay high for the cost)
- It�s really cute � chicks dig it.
- Firewire, DVI, etc., built in.
- It�s actually a Unix box! (Loads of fun trying out fancy commands�)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

So, I bought a Mac Mini...

Now, mind you, I haven't had a Mac in about 10 years. My last Apple product was (I think) a IIIc that must have been running OS, what? -XIV?

So I was excited but a little nervous about integrating the little Mini into my home WinXP setup (now you boys play nice together!) - how much of my weekend would be spent configuring drivers, delving down into obscure menus and settings, trying to strain to the limits of my paltry technical knowledge and get the darn thing GOING...

Did I ever have time left over that first weekend!

So, herewith the review:

Overall
9 out of 10
Small in form factor, but large in the hearts of its countrymen, the Mini is impressive for what it is - an entry-level but full-fledged computer that is especially designed for people like me: long-time Windows users who were looking to "Get Back, JoJo" to their Mac roots, or just plain jump into the world of iPod, iTunes, iWhatever. And it was a strategy that is paying off.

Specifications
7 out of 10
Now I've seen all the bitching by gearheads who complain that the Mini doesn't have this or have that - especially out-of-the-gate memory. C'mon, folks, get with the program! Suck it up and add the stuff you need. I got mine with 512Mb of memory, the Airport and Bluetooth cards, but "just" the 40Gb drive and ComboDrive. So I'll use my Dell as the file server. So I'll use my current monitor, keyboard and mouse. It all works together. Why fuss? (Oh, right it is SO hard to add in that KVM switch...)

Design
9 out of 10
From the Classic (hats off to you, John Ramage, for bringing that baby into the office in 1985!) to today, Apple is the one to follow. And not just in the outer design - pretty though that is. Everything, from window design to software operability, to tiny details of font smoothing show the steady hand of competent designers brought in at every stage. Almost makes you believe in creationism...

Usability
10 out of 10
So my weekend wasn't spent doing the chores I was afraid of. One half hour out of the box and the Mini was talking to my Dell, my Microsoft Wireless Router and everything else on my paltry excuse of a workstation. See Design comments above.

Value
8 out of 10
So they could add in that extra memory right out of the box. So they could have more available on the shelves of brick-and-mortar stores. So... what?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I recently had to replace my iBook G3 as the LCD backlight died, I was ready to give Dell a call but decided to give Apple one last chance, no built in LCD display this time = no iMac G5, back to CRT for me thanks.

Power Mac G5 - too expensive, I don't need all that power.
iMac G5 - No more built in LCD for me.
eMac - Why does it even exist, goes agains most ideals I have about Apple (looks bad, noisy, HUGE, no, no, NO!)
iBook / PowerBook - same reason as the iMac G5 with the added bonus of costing more money too.

So here I go, I have had my Mac mini for over a month now, so far so good.

Overall - 7 out of 10
Not as expensive as other Macs, G4 power is adequate for most users, 256 Mb ram is not enough for more than 9 or 10 Garageband tracks at the same time.
It is very easy to set up, power plug on the back looks like smaller firewire (why?) and does not appear secure in place once plugged in (should be tighter and look completely different).

Specs - 7 out of 10
I have the 1.42 Ghz G4 / 80 gig HDD/ 256 Mb RAM version. Should have at least 512Mb ram as standard and the actual Apple store (Regent street, London, UK) should charge the same for the extra memory as the online Apple store UK, not twice as much as I have found to my surprise once I bought my Mac mini.

Design - 8 out of 10
Looks nice, sounds quiet, small and powerful is good, it is about time to stop accepting noisy full size towers for computers.

Usability - 9 out of 10
Everything works well apart from Garageband which could do with more memory than 256 Mb.
OS X is what an OS should be, just works in the easiest way possible, all the time.

Value - 7 out of 10
G4 Mac for the masses and not for a lot of money, it can use most monitors and keyboards/mice that you may already have, CRT monitors nowadays are really cheap and Apple Pro wired keyboards and mice are really affordable too. LCD monitors are always getting cheaper but Apple�s entry level LCD screen cost almost twice as much as the Mac mini...I refuse to spend more on my monitor than on my TV.

It should have a trapdoor underneath for the extra memory and 2 slots for memory, not just one slot, at least the computer should be able to be opened by anybody without the fear of breaking it. The more you try and stop computer users to do something like upgrading the computer which belongs to them once bought, the more they�ll find a way of doing it, even out of spite.

Once I buy hardware it belongs to me and if I want to open it to upgrade the HDD or RAM I must not be afraid of breaking the case because Apple does not want me to open it.

I believe if Apple made upgrading HDD and RAM easily accessible on a Mac mini by the owner and gave 512 Mb RAM as standard, we would be happier with it.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

In a world filled with beige boxes and overstated styling, it's refreshing to see a product that disappears into the horizon, while providing an alternative in a window-centric universe. It's tiny, has a decent enough amount of memory to compose spam responses to Engadget. It will even burn DVDs of your blog archives if you go with the superdrive.

oh yeah - you can read my blog on it

Carmi
http://writteninc.blogspot.com

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I�ve lusted over her for years, ever since the first time we met in the library in high school, where she helped me with a report. I told myself that I had to have her, that her beauty was intoxicating, overwhelming, almost sinful, but I couldn�t bear to speak the words, and gazed from afar. My love was unspeakable, unknown. I saw others, even fell in love once or twice, but she never left my mind. We moved apart, but I never forgot her.

But earlier this year she moved back to town. She went by Mac now. Mac Mini. I remembered her as Apple, but I could get used to Mac. Mac Mini. We were both older now, and I asked myself, was it time? Should I? No, could I? Could I speak my love? Would she return it? Would my dreams, the longing in my heart, match reality?

We met on a cold afternoon on a Wednesday. I should have been at the office, but I knew she would be there, at my door, knocking, and I�d never forgive myself if I missed her.

Overall? Her beauty took my breath away. After all these years, longing her from afar, to have her in my arms, to touch her soft sides, her dainty waist, with my hands, I realized it was true love. At first sight, she almost brought tears to my eyes; her beauty was unlike any other, and to have her here, in my house, in my kitchen, was a true dream come to life. A ten, a perfect ten, for pure beauty alone, though talking to her, listening to her, spending time with her, only added to my love, that first sweet tender love. Really, was there another like her? Was there ever another like her?

Specs? Quibble, if you must, for some say she is too little, not up to the task, not right for me. There are betters, other, more suitable for you. Who are these people? In my life? Does she not do everything I ask? Is she a Rhodes scholar? No, but she knows her stuff. Is she a playmate? No, but find one prettier. Try. No, she is not a ten, but a seven or an eight. You want a ten? Go find one, you will pay. She is simple, elegant, the love of my life.

Design? Design. Oh, the design. Yes, her beauty comes through, for a nay a more fair maiden have I ever laid my weary eyes upon. My family loves her, my friends love her, all love her, and truly, how could they not? A ten, a beautiful ten, perfection, here, with me, at last my love. Her cool eye, looking at me, calling me. The eye, the window to the soul. Honestly, let�s talk. There has never been another like her, you can�t deny it. You know you covet her too. How can you not? Ten, ten, ten.

Usability. For the fair maiden that she is, for what you ask, for what you know, she is all that you expect. I�m a simple man, with a simple life, and all I wanted is a simple woman. Cosmopolitan taste, an appreciation for the finer things, the arts, yes, but still, at heart, I�m not complex, and neither is she, my eight.

Value. Say what you may, but she mere perfection. Any other like her, truly like her, is beyond many. Her big sisters are way out of my league. But her cousin, while cheaper, is ugly, moody, and honestly, quite a bitch. No, she is my true love, treat her right, get the few things you want, and she is one of a kind. I don�t care what others think, she is a ten in my book.

Now, I know love, true love, my baby completes me. I�ve listened to what others say, maybe she has faults, but there is no perfect one out there, in the morning, all have their faults. But Mac, I truly love. Mac Mini, my baby, my sweet, how joyous the day I found you.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I never expected to become a Mac user. Really. I was never that enamored of Windows, but I'd used it for more than a decade. Besides, I'm an avid gamer, which means I use Windows if I want to play the latest games when they're released. But, last July I got a new job. To my surprise, I discovered on my first day that it's an all-Mac shop. By August, an iBook was ordered for me, and thus began my daily experience with Mac OS X. The elegance of the OS and the ease of use, pretty much sold me. And it didn't hurt to be working around people who could answer any of my Mac-related questions. By December, I bought my own iPod. In February, I ordered a Mac mini for my home use. It arrived in March, and things haven't been the same. They've been better.

First, it just needs to be said. The mini is a hot machine. I went for the 1.42 GHZ version with the 80GB hard drive, and upped the RAM to 512MB. What finally killed my last excuse for not getting the mini was learning about KVM switches. Since I'm keeping my Windows machine (for games if nothing else), I got a KVM switch from Belkin. Hooking everything up was easy. I plugged the mini into my wireless ethernet router, and within minutes I was online, setting up email and surfing the web. A bit later, I'd duplicated the software suite I'd been using on the PC. A day later I networked the Mini to the PC and ported over my iTunes library and other files.

A word about software and gaming. When it comes to software, you can find just about everything for the Mac that you would use on a PC, with a few substitutions. When it comes to games, it's true there aren't as many for the Mac as there are for the PC, but a trip to the Apple store opened my eyes to how many there are. As an avid gamer, I'm pretty demanding when it comes to quality of game play. My test for the mini was how well World of Warcraft would run on it. It ran beautifully on the iBook, and so-so (lots of lag) on the PC. It runs beautifully on the mini, with no lag or other issues. My theory is that as more Windows users switch, some of them will be gamers and will drive up demand for games native to the Mac OS.

A few pros about the mini and Mac OS X:

* It terrific looking. I'd expected a bit more of the usual white plastic, rather than just on the top of the mini, but it's definitely in keeping with Apples "Mac aesthetic."
* It's incredibly easy to set up and use.
* The size. I carried mine home on the subway after it shipped to my office. The "lunchbox" packaging makes it something you can literally pick up on your way hoem from work. Replace your Windows box with the mini, and you'll reclaim some of your non-virtual desktop.
* It's quiet. The only sounds I hear out of it are the musical "bong" when I turn it on, and the sound it makes when I insert a disk.
* It's fast. Plenty fast for any Windows user. Faster in some ways, because of the way in which Mac OS X doles out RAM, and because the video card has its own. (Speaking of RAM, if you tend to run several programs at once, spend the money and upgrade from the standard 256 megabytes.
* It's versatile. I've heard of people using it as part of their media centers, rather than a desktop computer.

I can only think of a few cons:

* No microphone input. If you ever need to do voice recording, you'll have to find a USB microphone, unless Apple has something in the works we don't know about yet. (If you do, don't tell. They'll sue)
* Only two USB jacks. If you have a lot of periperals, you'll want to get a USB hub to use with the mini.
* The price. Not that the mini is expensive. Prices like $499 and $599 draw you in, but if you really want somthing you can use, you've got to go for a few upgrades. Mine drove the price to about $700. Still under $1000, but not $599. But given the quality of the product, it pretty much evens out.

Bottom, I'd recommend the mini to anyone considering a second computer, or to Windows users who are looking to switch, especially if they are looking for something they can safely use online. My guess is that those who do switch will find themselves turning on the Windows machines much less often. My Mac mini arrived on Tuesday, and I set it up that night. It was Sunday before I turned on the Windows machine again. 'Nuff said?

My scores for the mini:

* Overall: 8.7 - There are only a few things about the mini that I would change, and those are reasonably easy enough to take careof on my own.
* Specs: 9 - It packs more than enough power for what I need to do, and I'm a pretty intensive computer user, running a lot of programs and games.
* Design: 9 - There's not much they could do to make the mini look better. It's a little odd having the power button on the back, but nothing major
* Usability: 8 - There's definitely a learning curve if you've not used Mac OS X before, and Apple doesn't include much in the way of a manual. If you need tutorials, you'll want to pick up one of the many books on the market. But Windows users should be able to jump right in.
* Value: 7.8 It was more expensive than I'd have prefered, but I think I got good value for my money.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

for your viewing pleasure, i present
images for review #21. enjoy friends.

(http://homepage.mac.com/dragondog/macminibar.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/dragondog/macminibarlounge.jpg)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

From the moment Steve Jobs held the Mac Mini in his hand at MacWorld San Francisco 2005, a sense of awe overtook me. A machine that not only starts at less than $500, but also one that can be held in a single hand. The Mac Mini measures a mere 6.5" x 6.5" x 2.5" (16.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 5.1 cm), and is designed beautifully like almost every other Apple product. Its white polycarbonate top has a faint image of the Apple logo embedded within, and the side is a smooth, continuous strip of brushed aluminum, the same kind used on the aluminum Powerbooks. A thin slot sits near the top, accommodating for the combo drive. A small, white LED is shines from the bottom-right of the front of the Mini when the Mini is on, and it pulsates when the Mini is asleep. The Mac Mini is to the geek what a rare Rembrandt is to an art collector.

For its size the Mac Mini is quite powerful. The base model, which is priced at $499, is based upon a 1.25 GHz G4 processor and has a 40 GB hard drive. Apple also offers a higher end model that runs $599 and sports a 1.42 GHz G4 processor and an 80 GB hard drive. Both models include 256 MB of memory, a combo drive, a 32 MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics card, two USB 2.0 ports, and a single FireWire 400 port. This is the first Macintosh to not include a keyboard or mouse -- which has been dubbed BYODKM (Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, and Mouse). The Mac Mini has a standard DVI port and includes a DVI to VGA adapter so that practically any existing CRT or LCD monitor can be used.

The first complaint people generally have is that 256 MB of memory just isn't enough. That all depends what the usage is. For most users, who will use Mail, Safari, iTunes, and iChat regularly, 256 MB is sufficient. Even the occasional iPhoto launch doesn't hinder the snappy performance of the Mini. However, if you plan on doing work in programs such as iMovie, 512 MB is almost the minimum.

The next downside to the Mini is a result of its miniature enclosure. Apple used a laptop-sized hard drive that isn't as fast as a regular desktop hard drive would be. At times, the hard drive needs to spin up, but all in all, the hard drive speed doesn't affect performance enough to be noticeable.

Because of the Mini's size, it can be put almost anywhere. It blends well into nearly any setting, from a messy and cluttered desk to an entertainment center. Since the Mini comes bundled with iLife '05 which includes Garage Band, it can be a perfect addition to a home recording studio looking for an upgrade. The possibilities are endless, and because of the price, also very inexpensive.

The reason I purchased a Mac Mini was to upgrade from a 867 MHz Powerbook G4. I purchased the $599 model and although I plan on upgrading the memory, I haven't yet because 256 MB is sufficient for most tasks. Its performance has been an incredible increase over my old Powerbook for things such as compile times in Xcode and REALbasic. The noise level is slightly higher than my Powerbook, especially when the combo drive is being used, but is still silent enough for my liking. The fan rarely kicks on during my day-to-day tasks, keeping it a very silent machine. Because of my positive experience with the Mini, I have found myself recommending it to coworkers, friends, and family, and I extend my recommendation to you.

Rating:
Specs: 8 - The specs are almost astonishingly good for a computer at this price, but starting with only 256 MB of memory leaves this category from reaching higher scores.
Design: 9 - The case is beautiful and elegant, and everything that we've come to expect from Apple. Because of the tight spacing, the cables are easily cluttered and for big hands can be a little bit of work to plug and unplug the cables.
Usability: 10 - It rivals the original iMac in its simplicity and usability (There is no step three!), and because of Mac OS X 10.3 and iLife '05, almost anyone can feel like they control their computer, instead of the other way around.
Value: 9 - The included software is great, and for the average user the default specs are more than adequate. However, it quickly becomes expensive to add extras such as AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth.
Overall: 8.5 - It's a wonderful, versatile machine that anyone looking for a computer wouldn't be ashamed of owning. For those looking to convert from Windows to the Mac, this is a great computer to do so. For those with older Macs who can't justify an iMac G5, this computer's G4 processor packs quite a punch.

Pros: Extremely small, good hardware configuration, inexpensive, nice software bundle.
Cons: Becomes costly to add extras, upgrading the memory is a must for many users.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

A picture is worth a thousand words...Please view my slideshow I created with our new Mac Mini. (http://homepage.mac.com/blakej78/PhotoAlbum23.html)
As a classroom teacher, my students are the toughest critics when it come to form and function. After setting it up before class, my students noticed it as soon as they walked into my classroom. In the words of my students, "Mr. Blake, that Mac is HOT, where can I get one?"

What better review can I give it.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Mac Mini: By Clark Baumgartner
Pictures: (http://homepage.mac.com/clark.huke/PhotoAlbum1.html)

What is that?!
No way, that can�t be your computer, it�s WAY too small!...
It can do what?!
Oh wow that�s really cool.

Those are only -some- of the comments I�ve received about my Mac Mini. Quite frankly the best birthday present I ever received. I only may be 16 (yay!) but that doesn�t mean I�m stupid, I know my computers.
Let�s jump right in to the review.

I walked into the shiny Apple Store with my mother, and said, 1 Mac Mini, Keyboard and Mouse please. I couldn�t wait to get home, I instantly yanked out the old windows and replaced it with the tiny Mac, it didn�t really fit in the space it�s supposed to go on our desk to, so I moved it next to the screen.

Specs: ((7)) My parents aren�t rich, so I just got the barebones of the Mini, despite that, I find that it runs quite nicely, smoothly, and most of all, quickly (enough for me anyways). Being a computer junkie, it makes me feel kinda sad that it�s lacking. It�s improved in every way from my old Windows, but I know that there�s room for improvement, the processor is so slow, by today's standards, it�s almost laughable, seeing how my friends basic Dell laptop has a 3 GHz processor, but the 32 MB graphics card is a nice change from the �Intel Integrated Graphics.�

Design: ((9)) This thing is -tiny-, and it packs such a punch, your almost taken back. It�s quite heavy, you probably wouldn�t expect it because of it form factor, but it really is. I find the little light on the front to be annoying, it would be much cooler if the whole white plastic top lit up, that would be awesome, and it wouldn�t break the nice smooth curves of the sleek metal. There tends to be alot of cable clutter, but if your a previous windows user, your probably used to that, I�d imagine, if you had the wireless keyboard/mouse and wireless internet, the cable clutter would be much less, especially if you used the not-so-great speaker that comes built in. The packaging design is really nice too, just a simple box...when we got our old PC, it came in over 20 boxes, it was rather annoying. Lack of USB/Firewire ports is annoying too, when trying to connect everything...I barely skimped by, good thing I bought the Apple Keyboard with extra USB ports. I really like the slot-loading, it sucks it in..it�s so much fun! No noise whatsoever (execpt CDs/DVDs).

Usability: ((9)) It�s not designed for the hardcore gamer (though I would -love- to play World of Warcraft after a RAM upgrade), it�s not a design-powerhouse, it�s not the fasted computer in the world, but it is perfect for families wanting amazing software to organize their life (*ahem* iLife!), and want the simplicity of the best OS in the world. Everything works, it never crashes (for me anyways, I�ve heard a few horror stories though...) and there�s little spyware/viruses. It has everything anyone could ever need! Plus you don�t have to pay hundreds extra for software like Office with windows, it comes on it. You might need a USB/Firewire Hub for all your accessories.


Value: ((7)) I�m torn here, it�s an excellent deal for Windows to Mac users (often called �Switchers�), cause you have everything you need, keyboard, mouse, speakers and a monitor, but not a great deal if your starting for scratch, it�s way better to get an eMac or iMac, but on the flip side, it does come with all the software anyone could ever need, -standard-.

Overall: ((9)) This computer is everything I will ever need for awhile, and I absolutely love it. Though I will probably have issues with the lack of ports, processor power and low starting RAM, but its the perfect computer for Switchers and families, (and me!!!).
Oh,...and Expose is fun.

Pros:
Tiny
Power for average user
32MB Grapics Card
Slot-loading
IT�S APPLE!
The Apple stickers
Inexpensive for switchers
DVI to VGA adapter
Packaging
Comes with all the software you need
Everything Works, it�s integrated too
Little to no viruses/spyware
Price
Whisper Quiet

Cons:
Cable clutter
Expensive for non-switchers
Expensive to upgrade
Poor Proccssor
Laptop Parts (ex. Hard drive)
Lack of Ports (big one)
No bundled keyboard/mouse

Total Score: ((8.2))
Pictures: (http://homepage.mac.com/clark.huke/PhotoAlbum1.html)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Ok, I'll admit it -- I'm a bit of a design freak. I became hooked when I first saw the G4 Cube. I was floored by the simplicity of the design and bought one soon after. I suspected I had a problem when I ordered the snow iBook minutes after Steve Jobs unveiled to the world, and it was confirmed when I first held an iPod in my hands and immediately plunked down my credit card.

But I was in a bit of a funk lately. My Cube was getting long in the tooth, but the thought of replacing it with a desktop behemoth (which ironically would not be anywhere near my desktop) wasn't exciting me. And I wasn't quite ready to throw out my 19" monitor for an all-in-one iMac. So I was toying with putting a CPU upgrade and SuperDrive into the Cube.

Then that fateful day in January I saw Steve show off the Mac Mini. You couldn't get a simpler, more elegant design than that! I quickly did the math, and realized I could get a new computer for less than the price of the upgrades I was contemplating.

A few weeks later I pulled the surprisingly small package (with handle!) from the shipping box. I was further surprised when I saw the Mini inside it. Like the iPod before it, I didn't realize how small this thing actually was until I held it in my hand. It's actually smaller than the external CD-RW drive for the Cube.

Useability: Setting it up was pretty easy. A FireWire cable to my Cube and two anxious hours later I had a complete duplicate of my old system, including the applications, my music library, and even the extensions I had added. I had an odd error with Corel Graphics Suite, but deleting the preferences solved that problem. And now that I have Quartz Extreme on top of the already fairly zippy OS X, I am pleased enough to give it a 9 out of 10.

Design: Of course, once you start using it physical design isn't as important, but I certainly like that I can keep it close at hand without it being obtrusive. My friends can't believe it's a computer. (See it at http://tinyurl.com/4f2ou) The downside, though, is only having one FireWire port. So far I've got some daisy-chained drives, so it's not a big issue, but if I want to add anything else, I may consider a FireWire hub. The other issue I have is the fan. While the Mini is practically silent during typical office-type activity, the fan spins up to a fairly noisy level when you do anything else. This is especially a problem using Garage Band -- don't expect it to be studio-silent while you are recording. So while it is an insanely great visual design, those other issues drop it down to a 9 out of 10.

Specs: I opted for the faster model with 512K RAM and a SuperDrive. This was my first view of iDVD, and I was quite impressed. Dad is going to have to sit through ~my~ slide shows for a change! I noticed, however, that iDVD is filling my 80 MB drive pretty quickly. Using 2.5" drives was great for design, but that limits your storage size options, and disk-heavy activities aren't as quick as you'd expect from the CPU speed. Unreal Tournament 2004 is playable, though, so I'm fairly happy. It's no speed demon, and if that's important to you, even an iMac would be a better choice. I'd have to give it a 7 in this area.

Value: I already had a keyboard and monitor, so obviously I was in the target market. If I had to buy a monitor, though, the faster iMac would start looking like a better deal. Still, if you factor in the software you get, it's within hailing distance of even the cheapest similarly-configured Dell. At about 1/10th the size. So, a decent value, but not great. 7 out of 10.

Overall: I'm pretty happy with my decision, and expect to get two or three years out of the Mini before I start feeling constrained by its limitations. OK, I'm actually just waiting for an OLED iMac. But it is a great system for any casual user or typical office worker, and I'd recommend it to anyone thinking of making the switch from Windows. Overall, I'd say it's an 8 out of 10.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Sorry everyone, the photo album I had... well, had some issuses so the pictures from my post are in Photo Album2.

My engadget review:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000920034915/#c157169
My Photoalbum, again, I'm sorry and i hope this doesn't disqualify me
http://homepage.mac.com/clark.huke/PhotoAlbum2.html

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I'm writing this review on a 4-week old 20" iMac G5 � 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD. My 1-week old Mac mini � 1.42 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HDD, Airport, Bluetooth, and Superdrive � is sitting downstairs in my office attached to a 20� Dell cinema display. I'm not going to review the G5 but it does serve as a useful point of comparison when looking at the mini.

Overall rating for the Mac mini � 8.5

Before taking a look at where that number comes from, a little background. I moved to the mini from a Transmeta powered Fujitsu laptop running Windows XP Home. Yes, I�m a switcher. My daily usage doesn't require any heavy lifting. I mostly use Microsoft Office with the occasional dip into Xara X for vector graphics. I wasn�t dissatisfied with the Fujitsu but it had started crashing for no apparent reason, and I was itching for a reason to get an OS X machine.


Specs � 7

I ordered the 1.2 Ghz Mac mini, with additional memory and Airport and Bluetooth cards, from my local Apple reseller. But after waiting a couple of weeks, the reseller had no idea when my unit would be arriving. On a trip to the local Mac store I discovered three different Mac mini configurations in stock � two base units and one supercharged box that had everything. Frustrated at not having a delivery date, I bought the supercharged version.

In hindsight, the additional processing power was the right move. Either Microsoft Office 2004 for OS X is a dog or the Mac mini is woefully underpowered. And I�m leaning towards Office being the culprit. Office runs much smoother on the iMac G5 but still has its moments. Moving the cursor down to the bottom of the screen, the normally sprightly Dock is noticeably sluggish. On the mini it�s positively comatose.

Still, the Mac mini should be able to handle Microsoft Office without breaking a sweat. But it can�t.

Lack of processing power is the only thing stopping me from giving the Mac mini an overall rating of 9.


Design � 9.5

How can you fault the Mac mini design? It�s beautiful. It sits on a bookshelf above my desk and purrs along. Actually, it doesn�t even purr. It just sits there looking serene.

However, I do have one nit. More USB connectors would be nice. Hang a printer and a wheel mouse � Gyration is my favorite mouse of all time � and you�ve no room left for anything else. Yes, I know, get a hub.

Usability � 10

Setup and configuration? Took two minutes. When it comes to usability Apple really have it nailed. They have the user interface so tightly worked out it�s kind of scary.

OS X is amazing. Being in OS X feels like being a kid in the back seat of your parent�s car. You know that someone very responsible and careful is in control and you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.


Value � 8

I didn�t do an exhaustive comparison of options when I bought the mini. Thanks to Apple�s marketing efforts, I knew exactly what I wanted and nothing else would do!

I did flirt with the idea of getting another iMac G5, and, given the disappointing experience I�ve had running Microsoft Office, that might not have been such a bad course of action. But I wanted, had to have, would have done almost anything for, a Mac mini. So I got what I paid for!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I forgot to add the pros and cons to my post (#19) so here they are:
PROS:
* Great design
* Extremely tiny, hence less space required
* Packs a great software suite included
* Has an above average specs list

CONS:
* Some people not ready to accept the $500 value
* Video-card lacking, but only if power-gaming required
* Makes people jealous and want to steal it

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

Intro
Ah, the Mac mini. Steve Jobs�s latest and greatest. This system was the subject of rabid speculation before its release and furious debate on both sides after it was unveiled. I had $500 to blow so cheerily plonked it down on a mini and went to work looking for flaws before my 30-day return period expired. As an avid PC enthusiast that built systems to order for a living, could I subscribe to the Mac lifestyle? Would I become one of those obnoxious holier-than-thou Mac weenies? Read on to find out.

Specs � 8/10
The model evaluated was the lower-end of the two, sporting a 1.25GHz G4 processor, 40gb hard drive and only 256mb RAM. Despite the memory limitations, the system was snappy with only one or two applications open. For serious multitasking, however, more memory was definitely desirable. I cracked the case open myself and dropped an inexpensive 1gb PC2700 stick and experienced a completely new computer. Hopefully next generation models will include 512mb standard.

Design � 9.5/10
No big surprises here. The company that made technology sexy has done it once again. The system is smaller than photographs can really show. Its got a stylish yet subtle pinpoint LED on the front to indicate if the system is on; this is important as it is absolutely silent most of the time. The power brick knocks a half point off but this sits on the floor out of sight.

Usability � 10/10
Coming from Windows XP, there was a very small learning curve in getting accustomed to Mac OS X. During this learning curve I was sucked in by the smooth graphical effects and the OpenGL interface. Once I moved past the glitz and glam of the new OS, I found that everything was easier on the Mac. Everything. Software just�works. You plug stuff in and it works. Cameras, scanners, external hard drives or burners. I dug through all my computer junk looking for stuff that didn�t work and damn near everything did.

Every aspect of the user interface was the result of usability studies and it really shows. Every application behaves just as you would expect it, reducing the time to master new tools as learning becomes intuitive.

And let�s put the kibosh on that nasty rumor: the Mac works great with ye olde two-button mouse. I�m using the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop and it works great�even all the media keys at the top are functional.

Value � 9/10
Here�s where we PC users get in our digs. �Why, we could have a 2.0GHz AMD with BleaurrghTech Video and 8.3 sound! 1gb RAM! 120gb hard drive! AND we have Windows XP!� Yes, indeed. Specwise the system can�t hold up to the PC world but the 1.25GHz is quite a capable workhorse. Plus you get Mac OS, which beats Windows XP hands down in every area. The mini gets points off for only having 256mb of RAM and a 40gb hard drive but the iLife suite adds significant value. Unfortunately, Apple will gouge you if you add their memory so I suggest picking up a 1gb stick elsewhere and adding it yourself.

Overall � 9.5/10
This is, by far, the best computer I have ever owned. Everything I have hated about working with computers is gone. The Mac is a delight to own and operate, it�s fantastic looking, it comes with great software, and technical support is at your beck and call in the unlikely event you should need it. Everything just works.

Since purchasing the Mac mini, I�ve lugged it all over the place to show to friends and family and have convinced several people to purchase one.

I honestly can�t find enough great things to say about this little box. If you�re thinking about trying out the Mac world this is your chance.

Pros
- Mac OS X and the entire award-winning iLife suite will change the way you work with computers
- Looks superfly
- Fantastic peripheral compatibility
- No constant maintenance (defragging, security updates, virus updates, etc.)

Cons
- Everything works so well you feel compelled to buy more stuff
- PCs become less and less tolerable if you need to use these at work
- May cause loss of friends as you wax evangelical about the benefits of the Mac lifestyle, perhaps even being branded a �Mac weenie�
- Only two USB ports and one Firewire port

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:44AM]

I was one of the people who loved the G4 Cube back in the summer of 2000 but could not afford to pay a premium for ultimate cools and extreme sizelessness. But now Apple has sliced a 2-inch tall section off of the 10-inch tall G4 Cube and produced the immediately adorable Mac mini. ( You could stack four ( 4 ) mac minis inside one ( 1 ) G4 Cube and have inches of room to spare around the minis. ) And somehow that sliver of Cube is no mere Cube sequel but has all that was there before... and much more.
I drive a Mini Cooper and there is an iPod mini in my Mini�s globe compartment which I happily shuffle with �as if it were an iPod Shuffle� from the convenient controls on the back of the steering wheel. A month ago, after using my just-arrived iPod Shuffle for 5 minutes I immediately suspected those Apple designers in Cupertino got the idea for the Shuffle�s fabulous �hey-I-can�t-be-bothered� doctrine from driving around in their own mini-mized Minis or BMWs. And now I think I want a Mac mini in my Mini along with the iPod mini, too. I�ll have a Mini mini mini Cooper, which I will park in front of my favorite caf?nd sit inside still connected to my terabytes upon terabytes of stuff.

OVERALL 9/10
Buy a Mac mini, you will not be disappointed. You love the mini right away and it grows on you. Just like a Faberge Egg or a Japanese Inro, everytime you look at your Mac mini you will say �wow.� And so will your friends. The Mac mini gives you the best computing experience in the world �Mac OS X� for less than the price of a barely-functional Losedows� ugly-as-hell Dell box.

SPECS 8/10
The lack and inability to-build-to-order of a SuperDrive is the only serious lack of spec-ificity in the Mac mini. Otherwise, you may get your Mac mini with every penny-pinching Prohibitionist intention or easily drop a couple grand in aggrandizing your mini. You may mod the Mac mini maximally. I my case the modista move means a huge hard drive because the Mac mini�s mission in the trunk of my Mini is to be a server-on-wheels. So the Airport ( WiFi ) card was de rigeur. But hey, this ain�t Cube remnants re-skinned: it�s up to a 1.42GHz PowerPC G4 in there, which some people have over-clocked already. The Cube had a 500 MHz heart. So those Cube comments I opened with were mere belles lettres.

DESIGN 10/10
The Mac mini is designed and built to be embedded. In your life, your car and only-you-know how many other places. Even airlines must be considering how easy it is to add this sweet box of chocolates to those First Class cocoons of theirs. And when Apple releases the tivoesque Mac mini Home Video Server this summer... well, remember I told you first right here at EndGadget. Or will that be a �TIVO Inside� Mac mini?

USABILITY 9/10
The only things that could mar the usability of your Mac mini are whatever declass?dd-ons you bring to bear. The BYODAK doctrine is fine to touch that cheap cheap cheap heart of so many of us Americans but consider that your beautiful Uma-Thurman-class girlfriend may not look her best after you deck her out with clothes from Sears, jewels from Target and Maybelline cosmetics. That said, I note that everything is already where it should be, disks slot in-n-out from the front and ports flow in-n-out the back; no wacky from below connecting like the Cube suggested to us once upon a time.

VALUE 9/10
It is simply tremendous. Your $499 afford you the cutest computing box in the planet. Cute but clocking a fine 1.5 GHz of real G4 OS X mph�s: wicked fast enough to never feel left behind. Cute but cunning, the Mac mini is Apple�s little pill to mickey you and the entire Losedows� world into acquiring some good taste and sound judgment. This is no DELL you-cannot-afford-a-real-computer-but-we�ll-sell-you-this-instead �deal.� The Mac mini, like my Mini Cooper, is a great big thing in a lovely smallish box. Sweet switch, world.

PROS
Cheap but not cheap.
CONS
What you do to it. No SuperDrive option.

PDF of this review at http://snipurl.com/ddcj-TQXH1