Apple refreshes Mac mini, now with Core 2 Duo

While we certainly had a fairly solid idea that Apple would be unveiling a new breed of iMacs and a snazzy new set of keys, you can color us mildly surprised to see a Mac mini refresh thrown in for good measure. Available today, the newly revamped minis arrive in two basic configurations, the first of which includes a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive for $599, while $200 more will buy you a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, the same 1GB of RAM, and a 120GB hard drive. Both units come with Front Row and an Apple Remote, iLife '08, OS X 10.4, a DVI-to-VGA adapter, and the same cute box we've come to know and love. Those looking to CTO can toss in an extra gigabyte of RAM, bump the HDD to 160GB, and throw in one of those oh-so-sexy keyboards while you're at it. Best of all, they're slated to ship within 24 hours.

[Homeboy @ Aug 7th 2007 2:30PM]

Finally. I mean seriously the Mac mini has been a fiasco the latest 6 month offering terrible value, especially the expensive version. Heck a Macmini which includes a touchpad, screen and keyboard has been a much better value than an 800 dollar Mac mini with 512MB, 60GB and nothing but a power cable bundled with it.

Apple has to do much better than that if they want the Mac mini to serves as a Trojan horse in Windows infested homes.

[Cyclotron @ Aug 7th 2007 3:05PM]

Fiasco? Disappointing maybe, but but no where near "fiasco."

[oGMo @ Aug 7th 2007 3:03PM]

Err, not really. The point of the mac mini is to drop it in when you have everything else and *don't* want those things. Don't need an LCD, keyboard, mouse? Buy a mini. Need them? Buy an iMac. (It is, or was, cheaper that way.)

For instance, I needed a mac to do one thing: run Digital Performer. I didn't have any place for an iMac, and I didn't want to spend $1500+ on a full tower. The specs even on the *original* mac mini were sufficient, so I picked up one for $600 and it's worked like a dream since.

Sure, the mantra of internet comment boards is "I want more, cheaper!", but such views are at best uninformed.

[Garrett Thornburg @ Aug 8th 2007 1:35AM]

You mean Macbook not Macmini

[CHADWICK @ Aug 7th 2007 2:42PM]

o thats a cute lil box, but being a windows user I have never had a a infested home, damn I buy dell products because they work, not because I am a fan boy, but wow you apple fan boys scare me, ever heard of something called the outside, go get some sun and maybe a real girl friend and stop lusting after a computer thats scary

[brock_samson @ Aug 7th 2007 4:00PM]

CHADWICK,

You should talk, seems to me your a PC fanboy.
Why don't you stop pissing in the wind. By the
way you might consider to stop Trolling the comments.

[william @ Aug 7th 2007 5:58PM]

"... but being a windows user I have never had a a infested home"
- HaHaHa... what, you posted this from work? If you have Windows connected to the internet, you are infested. I do PC repair for a living. The only clean systems are the onese that've never been hooked to the internet.

"... I buy dell products because they work, not because I am a fan boy"
- And with a computer like a Dell, you never will be a fanboy. I buy macs because they are far less frustrating. Being a Computer repair tech, I have to have a system that works, and can be hooked to a PC for troubleshooting without getting into trouble itself.


"... but wow you apple fan boys scare me, ever heard of something called the outside, go get some sun and maybe a real girl friend and stop lusting after a computer that's scary"
- I'm married, but thanks for your concern... And I have plenty of time to get outside, I'm using a mac, so I'm not stuck inside fighting with it to get things done, they're just done. What? You don't understand, yeah, well, unless you get past just looking at macs and actually use one, you'll never get it.

Wm

[BiffAzorcho909 @ Aug 8th 2007 10:42PM]

running WINDOWS means You will ALWAYS have Virus's.
deal with it.
those that are smart,hardcore PC/windows users, "Respect to you"!
and ONLY YOU, but thats a problem because these isnt alot of you out there.
and Manufactures know that.
so they make money off of the dumb ones.
thats been a fact for years now.
and 75 percent of the Smart ones Use "Stolen Software".
that too is a fact...and thats the ONLY reason you Windows users stick with the PC, because your lazy and think this is YOUR way to stick it to THE MAN?
you have the Go to guy with ALL your software dreams.
I hope you go to jail.
All of you.
P.S. I'm SO sick of having to fix your computers when you come in.
dont even call...please!

[nathan @ Aug 9th 2007 2:28PM]

I've been a windows user for over a decade, and do not use any anti-virus, anti-spyware, or anti-anything. I've had to manually clean a 3-4 spyware apps (1-2 due to my wife), but they were nothing but irritating. It's not a problem as long as you know what you're doing and just DON'T go to shady sites. However, I am a software developer, so it comes naturally for me.

[reese @ Aug 7th 2007 2:42PM]

Am I the only one that interpreted that statement differently? I took it as they are currently refreshing the mini as of today... as in it is coming soon.

[Garst @ Aug 8th 2007 1:00AM]

No, you can get a new Mac Mini today, right now, see for yourself. But Apple should have updated the wireless to include the draft-n standard. Studpid Apple overlooking such an obvious update.

[sorahn @ Aug 7th 2007 2:44PM]

1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
80GB hard drive1
Ships: Within 24 hours
Free Shipping
$599.00

[RadicalxEdward @ Aug 7th 2007 2:44PM]

It's just core 2 duo, no real biggy if you ask me

[ap @ Aug 7th 2007 3:01PM]

Core 2 duo means a world to me. When the new OS comes out you can use the 64bit version.

[Kenn @ Aug 7th 2007 3:53PM]

Intel Processors have been 64 bit for a LONG time. The Core 2 Duo was not the bottleneck.

[DDay @ Aug 7th 2007 2:45PM]

The new specs:

# 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 1GB memory
# 80GB hard drive

and a bigger one

* 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive

The first for 599 and the second for 799

[zxdxz @ Aug 7th 2007 2:48PM]

steve:"we dont sell junk"
so Tim Cook's "refreshing the Mac mini" may just pull those mini off the shelf /discontinue (replace by new appleTV)

[zxdxz @ Aug 10th 2007 5:15PM]

sorry for my post delay and wrong guess

[Matt @ Aug 7th 2007 2:50PM]

I don't know about you, but a Mac mini seems like a good deal when you consider it can run OS X, Windows and Linux on it. I'm planning on replacing my Sony and Dell with one in the future just for that reason alone.

[Pete @ Aug 7th 2007 3:00PM]

No 802.11N yet?

[PierreB @ Aug 11th 2007 12:37AM]

good point on the N compatibility - do not understand why they would not have added it on this revision.

[noob @ Aug 7th 2007 3:01PM]

does this mean there is still no dual monitor support and no dual link dvi? what a joke.

[Viper @ Aug 7th 2007 3:22PM]

Intel GMA 950 = JUNK

[White_Pheonix @ Aug 7th 2007 3:15PM]

The average consumer won't need dual monitors, and besides, they'll probably be able to do more with dual monitors on a faster computer - a custom-built system, or a mac pro, for example.

That said, I love having two monitors, and my computer is three or four years from the cutting edge (older, fully functional components are cheaper, though!).

[noob @ Aug 7th 2007 4:05PM]

haha its not about doing more its about being a baller and having a small mac mini and two huge 30 inch monitors as my workstation.

i don't do DV editing or gaming or whatever on my computer I just need it for the basic office essentials; and i most certainly am not going to get ripped off and get a mac pro.

-macbook pro owner

[cliff @ Aug 7th 2007 3:04PM]

Here is my Mac Mini on crack running Windows Media Center. It works really well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl53HGzcMTs

[jason @ Aug 7th 2007 3:04PM]

802.11n? yes. All apple Intel core 2 duo's support 802.11n

[khult @ Nov 10th 2007 11:33PM]

From Apple's tech spec page:

Built-in 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme wireless networking (based on 802.11g standard)3

I take that to mean 802.11n is *not* built in.

[Shmoe @ Aug 7th 2007 3:14PM]

Get yours now! Only months behind nearly every PC and for hundreds more!

[jason @ Aug 7th 2007 3:24PM]

Actually I a similarly configured DELL is only 50 cheaper and does not include 802.11n, nor front row or iLife. Just Vista.

[estuardo @ Aug 7th 2007 3:56PM]

Shmoe,

Could you please let me know where I can find a PC as small and quiet as the Mac Mini, with more current specs and at the same price or lower? Seriously, I need to know. I've been looking for one to replace my Mini, be it Mac or PC and I can't find any. I don't need a noisy fan ruining my ambient.

Thank you.

[Tookie @ Aug 8th 2007 2:32AM]

Your best SFF is the HP Slimline: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops&a1=Usage&v1=Entertainment+and+multimedia&series_name=s3100y_series

[david @ Aug 7th 2007 3:39PM]

so i wonder how much will the core duo mac minis will drop down to?

[Carlos @ Aug 7th 2007 5:32PM]

I was thinking the same thing... usually what will happen is that the stores that carry the previous generation mac product will drop the price a bit until they sell out of them. For example, I have a 1.66ghz core duo mac mini with a superdrive that when the 1.83ghz version came out. I just happened to be at frys that day and I was able to get it for $560 instead of the usual $799.

[Andrew @ Aug 7th 2007 3:42PM]

Anyone know how to get out of Apple's restocking fee? I just bought one a week ago and I might as well return it for the better model now at the same price.

[Jason @ Aug 7th 2007 3:44PM]

Why on earth is Apple using GMA 950 when every other PC maker on the planet moved to GMA X3100 months ago. Why does Apple do this?? It is so frustrating and inexcusable.

Four words: Inventory clearance, Apple Tax

[rowley @ Aug 7th 2007 3:46PM]

Im in the UK thinking really hard about the Mac Mini for media centre style stuff.
Is it a good idea?

[shaun @ Aug 8th 2007 7:18PM]

My friend uses his mini for both media centre stuff and general internet, iChat etc and it works great for him, so I guess my answer is yes!

And the changes to front row in leopard should make it even better as a media hub

[Professor Tom @ Aug 7th 2007 3:50PM]

Why can't they put a damned Blu-ray in it?

[jefflmercer @ Aug 7th 2007 3:51PM]

$599 From Apple Buys you:
# 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 1GB memory
# 80GB hard drive

$799 From Apple Buys you:
* 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive

Verses

$499 From Dell Buys you:
VostroTM 200 Slim Tower
# 1.80GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 512MB memory
# 80GB hard drive
# 19 inch Flat Panel Monitor

$599 From Dell Buys you:
* 1.80GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 80GB hard drive
* 19 inch Flat Panel Monitor

[estuardo @ Aug 7th 2007 4:01PM]

Yeah, But is it as quiet as the mini? I much rather have a silent ambience than a 19" Dell monitor that I won't use. Otherwise, it seems like the same specs.

[Thanol @ Aug 7th 2007 11:10PM]

$599 at Dell buys you a core 2 duo laptop.

[schuntzie @ Aug 7th 2007 3:59PM]

Finally. Promised my mom my iMac when a 'refreshed' mini was released, back around CHRISTMAS.

[billyp @ Aug 7th 2007 4:18PM]

No HDMI out? For shame! Too bad, too, b/c when I saw that they were coming out with Core 2 Duos in them, I was all set to purchase. But my Sony SXRD TV only displays VGA at 1024 x 768, leaving me with more than a millions pixels showing black.

[Michael @ Aug 7th 2007 4:26PM]

Then just get a dvi to hdmi cable.

[Andrew Schultz @ Aug 7th 2007 5:13PM]

HDMI is DVI. You can get a cheap adapter that will convert the physical DVI connection to HDMI. Plug it in, set it to 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and you should get a great looking picture.

[craig @ Aug 8th 2007 10:56AM]

"Plug it in, set it to 1280x720 or 1920x1080 and you should get a great looking picture."

Yeah, "should". The reality is that hooking a mac up to a TV via DVI isn't a pleasant experience. As long as you don't run HDMI through a switcher and don't mind the overscan crapshoot, it "should" be a "great looking picture".

[DealMan @ Aug 7th 2007 4:29PM]

If you search the deal sites you can find a Dell e521 (amd x2 4000, 2gb ram, 160gb hd, nvidia 6150le onboard video, 20" samsung widescreen) for $580 shipped with taxes. Of course it won't look as good aesthetically as the mac mini but you can upgrade the video card (to any single slot pci-express). The Dell inspiron's with core2duo are $100 - $200 more but with those you can put in dual slot pci-express (8800GTS). If you want Mac OS X on it you can get that as well if you search hard enough.

[Irfan @ Aug 7th 2007 4:33PM]

is it still the cheap one come with a CDRW/DVDROM Combo Drive while you have to pay $200 for the upgraded model to get the superdrive?

[futurepastnow @ Aug 7th 2007 4:39PM]

I think the mini would have been better served by a price drop than a weak update.