Apple Mac mini (GeForce 9400M) unboxing and hands-on

Sure, it may not look too different on the outside (save for that Mini DisplayPort jack and copious USB 2.0 slots), but the Mac mini is all... newish. Two variations of the tiny desktop just hit the doorstep here, and we're going to be putting them into a few use cases to see how much they sweat, but until that goes down, check out the unboxing and hands-on pics below!

Apple Mac mini (GeForce 9400M) unboxing and hands-on

[mtbjunkie Posted Mar 4th 2009 2:26PM]

WTF, no pictures of the dongle that comes with it? is it DVI or what?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 4th 2009 2:41PM]

As usual in the Apple world, the laptops remain great machines while the desktops are pretty big rip-offs. Sigh.

[pika2000 Posted Mar 4th 2009 2:51PM]

The weak sauce on this is the default 1GB RAM. As usual, Apple just have to do something that leave the mini behind (previously combo drive). Why Apple, why? Putting 2GB standard won't add that much more to the cost, and probably will attract more buyers. It's like the mini is the step child from the rest of the lineup. :(

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 4th 2009 3:35PM]

tiny.... check.
underpowered..... check.
cute as a button(!)..... check.


must be a mac!

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 4th 2009 3:55PM]

whoops! forgot:

overpriced.... definite check!

[ylie Posted Mar 4th 2009 6:02PM]

Hi,
does the power adapter accept non-US voltage, ie: 100-240V ?

Thanks.

[Doorey Posted Mar 4th 2009 3:54PM]

It's a very nice machine but the price is far too high (at least in the eurozone). If the lesser mini came with 2 GB of ram and went for 400 EUR (505 USD) I'd buy one right now. Instead it costs 600 EUR (760 USD) and comes with 1 GB of ram. The upgrade to 2 GB of ram makes the price 650 EUR (820 USD). That's 250 EUR too much! I'd consider buying the better mini if it came with the better CPU and 4 GB of ram and costed 600 EUR (760 USD). Instead it would cost me 1040 EUR (1310 USD). That is 440 EUR too much. Are you fucking kidding me APP£€?? I built a machine in freaking 2004 that outperforms the ultimate mini and it costed less! Seriously, fucking 5 years ago I put down less money and got a machine that beats the mini in both CPU and GPU performance. Sure it aint as pretty but what the hell???

Well anyways my machine is making a slow death and I need something to hook up to my 32" hdtv. If only Microsoft made an OS for the XBOX360. Please MS. Make Windows 7 for the XBOX360 and bundle it with a mouse and a keyboard (and Office). I'm willing to pay 300 EUR for such a product on top of the console price! It's all I need..

[weslebsack Posted Mar 4th 2009 4:22PM]

Has anyone tried upgrading the RAM to see if the OS allocates more VRAM?

[weslebsack Posted Mar 4th 2009 4:25PM]

Also, I don't know why everyone is complaining about Apple's upgrade prices when you can easily go to newegg or Fry's and upgrade them yourself for very little.

[leafflash Posted Mar 4th 2009 4:28PM]

Somebody want to tell me why the picture on the box of the back of the Mini is missing the far-left air vent?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 4th 2009 5:19PM]

Apple is probably the only company that can charge people more and give less. Apple got it down to a science. No number pad, no problem. No blueray drive, no problem. No 72000 rpm HD, no problem. no media buttons, no problem.... the list goes on.

I am not surprised so many companies following in apple's path in product design.

[weslebsack Posted Mar 5th 2009 1:42PM]

@ BlackBerry:
Do you mean the mini? Or Apple overall?

Apple offers 7200rpm hard drives on most of their products
They have a number pad on their standard keyboard
There are also media buttons on their standard keyboard as well.

The mini is meant for people who already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse--a switcher.

[jsmrekar Posted Mar 4th 2009 8:20PM]

just ordered one of these - Dual Display.

My non-profit apple rep sent me this:
"The Mac mini will let you connect up to two displays, including your
TV, with the mini-DVI port and Mini DisplayPort. You can do both
Extended desktop and video mirroring and simultaneously supports up
to 1920 by 1200 pixels on a DVI or VGA display; up to 2560 by 1600
pixels on a dual-link DVI display using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link
DVI Adapter (sold separately)"

[glossywhite Posted Mar 6th 2009 10:25AM]

Is this entire site, populated by morons?. Loud-mouther bloggers are ten-a-penny, but if you just took your fingers off your keyboard for a minute - paused a little (duh) and then navigated to http://www.apple.com/macmini you could see all the info & specs for yourselves, with the added benefit of preventing you from NOT look stupid & lazy.

Apple & Macintosh is simple; either you 'get it' or you don't. It's really NOT a cliche, although I agree it sounds like one at first glance. Macs are 'the computer for the rest of us' - don't forget that. If you want to compare apples and oranges, go and work for 'Del Monte' in quality control.

(mostly) morons!.

[(Unverified) Posted May 6th 2009 5:00AM]

Apple evolution continues. After the success from the previous fantastic idea of providing mini and energy efficient desktop, Apple releases their newest baby: the Apple Mac mini MB463LL/A Desktop. More on http://www.uttamah.com/2009/apple-mac-mini-mb463lla-desktop/