Apple Mac mini (M9686LL/A) Desktop

Apple has been known for its world-class products. Recently, it has dipped below that level.

Apple has joined the realm where it doesn't matter how good the product is, but as long as it is making them money.

If Apple wants a loyal fan-base, they have to treat both their professionals, consumers, and entry-buyers the same. No, I am not saying all the machines should be 2GHZ each, but at different prices, but rather, the same glitch-free operating system, with the standards you would expect from Apples Computer.

First Looks:
From afar, it looks elegant. A small compact box that is even smaller than most PC's. It is sported in an pre-dominate alluminum case with a poly covering. The case can be compared to the Powerbook and the iBooks' frame.

The included accessories were limited, but given that price point, it was a steal. It came with a power adapter that didn't catch the eye, but at least it worked! The cord was relatively long, with a compact design. Unlike many PC machines, the connection to the back is a small simple plug. It can be compared to a USB-head sticking out from the back.

Even though the back looked roomy, it wasn't. The USB ports along with many other ports were crammed. Many would not find this particularly a good thing, if you prefer easy access. When there is two USB's cable plugged in at once simultaneously, it is difficult to unplug one. I found that the only way was to just yank the cord out. An Apple Employee told me this was not good for the cord, even its fragility.

Another chief complaint is that there is not a micro-phone jack. Although it sports a head-phone jack, it doesn't sport a micro-phone jack.


When I actually stopped envying it, and got to use it, it was a disapointment.

Down and Personal: Speed


The first program I decided to access was iTunes. I found it loaded relatively quickly, given how long it takes my PC to load it. It loaded within three seconds with no other process running. I was impressed. However, when I started to do some rigorus testing on the machine, it fell below my expectations. When I attempted to import more music files located elsewhere in the computer, it took at least a mere fifteen seconds to search the hard-drive.

The Mac Mini has a 40GB or 80GB harddrive that runs at 4200 revolutions per minite (RPM). 4200 can be compared to laptops' harddrive speed. It is rather slow for "today." Appose to the other Macs, they have harddrives that run at 7200RPM. In an idealistic situation, this is best.

If you are going to do any intense editing, or just not a neat person, you will want to get a faster hard-drive. This is even more particularly true with Tiger now pre-installed. The spotlight feature on a 4200 RPM was very slow. Although Apple advertises that spotlight can search harddrives in "Real Time," it seemed much slower than the search feature on Windows XP. All-in-all, if you are an unorganised person, and will be using the spot-light feature a lot, you may need more than just 4200 RPM.

Overall though, its 1.42GHZ or 1.25GHZ processor was blazing on opening applications. It was the searching through the hard-drive that made me frustrated on the delay.

The programs opened relatively fast, in load times with less than a few seconds. Although it is a BIG improvement for PC users, it is a MAJOR downgrade for Mac users.

Don't let the processor speed fool you. Sure it may say it is only 1.42GHZ, but it is in fact much faster. Since there is no standards in rating processor speed, Apple has decided to adopt its own. Hence, if we are to compare Intel's 3GHZ to Apple's 1.5GHZ, that would be like comparing inches to centimeters, or apples or oranges. It would make no sense.

However, I have found that it was MUCH faster than Intels 2.66GHZ. That's right, a 1.5GHZ was MUCH faster than Intel's 2.66GHZ. In many other tests, it has also stated the similar results. The G5 is rated on a more difficult scale. It is harder to be deemed a 3GHZ, or even a 2.5GHZ, even though it was way faster than Intel's GHZ. In a nut-shell, calculations found on credible websites say that 1GHZ of Apple is 2GHZ of Intels. Meaning, if you have a 2GHZ Mac, that would translate to 4GHZ PC. Macs are way faster than PC's.

Down and Personal: Durability

Yes, it is tempting to take the case whereever you go like a laptop, but it may not be good for the system. Since the chips are so closely packed, it may in fact be harmful. The Mac Mini was built like a laptop, with its parts, and with its size. However, it was not built ruggedly like a laptop. Since the chips are so closely packed, it you were to drop it, the Mac Mini would totally obliterate.

However, on regular use, wear and tear is not an issue. It is made by anodized aluminum, with a poly-ish cap. The poly cap is the same material that is used in bullet-proof vests.

So if you were to punch the mini, it would not break. If you were to toss the Mac Mini off a ten-story roof nevertheless, it would break...

Down and Personal: Video Card

The Mac Mini only supports a 32MB dedicated Video Card. This is insufficient for editing videos, making DVDs, and even some cases, playing DVDs. Sure you can do them still, but with the sacrifice of performance and efficiency.

These days, 32MB is insufficent. Many games require a 64MB or even a 128MB video card. If you don't have a large enough video card, the program may still work. The graphics will look choppy, jumpy, and slowed, if not delayed.

If you are editing videos, or making DVDs, the Mac Mini is not recommended. If you are a fan of first-person shooting, it is not recommended. Although you can play Call-To-Duty and Battle Field, it is recommended to have at least a 64MB Video Card. If not, expect some delays... and during those delays, you may get killed by an opponent...

Watching DVDs on a Mac Mini is relatively good, however a choppy performance at given points. If it skips or delays during a movie, deem that normal.

Down and Personal: Space and Memory

Many people has complained that there is simply not enough ram. There isn't "basante" or enough.

RAM means Random Access Memory. This is the mainstay of your computer. Without this, you simply can not multi-task. Being only 256MB pre-installed, you can do simply nothing.

Tiger is a new innovative operating system that Apple has came out with. It is a major upgrade from the first MAC OSX. It now has built-in widgets, an exclusive layout for iSight, and 200 more features. Spotlight being one of them.

Spotlight is a feature where you can search your hard-drive in "Real Time." With the Mac Mini's slow hard-drive, make it "search your hard-drive in False Time." However, never the less, this feature uses roughly 200-300MB of Ram per se. Alone this feature uses that much RAM. So if you just want to search your computer all day, and do nothing else, I recommend the stock 256MB RAM. However, if you want to play a game, play a tune, and surf the web at the same time, then you definitely need to upgrade the RAM. 768MB of RAM is preferable.

The Hard Drive is stocked with a 40GB or 80GB harddrive. If it is not already the stardard, then by all means upgrade it to 80GB. 40Gb is nothing today. A game alone may take up to 2GB of memory. Given this, a 40GB can only store 20 games, no music, no documents, no movies. Speaking of music and movies, you will definitely need more space. If you think you will be an avid user of iTunes, and iMovies, then you will need the space. A music file takes up 3-6MBs. This may not sound a lot, but if you have the whole album of The Rolling Stones or the Ataris, then it adds up. 1000 songs easily takes up 4GB. Also, movies takes up much more room. A short two minute film, at a reasonable resolution can take up to 200MBs. It accumulates very fast, so choose wisely.

Down and Personal: On the Desk

On the desk, the Mac Mini looks as if it were natural. It looks as if it were a God-Sent. It does not look intrusive, and only requires oh-so-much space! It is spectacular for its space and price, and that is what catches the eye.

You do not need a huge desk for the Mac Mini, you just need a little corner for its Keyboard, Screen, Mouse, and of course, the Mac Mini.

It is perfect for an office cubical, and of course, it is perfect anywhere.

Its design is innovative, sleek, and elegant. It is so innovative that it will be turning heads.

Down and Personal: Other Neccesities

Yes it is true it does not come with a keyboard. Yes it is true it does not come with a mouse. Yes it is true it does not come with a moniter. Yes it is true it does not come with many things. Heck, Blue tooth and wireless connectivity isn't even built in!

If you are yearning for that ultimate sleek look, you are wanting the Wireless Keyboard and Mouse. If you want the Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, then you also want Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wireless communicating device that is built into your computer. This chip wirelessly communicate with other Bluetooth add-ons. This enables the Wireless Mouse and keyboard feature.

Also, if you are operating a home network, you may want the wireless connectivity built into your computer. The Apple Airport Extreme card is not a standard option in the Mac Mini. It is in fact an add-on. So if you are situated away from the DSL or Cable Hub, then you may in fact need one. But and then again, you can always string say a mile of Ethernet cable around your house, and plug it into the back of your Mini, but and then again, you can always just buy the wireless feature...

A moniter is a definitely yes. I have seen the Mac Mini with many types of Moniters, and it is definitely not made for a CRT moniters. CRT moniters are the ones with a HUGE back. The Mac Mini would look best with an Flat-Panel LCD screen.

Since the Mac Mini already capitalises on its compact design, a compact screen also may just be part of the equation.

Down and Personal: Customisation

Like anything, stock features are always the cheapest. However, sometimes in life, it is just necessary to customise, especially with the Mac Mini. A stock 256MB of RAM will not do. A stock 40GB Harddrive will not do. No Bluetooth and Airport Access will not do. Simply said, it is just necessary.

A combo drive is a drive that allows the Mini to BURN CD's, and PLAY DVD's. A superdrive on the other hand is the drive that allows you to BURN CD's, and BURN DVD's also.

Like always, the add-ons from Apple are always expensive. It will cost plenty. With no additonal RAM, a SuperDrive, Wireless Options, and a Keyboard and mouse, it will sum up to be $847. This is without a screen, without a moniter, and without the RAM! Imagine adding that to the price tag. All-in-all, with this price tag, it pretty summarises a lot. An iBook is only a level up... Imagine the portability...

Down and Personal: Software

The Mac Mini, as well as other Apple products has some of the best softwares around. It has iLife, iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, and everything! These softwares will make you so productive, you will never go back to Windows.

Conclusion: Recommendations

The Mac Mini is an innovative product that is sleek and compact. It offers most of the features you can expect from the upper-class Macs, but with a different price points and some sacrifices.

It is recommended for those fellows that are light users, alike myself. Surfing the internet, typing up essays, etc.

If you are an avid users that likes games, making movies, and multi-tasking, the Mac Mini is not for you.