Apple Mac mini (M9686LL/A) Desktop
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- Operating System: Apple MacOS X
- HDD Size: 40 GB
- Installed Memory: 256 MB (DDR SDRAM)
- Processor: PowerPC G4 1.25 GHz
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543
Finally Satisfied
Pros
Runs smoothly, Mac OS X has no viruses.
Cons
Only good for beginners, or people that have an old computer as a dump.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
(I've never use Mac-support). Get the Mac Mini, it works great.
For as long as I can remember, I have always use Microsoft-based operating systems and computers. When I was really young, I remember using DOS, Windows 95/Plus, and Windows 98 (which was my safe zone). Windows 98, you could say, was my test-computer. I had it for a very long time and made all my mistakes on it. Then, as a Christmas gift, I recieved a Compaq Presario with Windows XP Home Edition on it. Eventually, the OS crashed and I bootlegged a copy of Windows XP Professional Edition on it. XP Pro ran great until I hit a virus wall. Now, it's my storage dump.
CUT TO 2005! (THIS IS MORE A GUIDE WITH HELPFUL TIPS)
As a birthday gift, I recieved the Mac Mini 80GB. I'm guessing my poor computer desk is extremely happy to get rid of my Compaq tower. The Mac Mini is a tad longer than a CD-Rom driver, and as tall as an alarm clock. It's a grey, metallic box with a white top displaying the Apple logo. On the front is a sleek CD-Rom drive, must like the iMac G5. There's also a droplet-sized white light that shows you when the computer is on. During normal use, the Mac Mini is extraordinarily quiet. The only time it makes an odd song is when you load a CD. That's my main cosmetic problem. It sounds like the drive is chopping my disc up, but I've never had a problem.
If you buy the Mac Mini, make sure you have a USB keyboard and mouse. I already had a USB laser mouse (which can right click on Mac), but an ADP keyboard. I had the Mac Mini just staring at me for day until I ended up buying the Apple Mac keyboard, original style. While some may gripe at the thiry dollar price tag, consider this: The keyboard comes with two more USB ports; It has an eject key in case the CD-software you use crashes; It comes with a wire extension with it; Works with Windows XP. The only problem with it is that lack of stands in the back. It will always lay flat.
The Mac does not take very long to set up. After about three minutes, everything was set for me to use. The 80GB model comes with Airport Express, and instantly detected my Internet Connection.
In addition to buying the Mac, I bought the KM Adapter Switch. With this, I can switch from Mac to Windows without having to switch peripherals. Connected to my KM Adapter are my mouse, Monitor, sound, and 4-USB hub. The 4-USB hub has my printer, keyboard, and two Mini-USB cables. I also have ANOTHER Mini-USB cable connected to my keyboard for my iRiver H-120 MP3 Player. The KM Adapter is perfect for switching, but not required.
The MAC OS X: TIGER operating system is amazing. It runs a hell of a lot better than Windows XP Pro/Home does, and no viruses work on Mac OS X. Need to access Mac OS 9 files? No problem. Install the Mac OS 9 program through the disc they provide. OS X also comes with standard programs like iTunes (if you use an iPod), iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, and Safari. (iDVD plays DVDs, iMovie edits movies. There, end of confusion.)
Safari works fine but I prefer Firefox, so it's not on my dock. I've never tried using iChat, and immediately installed Fire. Fire is a Trillian-like messenger client, combining Yahoo, MSN/Windows Messenger, and AIM. I also don't use iDVD or Quick Time much, so I opted for VLC Media Player, the greatest player for any OS. Linux, Mac, OR Windows.
As many of you well know, WMA and WMV are popular formats on the internet. Mac doesn't come with native playing capability. So, download: WMA Player for Mac. It installs a codec for Quick Time, and allows you to view them on the internet.
This seems like a lot of work but its all worth it if you're very used to Windows. Instead of Microsoft Word, you have Appleworks. Instead of Notepad, you have TextEdit. It all balances out.
As far as MP3 Playes, I know the iRiver, iPod, Sansa MDisk, and Xclef work fine with it. Other than that, I'm not sure.
IF YOU WANT TO USE YOUR OLD COMPUTER AS A DUMP:
Go into your computer and open up the C:/ drive. Right click on it and click PROPERTIES. Go to the sharing tab and make sure that it's open to the Local Network. Go back into Mac and go into "Network" in the Finder. After a few seconds a Windows-Username will pop up, connect, and you are in your C:/. Feel free to dump all downloaded files there. I also use an FTP to access my files online so I don't have to download them back on my computer to use them.
Other popular Windows-programs that run on Mac:
-No-IP DNS Client
-Lime Wire
-Azureus
-SNESX9
CUT TO 2005! (THIS IS MORE A GUIDE WITH HELPFUL TIPS)
As a birthday gift, I recieved the Mac Mini 80GB. I'm guessing my poor computer desk is extremely happy to get rid of my Compaq tower. The Mac Mini is a tad longer than a CD-Rom driver, and as tall as an alarm clock. It's a grey, metallic box with a white top displaying the Apple logo. On the front is a sleek CD-Rom drive, must like the iMac G5. There's also a droplet-sized white light that shows you when the computer is on. During normal use, the Mac Mini is extraordinarily quiet. The only time it makes an odd song is when you load a CD. That's my main cosmetic problem. It sounds like the drive is chopping my disc up, but I've never had a problem.
If you buy the Mac Mini, make sure you have a USB keyboard and mouse. I already had a USB laser mouse (which can right click on Mac), but an ADP keyboard. I had the Mac Mini just staring at me for day until I ended up buying the Apple Mac keyboard, original style. While some may gripe at the thiry dollar price tag, consider this: The keyboard comes with two more USB ports; It has an eject key in case the CD-software you use crashes; It comes with a wire extension with it; Works with Windows XP. The only problem with it is that lack of stands in the back. It will always lay flat.
The Mac does not take very long to set up. After about three minutes, everything was set for me to use. The 80GB model comes with Airport Express, and instantly detected my Internet Connection.
In addition to buying the Mac, I bought the KM Adapter Switch. With this, I can switch from Mac to Windows without having to switch peripherals. Connected to my KM Adapter are my mouse, Monitor, sound, and 4-USB hub. The 4-USB hub has my printer, keyboard, and two Mini-USB cables. I also have ANOTHER Mini-USB cable connected to my keyboard for my iRiver H-120 MP3 Player. The KM Adapter is perfect for switching, but not required.
The MAC OS X: TIGER operating system is amazing. It runs a hell of a lot better than Windows XP Pro/Home does, and no viruses work on Mac OS X. Need to access Mac OS 9 files? No problem. Install the Mac OS 9 program through the disc they provide. OS X also comes with standard programs like iTunes (if you use an iPod), iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, and Safari. (iDVD plays DVDs, iMovie edits movies. There, end of confusion.)
Safari works fine but I prefer Firefox, so it's not on my dock. I've never tried using iChat, and immediately installed Fire. Fire is a Trillian-like messenger client, combining Yahoo, MSN/Windows Messenger, and AIM. I also don't use iDVD or Quick Time much, so I opted for VLC Media Player, the greatest player for any OS. Linux, Mac, OR Windows.
As many of you well know, WMA and WMV are popular formats on the internet. Mac doesn't come with native playing capability. So, download: WMA Player for Mac. It installs a codec for Quick Time, and allows you to view them on the internet.
This seems like a lot of work but its all worth it if you're very used to Windows. Instead of Microsoft Word, you have Appleworks. Instead of Notepad, you have TextEdit. It all balances out.
As far as MP3 Playes, I know the iRiver, iPod, Sansa MDisk, and Xclef work fine with it. Other than that, I'm not sure.
IF YOU WANT TO USE YOUR OLD COMPUTER AS A DUMP:
Go into your computer and open up the C:/ drive. Right click on it and click PROPERTIES. Go to the sharing tab and make sure that it's open to the Local Network. Go back into Mac and go into "Network" in the Finder. After a few seconds a Windows-Username will pop up, connect, and you are in your C:/. Feel free to dump all downloaded files there. I also use an FTP to access my files online so I don't have to download them back on my computer to use them.
Other popular Windows-programs that run on Mac:
-No-IP DNS Client
-Lime Wire
-Azureus
-SNESX9
