 "A new Mac user's review" | 2008-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By rinen |
The aluminum casing feels strong, and the plastic cover is glossy yet it doesn't seem to show that it gathers too much fingerprints. On the bottom of the Mac Mini is a large rubber grip that's just about the size of the bottom itself. It helps quite a bit should an excess of rocking should happen, that you won't have to worry about it slipping off and falling.
One of the few gripes I have with the Mac Mini so far in my few days of owning one is the location of the USB ports. They are located bottom left on the backside of the mini. Now they are placed in a spot where it won't intrude on the overall aesthetics of the mini, but the location of the audio cable is just above the four USB ports. Someone with larger fingers might have a little bit of trouble should there be a need to take a USB accessory out for whatever purpose. Then again, it could just be some getting used to.
The superdrive is quite noisy at first and there is a bit of a hum when its running. It's completely understandable considering it's less than an inch of being exposed if it wasn't for the mini's casing. My only worry is about how hot the disc gets after even a little bit of use.
I'm mostly a writer, so when buying this, I wanted a word processor and I knew that a good one wouldn't be installed on it beforehand. I also gave a try at iWork '08 with it being only $79 instead of $149.95 for Office 2008 for Mac - Home and Student Edition. With that I'm glad about the purchase, it didn't take too much trouble getting used to it. As a writer, I've hundreds of books lying around both on my desk, and whatever spot can hold a few books. So the small footprint of the mini also persuaded me to buy it.
I could have went for a slimlime tower that some PC manufacturers offer such as what HP offers. I could have got one for more than half the price of what the mini costs. However I dislike the possibility of a virus attack while doing research online. Reading up on 15+ tabs of websites, there was always a possibility of a virus attack. With Mac OS X, I've little worry for any sort of malicious attacks.
A plus side with the built-in speaker is I could listen to music without having to attach any speakers or use my current built-in speakers on my lcd screen. They aren't strong speakers, but for being at a desk, it certainly does it's duty.
For me, I'll take the added security and the small footprint of the Mac Mini. |
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 "My second Mac Mini, perfect for my home theater/media center" | 2008-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1F7VPW3RVLHPY |
| This is my second Mac Mini. My first one still works great, never had a problem with it ever, despite upgrading the original memory and clumsily performing a delicate overclocking operation that brought me up to 1.5Ghz on the old CPU. Still, my old Mac Mini kept on ticking. Never crashed once in over 3 1/2 years. Not once. Never once had any issues or problems at all. I just wanted the Intel Core 2 Duo chip and all of the new software (Leopard). I love this new Mac Mini ... much faster at 2.0 Ghz with the Intel Core 2 Duo chip. I sincerely recommend buying an upgrade to the stock memory from 1G to 4G, for around $80, since this Mac Mini shares system memory with the video card. It greatly increases the speed of virtually everything. Some people have said the 4Gig upgrade to the Mac Mini is a waste because it will only recognize 3.5 Gig of the memory. Nonsense. I installed the 4 Gig and my system profiler shows 4 Gig available, installed, and functioning properly. Awesome speed and power. Can now run Windows XP in Parallels faster than on a PC. I also recommend buying a NewTech MiniStack external drive accessory, because it give you a bunch of extra firewire and USB ports. |
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| "A little dream computer" | 2008-08-31 |
| - Reviewed By tonzj |
This is my first Apple product since the original Apple computer that was my introduction to computers in the early eighties. What a nice change from win computers. No installation crashes--no glitches at all.
I purchased the Mac Mini to connect to a Samsung 46 inch LCD TV for the living room. Connected to an Apple wireless keyboard/mouse combo (more kudos on the Apple design here as well), I can connect to the internet with a BIG monitor and switch back to viewing normal TV without leaving the comfort of my recliner.
The Mac Mini is sleek, quiet and unobtrusive. Though pricier than other options for small footprint computers from HP (and a new one from Dell), the change from a windows computer has been a breeze, and the error free performance has been refreshing. I still have my Gateway in the other room and have set up wireless networking for connecting to the outside world. I am still adding programs and exploring the Mac. So far, not a single regret.
I will eventually add a tuner card, probably and Elgato product, and a separate mass storage device. Looks like I have finally found the best alternative for me for both normal computing and home entertainment. |
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| "Simple, fun computing that doesn't take forever to load at startup" | 2008-08-16 |
| - Reviewed By sendmichael |
Let me start first-off that product loyalty is important to me. Marketers love me. When something impresses me with quality, I stick with it.
I made the switch. I still hate the commercials, but I love my new, fast, ready-to-get-to-work computer and if you'll allow me, take you on the journey I took to get here.
My last Windows computer died of natural causes last week. It's not the first Windows PC that did that to me, but this time it was *different*. For months I knew it was barely chugging to the next day, but I kept crossing my fingers every time I hit the "ON" button. It was old, obsolete and completely not worth upgrading, but I stuck with it because I loved Windows XP and the familiar wheeze of an old machine coming back to life. I've had many computers and started with MS-DOS and made the trip all the way through Windows 95, 98, 2000, and XP. I am not a Microsoft hater. I like their products and appreciate their contribution to personal computing.
I built PCs and considered myself a decent techie. Until Vista. I hate Vista. The bloat, the driver situation, and the lack of compelling reasons to upgrade to an OS told me that this was not an improvement over XP. I searched for an XP loaded machine (computers are so cheap now, building one from scratch was out of the question) and came up with some choices that sucked less than others, but nothing to my satisfaction. Again, I could build one as a project but I needed one for work and remembered the last nightmare I had mounting a RAID array for a gaming computer and have been on the wagon since then. That project was like a DoD contract that went overbudget and overboard very, very quickly.
Finally I stopped by the local Apple store and found this odd looking napkin boxed shaped "computer" called the Mac Mini and laughed. Was that a toy? Does a Kleenex come out of it? Ok, I said to myself. I'll be thorough. So, I took a test drive, fully expecting to walk away with a snarky comment on the Mac Mini. I opened the applications and had no idea what I was fooling with, but soon got into the groove and found myself spending serious time with the applications. The Mac staff (I think they were called "Geniuses"?) kept coming buy trying to sell me a computer, but I wanted to keep on test driving it, opening up the applications and doing my best to fend off other people looking over my shoulder.
When I left, I could hear the collective sigh of the "Geniuses," and came back later. I wanted a Mac Mini and wanted them to add 1 GB of RAM. I wasn't happy that they discouraged you from doing this on your own and apparently you void your warranty for even trying to open the box. Fine. I had a spare monitor and compatible pointing device at home. I'd need a Mac Bluetooth keyboard and got one (see my other review).
A week later I am happily integrating my Apple mail program with web mail and installing Firefox. Safari is a nice Apple Internet browser, but not my cup of coffee. I like Firefox more. I picked up the Missing Sync application for my Pocket PC PDA and found drivers for my printer and scanner. I downloaded OpenOffice.org to replace MS Office, which I had already been phasing out of my life. Google Documents is also part of my toolbox, so "cloud computing" is already something I am comfortable with doing. For desktop publishing, I armed myself with a new copy of Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro and was ready to go to work.
Within a few days I was back in business. My dead HP laptop lies in state in a box awaiting scavenging. Maybe it will lie there forever like Chairman Mao or Lenin or like Countrywide Financial Corporation's Living Mummy/CEO Angelo Mozilo.
I can also imagine that someday it will find itself atop a pile collected by WALL-E. I won't be there, I'll be dead and happy that I walked into a pretentious looking Mac store one sweltering summer afternoon with a low expecations and left with a little white plastic bag holding a 3 lb. computer only a few hours later (it took 1.5 hours for them to install the extra GB). Yes, it is worth installing that 1 GB. |
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| "BYE BYE PC AND WINDOWS!!!" | 2008-08-12 |
| - Reviewed By backyardtradingcompany |
Not much to say here, other than I am replacing all of my PC's with Macs. This is long overdue, and I hope to never lay hands on a Windows based machine again. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Microsoft is the devil. Get out while you can!
btw...you can upgrade the RAM in the Mac Mini very easily with a couple of putty knives and an order from Newegg. There are guides all over the internet showing you step by step how to do it. Saves you hundreds! |
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| "I am very much happy with this product ! just need to extend the RAM to 2 GB ;-)" | 2008-07-27 |
| - Reviewed By vvb_verlag_books |
| I am very much happy with this product ! just need to extend the RAM to 2 GB ;-) |
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| "Back To Mac" | 2008-07-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2FNXXZ3IVCPGT |
| I have been a Mac user on and off over the years. Like Mac better, but overpriced. I decided to try the Mac Mini with my 40 inch LCD and Voila! I now have a Mac with a 40 inch screen with WiFi and linking to ITunes and Internet with Safari and Leopard. Easy as pie. My daughter uses this in the living room and it adds another computer to the household for little money. Not a powerhouse, but if you want to use for surfing and other non-heavy duty purposes, this is the way to get back to Mac. Wireless keyboard and mouse allow us to sit on couch and use with ease and comfort. Very glad I purchased! I am writing this on my Compaq notebook and have an old E Machine too. Like the Mac Mini the best. If Apple ever lowers their notebook prices to more competitive prices, I will buy then. Hope this helps. |
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 "Walt from Dallas" | 2008-07-22 |
| - Reviewed By wkolip |
Apple Mac mini MB138LL/A (1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, Combo Drive)I have used a PC for many years: My first PC was a 1987 Zenith, the first portable on the market and a weighty 18 lbs: with DOS. I am on my 5th PC.
Since this was my first Apple computer, a MAC Mini, I decided to spend the $150 for a 3 years tech-service and warranty.
1) During research on Apple's website on the Mac Mini I noted that the applications in Leopard did NOT include a word-processor. I entered a search "word processor" but the only result was their iWorks an added cost option of $ 80. A friend who has an iMac told me the name of the software is "TextEdit". I was told at the Dallas Apple store that TextEdit is in fact part of the Leopard offering and was confirmed by an on-line chat. No where on Apple's website is a users manual listed. After I setup my Mac I checked out TextEdit and found it comparable to Windows WordPad: This was confirmed in a borrowed "Mac for Dummies." I have used Word-Perfect and Microsoft's Works & Word and expected that TextEdit was similar. Apple was too ashamed to list TestEdit in Leopard, but for a reason: When you get your Mac they have a sucker-punch offer for you: You get a free 30-day trial of their word processor. So, I gotta lay out $80 extra for their iWorks word processor. Not a good way to earn creditability with a first-time customer.
2) During my telecom with a Tech, I was given instructions on how to install my Logitech wireless 2-year old keyboard/mouse which is designed for OS X. Some 20 minutes was spent on the installation process and the Rep gave up saying: Your keyboard/mouse can NOT be installed. We than installed my old hard-wired keyboard/mouse. So, now I have a $100 Logitech paper-weight. So far I have "lost" $100 on buying the Mini, and will need to spend another $80 for iWorks. Total now: $180
3) When I visited the Apple Store for a second time, I asked what `preparation work' must I do to make my Works files capable of migrating to TextEdit. He said, and later confirmed by an Apple instructor, that I would need to change the code from ".wps" to either ".doc" or ".txt"
I told the telecom Tech that I wanted to migrate some of my Works files, and told him about the scenario involving "change wps: to doc or txt" And he responded you need to call Microsoft for instructions on how to migrate "Works files." More $$ need to be added to my un-expected incremental increase of $180. Only once did I find it necessary to spend $40 for a Microsoft engineer's "fix" of my computer: money well spent. I told the Rep that I spent $150 for your Apple Care Protection Plan, which now is very apparent that I needlessly spent $150 for being told, "we are not capable of installing your OS X wireless keyboard/mouse" And "We at Apple are not capable of migrating your word-processor files, but for more $$ I could buy Apple software to accomplish this. On their website the following information is found: Copying the files from your PC onto external or removable to storage media and then use that media in your Mac to transfer the files to your hard drive. And, further states: If you don't want to install Windows and Boot Camp on your Mac, you can move just your Windows files to your new Mac and use them with Mac applications. This is a lotta Apple B.S. Again, I told 5 Apple "experts" that I only want to migrate some Works files and Pictures to iPhoto. After all this disappointment with Apple I did not find it worthwhile to talk about iPhoto. The Tech-Rep was pleased that I took the time to fill out two forms: "email account settings for my mac" and "My Mac Cheat Sheet."
4) Notoriously absent from their website is any information regarding internet security software (Search), yet other companies offer it is for sale. My own Trend-Micro just announced the availability of Mac software.
5) On my 4th startup, the keyboard & mouse would NOT function.
So here is my tally of "$ 370 down-the-toilet," if I choose to keep the MacMini:
$ 100 wireless keyboard/mouse: great software; + $ 80 iWorks; + $ 40 Microsoft Engineer; + $ 150 AppleCare." Bogus "truth in advertising" on website.
-- unanswered is: Will I find in the future, a need to spend more money for Apple's internet-security ? Stay turned for an expected announcement from Apple on its new internet security software.
UPS just picked up the MAC Mini.
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| "Coolest MAC around!!" | 2008-07-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: A8AGYCL89DZOV |
This weekend I picked up a Mac Mini (with the above mentioned specs..) after doing tons of research and truly looking at my overall needs. Originally my thought was to pick up a Macbook but after focusing on my needs and seeking a cheaper alternative to jumping into the MAC arena I decided to go this route. After being a PC user for many many years the thought of learning a new operating system seemed rather intimidating but having friends who have made the jump made the task seemed a bit less daunting..
I spent many hours perusing You Tube for Mac reviews...everything from Macbook AIR..to PRO..to Macbook and eventually MINI. There's a lot of good informative stuff out there!! Also reading the reviews on this site and many other online reviews I felt I was armed with enough knowledge to finally visit an APPLE store and ask some intelligent questions. Fortunately I ran into 2 young sales guys who knew their product well and tried to be as objective as possible about the product they were selling...I got the feeling they were truly interested in making sure I understood the differences between Windows Vista and Leopard and spent a great deal of time showing me features in ilife and Leopard in general. This made a difference to me in that the APPLE store staff exhibited such "refreshing" professionalism. I think that in itself made a big difference in helping me make a decision to try APPLE products. Their support was top notch compared to the experience I had received in the past from other vendors.
After I picked up my Mac Mini...set up was a breeze. I had a Dell 17" 1703 monitor that was formerly coupled to my Dell Dimension 8300 that I hooked up to with no problems. I had a made a decision to get the APPLE keyboard due to the Command features and the fact that I liked the way the keys felt and am glad. Dell speakers and a Logitech wireless mouse completed the set up and I was off and running! The OS booted up so quickly that I immediately thought I'll never be able to go back to VISTA again..LOL! And setup was effortless..wireless..email..all very intutive and painless. No wonder APPLE has so many people switching!
Once everything was set up I was working within the OS within minutes and what's cool is on the APPLE website there are many informative video tutorials as well as written support that helps a lot.
For video & pictures the OS recognized both my Sony digital & video cameras and I was able to download all my files seamlessly with iphoto and imovie. Here is where I can see the advantages of having additional memory but generally it wasn't too much of an issue..I will eventually upgrade my memory in the near future..
Overall for the weekend spent acclimating myself to this amazing little computer, the experience has been pretty darn good! I still have much to learn and will follow up with a more detailed review further on down the road...
But for first impressions I'm pretty happy! The bottom line is...look at your computing needs and budget and work within those parameters. You don't really need to pump out a couple of grand for an ideal APPLE experience..If you have a good monitor, keyboard and mouse..and are looking to change to the APPLE OS this would be the best and economical way to go!
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| "Older Cinema Displays require expensive adapter" | 2008-07-04 |
| - Reviewed By thorntonhouse |
Complaint #1: First thing I discovered when I went to hook up my new Mac Mini: I could not connect my "older" (c. 2004) 23" Cinema Display. Apple doesn't tell you that part. If you have an older Cinema Display with an ADC connection (it looks like it'll fit this DVI connection, but count the pins - it's wider), you'll have to purchase Apple's DVI-to-ADC adapter (P/N M8661LL/B). Unfortunately, it's expensive ($99 from apple or $89 on amazon plus shipping), it's bulky (almost as big as the mac mini), requires use of one of my precious USB ports and yet another electric outlet. Also, when my Mac goes to sleep, both USB ports on the rear of my 23" Cinema Display shut down. AND, because I have a "white-light Cinema Display" (i.e. the power button has a white glowing light behind it rather than a green glowing light), the button will no longer work as a power-on button. It just sort of pulses white light when you touch it. So there's that. Still, I'm able to use my "old" display with the new Mac Mini, which means a lot to these old eyes. btw, you might think you can get one of the other "DVI to ADC" cables that come up with a search here - but take close look at the male and female ends - as far as I can tell they're really ADC to DVI, i.e., for a newer DVI display to an older ADC Mac. Just a warning if you've got an older Cinema Display you want to work with a newer mac.
Complaint #2: Leopard. Sidebar in the Finder is now far less customizable than in Tiger; Sherlock is gone w/inferior Spotlight in its place (it doesn't separate search items in categories--boo); etc.
Complaint #3: My only other complaint on the Mini so far is that because it's basically a notebook without the screen, the ports are very close together. I'd rather see it be an inch or two wider just to accommodate the cords better.
The Mac Mini performance seems, at two days now, almost on par with my old G5 and is SO much quieter. That alone gets 3 stars! |
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